ILOA celebrates ‘Annual Prize Distribution Ceremony’ with pomp and grandeur

The Indian Learners’ Own Academy (ILOA) hosted its spectacular 13th Annual Prize Distribution Ceremony, celebrating scholastic excellence, individual talent, and the school’s strong community spirit with grace and precision.

On the luminous evening of November 7, 2024, the ‘Indian Learners’ Own Academy (ILOA)’ transformed its ground into a realm of pride and anticipation, as it hosted the fantabulous ‘13th Annual Prize Distribution Ceremony’ for classes 1 to 12.

This prestigious event that was a tribute to scholastic excellence, individual talent, and the school’s unwavering community spirit, unfolded with grace and meticulous organization.

The ceremony not only honored the exceptional achievements of ILOA’s brightest minds but also reinforced the academy’s commitment in nurturing intellectual curiosity and personal growth, leaving an enduring impression on all who attended.

Furthermore, students, Silvan Miracle, Joel Reju and Inaaya Sajid, dynamic and charismatic students of class 12, took the stage as the hosts, immediately drawing the audience’s attention with their infectious energy and charm.

Their lively presence and seamless coordination brought an air of excitement to the ceremony, setting the perfect tone for the evening ahead.

The ceremony commenced with the gracious reception of the distinguished guests as the Student Council escorted them to their seats with poise and dignity.

Their thoughtful and respectful gesture set a refined tone for the evening, reflecting the school’s dedication to honoring its esteemed visitors and emphasizing the significance of this occasion.

The atmosphere became even more solemn as the recitation of the Holy Quran filled the auditorium, creating a moment of reflection and reverence. The national anthems evoked a deep sense of patriotism, unity and added a poignant touch to the evening, honoring both nations and reinforcing the values of respect and shared identity.

Following the national anthems, the young students of Class 6 took to the stage, their faces beaming with excitement. Moreover, with enthusiasm and harmony, they rendered the welcome song “Melodies of Greetings”.

The uplifting melody and heartfelt lyrics resonated throughout the auditorium, setting a warm and inviting tone for the evening. The performance not only showcased the talent of the young students but also welcomed the guests with a sense of joy and community spirit.

The ceremony continued further, as the Head Boy, Joachim took the stage to deliver a heartfelt welcome speech, expressing gratitude to the valued guests and their invaluable contributions to various fields.

Furthermore, the Head Boy with pride and enthusiasm introduced each distinguished guest, highlighting their achievements and dedication as follows:

• Mr. D.K. Sharma – Chairman of ILOA, a seasoned educational administrator since 1976.
• Dr. Anil Thussu – Senior Consultant and Head of Neurology at Al-Amiri Hospital, Kuwait, with a remarkable portfolio of over 50 published articles in neurology.
• Mr. Kaizar Shakir – Director and CFO at Gulf Consult and former Chairman of ICAI Kuwait Chapter, recognized for his achievements in finance and a passionate quiz enthusiast.
• Mr. Kapil Kumra – Deputy General Manager at the National Bank of Kuwait, pivotal in Public Private Partnership projects and an IPFA Middle East board member.
• Mrs. Alka Priyadarshini Kumra – Career consultant at Accellor Careers, with over two decades of experience in banking and consulting, and a passionate Toastmaster.
• Dr. Rita Shekhar – Senior Gynecologist with Kuwait’s Ministry of Health, with decades dedicated to advancing women’s health and well-being.
• Dr. Santosh Surana an Orthopedic.
• Mrs. Subhadra Surana from Kuwait University.

The next highlight of the evening was the lighting of the lamp. The Principal, the Chairman, Vice Principals Mrs. Jaseela Noufal and Mrs. Nazma Baig, and the esteemed guests marked the auspicious beginning of the annual day celebrations by lighting the ceremonial lamp.

This radiant flame symbolized the dispelling of darkness and the illumination of knowledge, hope, and new beginnings.

Following the auspicious lamp lighting ceremony, the Principal, Mrs. Asha Sharma, took the stage to deliver the much anticipated school report.

