Welcome to the Arena: AthenAres 2026

Written by: Ethan Sng Chen Jun (26S68)

Edited by: Ooi Khe Sheen (26S6F)

The AthenAres faculty event took place on the evening of 30 April, inviting students from both faculties to come together for a night filled with exciting games, engaging activities, delicious food, and lively performances. The event drew large crowds throughout the evening, with long queues forming at popular game booths and food stalls, creating a vibrant and energetic atmosphere.

One of the most popular attractions was Stella’s Bubbles, where players stepped into inflated donut-shaped balloons and attempted to knock each other off balance using momentum. Participants charged at one another, colliding with their opponents’ balloons in an effort to send them tumbling to the ground. Another crowd favourite was King Leonard’s Arena, where 10 players entered an inflated arena containing two rotating obstacles of different heights. As the obstacles spun around the centre at varying speeds and directions, players had to carefully anticipate their movement, jumping over or ducking under them to avoid being knocked over.

Stella's Bubbles. Studio Ardent

Red’s Raging Race brought an additional level of excitement and teamwork. Teams of two wrapped one arm around each other while both players stood in sacks. Working together, they raced to the finish line before turning around and hobbling back to the starting point as quickly as possible, much to the amusement of spectators.

Red's Raging Race. Studio Ardent

Food booths were in abundance, offering a variety of crowd-pleasing snacks and refreshments. Among the highlights were chicken gyoza served in soup, criss-cut fries, and sweet potato fries. Attendees could also participate in a photo challenge, where the first 100 participants to take photographs at four designated locations around the event received a complimentary bottle of matcha. Other interactive activities included henna and face painting booths, which gave students the opportunity to express their creativity and showcase their sense of humour through unique designs. A photo booth was also available, complete with props, streamers, and balloons, allowing attendees to capture memories of the night and bring home personalised photo strips as keepsakes.

Tony's Takoyaki. Studio Ardent

The evening was further enlivened by a continuous lineup of musical and dance performances that kept audiences entertained throughout the event. Performing groups included Carambola, NHMED OT 26/27, 25S7AwesomeDancers, Mirage, Chandy, Street Chicken Fighters, Epiphany, Deuce, Biscuits&Jam, Error404, Quarter Pounder, Ohayo, The Merchants, and S68. Each performance was met with enthusiastic support from the audience, contributing to the festive atmosphere of the night.

Students enjoying the performances. Studio Ardent

The performances culminated in a spectacular showcase featuring four dances performed by the C1 Athena and Ares councillors. Their energetic routines were met with loud cheers and applause from the crowd, serving as a fitting finale to an evening of celebration and camaraderie.

Athena x Ares Faculty Committee's performance finale. Studio Ardent

The night concluded on a high note with a sing-along session hosted by the organising committee. Students enthusiastically joined in to sing popular classics such as Beauty and a Beat, filling the venue with energy and excitement as voices echoed throughout the crowd.

Students enjoying the singalong. Studio Ardent

Overall, AthenAres 2026 was a resounding success, offering a wide variety of activities and entertainment that catered to students of all interests. From exhilarating games and delicious food to memorable performances and shared experiences, the event provided an enjoyable and rewarding evening for both attendees and performers alike.