Graduation Day On Saturday, June 4, 2022

Sekolah Harapan Bangsa held a grand graduation ceremony for the graduating students of high school seniors and junior high school students in the auditorium on the third floor of the school building.

The pandemic, which has lasted for about two years, has made countless changes in people's lives, and this is a big challenge for all of us. In the past two years, Sekolah Harapan Bangsa has held online graduation ceremonies, which is always a pity. Therefore, this graduation ceremony cound be said to bear the expectations of all the guests and event leaders.

The teachers and students who were in charge of welcoming the guests stood in front of the teaching building and the auditorium early to greet the guests. Parents who entered the auditorium were greeted by the students in charge, asked about their child's class, and directed to their corresponding seats.

The graduation ceremony was hosted by three non-graduate high school students who read the program in Indonesian, English and Chinese respectively. At the beginning of the ceremony, the hosts asked the guests to abide by the rules of the ceremony, such as not bringing food and beverages into the venue and keeping quiet. Then, the three extended their greetings to the school leaders, teachers, parents and graduates, and thanked God for the blessing of allowing us to gather together that day to hold a grand graduation ceremony for this year's graduates.

After the opening prayer, the host asked everyone present to stand up. The four flag bearers wore plain and solemn white uniforms, and one of them was responsible for shouting slogans. With the resounding slogans, the flag-bearers took strong and firm steps on the stage. The host invited all the guests to solemnly sing our national anthem , “Indonesia Raya”, and asked the students to sing the Sekolah Harapan Bangsa anthem and then read the Sekolah Harapan Bangsa oath.

Next, the hosts invited Mrs Indra T Honoris, the deputy chairman, Mr. Damien, the English teacher, and Mr. Bernad Rasli of the executive board to come to the stage. They delivered speeches in Chinese, English, and Indonesian respectively. The themes included remaining healthy, to keep in mind our gratitude to the teachers, classmates and parents who have helped us, and attain new achievements in our new journey. Afterwards, the principals of the junior and senior high schools announced the graduation decrees respectively, congratulated all of the students of the junior and senior high schools on their successful graduation, and received warm applause from the audience.

Next, was the graduation ceremony. Graduating students, each wearing black academic uniform with the fringe at the top of their academic hats skewed to the left arranged themselves in an orderly line below the stage. The hosts called out their names and their parents. The students whose names were called walked onto the stage, went to the principal first, and bowed their heads. The principal moved the tassel from the left to the middle, implying that the student had graduated. Then the graduating student walked sideways to the head teacher, who handed the scroll-shaped diploma to the student. The graduating student solemnly took the diploma, put it under his or her arm, and bowed deeply to the head teacher.

At the end of the ceremony, the graduates sang “Hymn Guru” expressing their sincere gratitude to all of the teachers who educated and accompanied them throughout the journey. Afterwards, there was the awards ceremony for outstanding students, speeches by student representatives, and speeches by representatives of parents. Everyone in the audience listened quietly and gave warm applause at the end of each session.

Finally came the closing prayer which meant that the graduation ceremony had come to an end. Everyone stood up again and prayed sincerely. I hope this graduation ceremony will leave wonderful memories for the graduates, and I wish them all the best in the future. After the graduation ceremony, the graduating students and their parents went to the audio-visual room and gymnasium to take graduation photos, receive souvenirs and gift baskets. While taking pictures, graduating students either pulled their friends in to pose together, or invited teachers to take pictures with them. All the students had undisguised, youthful smiles on their faces. Taking a photo for three seconds freezes the rush of youth.

May all graduating students be successful in their studies and have a bright future. May all teachers who have worked hard for the students be healthy and full of peach and plum. Finally, may our alma mater, Sekolah Harapan Bangsa, be fruitful and successful. Happy graduation.

 Bulan Bazla 10 Social