MESSAGES FROM FORMER PRESIDENTS
It is incredibly special, on a personal level, to see this club finally have a digital home of its own.
Back in 2012, we first came together simply as volunteers for the St Mary’s Centenary Gala Dinner. Many of us didn’t even know each other then—we were from different eras of the school, connected only by a shared name and history. But somewhere along the way, as we worked side by side, something meaningful happened. Old friendships were rekindled, and new ones quietly took root.
We thought then how nice it would be if this sense of connection didn’t end with the event. All we really had at the time was a shared past, a deep respect for our alma mater, and a feeling that the friendships formed during our school years were too precious to lose. That simple thought was what eventually led to the birth of the St Mary’s KL Alumni Club.
Serving as the first president was never about a title—it was truly a labour of love. I was surrounded by an inaugural committee of wonderful women, each one generous with her time and heart, and all of us united by our love for the school. Together, we started small—simple gatherings, reaching out through word of mouth, doing what we could to bring people back together.
Our hope was always very simple: to rebuild connections. To create a space where no matter which year you graduated, you could find your way back to familiar faces, shared memories, and a sense of belonging. We also wanted to do our bit for St Mary’s, which shaped us into who we are today.
Seeing what the club has become fills me with so much pride and gratitude. What began as a small, hopeful effort has grown into a vibrant and supportive community. And that is not because of any one person, but because of the many who have continued to believe in it, nurture it, and carry it forward.
This website feels like a meaningful milestone. It’s more than just a platform—it’s a reflection of how far we’ve come, and a bridge to where we’re going next. My hope is that it becomes a place you return to—whether to reconnect, to reminisce, or simply to feel at home again. No matter how many years have passed since you left the school, you are always a part of this community.
Thank you for keeping the St Mary’s spirit alive.
Irene Cheow
President, 2012-2014
A Journey of Service, Spirit and St Mary’s Pride
A modest financial contribution towards the fundraising efforts for the SMK St Mary’s Secondary School Centenary celebration in mid-2012 marked the beginning of an unexpected and meaningful journey. What started as support for a gala dinner soon led to my involvement in the gala dinner organising committee, and eventually to 12 fulfilling years as part of the management committee, as Honorary Treasurer and President, of the revitalised SMK St Mary’s Alumni Club.
Serving 4 terms as President of the Club was both an honour and a responsibility I carried with great pride. I led the organisation of several events, and among these, the Gala Dinner in July 2019 remains especially memorable. We were privileged to have the patronage of YAB Tun Dr Siti Hasmah binti Mohd Ali, who also graciously agreed to perform at the event. It was a humbling experience to engage with our beloved “Ibu Sekolah”—a term affectionately used by Dato’ Stanley Isaacs, the long-serving Chairman of the SMK St Mary Board of Governors. Despite being in her mid-90s and her stature as Malaysia’s First Lady at the time, she approached her performance with remarkable dedication, insisting on rehearsals right up to an hour before the event began. Her grace, discipline, and humility left a lasting impression on all of us who had the privilege to interact with her.
Another highlight was the inaugural Battle of the Houses (BOH 1.0). At the time, we could not have anticipated that this concept—drawing on the familiar sports house competitive spirit from our school days—would grow into such a popular and enduring series. During the COVID-19 lockdown, when in-person events were not possible, an alumna proposed a virtual step challenge over a weekend. We had hoped for perhaps 200 participants, but were overwhelmed when nearly 900 alumni from all over the world joined in. The friendly rivalry among the houses was reignited, and today, the Club is on its 3rd edition of BOH.
The Alumni Club has been more than a platform—it has been a community and a calling. It gave me the privilege to serve on the Boards of Governors of both St Mary’s Primary and Secondary Schools. More importantly, it has brought me enduring friendships with fellow St Marians—individuals who share a deep sense of pride and commitment to our alma mater. These experiences have only strengthened my appreciation for the school that has shaped us, even more than four decades after my graduation.
