After all the work of a school year, the time has come for ISB to recognize its students’ efforts in academics and extracurriculars. On the morning of Wednesday June 11, the High School Awards Ceremony gives parents and students a chance to rejoice.

The event starts off with a congratulatory speech by Dr. Hawkins, the director of the school, followed by a few words from Mr. Fagg, the High School Principal. Next, the Heads of Department take the floor to award prizes, usually books, but in some cases vouchers to Spanish restaurants (for the Foreign Languages award), to students in each grade who have made the most notable contributions in the subject area in question. Then, awards are presented to students who are exceptionally high achievers in academics in general, and to students who have demonstrated passion and leadership in extracurricular activities.

Although parents are notified ahead of time if their child has received an award, this notification does not take away the element of surprise, because students have yet to find out what exactly they are being recognized for. “I was quite surprised,” says Charles Tsai, at receiving three awards this year, in Chinese, Science, and Volunteerism. And although it is not uncommon for a student to take home two awards, a grand total of three seems barely believable in such a high achieving student body.

Indeed, the large number of talented candidates means that each year, some very deserving students will not receive an award they covet. I overheard Julia Wang, on the way out of the theatre, saying: “Oh well, maybe next year.”