International School Graduation 2019

For any school, graduation is both a highlight and a lowlight. It’s a highlight in the sense that all those nights of cramming for exams and focusing on various subjects in class finally have an end goal; the diploma. However, it’s also a lowlight because you do spend so much time alongside teachers and friends who become like your own family and it’s time to part ways.  

 

This year, our international school section celebrated their graduation on Wednesday 29 May 2019, with a mixture of sunshine and minimal rain, despite a forecast for a torrential downpour. The students came sharply dressed to put on their cap and gowns and walked into our Aula to the tune of Coldplay’s “Viva la Vida.”  

 

Martin Valentino, our International School Principal, gave a speech based on the theme of life. As he put it, “Life is messy, so don’t be afraid of making a mess.” This was meant not just for life at university but for any part of it – work, relationships, kids and more. Thus, instilling upon our students to go out in the world and not be afraid to get their hands dirty.  

 

Our Director, Alexander Biner, gave the opening address where he discussed the classes’ chosen dictum, “Aut Viam Inveniam Aut Faciam.” Like every year, our seniors take the opportunity to choose a dictum for graduation and translated to English this Latin phrase means, “I shall either find a way or make one.” This was supposedly the response by Hannibal, a general and statesman from Ancient Carthage, when his generals told him it was impossible to cross the Alps by elephant. Of course, his perseverance and determination are what cemented him as being widely considered one of the greatest military commanders in history and he did end up getting over the Alps. Just as we are sure that our students too will overcome any obstacle that comes in their way.  

 

We also had musical performances from our seniors, one with the accordion by Jordan Mao and another with the piano by Karen Rehlis who did a cover of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” And here’s a fun fact: out of the 23 graduates, they had a total of 70 conditional and offers to various colleges and universities. We couldn’t be prouder.  

 

So, congratulations to our class of 2019: 

 

Arseniy Afanasyev, Kariem Baldes, Nina Bianchi, Linda Chen, Charly Ding, Marie Genar, Nikolai Jarsenshenko, Cedric Jansen, Armaan Kalra, Victoria Kotenko, Alin Li, Jordan Mao, Lea Meraku, Kento Nakazawa, Ivan Petrov, Niklas Picavet, Karen Rehlis, Robin Seyfarth, Manisha Stoehr, Susan Sun, Botond Szlabony, Vincent Volle and Iman Wissanji.  

 

We know you are off to do amazing things!