Holy Cross College, Gampaha Brass Band:

Bond strengthens the Band

Ruwanthi Abeyakoon

BAND: The brass band of Holy Cross College Gampaha will make noise in the town very soon. Band members are busy with practices these days. Setting the goal of having a grand concert, they try hard daily to uplift the standards. A few members spoke to Daily News Teen of their future plans.

Kavindya Ekanayake, 15 said she joined the brass band in 2005. “I am in grade 10 now. I will continue to play in the band. I like it very much. We practise a lot. We have an idea of having a concert as the band has improved a lot. I am happy to be in the band. I learn a lot of things. It teaches us teamwork and to handle responsibilities,” she said.

Malki Perera, 14, plays the clarinet in the band. “ I was happy when I was selected to the band. All the girls are interested and there is a lot of cooperation. So the band reached a good standard within a short period. Our teacher and bandmaster take a lot of trouble in moulding us. They help us to improve day by day. Apart from studies I enjoy being in the band,” she said.

The busiest girl is the band is Sandeepa Kellapotha. This 15 year-old girl carries a load of responsibilities with her as the band leader. “ We have practices in the morning before school starts. We also practise every Tuesday after school. I inform all students about practices.

I encourage the others. They also support me to do the work. There are 40 members in the band. I joined the band in 2005 when I was in Grade Eight. I was chosen as the bandleader. I hope to contribute in every way I can and make the band even better,” she said.

Sandeepa added that they are hoping to organise a concert very soon.

“I improved my talents after joining the band. All the members are working together. We are like a family. I joined the band because I like music.

I enjoy this very much. I think students should involve themselves in an extra curricular activities to have a balanced life. We don’t miss studies. We don’t practise during school hours unless there is a special function in school,” Melisha Perera, 15, said.

She added she will continue to be in the band as long as she can. “ We are planning to have a concert. Through the concert we will show our talents.

It will also encourage the members,” Melisha said.

Azra Sourjah, 15, said cooperation has improved the brass band. “Everybody is keen and contributes a lot. They dedicate their time and sacrifice to uplift the standard of the band. Our school band started long ago. Now it is in a good position. So we think it is time for a concert and we are planning it at the moment,” Azra explained.

The members said their teacher Savithri Dissanayake, Principal Sr. Deepani, Band Masters Greezy and Premarathne and staff members assist them in all endeavors.

Pictures by Sanjeeva Kellapotha

No looking back for O/L stars

Anil Lasath Perera Pannipitiya Special Corr.

STARS: Many students strive to do their best at examinations. Last December thousands of students faced the O/L exam but one girl excelled beating all others. Hasini Rathsara Weeratunga, 16 of Devi Balika Vidyalaya obtained the highest marks at the exam.

“My mother was behind us all the time. She always encouraged us. My father who is a marine engineer was out of the country most of the time. Whenever he got the chance he looked into our work,” she said.

“I had my primary education at Pannipitiya Dharmapala Vidyalaya.

After passing the scholarship I joined Devi Balika Vidyalaya. My sister Thilini is also studying there. She does A/Ls in BioScience. She helped me in my studies especially in Mathematics and Science. I hope to join the Maths stream for A/Ls and become an engineer. I wish to remain in the country and serve Sri Lanka. I will not go abroad for employment,” Hasini explained.

Hasini says paying attention in class made her work easy. “I paid attention in class.

And I managed my time well. Studying did not prevent us from taking vacations. Every holiday we went to Bandarawela to see our grand parents. I watched television and followed a normal routine.

I am also a prefect in school and I helped my friends whenever they needed my assistance,” she said. Hasini added that her Principal, S. Mallawaarachchi and teachers helped her tremendously to achieve her success.

Pasindu Madusanka of Nalanda College got the second place in the O/Ls. He says completing his daily work led him to achieve this place. “I liked all my subjects. My parents and teachers supported me in my studies. I believe that completing the day’s work without postponing them brought me this success,” he said.

He added that his parents encouraged him. He hopes to take up bioscience for A/Ls. His brother who is also a past pupil of Nalanda College is a fourth year student at Medical Faculty of the Colombo University.

Sachil Athapattu of Royal College was the third highest. He completed his primary education at Dharmaraja College, Kandy and joined Royal College for higher studies. Sachil the only child in the family, is talented in mathematics and music. “I gave priority to my studies.

I was confident that I will gain good results. I am happy I was able to achieve this position. I always read books and newspapers. It improved my knowledge. My principal and teachers are delighted by my success,” he said.

Daily News Teen congratulates the achievers and all the others who passed the O/L exam and wishes them all a bright future.

Donkey Story

One day a farmer’s donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn’t worth it to retrieve the donkey.

He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly.

Then, to everyone’s amazement he quieted down. A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up.

As the farmer’s neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off! Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt.

The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a steppingstone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up.

Remember the five simple rules to be happy:

1. Free your heart from hatred - Forgive.

2. Free your mind from worries – Most never happen.

3. Live simply and appreciate what you have.

4. Give more.

5. Expect less

Sent by Dilshan Jayasuriya