YISS Class of 2023 Bids Farewell at Graduation

On a pleasant late afternoon on Friday, May 26, 2023, the commencement ceremony for the Class of 2023 took place in the YISS courtyard. Despite planning and rehearsing throughout the week for an indoor ceremony based on forecasts of rain, the YISS technology and facilities staff helped execute a quick about-face to pull off a successful outdoor graduation in less than eight hours! The 65 graduates, faculty, families, and guests, close to 500 in number, gathered to celebrate the beginning of a new, exciting stage for this remarkable group of students. 

The ceremony was highlighted by our senior musicians and their rendition of “Glorious.” The commencement speakers were Mr. Killian Maxwell and Mrs. Taylor Maxwell, two of the most popular faculty who are departing YISS as they move to Budapest this summer. Three graduates, Idris Al-Wazani, Stephan Chae, and Alex Sohn, also, in their own unique perspectives, addressed the topics of diversity, truth, and excellence respectively. 

The Class of 2023 will be spreading out all over the globe next fall as they embark on their journies to post-secondary education. Three students will be studying in Canada, three in the UK, one in Australia, and three in Asia. The remaining students will be heading to the United States to attend many of the top universities in the country. This group of graduates is recognized as arguably the strongest academic class in the history of YISS. We are so proud of this impressive group of students and wish them all the best. Congratulations, Class of 2023!