Instead of abandoning a graduation ceremony, with only two sixth-grade students having completed their education this year, Shu Mei Elementary School in Kinmen County instead planned a unique event for the students.
The two elementary-school students graduating this year, Yang Hao-lung (楊昊龍) and Chang Wei-shih (張煒世), started out from the school at 8:30am yesterday and jogged to Jinsha Township (金沙) Office before riding a tandem bicycle to the entrance of the ancient trail into Taiwu Mountain (太武山), bordered by the Tsai (蔡) family’s ancestral house.
The two then climbed to the peak of Taiwu Mountain where they were presented with their graduation certificates by school principal Liu Chieh-hung (劉界宏).
Standing atop the mountain, overlooking the school and with China visible in the distance, Liu told the students that he hoped they would always hold Kinmen in high regard and asked them to give something back to the county in the future, if possible.
Liu said that no matter where the students end up in the world, he would always be thinking of them.
The entire journey was broadcast live for all teachers and parents attending the graduation ceremony at Taiwu Mountain’s Hai Yin Temple.
Both students said the process was enjoyable and sang traditional graduation songs. They also presented their homeroom teacher Yang Yu-lin (楊育霖) with flowers and confectionery to thank him for his hard work during the school year.
Yang said the students started training for the event when they were informed about the special ceremony six months ago, adding that they had walked the mountain trail twice.
Both students performed well at school and had a close bond with each other, Yang said, adding that she was sad to see them leave.
Eleven students from the elementary school’s affiliated kindergarten also climbed parts of the mountain to Hai Yin Temple to receive their certificates.
Kinmen County Bureau of Education Director Lee Wen-liang (李文良) said that it was the most innovative graduation ceremony he has seen and that the memories would stay with the students for a long time.
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