HKES holds entertaining competition in “Survivor”-themed fall banquet

Dozens of people gathered in the Mandela Room on Sunday for an entertaining Hong Kong Exchange Square (HKES) banquet themed “Survivors.”

Founded in 1994 at Binghamton University, the HKES aims to bring people together to foster a better understanding of Hong Kong culture through social and cultural events. Sunday evening was filled with engaging challenges, audience participation, performances, food, and auctions.

The room was festively decorated with red, blue, and green banners, and many attendees took photos in front of the “HKES Survivor EST. 1994” backdrop. Fake leaves and flames adorned each table to replicate the “Survivor” theme, complemented by creatively designed brochures available to guests.

Energy simmered as guests mingled, enjoying food catered by Mein Bowl, which offered made-to-order Asian cuisine. Attendees eagerly anticipated a game where contestants would “outwit, outplay, and outlast” their opponents—an homage to the famous “Survivor” tagline.

Katty Ho Fang, vice president of HKES and a junior majoring in accounting, explained how the “Survivor” theme reflects the organization’s values. “The fall banquet stands as our most important tradition, and this year’s ‘HKES Survivor’ theme demonstrates teamwork and resilience combined with entertaining competition,” Fang said via email. “The event aims to provide enjoyment for all attendees through performances, games, and a lively atmosphere. It highlights the hard work of our E-Board members, who crafted a night focused on community pride. The event fosters family bonds and friendships while creating shared memories.”

This year’s game featured six contestants competing in various challenges. Leo Chung, fundraising chair and a sophomore majoring in computer engineering, and Izzy Young, a fall representative and freshman majoring in business administration, hosted the event.

Challenges included quick games like telephone charades, “What’s in the Box,” and a blindfolded eating contest. After each contest, the winners prevailed while the others faced dramatic voting rounds, where one contestant was “voted out” by their peers, echoing the “Survivor” experience.

The first game, telephone charades, emphasized teamwork. The six contestants split into two groups, each aided by two audience members. A prompt was acted out by one person and then passed down the line, with the last person guessing the original prompt.

The second challenge, “What’s in the Box,” tested individual skill. Contestants reached blindly into a box for ten seconds, guessing the item inside—ranging from cold sausage to aluminum foil. The contestant with the most correct guesses earned immunity from the following voting round.

Between games, the E-Board members performed a variety of dances, including a women’s hip hop dance, a cultural dance, and an all-men’s routine. Chung and Katherine Chan, social chair and a sophomore majoring in biology, performed a duet, while Iris Lin, a sophomore majoring in chemistry, played the piano.

The dances were lighthearted, with many guests laughing at the unexpected explicit moves in the boys’ routine, while the girls’ dance impressed with synchronized hair flips. Lin’s piano performance featured beautiful adaptations of Cantonese folk songs that captured the essence of Hong Kong’s cultural beauty. Guests joined together, illuminating the room with phone flashlights as they swayed to the music.

Fang discussed the extensive preparation behind the event’s seamless transitions between activities. Starting planning in June, the E-Board held multiple rehearsals to coordinate lighting, sound, prop changes, and performance cues. “The smooth operation depends on various hidden elements, including stage setup, game timing, and clear roles for participants and spectators,” Fang noted. “Our members’ success demonstrates their ability to work effectively as a team.”

After the blindfolded eating contest, freshman mechanical engineering major Irene Li emerged as the final victor. Li shared her winning strategy during intermission, explaining she aimed to befriend as many fellow contestants as possible to stay safe during voting rounds. However, she acknowledged that betrayal was inevitable in the game’s competitive spirit, where only one survivor prevails.

An auction towards the evening’s end, along with continued voting, kept the audience engaged through performances and contests. Guests held onto raffle tickets received at the start of the night, cheering as their numbers were called by the hosts. Prizes were generously sponsored by Moshi, CHICHA San Chen, LAFCO New York, and Uncle Lou.

The final voting round allowed the audience to select the ultimate winner from the three remaining contestants via a Google Form. The night concluded with a heartfelt speech from Christopher Chin, HKES president and a senior majoring in business administration. He thanked attendees and praised the E-Board’s efforts in organizing this year’s unique fall banquet.

With warmth and gratitude, the E-Board exchanged flowers and the audience applauded the performers, organizers, and the victorious survivors. Chin expressed hope to “continue to be blown away” by the E-Board’s dedication and creativity.

“To my amazing E-Board, you guys are the HEART and SOUL of HKES,” Chin wrote in the event brochure. “Through countless days of decorating, you not only pulled through but made every minute more fun than the last. I cannot express how appreciative I am that you spent your weekends creating something so exciting!”

The “Survivors” banquet was a memorable celebration of teamwork, culture, and community spirit, leaving lasting impressions on all who attended.
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