What Makes A Young Champion?
Written by Raymond Tay on August 13, 2010 – 2:58 am -I am very excited to share with you this marvelous event that I have attended on 7 & 8 August. This forum discussed about “What Makes A Young Champion?” and it is organised by National University of Singapore (NUS) and The University of Sydney, Center for The Mind @ NUS, University Cultural Centre. The delegates are students from Secondary Schools, Polytechnics and Junior Colleges. The Creator of this forum is Professor Allan Snyder, director of Center for The Mind. I am very impressed of the chosen speakers (a.k.a. Young Champions) and delighted to listen about their successful stories and how they view champions or life. Let me introduced some of them to you:
Bambang Reguna (aka Bams), Rock Star, 27
Indonesian
Bams is the lead singer of popular Indonesian band, Samsons, which has gained a wide-spread popularity due to their squeaky clean image. Apart from his musical inclinations, he is also the ambassador in Indonesia in the campaign against drugs and narcotics abuse and delicates time to many social causes.
Caroline Bird, Writer, 24
British
An up-and-coming young writer, Caroline has published two collections of poetry and six plays, garnering numerous prizes. Her work has been published regularly in PN Review, Poetry Review and The North magazine and has been broadcast on BBC Radio. In her spare time, Caroline conducts poetry workshops for other aspiring writers from primary and secondary schools in England.
Listen to her poem:
Johnny Strange, Mountaineer, 18
American
Climbing Antarctica’s Mount Vinson at twelve, Johnny became the youngest person to ever scale the Seven Summits on the seven continents. Advocating the message to stop genocide from the top of Mount Everest, Johnny combines his passion for climbing with calls for social change.
Leanna Archer, Entrepreneur, 14
American
At nine, Leanna founded her company, Leanna’s Inc, producing all-natural hair products, and she hasn’t looked back since. Today, Leanna’s Inc grosses over $600,000 a year and Leanna has been featured on numerous television shows including NBC’s The Today Show, Fox News and MSNBC. In her free time, Leanna also dedicates herself to social causes. In 2008, the Leanna Archer Foundation was set up to help provide schooling, food and other support to Haiti’s underprivileged children.
Louis Barnett, Chocolatier, 18
British
Having dropped out of school at eleven due to learning difficulties, Louis soon became a licensed chocolatier who was also the youngest supplier of both the Sainsbury’s and Waitrose supermarket chains at the age of fourteen. Since then, he has received Lord Carter Award for excellence in the food industry and also numerous nominations for showing promise as a young entrepreneur. An environmentalist, Louis is also actively involved in the conservation of the Chester Zoo’s Bornean Orangutan Conservation Programme.
Reese Fernandez, Social Entrepreneur, 25
Filipina
Reese Fernandez is the caring and enterprising co-founder of Rags2Riches, a social enterprise company that empowers woman who live in Manila’s Payatas waste dump by enabling them to sell their fashion products directly to retailers. These women have access to training in personal finance, health insurance and nutrition. Rags2Riches also provides mothers with the “Quality of Life” programme in which they can save a part of their income.
Besides the sharing from these Young Champions, there is also a showcase of the winning videos on “What Makes a Young Champion?”. I am happy to have a photo with one of the winners, Hannah Klassek, 19, Australian who created “Believe in Me“.
Take a look:
Ding Mingzhe, 20, Chinese, has also created a meaningful video, “A Frog’s Adventure“:
I love another video as well, by Phuong Anh Pham, 19, Vietnamese. Very touching. Title: “Marathon“.
Finally, below is a graphic representation of the entire event:
An amazing event for all esp. young people. Be inspired and be the next champion.
Tags: Bambang Reguna, Caroline Bird, Center for The Mind, Ding Mingzhe, Hannah Klassek, Johnny Strange, Leanna Archer, Louis Barnett, National University of Singapore (NUS), Phuong Anh Pham, Professor Allan Snyder, Reese Fernandez, The University of Sydney, What Makes A Young Champion?
