Mosaic Art Celebrates the 75th Diploma Conferral Ceremony and Graduation of Hokuryu Junior High School in Hokuryu Town

Tuesday, March 15, 2022

The 75th diploma awarding ceremony of Hokuryu Junior High School was held on Saturday, March 12, from 09:40.

Hokuryu Junior High School

Diploma Conferral Ceremony Venue (Gymnasium)

This year again, while the school was scaled down and the hours shortened due to the new coronavirus outbreak, 13 graduates left the school where they had spent precious months with precious memories in their hearts.

Shine brightly into the future, friends of North China!

Mosaic Art by all students

The gymnasium, the venue for the event, was decorated with handmade "mosaic art" created by all the students. Mosaic art is an art form in which the pieces are cut into small pieces and then pasted together to form a single picture pattern.

The families who visited the exhibition were mesmerized by the breathtaking works of art and were drawn to them.

Opening up anew even in situations where it is not possible.

Since the whole-school chorus was not available, the idea was proposed by Ms. Tomodi Matsuno at a meeting where teachers exchanged ideas to help students acquire "the strength and vitality to make a new start even in a situation where it is not possible.

All 32 students put their hearts and souls into one work of art.

The picture depicts silhouettes of graduates, their names, and sunflowers. This mosaic was worked on by all 32 students (10 first-year students, 9 second-year students, and 13 third-year students).

Two sheets of A3 paper were distributed to everyone. Each sheet of paper contained a finely divided square and a color designation for each square. The students colored in each square (seven colors: black, purple, blue, light blue, green, red, yellow, and white was blank).
　

original image

mosaic image

Coloring for each square inch

Let's imagine what the picture will look like.

Passionate thoughts of joy, gratitude, hope, and determination of the graduates

The students worked on the coloring process for about two weeks without being informed of the final drawing. Then, 64 sheets of colored paper for all the students were combined and pasted on the base paper to complete a wonderful work of art!

It is a work of art that expresses the celebration and gratitude of current students for the graduates, and the passionate feelings of joy, gratitude, hope, and determination of the graduates.

Alcohol Dispenser" and "Seal Engraving" by graduates

In addition, "Alcohol Dispenser" and "Tenkoku (engraving names on stones)" were exhibited as graduates' works.

Alcohol dispenser" created in a technology class

Seal engraving" commemorating graduation

75th Diploma Conferral Ceremony at Hokuryu Junior High School

Entrance of Graduates

Opening Address: Atsushi Sasaki, Vice Principal

National and School Anthems

The national and school anthems were not sung, but were played instead.

report of school events

The academic reports, the presentation of commemorative gifts, and the introduction of guests were conducted in writing to shorten the ceremony time.

unveiling of a congratulatory telegram

It took the form of a notice posted in the aisle.

The congratulations were in writing.

Mayor Yutaka Sano, Hokuryu Town, congratulatory address

Congratulations to all the graduates.

Congratulations to all parents on the graduation of their children. I am sure you must be very happy to see your child's growth in both mind and body as he or she reaches this major milestone of completing compulsory education. We extend our heartfelt congratulations.

Now, graduates, you have completed your compulsory education, and now you are going to make your own way and walk on your own path.

At times it may be fun, and at other times it may be hard and demanding. When you feel lost, you may ask your parents or friends for help. Please do not hesitate to ask for help at such times. You are sure to get excellent advice.

We all look forward to your future growth. Good luck to all of you.

In conclusion, I would like to express my gratitude and respect for the hard work and dedication of the principal, the staff, and the local community, and to wish the graduates who are about to take a new step forward a further leap forward.

March 12, 2022 Toyo Sano, Mayor of Hokuryu Town

Hokuryu Town Board of Education Announcement

Congratulations to all graduates on your graduation. For the three years since you entered Hokuryu Junior High School in April of 1991, you have worked diligently in your studies, student council activities, club activities, and school events, and have successfully completed your entire educational program. Your efforts over the past three years are reflected in your brilliant appearance today.

