Choking speech of gratitude from students of Phan Boi Chau High School

Original text of emotional speech by Tran Thi Thanh Tu.

Tran Thi Thanh Tu - a 12C1 student at Phan Boi Chau High School for the Gifted, spoke at the final year graduation ceremony. Photo: Chu Thanh

Dear delegates, teachers and parents!

Dear students!

Today, I am honored to represent the students of class 44 - Phan Boi Chau High School for the Gifted to express my feelings at the closing ceremony of the 2017 - 2018 school year and this special sacred moment of gratitude.

“The old royal poinciana tree hangs summer high above

At the podium the teacher's voice suddenly became low.

Kids, try… this is your last summer of high school.

A little choked up, the chalk dust broke and rustled…”

Our beloved teachers! It was only yesterday that we were bursting with happiness when we passed through the gate of Phan school with the pride of our parents. That day the sun was shining brightly but my heart was cooled by the green of the rows of trees in the school of my dreams. And then the surprised steps, the strange eyes, and the initial worries and concerns gradually disappeared thanks to the sharing and love of our teachers.

Three years passed by like the wind. Absorbed in the words, we were suddenly startled by the purple color of the Lagerstroemia flowers faintly appearing in the corner of the window. Another summer has come… NWhy does this summer make me so nostalgic, nostalgic, and wistful?

Not far away but already missing, feet not yet gone but already heart filled with tears... There are so many things we want to say but don't know where to start, teachers!

Phan School in our hearts are meaningful days when we were taught and loved by our teachers. The lessons are no longer dry on paper but are imbued with life stories, becoming valuable luggage for us to confidently step into life.

Every achievement we have achieved bears the imprint of our teachers’ hard work and silent sacrifices. And when we stand on the podium to receive our glorious awards, our teachers smile with satisfaction, step back and, like many other times, continue to diligently nurture a new journey…

Not only that, when we are happy or sad, successful or failed, teachers are always a peaceful and trustworthy support. Teachers help us realize and appreciate the simple but lasting spiritual values ​​around us. We know how to live more deeply, with culture and imbued with the identity of Phan School!

But teachers! There are so many thank yous we have not had the chance to say, as well as apologies that have not been called by name. We, the children who are growing up, struggling to find and assert ourselves, have inevitably had moments of impulsiveness, childish statements, rash actions… that have made our teachers worry and think.

In this moment of parting, we once again apologize. We want to thank our teachers for always being tolerant and loving us through our first stumbles in life and for always being happy and proud to be students of Phan School teachers.

Phan, please wrap up for us the unforgettable memories of the 3 years together. Those were the days when teachers and students were on the same boat conquering the stressful and passionate excellent student exams. There were the breathless moments of joy when we succeeded, and the tears of regret when our dreams were left unfulfilled.

Phan, please keep for us these extremely sacred images. They are the principal's solemn and affectionate reminders and encouragements before exams; the deep, thoughtful lectures of our teacher during literature classes; the heart-stopping times when the teacher called us to the board with formulas and theorems; the fleeting smiles of the security guard, the janitor or the administrative staff that made us love this school even more.

And tomorrow, when we return, the schoolyard will be without the retired teachers: Mr. Phuc, Mr. Hung... A deep, precarious void in our beloved Phan school.

But teachers, no matter how time passes and life changes, we will always remember your love and dedication to generations of Phan School students, so that our steps can be as steady as today.

Dear students of class K45 and 46!

You have witnessed three seasons of Lagerstroemia changing leaves, and are about to end the most beautiful student life. At this moment, you long to turn back time to your current student days.

Dear students, the express train of time does not stop for anyone, and will forget passengers who do not try hard. You stay with Phan, continue to keep the fire burning for Phan, continue to write golden pages of achievements to bring glory to our school.

I hope you will cherish the loving moments with your teachers and friends so that later you will not have to regret saying "If only..."!

Dear students of class 44!

Lagerstroemia flowers are purple on the pages, cicadas call summer to urge each step. May says goodbye to innocent childhood, you and I fold up our white dresses with the scent of the sunshine of youth to start a new journey.

But “If you have a wish in this life/ Remember to wish for time to return…”. Do you remember our school’s traditional song; do you remember the brilliant, joyful cultural nights; do you remember the “bombardment” of teachers’ houses on November 20th; or does anyone still feel moved when thinking about the person they secretly love?

My friend, please forget the times of anger and quarrels; forgive the times of misunderstanding and rivalry. Let's hold hands to strengthen our friendship, closing the most brilliant and innocent years of youth at beloved Phan school.

My friends, in just a few hours, after this closing ceremony and this heartfelt gratitude, we will officially become… former Phan students. We must return this place to the classrooms, hallways, stone benches… All of which are now just distant memories.

Once again, let us thank our parents, teachers, friends... those who have always stood by us, giving us the confidence to conquer the challenges in the past and the future.

Goodbye teachers, goodbye beloved school, we leave with the promise to always be kind, humane and try to surpass ourselves. So that tomorrow when we return to Phan school - a peaceful, warm destination, the stories of former students will be passed on and light the fire for the next generation.

There are places you will never forget, there are months and years you will remember for a lifetime… K44, don't forget!

Chu Thanh