I am deeply grateful for the support and camaraderie I received throughout my years on the Club’s committee. After being involved in organising 4 gala/reunion dinners, I look forward to attending the next gala dinner not as an organiser, but as an alumna—taking it all in, with pride and joy!
I Serve.
Wan Mai Gan
President, 2014-2023
From "The Baby" to The President: A St. Marian’s Journey
If you had asked me in 2012—while I was busy packing the 1,200 door gifts I sponsored for our school’s Centenary Gala Dinner—where I’d be 13 years later, "President of the Alumni Club" would definitely not have been on my bucket list. My journey with the St. Mary’s KL Alumni Club (or SMK St. Mary’s Alumni Club, as we knew it then) began by simply attending a dinner and somehow walking away as a Life Member.
The "Intern" Years
In 2015, I was roped in as a co-opted member and emcee for our reunion dinner. Because I was the "baby" of the committee (the youngest by graduation year—a title I clung to for as long as possible!), I was naturally handed the keys to the kingdom: The Facebook Page. By 2016, I was helping organize French pastry classes at SHCAC and the "Zumback to School" Zumba fundraiser. I learned two very important things during this time: how to write a catchy Facebook post and that I am much better at organizing Zumba than actually doing it.
High Stakes & Low Bandwidth
By 2019, things got serious. We hosted 1,000 guests and the legendary Tun Siti Hasmah for our Gala Dinner and SHCAC fundraiser. Shortly after, I was voted in as Honorary Treasurer—just in time for a global pandemic.
While Malaysia navigated the alphabet soup of MCO, CMCO, and RMCO, the St. Mary’s spirit moved online. We traded physical handshakes for virtual AGMs and launched the first Battle of The Houses (BOH) in 2021. Nothing brings out the competitive fire in a St. Mary’s alumna like defending the honor of Pring, Playne, Pope, or McNeil—especially when it’s for a good cause. We raised vital funds for our junior school students, proving that even a lockdown couldn't stop us from serving.
Rebranding & Return to Reality
Taking over the Presidency from Cynthia Wan in 2023 was both terrifying and thrilling. My goal for my two-year term was simple: get everyone back together, in person.
We kicked off BOH 2.0, which took us from poster designs to trekking at Taman Tugu, an old-school Telematch back at SMK St. Mary's, and another grand Gala Dinner. There is truly nothing like watching grown women compete in school games to remind you that once a St. Marian, always a St. Marian.
But we didn’t just look back; we looked forward. In 2025, we rebranded to St. Mary’s KL Alumni Club, refreshed our logo, and sharpened our vision to officially include SK St. Mary’s KL under our wings. We gave the club a facelift to ensure we’re ready for the next generation of "babies" to take over.
"I Serve"
Our school motto is "I Serve." In my time on the committee, I didn’t gain a paycheck, but I gained a vault of memories and a sisterhood that is worth more than any bank balance I ever managed as Treasurer.
If I ever forget the chaos of the Gala dinners or the sweat of the Tugu Walk, I know I can just scroll through the thousands of photos on our Facebook page to relive it all. Thank you for letting me lead, laugh, and grow with St. Mary’s KL Alumni Club.
“I Serve”
Frances Aw
President, 2023-2025
Serving as President of the Alumni has been both an honour and a privilege. My vision has always been to give back to our school that has given me a foundation to my education.
I am immensely proud of what we achieved together in such a short period. In less than a year, together we raised over RM73,000 for the Alumni Financial Aid fund, welcomed 136 new members into our Alumni network, and organised activities almost every month to reconnect and strengthen our community. One of the highlights of my tenure was organising the Homecoming & Reunion in celebration of Ms. Esther Richards' 80th birthday, bringing together generations of St. Marians to honour someone who has touched so many lives.
I sincerely thank everyone who supported us.
Charlene Liu
President, 2025-2026