Posted in Business, Community, Health & Fitness, Inspiration, Personal Success, Students, Wealth | 1 Comment »
Powerful Beyond Measure
Written by Raymond Tay on August 1, 2010 – 1:58 am -This week, a good friend of mine has invited me to her company to watch an inspiring movie, “Akeelah and the Bee” and I am very glad that I have watched it. It reminds me about our limitless ability (Powerful Beyond Measure) and we already have many coaches around us (50,000 coaches) to help us to succeed in anything we want. Same belief that I have: “There is always something you can learn from anyone. Look into his/her strengths.” Also, in this world, there can be more than 1 champion and when we push each other, our boundaries will expand. Interestingly, the movie can help us to improve our english as well. Read the quotes aloud:
Our Deepest Fear:
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant,
gorgeous, talented and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us.
It is not just in some; it is in everyone.
And, as we let our own light shine, we consciously give
other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.
This widely acclaimed poem is actually not a poem at all, but an excerpt from
A Return To Love, a book by motivational speaker and author
Marianne Williamson
Tags: Akeelah and the Bee, Marianne Williamson, Our Deepest Fear, Powerful Beyond Measure
Posted in Inspiration, Personal Success, Students | No Comments »
Dynamic & Dizzyingly PE
Written by Raymond Tay on July 25, 2010 – 3:15 am -In this weekend, I have come across this surprising article, “PE Lessons Aren’t What They Used to Be” and I am very proud of our Singapore’s MOE and PE Department. Also, envy of the 21st century’s students. In the past (or my generation), our PE lessons were playing standard sport games like soccer, basketball and captainball and doing the simple workout & running. For today’s youth, they have the chance to experience a more holistic physical, mental and social development. There are new games like Chanbara, Tchoukball and Kangoo Jumps and many outdoor sports (e.g. dragonboat, flying fox, golf). PE lessons have also incorporated with theory lessons (e.g. to know more about Olympic, stress reduction) or in computer labs (playing Second Life). So fun!! Don’t ever skip your PE lesson again!!
Tags: Chanbara, Flybar, Kangoo Jumps, Ministry of Education, Physical Education, Tchoukball
Posted in Health & Fitness, Students | No Comments »
The LEAD Xperience @ Coral Pri Sch
Written by Raymond Tay on July 19, 2010 – 9:26 am -On 17 July 10, we have conducted “The LEAD Xperience” for the younger leaders of Coral Pri Sch. The students are from P4 & P5 and they are the Prefects, Class Monitors and CCA Leaders. Creative and funny bunch of kids. Esp. two students who named themselves as Monster & Alien. Also, interesting group names were created like Pontianak, Shabalabadingdong, and Evil Genius. We have a great time sharing and chatting with the students. During the programme, they are tasked to plan projects such as Teachers’ Day Celebration, Fundraising Projects and Community Involvement Projects (CIP). The monitors’ fundraising ideas include face painting, car washing, balloon sculpting, foods (different cultures) and books. CCA leaders plan to help SPCA, orphans and elderly and also perform their Chinese and Malay dances during assembly. Prefects have thought of song dedications, games, audition, badges, letters, banners, etc to make their Teachers’ Day celebration grand.
Here are some of the pictures when they were in action:
Tags: Coral Primary School, Leadership & Management, The LEAD Xperience
Posted in Students | 1 Comment »
Youngest Principal in the World
Written by Raymond Tay on June 16, 2010 – 1:24 pm -This is a story of Babar Ali, 16 years old student from West Bengal in India. Everyday, he wakes up very early and rides on an auto-rickshaw to travel 10km to his school, Raj Govinda school. After his lessons, he shares what he has learnt with more than 800 students in his back yard for free. He began teaching his friends as a game when he was just 9.
If you are complaining about your school, teachers or homework, think of Babar Ali or the poor children who are not getting a proper education.
Tags: Babar Ali, Headmaster, Youngest Principal
Posted in Community, Inspiration, Students | 3 Comments »
An Interview by Penny’s Daybook
Written by Raymond Tay on February 3, 2010 – 1:33 am -One of our friends, Adine Chin, a freelance writer/copywriter & a creative writing teacher has contacted us for an interview about Leader’s Wheel and ourselves to feature in her “Inspiring Entrepreneurs” story in their Penny’s Daybook. We are happy to complete her interview and hopefully inspire people who needs some encouragement to take the first step in starting a biz. Below is the interview (answered by Raymond & Keith):
1. In 3 words, tell us what Leader’s Wheel is all about.
Moulding Tomorrow’s Leaders.
