This feature was first published in Journeys Summer 2020.
This article was written by alumna Sharmishta Sivaamakrishnan (Class of 2012).

It’s safe to say that 2020 has been a memorable year thus far, enveloping all of us in the unfamiliar, inciting sentiments of uncertainty, doubt, sadness, frustration, and fear. The COVID-19 pandemic has left us asking ourselves what really matters, how we can care for ourselves while remembering the needs of those less fortunate, and ultimately asking ‘now what’? Amidst the bleak nature of our world, there are countless stories of how communities have come together, reminding us of our obligation to our planet and to each other.

For the last few years, I have been working in Switzerland for the World Economic Forum, managing an incredible community of the world’s most influential and socially minded leaders across Asia. During this pandemic, we’re working to mobilize the highest levels of leadership around the world to collaborate and reshape our new normal.

My time in Singapore American School during middle and high school was an amalgamation of more exams than I can count, (several) feelings of social awkwardness, angst, and on many occasions, felt like a scene from The Perks of Being a Wallflower. I also experienced many special moments and most importantly, a sense of cohesive community—that for a nomadic
young student like myself, offered an anchor I had never encountered.

Interim Semester in my sophomore year at SAS introduced me to a lifelong relationship with Caring for Cambodia (CFC). My involvement with CFC has steadfastly reminded me of the value of community as a tenet of public service. As 21 CFC schools closed down due to the pandemic, I was reminded ever so clearly of our collective responsibility to our communities: to care endlessly and ensure that no one is left behind.

And now, during this tumultuous time, the sense of extraordinary care infused in the school’s cornerstones is embodied so vibrantly in its alumni. Here is an ever-growing compendium of just how SAS alumni—serving in the capacity of healthcare workers, volunteers, corporate leaders, and more—have retrieved their Eagle spirit and loyally serve the communities they live in.

SUSAN HENKLE SMITH (CLASS OF 1980): INNOVATING FROM THE ICU
A Clinical Nurse Specialist for the Intensive Care Units (ICUs) at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, Susan Henkle-Smith (Class of 1980) has established a team of practitioners at her hospital to create a pathway for teamwork during times of crises. Patient surges during the pandemic can quickly overwhelm hospitals and Smith has devised a model of collaboration at her hospital that pairs ICU nurses with nurses who do not usually work in the ICU, complementing their individual competencies.

In her humble words, “It is up to each one of us to protect one another while our scientists find treatments that work and develop a vaccine that can protect each of us. Handwashing, social distancing, quarantining while ill are extremely important basic and well-known strategies to reduce transmission. Despite frustrations around depleting supplies and failing economies, these little things you do area gift to your fellow man. Protecting the weakest and most vulnerable in society is a noble aspiration. Nothing is more precious than life. We will have a vaccine soon enough, and these hard times will be behind us.”

ESTHER LUKMAN (CLASS OF 2008), DANIELE SELBY (CLASS OF 2009), AND AMANDA IMAI (CLASS OF 2008): RAISING MONEY FOR MASKS FOR NEW YORK CITY HOSPITALS
New York City became one of the epicenters of the COVID-19 pandemic. As news feeds were inundated with articles on the rising number of cases, hospital overcrowding, and shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) for front-line medical workers, hearing personal stories from her doctor and nurse friends hammered home the human toll of the fight against COVID-19 for Esther Lukman (Class of 2008). Along with her classmates Daniele Selby (Class of 2009) and Amanda Imai (Class of 2008), Lukman was able to raise over US$23,000 in two weeks to ensure that precious personal protective equipment (PPE) could be delivered to New York City hospitals in need. In fact, Selby’s own career in non-profits was inspired by her time with Wish for Kids at SAS.

For Imai, “SAS has always impressed upon its students the responsibility to give back to our communities and to help those in need. I remember browsing through long lists of different service organizations to join at the beginning of each year in high school and having difficulty choosing because there were so many. Much of the support and donations we’ve received so far have come from SAS faculty and fellow alumni, which has been amazing. It makes me so proud to know that our alma mater is behind us.”

