Masks of unity

Creative design: Tham showing off his winning face mask entry.

AGAINST the background of a new norm, students from Beaconhouse Group of Schools celebrated our 63rd National Day by competing in a face mask designing contest.

The inter-school competition aimed to promote unity and creativity among its students, while driving home the importance of staying safe amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Mask for Malaysia competition engaged students by utilising the face mask as a canvas to showcase the students’ creativity, nationalism and sense of unity.

“This year, instead of just waving the national flag, we wanted to let the children show their unity and solidarity for our country as we continue our collective fight against Covid-19 using what has become the symbol of this precautionary era, the face mask, ” said Beaconhouse School Southeast Asia regional director Alister Bartholomew in a press release.

The contest, he said, aligned perfectly with this year’s National Day theme, Malaysia Prihatin.

“We are proud to play our role in inculcating a more conscious and caring society while fanning the flames of patriotism, ” he said.

The contest, comprising four categories of different age groups, garnered over 2,000 submissions from the students.

Winners from each category received a RM300 cash prize each.

Tham Chuan Jin, six, from Beaconhouse Bunga Raya Klang, won the first prize in Category A (ages six to eight) with a sequin-decorated face mask.

Chong Carlyn, 11, from Beaconhouse Sri Murni National School, won Category B (ages nine to 11) with an innovative design that featured well-known Malaysian landmarks, the national flag and our brave frontliners.

“I know things have been very different and difficult this year because of all that has happened. I’m glad that in our own way, we were able to celebrate Malaysia and show our creativity.

“We wear masks every day now, everywhere we go. I’m so happy that I can now go around in my special Malaysia-inspired mask!” she said.

Dhurjaya Kumar, 13, from Beaconhouse Sri Inai International School, came out tops in Category C (ages 12 to 14) with a mask featuring the Beaconhouse logo.

The design also showcased a combination of Malaysian icons from the Petronas Twin Towers and the Sarawakian Hornbill to the Rafflesia flower and the leatherback turtle.

Melina Charu Joseph, 16, from Beaconhouse Sri Inai International School, won Category D (ages 15 to 17).

Her artwork showcased the Harimau Malaya and the hibiscus in watercolour.