“When you dare to try, your chances are definitely greater than 0%. If you don’t, your chances will always remain a perfect zero.” That is the lesson Hà An (10Olinda) has drawn from her years of growth at Dewey. From a shy girl who once stayed within her comfort zone, over the course of five years, Hà An gradually transformed into a confident and resilient individual, ready to seize opportunities to develop herself.
Joining Dewey in Grade 6, Hà An showed strength in the Social Sciences but lacked the confidence to express herself. She often chose to observe rather than actively take opportunities. Fear of failure and self-doubt caused her to miss out on many chances to explore her potential.
Her turning point came in Grade 7 when she decided to join the Drama Club. In an open and creative environment, Hà An discovered the joy of expressing her literary abilities. From there, she not only became more confident but also took on the role of club leader, directly developing ideas and producing creative projects. “I never expected that from what seemed like a bold decision, I could go this far,” she shared.
Continuing that journey, Hà An proactively explored new areas. In the We Are The World media project, she took on the role of MC for the English challenge series “W-Quiz”—a position requiring confidence, on-camera presence, and flexible language use. Real-world experiences in a media environment, along with opportunities to observe and learn from professionals, nurtured her curiosity and growth mindset, helping her become more proactive and open to new experiences.
However, not every attempt brought the desired results. In Grade 9, Hà An chose Geography to prepare for entrance exams to a specialized school. After a period of intense study, she realized it was not the right fit, leaving her drained and unable to achieve her goals. Choosing to stop was not a failure but a necessary adjustment. “I don’t regret trying, because that experience helped me understand myself better and what truly suits me,” she reflected.
Each experience became a step in her growth into a stronger and more self-assured version of herself. She continues to embrace the spirit of trying, but now with deeper self-awareness. This was clearly shown in the final round of the Dewey Olympia Championship, where she confidently buzzed in during the obstacle round and chose to place her “Star of Hope” on a question outside her comfort zone. As a result, she achieved an impressive third place overall, leaving a mark with her confidence and decisiveness.
Looking back, the most valuable thing for Hà An has been the courage to begin. Every experience at Dewey has been an opportunity to break through her limits. She has come to realize that only by daring to experience and reflect can every choice—right or wrong—contribute to becoming a better version of oneself.
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We Are The World is a multimedia communication project founded and developed by Dewey students since 2023, aiming to connect and amplify student voices. Through training activities and hands-on experiences in media, broadcasting, and journalism, the program enables students to participate directly in content production, build skills, and develop as global citizens.
