By Jackie Fries

People were coming from everywhere---America, Australia, Canada, England, Malaysia, and Singapore. What was the big event? Anyone who did not know, surely had not been tuned in to the many e-mail messages that were circling the globe for the last year or so. Everyone was coming for THE reunion. Not just any reunion; this was the reunion of the CLASS OF 1971.

Who thought of trying to get such a group of people together? If they had not seen each other in 28 years, would there be any interest? The idea had been discussed at various times, but in late 1997 it was discussed more seriously, during a dinner in Kuching. (The restaurant owners in Sarawak must have seen an increase in business as the 'reunion idea' came to fruition.)

In 1998 the first 'Class of 1971' directory was published, with known addresses and e-mail addresses, and '1971' pictures of students and teachers. What a pleasant surprise when we received our directory in the mail. It brought back many fond memories and immediately started some correspondence. This correspondence helped to update information for the second directory, which contained both 'then and now' photos of the students and teachers.

As plans progressed, a decision was made to hold a trial reunion in Sibu, in November 1998. The account of that successful venture can be read in the latest edition of the directory. The idea of a reunion really would work! Did anyone imagine the countless hours of work, by MANY people, that would be required to make the reunion a reality?

It became a reality. What a grand reunion it was!!!!

There were numerous mini dinners in Singapore and Kuching, as people were making their way to Sibu. These were times of great fellowship and gave just a taste of what was in store for the coming days.

The first official function of the Class of '71 Reunion was an informal fellowship dinner of all the Form 5 classes and teachers at the home of Dr. Wong Chee Liang and Lei Sing, on Friday evening, December 17. Many of the students brought food----there must have been at least 30 different dishes. Teachers were given the job of judging several of the home-cooked dishes.

The third edition of the student directory, in colour, was given out. Additionally, a T-shirt with the 1971 Reunion logo was given to each person. The directory was used many times throughout the evening as we tried to figure out with whom we were speaking. Some people had not changed very much, but others really made us guess.

The evening was filled with taking photos, rekindling friendships, and eating. There was not much time to eat--we were too busy talking. It was interesting to see teachers that didn't recognize students, but even more interesting to watch students who didn't recognize their own classmates. We talked until about 10 PM.

On Saturday, Dec 18, we met at Mandarin Hall for breakfast. Breakfast? This was more like a dinner. We had sweet-sour pork, noodles and various other dishes. Everyone was wearing the reunion T-shirt.

After breakfast, we went to Methodist Secondary School, our alma mater. A huge banner, suspended over the school driveway, greeted us: "WELCOME HOME FORMER TEACHERS AND FORM 5 STUDENTS". It made us feel special.

We met the headmaster, Mr. Poh Kee Eng. There was a ribbon cutting ceremony to dedicate the covered walkway that had been built with funds donated by the '71 class. After that, the school prefects took us on a tour of the school. With nostalgia, we saw the classrooms and laboratories where we used to 'teach or be taught'.

When we went to the old auditorium, which is now the library, we looked and wondered how we used to squeeze all those students and teachers in there for the assemblies. With awe, we looked at the large new auditorium, the computer lab and the other new school facilities. How surprising to hear that there are now almost 3000 students in the combined morning and afternoon sessions.

The students went to their respective 5A, 5M or 5S classrooms for the mock lessons taught by various teachers. It was enjoyable watching everyone trying to remember where he or she used to sit in the classroom. After the lessons, there were photos of each class and a group photo.

We went to a school conference room, where a large catered lunch was served. This was another time of renewing friendships and reminiscing. Events that had been forgotten by many of us were remembered and shared by others.

After the lunch we met at the lecture hall, where Mr. Poh Kee Eng spoke. He brought us up to date on what had been happening at the school, as well as some dreams for the future. Returning teachers were given an opportunity to speak on whatever subject they chose. We left the school about 3:15 PM.

At 6:30 PM we met at the Tanahmas Hotel for the formal banquet. The first hour was cocktail hour, a time of fellowship, an opportunity to buy reunion souvenirs and to look at the photo exhibit that consisted of photos taken during our school days. They brought back many memories. Of course, many more photos were taken during the evening.

The master of ceremonies for the banquet was Dr. Wong Chee Liang. The food was great and the fellowship was superb. Our guest of honour was YB Datuk Wong Soon Koh and his wife Datin Wong Soon Koh.

We had varied entertainment. Mr. Clive Gregory read a poem. Mrs. Pat Johnson taught a song she had written, to the tune of Row, Row Your Boat. Dayang Soraya sang a song. Alan Lau (Stephen's son) also sang. Ho Joun York sang, as he played the accordion and drums. On one song, he added to his 'band' by picking people from the audience: Mrs. Rao (biology teacher), Mr. Felix Wong (woodwork teacher), Dr. Wong Ging Yeen (woodwork student), Kiu Hieng Tiong (woodwork student) and Linda, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gregory.

Each teacher was presented a beautiful gift basket containing a mug, pen, key chain, T-shirt, car sticker (all with the reunion logo on them), and a pua (a piece of Iban weaving). It almost seemed as if people did not want to leave the banquet, as we realized that for some, this goodbye would have to last a very long time. It was almost 11PM by the time everyone departed.

Sunday forenoon, Dec 19, many of us met at the Tanahmas Hotel again.. It was our final breakfast and farewell, as a closely-knit group. There was an opportunity to buy photos that had been taken by a professional photographer. As we talked with each other, why was there a reluctance to leave? Did we want to continue the great time we had had together because we were wondering when we would ever have such an opportunity again?

How do you summarize such an experience? I have no idea, except to say "WHAT AN INCREDIBLE JOURNEY!!!!".