At 14:00 on June 26, 2024, Shanghai United International School Jiaoke Campus held a graduation ceremony for the 61 graduates of Grade 12, marking a successful end to the students’ high school life and open a new chapter.
Gard Welcome
At 14:00 p.m., the BC program Grade 12 graduation ceremony officially began. Mr. Usman Farooq, Vice President of BC Program, made a speech first, welcoming parents and guests to attend the graduation ceremony!
Part 1 Processional
After a brief speech by Mr. Usman, our graduates began to step into this ceremony. Today is a big day for them, they will relive their wonderful memories in BC program, and will also open a new chapter in their lives today!
Part 2 Xiehe Education Principal Address
After the graduates came on stage one after another, Ms. Lu Huiwen, the principal of Xiehe Education made a speech in front of the guests.
Graduates, this moment is more than just a ceremony. It’s a testament to your hard work, dedication, and perseverance. You have spent these past years navigating the rigorous curriculum of a BC Overseas High School, while also fostering a global perspective and cross-cultural understanding. Your achievements are not just measured in grades; they are seen in the way you have grown as individuals, leaders, and global citizens.
Remember, life is a journey, and each moment is a gift. Take this moment to cherish the present, to appreciate the people around you, and to be grateful for the opportunities that have come your way. Take this moment to dream big, to aim high, and to never stop learning and growing.
Part 3 BC Principal Address
The principal of BC program Ms. Wereschuk extended a warm welcome to the graduates and the parents present. She also gave her best wishes to the graduates.
Today, we celebrate not just your academic achievements but the remarkable journey you have undertaken. Some of you came from within SUIS, either in our kindergartens or from the EMW program here; some of you came from local programs. It did not matter where you began, that was but the start of your journey. What matters is what you took of the opportunity here, to build community with us, to build lasting friendships. High school is a time of learning, not just from textbooks but from these experiences, friendships, challenges, and triumphs. Each one of you has a unique story, filled with moments of joy, times of struggle, and countless memories that have shaped who you are today.
As you prepare to step out into the world, I want to remind you of the power you hold within you. You are a generation that has shown resilience in the face of unprecedented challenges. The pandemic tested our limits and redefined our normal, but you adapted, you endured, and you emerged stronger. This strength will serve you well as you venture into the next chapter of your lives. Each of you have your individual needs, strengths, weaknesses, passions, challenges. Do not shy away from who you are; you have seen how you can overcome, how you can grow and adapt in the face of adversity.
Part 4 Parent Welcome Address
Ms. Wei Xia, 12B Tony Lu Yuwei’s mother, who spoke as the parents’ representative. She shared the joy of Tony’s growth with the parents, and also expressed her gratitude to the BC program and heartfelt wishes to the graduates!
The integration of Chinese and Western curricula teaches independence, autonomy, and self-confidence. The credit system and elective courses allow students to not only plan for a future according to their own interests, but also exposes them to different subjects and broadens their breadth of knowledge.
I love being active, and during the three years of learning in Jiaoke, I participated in numerous school teams, training every day after school. With the help of my teachers, I was able to adhere to my original dream and choose the major of sports management, that I loved. I have got 5 offers, and have chosen to go to the University of Edinburgh.
First, do not run away from difficulties, but bravely face them. Certainly, if you occasionally feel weak, please know that this is not a shame. If someone consumes your goodness, please do not forget that goodness is your nature and do not lose it. Your health is your parents only concern. Please take good care of yourself. And if your heart hurts, Mom and Dad are always staying behind you.
Part 5 Teacher Farewell Video
In this graduation season, the teachers also sent their blessings to the graduates in the form of videos! I believe that our graduates will surely move forward with more confidence and courage to embrace the world in the blessings of teachers! Teachers’ graciousness is unforgettable, come back often!
Part 6 Performance
The graduates gave us a wonderful performance. They performed ” My Old Classmate” and ” Fragrance of Rice “, since the memory of the good times gone.
