Grace “ The Story teller”

Grace “ The Story teller”

On the 29 of August 2021, Gracia Rigel Belladona a.k.a  Grace won the first place of English Story Telling Competition. The competition was conducted by SMA Negeri 5 in the event, named FIVETIVAL “Be whatever you want”. The competition was followed by a lot of students from different schools  in the areas of Java and Bali islands. Among three story telling participants sent by SMP Santo Yosef, Grace was the one who could continue to the final stage and achieved the championship. To the author, Grace shared her experience when she was competing against other contestants.   

How did you feel when you were announced to be the first winner ?

At first, I was nervous while waiting for the announcement of the story telling winner via zoom, starting from the 3rd, 2nd. And finally, I saw my name in the first position. I was very happy, and also did not expect achieving the best.

How did you prepare your performance?

I prepared my performance in the story telling competition through stages, such as:

- Setting time between the school lesson schedules interspersed with PJBL activities and the story telling preparations. Of course, mental and physic must be prepared properly, with adequate rest.

- Reading the story text as a whole first to get a good idea of the content of the story. 

- Editing the story script according to the time allocation requirements given by the FIVETIVAL Committee.

- Practicing movements with equipment and speech styles, adjusted to the time allocation. This part must be done repeatedly until it is memorized.

- Trying out with my teachers via Zoom to perform.

- Finding the appropriate location according to the content of the story.

- Before the day of the event, I took an enough rest to be fit and fresh.

- One more thing, before performing, I preceded in praying and remembering my papa's advice “Do it your best and follow your heart”.

Why did you choose  the story  of Baba Yaga?

I chose the Baba Yaga story, a very famous folkstale  from Russia.  because my father used to tell me about the Baba Yaga story before going to bed. I am familiar  with  the  characters and their personalities. I chose the Baba Yaga story because I was also inspired by my father, who will continue his education in   Russia.  We will  move to Russia  following him when everything  there is settled. 

What  did you learn  from  the story  of  Baba Yaga? 

The  moral value  is “A simple act of caring creates an endless ripple that comes back to you”. By doing the slightest good with a sincere heart to others, sincere happiness will come to us forever.

What was the most  difficult part  in presenting  the story of  Baba Yaga? How did you manage to  get through it? 

The hardest part was singing a Russian song for the opening of the performance. This language was challenging to pronounce, especially in reading during my story telling. But I was grateful, because my father had trained me how to speak Russian step by step. Although he often scolded me whenever I made mistakes in pronunciation, but it was still quite fun.

You are always excited and never  get reluctant  when  you join  competitions?   Don’t you mind  explaining  why?  What is your target of life?

Previously, I often participated in various competitions that have provided a valuable experience for me going forward, that are mentality and confidence in situations before and when appearing in public. I am sure that everything can be done when you get used to it. At first, it was so hard, however I had to build my confidence with good preparation and reminded myself  to this quote. “Don't be afraid to make mistakes before trying.”

Your  English and  Russian  are  very  fluent.  Can you share your trick and tips  to master  those languages  to  other  language  learners? 

Because learning a new language is a golden bridge for various aspects, such as seeking information, knowledge and making friend  with foreigners. In addition, we will generate self-confidence and advanced thought by mastering foreign language. The main point in learning foreign languages is “my intention” to learn. So, I always enjoy and feel contented when learning languages, ask to someone who is credible to explain, and speak in foreign language daily to our friends or parents anywhere and anytime. Please, don’t be arrogant if you have better   language skill than others, but it’s wiser to   help your friends or someone who needs to assist in learning foreign language. We can learn some foreign languages easily through thousand ways, such as reading, watching TV or films, singing English song, chatting or speaking with local or foreign friends in appropriate ways, writing and many others. And then, my goal in learning foreign languages is to be abroad-minded and intellectual person. ( Mam Vero and Grace)