Having sixth graders summit Yushan has become a tradition for the elementary school division of HowToTrip Bilingual Experimental High School. This year, a total of 152 sixth graders will climb Yushan, the highest peak in Northeast Asia, starting on the 10th. They will receive their graduation certificates at the summit, symbolizing reaching the pinnacle of their elementary school education. The school hopes that through seven months of training and the challenging mountain trek, the students will build strong beliefs and perseverance, and be brave enough to face the next stage of challenges.
The “Chasing Dreams at HowToTrip · Fulfilling Dreams on Yushan” pledge ceremony was held at HowToTrip Bilingual Experimental High School on the morning of the 6th. The 152 graduating students, under the mentorship of seventh graders who successfully summited last year and the blessings of fifth graders, pledged their commitment to climbing Yushan, expressing their dedication to respecting, cleaning, and preserving the mountain environment.
This team of young climbers, all just 12 years old, will set off for Yushan in four groups between the 10th and 19th, where they will receive their graduation certificates at the summit. The school stated that the entire journey will be led by Principal Chang Ch'i-long and veteran mountaineering expert Yang Hsiu-yun, with a doctor accompanying the group to monitor the children’s physical condition and health throughout. This will complete Taiwan’s most “HIGH” Yushan graduation ceremony.
The school noted that for the “Chasing Dreams at HowToTrip · Fulfilling Dreams on Yushan” event, it communicated extensively with parents, and over the past seven months, organized a series of physical training sessions including running, stair climbing, long-distance swimming, and mountaineering drills. Last month, a trial expedition was held on the Fuba Traverse to fully prepare the students for the Yushan climb.
“Life can’t always be sunny!” said Lee Wan-chi, chairman of HowToTrip Bilingual Elementary and High Schools. Life has its ups and downs, with constant challenges and adventures. The key lies in self-preparation beforehand, accumulating and channeling positive energy.
Lee Wan-chi said, “I want to create dreams and help children fulfill them.” Using the Yushan climb as a graduation gift for HowToTrip students, he aims for them to gain joy and inner strength through the mountain journey, enriching and extending their learning experience. This process helps nurture an unyielding spirit to bravely face tougher challenges in life.
Wang Jou-han, a soon-to-be Yushan-climbing sixth grader, excitedly said that she was initially worried about whether she could make it to the top, but after training, she feels ready for the challenge and looks forward to having a unique life experience before graduation.