With pride, gratitude, and more than a few tears, the DAIS and DHS community came together on June 7 for the Graduation Ceremony to celebrate the remarkable journey of the Class of 2026 — a class defined by passion and diversity.
The celebration began on Friday, as graduates processed through every division of the school, greeted by younger students and teachers who lined the halls in applause and admiration. (Video to follow.) It was a powerful reminder that every Sea Dragon journey begins with curiosity and grows through community.
Families, faculty, and friends then gathered for the official ceremony honoring both DAIS and DHS graduates.
Secondary Principal Mr. Burton reminded students:
> “Your unique background, your perspective, your culture, your way of seeing the world – these are not noise. They are your superpowers.”
Dr. Craig Wilson, Head of School, shared:
> “When I look around this audience today, I see future engineers, entrepreneurs, scientists, artists, educators, and leaders. But more importantly, I see young people who are prepared to navigate a world that is complex, interconnected, and constantly changing.”
The ceremony was enriched by music from our Advanced Choir, directed by Terry Saez, who performed *Connected*, and the Full Advanced Orchestra, who performed *Polaris*, composed by 2021 DHS graduate Peter Zhang.
Michael Kuropatwinski reflected:
> “The miracle was never simply your differences. The miracle was your connection. The fact that all of these wildly different stories somehow converged in this place and time and became a community.”
Ms. Iris Jia reminded graduates:
> “No matter how technology evolves, what truly moves us will always be human feeling, human reflection, and human choice.”
Special recognitions were awarded to Austin Li and Anna Zhao, recipients of the Sea Dragon Award, and to Julius Chen and Amy Sun, who were named Valedictorians. As part of our graduation tradition, each valedictorian delivered a speech, sharing reflections, gratitude, and words of encouragement with their classmates and the wider community.
Julius encouraged his classmates:
> “Wherever you go, don’t just chase success. Chase meaning — everything else is just noise.”
Amy shared:
> “I believe that the memories we have created together will continue to give us strength and carry us forward in the years to come. I wish all of us the very best in whatever paths lie ahead.”
Mr. Robert Flanagan advised:
> “Find friends who want to learn, improve, and grow. Find people who will listen to your ideas and challenge your thinking. It has often been said that we have two ears and one mouth for a reason. Most importantly, find people who accept you as you are.”
Dr. Liu’s Charge Speech reminded graduates:
> “True confidence, mastery, lasting success — they aren’t given. They must be built by you. They are found in the consistent dedication shown in the lecture hall, the lab, the persistent focus of a future career.”
Mr. Reed shared:
> “Don’t be defined by your mistakes. Own them. Look them in the eye and say, ‘I did that. I’m going to do better.’ That courage is what I charge you to find in yourself. It will make you a fuller, more compassionate human being.”
As the Class of 2026 turns the page to a new chapter, they carry with them resilience, determination, and the enduring spirit of the Sea Dragon.
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## Matriculations
We are proud to share the university destinations of the Class of 2026. Their next steps reflect years of dedication, growth, and ambition — and we look forward to celebrating the paths they will take around the world.
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