SM Stella Maris 1995 students reunite
KOTA KINABALU: When a group of friends decided they wanted a reunion gathering with their schoolmates from high school, never have they expected such a turnout!
For the 11 ladies, who self appointed themselves to take the onus to contact some long lost friends and getting everyone to say “yes, I am in!”, it was not an easy feat, as most of these ladies have full-time careers up their sleeves, with personal and family commitment in tow to juggle, while keeping their excitements high to make the gathering a reality!
Batch 1995 of SM Stella Maris, Kota Kinabalu was popularly known for their creative talents, musically and artistically. This is also the same batch that produced strong and confident leaders, and some pretty strong-willed lasses.
This organising committee were mostly part of the school parliamentary system introduced in the early nineties, with Aries Henry Joseph being the elected SM Stella Maris’ Chief Minister from way back in year 1994.
It is no wonder the reunion gathering was such a success, considering they had only less than two months worth of preparation time.
With the hash tags of #Fabulous40 and #FriendsForever, and coupled with the white or white and denim theme, the ladies came in strutting in their jeans and whites, some surprisingly still looking fabulous even as they turned 40 this year!
Laughter and chatting were heard echoing throughout the foyer as they continued to mingle and catch up with each other, while the committee excitedly ushered the rest to collect their door gifts and cast their lucky draw tickets at the reception table.
At precisely 7pm, everyone entered the dining hall happily smiling as they found their table mates. As if they have just left school yesterday, everyone started chatting up again, creating a beautiful music of laughter and chats in the hall.
The event was promptly started by the talented and beautiful pair of hosts, Julie Jimmy and Suzie Ambrose Van der Leij, as they doubled up as the masters of ceremonies for the night.
To commemorate the beginning of everyone’s 40th year this year, a charity collection was announced, in which the benefit will go to the Rumah Kanak-Kanak Bondulu in Toboh, Tambunan.
She added now is the right time for them to give back to the community. This move was fully supported by those present, and by the end of the night, RM1,200 was collected.
The dinner was made more memorable with the performance of one of their own, Jennifer David, who performed a beautiful rendition of Sumandak Kinabalu. Anndreeta Sandhu entertained everyone with her antics and made everyone antsy in anticipation with games and activities.
The winners of the games were presented with tokens of appreciation for their participation, sponsored by Anndreeta.
As with many other reunion gatherings, lucky draws were not to be missed.
There were 23 sponsored gifts for the lucky draws, including the grand prize, a return international flight tickets for two and a cash prize amounting to RM500, both generously sponsored by Adrianna Welson. The other sponsors were Edith Julius, Zaziah Husin, Sabrina Peter, Sharimala Vasu, Karin Marisa Manjaji, Helysa Salleh, Siti Rahayu Rahim and Ethel Vali.
Haslina Ismail won the grand prize.
The highlights of the night was centred around a four-tiered blue and white cake; designed, baked and crafted personally by Elaina Sukaimi (of Lyndora Cakes and Cookies). Everyone was in awe with the intricacy of the design and of course excited in anticipation of tasting the four distinctively unique flavours. Best of all, the cake cutting ceremony was coupled with the singing of their much remembered school song and many rounds of birthday songs, to celebrate everyone’s 40th year as well as those celebrating their birthday in August.
There were also awards given out for the ‘Fabulous 40’, ‘Best Dress’ and ‘Lady of the Night’.
The collection from the selling of video CD of the reunion gathering will be going to a charity home.