Good afternoon, everyone.

Thank you for this warm tribute to Ruben. It means a lot to me and my family. My children Maria and George are here with me today and we all can feel the positive energy in this hall. Thank you!

I am delighted to stand before you as we reflect on a theme that could not be more fitting for a school community - “You Raise Me Up”.

At its core, education is the act of raising others up. It is about lifting minds, spirits, and futures. Every day within these walls, in our classrooms, on our playing fields, and across our campus, we see it in action. Teachers who go the extra mile. Students who support each other. Families who believe in the power of learning. This is where lives are shaped - and uplifted.

As the school co-founder, I often think about what makes a school truly great. Yes, academic excellence is essential. So is innovation, opportunity, and access. But the heartbeat of a great school is its people - their relationships, their resilience, and their commitment to raising one another up. And it is even more relevant for a UWC school.

To our teachers, toon parents and staff: you are the ones who, day in and day out, raise our students up - not just with knowledge, but with care, encouragement, and belief in their potential. You inspire confidence, curiosity, and courage.

To our graduating class: You've lived among cultures, eaten foods from five continents, learned to say ‘hello’ in many languages. But more importantly, you've learned how to listen, how to lead, and how to love across differences. That is the true power of being raised up - not just for ourselves, but for others.

To our students: you are the reason we are here. Every time you support a friend, take on a challenge, or try again after failing, you are not only growing - you are lifting others by your example. Know that we believe in you, and we are committed to giving you every chance to rise.

To the parents and guardians: your trust and support raise all of us. You are our partners in this journey.

To our alumni: your commitment to the school is admirable - please remember the institution that helped shape you, and, when the time comes, be ready to give back by uplifting others.

To our donors and to our community: your generosity, your mentorship, and your continued engagement keep this school strong. Lifting others is a lifelong endeavour!

“You Raise Me Up” is not just a sentiment - it is a standard. It asks each of us to consider: how can I lift someone today? How can I use what I have - my time, my experience, my voice - to help someone else stand taller?

As a Board, we are committed to building a school where everyone has the chance to rise. That means investing in excellence and equity, in programmes that challenge and nurture, and in people who care deeply about making a difference.

So let us celebrate not just where we are, but how we got here - and most importantly, the people who helped us rise along the way.

With the first decade of the school development behind us, let us continue to be a community where no one climbs alone.

Together, YOU raise ME up. And for that, I thank you.

I would like to single out today a person who made it his business to raise people up. It is an American entrepreneur and philanthropist - Mr Shelby Davis. Having climbed to the heights of success, he committed himself to lifting others.

When ten years ago, Ruben and I were looking into the school models and settled upon a UWC school, the example of Shelby Davis’s commitment to the UWC movement was an inspiration for us. It is 25 years since Shelby Davis started his generous support for UWC that benefits all schools, including ours, through the scholarship awards.

Let me invite our Dare to Dream scholars supported by Shelby Davis to come on stage.