| 30 November 2009
Following an audition that was held during the start of the year, a drama team which comprises students from Form 1 to Form 5 was formed. Andreas James, James Sharkey, Roussell Andre, Joshua Kamijan, Valentine Joibi, Raphael Sario, Jonross Cooke, Orlando jimli, Raul James, Jude Macson, Adriance Valentine, Chin Li New, Woosnam William, Nathaniel Allister and Ralph Lauren Thaddeus completed the team. Under the guidance of Pn. Haslinda, the teacher in charge, and Ralph Lauren as the acting director, the drama team began practice on the script “A Malaysian Breakfast”, an original script written by La Salle’s very own Hazli Ali Zapar.
The script dealt with current issues involving the downgrade of teenage morality, the economic downturn, fraud and the influence of development which was all conveyed through the happenings in a local coffee shop, owned by Mr. David (played by Woosnam William). The story brings with it a fresher approach on the drama as it has plenty of humourous and striking moments as transmitted through the dialogue and theatrical effects utilised.
After much practice, the drama team competed in a delayed district level English Drama Competition which was held in June 2009 in SMK Agama Inanam. 16 schools from around the northwest division of Sabah vyed for the top spot and a slot in the state level English Drama Competition to be held in Sandakan.The S.M La Salle drama team succeeded in attaining 1st place along with the award for best script.
The following competition saw the drama team travel to Sandakan with the hopes of winning the competition and securing a spot in the national level English Drama Competition.The competition comprised of 7 schools who emerged victors from their respective districts. The drama team spent the three days and two nights at Pusat Belia Sukan Sandakan along with our teacher advisors, Pn. Haslinda, Pn Maalar and Mr. Safri. The competition was held on the 31st of July and S.M La Salle once again emerged as victors. As consolation, Ralph Lauren Thaddeus was also awarded the Best Actor title for his portrayal of Danny in the play. The team was then set on winning the national level English Drama Competition the following week.
However, after a number postponements made by the Education Department, the competition was stretched out to October 21st. This proved to be a problematic situation for most La Salle drama team members as most of them are undertaking their SPM this year. The date that was agreed upon was also dangerously close to important exams and many (especially parents) feared the students would not have enough time to concentrate on their academic pursuits.
The drama team did not falter in their endeavours, however, as they agreed to finish what they have started and compete in their first ever national level English Drama Competition. On the 19th of October, the team gathered at the airport at 4.00 a.m and took a direct flight to Penang, which is the host for this year’s competition. Along with our beloved teacher advisors and a representative from the Education Department, Miss Latifah, the team stayed in Seri Malaysia Hotel, Kepala Batas and shared the accomodations with the other schools from the different states and republics constituting Malaysia. The competition was held in Grand Milennium Hall on the 21st of October and a full rehearsal was conducted the previous day. Being the 8th school to present, the performance managed to awe the judges as well as the audience as the S.M La Salle Drama Team secured 1st runner-up in the competition.
The team is undeniably happy in 2nd place and we are happy to have made our parents, teachers and seniors proud. We are victorious, in a way, as we have managed to forge a bond between our team members along with our teacher that will be cherished as we undertake other pursuits in life. The drama team has created many oppurtunities for everyone involved to grow and achieve something that was thought never possible. With the ending of the drama competition this year, it brings with it hope for the next. La Salle will continue to flourish in their endeavours in the drama competition in the years to come. It is with much gratitude that I take this oppurtunity to thank our dedicated teacher advisor, Pn Haslinda, our steadfast mentor and friend, Hazli Ali Zapar, and our celebrated school principal, Pn Julia Willie Jock, for their undying support and love for the team and their hardwork that contributed to the success of the SM La Salle Drama Team 2009.
