2009 NYAA Gold Award Ceremony
October 10th, 2009
Contributed by: Joan Ow Hui Chen
This year, a total of 507 outstanding young men and women received their Gold Award, the pinnacle of the NYAA Programme. An Award Presentation Ceremony was held on 2 October 2009 at Temasek Polytechnic Convention Centre, which was graced by His Excellency President SR Nathan. The ceremony was attended by more than 800 invited guests, which included Mr Mah Bow Tan, Minister for National Development and Chairman, NYAA Advisory Board, foreign ambassadors, corporate and community leaders, principals and heads of organisations, parents and members of the NYAA Gold Award Holders’ Alumni.
It was my first time helping out at the NYAA Gold Award Presentation Ceremony and being the biggest award ceremony ever, it was a totally new experience. I was assigned to be the recipients usher, where I would lead the recipients to the stage to collect their award. Along the way, the recipients were all very anxious and were trying to rehearse every single step that they should do on the stage, such as shaking hands with the President, receiving the award and smiling to the cameras! Seeing the recipients anxiously rehearsing the steps, asking lots of questions on where they should stand and how they should bow, these reminded me of how I was when I received the Award!
After 18 months of hard work, the fruit of labour were reaped. To stand on stage and receive the NYAA Gold Award from President SR Nathan was what everyone had been looking forward to. The NYAA journey has definitely shaped many of us into a better person; letting us know our strengths and weaknesses and allow us to give back to the society in different ways.
Two Award holders had the honour of sharing the experiences that they have gained through the NYAA Programme. They were Mr Randall Ong, 2009 Gold Award recipient, Temasek Polytechnic and Ms Patricia Chia, member of the NYAA Gold Award Holders’ Alumni. Both of them gave passionate and humbling speeches on how the NYAA had shaped their life and allowed them to contribute back to the society. I believe almost all recipients would agree with both of the speakers that the NYAA Programme has indeed provided many opportunities for youths to explore themselves in greater depth.
Getting the Gold Award is not the end but a beginning of a new chapter. Like the GAHA motto, “Service beyond Gold” we would like to encourage all the Gold Award Holders not to stop here but to continue contributing to the community together with other passionate and like-minded young people who are eager to make a difference.
The 9th NYAA Gold Award Presentation Ceremony was indeed a meaningful and memorable event that had not only recognised the achievements of youths from diverse backgrounds, but also showed the continuous effort of youths striving together to build a better community.
Entry Filed under: Announcements from EXCO, Celebrations
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