EMRS: Launch of *SCAPE Underground 2012 & MOU Signing Ceremony

*SCAPE Underground is a Youth Entrepreneurship Hub which encourages youths to develop drive, risk–taking and entrepreneurial mindsets with views to setting up their own businesses. NYP EMRS Team 3 helped to organise the official launch of this external event on the 20^th October 2012.

Pre-Event Preparation

Team 3 started planning this event since the start of September. We were tasked to brainstorm on innovative ideas for the launch mechanism to inaugurate the opening of *SCAPE Underground. Also, we had to invite our own CCA groups to showcase their performances on the event day. For maximum efficiency, we split into smaller groups and from there we worked on our assigned tasks.

On the 10^th of September, Team 3 went for our first meeting with the people-in-charge of the *SCAPE event. We were there to present our ideas of the launch mechanism and to propose the various NYP CCA groups performers as well as to recce *SCAPE so to better understand how the event would unfold on the 20^th October.

Our team presenting the 5 launch mechanism ideas

Nabilah and Zhi Wei presenting the performances

Mr. Teo Siang Loong bringing us around *SCAPE

Team 3 posing outside *SCAPE after our meeting J

One of the main challenges whilst planning this event was that *SCAPE took a long time to revert to us on the launch mechanisms, performances and other programme details. So with a lot of time on our hands, we got started on *SCAPE posters to create awareness to NYP students about this event.

Some of Team 3’s creative posters!

In the meantime, an emcee audition was held on Thursday, 27^th September. 10 students partook in the audition that Ms. Siow, Ms. Quek and Mr. Sudesh judged. All our participants did well and our judges had a rather difficult time choosing. In the end, the judges felt that Lennard from Team 2 and Alyssa were best fit for the roles while Andrew and Vivian were our reserves.

Our esteemed panel of judges

Our enthusiastic participants

The winners – Alyssa and Lennard!

The reserves – Vivian and Andrew

After a couple more meetings with *SCAPE, we had more details finalised. Team 2, Team 3, emcees, Percussionist Ensemble and NYP TV were all involved in the event. EMRS roles included assisting in the MOU signing and ushering guests. As the event day was dawning upon us, a rehearsal date was set to be on 18^th October.

Reporting time for rehearsal was 9.15am. The rehearsal went well and by lunchtime we were done. After the rehearsal, everyone was clearer of their roles and where they should be positioned.

Our emcees rehearsing their lines

Andrew’s and Vivian’s turns!

Ushers having fun roleplaying during the rehearsal

The percussionists displaying an energetic performance!

Hilmi, Jonathan and Ms Quek by the wall where the launching would take place

Abigail, Zhi Wei and Sharine standing at the position where they should be releasing the confetti after the opening

When the *SCAPE poster was finalized and approved, we got it placed around campus.

Our beautiful poster

One of our posters which were strategically placed at 3 different points of NYP

Event Day

20^th October 2012, the D day! Team 2 and 3 gathered at *SCAPE at 11am. All of us were excited and nervous. This is our first external event and we have been planning for this day since our first day in EMRS. After everyone have reached, we went up to the Sapphire room to arrange the chairs, have a final dry run and briefing.

After the dry run, we went for lunch and stand by at our respective positions at 1.45pm. Students in charge of the registration counter were getting ready for the arrival and registration of guests.

Getting ready for registration

Our ushers on stand by

Soon, guests started streaming in. They were being ushered to the registration table to register for the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony.

Guest registering for the MOU signing ceremony

The guests were being held at the registration area as the *SCAPE in charge was doing a final sound check. The guests were also being served light refreshments while waiting for the arrival of the Guest of Honour, Mr S. Iswaran, Minister, Prime Minister’s Office & 2^nd Minister for Home Affairs & Trade & Industry.

Soon, Minister arrived and the guests clapped to welcome him. The Chairman of *SCAPE, Mr Lee and Minister gave an opening speech followed by the MOU Signing. Minister was guided to witness the signing. After the signing, the four VIPs involved in the *SCAPE Underground took a photo with the GOH. The other VIPs returned to their seat while Mr Lee and Minister remained on stage for a cheque presentation from DBS to *SCAPE as well as giving out the tokens of appreciation to the schools involved in this event and the Minister.