A university's valedictorian who blurted out a profanity at the end of her convocation speech last Friday apologised for the slip yesterday.
Nanyang Technological University's Ms Trinetta Chong, 23, gave a speech to inspire and congratulate her schoolmates during the school's convocation ceremony held on campus.
"I'm sorry if I offended anyone, as convocation ceremonies are supposed to be family-friendly events," she told my paper.
In her speech, which lasted some six minutes, the graduate from the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information paid tribute to the efforts of her fellow schoolmates, professors and parents. She even compared her cohort which was dressed in academic robes to characters in the popular Harry Potter books.
It was only at the end of her speech that she blurted out: "We f***ing did it!"
The use of the profanity was greeted with cheers and applause from the hall.
Ms Chong said: "I used the word on the spur of the moment, as I felt that it resounded with graduating students."
She said that her parents, who oppose the use of profanities, were shocked at first, but later took it in their stride.
A copy of her speech had to be vetted, but it did not contain the expletive.
In response to my paper queries, an NTU spokesman said that the audience at the ceremony was in a "highly charged mood" by the end of Ms Chong's speech.
The spokesman said: "In that environment, she probably got carried away.
"Her inappropriate choice of word is regrettable and she apologised to the School Chair in person and in writing after that."
my paper understands that the school nominated Ms Chong for the title of valedictorian based on the criteria of excellent academic performance, leadership qualities with high level of participation in extracurricular activities, including that of community service, and good public speaking skills.
Ms Chong was also one of her batch's top students and was picked by graduating students for the valedictorian title based on an online voting process.
A video clip of her speech was posted online shortly after the ceremony. It has since drawn mixed responses - flak as well as nods of approval - from netizens.
User markcenite was "shocked and scandalised by the abominable language used".
Others, such as netizen Samtiago86, felt that Ms Chong's speech reflected the struggle that undergraduates face in their four years of university life.
The user added: "It's very inspiring and candid at the same time."
The video, which was uploaded onto YouTube last Friday, had drawn close to 1,200 views by last evening.
A Facebook page has been created by the school's students in support of Ms Chong.
The page, titled "Wee support our school's Valedictorian", attracted more than 30 "likes" after it was created yesterday afternoon but it was unexpectedly shut down by the evening.
Nanyang Technological University's Ms Trinetta Chong, 23, gave a speech to inspire and congratulate her schoolmates during the school's convocation ceremony held on campus.
"I'm sorry if I offended anyone, as convocation ceremonies are supposed to be family-friendly events," she told my paper.
In her speech, which lasted some six minutes, the graduate from the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information paid tribute to the efforts of her fellow schoolmates, professors and parents. She even compared her cohort which was dressed in academic robes to characters in the popular Harry Potter books.
It was only at the end of her speech that she blurted out: "We f***ing did it!"
The use of the profanity was greeted with cheers and applause from the hall.
Ms Chong said: "I used the word on the spur of the moment, as I felt that it resounded with graduating students."
She said that her parents, who oppose the use of profanities, were shocked at first, but later took it in their stride.
A copy of her speech had to be vetted, but it did not contain the expletive.
In response to my paper queries, an NTU spokesman said that the audience at the ceremony was in a "highly charged mood" by the end of Ms Chong's speech.
The spokesman said: "In that environment, she probably got carried away.
my paper understands that the school nominated Ms Chong for the title of valedictorian based on the criteria of excellent academic performance, leadership qualities with high level of participation in extracurricular activities, including that of community service, and good public speaking skills.
Ms Chong was also one of her batch's top students and was picked by graduating students for the valedictorian title based on an online voting process.
A video clip of her speech was posted online shortly after the ceremony. It has since drawn mixed responses - flak as well as nods of approval - from netizens.
User markcenite was "shocked and scandalised by the abominable language used".
Others, such as netizen Samtiago86, felt that Ms Chong's speech reflected the struggle that undergraduates face in their four years of university life.
The user added: "It's very inspiring and candid at the same time."
The video, which was uploaded onto YouTube last Friday, had drawn close to 1,200 views by last evening.
A Facebook page has been created by the school's students in support of Ms Chong.
The page, titled "Wee support our school's Valedictorian", attracted more than 30 "likes" after it was created yesterday afternoon but it was unexpectedly shut down by the evening.