2. Which clear, or perhaps, unexpected path in life led you to what you’re doing now?
It was a long journey that led us to discover what we love to do. During our secondary school’s days and continued volunteering service in St. John Ambulance Brigade (SJAB), we had been trained to be a leader and empowered to develop our juniors into leaders as well. Through this CCA, we had many opportunities to attend many leadership courses and after that, we were given the chance to take upon various key roles (like Platoon Commander, Training Officer, Support Officer, Cadet Officer, Finance Officer) to serve, learn and lead. You can say that SJAB shaped our character and destiny.
3. To train leaders, you’ve got to be one too. So tell us how things were when you guys were trying to build this idea from scratch and how you managed to pull through.
Certainly, you must be a leader first before train others to be. A common phrase is “Lead by Example.” Once we are very clear what we are going to do, everything will seem possible. As we have created leadership programmes before, it was not too difficult to continue to use the useful contents to teach young leaders-to-be. Of course, there are many unknowns when starting a business (e.g. knowing how to register a biz, designing website, and contacting the schools). But when you love what you do and focus on your end intention (which is helping & changing young souls), you will continue to take small steps and overcome all obstacles to reach your goals.
4. Before building Leader’s Wheel, how different/similar were your personal goals as compared to now?
I think for majority of us, when we are young, we dream of many different careers (like doctor, lawyer, policeman, prison officer, businessman) as we are not too certain of what we want to do. Thus indeed it was very different for me compared to now. Fortunately, I would say I am lucky to find my passion early in life so I will not be hitting too many walls along.
5. Tell us, what’s the ONE thing (besides leadership, of course) that will cause an individual to stand out from the crowd?
I think it is our “FOCUS” in life or “CLARITY” of our destiny. As many people are not very sure what they want to do, so they will just follow the crowd or listen to their parents, teachers, professors or schools. Thus, it is vital for an individual to be certain of what he/she wants to achieve in life and work towards their goals accordingly.
6. How would you encourage/inspire individuals who want to pursue their ambitions of owning a business, or just pursing unconventional interests?
You can say “easy and/or difficult”. It is easy to inspire people who are clear of their personal direction and difficult to help someone to discover their interests (as it is a personal thing). One thing we would highlight is that not all of us need to be entrepreneur, as you need certain personalities to be one and the world cannot operate if all of us become a business owner (as there is no employees to hire). There is a wonderful mandarin quote: “Every occupation will create its scholars and talents”.
7. How do each of you overcome challenges and prove naysayers wrong?
Perseverance is the key to success. If you do not believe in yourself and what you are doing and chose to give up at the earliest opportunity when facing any problems, you will never succeed in life. Thus, instead of running away from problems, we chose to face our challenges bravely and adjust our strategies accordingly to overcome the challenges faced.
8. What’re the best and worst things about doing what you’re doing now?
The best thing is that we are able to do the things we like and have a passion for as our career. Many a times, people are grumbling about their jobs (e.g. mundane work, unfriendly colleagues) and just work for the sake of money. But for us, we are glad that we have an opportunity to do what we like and have a sustainable income at the same time. The worst thing will be not being accepted by the schools. We treat rejections as reality of life and if we ask enough people, someone will say, “Yes!”.
9. What inspires you?
Personally, I am a person who thrives under adversity. Thus for me, my inspiration comes from sportsmen who have come back successfully after overcoming their personal challenges accordingly because these people have many qualities which I can learn and tap from. One such example is Lance Armstrong who did not quit competing in cycling races even though he was diagnosed with his testicular cancer.
10. What’s one thing we really, really must know about the team at Leader’s Wheel?
In Leader’s Wheel, we are forward looking. We are constantly seeking improvements in all aspects of our company and lives. We look for various avenues to enrich and better equipped ourselves so that we are able to face any challenges ahead.
11. What’s one experience that has touched you the most in your line of work since Leader’s Wheel?
The experience that has touched me the most must be the industry visit I had arranged with one of our partners. They are a non-profit organization which provides job placement service for people with disabilities (PWD). By reaching out to the PWD and assisting them in achieving independence, dignity and integration into the mainstream of society, this experience of working closely with the PWD have truly touched me. I am more determined to bring the awareness of this organisation to the students we are teaching.
