3D25 JADE PANG CHING_CHAMPION 

60 Great Years of Maryknoll 

Maryknoll Secondary School was established 60 years ago. With new eras and changes through the years, I would like to talk about the recent school alumni football match to celebrate Maryknoll’s 60th anniversary. 

This year, on the second of November, we hosted a football match for alumni. The event featured 12 alumni teams from over 50 years, along with 4 new walking football teams. The event lasted from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. At the end of the day, the Father True Gold Cup was won by the Maryknoll United Team 05 and 06, and the Esther Peyton Silver Cup went to the 40 Road team. Walking football is a sport designed for people aged 50 and above, allowing older alumni to participate in a safe and fun way. 

It was an amazing event that strengthened friendships amongst alumni from different graduate years. It truly showed the spirit of Maryknoll that everyone got along so well, even though decades have passed since they graduated. The energy was amazing, and everybody had a wonderful and memorable time. 

The first event was great and unforgettable for the participants. The students of MSS are excited to see the future events the school has planned to celebrate Maryknoll’s 60th anniversary! Which event would you like to see? 

6B22 WONG YU HIN EASON_CHAMPION 

Good morning esteemed Principal, teachers, and students. 

It is the 60th Anniversary of our school this year. I graduated from this school 20 years ago, and now I’m back here to open the time capsule that I buried when I was a student. 60 years is a milestone, a testament to the endurance of this institution and its unwavering commitment to shaping futures. But for me, this celebration is also a deeply personal one, a journey back to the person I was 20 years ago. 

Back then, I was used to things coming easily, and this class was a brutal reality check. It was my first time getting a C as a straight A student. I remember being so ashamed that I nearly tore up the report card, but a piece of advice from my English teacher stayed with me. He saw my frustration and said that the grade is just a marker of where you are right now. True learning is found in the effort, not the final number. 

That memory, that moment of genuine disappointment and wise counsel, is what I put in the time capsule. It’s the lesson that failure is not final. It is a stepping stone to success. In my life, that C helped me more than any A ever did. I learned to embrace setbacks as opportunities for growth. I learned that taking risks, and sometimes failing, is an essential part of the journey to success. Instead of giving up when faced with a difficult challenge, I learned to persist, to ask for help, and to embrace the process of learning. 

So, to all of you—the next generation to carry this school’s legacy—do not be paralyzed by the fear of failure. In fact, I urge you to embrace it. It is not your flawless report card or your amazing grades that will ultimately define you, but rather the hard-earned wisdom you gain from overcoming adversity. Don’t be afraid to take a chance on something you’re not good at, because stepping outside of your comfort zone is where true growth begins. When you face a setback, what you choose to do next is how you pick yourself up, learn from the mistakes, and try again. 

Thank you, and I look forward to watching the incredible things you all achieve.