Goodbye, Class of 2023! DAIS and DHS High School Graduation

On May 28, Dalian American International School and Dalian Huamei School Class of 2023 students walked across the stage in their caps and gowns and received their high school diplomas. It was a special and noteworthy day in the lives of our graduates.

During the Graduation ceremony, students celebrated their hard-won achievements, said goodbye to our community, and listened to the inspiring speeches of their teachers, classmates, Secondary Principal Mr. Burton and the Head of School Dr. Richard Swann, interspersed with beautiful music pieces performed by our school band and choir directed by Ms. Terry Saez, Ms. Ashley Mims, our alum Peter Zhang and student director Amy Xu.

“The DAIS/DHS journey has been about seeking intercultural understanding, reaching out for and building the confidence to explore and investigate, daring to imagine, striving to achieve and, most of all, understanding that our aspirations to realize our goals are not something we can bring about on our own. And this journey is not over in the pathway that lies ahead. Take your hearts and minds with you on an adventure in pursuit of wisdom, and value all that lies ahead.”

Dr. Richard Swann
The Head of School

Mr. Burton gave graduates an excellent advice: “In all your endeavors, projects, and aspirations, keep striving, keep moving, and never quit.”

Mr. Michael Kuropatwinsky, AP Economics Teacher and Student Government Advisor, talked about the bright future that awaits our students no matter the situation in the world: “Class of 2023, you are a rare and exceptional breed of Sea Dragon. Nearly your entire high school career overlapped with a global pandemic, and now you’re entering university as the first class in a post-ChatGPT era. You stand in the eye of the most epic perfect storm of creative destruction we’ve seen in generations. In this moment, you have the extraordinary privilege and responsibility of shaping a Brave New World.”

Mr. Andrew Mazarakis, Mathematics Teacher, focused on their individual strengths: “We’ve seen you work nights and weekends, make mistakes, and learn some hard lessons along the way. But you’re here because despite the fear that has found you in random moments, you have cut a path through that wilderness and developed the *you* that perseveres, not through stalwart rigidity, but adaptive flexibility.”

Honoring the long-standing tradition, seniors prepared videos highlighting the best memories of their school life. Later during the ceremony, the school announced the winners of the most prestigious senior awards. This year's Sea Dragon Award was given to Tommy Cho in DAIS and Peter Zhang in Huamei. Raymond Bian (DAIS) and Eileen Wu (DHS) have been named Valedictorians.

Raymond and Eileen were given the honor to say a few words on the stage.

Eileen Wu: “Over the four years, embracing this opportunity for growth led me to discover the beauty in diversity. Each of us has had our own unique encounters, challenges, and successes during our time here. Throughout our academic journey, we have been exposed to a wide array of subjects, extracurricular activities, and experiences. It is within these passions that we have discovered the fire that ignites our souls and gives us a sense of purpose. In a world that often demands conformity, I encourage every and each of you here to let your passions be your guiding compass, to stay true to ourselves, and to become who we truly want to be.”

Raymond Bian: “As students and graduates of an international school, we have the unique experience of going through change. Each of us has changed a lot since coming here. And unfortunately, change has brought some of us apart as well. But that’s ok too – each one of those events has shaped us into who we are today. Change is natural. But how you adapt to and learn from and overcome that change is the challenge we all will be facing in the next few years of our lives. What you do in response is the only thing that you can control. Change will occur as soon as we turn our tassels and throw our caps up in the air. We are the conquerors of change, so let’s approach this change right!”

Ms. Julie Yue, Chinese Literature Teacher, and Mr. David Hopkinson, AP World History and Physical Education Teacher, delivered their charge to the graduates and the end of the ceremonies, and both chose to do it poetically.

“Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!
You’ve graduated from DAIS.
And will leave Dalian.
Now you are ready for your journey to begin.
But you’re not on your own.
And you know how I know?
Because you’ll have each other wherever you go.”
(from "Oh, the Places You'll Go" by Dr. Suess)

Mr. David Hopkinson

Ms. Yue said: "Today, confident and joyful, you are about to leave the campus, showcasing the joy of learning, carrying with you the precious friendships and happy memories you have gained."

We want to thank each of our Class of 2023 graduates for being a part of our lives here at DAIS/DHS. Without you, our lives would have been not quite so colorful. You have touched each of our lives in different ways. Now it's time for you to soar from the dragon's nest. Go Sea Dragons! We will watch with anticipation as you go forth and change our world for the better.

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