Droves of students hailing from different secondary schools and junior colleges filed into a dignified, exquisitely carpeted function room, settling around tables graced by candlelight. The headmaster took to the stage, and gave a stern gaze around the room. Much to the amusement of onlookers at the NUS Alumni Guild House, a gathering of a different sort was underway on New Year Eve, 31 December 2008. It was the YK Zone Leaders’ Appreciation Countdown Party with the theme, Back to School.
Attendees for the night came all decked out as marauding gangs of school bullies, matched by clusters of bespectacled nerds. Laughter rocked the room even as a lisping librarian made his entrance, turning up his nose at the rowdy group of students with dyed hair and shirts tucked out. Drama, song and dance was the order for the night as the different leaders staged their performances. Head of YK Zone, Goh Yock Kiang himself crooned a mesmerizing Mandarin pop number which even caught the attention of the service staff.
The highlight of the night was the School’s Belle and Heartthrob Parade as paired couples strutted hand in hand. The nerds were the biggest winners, chosen for their efforts in dressing up and playing the part. In addition to this, there was no shortage of thanksgiving and appreciation as individual awards were given out to different leaders for their faithfulness, hardwork and excellence.
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| PHOTOS: Roy Lim |
The year finally drew to a close with the sound of party poppers and spirited cries of ‘Happy New Year!’ Camera flashes took the place of the fireworks display at the nearby Marina Bay as hugs were given all around the room. All in all, it was a night to remember with plenty of photos to plaster on Facebook and memories to keep till the next year-end countdown party.
