On the morning of May 29, 2026, sunlight streamed into the campus. The air at THIS was filled with excitement, warmth, and a touch of reluctance. Graduates in their gowns, parents whose eyes brimmed with pride and farewell, teachers who had accompanied the students through their growth, and friends and family who had traveled from afar all gathered together to celebrate the growth and achievements of the Class of 2026, and to wish them well as they embarked on the next chapter of their lives.
This was a special day, a celebration of growth—the Tsinghua International School Class of 2026 Graduation Ceremony.
Graduation Ceremony was hosted by G12 Homeroom teacher Ms. Nora Li and Mr. Jeremiah Salomon
Principal Zhu Ying's Address: Lead with Kindness and Integrity
At the start of the ceremony, Executive Principal Zhu Ying stepped onto the stage. Gazing at the lovely, familiar, youthful faces before her, her eyes were gentle yet resolute. She said that standing there that day, her heart was filled with immense pride, joy, and gratitude.
She recalled how these students had grown from the slightly nervous and green tenth graders they once were into the confident, composed young adults now sitting before her. She told them that they had not merely gained admission to exceptional universities—they carried with them the foundations they had built together: integrity, leadership, collaboration, and the relentless pursuit of knowledge.
Principal Zhu specially noted that no achievement is ever accomplished alone. Behind every student stands an army of believers—people who saw their potential even when they could not see it themselves. She thanked the faculty for their day‑after‑day dedication, the parents for their unconditional love and trust, and the students themselves for the companionship and support they had given one another.
She closed by giving the graduates three thoughts: embrace failure as your greatest teacher, remain curious and never stop learning, and most importantly, lead with kindness and integrity. She said that success without character is hollow, and achievement without empathy is meaningless. She wished for them to build a life they could be proud of—not only in their professional accomplishments but also in the way they treat others and the positive impact they bring to the world around them.
"Go forth with courage," she said. "Go forth with hope. Go forth knowing that you are loved, you are believed in, and you are ready."
Keynote Speech by Mr. Kang Youwen:"What Is Growth" in Three keywords
Next to take the stage was Mr. Kang Youwen, an alumnus who had graduated from Tsinghua High School ten years ago. Now an AI Product Manager at TikTok, splitting his work between Beijing and the United States, he wove together the story of his decade since graduation with three key words.
The first key word was "Exploration." He recounted how he arrived alone in Los Angeles, dragging his heavy suitcases through the dark streets, not knowing what to do. Looking back, Mr. Kang shared, all those explorations and adventures had become his most valuable treasure. He hoped that in the next ten years, the graduates would bravely step out, discover the endless possibilities of the world, and in that process, discover their own limitless potential.
The second key word was "Passion." He had majored in Computer Science but realized he simply did not enjoy writing code. He went online and searched, "What can a CS major do after graduation if they don't want to write code?" The very first answer that popped up was Product Manager. As it turned out, the title was just the beginning. He discovered that he truly loved communicating with people and believed that the interaction between AI and humans is what unlocks lasting creativity. He found his passion and followed it without looking back.
The third key word was "Resilience." He shared stories from the workplace, of being handed task after task with the only instruction being "You need to figure it out yourself"—moments with no clear path, filled with self‑doubt. The only thing he could do was persist: keep trying, keep failing, and then keep exploring. He specially mentioned the English saying, "Fake it, until you make it." The most important word in that sentence, he said, is "until." Because "until" is not the moment of success or failure; it is the long, day‑and‑night process of overthinking, self‑doubt, and yet continuing to try.
Student Address: Friendship Is the Greatest Gift
Student representatives Zhang Ruojiao (Emily) and Wang Tianxiao stepped onto the stage to warm applause. They were children who had grown up at this school—one had studied here since sixth grade, and the other had been connected to THIS since first or second grade.
In a bilingual mix of Chinese and English, they shared what they had treasured most at THIS: friendship. Emily said that the overwhelming stress of high school would have been completely unbearable without her friends suffering alongside her. Tianxiao shared a string of small, funny moments only they would understand that makes their friendships stronger and stronger. True friendship, they said, is standing by a friend at their lowest, helping them through those hard times. It is sincerely celebrating a peer's achievements and sharing that happiness with them.
They also expressed deep gratitude to their teachers and parents. Tianxiao spoke of the late nights when their parents quietly worried about them, the long conversations that helped them reset when their grades fluctuated, the gentle approach and soft question "Are you okay?" when they were feeling down—all of these were their parents' silent acts of support. Emily added that "Thank you, Mom and Dad. Your unconditional love and trust gave our journey of growth its very foundation. One day, we hope to become the strong shield you can lean on."
Then they thanked all the teachers who had taught them. Emily said that what the teachers gave them went far beyond textbook knowledge. They taught them how to face stress, how to treat friends, how to get back up after falling, and how to become kind, loving, and caring people. Those after‑class moments when a teacher stayed behind to patiently answer questions, that one sentence that gently awakened them when they were lost, those seemingly casual yet perfectly timed words of encouragement—these were the most precious gifts they received at this school. Tianxiao added that sometimes they thought their teachers were very strict. Only now do they understand that it was because the teachers believed in them even more than they believed in themselves. "Thank you, teachers, for showing us a world beyond the textbooks and for guiding us to become better than we ever imagined we could be."
