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"Shhh – Quiet on the Sneak!" by Faith Loh

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The night air was filled with the buzz of chatter and anticipation as the senior class arrived on campus, laden with bags of snacks, stuffed animals, backpacks, and luggages of varying size. Last Monday, the senior class piled onto two buses at 8:30 PM, just a ten-hour drive and two-hour ferry ride away from officially beginning their Senior Sneak trip.

A very successful run with their Junior Class Store, the Surf Shack, allowed the seniors of 2027 to choose Tioman Island as their secret destination. Tioman is an island off the southeast coast of west Malaysia, known for its beautiful beaches as well as its diverse rainforests. In other words, it was the perfect place for both relaxation and activity before the chaos of senior year truly unfolded.

Little Planet, an educational activity organizer, welcomed the seniors to their property at Kampung Juara. Their camp of beach front halls nestled between the pines and cozy residences filled with bunk beds would become home for the next four nights. 

Despite having only three full days at Tioman Island, Little Planet was determined to fill every hour of the day. The day started at 7:00 AM with morning stretches and activities, followed by breakfast, before the senior class broke off into their three respective rotations for their activities of the day. From service projects to snorkeling trips, hiking expeditions to turtle conservation education, kayaking to cultural farming, and bonfires to the Juara Olympics, there was never a dull day.

When asked about her favorite activity during Sneak, Naomi O’Quin (12) struggled to pick just one thing, citing games of ultimate frisbee, jetty jumping, and evening worship. Eventually, she settled on their six-hour hiking expedition, saying, “One of my favorite parts about sneak was waterfall trekking. The way there was very calm, but on the way back we got to go bouldering on a dry river bed. We never knew what to expect when we turned a corner- it was honestly such a fun adventure.”

All these activities also provided an avenue for each senior rotation group to bond amongst themselves and with their instructors from Little Planet. The last day was rounded out by the Juara Olympics, a competition consisting of relays, three-legged races, and jetty jumping. Each rotation group was split into two separate teams and self-named. “Bumblebee! Bumblebee!” Team Bumblebee chanted when they emerged victorious from the competition with the glorious prize of being first in line for dinner.

The next morning was early and melancholy, with seniors waving to their instructors, giving one last pat to the resident cats, and snapping a few more photos to preserve their memories. The bus ride back was one of denial, even when literally approaching the inevitable reality of school once more. Seniors coped by listening to music, playing card games, and just talking with their friends. “Shhh – quiet on the sneak!” Olive Berends (12) said to the laughter of her friends, putting a spin on the viral TikTok trend. 

Regardless of whatever expectations the senior class held for Sneak, no one could deny that this trip left them with a lifetime of memories.

Rotation B group picture taken by Ivan Chan (12)

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