Natasha Ngui – Contingent Commander (Reserve)   Q: What were the challenges you experienced during the training?    A: It was challenging getting used to a new environment and delivering our best performance to meet the high expectations on the parade ground.   Q: How did you overcome it and what were the lessons you learnt?   A: Learning to take feedback wasn’t always the easiest thing as well. I’ve learnt to not take the comments personally as feedback is necessary to help us do better. Such guidance is needed to improve our performance and the whole parade presentation.   Q: What was the most rewarding moment of this journey?   A: What I really enjoyed about this journey was seeing everyone’s determination to improve with each practice and the friendships we forged through NDP. It is not something everyone gets to experience and I am thankful for it.       Nur Aiysyah Binte Aswan – Girl Guide from Changkat Changi Secondary School   Q: What were the challenges you experienced during the training?    A: Our first few trainings were held during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadhan. One of the challenges for me during this time was that I became tired during the rehearsals and could feel some muscle aches. This was especially difficult when the training was conducted under the hot sun.   Q: How did you overcome it and what were the lessons you learnt?   A: To stay focused, I found it helpful to tell myself repeatedly that “I can do this!” and to listen to the encouragement of the contingent. I was surprised that I was actually strong enough to overcome the challenges. Plus it helped to know that I was doing is for our nation – I felt proud to contribute this way.   Q: What was the most rewarding moment of this journey?   A: What was most rewarding for me from this experience was the opportunity to know myself better. Today, I am more aware of what I am capable of doing and achieving. I also learnt that we need to take action if we want to succeed. Finally, I’m glad to have made more friends and that we are there performing together in the parade.       Felicia Ng Rui En – Girl Guide from West Spring Secondary School   Q: What were the challenges you experienced during the training?    A: My initial fear was making mistakes that would affect the contingent’s overall performance. In order to improve, I decided to watch and learn from the video recordings of our training sessions so that I would not make the same mistakes again.   Q: How did you overcome it and what were the lessons you learnt?   A: Spending my Saturdays under the scorching hot sun with my contingent, there were times I wanted to give up. But as I thought about it, I realised I was actually building up my stamina– this made me decide to persevere and push on. My strong determination to perform well and overcome obstacles taught me that everything is possible when we put our minds to it. I also learnt that it is important for us to work as a team to successful.   Q: What was the most rewarding moment of this journey?   A: The most rewarding moment of this journey was making new friends and memories. The sense of achievement and satisfaction as we marched well together during each parade was very rewarding. I am thankful for the chance to be a part of this year’s parade.