The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme Graduates of 2020, Angie Giraldo, Yuka Mizumoto, Jacob Wong, Ray Pan, David Kumar, Suchismita Chaudhuri, Ada Li, and Lisa Li, will forever be the class that courageously completed a seemingly insurmountable task and received their diplomas in the midst of a global pandemic. The border restrictions imposed on travel posed a unique challenge, but through the creative thinking of the DP students and caring staff, graduation took place with all students and parents attending. Jacob Wong and the QAIS Robotics Team were able to craft a robot that allowed Yuka, David, and Suchismita to participate in the graduation in real-time, even though they continue to be outside of the country. Through virtual broadcast, those graduates outside of China could deliver their speeches and participate in their graduation ceremony with their fellow classmates. 

In Dr. Chris Vicari’s speech to the graduates, he summarized the year, and also the challenges faced by the community in realizing the graduation ceremony. He quoted Viktor Frankl, who, in his seminal work ‘Man’s Search for Meaning’, understood that regardless of the situation, there was a ‘human capacity to creatively turn life’s negative aspects into something positive or constructive.’ QAIS has, in its own way, constructed positive change and hope in the face of adversity. Turning fear into love.  

This incredible class of 2020 will soon scatter across the globe and land on three different continents, in at least four different countries, and they will make the world a more peaceful one. Congratulations, Class of 2020!