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Jun
4
2018
Graduation Speech (Inaugural Alumni Speaker), ISS Class of 2018
Posted by dhruv on 04 Jun 2018 / 22 Comments

Welcome everyone, I am Dhruv Wadkar an Alumni, and from the Class of 2017.

It has only been a year since I sat at the same seat and venue. I feel like I just time traveled to the future.

Graduates, I want you to be proud. This moment that you have, is proof of your triumph over the soul consuming system we call IB.

I want to tell you that despite me leaving ISS last year, I don’t think I have left. I now live 15,000 kilometers away in Boston – but my day there feels like a normal school day in ISS, only with a little change in the scenario.

For example, we all know the long climb of stairs we face every morning? Guess every assignment feels the same in the University – and yes – you just got to do it one step at a time. If it is a group project it feels like people are holding onto your bag as you climb up the stairs and it feels like it is 95% your effort, that’s exactly like any college group project. But climb on and persevere – before you know it – you are on top and not just that – you have taken others along with you too.

Few of you would have had your class with Dr. Ford – for TOK or maybe English. If you have spent enough time there, you will understand this – His classroom is the equivalent of Boston’s weather during bitter winter, that’s like minus 5 Celsius.

As I reflected from my time from ISS, I realized the teachers prepare you the most. The teacher who pushed me the most towards to my future was Ms. Palekar. I am currently majoring in Finance, and honestly – her classes and guidance helped me make that decision. In my time, Ms. Palekar was famously known for her high standards in grading and extremely hard to get a recommendation from. Nevertheless, that high expectation from her, made me work hard, enjoy finance and even train me to always submit work that was of top quality. The process of doing so also built resilience in me.

Teachers are for educating you. I understand and so do you, that in studying, there is also dying; but teachers also teach you how to live well. That teacher for me was Ms. Ventura, who taught me Spanish. I think more than Spanish, I actually learnt how to live. I always adored how enthusiastic she was in each class. If you were in low spirits she would stay back to check if you were ok. She taught new languages and made us understand that a word is meaningless until you chose to let it have meaning. This lesson can be applied everywhere – if you understood what each action meant, you are already the master of that situation.

ISS is actually a small school and unlike all the huge shiny schools around. What it lacks on size, it makes up on character that is rich and rubs off on you. The teachers bring out the best in you because they can concentrate on each of you. And because you are in a relatively smaller class size compared to other schools, friendships here run deeper. The bonds you make here are akin to a family. And you are nurtured and made ready to take the next step forward.

Let me get to sharing a few tips that may be useful as you move forward:

– As you step out there and into various universities, lots of adventures and exciting times await – go ahead and have a great time as life is meant to be a happy adventure. But when you come across the unknown and are unsure – Keep your values intact and let them guide you.

– I am sure you are leaving with sweet and bitter memories of school – sweet side pertaining to great friendships made and the bitter side – need I elaborate the rigour and pains of IB? I do have some good news for you guys – it’s the bitter part that will serve you well. You will soon know that you, even as a freshman, you will be much smarter than first year students in college because IB prepares you well. Use that to your advantage and keep your grades high.

– Student life will get very busy and as classes, clubs, assignments, teams, projects and groups spring up – you will have no time to breathe. You guys know what it is to snapchat your friends, so add parents to the list, call or simply send them a picture, so they feel better.
 
Parents, here is a tip for you. If you want your children to call you more often. Make sure you give them a small budget, so they call you more often!

– My final advice is when you visit home, try and carve out some time to visit your school. Get some chocolates for Mr. Jungo. If you can’t, then drop an email or that postcard to your teachers. Their happy and proud faces when they see you is priceless.

Thank you all for allowing me to be a part of your celebration today. Hope to see you somewhere in the world, and anytime in the future – as successful and good human beings that ISS school of Singapore trained us to be!

