The Batch of 2016’s intense two year journey through the International Baccalaureate Diploma program finally came to an end on 21st May 2016.
The graduation ceremony began with the welcome of the Chief Guest, Mr. Yutaka Kikuta, Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Japan in India and Bhutan, who was escorted to his place by our Executive Director, Mr. Derek Mountford and greeted with a floral bouquet by the school prefect, Raaghav Goel.
It was an emotional moment, when the music started and the Graduating Class of 2016 marched into the Auditorium wearing the classic black robes and caps and wound their way to their allotted seats. After everyone was comfortably settled in, the show began with an enchanting performance by the choir which then followed by a graceful, classical Indian dance which enchanted the multicultural audience. They glimpsed a piece of India’s rich culture and with this, the cultural portion of the event came to its conclusion.
Soon thereafter, there were a multitude of addresses, which started with the Executive Director, Mr. Derek Mountford. His eloquent speech had both wisdom, humour and a message to all members of the audience to take home. The school’s Valedictorian for the Class of 2016 was declared as Devvrat Raghav and his speech was warm and struck a chord in the hearts of the graduating class in particular. He thanked the teachers, his friends and his stressful experiences as an IB student that forged him to be the person he was today. The final address was by Mr. Yutaka Kikuta’s which was an inspirational advise to the pre-college students to their idealistic views of the world.
The most awaited part of the program finally arrived and that was the Awards and Souvenirs ceremony presided over by Ms. Nivedita Dhawan. She called each student on to the stage and the Chief Guest , Mr. Yutaka Kikuta presented them with their Diploma and memento. This was followed by the announcement of the Best IB Pupil Award —Girl to Yukti Bhardwaj and the Best IB Pupil Award—Boy to Hamza Mubarak to whom the awards were conferred.
The ceremony came to a close with a vote of thanks from G.D. Goenka’s first School Captain, Meher Luthra, notes of appreciation and thanks from the Head Boy, Hamza Mubarak and the Head Girl, Divya Saxena and finally a farewell musical performance by the school’s Music Captain, Ananya Panwar concluded the ceremony which brought tears to many but was cherished by all.
