Graduation

6/2 with the DARE officer and police officers

After a week of testing March 14^th-17^th, the second year of Kindergarten and the 6^th grade had their graduation on March 18^th.

The day before teachers and students worked late into the night to decorate the meeting hall and create places for students to take pictures.

The morning of was a flurry of students and families taking pictures, and buying flowers to give the graduates. The Kindergarteners were busy putting on their caps and gowns that were rented from another school for the day.

pinning flowers on the students

The first thing on the agenda was DARE graduation. The last 5 or 6 years a police officer has been coming to the school and teaching DARE. It is pretty much the same as I learned DARE when I was in fifth grade. However, it has been adapted for students in Thailand. They had several officers come for the ceremony. They talked about the DARE project and why it’s important, then called ten people up to hand out the certificates. Each of the last three years I’ve been asked to help with this. I like to think it’s because I’m the only DARE graduate available, but really the officer is showing me respect and giving me honor by asking me. They also handed out prizes to students who had done a good job writing their final analysis of what they learned from the DARE teacher. Two students had perfect scores, and were given a special present, and they were asked to read what they had written to everyone. The school had a present to give the DARE officer, and they took group photos with each of the sixth grade classes.

the Kindergarteners in their gowns

After a ten minute break in which the teachers had to put on their graduation gowns and pin flowers on the sixth grade students, there was a procession to enter the meeting hall. The ceremony started with a prayer and message given by a local pastor. They then handed out the certificates for the Kindergarten. Thais are very serious in how you receive the certificate. There are marks on the floor to walk on, a place you need to bow, how you hold out your hand, where you step back, and another bow. They were cute as they tried to hard to remember each step. However, many were glad to have gotten through it, and after having received their certificate took too big of a bow and their cap fell to the floor, they grabbed it up and ran away embarrassed. After the Kindergarten was finished, they sang a song that they had prepared. Then it was the sixth graders turn to receive their certificates. After they received their certificates, three students gave speeches. One in Thai, one in English, and one in Karen. The sixth graders then all sang a song they had been practicing together. Certificates and prizes were given to 4 students for the best student, best grades, most improved, and best school helper. After a few other little things, a final prayer was given and the procession headed back out. Teachers and students were then busy taking pictures, and eating lunch together.

6th graders receiving their certificates

In past years I’ve always felt sad on graduation day. For many it would be the last day that I saw them before they went to another school. This year, that sadness wasn’t as prevalent as the school will be opening up 7^th grade next year, and most of the students will be returning. What a blessing it will be to have them study in a Christian atmosphere for another 3 years. Praise God that we will have the opportunity to continue to teach many of them.

giving her speech in English

some of the teachers in their gowns after the graduation ceremony