BY KOH SHAO MING
In keeping with the theme, the announcement that this physical Convocation Dinner was going to happen came as a literal Encore to our virtual ones. Even though most CNYSP events were muted in our senior years, the planning committee managed to pull together one last hurrah to send us off in true CNYSP fashion.
Velouté of Roasted Carrot and Coconut
Earl Grey Raspberry Mousse with Crumble, Vanilla Cream Sauce
The food was head and shoulders above the usual catering we got for previous CNYSP events, truly befitting the amazing setting atop Mount Faber hill. There was chatter and laughter as we caught up with each other’s lives, and a mad rush for the photo booth that kept them busy till closure.
Batch of 2021
Batch of 2020
In addition to the good food and better company, there were also exciting games with prizes to be won, which provided great entertainment while we had our meals. We got to reminisce on iconic moments on our academic journey, such as Dr Ho’s Physics lectures, in ‘Writing the Script’, and challenged other tables in a virtual recreation of Squid Game.
The highlight of the evening was the performance by our fellow participants Reuben and Jing Xuan, who performed ‘温柔 (Tenderness)’ by 五月天 (Mayday) and Stephanie Sun, and ‘Rewrite the Stars’ by Zac Efron and Zendaya.
Perfomance by Reuben (left) and Jing Xuan (right)
We are grateful that Professor Fan Hongjin, Director of CNYSP, and Professor Tan Choon Hong, former Director of CNYSP, agreed to grace our event, with a motivational speech to inspire us on our journeys beyond NTU. It was also great to see very-much beloved CNYSP Office Staff, who had supported us throughout our time in NTU.
From top to bottom: Prof Tan, Prof Fan, Minee, Jean, Royston
Our time together ended with one last group photo together, as our final curtain call on our time as CN Yang Scholars. Though CNYSP pushed us to our academic limits, and the pandemic soured our overseas opportunities towards the end of our tenure in NTU, it also gave us this opportunity to be a part of this amazing community of like-minded individuals. I hope that my fellow participants enjoyed the night as much as I did, as one last Encore before we move on with our lives.
May we all meet again sometime in future.
