[NST] Lanterns from recycled material
~ by C. Premananthini
(From left) Second runner-up Chai Sin Yian, Harisya and first runner-up Foo Yi Eh at the Aeon lantern-making competition. — Picture by Fariz Ismadi Ismail
BALAKONG: Harisya Rafah Halim, 14, of SMK Dusun Nanding, drew lots of attention when she was announced the winner of the Aeon lantern-making competition here recently.
She was the only non-Chinese to win. Harisya took home a RM500 gift voucher for her Christmas-tree lantern made from aluminium foil.
She said this her first foray into a lantern-making contest.
Hariysa, whose ambition is to be a doctor, said she was inspired to take part in the contest after seeing her friends carry colourful lanterns during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
She said the idea for the lantern came from her family. She took two weeks to complete it.
The contest which was held last month had more than 200 participants, of which 30 were shortlisted.
The competition had two categories for those aged 9 to 12 and between 13 and 15.
Contestants were required to make lanterns with recycled material.
Winners were selected based on their creativity, design and originality. Aeon corporate social responsibility general manager Noryahwati Mohd Noh said the aim of the competition was to promote the use of recyclable items among the students and parents.
Aeon Cheras Selatan Shopping Centre organised the Lantern Parade 2010. More than 1,000 participants lit their lanterns and joined the parade. Present was Serdang member of parliament Teo Nie Ching and Aeon senior executive general manager (shopping centre business division) Tomio Yokoyama.
Taken from NST.
Malaysian Bar Council 
