Head of School, Mr. Smith, described the cohort as remarkable during his speech, "As we look at this year, it is very clear that this is a remarkable year. The impact of the pandemic and the reverberations that have echoed through the world will long remain in memory. You will forever be remarkable people. Partly because you graduated in a remarkable year, but mainly because you are who you are well before the pandemic hit us."
The graduation ceremony, attended by parents of seniors as well as some faculty, followed Covid-19 protocols. Seniors only removed their masks briefly to collect their diplomas and to pause for a photograph.
SIS strings students - Hedy, Tia, Seyun, and Jessie - performed 『Edward Elgar/arr. John Kinyon』 beautifully during the graduates' Procession as they entered the theater.
Speeches were heartfully delivered from High School Assistant Principal, Mr. Ortner; Head of School, Mr. Smith; faculty representatives Ms. Dowty, Mr. Bywater (remotely), Ms. Krouse (remotely); and graduating class representative, Leo.
Two of the graduates, Xinel and Jimmy, were also able to provide a musical presentation with their duet of 『Seven Years』 by Lukas Graham.
A combined HS Band and Choir music video was compiled remotely by faculty, Ms. Coetzee, and Mr. Krebs. 『Home』 was played before the presentation of diplomas, read by High School Counselor, Ms. Brunning, and presented by Mr. Smith and Mr. Ortner.
The ceremony was live-streamed to Mr. Rogers, Secondary Principal, to many other past and present SIS teachers, and to over 300 friends and family worldwide, supported by a host of SIS technical staff both in Shenzhen and abroad.
The graduates chose the song, "Don't You Forget About Me" by Simple Minds for their Recessional.
Congratulations to Andy, Barbara, Benjamin, Carolyn, Catherine, Emma, Hannah, Jennifer, Jimmy, Kelly, Kevin, Kyle, Leo, Lotta, Martin, Meghan, Paul, Steve, Sumin, and Xinel - Class of 2020, you did it!
Celebrating the Class of 2020!
(video created earlier this school year)