Graduation Ceremony Recognizes Achievements of Class of 2019

The YISS community celebrated the commencement of the Class of 2019 on the evening of Friday, May 31. With close family filling up the auditorium and other classmates and friends seated in the overflow room set up in the gymnasium, the Class of 2019 proudly marched down the aisles to the familiar tune of “Pomp and Circumstance” that many, no doubt, have been eagerly waiting to hear for months if not years.

There were many in attendance to recognize and celebrate the achievements of this year’s graduates. The Chairman of the Korea Foreign Schools Foundation Mr. Yongmaan Park presented scholarships to seven distinguished graduates, Katie Y., Roberto H., Michelle K., Shelley C., Jiyu S., Tayne K., and Maya H., while the YISS PTO President Dr. Sung Hee Ahn presented scholarships to two exceptional graduates Jay B. and Rebecca K.

This year’s graduation ceremony included a special graduation address from YISS alumnus Phillip Han from the Class of 2006 (the first class to graduate from the current YISS campus after it moved from the ICS-Seoul campus). Another unique aspect of this year’s graduating class was that there were Co-Valedictorians, Shelley C. and Katie Y., who both gave the address on the school’s value of excellence. The other student speakers this year were Allison P., who spoke on the value of truth, and Roberto H., who shared insights on the value of diversity. The senior class was then given an inspirational Charge to the Graduates by Mrs. Malia Heil, a high school English teacher.

Following the ceremony, there was a lively reception held in the gymnasium. With flowers in hand and refreshments to tide them over, family and friends lined up to take photos with the graduates to commemorate their momentous achievement.

Whether they were here only for their senior years or they walked through the YISS halls for the entirety of the 13-year elementary and secondary education, YISS is proud of these 69 graduates who will forever be recognized as YISS alumni. As they graduated from high school, these seniors embarked on a new stage of their lives, with the majority choosing to go off to university in North America, while a sizeable portion is headed to the UK or remaining in Asia. No matter where they are going of what they are studying, we hope and pray that their time at YISS has trained them to be leaders who will impact the world through service. Congratulations YISS Class of 2019!