“From the seats reserved for parents, tears began to fall—not from sadness, but from pride and deep understanding. In the determined eyes of the children on stage, each parent saw a part of their own life. That was the moment I realized: Dewey students aren’t just learning how to be good people—they are living as true sources of inspiration, stirring hearts and igniting belief in the next generation.” These heartfelt words from Mr. Nguyễn Việt Tùng, a parent from The Dewey Schools Dương Kinh – Hải Phòng, likely echoed the sentiments of many in the audience at the D-Show 25 Grand Finale.
An overwhelming 70% of parents and students expressed satisfaction with the finale of D-Show 25—not because of its scale or technical production, but because of the powerful narratives of courage, compassion, and youthful ambition. What they saw was a generation daring to dream and to act, ready to face failure head-on, and committed to growing into better versions of themselves. The performances reflected thoughtful perspectives on life and revealed the pure, passionate, and resilient hearts of these young individuals.
One such story was the performance “Pillars of the Future” by The Dewey Schools Cầu Giấy, portraying a boy anxious after making a mistake on stage. With encouragement from his mother, he regained his composure and completed his performance with confidence. Đông Thăng (Grade 3, Doha), one of the lead performers, confided that he saw himself in that story.
Homeroom teacher Ms. Vân Anh shared that Thăng had always been an emotional child, often afraid of making mistakes and quick to tears. But after D-Show 25, he began to shed his self-doubt. His mother, Ms. Phạm Thị Huyền, who accompanied him from the preliminary rounds, was overwhelmed with pride as she witnessed her son’s growth. From a boy easily discouraged and prone to complaints, Thăng became determined like never before.
“There were days he practiced until 7 or 8 p.m., singing with such joy and dedication that I found myself unconsciously memorizing the songs,” she recalled. After D-Show, he became more connected with his peers, more committed to keeping promises—like balancing schoolwork—and more responsible overall.
Another standout was Việt Bách (Grade 1, Manila – The Dewey Schools Ocean Park), one of the youngest contestants. Performing alongside his sisters Châu Giang (Grade 10, Havana) and Gia Linh (Grade 6, Paris), Việt Bách underwent a noticeable transformation. Normally full of energy and easily distracted, he began focusing for two to three hours of rehearsal without complaint—thanks to the encouragement of his sisters.
Châu Giang shared that D-Show 25 brought the three siblings closer together and taught them to support one another through challenges. For herself, Giang learned to trust in her own efforts: after giving her best in practice, stepping on stage and simply “feeling the music” was enough to silence any anxiety.
Though Gia Linh didn’t advance past the Final round, she gained something even more valuable: a deeper sense of family love. She recalled the touching moment her parents cheered for her from the audience and the comforting embrace of her sisters when she didn’t make it through. The trio has now set a common goal—to shine together in a family performance at D-Show 27.
D-Show 25 was more than just a performing arts competition—it was a nurturing ground for future global citizens, who are not only creative but also courageous and community-oriented. At the Creative Arts Exhibition, the piece “Drifting Identity” by Anh Thư (Grade 7, Verona—The Dewey Schools Tây Hồ Tây) impressed judges with its colorful jellyfish—a symbol of personal growth. To authentically portray the jellyfish’s fluid motion, Thư spent hours watching real footage and redrawing the piece nearly ten times. Her message was clear: “As long as you stay true to yourself and strive for growth, you can shine in your own way.”
Similarly dedicated to community impact, students Huyền Linh (Grade 11, Los Angeles) and Khánh An (Grade 11, Orlando) from The Dewey Schools Dương Kinh developed a solar-powered air purifier model as a practical solution to air pollution. Starting with designs in Inkscape, they carefully laser-cut the parts, assembled the filters, installed fans, and integrated a solar-powered system. More than a science project, it represented their aspiration for a greener future—a future where people live responsibly and harmoniously with the planet. The collaboration also helped them strengthen time management, teamwork, and scientific design thinking.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. At D-Show 25, thousands of small steps came together to create something truly extraordinary. Though each child started from a different point, what united them was their courage to begin, their resilience to rise after each stumble, and their determination to shape their own future. And through that journey, a generation of bold, compassionate, and trailblazing global citizens is being born.
