亲爱的各位学者、家长、来宾们：大家上午好！

今天是一个特别值得纪念的日子， 我们在这里举行昆山狄邦华曜学校首届高中生毕业典礼，作为中方校长，我十分高兴与大家一起分享这一喜悦。

在此我首先祝贺高三的每一位学者顺利完成高中三年的学习任务，全部毕业，并考入自己理想的大学；其次我要向为你们成长倾注了无数心血的老师们表示深深的敬意，正是他们的爱心与教诲，帮助你们收获了这个充满喜悦的成果；再则我要感谢三年来一直关心学校、支持学校的家长们，是你们的热心与帮助，才有了学者们健康成长的教育好环境，谢谢你们对狄邦华曜的理解与支持。

有人说，青春是一本仓促的书，三年一千多页就这样匆匆翻过。回首来时路，你们留下了一串串深浅不一的足迹。你们的勤奋努力，你们的执着追求，你们的直言坦诚，你们的团队合作、奋力拼搏，充满青春活力的你们，在校园中留下了难忘的记忆与友情。

面对即将离开母校的你们，我还是想非常诚恳地对你们提几点希望：

1、不管你今后生活、学习在何方，都不能忘记我是中国人！保持对自己国家和民族的热爱和关注，了解自己国家的历史、文化和价值观，传承和弘扬民族精神，促进不同文化的交流与理解，这是你们作为国际化人才应该具备的重要素质。

2、做一名具有高度道德和伦理意识的未来人。人要拥有爱心、宽容之心，人生不仅有阳光与鲜花，也有荆棘坎坷与风雨冰霜。坚守道德底线，秉持真诚、正直和公正的原则，对他人多一份爱和宽容，你的人生就会多一份快乐和从容，世界也会因此更加美丽，因为你的行为和决策会对他人产生深远影响，愿你成为正直与善良的典范。

3、要拥有责任意识。人生在世，总要承担起对社会、对事业、对家庭，乃至于对自己的责任。惟有承担起责任，才能真正体现自己的人生价值。

4、不管遇到什么困难和挫折，智慧与勇气是你们解决一切问题的钥匙。英国哲学家培根说：“人的命运主要掌握在自己手中”。纷繁的人生，可能会让你们时常面对选择，世上所有问题，惟有清醒的头脑、独立的思想与人格、直面的勇气，你才会拥有正确的人生方向。

5、希望你们养成喜欢阅读与终身学习的习惯。因为读书能明理益智，韬光养晦，永远保持对知识的渴望与追求，用智慧去认识世界，改变世界，你就会始终对世界充满好奇，对生活充满热爱，对他人充满善良之爱心。

最后，希望你们不要忘记母校，关心母校的发展变化，保持与母校的联系，老师祝福你们，静候你们的佳音!

祝同学们健康快乐，学业有成！谢谢！

Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished scholars, parents, and guests, good morning! Today is a special and memorable day as we gather here for the first graduation ceremony of Dipont Huayao Collegiate School's senior high students. As the Chinese principal, I am delighted to share this joy with all of you.

First and foremost, I congratulate every scholar from the senior class for successfully completing the three-year high school journey and graduating, as well as gaining admission to their desired universities. I also want to express my deep respect to the teachers who have devoted countless efforts to your growth. It is their love and guidance that have helped you achieve this joyful outcome. Furthermore, I would like to thank the parents who have shown continuous support and care for the school throughout these three years. It is your warmth and assistance that have created an educational environment for the scholars to grow and thrive. Thank you for your understanding and support towards Dipont Huayao Collegiate School.

It is often said that youth is a hastily written book, with over a thousand pages turned in just three years. Looking back at the journey you have taken, you have left behind a series of footprints, varying in depth and significance. Your diligence and hard work, your unwavering pursuit, your honest and open communication, and your teamwork and relentless effort have left unforgettable memories and friendships within the campus.

As you are about to leave your alma mater, I would like to sincerely offer you a few hopes:

No matter where you go in your future life and studies, never forget that you are Chinese! Maintain your love and attention for your country and nation. Understand the history, culture, and values of your own country, inherit and promote the national spirit, and foster cultural exchanges and understanding. These are important qualities that you, as international talents, should possess.

