Recently the college celebrated its 7th milestone. It was a modest affair, but exciting and well organized nevertheless, considering exams were right around the corner.

The event left a lingering sensation in me. Especially in my tummy. I think it must've been the million slices of domino's pizzas. Oh, and the secret recipe cakes. yum. =)

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It got me thinking, "WOW!" You're already 7 years old, dear college. You have seen so much. The teachers who came and went (and those that have stayed since the beginning: the "pioneers"), the many different batches of students, each one having been shaped and moulded by you; and the metamorphosis of your physical self, KMYSaad, KMYSatu, KYUEM, whichever.

Having been here for almost two years, its hard not to notice the footprints left by the previous people who have (forgive the cliche) walked through your hallowed halls. No, scratch that. Let me try again.

Having been here for almost two years, its hard not to notice the footprints left by the previous people who have lived, learnt and and grown to love you. Like the many little artifacts (Ecotrip 3d map, drawings, batch photos) they have in the RC (I just saw some scribblings behind a picture frame in the RC the other day. Pretty sweet. Note: I am not condoning vandalism); To the many traditions of the houses; And the oral legends, anecdotes passed down from batch to batch about "the super senior who did this", "the teacher who was like that.." and "there was this one time a long way back..".

Its things like these that make you feel really really insignificant. That you don't really measure up. Especially if one prominent super trooper senior writes : "There's this perception among the older batches - which is natural - that the newer batches of KMYS / KYUEM students do not fit the bill of well rounded individuals the way the older ones are."

Alas! Fear not, my fellow seniors. As we are facing our own milestones: the final no-chance-to-resit its-now-or-never A levels, and the completion of two whole years of bittersweet memories in these Outlands, perhaps its time for a change of perspective. We're going to be inducted into the alumni soon. We're going to be super-seniors to a new batch of students. We, my friends, are going to the other side. We, and I say this with every bit of ego-restraint, have pretty much left our own set of footprints. We have already proven our worth. And we're going to be legends in our own right.

Now its up to the juniors who are soon to be seniors, to prove themselves.
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A note to the KMYS alumni that will be accepting us into their fold : Us now. We have it good. We've got Astro in the cafe which opens 7 days a week (closed half day on Sundays), we've got and almost always working Wi-Fi connection on our new chalet computers. Plus, we've got something else you didn't have back then: fame throughout the land (thanks to the college's intensive advertising. you may have come across it.)

Which reminds me of a quote I read from the "Pioneer yearbook": "When we got here, it was like a wasteland (albeit one with an almost resort-like look to it) - there were barely any trees, you could count the number of books in the Resource Centre with one hand, and - worst of all- no TV or Internet!" - Editor, Yearbook 1998/1999

Kinda makes you drop to your knees and count your blessings, doesn't it?
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Rumours abound of a truckload of milestones heading our way soon: an inevitable major change in the college structure. That student intake numbers are increasing beyond the 220 mark set by the current junior batch. That the college is building a new wing (or a whole new block) to facilitate its introduction of AUSMAT sometime in the near future. With this, comes new teachers, new chalets, and probably a more commercialised and saturated educational institution.

What, you didn't think they're advertising the college just to help you explain to your friends where you're studying, did you?
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I can only hope that all these changes are for the best.

Here's a toast to you, My 7-year-old KYUEM.

From all those whose hearts and minds you have touched.