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More Than They Imagined
Student Feature: Valedictorians of the Class of 2026
When Reeyern Hadassah Ng first arrived at Singapore Sports School, she hoped to do well in her studies, improve as an athlete and make new friends. Cari-Anne Ong came in with a similar determination to do her best, though she had yet to set specific goals. Over the years, both learnt that progress could take many forms: a new training routine, the courage to lead, a teammate’s encouragement after a loss, or a small milestone that made a bigger ambition feel possible.
Now selected to represent the Secondary and International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) graduating cohorts as valedictorians, Reeyern and Cari-Anne look back on how they grew, who helped them along the way and what they hope their fellow student-athletes will carry forward.
Finding Their Footing
Reeyern remembers feeling excited and nervous on her first day. She expected her time at Sports School to center on balancing sport and studies, but it also brought leadership roles, new sports and experiences that took her beyond her comfort zone. Orientation, Outward Bound Singapore camps and leading the mass dance remain among her favourite memories.
For Cari-Anne, the journey was one of gradual growth and discovery. She entered Sports School with a PSLE score of 188, quiet and introverted student, with no fencing results to her name. Over time, she found her confidence and grew into a student leader and athlete, qualifying for the IBDP, serving as President of the Student Council in 2025/2026, and winning bronze at the National School Games this year.
Both found that growth also came through difficult moments. When Reeyern changed sports from Track and Field to Wrestling this year, her training venue went from less than five minutes away to more than an hour away, and her sessions shifted to the evenings. Adjusting her routine while keeping up with school and other commitments was challenging, but support from her teachers, friends and family helped her find a way forward. The experience taught her to be more adaptable when things did not go as planned.
For Cari-Anne, examinations and competitions could fall in the same week. She studied after training and sometimes spent weekends competing, leaving little time to prepare for exams or attend church. It was difficult at first, but she learnt to accept those demands as part of her journey as a student-athlete and to meet them with discipline.
The People Beside Them
Ask Cari-Anne what best captures her time at Sports School, and she recalls a fencing match she lost badly. She broke down in tears afterwards. Her seniors found her, comforted her and offered advice on how she could improve. The next day, a batchmate sent a message encouraging her to keep going.
“That’s how I knew they were really looking out for me,” she said. Despite the competitive nature of fencing, Cari-Anne felt supported by teammates who understood her sporting, academic and personal life. Her IBDP classmates offered that same generosity in the classroom. “The communities Sports School have given me are truly the greatest blessing,” she shared.
Reeyern’s parents were her steady source of support. When school felt overwhelming, she would call them for advice and encouragement. She is also grateful to Student Council staff Dr Seet and Ms Nisa, who trusted her with opportunities to lead even when she doubted herself.
That trust helped Reeyern become more confident about stepping forward and taking on challenges. Cari-Anne experienced a similar change through Council. She once could not imagine giving a public speech, dancing before an audience or leading a large group, yet she found herself doing all three. Cari-Anne was the President of the 22nd Student Council from 2025 to 2026.
“Council helped me realise that the only way to truly live and grow is to put yourself out there,” Cari-Anne said.
Speaking for Their Cohorts
Reeyern describes her graduating cohort as hardworking, outgoing and ambitious. She has seen the hours her peers put into training, studying and preparing for competitions, alongside their willingness to have fun and support one another. Their different goals and personalities, she feels, have made for a lively and close-knit group.
Cari-Anne chooses fellowship, apricity and sincerity. She remembers classmates playing games, chatting over tea breaks and sometimes breaking into song together. Their warmth helped her through the “cold days” of exams and competitions, while their openness about how much they value one another made the friendships especially meaningful.
For Reeyern, being named valedictorian fulfils a wish to share what she has learnt with the school, particularly her juniors. It also reflects the faith her teachers placed in her as she grew into a leader. “I think the little Secondary 1 Reeyern who first walked into Sports School would be so proud to know that one day, she would be standing here giving this speech,” she said.
Cari-Anne considers it an honour to represent her IBDP class, but wishes she could share the recognition with all 14 of her graduating classmates.
Taking the First Step
As Reeyern prepares to finish the school year, she has yet to settle on a path after graduation, and is comfortable with that. She looks forward to exploring new interests, meeting people and continuing to volunteer with children and the elderly. Cari-Anne plans to apply to a local university and hopes to work in public service in an area she finds meaningful. She is excited to learn and meet new people, even as the unknown feels a little daunting.
The lessons they will take with them are closely linked to the journeys they have shared. Reeyern has learnt to take the first step towards an opportunity, even when she is afraid of failing. Cari-Anne has learnt that a supportive community can sustain someone through the hardest parts of pursuing a goal.
To their fellow graduates, both offer encouragement to keep growing beyond Sports School. Reeyern hopes they will dream big and carry what they have learnt into their next chapter. Cari-Anne urges them to keep setting milestones, then aim higher once they reach them.
And to the student-athletes following in their footsteps, Reeyern has a reminder: study hard, train hard, but enjoy the short time they have at Sports School. Cari-Anne’s message is just as hopeful. Having once doubted that she could enter the IBDP, become Council President or get through demanding training, she now believes they can do more than they think.