Principal Sharma’s speech highlighted the academic excellence achieved by the students, proudly noting that there were no failures or compartments in the CBSE board examinations. She honored the achievements of the class 12 and 10 toppers, as well as the subject toppers, and recognized all the students who secured an impressive aggregate of above 90%.

Furthermore, Principal Sharma celebrated the school’s remarkable performance, with Indian Learners’ Own Academy achieving an impressive 94.31% in the CBSE School Quality Assessment and Assurance Framework, a testament to the institution’s commitment to holistic education and excellence.

Regarding the school’s achievements, Principal Sharma lauded the their numerous awards and accolades in various competitions, which include: the General Knowledge Olympiad, Techathon, Aryabhatta Ganit Challenge, SOF International Math Olympiad, SOF International Science Olympiad, SOF International English Olympiad, SOF International Commerce Olympiad, AISMTA Math Olympiad, Silver Zone Hindi Olympiad, Sastra Pratibha, KCSC Project, Kangaroo Math Olympiad, KITCO Quiz, Eureka Chitrakala, and Sankalp Baladarshan.

In addition, this celebration reflected the hard work and dedication of the students and teachers, showcasing the school’s outstanding achievements in both academics and co-curricular activities.

Following the Principal’s address, the stage came alive with ‘Blast of Bands’ a high-energy musical performance by a group of talented students. They performed with flair and precision, covers of some iconic songs, captivating the audience with their passion and skill.

The lively performance brought an electrifying atmosphere to the event, perfectly complementing the celebratory mood of the evening and showcasing the students’ impressive musical talents.

In continuation, the school choir took to the stage to perform the school song. Their voices blended in perfect unison, filling the auditorium with pride and emotion. The heartfelt rendition of the song served as a beautiful tribute to the school’s values, bringing the entire audience together in a shared sense of belonging and school spirit.

On the other hand, the stage was graced by an adorable Invocation, a classical dance performance by the students that left the audience in awe. With each movement, the dancers embodied reverence, beauty, and immense talent. Their fluid expressions narrated a powerful story of devotion and grace.

The performance not only showcased the students’ dedication to the art form, but also added a serene and spiritual touch to the evening, further enhancing the grandeur of the ceremony.

The zenith of the ceremony was the highly anticipated prize distribution. Where students from Classes 12 and 10, had secured top positions in the Board Exams for 2023-24, along with subject toppers and those with an aggregate of above 90%, were recognized for their exceptional achievements.

The auditorium resonated with applause as these remarkable students were honored for their dedication and academic excellence. The esteemed guest, Mr. D.K. Sharma had the honor of presenting the cash awards, further adding to the significance of the moment.

Similarly, teachers too were honoured which brought a heartwarming touch of gratitude to the proceedings, as their dedication and hard work was appreciated and acknowledged.

Teachers, who had guided students to achieve Centum, along with those who had served the school for many years and those with an impeccable record of punctuality, were honored.

In addition to certificates of appreciation, these outstanding educators were presented with cash prizes as a token of gratitude for their invaluable contributions to the school’s success. ILOA’s rising sports stars, which brought immense pride to the school were also honoured for their Exceptional achievements.

The Volleyball team, who were amazing with their skill and teamwork, were honoured for securing the runners-up position in the 26th Volleyball Cluster Tournament.

The Athletics Cluster champions were recognized for their perseverance. Chess players were honored for their strategic brilliance, and the talented Badminton players received accolades for their agility and sportsmanship.

Together, these accomplishments showcased the school’s vibrant sports culture and promising athletic talent.

The ceremony reached another momentous milestone as the digital school magazine, E-Quest, was officially unveiled. This exciting initiative highlighted the school’s commitment in embracing modern platforms while celebrating creativity and student achievements.

As part of this special occasion, each guest was presented with a physical copy of E-Quest, further enhancing the significance of the launch and offering a tangible memento of the event.

