If there is something that even the coldest winter wind cannot cool down, that would be the burning passion in our hearts. Spring is approaching, and the smiles of joy are coming back to the campus with the lush of greenery. February 15th is a special day—it is the day when students finally return to their welcoming campus.

G9-10 Opening Ceremony

In the morning, the 9th- and 10th-grade students gathered in the auditorium, taking their seats with excitement. Vice Principal Ms. Liu Min delivered a speech first. Facing the age of uncertainties, Ms. Liu encouraged students to embrace the changes, dare to make mistakes, learn the approaches, and enjoy high school life together. Ms. Yu, the grade leader of the 9th grade, warmly welcomed the students back on campus. Grade 9 is where students mark the beginning of their high school life. Ms. Yu encouraged the students to find their own interests and enjoy their new school life. Grade-9 student representative, Ryan, shared his experience in forming a band and practicing basketball. By talking about his experience in the first half of 9th grade, Ryan advised his fellow students to be brave enough to challenge themselves and not be afraid of failure.

Then, in her speech, Ms. Zhang Yueyue, the grade leader of the Grade 10, introduced the three lectures for 10th-grade students, the general timeline and order of college application, and activity summaries and essays. She also gently encouraged the students not to focus too much on the ending or the result. The process is also a precious asset. Chiyori, the student representative of Grade 10, talked about her experience with ‘natural language processing’. She encountered this subject while volunteering in a hospital. She said she also once had a confused feeling about her passion for a long time, not knowing what she should focus on. However, she actively tried and challenged herself in various activities, looking for her real interests and talents to bloom.

Afterward, Ms. Chen Lin introduced the colorful activities of the TA and PA programs in the new semester---TA counseling, Career Day, PA tutorials, book-sharing sessions, and other activities. Finally, House teachers and student members took the stage one by one to share their gains in House activities and also brought encouragement and wish to their peers. If we keep up ‘til the end without giving up, the final destination of our journey will be full of flowers and sunshine.

G11-12 Opening Ceremony

In the afternoon, the Grade-11 and -12 students and teachers gathered in the auditorium to welcome the new semester with a great opening ceremony.

First, Dr. Wu Chen, the head teacher of Grade 12, gave a speech on the importance of participation. She hoped students would learn more about themselves by contributing to meaningful activities. By participating, students can learn about their strengths and further develop their skills.

Sophia from Grade 12 talked about her internship experience. She was grateful to have gained real-world experience and worked with skilled engineers. At first, she was uncertain how to interact in the new environment. But after building up courage, she started asking questions, helping herself gain valuable knowledge. She recommended that students keep an open mind and embrace the fresh start of the new semester.

Tiger from Grade 12 spoke about his insights on applying to college. He said students should have strong core abilities and an academic focus. Students can exemplify their skills by participating in research programs and other activities. Finally, he said it’s never too late to start planning and to not give up when facing rejection.

Mr. Hong Miao, the head teacher of Grade 11, welcomed students back to campus. He introduced the activities of the semester including Global Citizen Day and attending lectures of college professors’ which can now take place offline. He encouraged students to embrace these precious opportunities, learn to reflect, and prepare to strive for success.

Adam from Grade 11 shared his experiences regarding the challenges he faced. When he decided to become an IB student, some people discouraged him. But, by focusing on his goals and ignoring the doubtful voices, he motivated himself to overcome his difficulties. In the end, he reached his goals and realized the doubts only helped motivate him more.

Chloe Gu from Grade 11 tackled the subject of ChatGPT. ChatGPT has great potential and she wondered about the limits of AI. She believes the ability to observe and learn is an irreplaceable trait. By observing the people around her, she gained insightful perspectives. These perspectives helped her through hardships and also helped her discover new things about herself.

Mr. Liao Hui, SHSID STEM Advisor, gave a speech about the importance of innovations. AI trains on existing theories. So, innovators who create advancements cannot be replaced. He also gave instructions on finding competitions for self-improvement.

Finally, Ms. Liu Qin, the high school principal's assistant, gave a speech. She emphasized three words: gratitude, change, and chance. In the past school year, many events couldn’t happen because of the transition to online classes. Despite the difficulties, many students worked hard, and Ms. Liu appreciated their efforts. She encouraged students to thank the teachers who supported them through the whole process. Finally, she praised students who spent time in service work.

Let's all embrace the new opportunities and have a great semester together!

(Written by 10（4）Joy Yu, 10（11）Sabrina Lee，11（8）Jessica Tan Pictures by media group Supervised by Yue'er Gao, Meijun Shi Reviewed by Qian Zuo)