Risdon Toh – Class of 2025

Risdon Toh (24-I4) was admitted to the college via the Direct Schools Admission pathway and proved himself to be a role model as a student, classmate and key member of the EJC Softball team. He balanced his academic work with his commitment to Softball, demonstrating strong moral character and leadership and always trying to uplift his peers and motivate them to pursue their goals. 

“I still remember the first day of school, when I had so many doubts and worries running through my mind, ‘What if I cannot handle A-levels? What if I end up not making any friends?’ These thoughts clouded my mind and filled me with fear. But all of that changed the moment I stepped into EJ. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming. I felt it right at the gate when the OGLs started clapping. Even though it was a little awkward to walk through, it immediately set the tone that everyone here would be supporting me throughout my two years. It was a feeling of warmth and togetherness that I could never anticipate.

The spirit of unity in EJ has been the driving force throughout my journey. The support from teachers via consults, patient guidance, and constant words of encouragement, as well as the friendships I have made along the way, have shaped my entire experience. All these moments made me realise that EJ was not just a junior college. It was something bigger, a whole community. It became a place I felt proud to belong to, a place I could walk into every day with a smile.

My biggest inspiration and my motivation since the start have always been my friends. They gave me a kind of strength and support that no one else could have provided. During the NSG season, they made boards for me and even came down to cheer during my matches. They reminded me that I represented this school not just because of the jersey I wore, but because of the community I was proud to be part of. I competed with the strength they gave me, and they are the reason why wearing the Eunoia jersey meant so much to me. The countless hours we spent together, from cycling to Bishan Park to our frequent mookata runs, reminded me every day why I kept pushing myself. This was because with every step I took, I knew I was not doing it alone.

One memory that I would like to keep with me would be losing the NSG Final. Although this may sound very strange, it was because we lost while trying our hardest, and that was the spirit I felt super proud of. I can still recall the day of the Final, where it was so hot and I was exhausted. When I wanted to give up, Mr Tay, Coach CK, my teammates and friends would shout their support. I still remember needing to convince myself that I was capable enough to lead the team and to pour all my years of experience into that one game, and they reminded me to keep going and be confident we could achieve more.

It was for the countless hours we had poured into training, the gruelling sessions where we were punished until we got the drill right. Softball has taught me one of the most important lessons in my life: that it is not about playing simply for the victory, but about playing for something bigger than yourself. When the final pitch was thrown, I realised that losing was nothing to be ashamed of. We fought our hardest and showed that our pride and effort was possibly more important than victory itself. Even in defeat, I realised my strength was only made possible by the people who supported me throughout my journey.”