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Happy Birthday Student Weekly . 35 Years Old Winning PersonalitiesStudent Weekly� success stories shine at 35-year event By Matt Leppard, Photographs by Paniti Boonma Did You Know : Student Weekly was launched on June 30, 1969 and was called Kaleidoscope.
What makes a good presenter? Not an easy question. Are looks more important than personality? Is an impressive performance more important than the ability to communicate? These were the questions that judges at the Student Weekly Young Personality competition had to ask themselves on a rainy Saturday recently.
The competition, held in the Bangkok Convention Centre at Lat Prao on September 4, was part of Student Weekly�s ongoing 35-year anniversary celebrations. Twenty finalists chosen from hundreds of entrants battled it out on stage for the coveted title of Mr and Miss Young Presenter as well as a multitude of prizes from the Post Publishing Company and the event sponsors. After an introduction from the emcees, the afternoon got underway with a video presentation showing the history of Student Weekly along with commentary from Post Publishing Company Editor-in-Chief Pichai Chuensuksawadi and Director of Marketing and Communications Supakorn Vejjajiva. Then it was show time. PERFECT PERFORMANCESMaking a hard job even harder was the high standard of all the entrants� abilities. And while the judges had a tough job, the contestants had it even tougher. Under the glare of the spotlights and in front of a packed audience, each competitor was rated for looks, personality and English-language ability.
A mid-afternoon break gave the judges time to reflect on their scoring decisions and the contestants time to relax and refresh before taking the stage with their individual performances. During the break, a group of young warrior women from Kanaratbumroong Pathumthani School wowed the audience with the Thai martial art of krabi-krabong, while students from Sainampeung School enchanted everyone with a dazzling display of classical Thai dance. After the break, the judges and the audience were treated to spirited shows from each contestant, ranging from classical Thai dance to a demonstration of basketball skills and tricks. The show organisers then compiled the results of the judges� scores, while the performers readied themselves for the announcement of the 10 finalists. Choosing the five best male and female performers was no easy task and meant that 10 performers would have to go home disappointed, but as in all contests, somebody has to win. And so it was to the last part of the competition. Each contestant selected at random an envelope with a question inside. Nerves were frayed and the tension occasionally showed, but each contestant tackled his or her question admirably. Then it was time to break and for the judges� scores to be calculated and the winners announced. AND THE WINNERS ARE...
Heading up the list of winners were Nasha Jungkankul from Pathumwan Demonstration School, Bangkok, and Pitchakorn Pongpamorn from Chiang Mai International School, Chiang Mai. Nasha impressed the judges with her contemporary interpretation of Thai dance, while Pitchakorn demon- strated a traditional Thai sword display. Both winners also showed an impressive grasp of the English language. As Student Weekly�s Young Presenters, Nasha and Pitchakorn netted prizes including scholarships from the Post Publishing Company worth 10,000 baht, scholarships from Raffles LaSalle International Design School, return tickets to Singapore courtesy of Scandinavian Airlines, a set of Sheaffer pens from BIC Product (Thailand), an online Math Genius study package from UCOM, gift sets from Spices BKK (2000) Limited, Tiger Mob, Lancer and Osotspa (Exit and 12 Plus), plus Survivor Camp and Midweek Escape activity vouchers from The Horseshoe Point Resort & Country Club, Pattaya. After accepting their prizes, all the winners took a well-earned break while the convention centre was decked out for a beautiful evening buffet party. EVENING ENTERTAINMENTKicking off the evening�s celebrations was a performance by the Rajdamnern Commercial School orchestra followed later on by a lively Latin dance display by Apichaya Pradidsan and Para Thong-Aram from Latplakhaopitthayakom and Bhadungsit Pittaya schools. Pichai Chuensuksawadi, editor-in-chief of the Bangkok Post, Post Today and Student Weekly, also gave a short speech about of the evolution of Student Weekly over the past 35 years and its importance in developing English skills for all. Partygoers were then treated to a lucky draw, with the top prizes including a return ticket to China worth more than 50,000 baht, courtesy of Bangkok Airways. Assisting Pichai in selecting winners was Supakorn Vejjajiva, Director of Marketing and Communications at the Post Publishing Company. Winding down the evening, the winning Young Presenters repeated their shows and a selection of teachers was interviewed about their experiences with Student Weekly. Finally, at 9 pm, the event was over and everybody returned home exhausted but happy � and full thanks to the buffet. Student Weekly would like to take this opportunity to say a big �thank you� to the event organisers, sponsors and last � but most certainly not least � everyone who came and took part. See you next time at our 40th birthday party! Speaking Out
[NASHA]�Winning this competition gives me a chance to pause and consider what I�ve done successfully in order to move on and make things even better. I believe that all life is learning and it never ends. Lastly, I�d like to say: Just be yourself, believe in what you do and you can achieve anything.� [PITCHAKORN]
RUNNERS UP AND SPECIAL PRIZESIn recognition of their outstanding performances, the
following entrants were awarded second prizes by the judges:
In addition, Supisara Rattanachaiprasit from Rajini School, Bangkok, and Chayanon Chaowuttikul from Buranarumluk School, Trang, were honoured as Miss and Mr Online by Pop Network Co., Ltd, while Napat Tuntikul from Triam Udom Suksa School, Bangkok, and Chatmongkol Panthumjinda from Saint Gabriel�s College, Bangkok, were awarded Best Looking T Zone by Teen Care Clinic. The cream of the crop � all 20 finalists line up on stageTop 20
Student Weekly would like to congratulate all 20 finalists for their time, effort and commitment at the competition as well as wish them all the best for the future. - Nasha Jungkankul [Pathumwan Demonstration School,
Bangkok] Vocabulary looks (n): a person�s appearance, especially when the
person is attractive
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When asked what it means to be chosen as Student
Weekly�s Young Presenters, this is what the winners had to say: 
�A competition is a challenge of abilities. Everyone that
gets to join should try their hardest, but even if the result turns out bad they
should still feel proud of themselves. I hope that winning this competition
will not change me, but I do think that when you have been chosen, you must try
your best even if you don�t get the result you hoped for in the end.�
