#alpacaexperiences

Exactly a year ago, on this day—the 10th of July—the first World Scholar’s Cup regional round was held in my city: Manila, Philippines.

It’s been so long since those two days… Two days in which I first experienced hugging an alpaca plushie, staring at Joga’s shiny head, screaming “Ay yo Scholars!” along with Burch and Chauncey-rolling through every victory.

But as I look at old photos and memories that I’ve taken from those two unforgettable days, I find myself wondering how I’ve gotten this far.

I wonder how I’ve won things such as school top scholar and earned eleventh in debate in that one fateful regional when I have never debated ever before.

I wonder how I’ve attended this year’s Hanoi Global Round after qualifying in both regionals held in my city and even passing unto the Tournament of Champions this year.

Looking at all those photos, those videos, bringing back all the memories that have stuck with me since those two days, I find myself fascinated by this little program we call The World Scholar’s Cup.

I’m fascinated in how I went from barely knowing what an alpaca was to excitedly searching alpaca videos on YouTube, in how I suddenly gained a newfound voice in learning how to debate, and in how this little competition has positively affected me in so many ways.

What I believe we all don’t know before entering our first World Scholar’s Cup round is that WSC is more than just a competition—it is a gathering; a community of insights and ideas simply waiting to break through.

That is what makes the World Scholar’s Cup so special.

It is incredibly different from any other competitions I’ve been to, breaking the rules of multiple-choice quizzes in the Challenge, combining two different styles of debate into one format, and even allowing students to cheat in the Bowl.

In complete honesty, WSC has allowed me to regain my interest in academic competitions.

It has shown me how different cultures, people from opposing corners of the world can come and collaborate together to discuss our history, our possible future, and the current happenings in our world.

It has shown me how academic tournaments do not have to be stiff and strict. It reminds me to have fun in learning and contributing to the ideas that swarm around our society.

Because of this, I would like to say a huge thank you to the entire staff behind the World Scholar’s Cup—you are all the reason why this community has spread all over the world, the reason behind what truly makes WSC special for each and every single student.

Thank you, Daniel and Burch, for creating this amazing gathering of thoughts and ideas. You have truly created something even more than special—something that has spread across our world in more ways than one, something that I will always be grateful for having experienced and if I can, I will do forever.

Thank you, also, to the rest of the staff behind the World Scholar’s Cup. You have all worked so hard for us Scholars, you have all been jetlagged and tired from bringing this wonderful thing around the world and we Scholars are incredibly grateful for all your efforts in assisting, scoring, hosting, and everything else you do every year at each of our rounds.

Rest assured, whether you go to only five rounds, thirty rounds, or all rounds held around the world every WSC season, you are appreciated and greatly respected by us Scholars.

And thank you, Scholars from all over the world. You are the soul, the life, and the heart of all this. You have all formed such a wide, wonderful community that has never failed to make me smile and laugh.

We—staff, scholars, former scholars, volunteers, coaches and parents—are truly the World Scholar’s Cup community; a community full of life, full of brilliant ideas and minds, and full of pwaas that others who aren’t familiar with WSC may find confusing.

(copied from my post in the World Scholar’s Cup Official Group)

That’s all for now! Any questions, comments, suggestions? Don’t hesitate to leave a comment! Let’s have a discussion!!