Page 135 - DGPS - YearBook

MESSAGE FROM THE

PARTHA SHETTY HEAD BOY (2019-2020)

Dear Class of 2020,

Pandemic. Social distancing. Faltering economies. Sanitization. Covid-19. If you turn on the TV, read a newspaper, or even talk
to a friend for five minutes, you’re bound to stumble across at least one of these terms. Now that I’ve mentioned all of them, let’s
not talk about them. This is about us-The Class of 2020.

It is scarcely fathomable that we have arrived at the culmination of our school lives. Growing up, we’re always told to look ahead.
“Plan for your higher education”, “Book extra SAT classes to boost your score”, “Figure out what industry you want to work in”.
In this race to grasp at future successes, we tend to forget just how memorable and definitive our present high school years are.
I consider myself extremely privileged to say that I thoroughly enjoyed my school life. The reason for this is you, each and every
one of you. Through the good (eating at the back of class and participating in that 1500m race just to bunk lessons), and the bad
(finding out the absent teacher has work set for you and being refused by the canteen helper when you ask for a samosa),
memories were made and everlasting friendships were forged. I will carry these learnings forward with me wherever I go. The
school year hasn’t even ended, and I’m already nostalgic.

I’m going to miss it all. Everyone talks about missing the green benches, but frankly, that’s not what I’m going to miss most. I’m going to miss Dubai Gem’s most treasured
asset-its people. Right from being greeted by Ali Uncle’s big, beaming smile as soon as you walk through Gate no.5, to Dr. Poonam’s office door always being open for last
minute transcripts, the people of Dubai Gem are indispensable. Their warmth, openness to helping out, and drive to elevate the school are what I find to be DGPS’ biggest
strengths. I am extremely grateful to have been nurtured by some of the most caring and thoughtful teachers. Right from year one I was a bright child, but my teachers
ingrained in me the importance of utilizing my abilities to help others, something I carry with me to this day. I am ever so grateful to my fabulous teachers, all of whom have
shaped me into the individual I am today.

I’ve had the unique honour and privilege of leading one of the finest groups of students to come through Dubai Gem. When I think of you, the Class of 2020, I think of a pragmatic
group of individuals with a unique blend of characteristics. We have artists, athletes, chefs, authors, businessmen, programmers and most importantly, thinkers. I’m sure my
counterpart, Rameen, will wholeheartedly agree with me when I say that the hallmark of this year was how we got work done with minimal fuss. Whether it was a project that
needed planning, decorations that needed setting up, or organizing 440 feverish students in the indoor Iranian Club court, we did it passionately and professionally. This
extended beyond the Prefect Body-the students who didn’t hold badges went out of their way to contribute too, sometimes without even being asked. This speaks volumes
of your character, and will definitely hold you in good stead in the years to come.

Mrs. Ibrahim’s contribution is not one we can ignore. We would not have been able to execute even half of what we had planned had it not been for her willingness to adopt
any and all of our ideas. Sometimes we would pitch her improbable ideas with minimal expectations and she would be on board instantly, often to our surprise! Her enthusiasm
to do things differently and persistently raise the bar served as a catalyst for our novel endeavours, be it a DGPS Podcast or a multi-cultural carnival. To you, Mrs. Ibrahim, we
owe a heartfelt message of gratitude. Thank you for showing us how to lead by example.

To my classmates, comrades, companions, amigos, it’s been a delightful ride. I won’t sit here and tell you how to live your life; you are all wonderful human beings and I am
unequivocally confident that you are going to be game changers. What I will say to you is this: don’t forget to have fun, whatever you do. At the end of the day, let there be no
excuses, no explanations and most importantly, NO RAGRETS.

See you on the other side!

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