The 31st and 32nd group of Korean students from YES International Academy graduated on Thursday, June 13.
There were approximately 120 people in attendance at the 2019 Y.E.S. graduation ceremony. This included YES staff, students and teachers, local home-stay families, and special guests.
Among the many awards, Jason Kim (age 19) and Irene Park (age 12) received the Outstanding Graduate Award from the MPSD superintendent.
Elena Rho (age 15) was awarded the Mayor’s Certificate of Outstanding Achievement. She will be attending Maine Central Institute in the fall.
Joining the celebration was Mission Mayor Pam Alexis and Coun. Cal Crawford. Also in attendance were school board Trustee, Rick McKamey, Hillside Traditional Academy principal Lisa Clarke, Directors of International Students Program Holly Mayo and Colleen Hannah.
Following the ceremony were special performances by Bella Choi a continuing studies student, singing a traditional Korean folktale, as well as a presentation by Chang’s Tae Kwon Do from White Rock.
Everyone shared a Korean buffet-style dinner afterwards provided by the school’s dietitian.
YES International Academy has been in partnership with Mission Public School District since 2003. These Korean students are studying in Canada for one to two years. They attend local schools, and live with local families during their stay.
