JSB of 2018

Aaron Tan

As she was about to walk through the entrance of the ballroom, Doris Koay (12) felt a bit of nostalgia. She remembered her junior year and the JSB of 2017 that she helped bring to life, the hours and days she spent with her classmates and her family. They worked together, struggled together, laughed together, and succeeded together. With her date by her side, she walked into a JSB not created by her class, but a JSB for her class.

“I was really impressed with how the juniors set up the ballroom,” Tian Ooi (12) said. “There were so many decorations and they were all really good too. My favorite was the telephone booth because it was actually a telephone booth.”

The ballroom of Jen Hotel had decorations and photo-ops on every side and corner of the room. The juniors decorated the room according to their Sherlock Holmes theme. Students and staff alike could have their mugshots taken at the back of the ballroom, or take a photo with their date in an antique cart. The juniors also included a few activities in their program, like a “Box of Lies.” The seniors enjoyed a night full of activities and would-be memories.

“The tributes provided a sort of momentary reflection during JSB. It showed me how I’m perceived by somebody that values me, “said Jerald Ooi (12). “In rare moments like this, it allows me to reflect on whether or not the choices and actions I made were what I’ve wanted throughout the years.”

Every senior had a tribute written for them by a junior. Most of them had profound and intimate tributes written by juniors they left an impact on. In the tributes, juniors included past experiences they’ve had with their respective senior, along with a short description of why and how much they matter to them. The ballroom had an atmosphere thick with emotion every time the juniors read the tributes.

As the night was coming to an end, Doris left the ballroom with a plethora of emotions. The entertainment and fun times she spent with her friends gave her joy. Her tribute and messages, like “I’ll miss you”, filled her with a sad affection. As she sat on the bus, on the way back to school, she understood that this would be her last JSB, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.