Congratulations to all the parents on the graduation of their children. I am sure that the three years of your child's life have been filled with joy and sorrow as he or she has grown through a variety of experiences. The warm support of the parents must have been the greatest encouragement to the children during this period of great emotional and physical upheaval. We hope that you will continue to watch over them as they grow.

For the graduates, this school year was also a year in which they took on the challenge of new initiatives, such as distributing videos of the sunflowers they cultivated around the world. At the school festival, the third-year students played a central role in creating an atmosphere of fun that was as enjoyable as Corona, and the way all the students worked together to make the school festival a success was most glorious. The school excursions to Aomori Prefecture and Hakodate City allowed the students to visit facilities, experience production, and conduct independent training with their irreplaceable friends, and I believe that they will be etched in their hearts as precious memories of their junior high school life.

Today, you are graduating from junior high school, and your new lives will require more responsibility and self-awareness than ever before. You will also encounter various trials and difficulties, but I hope that you will move forward with courage, making the most of the good qualities and personalities you have cultivated so far.

I hope that in the future you will all play an active role in various capacities for the peace and development of Hokuryu Town, Japan and the world.

In closing, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all the teachers and staff who have taught and guided us so warmly, and to all the parents and community members who have given their support and cooperation to the education of the school, and to the Hokuryu Town Board of Education for the 75th graduation ceremony of Hokuryu Junior High School.

March 12, 2022, Utera Town Board of Education

Congratulatory speech by Mr. Tsuyoshi Michishita, Chairman, Hokuryu Junior High School PTA

Today, the severe cold weather has eased and we can feel the arrival of spring. On behalf of the parents, I would like to offer a few words of congratulations on the occasion of the 75th graduation ceremony of Hokuryu Junior High School.

Congratulations to all graduates on your graduation. And to the parents and families, congratulations on the graduation of your children.

As PTA president and a parent, I am very happy that you all were able to celebrate the graduation ceremony in this way.

I am sure that the past three years have been filled with a variety of events for all of you who have graduated. Some days were filled with fun and excitement, while other days were filled with depression and heavy footsteps. The track meet, the school festival, the overnight training, the school trip to Aomori even though we could not go to Okinawa, the junior high school athletic meet, the brass band competition, and many other precious times spent together with your friends probably come to mind.

From a parent's point of view, I feel that the three years have flown by in the blink of an eye, as my children, who I thought had just recently entered the school, have reached the milestone of graduation today.

Now, to our graduates who are about to take another step forward into a new world and a new society. Life will not be easy for you, and I am sure that you will encounter many difficulties. Even if you encounter some uncomfortable situations, I hope that you will walk forward with confidence and pride in your various experiences during your junior high school life and in your pride as graduates of Hokuryu Junior High School.

Last but not least, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the principal and all the teachers for their fun and sometimes strict guidance while respecting the children's individuality.

I would like to offer my sincere wishes for the future health and success of all the graduates and congratulate them.

March 12, 2022 Hokuryu Junior High School PTA President Takeshi Michishita

Awarding of diplomas

As parents and current students looked on, each of the 13 graduates slowly made their way to the podium to receive their diplomas from Principal Tsuyoshi Kodama.

Principal's Ceremonial Address: Mr. Tsuyoshi Kodama, Principal

On this fine day when the harsh winter is over and the cold rain reminds us of the coming of spring, congratulations to the third-year students who are leaving our school as the 75th graduates of Hokuryu Town Junior High School. I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations.

Although the graduation ceremony is normally filled with the echoes of a heart-wrenching choir, this year's graduation ceremony had to be scaled back as well. We are very sorry. On behalf of the many people who wish to extend their congratulations, I offer my greetings.

The diploma that you have just received is proof that you have grown through your studies, club activities, student council activities, and many other challenges. This diploma is a proof that you have challenged yourselves and grown through your studies, club activities, student council activities, and many other things, and that you have successfully completed your compulsory education for the past three and nine years.

