On the nineteenth of June,  the entirety of Grade Nine gathered in the auditorium for one of the most anticipated events of the year: their middle school graduation ceremony. Students bustled with excitement,  mingling with friends as their parents chatted nearby. A sense of celebration and joy filled the air as students, parents, and teachers eagerly awaited the start of the ceremony.

The auditorium screen lit up, playing a heartfelt and sentimental video featuring the graduates, marking the official beginning of the event. Shortly after,  the graduates were introduced and greeted with thunderous applause from both parents and peers. Once all students had taken their seats,  Doris Zhu,  the student representative,  took the stage to deliver a speech that was both nostalgic and full of hope. She reminisced about Halloween celebrations and other school memories before reflecting on the power of imagination—the human ability to innovate,  create,  and bring about change. Doris concluded by expressing heartfelt gratitude to those who had supported her throughout her middle school journey: her classmates, parents, teachers, and the audience.

Our school upholds the idea of “cultivating virtues and nurturing talents” as the cornerstone of student education, advocating for the holistic development of students. Embracing the educational philosophy of "global education with the Chinese core", the school empowers students to align personal growth with national prosperity, striving to become well-rounded, morally grounded, and academically excellent future builders and successors with global perspectives. To this end, the Student Development Scholarship was established. Ms. Hu Qingtian announced the list of scholarship recipients, and Principal Li and Principal Ma presented awards to the honored students.

Following the awarding of the scholarship, Eason Liu’s mother, the Grade Nine parent representative, shared her own reflections. She spoke warmly of the past four years,  recalling how she had witnessed her child’s transformation from innocence to confidence—not through dramatic milestones,  but through the quiet,  steady rhythm of daily life. She praised the school’s commitment to character-based education rooted in Chinese tradition while embracing global perspectives. She emphasized that true education is not solely about academic achievement, but about awakening inner strength, kindness, responsibility, creativity, and compassion.

During the heartwarming ceremony for the ninth-grade graduation, parents of the Class of 2025 presented a commemorative gift to the school—a professional sound system. This equipment will be installed in the school auditorium to support future student performances and events, enhancing the campus artistic environment. The gift embodies not only parents’ gratitude for the school’s education but also their deepest wishes for the graduates to shine brightly, pursue dreams courageously, and continue making meaningful contributions.

Then, Ms. Zheng delivered a warm and passionate speech as the representative of the faculty. She affectionately recalled the precious memories shared with the students. Over the past four years, the students have showcased diverse talents in fields such as technology, humanities, sports, and art, achieving remarkable accomplishments that fully embody the spirit of Starriver School students. Ms. Zheng particularly encouraged the graduates to always uphold the philosophy of "global education with the Chinese core", cherish their homeland, embrace the world, pursue dreams courageously, and shoulder the responsibilities of the future. She also sincerely wished every student a bright future, urging them to embark on the broader stage of life with the confidence and strength gained over the past four years.

The ceremony then reached its most symbolic and emotional climax: the turning of the tassel. As each student walked across the stage to receive their diploma,  they officially earned the title of graduate. It was a proud moment—not only for the students,  but also for the parents and teachers who had guided and supported them along the way. The stage was filled with smiles,  hugs,  and even a few tears as graduates celebrated the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. For many,  it was a bittersweet farewell to familiar classrooms,  old friendships,  and treasured memories. But it was also a hopeful step forward—toward new experiences, deeper growth, and the exciting, unknown journey of high school.  

To bring the ceremony to a heartfelt close, the graduates performed an original song titled Journey of the Stars. Written and composed by students,  the song captured the emotions of the moment—gratitude for the past,  pride in how far they’ve come,  and excitement for the future. As their voices filled the auditorium, the lyrics served as a powerful reminder that while their paths may now diverge, they will always share the memories and bonds of middle school.

However, to the students’ surprise, some teachers and students had something up their sleeves. All of a sudden,  music began playing—and before anyone knew it,  a flash mob broke out to “We’re All In This Together” from High School Musical. Students and teachers rushed onstage,  dancing and singing with infectious energy. The audience clapped along,  cheering and laughing as the unexpected performance turned the formal ceremony into a lively celebration. It was a joyful and unforgettable moment that perfectly captured the spirit of unity and fun shared by the graduating class.

The 2025 middle school graduation was more than just a ceremony—it was a celebration of growth, friendship, and unforgettable memories. From heartfelt speeches to surprise performances,  every moment reflected the unique spirit of the graduating class. As the students step into high school,  they carry with them not only their diplomas,  but also the laughter,  lessons,  and bonds that shaped their journey so far. Though they leave middle school behind,  the experiences and connections they’ve made will continue to guide and inspire them in the exciting years ahead.

文：郭怡朵 陈昱天

指导老师：计思远 周雨婷

图：星河湾电视台 曲昊睿 薛雅文

审核：马旦叶