This year has been full of new experiences, challenges, and achievements. Looking back, I feel proud of the steps I’ve taken to push myself and try new things, even when they felt scary.
Academically, I’ve focused on four subjects: art, physics, maths, and further maths. In maths, I was proud to reach the final stage of the Rite Angle maths challenge and received a certificate for it. This was a great opportunity to apply my skills in a different, competitive setting and connect with other students interested in maths. In physics, one of the highlights of my year was going on a school trip to CERN in May. We visited the antimatter factory and learned how antimatter is produced and stored, which I found really interesting. I was also inspired by how so many countries come together and invest in CERN purely for the sake of curiosity and discovery.
Art has been a major part of my year as well. I’m currently working on a painting series called “You Are Here” for a school art exhibition. The series is meant to make people reflect on their place in the universe.
Outside of academics, I’ve achieved some big personal milestones. I took part in the ARTiculation competition, where I got through the internal heats and competed at the regional level. I chose to talk about ‘Rhythm 0’, a performance art piece that explores human behaviour. I found it eye-opening how it combined art and psychology to reveal uncomfortable truths about people’s actions when given freedom and power. This year, I also started teaching myself how to sing. Even though it was something completely new and intimidating, I performed at a school open-mic event. I felt terrified beforehand, but getting up on stage was a big step toward becoming more confident and comfortable sharing my interests with others. I also got involved in my school community by taking part in a charity bake sale. It felt good to help out and support a group effort.
Looking ahead, one of my goals is to start selling my art, including both paintings and prints. I want to keep developing my creative style and share it with more people outside of school. Overall, this year has helped me grow in unexpected ways. I’ve learned the importance of stepping outside my comfort zone and trying new things, even when they’re scary. I’m grateful for the support from the Telford Engineering Scholarship, which has motivated me to keep pushing forward and explore new opportunities both inside and outside the classroom. I’m excited to see where these experiences will lead me next.