Student Council Presidential Rally
Al Gore once said, “I think George W. Bush has a warm and engaging personality. But, you know, the presidency is more than just a popularity contest.” It is relevant then that rallies existed before one was elected for a significantly important post, because obviously rallies are meant to display the true essence of a candidate over his or her supposed popularity.
Therefore you can imagine that the Presidential Rally for the Taylor’s College Sri Hartamas Student Council was every bit as exhilarating and thrilling as ever.
It was the 21st of January, the day before the elections. The Alpha Theatre was unusually crowded and noisy – being filled with students buzzing about the I-really-do-not-know-who-to-vote-for issue, and the candidates running for President who were busy handing out flyers, shaking hands with their fans – oops – friends, and repeatedly reciting their speech for the rally. By the time Mr. Rahul started the rally by reminding the spectators to be silent and cooperative, I could see most students switching to attentive mode, ready to listen.
The first candidate to deliver his speech was the tall and confident Cheong Victor. Mr. Cheong delivered his speech with outmost confidence and determination while elaborating on the three different committees he was planning to form if he was elected. Apart from his well-rehearsed reasons on why he deserves the position, in my opinion he stood out, firstly because he smiled practically throughout his entire rally with his pearly whites! (But of course it’s a good thing, isn’t it?)
Strutting up the aisle to the podium was the next candidate, Stephanie Balling. To say that Ms. Balling’s speech points were different from Mr. Cheong’s would be an understatement. Her honesty and openness regarding the response to her campaign was effective in garnering the crowd’s respect for her, I believe; and her explanation about her work experience, social network and wide resources with promise to do more for the students concluded in a very convincing rally.
The third and equally competitive candidate, Cassandrah Alexander, produced a speech with a very smart and thoughtful edge. She emphasized on the importance of the students and their needs in her rally, and spoke with modesty and eloquence while walking along the aisle, directly in front of the audience. She reminded us that each candidate running for President was special and different, a significant point in her rally.
After many attempts at convincing the students by the first three candidates using a more “serious” method, it was definitely a refreshing note to listen to Mohd Faiz’s more animated speech. He actually made good points – “a vote for us is a vote for you” – in between his jokes, and spoke with clear confidence and ease throughout his rally. In fact, someone who wishes to remain anonymous remarked that Faiz was “a fast thinker” after witnessing his ability to produce considerably impressive answers after having questions thrown at him.
Our second-last candidate, Ling Kar Joon, was undeniably the most interesting to watch, or rather, to listen to. If you were there at the rally, you would get the drift. If you weren’t, you missed out on an impressive performance! Mr. Ling began his introduction, and then surprised us by singing a song. He altered the lyrics of the song “To Be A Better Man” by Robbie Williams and sang along with the melody, and the song ended up being “To Be A President”. He received a lot of applause from the audience and continued elaborating on his capabilities, determination and the importance of teamwork afterward.
Last but most certainly not least was Ganesh Kumar. More widely known as “Kumar”, he illustrated his points swiftly and smartly, inserting some humour in between. His speech was short and straightforward, something different compared to the rest of the candidates. He won the audience’s attention this way, although I’m pretty certain some of the students were more interested in his unique Liverpool FC belt which had a revolving buckle in the middle.
After the rally, I asked each of the six candidates the same question – “How are you feeling now after the entire rally and do you feel confident about tomorrow’s election?”
Victor – “I still feel the same, still nervous. Honestly, I’m not confident. My dream is just to see a good student council.”
“Everyone spoke really well. I’m really honoured to be a candidate along with them. I guess I am confident about tomorrow.” – Stephanie
Cassandrah – “I am relieved, because I believe I have done my best. I’m not worried about the election and may the best person win!”
“I think there are no losers; they are all great leaders for the student council. I’m confident because I think I portrayed myself well.” – Faiz
Kar Joon – “I feel very pressured! Everyone was very good, and I’m not feeling really confident.”
“I was underprepared and did an impromptu speech. However I did my best and I’m confident about the outcome.” – Kumar
Therefore you can imagine that the Presidential Rally for the Taylor’s College Sri Hartamas Student Council was every bit as exhilarating and thrilling as ever.
