Last month, students, parents, teachers, and friends of the YCIS community attended Century Park Campus Graduation and Secondary Awards Evening. The event began with a welcome from Ms Amy Yang and Mr Dusten Kent, Secondary Co-ordinators, followed by an update from the school’s Student Council Co-Presidents, Rachel and Dongho. From there, Lower Secondary and Upper Secondary Awards were given to outstanding students in: Athletics, Art & Design, Design & Technology, Humanities, Mathematics, English, Science, Theory of Knowledge, Business Studies & Economics, and Computer Science.

Following the Secondary Awards, Ms Mary Yu, Secondary Co-Principal addressed the graduates and provided words of advice for their futures. After the address, Specialist Awards were given to Secondary students in the categories of: Music Service, Musical Performance, Theater Arts, Drama, Community and Service, Creativity, Action and Service (CAS), and Chinese Achievement. Among the most prestigious of these awards were the Bicultural Award, Shanghai International Schools Association Award, and Co-Principal’s Award. Co-ordinator Awards and the DUX Academic Award (awarded to the student with the highest Grade Point Average) were also presented to exemplary students.

To commemorate his final Graduation and Secondary Awards Ceremony at the Century Park Campus, Mr Christopher Connellan, Secondary Co-Principal, delivered farewell remarks, as he prepares for a new role with the Yew Chung Education Foundation. Another highlight came from Dr Nanci Shaw, YCIS Secondary Superintendent, who gave an inspiring keynote speech to motivate students to move outside of their comfort zone. Inspired by these words, Miles Robinson, the graduating valedictorian, stepped out from behind the podium and addressed the audience amongst the crowd during his own speech.

Both Ms Kelly Flanagan, University Guidance Officer, and Mr Dave Williamson, IB Co-ordinator, addressed the crowd to express how proud they both were of the graduating class’ achievements. When it came time to receive their diplomas, the 11 students were overcome with joy as they proudly shook the hands of Ms Shaw and both the Co-Principals, and then the graduating class of 2014 tossed their caps in celebration!

After the ceremony, several of the graduates shared some thoughts on their experience at YCIS, and offered some advice to future IB students:

Miles Robinson:“Don’t underestimate the support groups available at YCIS! Work with your friends and collaborate as much as you can. If you need help, just talk to people. Also, it’s not so much managing your time as it is how you spend your time. You need to do things that make you feel like you got as much out of the experience as possible. Find out what interests you, inside and outside of school.”

Albert Choi:“YCIS is really great because of the supportive teachers. It’s not a school where you get lost in the crowd. I studied before at a big school in Germany, and the environment at YCIS is totally different, and so much better. Here, all of the teachers know me really well, and they are so helpful!”

Nina Lun:“I really have enjoyed the international school environment because it’s very comprehensive, and we learn much more about the whole world. You learn a lot about different cultures, and get to meet people from all over the world.”

Congratulations to the 2014 YCIS Shanghai Century Park Campus graduates! The graduating class will attend top universities around the world, and everyone at YCIS wishes them all a successful future.