FS Got Talent was an intra-school event which placed emphasis on student talent and providing students with a platform to showcase their unique and creative sides to the school community outside of their academics. This school wide event was open for students, and spanned for 2 months which began from brainstorming to the auditions, and then lastly, to the final day of the event.

LOI 1: Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth

Through this project, I recognized that one of my key strengths is organization. I was effectively able to plan the event with its respective timelines, manage participants and their requirements, starting from auditions to the final day. This intra-school event helped school students uncover each other’s unique talents and creative sides. However, I also realized that I need to improve my public speaking skills and assertiveness when informing or addressing larger groups and concerns. This experience helped me uncover my strengths and weaknesses and effectively work on the same during team meetings, coordination with event team participants till the very beginning to the final daytime.

LOI 2: Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process

Organizing a school-wide event came with several challenges. That being said, this came with the very basic but vital responsibility of coordinating different departments of the school with each other and obtaining the final results. Some of the challenges faced were coordinating with the events team and making the resources demanded by the participants available on the final day through the school. In addition, last minute and uncalled drop outs were a major challenge. This helped develop adaptability and I learned how to think on my feet, which I had not previously practiced in real life.

LOI 3: Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience

This project was initiated with the idea of allowing school students to step out of their academic sides and expose their talents and captive side to the school community and parents. The planning starts from the very beginning with gathering other core members and volunteers from the student community, addressing goals, due dates and carefully curating a timeline for everyone to follow. This was then followed by, gathering inserted participants, audiences, etc. All of this was kept on track through reminders in chat spaces, emails, google calendar invites, regulated meetings with teachers, etc. All of this helped lead and execute the event.

LOI 4: Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences

The project spanned several weeks, requiring consistent effort during and after school hours. ​Even when challenges arise I remained comminited throughout focusing on other parts such as designing the graphics for invites, judge placards, certificates and much more. In addition to that, I continued work through rescheduling meetings with other core committee members, participants, providing follow ups to the teachers, working on last minute blackouts and compromises with initial planning due to unavailability of resources or venues and much more. My continued involvement in the planning of the event highlights my commitment to the CAS experience.

LOI 5: Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively

This project would not have been possible without collaboration​. I worked with my peers, teachers and technical staff, all of whom helped bring this event to life from the brainstorming to the final day of the event. I learned how to delegate tasks, listen to other’s inputs, and balance different opinions in order to make effective decisions. Throughout the event, my fellow peers, teachers and technical staff members have been extremely supportive and understanding in accordance with the event’s needs. With their help, workload was reduced and efficiency increased. This event provided me an opportunity to collaborate with varied people and help run the event smoothly and created a strong sense of shared accomplishment.

LOI 6: Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance

Although FS Got Talent was a local school event, it reflected the​ global importance of promoting inclusion, creativity, and student voice. In today’s world, providing inclusive platforms where everyone feels represented and heard is crucial.​ The event celebrated diversity in talent​, creativity and expression​ while also promoting a culture of acceptance​, respect and values that align with global goals related to education and well-being.​ Overall, this event provided students a platform to showcase their unique talents and provide a chance to be heard in the school community, outside of academics.

LOI 7: Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions

Throughout the project, I had to make ethical decisions, such as ensuring fairness in how performance slots were assigned, respecting cultural sensitivities, and being inclusive of all abilities and backgrounds. ​I was conscious of avoiding any kind of bias towards the participants and their performances to ensure fairness. Also, one of the most crucial impacts I considered was the use of tone while communicating with participants, volunteers, teachers and peers allowing effective communication and establishing mutual understanding and respect. This was especially helpful while providing feedback or other critical pieces of information.