After competing in Melbourne Global Round in August 2018, One SPM Team qualifies to participate in the Tournament of Champions at Yale University, USA. The team comprises of Renee Leo, Ilona Pasha and Metasha Sianipar from Grade 9 and they are qualifying in the Junior Team.

The team left for the USA in mid-November, almost the end of autumn; however, winter seemed to come earlier this year, since our team arrival was welcomed by a heavy snowstorm in New York and New Haven, Connecticut where the tournament is held every year, close to Thanksgiving holiday.

With the change of extreme weather, the team joyfully participated in every part of our school’s first participation in this event. Started by Scholar’s Scavenge after the opening ceremony, they were teamed up with other participants from other schools around the world to carry on tasks. This gave them a chance to meet and to collaborate with other scholars. The competitions are Team Debate, Scholar’s Challenge, Team Writing and Scholar’s Bowl. Besides competitions, scholars have an opportunity to perform in the Scholar’s Show and to introduce their school and culture in Cultural Fair.

Having to dine in the Yale’s Dining Room, the same place where Yale students dine every night, sitting on the same seats that the students use in listening to the professor in a lecture, getting a seat in the Schubert’s Theatre to watch the opening and experiencing the grandeur of the Yale’s Woolsey Hall for the closing ceremony were several privileges that the students experience during this one week event. They also had the opportunity to visit Boston to learn a brief history of the US as well as had a tour in the MIT and Harvard University campuses, met and talked to the students about the life as a student in those campuses.

The entourage sums up the experience by passing the Thanksgiving Day in New York City and experiencing the Parade that commences the holiday season. Overall, it was a wonderful experience adding values to the Medals brought home.