Sofia in Grade 9 presented the winning masterpiece at our 60th German-Singapore Anniversary Art Competition. We chat with her on her life at GESS, what she enjoys doing and how she manages her challenges and opportunities in high school.
Hi Sofia, can you introduce yourself to our readers, and tell us how long you have been in GESS?
Hey! My name’s Sofia, and I have been in GESS for 8 years! Since the beginning of second grade on the old campus!
Your winning artwork has been turned into a wall installation on campus. What inspired this artwork? How long have you been painting and what is your preferred style and material?
For the artwork, I was definitely inspired by Singapore’s Merlion and Germany’s national animal, which is the eagle. The idea for the artwork came to me during math class, as I had already finished my work and was just doodling in my sketchbook, when the idea of the Merlion and the eagle uniting and crossing their country’s flags came to me! I have been doing art for almost my entire life, but my interest in art took off when I was in second grade. Currently, my favourite medias to use when making art is digitally, colour pencils, graphite pencils, and pen!
What else do you enjoy doing, in and out of school? Are you involved in any special groups or activities at GESS – if yes, what are some of them?
I enjoy theatre, cooking, photography, videography, and making props and costumes! Currently, I am involved in this year’s high school production in “The One Act Play That Goes Wrong” as an Actor! I also am in the school’s event committee, which organises a lot of the events and bake sales that happen at GESS!
This is your first year in high school. How do you feel campus commitments are different from middle school, and how do you manage your challenges in school?
There are definitely A LOT more tests than in middle school, and sometimes it does get a bit hectic. I do manage however, as I try my best to prioritise my studies while still making sure I have enough time to focus on myself!
What are some of the opportunities and support you receive and appreciate as a high schooler?
Some of the opportunities I’ve gotten as a high schooler are theatre workshops, and art competitions, which allow me to step out of my comfort zone to showcase my art!
To fellow schoolmates who are not already pursuing their passion and cultivating talents at GESS, or to families and schoolmates new to GESS, what would be your word of advice how they can optimise and best enjoy their learning journey here?
My recommendation would be to definitely talk to other students or teachers who also have the same interests for tips and tricks, as they always have something new to share, you just have to ask! Also to make sure that you also find ways to balance your time with your studies, and your hobbies!
