21 December 2009

The 19th Graduation Ceremony: More Than Just A Celebration

By Shirley Ghozalli. Edited by Neil Hawes.

IPC 19th Graduation Ceremony at the Regent Theatre, Broadway

All five graduate representatives embracing one another after sharing their memories at IPC (from left: Fumie Kawata, Kyohei Fujita, Gregory Ng, Satya 'Ayu' Duhita, and Thi Hong Hanh 'Lizzie' Nguyen)

The procession of the graduates from the Regent theatre to the Square

Photo session at the Square

On 16th December, International Pacific College (IPC) celebrated its 19th Graduation Ceremony at the Regent Theatre Broadway. This year, IPC saw 132 graduates complete their studies and celebrated those achievements with families and friends who had come from inside and outside of New Zealand.

Along with the guest speakers, Palmerston North Mayor Mr Jono Naylor and Secretary of Education & Chief Executive for the Ministry of Education Ms Karen Sewell, a row of dignitaries and representatives from various embassies and governments attended the graduation ceremony. From the Embassy of the Russian Federation was the Ambassador HE Andrey Tatarinov, and representing the High Commission for Malaysia were Dr Rosli Mohammed, Counsellor, and Ms Nor Ruzaini Binti Jailani, Attache.

After all graduates were announced, five representatives from the graduates came up on to the dais and spoke about their memories at IPC and showed their memorable photo clips on the screen. However, this year, a speech by one of the representatives added more meaning to the ceremony. It was an impromptu speech by Satya (Ayu) Duhita, a graduate from Indonesia, in which she dedicated her graduation to her mother, who was sitting among the guests. Without being able to hold back her tears, Ayu told the audience about how her mother has always been there for her, supported, and helped her to get through the obstacles in life and to achieve her goals. Closing the speech in Bahasa Indonesia, she spoke directly to her mother, "Mother, I hope with my graduation, you can be proud of me." A massive round applause filled the auditorium as soon as she finished.

Outside, the day was blessed with a clear summer sky. This made it possible to have an outdoor photo session after the ceremony concluded. The Town Crier, the Official party, and the Pipes & Drums of Palmerston North & Districts led the procession of the graduates from the Regent Theatre to the Square for the photo session.

Afterwards, a formal dinner was held at IPC Campus. A wonderful performance from the Kodama Taiko Drum Team welcomed the graduates and guests, followed by a string of jazz music from Kane Parsons' Smokey Feels band. Farewell words were spoken, most in tears, especially among the drum team members. This is because for some of them it was their final performance together as a team.

In every phase of life, there is time to meet and there is time to say goodbye. For the graduates, they have achieved their goals of their current phase of life and it is time to move on to the next. With hope, there is always a possibility to meet each other again somewhere in the future. Quoting the words of the representatives of the graduates, it is time to say, "Congratulation class 2009, we made it!"

For video and more photos, please visit:
IPC 2009 Graduation Ceremony video on YouTube and IPC 2009 Graduation Ceremony Photo Album.

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