Time never stops and seasons continue to flow. In a blink of an eye, the seniors are celebrating their graduation season! June 3rd was a day of celebration filled with excitement and joy marking the beginning of the new and unknown journey of life ahead for our graduates.
The Class of 2023 graduation ceremony, hosted by Chinese teacher Mr. Chao Qian and Ms. Dieu-Anh Nguyen, Director of the Secondary Division, was held in the main auditorium in the Qingyan Building of Tsinghua High School. In attendance was the members of the school’s team: Dr. Fang Yan, the Principal of Tsinghua University High School, Ms. Li Wenping, the Executive Principal of Tsinghua International School, Mr. Patrick Smith, the Academic Principal, Ms. Bai Wenting, the Chinese Vice Principal, Ms. Dong Wenbo, the Director of Administration, and Ms. Liu Wei, the Assistant Director of the Secondary Division.
With the school band playing beautiful music, the 45 graduates of the Class of 2023 walked slowly from the back of the auditorium to the front. Parents, students and teachers watched them with pride showering them with good wishes, cheers, high fives, and applause as they passed.
Next, the graduation ceremony officially began. Firstly, Ms. Li Wenping, Executive Principal of THIS, gave an opening speech, and then G12 graduates Calvin Chen and Charlotte Wang gave speeches as student representatives. Mr. Brian Xu of the Class of 2020, gave an alumni speech and Ms. Jenny Wang, Victor Yin’s mom gave a speech as the parents’ representative. In addition, this year’s keynote speaker is Dr. Hao Jingfang, the famous science fiction writer, Hugo Award winner and founder of Tongxing Academy. Here, let’s review the wonderful speeches!
Ms. Wenping Li’s Opening Remark
Ms. Li warmly congratulated the growth and progress made by the Class of 2023, and expressed her recognition on the strong determination and positive energy shown by the students in the face of many uncertainties and difficulties.
In the so-called “coldest application season,” the 46 THIS graduates received over 200 acceptance letters and over $1.6 million scholarships. They have received countless olive branches from top institutions around the world, including MIT, Duke University, Cornell University, Vanderbilt University, Rice University, UC Berkeley, Carnegie Mellon University, Cambridge University and Tsinghua University. We are so proud of our students!
In Ms. Li’s speech, she mentioned that, “many of the graduates here have been at THIS since primary school or sixth grade. I am delighted to see you grow in this culturally blended environment. I remember some of you, first as quirky and adorable children. And now you have become responsible, committed, and visionary young people. Your aspirations are not confined to this land under your feet, but toward a broader, real world with a longer, sustainable future.”
With infinite pride and blessings for the graduates, Ms. Li hopes that in the future, no matter what difficulties you encounter in your life, remember that the THIS always have your back, and you are welcome to come back and visit anytime!
Calvin Chen and Charlotte Wang
Student Representatives’ Speech
As student representatives of the Class of 2023, Calvin Chen and Charlotte Wang welcomed and thanked all teachers, classmates, alumni, and parents. They presented the speech with both English and Chinese to demonstrate their language skills and shared good memories of their high school days. “It was all like a dream,” club fairs, the first online classes, the first official THIS MUN conference, the Free English program, and fundraising efforts for the victims of the Syria Turkey Earthquake. Experiencing all of these, especially the seemingly endless days of remote learning, meant they had to face loneliness and confusion at times. But these experiences also meant achieving many goals and gained a lot of growth both physically and mentally.
Charlotte Wang: “Of course we are not always so strong. We sometimes feel lost, we feel like we can’t face it all alone. But luckily, we are not alone. Thanks to our parents and family for comforting us when we broke down, our teachers for their constant attention and understanding, and our friends for encouraging each other.”
Calvin Chen: “To summarize the lessons we’ve learned, I would like to remind us all of a quote by the famous romantic philosopher Bill Xi（fellow G12 student）: It doesn’t matter! Gold will glitter forever!”
Class of 2020 Alumni Mr. Brian Xu’s Speech
Mr. Brian Xu, THIS Class of 2020, is currently studying at New York University’s Stern School of Business. In his alumni speech, he shared the mindset shift during the transition between high school and college life, as well as the opportunities and challenges that college life will bring.
