Parting amid Pandemic – 64th Graduation Ceremony Class of 2020

Jointly reported by:
Tan Yi Khai Sr3ScC
Ng Choon Hau Sr3A

Photography by:
Ming Xuen Amelia Sr3A

On Sunday, 18th of April 2021, Kuen Cheng High School held a graduation ceremony at Top Happiness Grand Ballroom for Class of 2020. The ceremony was held from 10 am to 12 noon. Graduates and teachers reached the ballroom early in the morning to prepare for the ceremony.

Before the ceremony started, everyone there watched a video about the standard operating procedures (SOP) for the ceremony. After everyone was informed about the SOP, the ceremony kicked off at the scheduled time with Principal, Dr Chua Lee Lee, Chairman of the Board of Governors, Tan Sri William Cheng Heng Jem, and others entering the ballroom. After they had been seated, the host started with a short speech. After that, everyone in the ballroom rose for the National and also the School Anthem.

Chairman of the Board of Governors, Tan Sri William Cheng was invited to give a speech on stage right after the School Anthem ended. He started his speech by explaining why the graduation ceremony had to be held outside of our school and then talked about the recent pandemic. He believed that we would soon recover from this pandemic and hoped everyone stay healthy. Before ending his speech, he emphasised the importance of having good personal character.

Next up, the Principal congratulated the 492 graduates for finishing their secondary education with great enthusiasm at Kuen Cheng High School. In her speech, Madam Chua hoped that everyone could stay positive and strong. She had high hopes for all graduates that they would be able to do their part in contributing to the society and our nation.

Moving on, our Board Honorary Treasurer, Tan Sri Teo Chiang Kok was invited to give a speech. He used Chinese Pinyin pronunciation and practised many times beforehand specifically in order to make the speech well. During his speech, he made a special request for all graduates to rise, turn their face towards their parents and present to them with a deep bow.

Left: Chairman Tan Sri William Cheng; Right: Principal, Dr Chua Lee Lee, both giving their speeches.

After the speeches, Mr Chairman was invited onstage to hand out graduation certificates to class representatives. Following that, he handed out rewards for graduates who achieved excellent results in their Senior Unified Examination Certificate (SUEC). After that, Tan Sri Teo Chiang Kok was invited on stage to hand out rewards for graduates who willingly served the School under service clubs. Up next, Board Director, Madam Chow Sow Fong rewarded graduates who achieved amazing results in co-curricular competitions that had helped elevate the School’s name and honour.

And then, our Principal was once again invited onstage to present graduation gifts to Graduate Committee Presidents of each class. These gifts were in the form of booklets stylised as an official Kuen Cheng Passport. They also got stickers featuring various iconic aspects of Kuen Cheng life.

What the “passports” look like on the inside! Credits to Liang Ji Tao from Sr3B 2020.

That was followed by the Head Treasurer and Advertising Coordinator of the Graduate Committee presenting their total raised funds on behalf of all graduates, of which would be donated to the school. A grand total of RM49,482 was shown on a piece of mock cheque.

Ong Yee, the Head President of the Graduate Committee, went onstage next to give her speech. She first explained the theme and mascot of their graduation; the former being “Neverending”, and the latter being a goldfish, symbolizing freedom and bravery. After recounting the times spent at school pre- and post-pandemic, she expressed great gratitude to all teachers and parents who have accompanied her batch of graduates for six years.

Two sessions of gratitude followed. The first was a compilation of clips with four thematic segments. It began with students thanking their teachers and recounting their time with them. Some experiences were touching; others hilarious. Then, teachers gave students their blessings and wishes for the future. Parents joined in too, bestowing their warmest wishes upon their children. Lastly, students gave words of gratitude and encouragement for their peers.

The second session was initiated by Broadcasting Club member Yong Qiao Ru who gave a short speech of gratitude, then had everyone bow to their parents like done earlier in the day.

Then, graduates went around the hall to give teachers their handmade paper lilies. “Whether they are present or not, all of the graduates harbour immense gratitude, and from the bottom of our hearts, we would like to say: thank you, teachers,” said Qiao Ru during the gifting of the lilies.

The graduation ceremony closed with two graduation songs. Five students onstage and a dozen in front of the stage led the grand chorus of “Farewell Song” and “Unfinished”, the former being a classic graduation staple and the latter being the graduates’ uniquely crafted graduation song.

With that and a final group photo, the 64th Graduation Ceremony Class of 2020 came to a close.  Graduates took pictures with each other and exchanged gifts, cherishing their final moments spent together as high schoolers. Emotion clogged the atmosphere there, with many not ready to leave.

When prompted for an interview, a graduate expressed gratitude that a ceremony was able to be held during a worsening pandemic at all. He advised future graduates to keep up with their studies, but to never neglect their student life around them.