When Reeyern Hadassah Ng first arrived at Singapore Sports School, she hoped to do well in her studies, improve as an athlete and make new friends. Cari-Anne Ong came in with a similar determination to do her best, though she had yet to set specific goals. Over the years, both learnt that progress could take many forms: a new training routine, the courage to lead, a teammate’s encouragement after a loss, or a small milestone that made a bigger ambition feel possible.
Now selected to represent the Secondary and International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) graduating cohorts as valedictorians, Reeyern and Cari-Anne look back on how they grew, who helped them along the way and what they hope their fellow student-athletes will carry forward.
Finding Their Footing
Reeyern remembers feeling excited and nervous on her first day. She expected her time at Sports School to center on balancing sport and studies, but it also brought leadership roles, new sports and experiences that took her beyond her comfort zone. Orientation, Outward Bound Singapore camps and leading the mass dance remain among her favourite memories.
For Cari-Anne, the journey was one of gradual growth and discovery. She entered Sports School with a PSLE score of 188, quiet and introverted student, with no fencing results to her name. Over time, she found her confidence and grew into a student leader and athlete, qualifying for the IBDP, serving as President of the Student Council in 2025/2026, and winning bronze at the National School Games this year.
Both found that growth also came through difficult moments. When Reeyern changed sports from Track and Field to Wrestling this year, her training venue went from less than five minutes away to more than an hour away, and her sessions shifted to the evenings. Adjusting her routine while keeping up with school and other commitments was challenging, but support from her teachers, friends and family helped her find a way forward. The experience taught her to be more adaptable when things did not go as planned.
For Cari-Anne, examinations and competitions could fall in the same week. She studied after training and sometimes spent weekends competing, leaving little time to prepare for exams or attend church. It was difficult at first, but she learnt to accept those demands as part of her journey as a student-athlete and to meet them with discipline.
The People Beside Them
Ask Cari-Anne what best captures her time at Sports School, and she recalls a fencing match she lost badly. She broke down in tears afterwards. Her seniors found her, comforted her and offered advice on how she could improve. The next day, a batchmate sent a message encouraging her to keep going.
“That’s how I knew they were really looking out for me,” she said. Despite the competitive nature of fencing, Cari-Anne felt supported by teammates who understood her sporting, academic and personal life. Her IBDP classmates offered that same generosity in the classroom. “The communities Sports School have given me are truly the greatest blessing,” she shared.
Reeyern’s parents were her steady source of support. When school felt overwhelming, she would call them for advice and encouragement. She is also grateful to Student Council staff Dr Seet and Ms Nisa, who trusted her with opportunities to lead even when she doubted herself.
That trust helped Reeyern become more confident about stepping forward and taking on challenges. Cari-Anne experienced a similar change through Council. She once could not imagine giving a public speech, dancing before an audience or leading a large group, yet she found herself doing all three. Cari-Anne was the President of the 22nd Student Council from 2025 to 2026.
“Council helped me realise that the only way to truly live and grow is to put yourself out there,” Cari-Anne said.
Speaking for Their Cohorts
Reeyern describes her graduating cohort as hardworking, outgoing and ambitious. She has seen the hours her peers put into training, studying and preparing for competitions, alongside their willingness to have fun and support one another. Their different goals and personalities, she feels, have made for a lively and close-knit group.
Cari-Anne chooses fellowship, apricity and sincerity. She remembers classmates playing games, chatting over tea breaks and sometimes breaking into song together. Their warmth helped her through the “cold days” of exams and competitions, while their openness about how much they value one another made the friendships especially meaningful.
For Reeyern, being named valedictorian fulfils a wish to share what she has learnt with the school, particularly her juniors. It also reflects the faith her teachers placed in her as she grew into a leader. “I think the little Secondary 1 Reeyern who first walked into Sports School would be so proud to know that one day, she would be standing here giving this speech,” she said.
Cari-Anne considers it an honour to represent her IBDP class, but wishes she could share the recognition with all 14 of her graduating classmates.
Taking the First Step
As Reeyern prepares to finish the school year, she has yet to settle on a path after graduation, and is comfortable with that. She looks forward to exploring new interests, meeting people and continuing to volunteer with children and the elderly. Cari-Anne plans to apply to a local university and hopes to work in public service in an area she finds meaningful. She is excited to learn and meet new people, even as the unknown feels a little daunting.
The lessons they will take with them are closely linked to the journeys they have shared. Reeyern has learnt to take the first step towards an opportunity, even when she is afraid of failing. Cari-Anne has learnt that a supportive community can sustain someone through the hardest parts of pursuing a goal.
To their fellow graduates, both offer encouragement to keep growing beyond Sports School. Reeyern hopes they will dream big and carry what they have learnt into their next chapter. Cari-Anne urges them to keep setting milestones, then aim higher once they reach them.
And to the student-athletes following in their footsteps, Reeyern has a reminder: study hard, train hard, but enjoy the short time they have at Sports School. Cari-Anne’s message is just as hopeful. Having once doubted that she could enter the IBDP, become Council President or get through demanding training, she now believes they can do more than they think.
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