When preparing this speech, I thought I ought to use Chinese to write it; although it would be harder for me to express myself, you wouldn’t need to listen to me go on for too long.

Though because my pronunciation is still terrible, luckily Grace can read what I’ve written.

I am so proud of our graduates: their achievements, and that we’ve worked together to do so much. I want to express my tremendous gratitude to parents, faculty, students, and friends.

The word study is both a verb and a noun, both an action and a place, the same in Chinese and English. If we investigate the ancient origins of this Chinese character, we will find two hands holding the whole and broken lines that compose the essence and infinity of knowledge; below that, a structure providing shelter, under which a student comes to learn.

Where you study has tremendous influence. Environment, climate, culture, but most importantly, relationships: relationships amongst classmates and with teachers. Together we have explored, together we have worked hard, together we have grown and strove to do our best.

I hope you understand, what you’ve studied is not as important as with whom you’ve studied, where you have gained and grown so much.

On graduation day, we can look backward through this place, in our classrooms where you’ve discovered new ideas—and perhaps occasionally drifted off to sleep; on our lawns, where you’ve played happily; in this auditorium, where you’ve heard me try to explain Chinese idioms—summon your tenacity!—and on this stage, where you’ve sung and danced. In our school you’ve cried tears of anguish; you’ve been dazed and confused; you’ve also been full of vigor and enthusiasm, energetic and passionate.

In our school, you’ve felt the love of our community.

I hope this love has let you know you possess such tremendous potential, and that this love has let you understand you always deserve great opportunities.

Your achievements have enriched our school and given us new hope and vitality.

Now, you will bring this Hongrun Boyuan love with you into the world.

This school will forever be a part of you, and you forever a part of this school.

I look forward to seeing how much you will accomplish in this world, and how you will share this love and kindness.

Finally and most importantly, congratulation to our graduates!