A decade ago, when Daystar Academy was founded, there were only three students enrolled in the school’s ambitious bilingual and bicultural classroom. Through organic growth and lots of hard work, the school has grown to its present size of 210 students with Pre-K to 6th grade classes. On Saturday, June 15, those first students – along with other alumni, parents, current students, teachers, staff, and distinguished guests (over 450 in total) – filled the ballroom at the Marriott Hotel Northeast for the Daystar Academy 10-Year Anniversary Celebration.
The circus-themed festivities began with arts and crafts projects for the children, along with carnival games, clown costumes, cotton candy, and face painting by Nina Griffee. There was also a silent auction, with proceeds from the latter and banquet ticket sales being earmarked for a new sound system in the school auditorium.
The formal part of the event, which began after lunch, lasted over an hour and included speeches, awards presented to teachers and staff who have worked at Daystar for over five years, a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday sung in multiple languages by kindergarten students, and several musical performances by all grades.
The highlight of the event was the closing musical number, Greater Than Gold, which the students performed with Cheng Lin, a legendary vocalist, master erhu player, and one of China’s bestselling musical artists.
During her performance, Cheng Lin told the audience about her special connection with Daystar and volunteer work with children since the school’s inception. She went on to dedicate Greater Than Gold, her latest single, as Daystar Academy’s theme song.
Photo by Christopher Lay
