"Her Utmost For The Highest"

You may be wondering who the lady the title refers to is. Not too long ago, SMK Methodist Girls, Ipoh was graced by the presence of Mrs. Wan Hua Chapouthier. For those who are unfamiliar with this name, allow me to do the honours of introducing you to one of the crème de la crème of our beloved school. Mrs. Wan Hua Chapouthier (nee Goh) was born in Bidor, Perak and attended SMK Methodist Girls, Ipoh. Through hard work and perseverance she obtained a scholarship to study French in Strasbourg where she met her husband, French scientist and poet - Dr. Georges Chapouthier. After graduating from the Sorbonne University where she pursued post graduate studies until the Frence DEA, she joined the Permanent Delegation of Malaysia to UNESCO where she is presently attached as an interpreter/translator and liaison officer. She has also started a Malaysian Badminton Club for members of the Malaysia Association in France (MAF). She also writes for a monthly column in The Star Malaysia, the country's leading English daily.

 Despite her booming success both locally and overseas, this amazing woman still finds the time to give back to her beloved school. With donations on a regular basis and recently a helping hand extended towards the School Band, (to put in poetic terms) 'twas as if an angel descended into our midst. Our headmistress, Puan Nalini, couldn't be happier as she is truly appreciative of Mrs. Wan Hua's efforts in aiding our school.

 
To name some of her earlier successes, Mrs. Wan Hua Chapouthier began to develop her literary interests at the tender age of six when her essay of five sentences was chosen to be printed in the annual magazine of SMK Methodist Girls', Ipoh. However, it was her maiden book entitiled: "Shock Waves From Abroad" that carried her to local celebrity status as the book sold out and was given wide publicity by the Malaysian media network.. In 1991, she was given an award (P.P.N.) for meritorious service by His Royal Highness the King of Malaysia.

But her legacy does not stop here. Although  getting on in her years as a generous benefactor of this school, Mrs. Wan Hua Chapouthier has decided that her son, Henri Chapouthier, will continue her efforts in supporting and helping the school through moral and financial means. Let us all take pride in knowing that this wonderful woman is a product of none other than our beloved school. Let all students treat her as a role model and strive to achieve success while upholding our school motto "Our Utmost for The Highest"!

*SUNGAI
   ~an inspiring poem by Mrs. Wan Hua Chapouthier

You flow
You sleep,
You won't leave
Would you?

Not now, not now.

I found you
When, I knew not how
Things will be,
For me.

How would be, your ebb?
Your moods?
Or, when you could leap so high.

And, I thought that chance was on my side.

But, at times
I see
The bottom - all dry,
Where hopes broke
And dreams will die.

Where, I was left, without a single drop.

Then I felt
A surge
Then I heard

That, from river to river
You will forever be
Because,

Now, I know you
I know you now  
As the "sungai" of my life,
As,
The river of my life.