ISNS Class of 2026 sets sail for global success

The International School of Nanshan Shenzhen (ISNS) celebrated the graduation of its Class of 2026 Wednesday afternoon, marking a momentous milestone for its 32 graduates as they prepare to step onto the global stage.

Donning traditional black caps and gowns, the young scholars made their first collective appearance as graduates at yesterday's graduation ceremony. Courtesy of ISNS

Joined by family, faculty, and distinguished international guests, the close-knit cohort commemorated the end of its rigorous high school journey and the beginning of its members' higher education careers across the globe.

The Class of 2026 has established a distinguished legacy, securing more than 350 university offers from over 160 institutions worldwide. Graduates are set to scatter across Canada, the U.S., the U.K., Australia, China's Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, New Zealand and beyond.

Reflecting the school's strong Canadian ties, a significant number of students gained admission to top Canadian universities including the University of Toronto, McGill University, and the University of British Columbia.

Jon Barrett, vice consul at the Consulate General of Canada in Guangzhou, delivers the keynote address during the ISNS graduation ceremony.

A succession of diplomatic and academic leaders took the stage to offer counsel on the transition awaiting the graduates. Jon Barrett, vice consul of the Consulate General of Canada in Guangzhou, delivered a keynote address challenging students to shape their own futures. Drawing on the philosophies of Friedrich Nietzsche and Confucius, Barrett emphasized that an international education transcends mere test scores.

"An international education is not only about studying in English, preparing for university, or earning strong academic results. It is also about learning from the people around you," Barrett said, praising the graduates' ability to move seamlessly between cultures and languages.

He also offered a reality check using a modern cultural icon: "In the words of the pre-eminent wordsmith of our times, Taylor Swift, 'The scary news is: you're on your own now. The cool news is: you're on your own now.'"

Head of School Dr. Addie Loy gives a speech.

Drawing on the 1990s classic film "The Breakfast Club," Dr. Addie Loy, ISNS' head of school and superintendent, delivered a nostalgic address that centered on the indispensable value of human connection.

"I am not going to talk about the age of AI or whether humans will be needed, as I think that the notion that anything artificial can replace the warmth and love that you are capable of is laughable," Loy said, urging the graduates to let empathy and compassion guide their paths.

ISNS Executive Director Joyce Pang delivers a message of congratulations and encouragement to the Class of 2026.

High School Principal Chelsea Donaldson and ISNS Executive Director Joyce Pang both lauded the unique personality of the cohort. Donaldson encouraged the students to boldly advocate for themselves and turn obstacles into opportunities. Pang shared observations from the faculty, painting a portrait of an unapologetically individualistic, fun-loving class known just as much for its intense, daily ping-pong matches as for its academic focus.

Representing Atlantic Education International (AEI), President and CEO Stephanie Underhill Tomilson highlighted in her speech how international curricula build essential cross-cultural skills.

"International education is about much more than studying another curriculum or learning another language. It is about learning to see the world from different perspectives," she said.

Salutatorian June Chung addresses fellow graduates and guests.

The student body spoke directly to their shared experiences through two emotional student addresses. Salutatorian June Chung humorously compared their 13-year academic sprint to a chaotic but unforgettable road trip. She recalled the late-night internal assessment grinds and the bonds built through unpredictable roadblocks like COVID-19.

Valedictorian Holly Li delivers her graduation speech.

Valedictorian Holly Li closed out the student perspectives by treating her graduation address like an English essay — cleverly promising a thesis statement that paid homage to her teachers, coaches, and peers. Li drew roars of laughter by playfully calling out her classmates' quirks and future aspirations, from future engineers and marine biologists to a classmate destined for filming squishy toy reviews online.

Li thanked the administration, faculty, and families for their unseen sacrifices before offering a poetic farewell to her peers: "Today we scatter like a phoenix's ashes, so tomorrow we can rise in a thousand different cities."

Graduates from the ISNS Class of 2026 toss their caps in celebration at the school’s commencement ceremony.

The ceremony also featured standout musical performances, including a piano solo by ninth-grader Juliette Li and a vocal performance by tenth-grader Miu Miu Li. Prestigious accolades, including the Spirit of the Phoenix Award, the Head of School Award, the Birks Medal, and the Governor General's Award, were presented to top students before the formal distribution of diplomas.

As the newly minted alumni exited the auditorium, a tribute video featuring the school's faculty and Early Years students brought the celebration to an emotional close.

Founded in 2002, ISNS is recognized as the first IB Continuum World School and the only Canadian school in Shenzhen.