A building is only as strong as its foundation. I am very proud that my foundation was laid very strong in the ten happy years I spent in SHY. Though I didnt know it then, SHY seems to have not only moulded all sides of my character, but also done a perfect job at that.
Within a month of my leaving SHY, I had decided that my career would be in the education field. No other school/college I went to was as organised, well planned and clean as SHY. I always kept comparing it to SHY and was surprised that such an institution was so rare. I also wanted to develop a school where students would be taught not only the curriculam but also exta stuff and morals too.
In my new school, I seemed to excel in all fields - be it singing (thanks to Sr.Eulalia, Sr.Grace and Sr.Lilly Paul. I remember Sr.Eulalia would make us put three fingers into our mouth, so that we'd open our mouth while we sang), dancing (thanks to our dance teacher, Mrs.Saraswathi), games (thanks to Mrs.Mariamma's special basket ball coaching) or studies (the credit here goes to the whole SHY team). My room, table, books, clothes etc. were miraculously neat and organised (thanks to Sr.Eulalia again - she would empty our clothes drawer if there was so much as a wrinkle), I was well groomed (thanks to Sr.Alphonsa's constant checking of hair and nails), I was almost always on time (thanks to Sr.Jocelyn for giving me the duty of ringing the bell) - it was little wonder that people always asked me where I had previously studied.
During college days, I took up many leadership posts and organised cultural events (thanks to my prior experience with the JLA, SLA, Tamil Club, SHY Fete etc) I also went on to bag the Gold Medal for proficiency in English ( the full credit goes to the whole SHY team and all the books in the library). A special word of thanks to Sr.Regis because of whom I have a stong faith in my inner voice.
Today, I am the Vice Principal of a school - my students love my class, since I try to make is as lively and interactive as Mrs.Escrader's but they are also scared of my punishment, like we were of Sr.Catherine's. I make it a point to wish every student who wishes me, like Sr.Bernard would always do. And like Mrs.Chandra, I try to be more of a mentor than an instructor to my students. SHY has not only prepared me for the world but also developed in me enough abilities and morals to mould other little children as well.
I may not have been the most obedient child back then and I know that I have given my teachers a bit(!) of a tough time but today, when my students take me as an example and people appreciate my parents for the nice daughter they have, I am really very grateful to SHY for helping me grow into the person that I am - one that you and I can love and be proud of. I salute the SHY team - past and present, and all associated with it and wish them never-ending success!
