Enrolment and Awards Day 2016

12th KL Enrolment and Awards Day 2016

Written by by Lance Corporal Jayden Tan of squad 2

7th May 2016

On the 7th of May, the 12th Kuala Lumpur Boys’ Brigade Company held its annual Enrolment and Awards Day in Wesley Methodist School Kuala Lumpur. It was an exciting day because this day officially enrolled recruits to privates and renew the membership of current members.

At 8.00 am, the inspection of the Guard of Honour took place. Consisting of 27 members dressed smartly in their ceremonial attire, standing smartly in formation in Wesley Hall and ready to welcome the Guest of Honour, Ms Tay Choon Neo, spiritual life director of the Methodist Council of Education. It was truly a spectacular sight to behold. When Lance Corporal Alex Ong (Now a Corporal) announced that the company inspection is to start, Lance Corporal Justin Tan commanded the Guard of Honour, the Guard of Honour stood attentively, some were eager while some were nervous for the inspection. There was pin drop silence during the inspection whereas everybody was looking at the Guard of Honour while Ms Tay was flanked by two escorts to inspect the Guard of Honour.

Once the inspection was done, the contingent fell out quickly and members were instructed to sit in their squads in their allocated seats while parents sat in front of the stage. The NCOS’ were busy ensuring everything ran smoothly; the AV crew were busy taking over the console; the emcees were preparing for their speech. The opening ceremony started when we sang Negaraku and the Anchor Song.

The emcees, Lance Corporal Teh Ming Yang and Private Jonathan Chin (Now a Lance Corporal) broke the silence and invited everyone and announced the marching in of the colour party and invited all present within the hall to rise as they marched in. Underneath the Banner was played. The hymn sounded solemnly as if it accompanied the marching of colour party until the chaplain the colour on stage.

After the Marching in of the Colour Party, Pastor Koe led the opening prayer to commit this day in God’s Hand so that everything would run smoothly. The, it was time for Praise & Worship to worship God. The musicians were Sergeant Ong Wil Sern as the singer, Corporal Brian Eu as the guitarist, Lance Corporal Zander Cheah playing the bass guitar, Corporal Samuel Siew as drummer and Lance Corporal Hoshea Tiang (Now a Corporal) as the pianist

led the convocation to three song which were Everlasting God, O Praise the Name and Cornerstone. After Praise and Worship, Madam Chia Loy Tian, the principal of Wesley Methodist School and Ms Tay gave their inspiring speeches to encourage the members to continue Boys’ Brigade. Everybody listened attentively and enjoyed the moment.

Next on the agenda was a video presentation of one year review and progress in 12th Kuala Lumpur Company. It was good because it was done by Sergeant Jack day to night to ensure there was no mistake in the video. We enjoyed the video very much and we clapped after the video presentation. After the video presentation, this was one of the most exciting part of the day - Awards Presentation! Many members had actually worked very hard for the badges especially the recruits who worked hard for their target badge. The emcees called upon Mr Andrew, one of the Lieutenants in 12th Kuala Lumpur Company to announce the badge recipients. Madam Chia had been given the privilege to give out the awards. The sounds of hands clapping and people cheering was unending. It was a great moment for the members.

Shortly after this, the 12th Kuala Lumpur Live Band performed in front of everyone. L/Cpl Alex Ong, a famous singer in our company, he had proven that his awesome singing skills was true with a band. The band consists of L/Cpl Alex Ong as the vocalist, L/Cpl Zander Cheah as pianist, L/Cpl Ajith Nair(now a corporal) as bassist, Corporal Brian Eu as guitarist and Corporal Samuel Siew as drummer. L/Cpl Alex Ong sang ‘I am yours’ and ‘Payphone’ with his melodious voice that impressed everyone.

Once the performance ends, it was time for testimony of the members who would like to share their experience in Boys’ Brigade. The first member was Private Andy Lai (now a Lance Corporal). His speech was remarkable because it touched everyone when he ended his speech ‘stop saying you wish, start saying you will’. Then, Pastor Koe, the chaplain of 12th Kuala Lumpur Company delivered his sermon as an encouragement to the members. Everyone listened to it attentively and the atmosphere is calm and cool.

After the sermon, it was time to relax and rest for a while, it was time for tea break. The VIPS were led to the canteen followed by the members by the ushers outside the Wesley Hall. There were various foods which are delicious; everyone was enjoying themselves at the canteen. After tea break, members went up to the hall and the event continued. A group photo of members were taken to jog our memory as the guest of honour and the Principal of WMSKLI, Madam Chia had to leave. After the group photo, it was time for the second round of awards. Once again, the awards recipients were read out by Mr Andrew, after the members received their awards, I can hear the loud drums rolling and beating, a second performance by the 12th Kuala Lumpur Percussion Ensemble. The song was ‘Bicycle Race’ and it was well-played, and the rhythm is consistent, this is because the ensemble had been practising for a month and the hard work paid off.

After a wonderful performance, it was time for the second testimony by Lance Corporal Johnston Tan. He shared his own 4-year-experience with us and it was fantastic, everyone gave him a round of applause after he ended his testimony. Then, it was time when our sedulous leader of 12th Kuala Lumpur Company, Mr Nicholas Yeap to give a speech. He greeted us vigorously and he talked about his testimony, he once faced a lot of balls and chains, and he almost gave up, but with the help of God and many people, he slowly overcome it and established the well-known 12th Kuala Lumpur Company today. He encouraged us by saying to persevere at all times so that we can succeed when time comes.

When he was going to end his speech, I barely saw the officers were unpacking the lanyards and chevrons which meant the moment when the members especially the Year 8’s and above expecting: Promotions.

After Captain ended his speech, Mr Andrew walked up to the stage to read out the names; Sergeant Nicholas Ng hold the tray filled with Lanyards, Chevrons and Field Service Ranks; Mr Nicholas stood at the front stage, ready to give out the chevrons to the recipients. I can feel the time slowed down when Mr Andrew said, “Start with the new Lance Corporals first, first name on the list, according to Alphabetical order.” The hall turned silent suddenly and I can feel our hearts were pounding and we breathed deeply as if a pool of nervousness deep down on us. Everyone cheered and applauded when Mr Andrew announced the first new NCO, Private Andy Lai. Then it followed by Private Daniel Lim, Private Ivan Lim, Private Jayden Tan, Private Jonathan Chin, Private Lon Colin, Private Ng Kook Fong and Private Teoh Eugene. Then, it was time to promote the current Lance Corporal to Corporal. They were Lance Corporal Ajith Nair, Lance Corporal Alex Ong, Lance Corporal Hoshea Tiang and Lance Corporal Teh Eng Hong. There were more members gotten promoted than last year. Unfortunately, there was no new sergeant in the company. To sum up, there were eight members got promoted from Private to Lance Corporal and four members from Lance Corporal to Corporal. Then, chaplain led the officers to take the rededication pledge, followed by the NCO’s and members.

Time flew like a bullet. Soon, Enrolment and Awards Day is over. To mark the end of the enrolment service, everybody rose during the march out of the colour party and it was accompanied by the closing hymn, Onward Christian Soldiers. Before the guests and members went on their separate ways, the closing prayer was said and BB Vesper was sung. After the service ended, I can hear the sound of congratulating and cheering at each other. The Enrolment and Awards Day was drawn a grandiose full stop at 12.00pm.