Written by Jenny Liu and Ivy Wong
Translated by H.B. Qin
Edited by Adriana DiBenedetto
Tzu Chi USA’s New Jersey Chapter held its 13th Joint Graduation Ceremony for Tzu Chi Academies in Central and Northern New Jersey on Saturday, June 1, 2025. The gathering was filled with love and gratitude. Eleven graduates — Mengchien Li, Hsiaohsuan Lin, Chiyuan Weng, Chiaying Wang, Yunchi Li, Amelia Savastano, Hsiangling Chen, Chaohsi Hsu, Weiche Hsu, Yingchi Wu, and Enchi Yang — embarked on a new journey in life, accompanied by the heartfelt blessings of their parents and teachers.
Joining Hands and Hearts
Completing Chinese language studies in the U.S. takes as long as 10 to 12 years. In addition to attending school and participating in extracurricular activities, the students demonstrated an unwavering commitment to attending their local Tzu Chi Academy on weekends. They had grown from adorable four-year-olds to poised and responsible young adults through a journey filled with fond memories. Behind this perseverance were also bonds of friendship, and the love and encouragement from teachers and parents. On this special day, parents and teachers alike were moved to tears of joy and pride.
Attending the Tzu Chi Academies Graduation Ceremony for the first time, Lishan Chang, Deputy Director-General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York, shed tears multiple times during the ceremony, and expressed with deep emotion, “This is my first time attending the Tzu Chi Academies graduation ceremony. Besides feeling a touch of sadness at parting, I was deeply moved by the warm and earnest atmosphere filled with gratitude and blessings.”
Love and Guidance of Parents and Teachers
Doris Chang, Executive Director of Tzu Chi USA’s Mid-Atlantic Region, thanked the parents for trusting Tzu Chi’s humanistic education and invited everyone to witness this graduation ceremony that embodied Tzu Chi’s humanistic spirit.
Graduates of the AI era, congratulations! ‘Gratitude, respect, and love’ are the compassionate teachings of Master Cheng Yen. Practicing these three virtues is at the heart of Tzu Chi’s humanistic spirit.
Chiungyu Chiu, principal of Central New Jersey’s Tzu Chi Academy, encouraged the graduates as well, saying, “Graduation is not the end of learning, but the start of a new beginning. Carry your teachers’ and parents’ blessings and guidance with you, and observe life with open eyes. Life will not always be smooth. When you face difficulties, be brave in overcoming them and remember to be grateful. This will help you grow and become even stronger.”
During the tea-offering ceremony, graduates presented their parents with a cup of tea, creating a warm and touching scene.
Heartfelt Messages Abound
Chiyuan Weng, a graduate of Tzu Chi Academy in Central New Jersey, expressed gratitude to her teachers and classmates for their support over the past decade, saying, “I want to thank my teachers for patiently guiding me from Zhuyin class all the way to 10th grade. I’m also grateful for my classmates Mengchien and Hsiaohsuan. We’ve shared so many joyful and unforgettable moments over these 10 years. Today marks our success, but it’s also a brand new beginning.”
Chiyuan’s mother, Chienju Lin, spoke with emotion as well, expressing, “On behalf of all Central New Jersey Academy parents, I want to thank the teachers, the administrative team, and other parents for your unwavering support. I am especially grateful to Principal Chiungyu for her perseverance through the years. During the pandemic, you worked tirelessly to coordinate and protect our school community, offering gentle support and encouragement even under tremendous pressure. Every action, big or small, has touched us deeply. You truly embody the spirit of humanistic education. We are sincerely grateful for everything you’ve done over the years. Thank you!”
“Today, I have finally graduated. I want to thank my mother, teachers, and classmates,” said Hsiaohsuan Lin, a graduate of the Central New Jersey Academy. “Without you, I wouldn’t be who I am today.”
Tzu Chi is not just about language education. It places greater emphasis on teaching character and humanities, making it the best choice for my child’s growth.
Reluctant Farewells and Cherished Memories
Graduating class teacher Huiting Chang introduced each student one by one and reminded them that “A true friend brings joy for a lifetime. I hope you’ll come back someday as loving big brothers and sisters, leading our younger students as they learn Chinese together. Best wishes to you all. Thank you, everyone.”
“I want to thank my parents for bringing me to school, rain or shine. Over these 12 years, I have made so many friends and learned from so many wonderful teachers,” reflected Northern New Jersey Academy graduate Chiaying Wang.
“I am grateful to Tzu Chi for giving us a place to learn and grow in an environment of love and kindness. The memories of the past are so vivid. Though parting brings a touch of sadness, we have also created countless joyful and unforgettable moments together. Farewell, and take care!
“This school has not only taught me language, but also helped me understand Chinese culture,” said Northern New Jersey Academy graduate Yunchi Li. “I’m grateful to my parents for their steadfast support, driving me to class for 12 years so I could keep going. I also thank my classmates for their companionship; together, we filled this journey with laughter. Even though I graduate today, I will continue learning Chinese. It will always be an important part of my life.”
Best Wishes and Hopeful Words
Volunteers pin flowers on the graduates’ gowns, ensuring they look their best for this important day in their lives. Photo/Jay Lee
Weilun Wu, parent of a Tzu Chi Academy Northern New Jersey graduate, shared, “In Tzu Chi Academy’s nurturing environment, students not only learned Chinese, but also humanistic values — understanding how to be good people and do the right thing. Today, we keep hearing about ‘gratitude, respect, and love,’ but how do we actually practice them? Just remember these words: ‘Speak good words, do good deeds, be a good person!’ If you do this, you’ll become a positive force, attracting good people and making a real contribution to society.”
At the close of the ceremony, prayers were offered for a kind and peaceful world. Graduation certificates and commemorative gifts were then presented, with teachers sending the graduates off with wishes for smooth sailing and a bright future.
