Can you believe it’s been almost two years since our lives changed forever due to a global health crisis. We will not dwell, as we are sure the Covid Fatigue is real for too many. However, it goes without saying that despite the recommendation to keep our distance, as human beings we still yearn for ways to be together.
We were able to get a reprieve from the harsher social-distancing restrictions and welcome some Alumni based here in KL, to a small Alumni gathering this past December. It had to be held off-campus, which wasn’t ideal for capturing that ISKL campus energy and nostalgia, but nevertheless those who were able to join made the most of the situation, and proved Panthers can have a good time anywhere, as long as they are together. As enjoyable as the evening was, the absence of all those who couldn’t join was felt.
It was important to give our alumni around the world an opportunity to reconnect as well. After two years of online gatherings and awkwardly sitting through Zooms, there was a desire to give people an opportunity to engage in a fun and meaningful way, but not glue them to another boring virtual meeting. With that in mind, all alumni were invited to join the ISKL Alumni Amazing Race. This virtual event consisted of a series of virtual challenges to be completed individually, or in a team of alumni. The challenges took them ‘around the world, and back to ISKL’. Each challenge had to be completed in a set amount of time, and the individual or team that completed the race the fastest, was crowned the winner.
The Alumni Amazing Race was created to bring alumni together, and to reconnect them to a place and time they might be feeling especially separated from these days. From all of the incredible submissions for each week’s challenges it looks like that goal was achieved. Alumni participated from the classes of 1975 to 2019 and everything in between. They joined in from nine countries, and represented even more nationalities. Just by joining in, and giving it a try they helped to maintain that truly international community, not to mention that panther pride, we all so know and love. The race ended with a live online closing ceremony where alumni joined together to celebrate the winners with a little panther pride.
The Alumni Engagement and Development Office, is so proud to have appealed to such a range of people, who were truly dedicated to the spirit of the event and participated wholeheartedly for all four weeks! From the clever team names, to the hilarious interpretations of how to complete the challenges, we hope the racers enjoyed themselves these last few weeks as much as we have. We would like to thank the Alumni who not only participated, but put in such an incredible effort each week to complete the challenges. We would also like to thank the faculty and staff who worked behind the scenes to make this event possible, from recording the challenge videos, creating the challenges, manning the email, and website, to judging and overseeing the scoreboard, none of this would have been possible without such a steadfast team effort.
Thank you to all the participants and supporters! A special congratulations goes out to out First-runners Up, Rachel and Sarah Kossler (‘19) and the First-place finishers team Tuadangilalah Tim Chavez (’84), Shirani Tisdale (’82), Louise Broadbent (’84), and David Gagliano (’82). Each team will be receiving an ISKL Alumni Gift Pack, and the First place finishers will receive a custom ISKL Tiffin Carrier filled with Malaysian Goodies.
The Alumni Amazing Race is something we would like to add to the long list of annual ISKL traditions. Hopefully future races can culminate in an in-person closing ceremony and reunion. We are so appreciative to all of the participants for being the first crew to go along this journey with us. We hope that in the future more alumni will join in on the fun. Mark your calendars because the first challenge of the Alumni Amazing Race 2023 will be released January 9th 2023!
If you have ideas for the next iteration of the Alumni Amazing Race, are interested in being a local (to where you are physically located) Race Captain (someone who could coordinate a regional in-person challenge), or you have general questions, comments or ideas about the Alumni Amazing Race, please let us know at [email protected].
Team aMAYzing Mays, Jessica May (’16), Hannah May (’18), Michelle May (’16 & ’18 Parent), Brian May (’16 & ’18 Parent) reconnecting with other Alumni in Challenge 3 – Master Chef.
Team Bell Bottom Belles, class of ‘75 completing Challenge 4 and 5.
Team KLARRS, Raymond Tait (’78), Andrew Macneil (’78), Sally Tait Kretchmer (’79), Ross Kretchmer (Spouse of Sally) completing Challenge 6 – Back to ISKL.
First Runners Up – Rachel and Sarah Kossler (‘19) completing Challenge 3 – Master Chef.
First Place winners Tim Chavez (’84), Shirani Tisdale (’82), Louise Broadbent (’84), and David Gagliano (’82), now and then
