NP Graduate Daren Tan wins Project Superstar II

i came upon this article on our np website..=)love himm!!

NP Graduate Daren Tan wins Project Superstar II

4 February 07

Ngee Ann graduate Daren Tan was crowned Project Superstar II Champion at the Grand Finals yesterday. Daren beat fellow competitor Lydia Tan to win the top spot and recording contract with MediaCorp and Warner Music.

The Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) graduate attributed his win to the belief and support of his friends. “My friends pushed me into the competition, saying that I had what it takes to win it; even my parents did not know I was joining the competition until I told I had signed up and went for the audition,” said a delighted Daren, a Banking & Financial Services graduate.

Mrs Choo-Chao Jin Yi, Daren's former lecturer, was confident that Daren would win the Grand Finals. “He has a tremendous stage presence and is an energetic boy with high EQ (Emotional Intelligence Quotient) and charm; this allows him to connect with and get along well with people,” said Mrs Choo.

NP’s School of Business and Accountancy (BA) also did its bit to support it alumnus. Upon hearing about Daren’s participation in the popular Mandarin singing contest, Second Director Mr Lau Tiong Lip sent out an email to all BA staff, asking them to support Daren. Staff even uploaded an announcement on the School website.

Some BA staff in turn forwarded the email to their friends and contacts. BFS course manager, Mrs Choo, SMSed all her current and past BFS students, asking them to support Daren and buy his CD. “I think I went broke messaging my entire contact list,” joked Mrs Choo. Daren garnered 59 percent of SMS votes and 60 percent of CD sales.

Daren’s mother recounted how Daren waited in line for over 10 hours with 6,000 other hopefuls last September – he only got to audition on the second day and has not looked back.

Daren had to work hard during the competition as Chinese does not come naturally for him. He became proficient in the language through hard work and practice. This dedicated and diligent work ethic is clearly visible when he said, “if you have a dream, pluck up your courage and pursue it; do whatever you think is best for you.”

Daren is very thankful for all the support that NP staff and students have shown him during the competition. He is particularly grateful to BA lecturers for their guidance and said that he had “a great time in NP”. To all NP students, he had this advice: “Study hard as education is the most important thing in life but do not neglect what you love to do.”

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