Participating in school’s Garba Fest was a very special experience for me because it gave me a chance to celebrate and share my Gujarati culture. Garba is more than just dance and music, it brings people together with energy, color, and joy. Taking part in the event helped me connect with my roots while enjoying the spirit of celebration with my friends and school community. It was a moment where I could express who I am and feel proud of my traditions.

LO1: Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth

Taking part in the Garba Fest helped me see both my strengths and where I can improve. I realized that I am confident when it comes to expressing my culture and performing in front of others, which made me feel proud of my roots. At the same time, I found that I need to work on keeping my rhythm in the dance steps and maintaining my energy for longer performances. This experience showed me that I can use my confidence and cultural knowledge as strengths, while also focusing on improving my coordination and stamina in the future.

LO2: Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills

Participating in the Garba Fest was challenging in many ways. It was difficult to keep up with the others and stay perfectly on the rhythm, especially since the dance moves were fast and complex. On top of that, the space was very congested, and there wasn’t enough room to move freely. I had to adjust my steps and learn how to play in a smaller, crowded area without disturbing others. These challenges helped me become more aware of my movements, improve my coordination, and adapt quickly to difficult situations. By overcoming these obstacles, developed patience, focus, and flexibility.

LO4: Show perseverance and commitment in CAS experience

Taking part in the Garba Fest required a lot of perseverance and commitment. Learning the dance steps and keeping up with the rhythm was tiring, especially in the heat while wearing traditional chaniya choli, which was not easy to manage and made moving around more difficult. Even though I felt exhausted at times, I stayed committed and focused on giving my best and enjoying playing. This experience taught me that dedication, patience, and pushing through challenges are essential to achieving goals and performing well.

LO5: Demonstrate skills and benefits of working collaboratively

This event taught me a lot about working collaboratively. Garba is a group dance, and if even one person stopped or made a mistake, the flow of the circle would break. This meant it was very important to stay in sync with everyone and pay attention to their movements. I learned to adjust my steps, match the rhythm of the group. Working together like this not only made the performance smoother but also showed me the value of teamwork, communication, and being aware of others while performing.

Overall, participating in the Garba Fest was an unforgettable experience that allowed me to celebrate my Gujarati culture while learning and growing in many ways. I discovered my strengths, faced challenges, and learned to persevere, adapt, and work closely with others. The event taught me valuable lessons about dedication, teamwork, and staying connected to my roots. Most importantly, it showed me that pushing myself outside my comfort zone can be both fun and rewarding, leaving me with memories and skills that I will carry forward in future experiences.