Forever friends: The class of 2004 with their teachers at their recent reunion.
“Not so very long ago, a hundred twenty years or so, Horley dauntless hero came...” – these stirring lines from the SMK Methodist (ACS) Ipoh school anthem echoed through the halls of Impiana Hotel Ipoh on July 6, when the 2004 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia cohort reunited for the first time in two decades, ushering in a wave of nostalgia and camaraderie.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of our graduation. Three alumni members – Avinesh Kumar Prathab, Yuvaraj Nagaretnam and myself – had planned the celebration of this milestone since early last year.
A total of 54 former students, accompanied by five past and present educators, graced this momentous occasion.
Custom-made T-shirts, keychains and mugs were made to celebrate our shared journey.
The evening featured remarks from the organising committee, a sumptuous dinner, and the presentation of commemorative plaques to honour our teachers, followed by a photo session.
For many, the reunion was a bridge to our joyous youth. Wong Shou Hong, now resi- ding in Singapore, saw it as a precious opportunity to reconnect with old friends he had not seen since leaving school.
Yogaraj Naidu cleared his weekend schedule to immerse himself in the memories of his formative years at the institution, emphasising the reunion as a poignant reflection of a cherished past.
Among the notable attendees was Mr Meor Ikram, a former discipline teacher who served the school for 30 years. He reminisced fondly about the 2004 batch, sharing anecdotes about how each cohort he had taught was distinctive and expressing joy at seeing his former students’ success.
His sentiments were echoed by Mr Razak Malek Taharim, currently the principal of SMK Simpang Pulai, Ipoh. Reflecting on his decade of teaching at ACS Ipoh, he spoke of the profound impact it had on his career, particularly the memorable experience of teaching swimming at one of the nation’s first schools to boast a half Olympic-sized pool.
The evening culminated in discussions about future reunions, with aspirations for an even grander celebration involving more batchmates. This reunion was not just a look back at the past, but also a celebration of enduring bonds and shared histories, promising to strengthen the ties that bind for many years to come.
DEVAN GUNASEELAN
Ipoh
