Class of 2008 graduates from TAISM

TAISM celebrates the Class of 2008’s graduation

TAISM’s eighth Graduation Ceremony was celebrated on June 4, 2008. The Class of 2008, comprising thirty-three grade 12 students hailing from 14 nations, has been accepted into universities throughout the world.

Mr. Nelson File, HS Principal, recognized Hiral Hemant Dutia and Shaon Lahiri as the respective recipients of two academic distinctions, Valedictorian and Salutatorian. Valedictorian, Hiral, will study Biotechnology at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, Massachusetts on a full merit scholarship, while Salutatorian, Shaon, will study Psychology at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Shaon Lahiri was also selected by the TAISM faculty to receive the Outstanding Senior Award, which was presented at the Awards Assembly earlier in the day. This award is determined through a vote of the Professional Staff and is awarded to the senior student who has had outstanding achievement over their junior and senior years in several categories including academics, contributions to the TAISM community or beyond, leadership and personal character.

Shaon, in his speech welcoming the celebrants, reflected upon the nurturing and multicultural environment that is evident at TAISM. He thanked families of graduating students and wished his fellow graduates well. Hiral Dutia, delivering the Student Address, asked the graduating class to rise to the challenges of life and to redefine their generation by actively engaging as good citizens to make the world a better place for all.

Ms. Hind Bahwan, Chairperson of Bahwan CyberTek Group, was the Guest Speaker at the ceremony. A multiple national and international award winner, Ms. Bahwan has excelled academically and professionally as a Harvard Business School alumna and as one of the directors in the billion-dollar Suhail Bahwan Group. In her inspirational address, Ms Bahwan referenced points that have helped her in her own pursuits, and encouraged the students to passionately seek their dreams.

TAISM’s Concert Band provided the prelude and postlude music at the ceremony including Edward Elgar’s popular processional, Pomp and Circumstance. TAISM’s High School Choir performed the school’s choral anthem, Carl Strommen’s Like an Eagle. Family, friends and new graduates attended a reception in O’Shaughnessy Gallery after the ceremony.

It’s been a fantastic year in Elementary School.  Unfortunately, with the end of the year comes the last day of school, a day which we all look forward to and dread at the same time. In addition to being the start of summer and the celebration of a completed year of school, the last day is also when we have to say goodbye to people who’ve been a part of the TAISM community and an important part of our overseas life.  

We bid farewell to students and their families moving to new locations as well as returning to their home countries.  On behalf of all the staff, I’d like to wish everyone safe travels and meaningful adventures and experiences in their future endeavors.  You will be missed.

Graduation Class of 2007-2008