STUDENTS CATCH A SNEAK PREVIEW OF NDP

Despite the sweltering heat, the mood seemed bright and cheery throughout the day as some 21,000 Primary Five students from 74 schools gathered at Marina Bay to catch a preview of this year's National Day Parade.

Held on 12 Jul, the National Education (NE) Show was staged for our nation's youth to appreciate the excitement of the parade up close.

In a bid to keep the spectators engaged and hype up the crowd, the students were encouraged throughout the afternoon to "make some noise" and cheer, as well as perform the "Marina Wave".

Decked out in a radiant sea of white and red, the boys and girls gamely participated, and the five energetic hosts led them in the Singapore Cheer. This new item was introduced this year to cheer our athletes at sports competitions.

But judging from gasps and cries of glee from the spectator stands, it was the magnificent aerial stunts by the Republic of Singapore Air Force Black Knights which thrilled the children the most. Cameras were hurriedly whipped out as the pilots executed daring manoeuvres.

Other visually dramatic items included the free fall display by the Red Lions, as well as an impressive Feu-de-Joie (Fire of Joy) by the Guard of Honour contingents.

Gasps and cheers were heard as the RSAF Black Knights took to the sky.

For Lim Jian Hong Ebeneezer from Clementi Primary School, nothing beats watching the parade live.

Seated right at the front of the gallery, he and his friends had a great view of the show. In between snapping furiously with his camera, Ebeneezer said his favourite part of the show was "the aeroplanes".

His schoolmate Lau Kai Yuan preferred the fireworks, while Muhammad Nur Fadzilah said that he would love to be a pilot and "get to travel around the world and meet new people".

For Diya Srikanth, however, it was the musical interludes in our country s four main languages, as well as the dancing performances, which she enjoyed most. Having participated as a dancer in last year s NDP, the young girl said that while watching the show was a lot of fun, it was even better being in the parade.

Join the cyberpioneer NDP 2008 contest to win tickets to the Parade Preview!