They ended with a deeply moving statement: "What truly drives growth has never been only competition, but companionship; never only comparison, but helping one another become better."
During the ceremony, the high school choir sang "For Good," and the jazz band performed "September." The moving voices and melodies resonated through the auditorium. Some hummed along softly; others quietly wiped away tears. Music took the place of words, conveying warmth and emotion, gently expressing those thanks and reluctant farewells that could not be spoken.
Teacher Address: You Are Top‑Tier Players of the "Libretto," But We Love the "Music"
The two teachers chosen by the students to speak—Vice Principal Ms. Toni Dong and Chinese teacher Mr. Qian Chao—brought laughter as soon as they took the stage. Mr. Qian, a Chinese teacher, started speaking in English but changed back to Chinese very quickly. Ms. Toni smiled and reminded him, "Mr. Qian, this year's theme is 'growth.' Speaking English would actually show your growth." Mr. Qian humorously replied, "Well, I'll try my best next year."
But after the laughter came deep emotion. Ms. Toni recalled the small moments: the happy faces when ice skating two days ago, the laughter echoing from a teacher's room during lunch, the nervousness before their Chinese presentations, the sunset they watched together on the Dunhuang desert during the ninth‑grade China trip, and the hoodies and senior jackets they designed themselves. Those were the moments that no report card could ever capture, she said, but they were the very moments that truly built the Class of 2026.
Ms. Toni said that people often say teachers help students grow, but the truth is, teachers also grow because of their students. The students taught them patience, humor and creativity.
Mr. Qian's speech carried a deeper philosophical touch. He quoted Nobel Prize‑winning physicist Isidor Rabi, drawing a distinction between "libretto" and "music." The libretto represents the discipline's norms, paper formats, and measurable standards—everything the students had learned over the past twelve years. The music represents intellectual curiosity, an atmosphere of free discussion, and the original pursuit of important questions—the things that cannot be measured by grades. He said that the students were all top‑tier players of the libretto, but what he admired even more was the unique music each of them played. He told them that THIS had given them not just a "libretto training camp," but a "space for musical creation." Go ahead and write your librettos, he said, but never forget the joy of improvisation. Pursue success, but don't be afraid to "fail beautifully" once in a while. Be an excellent person—and more importantly, be a complete person with taste.
He also used the I Ching hexagrams "Jiji" (Already Across) and "Weiji" (Not Yet Across) to bless the graduates. Jiji is today's period, but Weiji is the main theme of your whole life. Do not think you have "reached the shore" just because you have succeeded for a moment—the shore is defined by others; the act of crossing the river is your life. Do not think you are "finished" just because you have stumbled—in the cosmology of the I Ching, the word "finished" does not exist. There is only "to be continued." He hoped the students would hold onto a Weiji mindset, keep their curiosity alive, and embrace a life that is forever "incomplete" yet forever full of infinite possibilities.
Parent Address: Love and Courage Are the Best Gifts Parents Can Give You
Parent representative Ms. Chen Xiaoshen, a parent committee member of Grade 12 and the founder of the "Parents Reading Club," took the stage.
She shared a small story that still moves her deeply. Two years ago, one of her son's classmates actively got in touch with her and talked with her for nearly an hour, all about how to help her son find a subject he loved and a direction for further study. That child even went to ask a teacher whether his friend could participate in a school research project. In an environment where so many schools subtly encourage competition among students, she said, our school has nurtured children who are pure of heart and willing to help their peers with all their effort. Every time she thinks of that, she is deeply touched.
On behalf of all parents, she gave the children two gifts: love and courage. "Know yourself," she said. "Accept your imperfections. Even if imperfect, I would still rather be myself." She encouraged them to love reading and encouraged them to love the communities they belong to and to share their own beauty and value as much as they can. She urged them to be brave in trying and exploring, to understand that failure and success are like shadow and sunlight—they go hand in hand. "Why not dream of plucking stars?" she said. "Do not fear failure, whether big or small. Every attempt may be the stepping stone to the sea of stars."
Diploma Presentation:
43 Names, 43 Rounds of Applause,
43 Hugs
The most solemn moment of the ceremony came when Principal Zhu Ying and Principal Scott Pare presented diplomas to each graduate. Forty‑three names, forty‑three rounds of applause, forty‑three handshakes, hugs, and the soft words "Congratulations." In the audience, parents wiped away tears, teachers smiled with pride, and friends cheered with all their might. At this moment, the Class of 2026—you have officially graduated.
Class of 2026, today you set out from THIS. May you carry the courage to explore the world, the passion deep in your hearts, the resilience to rise after every fall, and the boundless love and trust of your parents and teachers, as you step into the vast and infinite future.
May you remember this day ten， twenty years, and even more years from now. Remember this special day, remember all those who applauded for you, and remember how deeply you were loved by the THIS family.
Congratulations, graduates.
THIS will always be your home.
Remember to come back often.