He said that, “Let’s also not forget the remarkable memories you’ve created here as well. The friendships you’ve forged, on the school trips, the late-night study sessions, and afterschool activities, are special. Hold onto these friendships, as they will be your source of support and inspiration in your darkest moments, as my friendships were for me. Of course, let’s not forget the caring, and supportive teachers that we were fortunate enough to learn and grow under. I can speak from personal experience how well my teachers have prepared me for life. Persistence, Resiliency, and Dedication are just some of the defining characteristics I learned from my teachers. Lastly, let’s not forget our school, truly unique learning environment that prepares you to thrive in this globalized world while staying closely tied to your roots. So, as you prepare to venture forth into this whole new world, I urge each and every one of you to never forget the friends that shaped you, the teachers that nurtured you, and the school and city you called home for the past 4 years.”
Ms. Jenny Wang Parent’s Speech
On behalf of all the parents, Ms. Jenny Wang congratulated the Class of 2023 for their progress and achievements in high school. She said that, “Today, you are the brightest stars among us. Among you, there are talented artists and ballet dancers, future researchers and entrepreneurs in the frontiers of artificial intelligence, biotechnology, physics and various subjects, the country’s best debaters, and leaders committed to improving society. You are the pride and hope of Tsinghua International School. Over the past four years, you have experienced three years of pandemic, faced various pressures and challenges, and pursued progress and dreams. You have not only demonstrated outstanding qualities and talents but also developed resilient willpower and excellent character. During this process, you supported and encouraged each other and built profound friendships!”
Ms. Jenny Wang also expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the school and teachers for their hard work. She thanked the teachers for bringing different dimensions of experience and growth to the students with rich subject learning and activities. The teachers not only helped their children find their passion for learning but also nurtured and shaped their outstanding character. She also thanked the THIS administration team for providing abundant resources and support for students’ development, which made THIS a unique school with a blend of East and West. She also praised the Parent Council for creating a family-school connection that provides invaluable support for students and parents.
Dr. Jingfang Hao, alumna of Tsinghua University High School, the renowned science fiction author, Hugo Award winner, and the founder of Tong Xing Academy. She has received her bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees from Tsinghua University, with an extensive academic span that covers physics, astrophysics, and economics. In 2002, she won first place in the New Concept Writing Contest, demonstrating her passion and talent for writing. To date, she has published several collections of her work. In 2016, she clinched the highest accolade in the field of science fiction literature, the Hugo Award, with her novel “Folding Beijing”. Furthermore, in 2018, she was invited to serve as a visiting scholar at the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.
Dr. Jingfang Hao’s Keynote Speech
Dr. Jingfang Hao, an alumnus of Tsinghua University High School, was very happy to be invited to meet with this year’s THIS graduates. She shared her thoughts and feelings 20 years after graduating from high school.
The renowned science fiction author, Hugo Award winner, and the founder of Tong Xing Academy spoke about how graduating from high school may mean more pressure from university life. The way to find the balance between external pressure and internal motivation is to identify one’s own life goals and purpose.
Through sharing her experience as a student at Tsinghua University, her internship, her life as a writer and an entrepreneur, Dr. Hao encouraged the graduates to find out “who you really are,” to be true to their hearts, to devote themselves to their passions and to enjoy the process of creation. In the face of the ever-changing world, Dr. Hao told them to hold on to their core values, actively embrace change amid the unknown – “…recognize your own value in the process of bringing value to others, grow in the long run, and ultimately find inner peace and satisfaction.”
Wish Box & Best Wishes Video
May there be a future to run to, and years to look back on. Every year at the graduation ceremony, THIS has a tradition of capturing the graduates’ thoughts about the future and saving them for later when they return as alumni. One by one, the graduates walked up to the stage and put their letters into the wish box.
Thank You Class of 2023 Homeroom Teachers
Ms. Amy Zou & Mr. Christophe Eloy & Ms. Joy Zhou
Teachers made videos for graduates for the Best Wishes
As each name was called, Principal Fang Yan presented graduation diplomas and turned the tassels for each graduate. Principal Li Wenping presented flowers. The graduates, with the principals, finally stood together for a momentous photo celebrating this milestone achievement. Congratulations to the Class of 2023!
Graduation Reception & Alumni Card
After the ceremony, the parent graduation planning committee hosted a reception for all the graduates and teachers. Ms. Li presented alumni cards to each of the students, marking the transition from being a THIS student to being a THIS alumnus. We hope that these students will visit their alma mater often. All the teachers will forever remember them as the way they are now in their hearts.
Gathering is fire, scattering is a sky full of stars
Dear graduates of the class of 2023
May you ride the waves and take your dreams as your horses
May you have a bright future and live up to your dreams!
