Joining Gavel UOC had always lived quietly on my bucket list, waiting for the right moment. My first and second years passed without that tick mark, until one ordinary day in my third year, when a WhatsApp notification appeared while I was mindlessly scrolling. Subcommittee applications were open. On a sudden impulse, I applied. The Editorial felt like home; I knew words, I knew how to shape thoughts into captions and when I was selected, it felt like the beginning of something new.
Soon after, Oration entered the picture. Known as the signature event of Gavel UOC, it carried a certain weight and prestige and to me it felt larger than just a competition. Oration represented voices being shaped, confidence being built and stories being told. When Organising Committee applications opened, hesitation followed me again. As I filled the form, the question appeared: Would you like to be selected as the Team Lead? I paused, doubted myself and yet chose “yes,” surprising even myself.
The interview came, and I spoke about how I would handle responsibilities if selected, though deep down I believed others were far more experienced while I was just a newbie. Then one evening, the posts were shared. I opened the Editorial team announcement with excitement and disbelief followed. My name. My picture. And beneath it, Team Lead. I reread it, just to be sure it was truly me.
What followed was responsibility in its truest form. Being in the editorial team for ‘Oration’ was no longer just writing captions; it meant leading a team, creating a souvenir, meeting deadlines and learning on the go. It became a learning place for me, where I realised that even when everything seems under control, things can still go out of hand. Yet, it was the strength of the team, my team members, along with the guidance of the Co-Chairs and the Executive Committee, that helped everything fall into place.
Beyond responsibilities, Oration unfolded as an experience rich with learning, fun and moments that slowly turned into memories. It gave me the courage to step beyond my comfort zone and deliver my first speech at a prestigious intra-university public speaking competition, an opportunity I once believed was meant for others, not me. Looking back, Oration feels like a gentle yet powerful chapter of growth. It taught me how to face uncertainty with patience, handle responsibility with confidence and trust the strength of collective effort. Between deadlines, challenges and shared victories, Oration shaped me in quiet ways, turning doubt into resilience and effort into something truly meaningful and fruitful.
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