Flower power reigns in school

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Winning entry: Jia pruning her floral work of art which later bagged the grand prize and a gold prize at the contest.

THE delicate aroma of flowers filled the foyer of SMJK Heng Ee as the school carried out its 18th floral arrangement competition, which was held in conjunction with the school’s 55th anniversary.

It was a blissful visual treat with colourful and artistically placed blooms and foliage in eye-catching bouquets.

Students were creative in selecting their receptacles — baskets, hats, bamboo and even school shoes — to name a few.

Well done!: (From left) Gold prize winners Wei Heng, Jia Jia, Jia (also the champion), Yang Hock and Jie Wei posing with their flowers after the price giving ceremony.

Themed ‘Colours of Vision’, the competition saw a participation of about 160 students from all forms except candidates of the forth- coming SPM and STPM exams.

Teacher Wu Peng Jye said this was the largest number of participants the school had ever received compared to around 90 last year.

All participants purchased their flowers from a nearby wholesaler, Hua Cheng Flower House.

Shoe-ing her creativity: Tan Ying En arranging her blooms using this unique receptacle.

Also present were four judges — renowned local artists Cheng Yeow Chye and Lau Seong Leng, the school’s retired Chemistry teacher Ooi Siok Kee and ex-student Gan Thian Woei.

School principal Goh Boon Poh said that in 1994, a senior teacher proposed that bouquets be used as decorations for the school’s annual graduation day.

“It became a tradition ever since. This indirectly helps cultivate love for the school.

Almost done: Tan Shi Min (front) and Lim Seng Khuan putting their final touches towards the end of the competition.

“The school does not only excel academically but also in extracurricular activities too. We also stress on humanities,” he said.

A total of one grand prize as well as five gold, 15 silver and 25 bronze trophies were given out.

School prefect Wang Jia, 14, beat all the other participants to emerge champion and won the grand prize and also a gold prize.

This was the second time she had participated in this event, winning only the gold prize last year.

Annual tradition: An overview of the competition in progress at the school.

Said an elated Jia about her creation: “The white flowers represent the current school students and the blue ribbons represent the memories left behind by the ex- students.”

The other gold prize winners were Lim Jia Jia, 14, Koay Wei Heng, 15, Lim Yang Hock, 16, and Hum Jie Wei, 18.

In his speech, Goh told the students that their participation was more important than winning.

He said he was proud and happy that the students were able to admire the beauty and elegance of flower arrangements.