The wide bunch drawn from great distances of space and time astonished each other as well as the diners in the restaurant as they marched but surely to the back room reserved specially for "N.P". "Who are these people?" they must have thought. "Where do they come from? They look so different. Definitely not from these here parts."

Had they looked at us a little closer, they would have been shocked to realize that we actually "look the same". Aha! That N.P. look. Only genuine members wear it. The N.P. also being the signs that were pockmarked all over the shopping center making certain that North Pointers found their way directly to the lair and not have precious minutes snatched away from them in traversing unintended pathways that led nowhere.

Mark Jonah of Las Vegas fame strode confidently in at the chime of six, a smile bigger than his mouth gracing the double-breasted he wore like a king. To honor this North Pointer like all the others after him bears no resemblance to any other honor one could have bestowed in a similar situation. How else can instant camaraderie be described, one that harks back 50 years to a clearing on a hill top in the resplendent shadows of the Himalayan range where boys were made into men; those boys each and every one identifying with every hallway, room, passageway, playing field, dormitory, dining hall, class room and the glorious structure that encompassed all and yet this instant solidarity spread across five decades did not require the support of being in school in the same year, nor of having ever met each other, other than on that remarkable 27th of April, 2002.

From Chuck Wong 1975 hurtling back to Mark Jonah 1946 and streaming ahead to the reunion in 2002, many, many years were brought to life and memories more than one could keep up with whizzed around in our heads awakening passions long thought to have evaporated. At least, for that evening, could we become boys once again? Who do we ask for this favor? Who can grant us the joy of being kids once more? One aspirant must surely be fellow North Pointers.

Phil Ladenla who together with the elegant Sophie had staked our claim to the room in Juon Yuan restaurant made doubly sure that every one was introduced as soon as they arrived. The overpowering presence of history with a combination of personality and verve is a potent cure for as slight an issue as loss of memory, deliberate or pre-ordained or as considerable as a jolt into the instant awareness of being.

The hesitatingly expectant North Point attendee could not have pre-judged what the evening would metamorphosize into. How could he? Did he even imagine what some of his buddies looked like after all these years? Did he imagine what those whom he had never seen but had trudged up and down the U.D. field steps just like he had, looked like? Does he embrace, hug or shake hands with the strange one? Questions and questions. Answers were always forthcoming either in words or deed or by simple happenstance.

Witness the disappearance and flight of a North Pointer's stamp-album into the confines of another’s locker and the truth being revealed only after 39 years. The victim knew and he had kept his secret hidden until the 27th of April 2002. The culprit knew that the victim had known and he too kept his secret until mutual revelation reared its head on 27th of April 2002. Happenstance, this.

Chuck and Janet Wong, the ever-supportive couple delivered yet once again. Restaurant and media arrangements were carefully orchestrated and the evening clipped on as if operated via a remote timer. Reliability can be found everywhere but the kind offered by this gentle couple only North Pointers will appreciate.

Eddie Hsu’s presentation of the Darjeeling Toy Train evoked memories in us all and reminded us of our trip up the mountains every February, with trunk, bedding and tuck box.

Many, many mini episodes personified the grand evening in this San Gabriel Valley restaurant, located in an eastern suburb of Los Angeles. We bestow unanimous credit to all our spouses for their unwavering support of their boisterous husbands. Those five hours in that room became the embodiment of the North Point spirit. And some of the highlights were,

• A minute of silence was observed to honor the memory of those from faculty, alumni and staff who have departed this life in the past year.
• Anil Rai, Asst Headmaster of North Point, was our Guest of Honor. He flew in From Washington, D.C. to grace the occasion.
• Even though the evening started on the clock, it was a far cry from ending on time. We were dragged out and continued milling around each other and conversing all the way down the stairs to our cars.
• Owen Khoo from Singapore changed his itinerary to join us.
• More than half a dozen photographers amongst us displayed their talents. Much silver nitrate was exposed and silicon written on.
• Tamding Tempo, unceremoniously, donned the videographer’s gown and captured every moment in video. Thank you, Tamding!
• A.C. Rai’s slides showing how the school has expanded was gratifying. He stated the major donations toward VISION 2000+ by Dinny Devitre and Monishi Sanyal and that details concerning the actual routing for donations should be discussed when Fr Van is here.
• Monishi Sanyal recounted the highlights since the last Western US reunion (Jan 2001 in SF), and singled out as by far the major highlight - the setting up and running of the NPAA webpage.  For this, Ashok Sadhwani's dedicated efforts were recognized with the award of the Centennial mug.
• Nari Avari led the individual speeches. Alphabetized by last name, we all learnt from Avari, the actor, how to speak out.
• Phiroze Patel and Pinaki Guha-Niyogi had called in to join the reunion a few hours prior to start. The latter stated that word-of-mouth is the best medium there is. He had heard about the evening from his brother-in-law residing in New Jersey, also a North Pointer.
• Father Van’s congratulatory communiqué was read aloud by Monishi Sanyal, albeit with a little pestering and jest.

Details on the Reunion ** Attendees ** Agenda

PHOTOS