As the school year comes to a close, it’s time to bid the seniors farewell. They are about to embark a journey, commencing a whole new chapter of their lives. We all reminisce on this academic year thinking of the good and bad memories, the challenges we’ve overcome and our accomplishments as a result of hard work.
WAB is such a vibrant community, it’s hard for me to select which of last year’s events and milestones I should write about. But I feel that the times when the whole community came together are the ones worth noting, as that is what embodies WAB the best.
Thinking back to the onsets of this year, WAB’s Middle and High School students travelled all across China to different provinces, immersing themselves in foreign cultures. Not only is it an unique opportunity, it is also the time of year where new friendships are formed, old friendships are renewed and it is truly a great bonding time. I know for me personally, it was great being with my friends for a week in a whole new place. There was always something different; always something fun to do and the students were able to connect with teachers, which I think is important. This year the juniors went to Qu Fu, Mao’s hometown, and one of the hardest part of the trip was climbing 7,000 steps to the top of a mountain. It was extremely challenging but seeing the view from the top was mesmerizing.
One of the most memorable events was the WAB senior graduation held at the Confucius Temple. This year’s valedictorian, or as WAB calls it their “Confucius Scholar” was Zoe Zheng who will be attending Waseda University in the fall.
It was an emotional and bittersweet day. Teachers recognized their students as young adults, parents saw their children as independent, and students are leaving what is essentially their second home. WAB is a place that touches your heart and is more than just a place where you learn.
As the seniors leave, WAB’s varsity sports teams are seeking new members. These teams have always been so close and so strong — many are questioning whether or not WAB’s up-and-coming athletes will be to fill the exiting team members’ very large shoes. Will the volleyball varsity teams for both girls and boys defend their title as back-to-back APAC champions? How will the varsity basketball team do with new members and a new coach?
Just recently, WAB held an internal volleyball tournament between the current varsity team and the alumni team — it was an intense game to watch. However, despite who won and who lost, the important thing was that old graduates and the current WAB community had a chance to reconnect.
There have been many student-led projects, charity events, challenges, and joyful memories, but there is always something going on but at the end of the day, summing up this academic year has got me excited for next year. I’m sure that goes for most, if not all for the students here at WAB. Seniors, we wish you good luck!
Jodie is beijingkids’ student correspondent and is our eyes and ears on the ground. A junior student at Western Academy of Beijing, Jodie is also a contributor to the student-run magazine Unit-E. Check back for more of her blogs about student life.
