The moment I walked into Auditorium 1, I was struck by how everyone looked –  poised, confident, and ready for what’s next. Half the hall was filled with students in blazers and shirts, looking like the world’s next leaders. And maybe, in a way, they were. It was the MUSA 2025 Installation & Appreciation Ceremony, a night that marked both an ending and a beginning – where one chapter of student leadership had come to a close, and another took its first step forward.

The ceremony opened with a warm welcome from the emcee, followed by a speech from a representative of the Monash Executive Management Committee, who spoke about MUSA’s 25-year journey – its growth, resilience, and its role as the heartbeat of student life. As their words echoed across the room, there was this quiet sense of pride in the air — a feeling that we were part of something much bigger than ourselves.

When outgoing MUSA President Shoandeep Radhakrishnan took the stage, the hall erupted in cheers – not the polite kind, but the genuine, from-the-heart kind that fills a room with warmth. You could tell how much he meant to everyone there. He spoke of challenges faced, lessons learned, and the countless unseen efforts that defined their term, but what struck me most wasn’t just his words –  it was the way everyone looked at him. He had made himself present in the best way possible. Beyond his title, beyond the responsibilities, he had been a friend – someone people trusted and looked up to. Watching him, I realised that leadership isn’t just about being in charge. It’s about being there, fully, for the people who believe in you, and creating change that lingers long after you’ve stepped down.

Then came the Appreciation Segment – one by one, the outgoing representatives walked up to receive their certificates. Most smiled, some laughed, and a few exchanged quick handshakes.. The mood wasn’t emotional so much as relieved – a quiet satisfaction that all their hard work had finally paid off. A few jokingly called it their “retirement,” and in a way, it was. A year of dedication, commitment, and long nights has now officially been passed on to the next set of student leaders. It felt like a collective sigh of completion – and gratitude.

The Installation Segment followed, marking the official handover of responsibilities. The newly elected MUSA 2026 team stood tall and composed, their heads held high with the kind of confidence that comes from stepping into something new. Among them were familiar faces – friends who, just months ago, were with me during orientation. We were all still new in our own ways, even after a year in, and watching them up there filled me with pride – and a little bit of wonder. They were an inspiration. Maybe one day, I thought, I could be up there too.

As the ceremony drew to a close, the 2025 MUSA President invited the past MUSA Presidents to the stage, one by one, reaching back almost ten years. Seeing them all together –  past and present, side by side – something in me stirred. The past and future have a way of finding us like that: reminding us that who you were then doesn’t define who you are now, and who you are now doesn’t limit who you can become. Life has its way of making us feel small, even forgotten, but it’s in the choices we make – the things we give, the people we impact – that we leave behind something lasting.

A special tribute followed, commemorating MUSA’s 25th anniversary with a video that traced its roots – from the early days of campus to the leaders who built the foundation we now stand on. It was moving to realise that for 25 years, MUSA has carried the same spirit: to empower, to connect, to create space for students to belong.

The night ended with laughter, photos, and conversations that lingered under the auditorium lights. As people drifted out, I stayed for a moment, just taking it all in. For some, this night marked the end of their story. For others, it was the start of one. And for me – a first-year watching it all unfold – it was a glimpse into what legacy really means.

Because in the end, leadership isn’t about power or prestige. It’s about showing up, doing your part, and leaving behind something that will outlast you.

Written by Khardeeja Omar

Photos by Joe and Rida