To Cherish, Bless and Give Thanks: A Heartfelt Graduation Milestone
This graduation season at Junyi Experimental High School was one of heartfelt gratitude, as students, parents and staff gathered to celebrate the milestone over three days in mid-June. The ninth graders shone onstage presenting their graduation project reports while well wishes poured in. There were the graduation and teachers’ appreciation banquets.
The graduation report showcase allowed the students to explore various topics of their interest in-depth, featuring reflections on the students’ transfer to Junyi, the change in their family interactions after being in a boarding school, their thoughts about admission bonus points for indigenous students amongst other topics. Some also discussed their relationships with their own indigenous communities, as well as what they have gained from sports, the arts and technology, cultural activities and any other interests they have picked up along the way. Such meaningful self-discovery and consolidation of holistic learning is indeed the best Junyi has to offer to the students before they leave the school.
Principal Huang Jing-yu was touched by the students’ dedication and strong support by parents at the showcase, and impressed by the students’ exemplary etiquette and spirit of service and participation at the banquets. Chairman Stanley Yen was also heartened to see each child grow with a deepening understanding of themselves and their external environments, while giving thought to their future. To learn to give thanks to their teachers warmly and to inculcate the values of appropriate behavior as members of society are two matters the students ought to experience before leaving school, he commented. It is his hope that the students would take this heartfelt culture of Junyi with them into society, tapping on these bonds and inspiration for their life journeys going forward.
As teacher Kao Shang-yue mentioned, without the reports, she would not have had a chance to understand each student at such depths and their respective personal journeys of growth. A parent noted that other ninth graders in mainstream education may be at a complete state of relaxation after the high school exam but Junyi students worked hard towards their individual graduation reports, which were presented with such poise and confidence. The students overcome their initial uncertainties about the project report under the teachers’ guidance in the research and writing process.
In particular, one student held back his tears of gratitude, bowed and thanked his mother for taking the effort to ensure he had the opportunity to volunteer in Cambodia as that had changed his attitude towards life. He admitted that he did not put in his best in his daily tasks before the international volunteer experience, but the trip enabled him to learn to be responsible for himself and to work with others. This was just one of the many enriching and well-delivered reports at the graduation showcase.
Another student performed a violin recital. Before his enrolment at Junyi, he was one of the best students in a music class, but he had to give up the violin for some unforeseeable reason and he became despondent. In the three years he was in Junyi, he did not play the violin but realized that he can pursue his love of music in many other ways. This realization can be attributed to Junyi’s educational philosophy, teachers’ guidance and the varied co-curricular activities he underwent which helped him to find his path.
Another student performed a violin recital. Before his enrolment at Junyi, he was one of the best students in a music class, but he had to give up the violin for some unforeseeable reason and he became despondent. In the three years he was in Junyi, he did not play the violin but realized that he can pursue his love of music in many other ways. This realization can be attributed to Junyi’s educational philosophy, teachers’ guidance and the varied co-curricular activities he underwent which helped him to find his path.
Another report was themed "Complete and Incomplete” with the student revealing that he comes from a single-parent home and the complex feelings within. The audience was deeply moved by his heartfelt sharing. A teacher told him, that before he goes on to prove himself as he wished, he would have to accept himself first and that his family and home is complete because of his presence.
At the appreciation banquet, the ninth graders served their teachers while sixth performed music. For the graduation banquet, the seventh and eighth graders served the graduating classes. Volunteer chefs led the preparation to familiarize students with dining etiquette and food and beverage handling. Chef Winnie, a second-time volunteer, expressed that students were appreciative and cleaned up proactively. The students have touched her heart and she hopes to have more volunteering opportunities in future.
At the appreciation banquet, the ninth graders served their teachers while sixth performed music. For the graduation banquet, the seventh and eighth graders served the graduating classes. Volunteer chefs led the preparation to familiarize students with dining etiquette and food and beverage handling. Chef Winnie, a second-time volunteer, expressed that students were appreciative and cleaned up proactively. The students have touched her heart and she hopes to have more volunteering opportunities in future.
