MENGAPA 68 MENJADI PILIHAN SAYA?

Dari awal menginjak kelas 9, saya diperhadapkan dengan sebuah pilihan yang menjadi penentu masa depan saya, yaitu memilih sekolah menengah keatas. Jujur, pada awalnya orientasi SMA tujuan saya adalah SMAN 8. Karena ingin memperoleh yang terbaik, saya mengikuti bimbel untuk mendapat nilai NEM yang tinggi saat Ujian Nasional. SMAN 68 pada saat itu menjadi pilihan nomor 2 dalam rencana saya mengikuti jalur umum. Namun, saat bimbel saya mendapat pengarahan lebih lanjut mengenai SMA-SMA terbaik untuk menjadi pilihan di Jakarta. Diantara seluruh SMA, mereka menyebutkan SMAN 8, 28, 81, 68 dan sebagainya. Bimbel saya juga menjelaskan informasi secara detail mengenai berapa persentase murid dari sekolah-sekolah tersebut yang berhasil masuk ke perguruan tinggi negeri terbaik di Indonesia, seperti Universitas Indonesia (UI) dan Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB). Dari situlah saya mulai mengetahui bahwa ternyata SMAN 68 memiliki lebih banyak kuota untuk masuk ke UI. Fokus saya dari awal memang ke data tersebut karena saya bercita-cita untuk masuk ke Fakultas Kedokteran Universitas Indonesia. Itulah pertimbangan pertama saya untuk memilih SMAN 68.

Selanjutnya, adalah jarak tempuh dari rumah saya ke sekolah. SMA Negeri yang ada di dekat rumah saya kurang memberikan peluang besar bagi saya untuk masuk ke perguruan tinggi yang saya tuju. Rumah saya berada di Jakarta Utara dan dengan alasan tersebut saya mengambil risiko untuk tidak mengikutsertakan nama saya dalam jalur lokal dan hanya mengikuti jalur umum. Masih mengenai jarak tempuh, setelah dipikir-pikir ulang jarak rumah saya dengan SMAN 8,28, atau 81 terlalu jauh dan kurang rasional untuk dijalani setiap hari. Jarak dari rumah saya ke SMAN 68 hanya memakan waktu kurang dari 30 menit sehingga ini memberikan saya alasan yang lebih kuat untuk memilih SMAN 68.

Pertimbangan ketiga datang setelah NEM Ujian Nasional diumumkan. Waktu itu, saya mencapai NEM yang cukup membuat saya optimis untuk dapat diterima di SMAN 68. Selain itu, saya juga membaca dari internet bahwa SMAN 68 adalah SMA terbaik di Jakarta Pusat dan no. 4 terbaik di seluruh DKI Jakarta. Setelah mengecek website-website lain berkaitan dengan SMAN 68, termasuk prestasi yang tidak hanya gemilang di bidang akademik namun juga non-akademik, saya memantapkan diri saya untuk menjadikan SMAN 68 pilihan pertama saya di jalur umum. 

Ketiga alasan tersebutlah yang menjadi alasan-alasan utama. Awalnya keraguan timbul karena masuk SMAN 68 berarti saya harus beradaptasi dengan lingkungan yang benar-benar baru bagi saya. Jumlah orang yang saya kenal sangat sedikit dan saya belum pernah bersekolah di sekolah negeri sebelumnya. Meskipun begitu, dorongan lain saya dapatkan juga dari orang-orang terdekat saya,seperti kedua orang tua, keluarga besar, serta teman-teman saya yang selalu mendukung selama proses perjuangan diterima di SMA negeri.

Demikianlah sedikit penjelasan saya mengenai alasan dan pertimbangan untuk masuk SMAN 68 dan saya sangat bersyukur karena berhasil untuk melanjutkan studi saya disini. Terima kasih :)

A LEADER FROM THE PAST : GENERAL OF THE ARMY SUDIRMAN

The name Sudirman, maybe very familiar to Indonesia citizen. Numerous streets are named after Sudirman, including a major street in Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia. A university located in Banyumas also named after Sudirman. There are a lot of statues, monuments, museums, and other things that were dedicated for Sudirman. So as the examples went on and on, of course it is a little bit surprising for me if you called yourself Indonesian, but hasn't known or even heard about Sudirman. But for those who already knew, let's just stay innocent and read this article for a while.

Sudirman, before he was known as a big general that led a couple of Indonesia's biggest war, was born in a very traditional and simple family that lived in Purbalingga. Still on his childhood, he got adopted by his uncle and grew up as a very diligent student. At his young age, he's already prominent at school. He amazed tons of people for his amazing leadership in an organization and also his obedience to religion. A fact that I just figured recently is that Sudirman's first job was actually a teacher and a headmaster. Honestly, I thought he would started as a rookie-soldier and stuffs like that, but turns out he started at the field of education. Even after Japan started to occupy our country, Sudirman was still teaching. Later in 1944, he joined the Defenders of the Homeland, or what's more known as PETA Soldier. From that time, Sudirman's name became quiet famous because he's probably one of the most bravest soldier that Indonesia had. Sudirman was a man that had the nerves to waged a rebellion and managed to escape after being captured by the Japanese army. Sudirman became a witness of Indonesia's struggles and miseries. He was there at Linggardjati Agreement followed by other fights until Dutch launched the second assault on the capital. One of the biggest service that he gave to the country was to lead The March 1st Raid. That really showed the world that Indonesia's people still exist and the army still has power to fight against the invaders. Sadly, Sudirman had to return to His creator a month after Dutch admits officially that Indonesia is an independence country. He passed away at the age of 34 and declared as a National Hero of Indonesia.

A paragraph of biography perhaps couldn't cover all of the honor that we should give to appreciate General Sudirman's services. Even when he was diagnosed with tuberculosis disease, he's spirit couldn't be broken by anything and he gave all his energy to defend his beloved country until he can breath easily while watching Indonesian held the country with their own hands. All of this description were all true and that is the reason why I felt proud that my group is named after The Great General Sudirman. I have no doubt that my group mates also felt that way when the teacher put us together and said, "You guys are group number one. The General Sudirman Group." Honestly, it also motivates us to continue Sudirman's footsteps by giving our best to make Indonesia, our homeland, feel proud. Sudirman has given a hope for us who's scared or feel constrained by a condition. He clearly inspired the young generations to erased the word 'giving up' from the dictionary, and plant the seeds of bravery and wisdom to our hearts. I really hope that through this article, you, all of the readers, will remember more about our heroes and start thinking, "What can I give to this country?" That's all from me. Thank you.

All honor goes to General of the Army Sudirman and all of the heroes up there.