The morning of June 2nd, 2023 (Friday) saw the grand opening of the Commencement for SHBS 2023 Class themed "Here, the promise of summer" at the Jinjiang Hotel of CITIC Pacific located in Zhujiajiao town. In addition to the teachers, students, and parents, Mr. Zheng Hongfang, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hongrun Construction Group; Mr. Zheng Enhai, vice president of Hongrun Construction Group; Mr. Wu Zijian, vice president of the International Education Characteristic Branch of the Private Education Association and former principal of YK Pao School; Principal Shao, representative of the general principal of Fushan Zhengda Education Group; famous education writer Ms. Octopus, principals of counterpart schools, founders and leaders of international education institutions and platforms, and friends who love, care and support SHBS also attended the ceremony. Nearly 400 people gathered together to celebrate the commencement for SHBS class of 2023.

The graduates walked into the hall accompanied by loud applause from the audience. A series of video clips being shown on the screen not only conveyed sincere blessings rom teachers and their younger peers, but also recorded different stages of the seniors' growing up. Wondering at how time flies, the audience were  so touched by the true and sincere love at the scene that many were wiping off tears from the corners of their eyes. The covid-19 pandemic which had lasted for 3 years brought unforgettable memories for all 12th graders. A musical play performed by students vividly presented through unique theatrical arts how everyone had risen to challenges and spoke highly of their solidarity and optimistic attitude.

To begin with, principal Christopher Moses delivered an opening speech by congratulating the seniors on embarking on a new journey of their life. Mr. Zheng Hongfang, president of Hongrun Construction Group, attended every SHBS commencement and encouraged the graduates with his sincere words and earnest wishes, so he made this year’s commencement no exception. He spoke highly of what SHBS has achieved and the positive influence it has made on the society over the past five years. He also wished the graduates a bright future and believed that they could contribute to world peace. He also hoped that the seniors would be grateful to their parents for bringing them up, and to their school for educating them and would cherish their friendship with fellow students. Speaking on behalf of the parents of the graduates, Charlotte Li's father also inspired the graduates from the perspective of parents with his sincere words and earnest wishes. He hoped that they would shoulder their own responsibilities and undertake their own missions, learn from the best achievements of human civilization so that they could build their motherland, benefit the world, and embrace their future confidently.

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!

A graduation poem recited by students told us about their reminiscence for the past years and the hope for the future. Here many promises of wonderful summers were kept to the graduates. The commencement was concluded with a ceremony to present garlands to the parents and a graduation song. By singing the moving melody, the graduates expressed their gratitude to their families, teachers and friends. They sang the song together to make this event an unforgettable memory.

We are proud of the graduates of 2023 class, who have always taken a positive and optimistic attitude, overcome countless difficulties, and finally embarked on a new journey of their life.

Don’t shed tears and be sad when saying goodbye. We will meet each other sometime in the future and will share our sweet memories.