Organizing Lit Fest 2025 as the student-in-charge was an exciting and challenging experience that required leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving. As part of the core committee, I was responsible for overseeing the planning and execution of the event, ensuring that every aspect ran smoothly. From coordinating with participants and managing schedules to handling logistics and promoting the event, the journey was both demanding and rewarding. Lit Fest 2025 was not just about celebrating literature—it was about fostering creativity, collaboration, and a shared love for storytelling. This event was an all school event, for EY, PYP, MYP and DP!

Throughout the process, I was able to align myself with the Learning Outcomes, which will be catered to further throughout this blog.

LO1 : Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth
Lit Fest 2025 was a high-pressure event that tested my abilities in multiple ways. Through this experience, I realized that organization, leadership, and adaptability were some of my key strengths. Managing the event required me to multitask effectively, assign responsibilities, and problem-solve on the spot. I discovered that I worked well under pressure and could think quickly when unexpected situations arose, such as last-minute schedule changes or technical difficulties on the Live Stage.

However, I also identified areas for improvement. One of the biggest lessons I learned was that effective delegation is key to managing a large-scale event. At times, I found myself taking on too many responsibilities instead of distributing tasks more efficiently. I realized that trusting my team and allowing others to take ownership of their roles would have reduced my stress and improved overall efficiency. Going forward, I aim to develop stronger delegation skills and better time management to ensure a more balanced approach in leadership roles.

LO2 : Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process.
Lit Fest 2025 presented numerous challenges, each requiring quick thinking and adaptability. One of the biggest challenges was coordinating with all seven venues on the day of the event. Each venue had different activities running simultaneously, and ensuring that everything was on schedule, properly set up, and running smoothly required constant communication and problem-solving. Managing multiple venues at once meant keeping track of different teams, responding to urgent needs, and making sure no session was delayed.

Another challenge was ensuring that decor work was completed on time. Since the event had an Inside Out Theme, the decor played a crucial role in creating the right atmosphere and showing relation between literature and emotions. Balancing this aspect alongside my other responsibilities was difficult, as delays in decoration setup could have affected the overall event experience. I had to coordinate with the decor team, allocate tasks efficiently, and make last-minute adjustments to ensure everything was ready before the event began.

Additionally, inviting and managing external guests, including the SRGMs (performers for Junior School Lit Fest), was a significant challenge. It involved reaching out, handling communication, and making sure their schedules aligned with the event’s timeline. On the day of the event, ensuring they were guided properly, felt welcomed, and were provided with all necessary arrangements required attention to detail, professionalism, and hospitality skills.

One of the most difficult yet rewarding challenges was managing the Live Stage during the event. With StandUps, Live Music, and Poetry happening throughout the day, there were multiple last-minute changes, technical difficulties, and time constraints. Keeping the flow of events smooth while ensuring performers and speakers were ready required me to think on my feet, make quick decisions, and stay calm under pressure. This challenge helped me develop my crisis management skills, flexibility, and ability to stay composed in stressful situations.

However, I am also really grateful to the amazing team of students and teachers I had with me, especially the teacher incharges and the other two core members, since they helped me tackle all of these challenges whenever possible.

LO3: Demonstrate How to Initiate and Plan a CAS Experience
The success of Lit Fest 2025 was a result of endless planning and strategic execution. In the months leading up to the event, my role required me to set clear objectives, divide responsibilities among team members, and create a structured event timeline. I had to ensure that every aspect, from scheduling to logistics to social media was planned efficiently.

Coordinating with external guests required extensive communication and organization. I had to reach out to potential speakers, confirm their availability, arrange schedules, and ensure their needs were met. Additionally, managing logistics, including venue arrangements, equipment setup, and event promotion, required careful planning to avoid any last-minute issues.

Throughout the planning phase, I also had to think of potential challenges and have backup solutions ready. This approach ensured that when issues arose, I was prepared to handle them smoothly. This experience reinforced the importance of thorough preparation, effective communication, and contingency planning in event management.

LO4 : Show commitment to, and perseverance in, CAS experiences.
Organizing Lit Fest 2025 required months of dedication, countless hours of planning and early ins, and consistent effort. From the initial brainstorming sessions to the final execution, I remained fully committed to ensuring the event’s success. There were moments of stress, exhaustion, and setbacks, but I pushed through each challenge with determination and resilience.

On the day of the event, managing multiple responsibilities at once was physically and mentally demanding. Running between different venues, handling guest requirements, resolving technical issues, and ensuring everything stayed on schedule required me to stay focused, adaptable, and composed. Despite the hurdles, my perseverance paid off, and the event was executed successfully.

LO5 : Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively.
Lit Fest 2025 was a team effort, and collaboration played a crucial role in its success. I worked closely with the core team, event coordinators, volunteers, and school staff, each contributing to different aspects of the event. Effective teamwork was essential in ensuring smooth execution, and I learned how to communicate effectively, delegate responsibilities, and work alongside others to achieve a shared goal.

One of the most important lessons I learned was trusting my team members and relying on their strengths. Delegation was crucial, and by working collaboratively, we were able to solve problems more efficiently and execute the event successfully. This experience reinforced the idea that strong teamwork leads to greater creativity, efficiency, and a more seamless event experience.

LO6 : Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance.
Lit Fest 2025 promoted international-mindedness by introducing a Language Exchange Corner, where volunteered teachers shared different languages with students. This initiative encouraged cultural appreciation and highlighted the importance of linguistic diversity in a globalized world.

By engaging with new languages, students broadened their perspectives and recognized how language shapes identity and communication. This experience reinforced the role of literature and language in bridging cultural gaps and fostering open-mindedness, making the festival a true celebration of global connections.

LO7 : Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions.
As the student-in-charge, I had to make several ethical decisions that impacted the event’s participants, guests, and organizers. One of the key considerations was ensuring fairness in event scheduling, making sure that each session received equal importance and that no group was unfairly disadvantaged.

Additionally, managing external guests required professionalism and respect. It was important to maintain clear communication, honor commitments, and ensure they felt valued throughout the event. Ethical decision-making also extended to resource management, ensuring that materials were used responsibly and that sustainability was considered wherever possible.

Conclusion
Lit Fest 2025 was an unforgettable experience that challenged me in many ways and helped me grow as a leader. While the journey was filled with obstacles, from managing multiple venues to ensuring everything ran smoothly on the day, it was the dedication and teamwork of everyone involved that made the event a success.

I am incredibly grateful to the core committee, volunteers, teachers, and staff who worked with dedication to bring this event to life. Their hard work, creativity, and commitment ensured that every detail was executed flawlessly. Without their support, the event would not have been possible.

Seeing the event come together and witnessing the enthusiasm of participants was truly rewarding. This experience has reinforced the importance of collaboration, perseverance, and shared passion, and I am proud to have worked alongside such an amazing team to make Lit Fest 2025 a memorable and meaningful event.