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“Today, standing here, I think the most beautiful thing is not who we will become, but that no matter where we are, we still keep a part of the child we once were: still daring to dream, daring to begin, and daring to believe in the future.”
The moment Bao Han, a student from 12 Washington DC, stood on stage to deliver her graduation speech and “converse” with her 10-year-old self through the LED screen left the entire auditorium in deep silence and emotion. Her words were not only a personal reflection, but also the voice of many Dewey Hai Phong students on that special day — a heartfelt realization of how far they had come on their journey of growing up.
🌊 This year’s Graduation Ceremony for Grades 9 and 12 at Dewey Hai Phong ended with countless emotions and lingering tears. 104 students closed one chapter of their Dewey journey to open new pages filled with adventures, challenges, and dreams waiting ahead.
📖 Behind every graduation certificate lies a long journey of learning to grow through real experiences. It was the first time stepping onto a stage despite fear and hesitation, the first time standing up for a personal opinion, or the first time staying late at school to work on a project together. Perhaps the most valuable thing Dewey has given these students is not the diploma they received today, but the values that have been nurtured along the way: kindness and empathy, the courage to step outside their comfort zones, the spirit of lifelong learning, and the inner strength to face challenges with confidence. These will become the essential foundation for them to bring their ideas, aspirations, and unique identities into the wider world ahead.
💙 Graduation is not only a milestone marking students’ growth, but also a moment to express gratitude to parents and family — the ones who have quietly supported them throughout the journey. From the first day in a brand-new school uniform to today, proudly wearing a graduation gown, every step of their growth has always been accompanied by unconditional love and unwavering support from their families. Mr. Nguyen Trung Kien, parent of a Grade 9 Lisbon student, shared emotionally: “I feel deeply moved attending my daughter’s graduation ceremony today. The school has provided the students with such a holistic educational environment. It is this environment that has helped them grow remarkably, become happier, more confident, and achieve things beyond our expectations as parents.”
On the stage that day, there were silent tears, unfinished goodbyes, and tight embraces that spoke louder than words of gratitude ever could. Amid the mixed feelings of pride, nostalgia, and uncertainty, the “journal page” called Graduation Day gently came to a close — making way for brand-new journeys ahead.
And one day in the future, no matter who they become, where they go, or which path they choose, the School believes they will always keep a part of the child they once were — still daring to dream, daring to begin, and daring to believe in the future. Because growing up does not mean giving up on dreams; it means having the courage to carry those dreams into a much bigger world. May our “Dewey dolphins” continue to move forward with bravery, kindness, and an unstoppable spirit to write their own extraordinary journeys ahead.
📷 Parents, teachers, and students are warmly invited to look back on the proud moments of these 104 “pieces of youth” at Dewey Hai Phong. And don’t forget to share your memories, feelings, and heartfelt messages in the comments below!