Part 7 Teacher Address
Mr. Chris Brown, Mr. Dylan Maksym, humorous and active faculty representatives, then took the stage to share his experiences and memories with the graduates.
Mr. Chris Brown:
Graduating High School is most people’s first major achievement in life. Sure, there are many setbacks and victories along the way but finishing High School is different. It is a big and public acknowledgement of a person’s hard work. Please, enjoy this moment. You might feel compelled to move on to the next step right away. But please, take a few weeks for yourself and aim squarely at what you want your future to look like. You’re still young and you have lots of time.
You might get the feeling of “what next”? Many of you will go on to university overseas. But before you go, I want to remind you of a lesson I learned after high school and still consider to be very important: you don’t have to have everything figured right away. Or really, ever. But I want you to remember two things: one, you can always get back up with the support of your family, friends (and teachers) who will always be there to help. Two, when you feel you are falling behind, and you don’t have things figured out please remember – everyone else feels like that sometimes too.
Mr. Dylan Maksym
Graduates, today we are here to celebrate a remarkable milestone in your lives. As I look out at all of you, I am filled with immense pride. Not just because you’ve reached the end of this journey, but because of the extraordinary resilience and determination you’ve shown, especially over these past three years. Remember, success isn’t just about getting good grades, it’s about the person you become along the way. Surround yourself with people who uplift you, who challenge you to be better, and who support you through the highs and lows. Graduates, I know you will make the World a better place with your passion, talents, and hearts. Thank you for the memories, the laughs, and being a part of this great place, we call “Jiaoke”! Good luck Sea Otters!
Part 8 Commencement
Graduated! One by one, the graduates took the stage to get their diplomas and pose for a photo with the principals!
Part 9 Awards Presentation
Our awards include the Global Citizenship Award, the New Leaf Award, the Athlete of the Year Award, the Adam-Roberts Memorial Arts Award, the Principal’s Cup Award and the Governor General’s of Academic Medal, which has become a tradition at BC program. The students who received these awards have excelled in a variety of fields and made a positive impact on campus. Congratulations!
Part 10 Valedictorian Adress
After the award ceremony and diploma presentation ceremony, the final speech from G12 valedictorian Cindy Xu and Panda Pan. Their speeches were the students’ final goodbyes before they went their separate ways to pursue their dreams.
I still remember when we first joined the BC program. Everything was brand new to us, but we were not afraid to keep trying new things and get out of our comfort zones. Remember the 12-minute run in our grade 10 PE class, the days of online classes during the epidemic, the color play and water fights, the Halloween and winter parties? In this June of saying goodbye, when I closed my locker and stepped out of the school gate, countless scenes flashed through my mind.
On this day, we would also like to express our gratitude to all the teachers. Thank you, Mr. Hu. Although you didn’t give me extra credit for my solids of revolution project, I have gained so much from your patient teaching through the difficult calculus contents. Thank you, Mr. Philips, for sending us greetings of howdy, Rachel and I really miss the time being your first Physics 12 students. And even though Mr. Scott is not here, I would like to thank him and Mr. Brown for sparking my interest in the field of Business, and Dr. Ted for guiding every one of us to universities.
At the age of 18, we have unlimited possibilities. After today, you will be pursuing your dreams all over the world, ready to start a new adventure!
Part 11 Student Farewell Video
The period of past time the video flashed, which is the most precious memory of the graduates in BC program, but also the most shining light in their fire youth! The youthful days, spirited and glorious; Future life, more exciting!
Closing Remarks
As the ceremony drew to a close, Vice Principal Mr. Usman expressed his heartfelt thanks to all those involved in organizing the event. Because of their joint efforts, today’s graduation ceremony is so wonderful and smooth
When the graduates throw up their hats, the ceremony came to an end! Graduation is not the end, but the beginning of another journey. The world is so big, please embrace your own colorful new chapter bravely!
