“Today, we celebrate our 132 senior students who have reached this momentous milestone in their lives and will soon become High School graduates, the Class of 2024. We have had the great privilege and honor of watching you learn and grow during your time with us. Today, we celebrate your achievements and aspirations, and most importantly, we celebrate you. We celebrate every unique aspect of each of you and the richness this brings to our community. You must be filled with mixed emotions as you are about to start a new phase of your life’s journey. It’s like standing at a launching pad and about to fly into the beautiful, rewarding path into the skies. You want the right wind to carry you on your way, and you want to rely on your skills and determination to navigate that journey. You are not the first nor the last to navigate such a journey. However, your journey is unique to you, to you alone.”
In his powerful address at the 2024 Graduation Ceremony at The Jungle on June 1, 2024, Rami Madani, the Head of School at The International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL), captivated the audience with his inspirational words, which were live-streamed worldwide at 2:00 pm Malaysian time.
As part of the ISKL tradition, the Class of 2024 wore a blue and white batik graduation sash around their shoulders, which they were allowed to keep after the ceremony. ISKL students created the sash design to honor Malaysia, showcase the school’s diversity and history, and symbolize what makes ISKL unique and special.
Jeff Farrington, High School Principal and emcee for the ceremony reflected on the significant milestones of the past four years experienced by the seniors, such as the Global Action Program, navigating the global pandemic, and more. He recalled how he had invited the seniors to find meaning in their final year at ISKL, and he thought about this from the perspective of an HS principal who was reflecting on the purpose of school.
Farrington shared, “Some view this (school) as a period of time as something one has to get through or even endure. As my reflections came into greater focus, I came to see school as a center for development. A learning community you are privileged to be a part of in your journey toward betterment. A school is a place specifically and purposefully designed to help you become a better person–to help you present your best self when you step outside into the real world. A betterment of oneself inherently includes struggle.”
After Farrington concluded his opening remarks, he invited senior Rika Singh to the floor as the elected speaker for the Class of 2024. Rika has been part of the Student Leadership Team (SLT) for all four years of High School and was chosen by her graduating class to speak on behalf of her class.
In her speech, Rika remarked how ISKL would always be home to her, “The countless memories, laughs, tears, and growth that this place has fostered will always insulate the walls of the home in our hearts. It will always be the source of familiarity and comfort when almost everything seems so new and daunting. And when we do get to come back for those brief moments, this home will always greet us with love, with sunshine, and with life. So much life. It will always say, welcome home.”
After reminiscing about her eight years at ISKL, Rika’s speech ended with how they would all go on their separate journeys, meet new friends, and discover more facets of their identities. “I implore you to hold onto as many of the memories you made in your time here. To cherish the relationships you so tenderly nourished, ones that you relied on and gained so much strength from. And I hope, when you think back to your life at ISKL, it is protected and surrounded by an aura of love and warmth, just as it is for me. To the Class of 2024. Congratulations. To the Class of 2024. We did it. To the Class of 2024. Thank you for being home.”
In the next part of the ceremony, a speech was delivered by Richard Martin, a Social Studies teacher at HS who was chosen by the Class of 2024. Introduced to the audience by Jeff Farrington, he mentioned that Martin is highly respected and beloved for his ability to teach students how to analyze perspectives, critically examine positions, develop debate skills, and support their arguments with detailed evidence. Farrington also highlighted how Mr. Martin has been a caring and guiding advisor, providing empathetic guidance and positive encouragement to help hundreds of students rise to meet high expectations.
Martin shares, “As you enter your early adult life, graduates, you’ll continue the journey of developing just who you are, then making decisions about what you want to do. Much of your life lies ahead. Then, without question, you will have dreams of an idealized future that will unfold if things go as they should. However, there will be doubts, uncertainties and fears. The future always holds a plethora of opportunities, and it can be daunting to discern which is the best path to follow. It’s always prudent to listen to the advice of those trusted people around you, whose perspectives can provide illumination on possible choices.”
Martin also described how the seniors have strived to “ascend the mountain, seek harmony between the past and the future. Revel in the now. No, it’s the small moments that are beyond price.” He advised the students to “Take action where you can to bring more light to the world. Most importantly, good graduates; be happy. Life is far too brief to squander your days and worry and regret. Celebrate the positive and challenge and diminish the negative. The eclipses will pass, heralding a new dawn. Rejoice in the miraculous gift of life and make the most of the time you are given. Class of 2024. May the gods smile upon and applaud your odyssey, and may all your journeys become everything you wish them to be. Thank you so very much, graduates, for all your efforts in High School.”
With the ceremony drawing to a close, Farrington reminded the seniors that they share an achievement that not everyone can access. “You have earned your High School diploma. AND, an ISKL diploma no less. The similarity, however, ends there, as you are a diverse group of individuals. Each of you has taken a distinct journey to get here today. We are humbled by what you have accomplished and admire how you have supported each other through this journey. We have reached THE moment, and we are proud to celebrate you now,” said Farrington.
The ceremony ended with the exciting moment the seniors had eagerly anticipated all day. After moving their graduation cap tassels from the right side to the left, the Class of 2024 heard the announcement, “Ladies and Gentlemen, I now present to you the ISKL graduating class of 2024!” They joyfully tossed their caps in celebration!
ISKL is proud of our newest alumni and wishes them success as they embark on their journey to universities worldwide or take gap years. By navigating unprecedented challenges and demonstrating resilience and adaptability in every stride, our graduates are symbols of hope, courage, and the promise of a brighter future. Congratulations, Class of 2024. We celebrate your graduation and the commencement of a new chapter full of limitless possibilities. May your paths be filled with curiosity, learning, and continued growth.
