Seniors leaving school after years of reminiscence
The SMIC-I students of 2019 had the final event of their senior year, graduation, on June 1st, 2019. The graduation started with a processional where the Senior Vice Presidents expressed their opinions about the graduation. Following this, the SMIC Private School Orchestra performed “Pomp and Circumstance,” and then there were a few other speeches from the directors and the presidents. After some ceremonies, the seniors sang the “Senior Song” and reflections were given by Michael Lee and Jane Gao as they presented the story of their school years and also gave some advice to underclassmen. Afterwards, the most important award was given to the Star Student and diplomas to the graduating class.
A graduated senior, Karin Tan, expressed that she felt the graduation was “really blessed and overwhelmed by the amount of love poured onto us graduates from families and friends.” She was satisfied that she had gotten to know so many amazing teachers and friends. Without them, her high school years would not have been complete. Jisoo Park had “a lot of mixed feelings.” She was happy to be free from all the high school stress, but on the other hand, she felt sad to part from her teachers, friends, and all the other happy memories. Graduation was not realistic to Jisoo until the graduation ceremony ended. Before the graduation ceremony, her mind was fully charged with graduation trip and Korean college applications, however, after leaving the auditorium and talking with her friends, she started to feel that she was really graduating. In order for her to improve her situation, Jisoo would have used her holidays and vacations more efficiently and would have been more diligent in achieving her goal. She would have definitely procrastinated less and did what needed to be done first. One suggestion she gave the underclassmen was to do their best so that there are no regrets later, but also at the same time, not to get stressed over on one thing and manage time well. Candy Park thought that her graduation was unbelievable, and she felt compelled to wake up early at 6:00 in the morning and prepare to go to school since she is used to this routine. One thing that she would have changed would be to study harder and not procrastinate and one suggestion that she gave was to not procrastinate and believe to believe in yourself.
Mr. Will Zimmerer was really excited for the seniors’ opportunities and of what they accomplished in our school and he has confidence of them moving forward. He commented that they were always very thoughtful and did really think through problems and communicated their reasoning. Mr. Zimmerer suggested to them to keep doing what made them successful and do not try and change things now that they are in a new environment. They got to where they are by doing things the way they have.
Featured Image-Seniors Photo Courtesy of Administration Office
by: Justina Kim