The OC Wong King Tung leads former class monitors of Form 5 Arts and Science Wong Teck Sing and Chieng Hock Kui in unveiling the conference room, named after classmate Khiu Siong Hii.
Pastor George Wong (left) and Wong King Tung.
I HAVE a much treasured mug with these words printed — The secret to staying young? Live honestly, eat wisely. And lie about your age!
It’s hard to lie about your age when you reflect and write about attending the reunion of old classmates — and for me, the class of Sekolah Tinggi Sarikei (STS) 1973-1975 (Form 3-5).
Don’t make a guess with your calculation because there is a difference of four years in age among the classmates — some went to school early, some skipped transition.
In those days, in small villages, the school had alternative year for primary one, and children were allowed to attend school one or two years early while some preferred delaying a year.
And, of course, many of us still look young and good, and everyone who made it to the reunion, was filled with joy. That’s the secret of staying young, I suppose.
The youngest among us — Wong Ing Kwong — received this compliment: “Ah Ti (small brother), you have finally grown up.”
Indeed, he looks like a ‘young’ adult.
It was an amazing event — sort of like a miracle.
As Pastor George Wong Lee Tee, who travelled thousands of miles from Canada (taking him three days), to attend this class reunion, said: “It’s no coincidence we have this reunion. A near 100 per cent attendance takes a miracle to attain. It’s amazing. We’re thankful to all those who have put in the effort selflessly to organise this.”
A 41-year reunion sounds like an event for old folks but we are not geriatric …at least not yet! The spirit of our youth is still very much alive despite infirmities of one kind or another. As we recalled the old times, fond memories of our youthful days at our alma mater came flooding back, energising us and making us feel younger!
Probably, the visit we made to our former school had helped us remember better. As we entered the classrooms where we attended Form Five, we were transported back to our student days. So surreal — but we know we have, since then, been enriched with additional years of life experiences, and are now more able to cope with the inhibitions, self-consciousness and insecurities of the fifth formers that we once were.
Pastor George shared: “Some of you even remember where you were seated. It’s amazing. How did you do that?”
He added: “I remember the maths competition. We were strong in maths, the legacy left by our teacher Jiang Han. Maths had been top, top and top. We represented STS in maths competitions and actually got third place at the national level. This afternoon, we heard our present principal say our school is still strong in maths.”
Pastor George also recalled how the former principal, Wong Chung Kang, who taught him biology, skipped the whole chapter on human anatomy although he believed the subject could have led the curious Chieng Hock Tiew to take up medicine and eventually end up as a doctor, specialising in assisted reproduction!
Indeed, we might have gone on to universities, earned degrees, served the community and country we settled in, pursued careers, got married, raised children and became grandparents or we could just as easily have struggled through difficult times, but our youth and potential will remain forever a part of who we are.
Forty years have changed us all — physically and mentally, emotionally and psychologically. But I am happy to note that all my classmates share one thing in common. I see in them the contentment of working and living well — whether as doctors, teachers, pastors, businessmen, bankers, administrators or homemakers.
Julian Ha and the classmates receive a rousing welcome by a lion dance troupe from STS.
Spiritual event
The reunion was also a spiritual event, reminding us that we are all mortals and need to live life to the full. Eight of our classmates had passed on and we observed a solemn minute of silence in their memory as well as that of the teachers who had left us.
An old discomfiture that has been nagging me for many years was put to rest by a warm hug from a classmate who had these reassuring words: “I’m proud of you. Everytime I read your articles in the newspapers, I will proudly tell my friends, the journalist is my classmate.”
As Pastor George had rightly said in his prayer: “We also want to thank you for the gift of love. The love that cheers us on and encourages us to move on. And above all, we appreciate this generous sharing of love and forgiveness.
“We want to live on the legacy of love but we need you to encourage and empower each one of us and this evening, we pray You will enjoy the presence of all of us as we invite Your presence. Yes God, we want You to party with us tonight as we have fun.”
Maybe not all the hopes, dreams and goals of the class of 1973/1975 have come to true but for them, many unexpected chapters of life to have to pass.
We became who we are today because of our drive, ambitions and the opportunities that came knocking on our doors.
Pastor George said we are all very blessed.
A visit to the open house of classmate Mary Ranggau (seated fourth left) with Wong Poh Sieng (seated fifth left), Connie Wong (standing first row, third left) and other classmates on June 1.
Network of friendship
“We may be from different backgrounds, different businesses and different professions but we are blessed. We appreciate this network of friendship. John Maxwell (author, speaker and pastor) said teamwork makes dreams work. Dreams come true because of teamwork.
“John Maxwell also said this very important thing — that our network is our net worth. So our greatest net worth is our network of friendship. For us to be able to preserve 40 or even 50 years of this friendship till today, we say thanks to Whatsapp– although what it really boils down to is this network of friendship,” he said.
Pastor George also thanked God for His kindness and grace that bought teachers, friends, students together. He also expressed his appreciation for the gift of legacy and all the great lessons we had learnt from our teachers, mentors, friends and classmates.
Needless to say, this legacy will be handed down from generation to generation.
The reunion over the weekend was filled with laughter and many laughed like they were still in their teens. What touched me also was the mention of the gift of laughter by Pastor George. Yes, laughter is a gift that brings joy and joy comes from God.
To my best friend through from transition to Form five until now, Connie Wong Ai Hua, this reunion is a ‘lost and found’ event for many.
As Tim McGraw (country music singer, songwriter and actor) said: “We all take different paths in life but no matter where we go, we take a little of each other everywhere.”
Form Five Science Class 1975 coming alive in their old classroom.
Sharing by Wong Poh Sieng, Form Five Arts 1975, STS
In recent years, I often missed some of the old classmates. With this class reunion, participated by many classmates whom I have not met for over 40 years since we left school, my heart has been warmed by the old, familiar, sincere and warm greetings.
The various photo sessions will be kept and remembered for a long time to come.
The programmes arranged by classmates in Sarikei were meaningful and with varieties. They brought back many sweet memories as we wore the specially designed T-shirts for the homecoming when we visited the various facilities of our former school. It was a time for reminiscing in the classroom where we attended Form Five.
Before we began the dinner, we also spent some time paying tribute to and remembering the classmates who had left us.
It was indeed very kind and thoughtful of some of the classmates to have contributed birds’ nests and cakes, not forgetting the organising chairman Wong King Tung who drove hundreds of miles from Sarikei to Bakun to pick the freshest fish for the evening. The kampung chicken reared in Sarikei farms were especially nourishing!
We were all touched by such kindness. Hope to meet again soon.
Photo call in front of Sekolah Tinggi Sarikei.
Sharing by Julain Ha, Form Five Science 1975
The fact that our alma mater has maintained excellent results, whether in academic or extra curriculum activities over the past years without fail, is concrete proof that the principals and teachers have continued to deliver their best.
The school has maintained its facilities, buildings, compounds and gardens in tip-top condition, to give the students a conducive environment for learning and other school activities.
Whether it’s the staff room, named after Datuk Sri Huang Tiong Sii, the conference room named after classmates, Mr and Mrs Khiu Siong Hii, the principal’s room named another classmate Chieng Sing Ying, the library or the classrooms, the tidiness, cleanliness and orderliness are impressive.
STS is in the process of building a big indoor stadium. I can see that after the completion, we may not have any more land for expansion and upgrading of other facilities.
However, the green fields around the school are still there. Hopefully, some philanthropist will buy the land and donate to the school.
I strongly believe under the dynamic management board and the excellent administration of the principal, Ting Sie Teck, the school will continue to scale great heights.