12. What are you looking forward to in 2010 (personally and also for Leader’s Wheel)?
Personally, I am looking at being able to share my knowledge with more people; students in particular, as I had always believe that the students can achieve higher well-being with valuable advices and knowledge. As for Leader’s Wheel, we aim to reach out to more schools and enriched the lives of 10,000 students by the end of 2010. (Currently, we have moulded 2,116 and still counting…)
13. As promised, our theme for Feburary’s “Red Hot” and we want you to complete our tiny fill in the blanks section!
My idea image of something “Red Hot” (‘chilli/curry aren’t allowed) is the fire in each of us.
If I weren’t managing Leader’s Wheel, I’d be an educator and be volunteering to develop youth.
If I had to make my way through the crazy Lunar New Year traffic, I’d rather listen to my favourite music and my role models’ speeches to cool down.
I’d like to exercise right now with my buddy.
Exercising and living keep me refreshed.
Our Recent Assembly Talks @ East View Primary School on Goal Setting:
Tags: Focus, Lead by Example, Perseverance, Starting a Biz
Posted in Business, Inspiration, Leadership & Management, Personal Success, Students | 2 Comments »
Be the STARS and Shine!!
Written by Raymond Tay on December 24, 2009 – 4:28 am -During this month, I helped out in a life-changing Camp STARS @ Ngee Ann Polytechnic, organised by Clementi Police Division. A 3D2N camp for at-risk students. It was an unique & moving experience for me (esp. when I discovered about their lives, challenges & behaviours).
The camp started off by a talk on Social Entrepreneurship (speaker: Ms Elim Chew, Founder & President of 77 th Street (S) Pte Ltd). She shared about her beliefs and inspiring stories that she has heard of & created. By offering shopping vouchers to the students, she was able to let them realised how opportunities are being grabbed or overlooked.
Everyone has HABITS and if you take out the ”H”, you have “ABIT”. If you take away “A”, you’ve “H BIT”. When you throw away “B”, you still have “HA IT”. It means you will always live with your habits, unless you took tremendous effort to change them.
What is “IMPOSSIBLE”? It’s “I M POSSIBLE!!!“.
Sometimes we can feel down and unmotivated and there is a very interesting Fun Theory that you can apply or watch. =)
In Barcelona 1992 Olympic, which athlete do you remember? Or what is the name of any gold medalist? This is the man who didn’t win but many people will remember him. He is Derek Redmond and got a hamstring injury during his 400m race. His heavenly father helped him to complete the race.
The Camp STARS was full of powerful cheers and consisted of many students (from different schools, races & CCAs), facilitators, student volunteers & police officers. The key activity was the Amazing Race which focused on racial harmony and different cultures’ festivals, apparels & music. The game stations are Police Post, Chinatown, Little India, Holland Village, Social Centre and Malay Village. It was my first time making a chinese dumpling and having my hands painted with hanahs. Quite fun and learn to appreciate different cultures. The students also had the opportunity to gain knowledge about investing & trading on gold, oil & diamond through a auction activity.
The whole 3D2N food were buffet and were the most scrumptious camp meals that I’ve eaten. Superb!! Great way to keep the students here.
At the reflection/sharing sessions, each students shared about their families & bad records that they had. One of the students had a single-parent and another student experienced child abuse by his father. Some students had been caught for stealing, fighting and even molesting. There was also a police officer who talked about his notorious brother who was caught for threatening a taxi driver for money and went to jail a few times. I felt a bit heartbroken & grief after hearing their stories.
Hope this camp had made them understand ”Any Action has its own Consequences“ and shared love, peace & joy amongst the people. Building friendship and support groups.
