Sunway International Schools (SIS) continues taking great pride in nurturing spoken-word talent among Malaysian youths after a decade-long legacy with the successful culmination of the 11th Sunway National Poetry Slam (SNaPS).
Themed “Music and Myths”, this year’s edition drew an impressive 160 submissions from a total of 55 primary and secondary schools nationwide.
From these, 47 finalists representing 14 schools qualified for the Junior, Senior and Group categories at the finale.
SIS executive director Prof Cheng Mien Wee said, “Over the past 11 years, young voices from diverse schools and states have stepped onto this stage reinforcing that when we nurture creativity, we unlock the limitless potential of our students.
“Their words remind us that education is more than just knowledge, but also courage, empathy and the ability to inspire change.”
Distinguished guests present at the event include Emma Davidson, member of the Sunway City International School Board of Governors; Azliza Mohd Sarif, chief assistant director and Nor Husna Habsirun, assistant director, both from the Selangor State Education Department. Assoc Prof Dr Nicholas Lee Boon Kheng, head of Sunway University’s Centre for English Language Studies served as chief judge during the grand finale.
Natalie Tan Sze Shyuen from SJK(C) Lai Meng took home the grand title for the Junior Category, while Sofia Ismail from Kolej Yayasan Saad Melaka and Fredston Wang Le Dong from SMK Damansara Jaya scored the second and third place respectively.
In the Senior Category, Priyanka Gunalan from HELP International School emerged champion while Angela Nauliloy SMK St. Mary Kuala Lumpur bagged the second place and Kirthigan Manimaran from SMK Damansara Jaya at third place.
Securing the first place for the Group Category was team Chai Tea from Inspiros International School with Achilles' 2nd Heel from SMK Damansara Jaya in second, while Orphic Echoes from Beaconhouse Sri Inai International School placed third.
The Spirit Award was presented to Inspiros International School for accumulating the most live votes during the grand finale.
SMK Damansara Jaya successfully bagged the Helios Award as the overall champion with the highest total combined scores.
Building on a successful decade of the SNaPS journey, this year’s competition also featured a special unveiling of SNaPS – A Poetry Anthology and Other Narratives, comprising 30 award-winning poems from years 2018 to 2024.
The collection also includes practical insights on crafting and performing poetry by renowned poet Jamal Raslan and chronicles SIS’s pioneering role in promoting poetry slam nationwide since 2013. Published by Sunway University Press, the anthology will be available soon at Popular Bookstore outlets.
Prof Cheng added, “Publishing this anthology is a milestone for us as we are proud to have provided a platform where students are empowered to think, feel, and express.
“More than just a collection of poems, these young voices and their powerful stories now live on beyond the competition, reaching new audiences and inspiring future generations.”