It was the 21st of January, the day before the elections. The Alpha Theatre was unusually crowded and noisy – being filled with students buzzing about the I-really-do-not-know-who-to-vote-for issue, and the candidates running for President who were busy handing out flyers, shaking hands with their fans – oops – friends, and repeatedly reciting their speech for the rally. By the time Mr. Rahul started the rally by reminding the spectators to be silent and cooperative, I could see most students switching to attentive mode, ready to listen.
The first candidate to deliver his speech was the tall and confident Cheong Victor. Mr. Cheong delivered his speech with outmost confidence and determination while elaborating on the three different committees he was planning to form if he was elected. Apart from his well-rehearsed reasons on why he deserves the position, in my opinion he stood out, firstly because he smiled practically throughout his entire rally with his pearly whites! (But of course it’s a good thing, isn’t it?)
Strutting up the aisle to the podium was the next candidate, Stephanie Balling. To say that Ms. Balling’s speech points were different from Mr. Cheong’s would be an understatement. Her honesty and openness regarding the response to her campaign was effective in garnering the crowd’s respect for her, I believe; and her explanation about her work experience, social network and wide resources with promise to do more for the students concluded in a very convincing rally.
The third and equally competitive candidate, Cassandrah Alexander, produced a speech with a very smart and thoughtful edge. She emphasized on the importance of the students and their needs in her rally, and spoke with modesty and eloquence while walking along the aisle, directly in front of the audience. She reminded us that each candidate running for President was special and different, a significant point in her rally.
After many attempts at convincing the students by the first three candidates using a more “serious” method, it was definitely a refreshing note to listen to Mohd Faiz’s more animated speech. He actually made good points – “a vote for us is a vote for you” – in between his jokes, and spoke with clear confidence and ease throughout his rally. In fact, someone who wishes to remain anonymous remarked that Faiz was “a fast thinker” after witnessing his ability to produce considerably impressive answers after having questions thrown at him.
Our second-last candidate, Ling Kar Joon, was undeniably the most interesting to watch, or rather, to listen to. If you were there at the rally, you would get the drift. If you weren’t, you missed out on an impressive performance! Mr. Ling began his introduction, and then surprised us by singing a song. He altered the lyrics of the song “To Be A Better Man” by Robbie Williams and sang along with the melody, and the song ended up being “To Be A President”. He received a lot of applause from the audience and continued elaborating on his capabilities, determination and the importance of teamwork afterward.
Last but most certainly not least was Ganesh Kumar. More widely known as “Kumar”, he illustrated his points swiftly and smartly, inserting some humour in between. His speech was short and straightforward, something different compared to the rest of the candidates. He won the audience’s attention this way, although I’m pretty certain some of the students were more interested in his unique Liverpool FC belt which had a revolving buckle in the middle.
After the rally, I asked each of the six candidates the same question – “How are you feeling now after the entire rally and do you feel confident about tomorrow’s election?”
Victor – “I still feel the same, still nervous. Honestly, I’m not confident. My dream is just to see a good student council.”
“Everyone spoke really well. I’m really honoured to be a candidate along with them. I guess I am confident about tomorrow.” – Stephanie
Cassandrah – “I am relieved, because I believe I have done my best. I’m not worried about the election and may the best person win!”
“I think there are no losers; they are all great leaders for the student council. I’m confident because I think I portrayed myself well.” – Faiz
Kar Joon – “I feel very pressured! Everyone was very good, and I’m not feeling really confident.”
“I was underprepared and did an impromptu speech. However I did my best and I’m confident about the outcome.” – Kumar
So as far as things goes, you know the result of the election and you have your own opinion regarding whether or not you were satisfied with the outcome. As for me, writing this review of the presidential rally is hard enough considering how many times I had to remind myself to be honest yet not overly critical about the subject! However, if you would ask me to state my opinion, this would be the answer – it is a quote spoken by the winning vice-presidential candidate. “Some of us may be better than some others, but no one is better than everyone.” I say this only because I believe each candidate is unique and capable in their own way; so much so that no matter who became President, everyone would be happy.
And I think all of you would agree.
By SARAH LIM
0 comments: