Festival Bahasa at Indonesia and Sastra Program Study
We enthusiastically participated in the FESBA (Language Festival) competition, and it became one of the most emotional and unforgettable experiences in my life. We represented ESA as team number 2, consisting of me (Tia), Kak Shelly, Kak Gladis, Rina, and Dina. From the very beginning, I felt a mix of excitement and fear. I was excited because this was a great opportunity, but I was also afraid of making mistakes and disappointing my team.
As the competition day got closer, our preparation became more intense and exhausting. We practiced together almost every day, even when we were already tired from school activities. Sometimes I felt confused, stressed, and overwhelmed because the preparation time felt very short. There were moments when I doubted myself and felt like I was not good enough. However, my teammates never stopped supporting me. When I felt tired or nervous, they encouraged me, and that made me feel stronger and more confident.
On the day of the competition, my heart was beating very fast. I felt extremely nervous, and my hands were shaking a little. Seeing many talented teams made me feel scared and insecure. I was afraid that we would forget our lines or make mistakes on stage. However, before performing, we held each other’s hands, took deep breaths, and reminded one another that we had practiced hard. At that moment, I felt calmer because I knew I was not alone.
During the performance, I tried my best to stay focused, even though I was still nervous inside. I kept reminding myself to trust my team and enjoy the moment. When we finished our performance, I felt a huge sense of relief. My body felt lighter, and I felt proud because we had given our best effort, despite all the fear and pressure.
When the winners were announced, my heart started beating fast again. I felt anxious and nervous while waiting for the results. When I heard that ESA team number 2 won second place, I felt incredibly happy and emotional. I almost couldn’t believe it. Even though it was not first place, I felt very proud of myself and my team because all our hard work, tears, and effort were finally rewarded.
This competition taught me powerful lessons about teamwork, trust, and perseverance. I learned that feeling scared or nervous is normal, but giving up is not the answer. FESBA was not just a competition for me; it was a journey full of emotions, growth, and beautiful memories that I will always remember with gratitude.