“You always say that graduation is far ahead.
In the blink of an eye, we go our separate ways.”
Emotions were evoked when this song was played at the graduation ball.
Eighteen years have passed, and now the students are ready to fly. To celebrate the graduation of our G12 students, and to celebrate their coming of age, the school held a graduation ball and a coming-of-age ceremony for G12 students on the evening of 16 June.
All the students, parents, and teachers of G12 participated in the ball. During their time in school, our G11 students have developed friendships with the G12 graduates and were invited to the ball as special guests to share this highlight moment. The G11 students also volunteered to help with the planning and preparation of the ball, showing their connection to their seniors.
For most students, the graduation ball is their debut in such a formal social event of scale and it has important impacts on their future into the adult world. The ball signifies their goodbyes to the naïve and romantic senior years and their formal step into university. They become adults from this day on.
Dressed up and in the company of their families, our students walked onto the red carpet and signed their name that night with youthfulness and confidence.
With the 7 o’clock bell ringing, the four hosts make their appearances and announced the beginning of the ball.
Graduation Remarks from Teachers and Students
The Head of Senior School Dr. Natalie, Senior School Deputy Head Mr. Adam Guo, teacher representative Lulu, University & Careers Counselor representative Ann, student representative Christy, parent representatives Hailey’s mother and Eason’s mother has made their remarks.
Graduation Remarks from Principal
The Head of Senior School Dr. Natalie and Senior School Deputy Head Mr. Adam Guo gave speeches. They analyzed the possible opportunities and challenges the students are going to encounter and encouraged the students to be brave in finding what they believe in, what drives them, and what lights a fire in them.
“Wherever you are next year, I hope you take the skills and knowledge you have obtained in your time here with you. University will be full of promise and opportunities – more freedoms, more opportunities to develop independence, more opportunities to meet new people, and more ways to learn about yourselves. However, with university also comes more unexpected challenges, expectations, and responsibilities. You will need to be more responsible in completing your work, managing your time, and your own daily schedule. You will have more independence, but also be held more accountable. You will have professors possibly from all over the world with different accents and worldviews and will need to adapt to those professors and your new context. The schoolwork will get harder, and while it will be difficult at times, please challenge yourselves to keep an open mind and be successful. You may struggle when you start your first year of university; however, your professors and university student services staff will be there to help you when you advocate for yourself and ask for assistance. Work hard and give your best. Always be a good person and remember the values that were instilled in you at our school.
Congratulations on your graduation day! Wishing you health, happiness, inspiration, and the strength to persevere on the journey that awaits you. Find your “why” (your why is what you believe in and what drives you / it’s what lights a fire in you!)…. And stay true to it to achieve your dreams. Be humble, be brave, be resilient, and always be kind.”
Graduation Remarks from Teacher Representative Lulu
As a mentor and friend to the graduates, Ms. Lulu spoke highly of the students.
“I want to let you know that every day I spent with you is happy and meaningful. I am always amazed by how much happiness I have gained from doing what I love to support me through the trivia in the mundane life. To be a teacher is the best choice I have ever made in my life.”
Sha also provided further guidance for the students’ future study abroad.
“For you future studying abroad, if there’s only one suggestion I can give you, and I know you are all closely bonded, is that I truly hope you can do it in a quarantine way as if you quarantine yourself from viruses. To quarantine yourself from the life you are used to, the friend you are familiar with, and the comfort zone you enjoy. Go out and see the world that is strange to you, that you may be a bit scared of. Because this is the meaning of studying abroad. You get the chance to equip yourself with an extension pack with new visions. No matter what the world will be like in the future, you can always understand different cultures, different world views and therefore, when you are in key positions, you are able to make decisions that are more comprehensive, more open, and more influential. And I believe it is the reason why the present students, parents, and teachers choose an internationalized education.”
Graduation Remarks from Student Representative Christy
In her speech, Christy thanked the teachers one by one and noted that, it is the teachers and students at KCS what makes her feel that every second here was the most magnificent chapter in her life story. She also thanked her family for their support.
Graduation Remarks from Parent Representative Hailey’s Mother
In her speech, she spoke highly of the school and thanked the teachers for their cultivation. She noted that, “The best school can attract the best teachers, and the best teachers can bring up the most excellent children. This is why I have trusted my child with Dipont KCS Chengdu.”
Besides, the university counselor representative Ann and G11 parent representative Eason’s mother also delivered beautiful speeches and the sincerest wishes to our graduates.
Coming-of-Age Ceremony
The graduates walked through the “Grown-up Gate” made of flower garlands, holding the hands of their parents, to start their new journey in life. Parents also prepared gifts for this special occasion, including rings, cameras, jerseys, scarves, flowers and the first watch bought by their mothers at work. …… Behind each of these gifts are the deepest wishes and expectation from the parents to their children.
Games and Graduation Ball
After dinner, the most awaited games and dance party started.
Games such as Describe and Guess, Photo Taking and Put Pieces Together made everyone laugh.
As the music started, everyone joined hands and jumped to the rhythm, feeling the joyful and lively atmosphere of the Graduation Ball.
The 2023 Graduation Ball and Coming-to-Age Ceremony was successfully concluded. We would like to thank all the teachers, students and parents for their support and hope that this Graduation Ball has drawn a successful conclusion to the students’ school life.
The youth is not afraid of the long years ahead, and they will always find their glory in the future. Once again, happy graduation! Keep the fire lighting in your heart and forward to the new journey!
