The Chinese School of San Diego held its annual graduation ceremony on May 18, marking the end of the academic year with over 180 attendees, including students, faculty, parents, as well as distinguished guests such as the Mayor of San Diego, city council members, and San Diego County supervisors.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria shared his inspirational story during his speech, encouraging students to work hard, persevere, and not give up easily in pursuit of their goals.
Councilman Kent Lee, of Chinese descent, expressed regret about not continuing his Chinese language studies when his parents enrolled him in classes. He congratulated the students for their dedication to learning Chinese at the school.
Principal Huang Jiaqian, who has served as the school’s principal for three years, expressed her joy in seeing students enjoy attending classes at the school. She mentioned the presence of grandparents who traveled from out of state to attend the ceremony, underscoring the significance of the event.
During the ceremony, students showcased their talents by performing lion dances and other cultural programs they had prepared.
Dollie Catlin, the Marketing Director of the Walter Munk Foundation for the Oceans, a La Jolla charity organization, also attended the ceremony. She presented small gifts to students who participated in a beach clean-up event organized by the foundation a month prior.
Principal Huang Jiaqian highlighted that the school not only teaches Chinese language but also engages students in community activities. Additionally, guest speakers are invited to morning meetings to introduce students to various topics, broadening their perspectives.
Looking ahead to the next school year, Huang Jiaqian expressed her hopes of increasing parental involvement and facilitating the sharing of life experiences and expertise between parents and students.
The Chinese School of San Diego traces its roots back as one of the oldest Chinese schools in San Diego with a century-long history. In 1993, it was taken over and renamed by community leader and philanthropist Sally Wong-Avery. Prior to that, Wong-Avery had served as the school’s principal for nine years. In 2008, the school established its own campus.
As the only school in the San Diego area offering Mandarin and Cantonese language instruction, the Chinese School of San Diego has seen a proactive commitment to promoting Cantonese language education under Principal Huang Jiaqian’s leadership.