Dear Students, Teachers, and Parents,

Good afternoon!

Before I begin my speech today, I’d like to invite five students and one teacher to join me on stage. They are the first-time participants in the Global Youth Gobi Desert Trekking Challenge and the proud champions who brought home the trophy—our very own "SHBS Team". Let’s give them a big round of applause and take pride in their achievement.

Last year, at the opening ceremony, my speech focused on the theme: "Be the Best Version of Yourself to Embrace a Bigger World". Only by constantly striving to be the best version of ourselves can we gain the ability to embrace a bigger world and soar freely in life. I’m thrilled that this theme resonated with so many of you.

Today, the theme of my speech is “Embrace Firsts, Enrich Life”. By “firsts”, I mean continually breaking your own limits, constantly challenging yourself, and daring to try new things.

During the past summer vacation, I first accompanied our students to a summer camp in the U.S. Then, I embarked on my very first solo journey.

Along the way, I encountered many “firsts”.

For the first time, I took a train in the U.S., traveling from Baltimore to Princeton, and then from Princeton to Manhattan. This gave me a chance to interact closely with different people in the U.S. Especially on the trip from Baltimore to Princeton, I was asked to show my ticket multiple times by the train conductor.

For the first time, I had a close encounter with a black bear. One day, I was invited to a friend’s house, and a large black bear wandered into their yard. I was only about three meters away from it. You might be curious about what happened next. Well, I was inside the house while the bear was in the yard, and we stared at each other through a window—a close encounter with a bit of distance.

For the first time in the U.S. and Canada, I had deep conversations with my old classmates, former colleagues from the Chinese International Department, a student I taught 40 years ago, relatives and friends who have lived in Canada for over 20 years, and graduates from our school who are now attending the University of Toronto. These conversations, in such special settings, provided me with profound insights and reflections.

Traveling alone also meant thinking alone. For the first time, I rowed a boat on the White Rock Sea in Canada. During this time, I found myself pondering questions I often think about: where I, we, and our school are headed in the future. This sea journey, filled with many “firsts,” made my thoughts clearer, more inspired, and more determined.

Students, truly, “Embrace Firsts, Enrich Life”.

Every “first” is a courageous step forward that leads us to a broader world. 

Whether it’s your first time speaking on stage, organizing a club, or living in a dorm, these experiences require us to step out of our comfort zones and confront our fears and anxieties. It’s these seemingly small beginnings that forge our courage and determination to face life’s challenges. They teach us that courage isn’t the absence of fear, but the choice to move forward despite it.

Every “first” attempt is an opportunity for self-discovery and growth. 

Along the way, we might encounter failures and feel frustrated, but it’s these imperfect moments that teach us perseverance and reflection, help us adjust our strategies, and set out again. We learn resilience and persistence.

“Firsts” also mean expanding the boundaries of our lives, giving us the chance to explore new fields and different cultures. To see the world and shape our worldview. 

Our school has organized trips to India, the U.S., Italy, Germany, and Morocco. This year, we will be heading to Spain and Tanzania for study tours, summer schools, and world leadership courses.

More importantly, each “first” is the key to unlocking potential. 

Often, we don’t know what we’re truly good at or where our limits lie. But by continuously trying new things, we gradually discover our interests and potential. These discoveries are like lighthouses, illuminating our path and making us more determined and confident in pursuing our dreams.

Students, truly, truly, keep embracing firsts, keep pushing your limits, keep challenging yourself, and keep trying new things. Life will be all the more exciting!

The SHBS team first had the courage to try something new, which led them to the unexpected victory of the trophy.

To all the students here, where is your challenging “first”? Where is your trophy?