It took a lot of planning, time and energy to host the First RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe in October 2000.

The attachment shows the draft invitation with several items as TBD (To Be Decided).

Main event

The main event “RIT Reunion Dinner and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe” was held from 5 pm to midnight on October 28, 2000 at the Embassy Suites Hotel near San Francisco International airport.

There was some inconvenience as the 300+ attendees had to be accommodated in two rooms instead of the single room (booked initially).

Except for the sit-down dinner, the attendees from the “overflow” room joined the “main” room.

A live band comprising of Ko Thet Win (drummer, son of U Shwe Kyaw (M63, BAF, GBNF) and Ko Thiha (keyboard, son of Dr. Daw Mya Mya (OG), son-in-law of Saya U Ba Nyunt (EE58) entertained.

Ko Tint Lwin (Daniel, M69), Ma Myint Myint Sein (Diana, M70) and several alumni sang and danced (e.g. to Mee Bone Pwe).

The key note was given by Saya Dr. Aung Gyi.

Saya U Aung Khin, Saya U Khin Aung Kyi, Saya U Myo Myint Sein, Saya U Min Wun and Saya U Ba Toke gave speeches.

Several attendees participated in the optional “Ga Daw Pwe”.

Recognition awards were given to

• the Golden Sponsors — U Thaung Sein (Steeve Kay, EC70), Yu Beng (Benny Tan, M70), U Tin Myint (David Ko, M67), U Khin Maung Oo (Ivan Lee, M69) and U Maung Maung Than (M79)
• U Hla Myint Thein (Maurice Chee, M75, core organizer of SPZP-2000)
• U Hla Min (EC69, Chief Editor of RIT Alumni International Newsletter)
• U Khin Maung Zaw (EC76, Designer and web master of http://ex-rit.org)

Details can be found in the 64 “Countdown to the Reunion” and 36 “Post-Reunion” posts.

The 3-hour VHR Cassette had been converted to a 2-disk DVD.

Secondary event

Reunion picnic was scheduled for a park (with Coyote Point as a first preference), but due to weather reports predicting inclement weather, the picnic was held instead at a school.

Family members of sayas and alumni demonstrated their culinary expertise.