Tags: 1992 Olympic, Camp STARS, Clementi Police Division, Derek Redmond, Social Entrepreneur, The Fun Theory
Posted in Community, Inspiration, Students | 4 Comments »
Making Decisions & Solving Problems (AMKSS)
Written by Raymond Tay on November 19, 2009 – 5:55 am -To Student Councillors (Sec 2 & 3) of AMK Sec Sch,
On 11 Nov 09, it was one of the most fun & exciting sessions that we’ve ever been in and you guys are very helpful, proactive & willing to speak up. Quite creative in your group names: Anti-Frogs, Yo Ma Ma and Shoomzzz, maybe except for Xiao Frogs.. In our ZOOM game, some of you are very systematic and efficient in arranging the cards into the correct sequence. However, there is a bit too many conversations going on at a time and you should try to listen first. Also, learn not to give up until the last second. Remember games are reflections of our behaviours in real life. When we ask for volunteers to share your key decisions, you have speakers in line very fast (like Gary and Kyaw). Hope you are serious and committed for all the decisions you made (e.g. aiming for the Stars’ results and setting new standards for your team). Congratulations to Anti-Frogs, being the Most Savvy Survivors in the case study. We have also noticed quite a few of you (like Mike, Kyaw, Vince, Caroline, Hanis, Shiau Yin, Zalifa) trying organising and lead into a consensus. Great Job!! and almost all of you are participating in the discussions. Interestingly, we have a group that didn’t score very well and have a member who has the lowest point (being the Smartest Survivor) from that group. It’ll tell us the contributions about the person or whether the rest of the group members are listening to the ideas/reasons. Still I believe your Student Council will strive to thrive as you’ve wonderful leaders. Till then, serve, learn & lead!!
Tags: Ang Mo Kio Sec Sch, Leadership & Management, Making Decisions & Solving Problems
Posted in Students | 1 Comment »
How Importance Is Education?
Written by Raymond Tay on September 13, 2009 – 7:49 am -Have you asked these questions before?
Why must I study? Why do I need to go to school? How can my English/Maths/Science, etc. helped me in my life? During some stages of my life, I did ask these questions and trying my best to figure out the link between my future career and the education. Indeed, I have discovered how importance the level of education will affect our future.
The reasons why we learn English and other language skills are enabling us to communicate on a common ground and get our ideas more clearly. Everyday we need to speak/write to our colleagues, customers, friends, families and partners, thus the ability to communicate well is essential. How about Maths and Science? Today, we have the luxury of technology (like our calculators and computers) but we still require to know how to operate them and do simple calculations on our own. Handling our finances, doing shopping, driving and even playing sports (and many more) will need maths skills to do the job.
In addition, the more we learn, we more we earn. Many top careers (e.g. doctors, lawyers, investment bankers, accountants) require high qualifications and sometimes even professional certifications. I believe you already know that they are earning much more than an average person. In the Forbes 500s List of America, almost 70% of the CEOs have at least a Law Degree or M.B.A. Thus we can see that education plays an important role in the career opportunities that one can has. Sometimes education doesn’t just mean going to school, it can be also self-learning/taught. By reading a useful & practical book, it can bring you to a higher level.
Also, be sure to listen to how Mr. Obama address “My Education My Future“:
Personally, I like the way he shared the relationship between subjects and careers. Schools/CCAs will help individuals to find their talents, and this is how I discover my own passion.
Cherish & Enjoy, being a Student!!
Tags: careers, Education, school
Posted in Business, Personal Success, Students | No Comments »
From Passive to Proactive Leaders (TPSS)
Written by Raymond Tay on August 29, 2009 – 11:50 am -To Class Leaders – Graduates of “Learning to LEAD“,
We’ve enjoyed interacting & sharing with you (White House, Peace, Copyright and Sapphire) in these 5 sessions. You’ve the high energy to do many things and many of you are quite vocal in your character. I believe you can generate many ideas to excite & empower your class. A small suggestion for you is to pay more attention on listening (Remember: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood). You’ll have better reponse from others. Leadership will evolve when someone steps up! Let your COURAGE to be with you to share when you’ve a better idea (Challenge the Process). You’ve done an excellent job in your planning of Teachers’ Day Celebration by stating clear assignments of student-to-teacher, class room layout, detailed item list, games, agenda and presentation slides for your teachers. Envision your Fun & Memorable Celebration!! Many hands make light work!!
Till then, live with these:
“I will model the way;
I will inspire a shared vision;
I will challenge the process;
I will enable others to act;
I will encourage the heart;
I am a leader for good.”
Tags: Habits, Leadership Challenge, Learning to LEAD, Teachers' Day
Posted in Students | No Comments »
