Next, Samuel Wang, an 11th grader, expressed his gratitude to the seniors on behalf of the younger students and felt reluctant to part with them. "The classroom where we used to study together became emptier, and the dorm room where we lived together became quieter." Although he knew that the seniors were going to start a new journey in their life, he felt reluctant to part with them because when he felt helpless, those seniors helped him out, and when he had a nervous breakdown, those seniors helped him to pull himself together. It was because he felt thankful to them that he felt reluctant to part with them.
"Graduate of the Highest Distinction" represents the highest honor among the graduates, so the one who deserves the title must be selected through rounds of strict screening. He or she must not only be academically outstanding and have extraordinary leadership skills, but also have contributed tremendously to the community. Having survived several rounds of screening, Hanxiao Cai won the well-deserved title of "Graduate of the Highest Distinction", and was awarded by Vice President Zheng Enhai along with a scholarship of 50,000RMB. In addition, considering his contribution to the community, especially the fact that what he did during Shanghai’s covid-19 lockdown in 2022 when he served as the leader of group purchasing for his neighborhood has made positive impact on the society and has triggered profound thoughts and heated discussions on the development of students' personality, social contribution and future education, approved by the Board of Directors of Hongrun Construction Group, the "Chairman's Award for Distinguished Leadership" along with a 400,000 RMB bonus was presented to Hanxiao by President Zheng Hongfang. Hanxiao also expressed his gratitude to the school and the community, to the teachers, and encouraged the graduating class to keep working hard and strive for excellence, and cherish their good memories.
Gratitude is the eternal theme of a commencement. The graduates of this year expressed their gratitude for the school's careful cultivation and teachings by leaving their names on the "Talents Around the World" caligraphy scroll handwritten by Charlotte Li and Kevin Zhang, and by signing the names of the team members on a carefully prepared soccer jersey.
The most exciting moment came when principal Chris and Bowen presented diplomas to the graduates. The tassels hanging from their caps were moved from one side to the other. This not only suggested that the graduates had completed their high school years, but also signaled that they would embark on a new journey in their life and were ready to meet greater opportunities and challenges in the future.
Then, principal Bowen spoke on the power of "believe" and perseverance by recalling the story of development of the school and the students, encouraging graduates to seek their dreams with optimism and courage so that they could become pillars of society, and announced that the class of 2023 graduates officially graduated from high school. It was a brand-new beginning for them, and a vast world was waiting for them to conquer. Principal Bowen inspired everyone present passionately by saying A BETTER YOU, A BIGGER WORLD!