INFINITE POSSIBILITIES Rachel Handoko, ‘20
Singaporean |Recipient of a Khoo Teck Puat Scholarship Circles to a younger Rachel equated to a mistake. A bold, red circle drawn on my work always made me feel somewhat guilty. My school years prior to SJI International have always placed emphasis on correcting mistakes and becoming better through a process of teacher-student feedback. However, I have learnt over time that circles mean much more than an error, and learning is much more than justfindingmistakes.Thesimpleshapeofacirclebecomesmorethanamistake, but a symbol of unity, of wholeness, of timelessness. The SJII community embodied the unity of a circle. The relationships I made were not just limited to my circle of friends, but a community that was bound by a common desire to learn and to serve. I am surrounded by students who are willing to share their notes to strangers, who offer their time and heart to the school community and society at large. Teachers, school staff and a network of generous donors and parents make this possible for us through their effort and sacrifices. I found that we were driven towards something bigger, towards creating an environment of generosity both within and out of SJII, and it is through this common desire that we embody the unity of a circle. I find circles being relevant even in my IB studies. In Geography, we draw circles to represent feedback loops - cycles that amplify themselves. What we take will cause us to lose; deforestation accelerates climate change. But what we give will return doubly; an act of generosity becomes a catalyst for a better world. As a scholar I recognise that I have received from the generosity of donors, strangers whose faith in me enabled me to grow in heart and mind. I grew from the generosity of teachers who emphasised not my mistakes, but my potential, who were willing to give me their time to read my extra essays, and to 12
