Santiago’s ‘Matric Ball’ redefines farewell celebrations
Santiago Andrew, a high school learner, was inspired by a Denzel Washington quote to take the first step towards making his dreams a reality.
What if the only thing holding you back from achieving your dreams was the courage to take the first step? For Santiago Andrew, a profound quote from Denzel Washington gave him a wake-up call to seize opportunities and live life with a purpose.
Envisioning a grand finale to the high school chapter, where matriculants would bid farewell to their high school years in a blaze of glory, Santiago dreamed of scripting a more extraordinary ending for them when he thought of hosting ‘The Matric Ball’, an event set to revolutionise the traditional matric dance to fit the new era.
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“Throughout your schooling journey, you reach a stage where the matric ball becomes a topic of discussion. Due to the influence of social media and the internet, you find yourself idolising the idea of a matric dance, much like myself and my peers.
“However, having seen previous matric dances, I realised that they lack the bliss and excitement you look forward to for years. I then found myself at a crossroads between hosting my own matric ball or settling for something that would be exorbitantly priced and fall short of our expectations. I decided to host my own matric ball.”
When asked how he finds the balance between school work and hosting duties, Santiago said the support from his parents helps him keep his head high.
“Their support has allowed me to make my dream a reality, with plenty of hard work over the course of two years.”
Starting The Matric Ball wasn’t easy. Santiago faced many challenges, including rejection from organisations he approached for funding. Despite this, he persevered and stayed committed to his vision, eventually making it a reality.
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“I took a risk and relied on my peers. Over two years of meeting many people, I realised I had created a network. I pitched the idea to my peers, using my passion for photography and videography to create a pitch.
He said The Matric Ball is hosted by a teen for teens and comes as hope in a country where youth unemployment has skyrocketed.
“I want the attendees to feel a sense of fulfilment. After so many long and tiring years of school, we have finally reached the end. I want teens to recognise their worth and understand that they are much more than the limited opportunities presented to us.”
Santiago plans to make the Matric Ball an annual event that can compete with the likes of the MET Gala and provide many more platforms for the youth.
“When Denzel Washington said that when you are on your deathbed, all your opportunities will surround you and ask you why you did not take them. This quote changed my perspective on life. I want my story to tell others that no matter who you are or where you come from, there’s always a starting point. However, the starting point is only a point if you don’t take the next step.”
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