Treasured memories ~ 40-year Reunion of Class 1971: Celebration Dinner

40^th Graduation Anniversary Celebration Dinner

In the evening of 17 December, 2011, we continued with a reunion buffet dinner at Chinese Recreation Club Hong Kong in Tai Hang. We were honored to have the presence of our class teachers, Ms Chan Chun Kum (Form 1B) and Mr Siu Wing Keung (Form 4 Arts and 5 Arts) and Needlework teacher, Ms Cheng Oi Yee (Mrs Siu). Mrs Chan Li Bik Wah (Form 4 Science and 5 Science) could not show up. We were joined by the Principal, Ms Leung Chau Wan, of Confucian Ho Kwok Pui Chun Secondary School (HKPCSS) and personnel of the Alumni Association, headed by the current Chairlady, Ms Leung Wing Man.

The Reunion party was scheduled to start at 5:30 but some had already arrived well ahead of time. We caught up with each other’s news all these years. Before the dinner formally began, there was a video show on visits to Dr Irene Cheng in 2002 and 2004 and the DVD on individual teachers and fellow students prepared by the Executive Committee members. Our senior alumni were all eyes on the video clips.

The dinner began with a touching speech by Clara Ho Yin Fun in that she stated that life did not require a million things but could be well lived as a simple, honest and yet fruitful and genuine one. This point was further elaborated by Ms Leung, Principal of HKPCSS when she pointed ‘integrity’ is the core value of a gentleman. She appealed for support to commemorate the 50^th anniversary in 2013 of Confucian Tai Shing Secondary School which extended into Confucian Ho Kwok Pui Chun Secondary School, branches of the tree of schools run by the Confucian Academy.

The Chairman of the 40^th Anniversary organizing committee, Adrian Hung, gave a report with very impressive figures－so it seemed to our Seniors.

There were 76 graduates from the 1971 class and we could get connected with 41, that is, 54%. After graduation, 58% of us went on with academic pursuit and were awarded Degrees, 3 with PhD, Eric Chu King Wah, William So Wing Kwan and Grace Tsang Sun May, the former two now working as university lecturers and the latter CEO of a company and part-time lecturer; meanwhile 11 Master Degree and 18 Bachelor Degree. We have also been shining in a variety of occupations: Lee Shin as a doctor, Kenneth Law Shun Woo as a solicitor, Cannie Tong Wai Lan, Clara Ho Yin Fun and Sam Poon Chok Sum as merchants, Chau Hoi Kit as school principal, Angela Or Sau Chun and Nancy Tsui Hin Man as teachers. A number of us are engineers and most have been doing well.

In terms of married life, 4 classmates married with 3 children: Kimball Yip Kam Wing in USA, Tina Wong Sin Han in Australia, Nancy Tsui Hin Man in Toronto and Wong Mei Ling in Toronto. Those married in Hong Kong mostly have 2 children while some have 1 child and 2 in Toronto with no child. In addition, 15.6% of those contacted got divorced. Adrian concluded his speech wishing everyone an enjoyable, memorable time this evening.

When Mr Siu was requested to speak, one fellow student naughtily asked him to draw the world map first. Mr Siu appreciated that he was well remembered as a Geography teacher. He further praised the exhaustive efforts of the Executive Committee members of the 40^th Anniversary, especially of the meticulous production of the DVDs over a long period of time and in different places. Click Here to watch a snapshot of Mr Siu’s speech. Next, Mrs Siu, or Ms Cheng, our Needlework teacher after Miss Chan Chun Kum, expressed her gratitude that over the years every gathering of alumni brought along good memories to cherish for an appreciable period of time and she wished more old classmates would join us in the next reunion. We hope that in 10 years, we will still be in the best of health and gather as we did on this very day.

An atmosphere of warmth, open friendliness pervaded this night. The Chairlady, Ms Leung Wing Man showed a copy of two lines of encouraging words written by Dr Irene Cheng in 2002 reminding us to serve the community and the needy. Ms Leung shared her personal experiences and appealed to our support for the Alumni Association’s community services and continued to live ‘Tai Shing Spirit’, Confucian spirit, leading a life of righteousness and integrity.

Mr Lau Kwai Hing, the first president of the Alumni Association, shared the memory of his life in Tai Shing. What impressed him most was the care and concern of the teachers, one of whom urged him to fix glasses because he had developed short-sightedness and even offered to pay for his glasses. This interaction remained in his mind to date.

Our fellow student, Monster Chau Hoi Kit expressed his gratitude for what he received from both teachers and fellow students in Tai Shing in his difficult time when his father passed away just before the HKCEE and he was more than willing and ready to serve the school in return. His remark was cheered by Ms Leung Wing Man.

Eric Chu King Wah, making his first appearance after 40 years, shared with us his academic pursuits and professional developments in the university in Australia. He went on 30 to 40 trips a year collaborating with foreign colleagues. Thanks to the Internet, we were reconnected. We hope more friendships can be renewed with the technology.

Thanks must be extended to Clara Ho for her generous contributions of table gifts and the ten gifts for silent auction from which a total of $6,950 was raised for further search for the classmates who have not been reconnected by advertisement on the Internet and newspaper. The senior alumni altogether contributed $1800 to the event.

We leave the best to the last. Our heartfelt gratitude goes to Casey Chung (1969). We must acknowledge him for all his unreserved efforts to get the interview video clips with the teachers (Miss Ho and Tong Sir) and fellow students in Canada. Clarence Au Pang Sum’s amazing efforts over the past 40 years of filing the photos brought back our treasured memories of the school days and beyond. He even made his video clip during the 2 hour stopover in Hong Kong from Canada to mainland China. Simon Fan Wing Chow’s thought was with us. His support from Australia has always been consistent. For this occasion, it was monetary contribution.

Undemanding friendship lasts and could stand the test of time and we, having been touched by our teachers’ lives and inspired in different fields, have made our various professional and personal accomplishments. We hope to hear from more fellow students from Class 1971. We hope that it won’t have to take another 10 years. After all, as we are moving towards the golden age, how many 10 years do we have and how many years of sound health can we enjoy?

Seize the day, Guys!