The stage was next graced by the students of Class 5, who presented a mesmerizing cultural fusion titled ‘The Spiral of Grace: The Ghoomar’ This Rajasthani dance, blending tradition with contemporary style, captivated the audience with its vibrant energy and elegance.

The Young Pioneers from classes 1 to 12 were honored for their exceptional achievements as scholars, all-rounders, and mentors. These students were recognized for their academic excellence and active involvement in a wide range of activities.

Their mentors, who have guided them with dedication and care, were also celebrated for their crucial role in fostering the growth and potential of these promising young leaders.

Furthermore, the audience was captivated by a thought-provoking mime performance titled ‘The Digital Trap’ presented by Class 11 students. Through expressive gestures and captivating storytelling, the performance creatively explored the fine line between the convenience of technology and its overpowering influence on modern life, leaving the audience to reflect on the balance between digital advancement and personal well-being.

The Class 1 students then took the stage with a delightful performance titled ‘Dancing Hearts – Gidda by Little Punjabs’. Their vibrant energy and infectious enthusiasm brought the traditional Punjabi dance to life, as the little dancers twirled and clapped in unison, filling the auditorium with joy and spirit, and offering a heartwarming display of cultural pride.

Following this, Class 2 students enchanted the audience with ‘Little Dreamers in Motion’ a heartwarming dance performance inspired by the joy and magic of dreaming. With graceful movements and wide-eyed wonder, the young dancers brought to life the innocence and beauty of dreams, captivating the audience with their charm and imagination.

‘The Waves of Koli Dance’ presented by class 3 students, was a vibrant and energetic showcase of the traditional folk dance from the Koli community in Maharashtra. The students beautifully captured the essence of the dance, which is closely tied to the lives of the coastal fishermen, with movements symbolizing the rhythm of the sea.

Moreover, the students presented the ‘Dance of the Dunes’ an Arabic dance that beautifully captured the grace and allure of the desert. With each fluid movement, the dancers conveyed the magic of the dunes, where every step seemed to flow like the desert winds, creating a mesmerizing and elegant performance that transported the audience to a world of mystery and wonder.

The ‘Echoes of Lakshadweep’ a performance by class 4 students, was a mesmerizing rendition of the ‘Bandiya Dance’ a traditional folk dance from Lakshadweep. The students, elegantly carrying water pots on their heads, performed with grace and precision, capturing the essence of island life.

The students then took the stage to present ‘Rhythms of Paris’ a vibrant French dance that filled the air with energy and elegance. Through lively footwork and graceful movements, the dancers captured the essence of Parisian charm and flair, transporting the audience to the streets of Paris with every beat of the music.

The Class 9 students then electrified the stage with ‘Energetic Beats of Punjab: The Bhangra’. Their spirited movements and rhythmic footwork brought the traditional Punjabi dance to life, filling the auditorium with infectious energy and vibrancy.

The class 11 and12 students delivered an elegant and divine classical dance performance to the song ‘Pranavaalya’ a beautiful tribute to divine femininity. The performance was a mesmerizing blend of art and spirituality, leaving the audience in awe of the students’ poise, skill, and the deep connection they had with the music and theme.

The Class 7 students then presented ‘Elysium of Beats: The Bollywood Fusion’ a vibrant and energetic performance that blended a variety of Bollywood dance forms. With lively choreography, colorful costumes, and infectious enthusiasm, the dancers brought the magic of Bollywood to life, captivating the audience with every move and rhythm, and creating an electrifying atmosphere filled with joy and celebration.

Wrapping up the Annual Day celebrations, Jane Joby, the Head Girl, took the stage to deliver the vote of thanks. With heartfelt gratitude, she thanked the Chairman, the Principal, the Vice Principals, esteemed guests, teachers, students, and parents for their unwavering support and encouragement.

The Head Girl appreciated participation from all the performers for their dedication and hard work, which made the event a grand success.

To conclude, the Head Girl acknowledged the efforts of the organizing committee and everyone behind the scenes who contributed in making the day memorable, and wished everyone continued success and looking forward to even greater achievements in the future.