Be individuals with a strong sense of morality and ethics. Embrace love and compassion. Life is not only about sunshine and flowers; it also includes obstacles and challenges. Uphold moral standards, embody sincerity, integrity, and fairness. Show extra love and tolerance towards others, and your life will be filled with happiness and tranquility. The world will become more beautiful because your actions and decisions will have a profound impact. May you become examples of integrity and kindness.

Embrace a sense of responsibility. In life, one must shoulder responsibilities towards society, careers, family, and even oneself. Only by taking on these responsibilities can you truly demonstrate your own life's value.

No matter what difficulties and setbacks you encounter, wisdom and courage are the keys to solving all problems. The British philosopher Francis Bacon once said, "A man's destiny is mainly within his own hands." In the complexities of life, you may often face choices. Only with a clear mind, independent thinking, personal integrity, and the courage to face challenges will you have the right direction in life.

Cultivate the habit of reading and lifelong learning. Reading enlightens the mind, cultivates wisdom, and allows you to constantly yearn for and pursue knowledge. With wisdom, you can understand and change the world. By doing so, you will always be curious about the world, passionate about life, and filled with a kind-hearted love for others.

Lastly, I hope you will not forget your alma mater. Stay connected with the school, keep an eye on its development and changes. The teachers bless you and await your wonderful achievements!

Wishing all the students good health, happiness, and academic success! Thank you!

You made it to this point together. It is no wonder that your graduation comes to fruition at the conclusion of the year when our school year theme is Solidarity: Growing Stronger Together. Three years ago, you started out as a class of 24 scholars during the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Along the way, we lost scholars who did not have your same resilience to cope with both the uncertainty of the pandemic and the frenzy of a start-up school. But you did, singularly and in solidarity as an Elite Eleven.

I cannot count the number of times that I have heard your class referred to as small as if small doesn’t matter as much as a class that is larger than yours. To me, you are a Legacy; You are the epitome of Solidarity and what it means to grow stronger together.

When I was a freshman in college, I aspired to be part of a sisterhood that would make a difference on campus as well as in the world. There were two such organizations on campus that were quite large in number. However, I did not feel that we shared the same values so, I opted to join forces with a small number of other women to re-birth a new sisterhood on campus. In the beginning of our founding, people often doubted our significance, ridiculing us for there being ONLY 8 members as compared to the other groups of 20 or more women. Yet, we remained steadfast in our aims, making a lasting impression at the University of Pennsylvania that still lives on today in other women who continue the legacy we left behind.

Legacy Class of 2023, the Elite Eleven, you have done the same thing. Your impact at Huayao Collegiate reminds me of a quote by Ray Smith from his book The Magnolia That Bloomed Unseen. It reads, “She was part of a group that helped tilt the world just a tiny bit the right way. Hardly noticeable, true, but “hardly” was more than nothing.” Certainly, your impact at HC was hardly more than nothing. It is because of you that we have a thriving Student Government. It is because of you that our Athletic program is not only expanding but also competitive and winning. You are leaving behind a model of creative and performing arts that serves as an example for future scholars to elevate even further. Your college choices in the U.S. and the U.K. represent the courage to pursue your passions; I know that this will inspire others behind you to do the same.

You are now on your way to truly act upon the words of our school’s motto: Dare to Seek and Soar Beyond. You will soar beyond HC into parts of the world where you will continue to seem small. But always remember that small is nothing but a size. Small you may be but mighty you are! So, my charge to you is a simple one. Go forth and use your might to “tilt the world just a tiny bit the right way!”

我们一同走到了这一刻，你们的毕业季正值我们学校这一学年的尾声，而这一学年的主题正是“团结一致，携手共进“。三年前，当新冠肺炎疫情开始时，你们所在的班级共有24名学者。在这几年中，一些学者选择了离开。在面对疫情和新校创建所带来的所有不确定性的时候，他们没有像你们一样坚定自己的选择。但是，你们做到了，用个人的毅力和团结一致的坚定，克服一切困难，你们就是我们的精英十一人。

有太多次了，我听到人们说你们的班级只是一个小型班级，听起来就好像小型班级的重要性不如大型班级那样大。但是，对于我来说，你们就是典范，你们是团结的典范，体现了共同成长的真正含义。

