Kristoffer Soh, a Kumon student from Singapore

Kristoffer Soh, aged nine Started Kumon aged two Currently on level M for maths Completed the English programme

Greetings from the Little Red Dot! I live in a tropical country that is just indicated as a little red dot on the map. My country might be tiny but it's home sweet home to me. My name is Kristoffer Jacek Soh Zhi Wei. My friends call me Krist. I am nine years old.

At the moment, I am doing Kumon maths level M. I completed Kumon English in 2006. Thus, I am very eager to attend this year's ASHR ceremony as I will be receiving my Completers certificate. I hope to finish my Kumon Math soon.

I started attending Kumon classes when I was two years and ten months old. Through the years, I have learnt to be independent, responsible for my own progress and to persevere when I encounter problems.

Being ahead of my school year means that I have more time to socialise. I love to have lots of fun. After all, I am just a kid! My favourite activities include playing with my friends, reading books, and I also enjoy bowling, cycling, swimming and playing board games. I am currently learning to play the piano and have taken up fencing.

I am very happy that I am allowed to grow up at my own pace and am not pressured to excel in academic subjects only. I appreciate the choices offered to me to explore other avenues and to improve on my weaker subjects. Hey, nobody's perfect! Most of all, I have a balanced life and a childhood to remember.

Along the way, I was given the opportunity to build up my confidence and gain some experience by doing a TV feature and Kumon advertisement. That was further enhanced when my mom encouraged me to accept the invitation for me to deliver my first speech at the ASHR ceremony two years ago and to play the piano for the opening song to last year's ASHR ceremony. I have been fortunate that I have been able to attend ASHR ceremonies since the first year of my enrolment.

Thanks to my parents, school principal, teachers and my Kumon Instructor, for all their love, guidance and support. "They" made the difference in my life. With their encouragement, I believe I can achieve whatever I aspire to be, nothing is impossible. Needless to say, I would like to pay back society by helping the less fortunate in the future to make a difference in someone's life. But for now, work hard and play smart!