Shu-Mei Elementary School in Kinmen had only two graduates this year, but their grand graduation ceremony was rare even across Taiwan. In the morning, they were farewelled by all teachers and students, then completed an Iron Kids triathlon course spanning approximately 8 kilometers. They hiked up Taiwan’s highest peak on the island, Mount Taiwu, and received their diplomas at the main peak’s Xiaozhu Fort, from where their alma mater is visible. Cheerfully, they shouted: “Shu-Mei Elementary School, we’ve graduated!”
Located in Jinsha Township on the eastern peninsula of Kinmen, Shu-Mei Elementary School has 22 faculty members, 54 elementary students, and 30 kindergarten kids. It’s a small rural school, but boasts a beautiful campus environment, especially notable for its approximately 100-meter-long sweetgum tree avenue.
This year, the elementary school had just two graduates, but the school still planned an Iron Kids triathlon challenge for them, carefully crafting the most distinctive and memorable graduation ceremony they’ll ever have.
Early in the morning, accompanied by parents and teachers, they first jogged through the sweetgum tree avenue at the school gate toward Jinsha Township Hall, then rode a tandem bicycle to Cai cuo Ancient Trail at the foot of Mount Taiwu, before ascending the 253-meter peak of Mount Taiwu. There, at the main peak’s Xiaozhu Fort with a view of their school, they received their diplomas.
Sweaty but joyful after completing their personal challenges, the two also told their teachers and principal, who had cheered them on toward new life journeys: “Principal, we didn’t stop once!” and “Not tired, not hard at all—we could do it again!” Their confident and innocent remarks drew bursts of laughter.
Their homeroom teacher, Yang Yulin, who accompanied them throughout, noted that the two boys had been running for 20 minutes every day since the start of the semester. For this special graduation event, they also did two practice runs in advance. He was very happy to see them reach the summit and successfully receive their diplomas.
Principal Liu Jiehong said that the two graduates passed the three challenges of running, cycling, and mountain hiking. He hopes they carry a heart of gratitude, cherish Kinmen and remember their alma mater, and that in facing future challenges, they can bravely confront them with perseverance and unyielding determination.
The school’s 11 kindergarten graduates also received their diplomas today. Accompanied by their teachers, they walked from Yuzhang Intersection to Taiwu Mountain’s Haiyin Temple. They performed just as well as the two elementary school graduates.
(China Times)