当我大学一年级的时候，学校里有颇具影响力的姐妹团体，我当然也渴望自己能够成为她们中的一员。当时在我们学校里，是有两个规模相当大的学生团体。然而，我觉得自己和她们并没有相同的价值观，所以我选择与另外一部分女同学联合起来，在学校建立一个新的姐妹团体。在它成立初期，人们经常怀疑我们的重要性，甚至嘲笑我们仅有8名成员，体量太小，而其他团体则有20名成员，甚至更多。然而，我们坚定地追求着我们的目标，在宾夕法尼亚大学留下了持久的印记，今天在宾大就读的女性学生，仍然在我们遗留下的传统中，继续将其发扬光大。

2023届的传承班，精英十一人，你们也做到了同样的事情。你们给昆山狄邦华曜学校带来的影响，让我想起雷·史密斯在他的书《未被看见的木兰花》中的一句话。他写道：“她是一个帮助世界朝着正确的方向微微倾斜的团体的一部分。很难被发现，但即使“很难被发现”也总比没有好。”毫无疑问，你们在狄邦华曜学校的影响力绝不是微不足道的。因为你们，我们拥有了一个充满活力的学生会。因为你们，我们的体育竞赛团队不仅在扩大规模，而且增强实力，具备了一定竞争力和取得胜利的实力。你们在创意和表演艺术领域做出样板，为未来的学者树立了榜样，激励和帮助他们够进一步提高。你们拥有追求热情的勇气，选择了美国和英国的高等院校；我相信这将激励其他的后来者去做出同样的选择。

你们现在在真正践行我们这所学校的校训“勇于探索，追求卓越”。在一个新的世界中，你们将继续探索，实现卓越。在那里，你们仍然会显得渺小，但是，请记住，大小只是表象上的样子，你可以看起来渺小，但同时坚定而有力量。所以，我对你们的寄语，会是非常简单的一句话，“勇往直前，用你的力量，帮助这个世界朝着正确的方向，微微倾斜”。

Good morning everyone, I'm Ken Yan's mom, he is a scholar of Grade 12 in Huayao. I am so happy and honored to be here and I would like to take this opportunity to share some of my thoughts and feelings as a mother.

First of all, big big congratulations to all 11 Grade 12 scholars!

Congratulations on getting your offers from your favorite university, new adventure ahead waits for you.

We have been together for almost 3 years, which is not a very long time consider that you are just starting to explore the world by yourself. 3 years is also a long time, as I have seen each day my boy and his friends are growing and changing so much, I can feel he turn from a boy to a man. On the road, there are so many bits and pieces that I have expected and have not

expected as a parent:

I see him devoting himself into the founding of the first student council, he learned what responsibility is. With a group of passionate friends that full of positive energy, he learned to stand up and offer himself to the group as much as he could. They couldn't do that without all the guidance and support from the school and lovely teachers.

I see him survived in Suzhou all by himself for more than 2 months due to the

epidemic, he cultivated self-drive and stable emotional control. That's because in addition to studying, teachers have given him timely attention and communication all the time; and the lovely classmates have encouraged each other and supported each other.

Like all the other 10 scholars, they have worked so hard to get their unique goal and win the unique flower of youth at the most suitable time for themselves in there on way. That's all because they are fortunate enough to grow up in the free, inclusive, and positive soil of Huayao.

Looking back on the past 18 years, I would like to share with you a metaphor I once read about raising children:

Raising children is like launching satellites. Huge amount of money to ensure that the data is correct and awake to stay on track. Once successfully launched, it disappeared into space. Occasionally a faint signal is sent: there is not enough money... Not enough money... Quick payment done and diligent advice, satellite weak signal reply: you talk too much... I know I know ... fine fine...

So I want to say a few words before the satellite is launched:

1st, Please pay attention to safety, please cherish life, nothing is more important than life;

2nd, Please always keep a curious heart so that you have the ability to learn for life;

3rd, Please maintain a positive attitude so that you can have the courage to face and overcome any difficulties and ups and downs in life;

Finally, please try to keep the signal strong and try to connect with us as much as possible, because we love you!

昆山狄邦华曜学校

原(昆山市上海华二学校)

2023-2024学年 招生计划