However, what we must not forget is that it is not by my own efforts alone that I have been able to grow so much. I have grown with the support of everyone in the community, teachers, seniors and friends, the many people I have been involved with, and most of all, the deep love of my parents' families.

I hope you will remember to be grateful for that.

In the short year that I have known you all, I have truly appreciated the way you have carried on the traditions firmly from your seniors and built a calm and enjoyable school.

I would like to thank the student council for always leading the entire school, the sunflower growing activities where I worked as the most senior student at the daily record meeting and school festival events and worked well with a smile on my face, and the third-year students for their firm leadership in every situation to make the school a better place to be. I also extend a big "thank you" to all of you.

As a parting gift to all of you, I would like to share two stories with you.

One is, 'I want you to cherish your encounters.

You are about to leave for the wide world. Please cherish the many people you will meet. This is because it will lead to taking care of yourself. Being kind to others will increase the number of people who will help you in turn.

From now on, you may experience anxiety and irritation that you have never felt before. At such times, the people around you will surely support you. Don't worry! At the end of the day, your family will be there. Please move forward with peace of mind.

The second is 'I want you to become people who create the future.

Society is changing dramatically with the development of coronaviruses and AI. It is precisely in times like these that we should not wait for something to be given to us. I hope that each of you will think for yourself and join forces with your colleagues to build an exciting new future.

I am sure you can do it. I wish you all the best.

I would like to conclude by expressing my sincere appreciation to all the parents and guardians for your deep love, hard work, and efforts. I would like to congratulate you all from the bottom of my heart for having grown up so well and graduating today.

I would also like to thank you for your understanding and cooperation with our school's education over the past three years. I would like to ask for your continued support in the future," said Principal Kodama in his precious words.

Farewell and Farewell Words

Farewell speech by Ms. Anju Fujii, representative of current students

Although the harsh cold weather still lingers, spring has gradually arrived, and here in Hokuryu Town, the season for taking a new step forward has arrived. Today, on this good day, I would like to congratulate all the graduates who have completed their three years of junior high school life. All of the current students extend their congratulations from the bottom of our hearts.

Three years ago, you entered Hokuryu Junior High School with both expectations and anxieties. Every day, hot days, cold days, and snowy days, you have come to this school, looking at the same road and the same scenery as a matter of course.

However, time has passed very quickly and we are now celebrating the graduation ceremony like this. Today is the last day that you will attend this school as students of Hokuryu Junior High School. I am sure that many memories of your three years of junior high school life are floating in each of your minds.

Looking back on my memories so far, there were seniors who spent every day with smiles on their faces and led us in many activities, such as committee work and club activities.

In the course of our activities together, there were many examples that we should follow, such as the fact that they always kindly called out to us when we were in trouble, and the fact that they were able to act proactively on their own without instructions. We have grown a lot from what we have learned together with our seniors during those precious days.

Last year, various events were cancelled due to the new coronavirus, but this year we were able to hold various events, albeit with some restrictions. In the relay race at the track and field meet, everyone ran the last event, and although some were tired, they all connected the baton and completed the race together, giving them a sense of accomplishment.

In the sunflower cultivation, as the leader of the group, they carefully taught us who had no experience. Thanks to the seniors, the work went smoothly and we were able to produce beautiful sunflowers.

At the school festival, we performed the masterpiece "Hamlet". The audience was captivated by the authenticity of the performance and the brilliant delivery of the lines.

At the postponed chorus recital, the third-year students took the lead, and although they struggled with limited practice time, they were able to unite their hearts and fill the gymnasium with their best chorus at the performance.

From now on, the current first-year students will work hard as second-year students to set an example for the new first-year students, and the second-year students will work hard as senior students to lead the school with a sense of self-awareness.

Now, in the midst of hope and anxiety, we are all trying to spread our wings toward our respective dreams. At times, you may have a hard time and struggle. At such times, please remember your junior high school days, believe in your friends and yourself, and keep moving forward.

