Former pupils in cheerful mood during the celebration. — Photos: LIM BENG TATT/The Star
SOME 300 members of Convent Ex-Pupils’ Association (Cepa) let down their hair at the association’s 90th anniversary celebration in Penang.
The dinner and dance was graced by Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and his wife Tan Lean Kee.
Chow in his speech commended Cepa for its commitment to community service, which includes visiting orphanages during Christmas.
“It is heartening to witness an association which not only cherishes its past but also actively contributes to shaping the future of our society,” he said.
Cepa president Datuk Molly Mak expressed hope that the younger generation of ex-pupils would join the association to keep it going in the future.
The association was formed in 1933 by six ex-pupils with membership open to school leavers of all convent schools in the country.
Its objective is to keep all ex-pupils in close touch with their alma mater and to promote friendship.
Chow (fifth from left) with Mak (to his right) and other attendees at Cepa’s 90th anniversary celebration.
Mak, 91, who is the association’s oldest member, recalled that she began kindergarten at Convent Light Street and continued studying there for three years and eight months before World War II broke out.
“I returned to the school after the war. After I left, I worked as an operator with Telekom Malaysia where I met my husband,” said the mother of two.
Mak has vivid memories of the sisters and nuns at the school who instilled discipline in the young girls.
“It was there that I picked up the good trait of helping the needy.
“I started doing social work with many non-governmental organisations and I still continue doing so,” she said.
Mak also picked up sewing skills from the nuns and sisters during her schooldays which led to her opening a boutique, dressing royalty and celebrities.
On how she keeps herself young, Mak said, “My secret is never get angry and don’t hold on to ill feeelings.”
Retired nurse Wild flew in from the UK to attend the event.Retired nurse Theng Wild, 70, surprised her former schoolmates by flying from the United Kingdom for the event.
The ex-Convent Pulau Tikus student, who was at the school from primary years until Form Five, said she had just lost her husband in October and left it to the last minute to attend.
“I knew that I can get some emotional support from my friends here as they know me very well,” she said, adding that she usually made a trip back to Penang every three years.
Wild said she had wonderful memories of schooldays.
“I was active in games and this was encouraged by the teachers and nuns,” she said.
As the night drew to a close, Cepa members enjoyed a band performance and also a dance by the Rocking Angels.
There were also a lucky draw and a cake-cutting ceremony to mark the occasion.
