Resonance at Loyola Academy
Loyola Academy, an autonomous institution is known for a host of reasons. Lush green campus, power of autonomy, stringent rules, an oversized academic curriculum and a long list of exams are, to name a few. Apart from its inclination towards excellence in academics, Loyola Academy has had a culture of promoting various talents in varied extra curricular fields to foster its students to excel as an all-rounder.
Every year, a 3-day Resonance week is held, wherein, varied kinds of intra-college competitions are held between all the streams of the college. Resonance held on 19th,20th and the 21st of November this year, saw 28 events, sub-divided into literary and cultural events, which gave way for students from each and every faculty to showcase their talent. While events like Essay and Poetry writing threw light on the thought process of young minds of the college, events like Ad-Mad, Skit and Mime helped reach new heights of creativity. There were also events like Poster Making, Fabric Painting, Collage, Fruit Carving and group and solo dancing, singing (classical and light) and instrumental. While the former exposed the artistic touch of a lot of students, the latter gave a platform for the most graceful and versatile performers of the college.
Group Dance Winners (boys). Credit : Inverted Frequency
When it comes down to competitions, off the field friends, turn on-field competitors and the story is no different at Loyola. The competition has always been of a really high standard and that wasn’t going to change this year. “I love the competition out here during resonance. It always brings out the best from us and eventually that’s what’s needed. We strive hard to ensure that our faculty emerges as the best. Resonance is truly, an awesome experience”, says Rohan, a final year student of B.Com(hons).
The first two days of the Resonance week, saw the final rounds of events like Group and Solo Mime, Quiz, Ad-Mad and many more events while the cultural events like Singing and Dancing were held on the final day. Being conducted every year, there were a few defending champions and were touted as the favourites. One such strong contender was the quiz team from B.Com (hons) consisting of three final year students, Jeswin, Dipesh and Jerry. They finished second this year, losing it out to the B.A. Psychology and English Literature by a very marginal gap.
Winner of English Poetry writing. Credit :Inverted Frequency
Jeswin says, “It was in a way a little disappointing that we couldn’t retain the top spot but I’m glad that we could contribute to our stream.” Another group of 6 students from B.Com (hons) were the defending champions of the group mime and went on to win this year as well. “We were very confident of doing well this year as well and we just sailed through during our performance. We got a great crowd response from the very beginning. We had worked really very hard for it and I owe it all to the team”, says Nitin, with a lot of joy. Similarly, a lot of mass communication students were touted to win a major chunk of events and they managed to go ahead and win most of them.
Another major characteristic of these competitions has been the judging and the controversies surrounding it. Like every year, this year also saw fingers being raised over the judgments in a few events. “Such incidents always happen when there is so much competition. They say, the likes of judges, umpires and referees can be spot on with their decisions on one day and commit horrendous mistakes on another. But eventually, the golden rule stays, the judges’ decision is always final”, says Prakash, a final year student.
The Chief Guest. Credit : Inverted Frequency
After eventful first two days of the Resonance week, the final day was in for a lot of excitement and fun with the group and solo singing and dancing yet to happen which were to be followed by the all important prize distribution and announcement of the overall winners. The emcees for the morning session were Calvin, a final year student of B.Sc.Computer Maintenance and Nithya, a first student from B.A.Mass.Comm who entertained the crowds to the fullest and were amazing hosts. Dipesh, a final year B.Com (hons) student and Villa shekar, a final year student from B.Sc Food Tech took over the baton of emceeing for the afternoon session which marked the start of the valedictory function. The chief guest for the day was Professor C.Krishna Reddy who is the dean of folklore at Central University. He shared with the crowd few very enlightening thoughts about Andhra and Telugu Culture and then the day proceeded to the prize distribution.
Different streams of the college sat together and shouted and screamed the name of their stream, every time they won a prize. The prize distribution came to an end and the overall winners were announced. It was third time in a row for B.A. Mass Communication and their celebrations showed their delight. B.Com (hons), who gave them a really good fight stood second overall.
The Group Mime Winners. Credit: Inverted Frequency
Victories, Defeats, Celebrations and Dejections have all been a part of healthy competitions for a very long time. Resonance saw nothing different. Dipesh says, “Resonance for me is a week long adventure where we get to showcase our talent, creativity and wit. There was a very tough competition this year and we gave mass.comm a very good fight and finished second.” Another final year student, Ankur says“Resonance for me is beyond words. The passion and the patriotism that it brings along is truly commendable. We’ve been the second best for the 2nd time consecutively now. It hurts no doubt but it has been one helluva ride. Resonance always promises to be an Oscar winning pot-boiler with its share of ups and downs,twists and controversies. All said and done, it is something that will always remain in my memory and heart as fresh as ever for years to come. And as far as being the champions is concerned, there is always a next time.”
Resonance thus has been the most cherished event in the history of Loyola Academy for the kind of team spirit and bonding, healthy competitions and respectful rivalry it creates. It is an event every batches cherishes to be a part of.
