By Wong Hongyi (Class of 1999)

On 8 Oct 2011, Saturday, I travelled down to The Pines after a morning of heavy rain to meet two of my seniors, Lyon and Gerald, from AJC. Thanks to a new initiative of AJCAA, the two gentlemen were to be given a chance to reminisce on the two years which they spent in the college. As we settled down into our couches, I told them the objective of our meeting, and they smiled in acknowledgement.

Then we began. I started the discussion by asking them to define AJC. Not a simple question, it seemed. I observed with interest the changes in their facial expressions as they thought hard about the question. Gerald (class of 1987) was made to start first, being the more senior between the two. His reply is worth taking a pause over.

“There are two ways in which I can define AJC. When I joined the school in the 1980s, it was the new kid on the block, and everything we did had a kind of buzz to them. Now that I sit on the advisory committee for the college, I am beginning to see another side of the school: that of a selfless institution that abides strictly by the motto of Non Mihi Solum.”

To Gerald, growing up as a teenager in the 1980s, the college was a vast ocean of opportunities. He took up a position in the school’s student council and participated in various activities that span from academia to sports. His leadership abilities, which he insisted were uncovered by his teachers who never stopped believing in him, brought positive changes to a school that was only beginning to make traces in the local arena. As a testament to the students’ fortitude and esprit de corps, 1987 saw the college emerge overall top performer in the National Track and Field events. Slowly but surely, Gerald and his peers brought pride, glory and prominence to AJC, at a period when the school was trying to find a unique identity for itself.

Riding on what Gerald had said, Lyon (class of 1991) added that Non Mihi Solum was indeed a motto he personally found meaningful during his time in AJC. To him, it was a “guiding pole” for both teachers and students, a bridge that connected people from diverse backgrounds that gathered in the college. Because the school was (and remains) unaffiliated with any secondary schools in Singapore, Non Mihi Solum became a unique way for us to show care for and relate to one another. Lyon’s attachment to the college is clear from his heartfelt response.

“Unlike the colleges of Raffles or Victoria, where most of the students already know one another from their primary or secondary schools, we have to seek out alternative ways to band ourselves together. Non Mihi Solum is pertinent to our identity. It is an idea that is simple to understand which all of us are encouraged to uphold when we enter the college. In the larger eco-system, all of us have a small but important part to play, and I think we have played it well all these years.”

Apart from the college spirit, Lyon also found his teachers to be crucial to his intellectual and emotional development. He confessed that he was not the best student in school, but nonetheless he tried to do his best, and that was what mattered. To him, AJC provided a safe environment that allowed him to venture out and fail in order to do better. This process, he firmly believed, was what moulded him into the person that he is today. It is also the reason why he too sits on the college’s school advisory committee: he is most happy to give back to the school that had nurtured him.

Before we ended the session, I decided to be a little playful and asked if they thought they were good role models for our current students and other alumni. Almost immediately, both of them baulked at the question and shook their heads. Gerald was quick to respond.

“I have always been very careful of the term ‘role model’. I don’t think I deserve the title, and I believe there are many illustrious ex-AJCians who haven’t been featured in a magazine like this. In any case, I don’t think it is a matter of identifying people that we can model ourselves against; rather, it is about looking at those that have gone before us, the thing they have achieved, and telling ourselves that this is something I can do as well. There are many ways to define success in today’s society, and to me passion is the basis from which success can be derived. To be successful I think we need to identify what we are passionate about and work towards doing those things.”

Unsurprisingly, Lyon shared some of Gerald’s sentiments. In his reply, he spoke about the importance of finding ourselves in life.

“I think everything comes back to our mindset. If we believe that we can do it, then we can. The good thing about AJC is the school does not cultivate in us a particular slant towards a specific type of life or vocation. This enables us to try new things, and in the process find ourselves. We learn about what we can or cannot do, and we work towards doing what we are good at. The two years in AJC gave me a compass that has guided me through my life to where I am now. Compared to a ten-year plan, I think it is easier to live my life this way.”

Both Lyon and Gerald went on to do well for their A’ Levels. Gerald gained admittance into NUS Medicine, and is currently an Associate Professor with the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health in NUS. Lyon won a place in NTU Accountancy, and is currently a Partner in the auditing firm KPMG. Despite their successes, Gerald and Lyon remained remarkably humble. Throughout our conversation, they cited the school’s motto regularly and reminded me how it changed the way they thought and saw the world. Not for Myself Alone: a message which has and will continue to transform each and every one of us into exceptional individuals.

Above (from left): Hongyi, Gerald and Lyon at Founder's Lounge, The Pines

In our original arrangement, there were supposed to be three alumni interviewees. Unfortunately, one of them did not manage to make it due to work commitments. Nonetheless, in the true spirit of Non Mihi Solum, Howie (class of 1987, currently Vice President Marketing for Emerging Markets Group at Lenovo) wrote me an email with a response to the questions I had asked him. Below is an excerpt of our correspondence.

What of the school do you remember?
Friends. The 2 years in AJC whizzed by but the friendships established lasts for many many years. A number of us are still in touch today and occasionally we’d reminisce about JC days. There was a warmth and cosiness in the school which made the time spent there very enjoyable. I also enjoyed going to the canteen, lounge and library… These are 3 places where I’d spent much time.

How has the school influenced (if at all) your life choices after JC?
In secondary school, I studied because I had to. Beginning from JC, I studied because I wanted to learn. Beyond the usual curriculum, I also read a lot: from Douglas Adams (Hitchhikers guide series), Woodey Allen (yes he does write) to dining etiquette (which fork to use?).

On a lighter note, I also met my wife Teresa whilst we were in AJC. I was her orientation leader when she joined AJC (I did mention that I spent a lot of time on ECAs). We were friends for 9 years, getting to know each other better, before we got married. She’s been the beacon in my life all these years and definitely a major influence on who I am today.

Above: Howie with his wife Teresa, both alumni of AJC

Were there any teachers in AJC who had touched you in a profound way?
Michael DeSilva — Math. Besides being a good teacher, he challenged all of us to go beyond the syllabus. In the first year, I received the distinction of having the 2nd lowest score for Math in the school. With his coaching and patience, I’d exceeded even my own expectation and came out with a distinction for Math in year 2. Besides Michael, I also have fond memories of Mrs Cheng (GP), Mr Lee (Chinese), and Mr Ho (Biology).

What drives you to take on new challenges in your lives?
“Bite off more than you can chew, then chew it.” I can relate to this well. Challenge yourself to take on more, do the seemingly impossible.

What makes you decide to give back to the school in your own ways? How has that rewarded you?
Learning is a journey and getting involved is a great way to learn. Gerald introduced me to the SAC and I’m very glad that I’ve had a chance to be part of this. Thank you Gerald! I’ve not contributed as much as I’d like given my hectic schedule but will continue to try.

All three of the alumni interviewed are a part of the college’s School Advisory Committee (SAC). Gerald is currently the Vice Chairman of the SAC, while Lyon and Howie are members of the SAC EXCO.