Like a tidal wave surging across the shores, we were the irrepressible boys of the ACSS year of 1985 that flowed into the ballroom on the 129th Founder’s Day Dinner. We merely contributed 20 tables this year – a neat record with bragging rights – but we could have done even better had we started our recruitment earlier before February.

One of our year, Wong Heng Yu, a member of the ACS OBA Management Committee, helped with the organizing of the dinner and was our liaison with the OBA Office. Gary Tan, Roy Yeo, Chua-Yu-Jin, Chew Kwee San, Lee Kin Mun, George Pan, David Lee Yeow Chor, Jeffrey Chiang, Wong Tien Hua, Jason Teo, Yeo Han Yong, and I, came forward and each of us became table in-charge of at least one table, and we fanned out to garner boys of our year who would be able to attend the dinner. We started WhatsApp group channels 1, 2, and 3, a WeChat group, and a FaceBook group. Each attendance was confirmed by an instantaneous electronic transfer of funds. The exercise spread, and each individual class started to have their own class Whatsapp chat.

We had not met some of our friends for 30 years. Those who travelled across the seas specially to make the occasion were far too many to list: Harryono from Wales, Samuel Seit Kin Lun and Tan Kwok Aun from Australia, Francis Tay from Hong Kong, Lennard Chan from China… Adding to the effervescence was the presence of our super stars Mr Miyagi, Mr Brown, and Hossan Leong. Ministers Tan Chuan-Jin and Lam Pin Min showed their true colors by putting on their dark blue trousers and pinning their badges with beamish pride.

On this occasion, we could be justifiably boisterous. Decked in our school uniforms, we sang our anthem with gusto. Regardless of the tucking out of the shirts or the pleating of the pants, every ACS uniform worn by the world-weary body was lit by the radiance of youthful memories engrained in the impish smiles of our still boyish minds.

Beyond the attendance of the dinner, many in our cohort organized and attended their own class, ECA, and small group gatherings. Loke Pooi Yin, Chew Shih Yin and Leslie Tan came forward to organize the year of 85 soccer team where we emerged a commendable 4th out of 12 teams in the ACS (OBA) Past versus Present Games.

We are so proud of our band of brothers. Our friendships forged in the kiln of childhood and innocence and fired by our bold and creative behavior in school, are our source of invincibility and cohesiveness that help us overcome tough times. We have lightness of the heart that helps us laugh at ourselves and the capriciousness of life. Our joys are multiplied when we bask with each other. Together, we shall grow old in our faith that the best of our lives are yet to come.

Chng Nai Wee