The time to say goodbye is finally approaching. Graduates, please come back to this school, your alma mater, from time to time after graduation. And we look forward to seeing you again, the seniors we all admire so much.

Lastly, as a representative of the current students, I would like to wish all the graduates the very best in their future endeavors. Thank you very much for your support.

March 12, 2022 Anju Fujii, Representative of Current Students

Aoi Kosuge, representative of the graduating class, delivers a speech entitled "Words of Departure.

The soft sunlight is shining down upon us, and at this time of year, we feel the arrival of spring. Under these circumstances, I would like to thank you for holding today's ceremony for us graduates.

Three years have passed since we first entered the school and now we are graduating. The time until today has flown by so quickly.

Our class was lively, with each person's individuality shining through. I loved the atmosphere of our class and our casual, everyday life. The most memorable moments with everyone in our class were the school festival and the school excursion.

At the school festival, we created the play "Hamlet" together with all the third-year students. The sense of accomplishment was great because we all worked together and put in a lot of effort, and I was very happy to be able to play the leading role myself. We were able to give a presentation that was uniquely ours, and it was the perfect ending to the school festival.

Although I was not able to go to Okinawa as I had planned, I was able to fully enjoy Aomori and Hakodate on my school trip. We rode on airplanes and shinkansen trains, which are rarely taken, ate a lot of food, and engaged in hands-on activities, which gave us many valuable experiences. We also had a surprise for Mr. Hashimoto, walked around a lot on our own, acted on our own, and had a lot of fun while learning, making it a very fulfilling school trip.

I also gained and grew a lot from my club activities. During my three years of playing volleyball, there were times when things didn't go well, I was mentally weak, and there were many times when I cried. However, thanks to the encouragement and support of my teammates, I was able to overcome them before I knew it, and my mental strength gradually grew from there.

Everyone on the team worked hard together toward the same goal, and we were able to grow as people. I also became more confident in myself and truly enjoyed playing volleyball. Through club activities, I was able to grow both mentally and physically, and I learned not only skills but also important things as a person, such as the importance of friends, attitude toward things, and self-confidence.

In addition to these events, activities, and new challenges, we were able to make many memories, both painful and enjoyable, and grow together.

However, we could not have done this alone. We could not have done it without our teachers, who guided us in classes and club activities and led us to this point, and our parents, who supported and watched over us every day. I am truly grateful.

Through these three years, I have come to believe that 'what we take for granted is not the norm,' and I have tried to cherish the feeling of gratitude, no matter how trivial it may seem. Once again, I would like to thank all the teachers and parents for everything you have done for me.

And to the first and second year students, thank you for everything you have done. From now on, as seniors and the most senior students of the school, please make Hokuryu Town and Hokuryu Junior High School more exciting. To achieve this, please take everything seriously, whether it is studying, participating in events, or participating in club activities. I hope that all of you will grow together and continue to create a good atmosphere at the school.

Last but not least, all of the 3rd graders who have been with us since nursery school. This class was the best class I have ever been in, where each and every one of us really shined and were a lot of fun to be with. I know that we are a kind class that can help each other if someone is in need and think of others.

And I am proud to be a member of this class, and I am truly happy that we are all members of this class. There were times when we made mistakes, but we overcame them together by combining our individual strengths and turning them into a great power.

From April, each of us will take a new step forward, and we will not be able to spend time together as the 13 of us as we have in the past. I am filled with sadness, but we will remain the best of friends. We will take different paths, but based on our experiences thus far, we will continue to move forward and face the future.

March 12, 2022 Aoi Kosuge, Representative of the 75th Graduates

closing address

Graduates Exit

Commemorative graduation work "Hokuryu Emaki" displayed in the hallway

Trail of Glory" on display

To all of the graduates who have shared joys and pains, helped each other, and supported each other over the precious 15 years, I express my infinite love, gratitude, and prayers as they leave for the new world, holding the precious sense of trust that has been deeply woven together in their hearts.

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