The Start of Something Bigger
In 2024, I was elected President of the Infocomm Club, marking the beginning of a new chapter not just for me, but for the CCA. My leadership was put to the test almost immediately when we entered our very first competition: the Drone Odyssey Challenge.
We were tasked with programming drones—technology none of us had prior experience with—to complete complex objectives such as scanning QR codes, capturing images, and measuring altitudes. It was a steep learning curve. Our drones often didn’t follow the code, crashed during testing, and technical bugs piled up. Tensions ran high, and team morale plummeted.
Despite the challenges, I was determined to lead by example. Even when I felt disheartened, I reminded myself—and my team—why we started: to grow, to represent our CCA proudly, and to finish what we began. After each session, I would send out a personal, heartfelt message to the team, highlighting individual contributions, encouraging perseverance, and reinforcing the idea that we were in this together.
Before our run, we presented on real-world drone applications, focusing on land surveying. We shared how drones can make topography scanning safer and more efficient. Our storytelling impressed the judges, earning us 2nd place for best presentation in the competition!
Next, we were determined to make our school proud. Surrounded by strong competitors, we stayed focused. Faced with a five-minute challenge to code our drone through tasks, doubts arose. But after testing on the field and recalling our preparation, we regained confidence—we were ready.
Although we didn’t win the main drone course, we were proud of our performance. Without perseverance, we would have walked away with regret. That experience taught me that leadership isn’t just about giving directions—it’s about resilience, empathy, and standing strong when it matters most. It was the first step in a journey toward something greater.
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