JAMIE LIM (CLASS OF 2010): REVIVING PURPOSE IN HEALTHCARE
While finishing up his first year of pediatrics residency in Boston, Jamie Lim (Class of 2010) in one day received over 200 inpatient COVID-19 admissions, with almost 80 of those requiring intensive care. For the first time, these numbers were lower than the day prior. As part of his training, Lim spends time at both Boston Children’s Hospital, a large tertiary freestanding children’s hospital, and Boston Medical Center, the largest safety net hospital in the New England area.

While research and clinical experience show that children have been spared from the worst of the disease, Lim is painfully aware that his colleagues are in grave risk, and no sector of healthcare has remained untouched. Lim continues to mourn the loss of patients and colleagues, and recalls the sobering possibility that we may see a rise in the number of so- called “deaths of despair.” Amid this darkness, Lim is grateful to have a job deemed “essential” as the kindness and generosity of patients and colleagues give him hope that we will get through this, together.

Lim offers inspiring words, saying: “I was asked to write a little about how my experience at SAS led me to where I am and what I do today. The truth is that I don’t know. While I had supportive teachers and counselors (Hi Ms. Betts!), I never felt like I really fit in or had any truly character-building experiences on the Woodlands campus. The important things came later. I write this on the off chance that a current freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior comes across my musings and feels as isolated in high school as I did, and to let them know that after graduation, even though parts of it may be temporarily closed right now, there is a world of exploration and meaningful work to be done, for anyone willing to do it.”

TIM SMITH (CLASS OF 1989): PIONEERING CORPORATE LEADERSHIP
As head of international logistics for SanMar, a designer, manufacturer, and distributor of wholesale apparel and clothing accessories, Tim Smith (Class of 1989) is responsible for transporting raw materials to our factories and finished goods to customers, working with suppliers in 24 countries and spanning eight distribution centers in the US and Europe. With his leadership, his company has begun to design and produce PPE, which includes face masks, face coverings, gowns, scrubs, and other wearable items. By the time this article is published, SanMar should have delivered over 100 million pieces of PPE to the US government and business customers.

Running a large business operation at this time of crisis brings with it plenty of challenges—from buying new equipment and materials for our factories to finding enough airplanes and trucks to move goods to legal and regulatory hurdles. Smith’s leadership exhibits a valuable combination of civic duty and professional empathy.

“Critical thinking and analysis, leadership, problem solving, staying cool under pressure, caring for others. Whether acquiring these traits in the classroom, on the rugby pitch, performing drama during cultural convention, writing for the Eagle Eye, or hiking through the jungle on Baker's Island, SAS offers many activities to prepare young people for the challenges ahead.”
 

INBAL MEGGIDO (CLASS OF 1994): REVIVING BEAUTY DURING LOCKDOWN
Inbal Meggido (Class of 1994), a classical musician, had concerts scheduled in China and Japan prior to the onset of COVID-19, which closed all borders in New Zealand. Meggido and her husband, Paul Altomari both work for the New Zealand School of Music. In order to revive beauty during the crisis, they decided to introduce music to their quiet residential street in Wellington. Realizing the significance of maintaining a sense of community, they decided to share what they love with others. Playing songs by composers like Bach and Rossini, as well as children's classics like Wheels on the Bus and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Meggido and Altomari brought joy to their eager audience of neighbors and passers-by.

In Meggido’s words, the vision is simple: "We miss the interaction, and everyone else does too...so we thought it would be a nice idea to share a little bit of music.”

Scan the code to read the article featuring Meggido and her husband! 

DHRUV SAHGAL (CLASS OF 2006): PIVOTING THE BUSINESS FOR A GLOBAL NEED
Thanks to the diverse community he experienced at SAS, globe-trotter and Chief Commercial Officer for Structo, Dhruv Sahgal (Class of 2006) has been able to adapt quickly to local styles of business, language, and culture, even when dealing with high-profile government officials. Based out of Singapore, Structo has started producing 3D-printed nasal swabs in face of a global supply shortage. Requests by various government authorities are pouring in! As they rush to meet the demands, Structo continues to help print and make face shields and donate them to
a non-profit working with migrant workers in Singapore.

Journeys, our print publication, shares current, in-depth stories written by and for members of our school community. It is mailed to current families, faculty, staff, and alumni in December and June. If you are interested in contributing an article to Journeys, email communications@sas.edu.sg. Read more articles here.