The Annual Prize Giving of Alethea International School

The moment I was longing for came at last. It was the annual prize giving day of our school. The ceremony was held at the Bishop's College Auditorium on October 5. The Chief Guest for the occasion was Mohamed Adamaly, Attorney-at-Law and a senior lecturer in marketing at the Post Graduate Institute of Management.

The opening ceremony and the lighting of the oil lamp took place after the arrival of the Chief Guest. The stage was decorated beautifully from one end to the other end with flowers. There were some beautiful performances by the Aletheans which made the prize giving a colourful event. Some songs including the School Anthem were sung by the school choir.

Kumari Hapugala Perera, our directress presented the annual report of our school, highlighting the achievements. After her speech, began the distribution of prizes for the best performers in class subjects.

I was thrilled and excited because I too had some prizes. It was my turn and my name was announced on the stage. I was the winner of seven subject prizes. I was the recipient of seven certificates and vouchers along with a shield. It was a memorable event for me.

Thereafter, our Chief Guest delivered his speech. He advised us not only to excel in our studies but also to be achievers in sports and other activities that will enhance our leadership qualities and team work. He took his life as an example. He explained how he became an actor in stage drama in addition to being a lawyer by profession.

After the end of the Chief Guest's thought provoking speech, it was time for the distribution of special awards for winners of school competitions and sports activities. I received four special awards in that category too. Before the prize giving ended, there were some attractive oriental and western dances. The ceremony ended at around eight o'clock.

At the end of the day
I had the opportunity to interview a fellow student and this is what his opinion was about the prize giving, "I think that it is very useful for all the children because when they see others receiving prizes they too are inspired to do well in their studies as well as in other activities, in order to be a prize winner at the next prize giving."