00:03It was not an ordinary Thursday at SMK Badabaru Sungai Long.
00:17The school hall came alive with the thundering beats of drums and the clashing of cymbals
00:22as students rang in the Chinese New Year in style.
00:26But this year's celebration carried something extra special.
00:31Female students took centre stage, performing in the 24 festive drums and lion dance,
00:37breaking away from tradition in what was a historic moment for the school.
00:43For the performers, it was a nerve-wracking, exhilarating and unforgettable first.
00:49The first time I felt very nervous because at that time I just joined the club, not very long time
00:58only.
00:58I felt nervous, will I play wrong? But after that, it's okay, normal already.
01:06When the first year I feel proud but after that I feel very normal because now in Malaysia also many
01:16of girls learn the lion dance.
01:19I think this is my first time performing at here.
01:23I think it's a new experience. Quite nice, happy because I can enjoy and have a new experience.
01:35Among the performers was a Muslim student who stepped up to the drums with quiet confidence.
01:41For many watching, her participation was a reminder that the spirit of celebration knows no boundaries of faith, culture or
01:49gender.
01:51In the first time, I went to school, there were people who played in the Chinese.
01:58So I was like, wow, it's the best. I felt like I wanted to join last.
02:03I nampak pun like, wish, I felt like I was able to join.
02:08And then, I minta kepada cikgu to join.
02:12So, I was like, wow, it's the best. I felt like I wanted to join last.
02:19I was like, Muslim girl, and they were like, oh, there's a Muslim girl.
02:25I was like, oh, there's a Muslim girl. I was like, oh, there's a Muslim girl.
02:25I was like, oh, there's a Muslim girl. I was like, oh, there's a Muslim girl.
02:29Behind the polished performance was weeks of hard work.
02:32The routines are physically demanding, testing even the most experienced performers.
02:37Quite difficult, but just keep going to practice. Practice makes perfect, right?
02:43You need to be brave. If you're not very brave, you can't do anything.
02:48They say girls can't train the line dance, and I think it's not like men and girls are also human,
02:58right?
02:59We girls also can train the line dance.
03:01I very recommend if you wanted to learn, and I think it's okay, you can go to try if you
03:10think you are very interested in line dance.
03:13So, I think girls can be able to join.
03:17I mean, if you're willing to join, you can be able to join.
03:20Sometimes, they're also sad to join because there's a person.
03:24So, the task is sad to be sad, right?
03:27So, they have to like, like, like, they don't have anything to do.
03:32It's just a performance.
03:34And there's a person.
03:35Don't care.
03:38So, they're not going to see you.
03:40It's just a performance.
03:43With consistent training and acquired determination, the girls rose to the challenge.
03:48And on Thursday, it showed.
03:50What began as a festival of rhythm and colour became a celebration of determination and inclusion.
03:56With female students taking part in the drums and lion dance,
04:00this school turned Chinese New Year into a lesson in courage, culture and community, one beat at a time.
04:13Let's join me here, man.
04:18Thank you!
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