“If someone asked me what Dewey means to me, I would answer without hesitation: Dewey is a living book. Each day is a new page, every teacher a quiet line of poetry sowing the seeds of knowledge in my heart, every friend a paragraph filled with laughter… Wherever I go, I will always remember that I was once a Dewey student: a young person who dares to dream, to act, to love, and to hope without end.” These heartfelt words from Nguyễn Mai Phương (Class 9Eger), spoken on behalf of the 5th and 9th-grade students during the graduation ceremony, captured the essence of a pivotal milestone — the moment of transition and growth. The chapter titled “Dewey” is closing, but in its place, new pages await to be filled — with adventures, challenges, and dreams for these young warriors who are always ready to “break the mold and create their own path.”
The journey with Dewey has never been just about attending classes. It has been a transformative experience — years of living fully with passion, of being true to oneself, of trying, failing, and learning. Valuable lessons were not confined to textbooks but found in every project, event, and field trip. Dewey has ignited in our students a lifelong flame of passion, integrity, generosity, and the pursuit of learning. They now understand that “growth does not come from awards, but from the moment we stand up after a fall, bravely own our mistakes, and keep walking forward with hearts full of love and gratitude.”
Graduation is also a time for sincere appreciation — a chance for TDSers to express their gratitude to the teachers and parents who have quietly walked beside them from the very beginning: from those first nervous days in a new uniform to now, standing tall and confident in their graduation gowns. “As we look at our children, we don’t just see pride — we see a bright future waiting for them,” shared Ms. Đặng Thu Quyên, parent of a student from Class 5Karan. The joyful tears of parents witnessing their children receive their diplomas, the gentle hands of teachers adjusting each graduation cap, and the respectful bows from students to their teachers and parents — all were deeply moving moments of the ceremony.
Standing at the threshold of the future, Mr. David Drouin — Director of the English Program — addressed the students with a message of encouragement: “The world you are about to enter will be very different from that of your parents and grandparents. To succeed, you will need the skills and mindset of global citizens. I truly believe that with the education you’ve received at Dewey, you already hold the most powerful tools to change the world and help build a better one.”
A new chapter begins, and the “Dewey birds” are ready to spread their wings and soar into a broader sky. Wherever you go, remember — it is your dreams and resilience that have brought you here, and they will take you even further. Always keep the flame Dewey has lit within you. Carry with you the valuable lessons, the friendships, and the love of your teachers and families. Stay curious, be courageous, and live kindly — for these are the keys to overcoming every challenge ahead.
