When Leadership Meets Passion: A DSA Success Story in the Making

The recent triumph of CHIJ St Nicholas Girls' School chess team at the National Inter-School Championships showcases exactly what DSA panels look for: student-initiated leadership, sustained passion and the courage to overcome obstacles.

When Secondary 1 student Ng See Jen discovered her new school had no chess CCA, she didn't simply accept the limitation. Instead, she took initiative that would make any DSA application shine. She canvassed fellow students, created a WhatsApp group, and crafted a detailed proposal to her principal outlining objectives, benefits, and strategic planning.

This mirrors the self-initiated project approach we have discussed previously. Like students who build historical dioramas or publish class magazines, See Jen demonstrated originality, depth of commitment, and sustained effort. Her email to the principal displayed remarkable maturity, presenting a clear plan rather than simply requesting a favour.

The results speak volumes. The hastily assembled team became national runners-up and zonal champions, with individual members earning personal awards. This achievement demonstrates not just chess excellence, but leadership under pressure, team-building skills, and the ability to deliver results despite resource constraints.

For DSA applications, this story exemplifies multiple valued qualities simultaneously:

• Leadership: Initiating and organizing the chess group

• Sports Excellence: National-level competitive achievement

• Problem-solving: Overcoming institutional barriers

• Perseverance: Six years of chess dedication despite obstacles

Whether targeting schools like HCI's diverse DSA categories or other institutions valuing student initiatives, See Jen's journey represents exactly the kind of authentic passion combined with tangible achievement that makes compelling DSA narratives.

This is DSA excellence in action, where students don't wait for opportunities but create them instead.