On the morning of June 6, 2025, Shanghai Hongrun Boyuan School was bathed in the warm sunshine of early summer. Before the ceremony formally began, graduates clad in solemn graduation gowns took commemorative photos with faculty, peers, and juniors, capturing fleeting moments of campus life to eternalize them as enduring memories.

At 8:50, accompanied by melodious music, guests, parents, and current students took their seats in the auditorium in orderly fashion. Subsequently, all faculty members entered led by Principal Bowen Chen. Finally, amidst applause and blessings from the entire audience, the graduates in their graduation gowns made their entrance and elegantly settled into their seats.

At 9:12, youthful dance medleys ignited the atmosphere—cool, dazzling, energetic, and graceful performances unfolding in rapid succession, culminating in a collaborative finale that set youthful fervor ablaze. Next, a passionate musical theater piece echoed graduates' conviction to "seize opportunities and forge ahead fearlessly" through resounding melodies; original rap narrated stories of growth; band performances electrified the audience, and the original English song Why We Sing showcased SHBS students' ode to love and peace.  

Following the opening acts, the screen displayed heartfelt messages: teachers' parting wisdom interwoven with well-wishes from juniors. These blessings—some tender, others playful—all radiated profound sincerity.

Then, the hosts took the stage and the commencement offically began. Foreign principal Christopher Moses delivered a heartfelt speech to the graduates, interpreting the essence of education through the structure of the character "學" (study). He emphasized that true education lies in friendships and teacher-student relationships. He encouraged the graduates to carry the love and tolerance of their alma mater as they step into the world, saying emotionally: "This school will forever be a part of you, and you forever a part of this school."

Chairman Zheng then took the stage to deliver "Three Words of Wisdom": "Delight in Yourself," reminding everyone to maintain relaxation during the struggles and accept the wisdom of things not going as expected; "Understand Others," stressing that every person is a book, and through interactions, one learns about human relations; "Surmount Mountains," comparing life to scaling peaks, turning stumbling blocks into stepping stones, and eventually reaching the summit.

Parent representative Ms. Yuan delivered a warm speech, thanking the school for creating an inclusive and diverse growth environment. She advised the graduates to treat themselves and others kindly, absorb diverse wisdom, keep learning and broaden their horizons, build a quality network, develop habits in sports and the arts, and regularly share growth experiences with their parents. She concluded with "We love you," blending rational guidance with deep care.

Undergraduate representative Ken Zhang delivered a heartfelt thank-you speech: looking back on the “warmth and strength” of the graduates, who provided all-around support to the underclassmen, embodying the true essence of “growth is a process of seeking knowledge and strengthening the heart.” He expressed both reluctance to part and well wishes, promising to carry forward this strength, and wished the graduates a brilliant future, reflecting the deep friendship among the students of Hongrun.

During the inspiring ceremony for honoring outstanding graduates, Chairman Zheng and Vice President Zheng presented awards to the outstanding graduate Ella for academic and leadership excellence, in thunderous applause.

Graduate representative Ella delivered a philosophical reflection on growth: "We gradually see the cracks in the world—gaps between ideals and reality, and imperfections in others. But it is these 'uncertainties' that teach us to form our own judgment." She quoted Susan Neiman, urging all students to "find your path between blind acceptance and rejection."

Subsequently, the graduates presented two carefully prepared gifts to the school. The first gift was a pomegranate tree, symbolizing the deep affection and gratitude the graduates feel toward their alma mater. Just as pomegranates bear many seeds, the graduates hope the school will be as fruitful and enduring. The second gift was the signed board from the graduation ball cruise, filled with signatures of all attending graduates, symbolizing their hopes that the alma mater, like the "Golden Glory" ship, will carry their dreams, sailing through challenges and embarking on new adventures. Executive Principal Liuliu, along with the two 12th-grade homeroom teachers, accepted the gift on behalf of the school and wished the graduates and everyone present that their efforts would lead to abundant success, and that they would all experience "golden" growth. The scene was very warm and touching.

The ceremony for awarding the diplomas was solemn and warm. Homeroom teacher Amber stood by the side of the stage with a list of names and, in a clear and solemn voice, read aloud the names of each graduate from the class of 2025. Each call carried the weight of years of hard work. As soft music played, the graduates stepped onto the stage, one by one. They first approached Principal Christopher Moses, who greeted each student with a smile and nodded in acknowledgment. He handed each graduate their diploma, symbolizing academic achievement. The graduates then proceeded to Principal Bowen, who, with loving and expectant eyes, gently moved the tassel on their caps from right to left, signaling the completion of their studies and wishing them the best as they spread their wings to fly. In this special rite of passage, each student was formally crowned as a Hongrun Boyuan graduate. 

In the closing speech, Principal Bowen centered his address around the theme of "The Power of Mindset Shift." He shared a story of a student who had previously been accustomed to solving problems alone but had an epiphany during a group collaboration at Hongrun Boyuan, realizing that "teamwork is not a constraint, but an opportunity to see the brilliance of different ideas." He summarized this as the power of "changing mindset" and the courage to embrace co-existence and reconstruct the world. To the 2025 graduates, he imparted: "What Hongrun Boyuan has given you is the wisdom to turn 'disagreement' into a 'multifaceted prism.' No matter what challenges lie ahead, remember: the answer is always in the glimmer of a change in mindset—it can turn challenges into 'new questions awaiting your meaning.'" The speech concluded with a powerful blessing: "Move forward with the power of "mindset shift.' All glimmers will eventually merge into the Milky Way."

As the ceremony neared its end, a heartfelt poem captured the memories of four years spent together, expressing hopes for the future and the reluctance to part with the alma mater. The poem concluded with, "Here we part, here we bloom," a tribute to the cherished friendship and the blessings for everyone heading in different directions.

Finally, as the screen dimmed, showcasing the growth and journey of the 2025 graduates, the gratitude ceremony began. The graduates, together with their parents, walked onto the stage, overwhelmed by indescribable emotions. Holding  flower wreaths, the graduates not only expressed gratitude for the teachers' instruction and the friendship with classmates but also for the unconditional love and support from their parents. Graduates placed the wreaths, symbolizing gratitude and respect, around their parents' necks, releasing a flood of emotions. Especially for those about to venture abroad and begin new chapters in foreign lands, this moment of gratitude was tinged with deep attachment and commitment. They knew that no matter where their future voyages took them, their parents would always be their most solid and warmest harbor.

When the lyrics in the graduation song "No matter how life changes, whatever happens, we will always be friends" echoed through the air, the graduates turned to wave goodbye to the campus, sharing smiles with their friends. They knew that the stars have illuminated their path ahead.

This is a celebration of dance and music, a fusion of philosophy and warmth, and most of all, a ceremony of "Delight in Oneself, Understand Others, and Surmount Mountains." The Class of 2025 will step into broader horizons with the confidence of "coexistence through a shift in mindset." We wish them a joyful graduation and hope that, even in the misty rain, they remain at peace with themselves; amidst the complexities of the world, they continue to learn from others; and in the face of towering mountains, they rise and meet new challenges. Hongrun Boyuan will always be a harbor to empower them.