How time flies... (Original Post on December 2, 2009 by Alaka Halder)

It feels rather strange to think that I'm graduating from high school this December. I've been at ESS for a little under two years, but it honestly feels like I've been here forever. I joined ESSDC on the very first day of my A Levels here, as a rather lost and shy 11th grader who then found herself among a group of the funniest, kindest and smartest seniors (Risalat, Tanjim, Faria, Afrida, Shoeb, Adiba, Abrar, Progga, Viky, Raisa, Navid, Sakib, Rafid -- I'm sorry if I left anyone out!). I watched them prepare for the Rajuk Preworlds and somehow wound up in one of the teams. I started off as the club's baby, watched ESSDC grow and expand, and by August 2008 I was mentoring a group of bright young debaters with my seniors. Tahsin, Asif, Ehsan, Danial, Tanveer, Mishel, Abdullah, Teesha, Fagun, Shams -- you guys have been awesome and I really am proud and humbled to see how far you've come. Keep the ESSDC pride alive!
I don't want to treat this as a goodbye note, because I don't believe in goodbyes. Like many ESSDC alumnae before me, I'll still be around to help the club out. We alumnae will only be remembered for so long, but I hope that the ESSDC spirit shines strong and that our club remains at the forefront of the Bangladeshi debating arena for years and years!
This might be my final update of the year (and maybe ever!), so I'll end wishing everyone the very best of luck with their winter exams! Have a wonderful holiday and an amazing 2010!!

Love
Alaka