The Class of 78's 30th Anniversary

While Americans throughout the world celebrated their Independence Day, 150 old boys with young hearts from the Class of ’78 celebrated their 30th anniversary reunion at the Lee Kong Chian Auditorium. Some alumni returned from the US, Canada, Hong Kong, China, Indonesia and Malaysia to join in the celebration. Others rearranged their travel schedules just so they could attend the reunion.

Encouraged by the good turnout and the numerous rehearsals up to the afternoon itself, the Organizing Committee felt confident of a good event.

As our seasoned MC, Mr Kelven Tan, was ready to start the evening, the electricity tripped. All the AV equipment and lights in the auditorium were incapacitated. “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” (Proverbs 19:21).

After many tense moments, the school technicians managed to restore only the lights. The student volunteers for the evening worked feverishly to set up an alternative mobile audio system whilst the technicians continued to labor over restoring the AV system.

To avoid further delay, the evening program was revised to start with a group photo shoot instead of speeches, and the audience ended up on stage after the photo shoot while the speakers stood on the floor! The address and announcements were cut short as we tried to get back on schedule for the highlight of the evening … the speech by our past principal, Mr Earnest Lau.

Luckily, he said that despite the many times when feelings of despair about us seemed overwhelming, he was glad that we had matured after 30 years. To add to the nostalgia, his speech to the 150 alumni on stage was delivered the “original” way … without any microphones.

Only after the initial awkwardness of meeting people whom we had not seen in decades had passed, was the AV system restored for us to continue with our program. We are thankful that God had a better plan for our evening. What had been a rigidly planned occasion was suddenly turned into a cosy, informal gathering of friends renewing old friendships, reaffirming old bonds.

The success of the evening showed in the number of alumni staying on way overtime to continue reminiscing. Also, our reunion raised $ 38,000.00 for two annual bursaries for needy students in the ACS family and for an Emergency Fund for the ACS’78 cohort.

As we reflect upon the evening, we are glad that our ACS training allowed us to trust in God and to persevere in innovatively turning the lemons that life deals us into lemonade.

Lim King

Old boys, Young hearts:
Andrew Yuen (ACS'53) & Richard Seow (ACS'78)

Our dear teachers

"Don't play, play! This is an original PE Monitor Badge!", Foo Hee Kiang is telling everyone.

Together again and having a great time! Flying in for the reunion were John Lim (back row, middle) from Canada and Tan Kok Khiang (back row, second from right) from North Carolina.

Jevan Tan sandwiched between Philip Cheng (left) and Patrick Wei (right). Philip flew in from China and Patrick from Hong Kong to join the dinner.

“It’s great catching up” Koh Kok Hong (right) tells Mukesh Kumar (left). In the middle is Sa’ad Hussein who came back from Malaysia for the dinner.

“Now, don’t tell me ….. you must be ...! - Wong Meng Leong (left) &
Teo Cheng Chuah (right) seem
to be saying to each other!

Cheese! Here’s one for the album.

(from left: Lim King, Reuben Khoo, Kelven Tan, Chan Hsiang Hsui and Chandra Mohan)

Are they from the Pyramid Club?

(from left: Jevan Tan, Low Pekuang Sitoe Yew Kok, Oscar Ong, Ong Cheong Hock, Koh Kok Hong, Harold Hee & Lam Charn Wye)


Welcome!  (from left: Kelven Tan, Raymond Yuen (Wong Meng Leong and Chew Sung Hock in background)

Ming Li (centre) is now a reverend! (from left: Kelven Tan, Koh Tat Yong, Chiu Ming Li, Lim Wee Kwang, Saxone Woon

Cheers! (from left: Kwek Thong How, Mrs Kathy Lee , Kelven Tan, Au Kah Kay

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