22 Comments


Anshul Sonak
June 6, 2018, 5:33 am

Very well said dear Dhruv. Both character and competency is critical and community ( of Teachers and friends) are your life support system that stays forever. You made that point so well. I liked what you said initially about being proud. Also remember you have made your parents very proud already by making your own mark in life. Enjoy the journey of life.

(Reply)

Sangeeta
June 6, 2018, 10:05 am

Awesome speech Dhruv !
Took me back to my school days and the impact they had .

(Reply)

Bindu Sudhir
June 6, 2018, 2:30 pm

Dhruv,

I have known you as a small boy. Now reading this feels so good that you are all grown. Your thoughts reflect the values imparted to you by your parents and teachers. Feeling proud.

(Reply)

Ashish H Vihire
June 6, 2018, 2:41 pm

Nice Speech Dhruv…..
So perfect to look back into Memories and Learnings from an Alma matter….

(Reply)

Malik Kumar
June 6, 2018, 2:55 pm

Very well written dhruv

(Reply)

Kapil
June 6, 2018, 4:57 pm

Very nice Dhruv, very proud of you. Loved reading it and I do want my kids to call me often when they grow up.. So I will take your advice of small budget 🙂

(Reply)

Amit Waikar
June 7, 2018, 8:48 am

Very well said dear Dhruv. Both personal character and your skill sets are very important traits. It is only through a strong foundation that these can be developed and once that happens, these stay on with you forever. I loved the tips you shared. They are very apt and very real. Well done !!!

(Reply)

Rammoorthy D
June 7, 2018, 8:54 am

Well matured and nicespeech Dhruv.
Good thinking is reflected in your speech.

(Reply)

Erik
June 7, 2018, 1:04 pm

It’s very well said, great speech. My favorites are:
“Parents, here is a tip for you. If you want your children to call you more often. Make sure you give them a small budget, so they call you more often!” 😁😁

(Reply)

Vandana Dhekne
June 8, 2018, 2:00 am

Very practical message,Dhruv. What I like the most is the message for parents for them to expect a call from their children 😄😄
You have given due credit to your school and teachers and guidelines to the students who are skeptical about their new life in various universities. This is what Asian culture is about.
You have not only made your parents feel proud about you but also their friends.
Best wishes!!!

(Reply)

Swati
June 8, 2018, 9:24 am

Dear Dhruv,

Very well written speech. Loved how you blended humour in it. Your advice is heartfelt and i am sure must have struck a chord with the audience. Good luck for the future.

(Reply)

SHYAM PALIWAL
June 9, 2018, 7:13 am

Vivid yet succinct, so authenticly coloured with emotional and intellectual depth! Excellent Dhruv! Keep up the pursuit for creative excellence! Best wishes

(Reply)

Vinay
June 9, 2018, 9:20 pm

Love the speech Dhruv! Great to see you growing up into a mature, funny and kind person. I see a strong theme of giving back in your speech. It will serve you well in your life.
Lots of love — Vinay Mama

(Reply)

Sushil
June 18, 2018, 1:09 am

Way to go Dhruv. Very well written . I’m sure , one day you will shine like your name . We are proud of you , keep going .

(Reply)

Liana
September 1, 2018, 5:19 am

Very beautifully said, Dhruv!

I, personally, am very glad to have been part of your educational journey watching you grow to become such a great student and an exceptional human being. I truly foresee the great things you will be doing in your future because you “.. took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference” – The Road Not Taken,
by Robert Frost

(Reply)

Atash
September 1, 2018, 6:26 am

Lovely insights. Thorough, pragmatic and simple. Kudos! Keep posting.

(Reply)

Kuma Amit
September 1, 2018, 6:45 am

Superb…best wishes for your future…

(Reply)

Aparna Avasarala
September 1, 2018, 11:22 am

Awesome stuff Dhruv! Super duper proud to watch you go from strength to strength and mature into this fine young man ( who I still find it hard to believe is the same bespectacled 5 Yr old I met in 2005/6) Loved reading every bit of your speech… some worthy advice you have got there …continue spreading your wings far and wide while keeping your roots firmly in the ground. All the best!

(Reply)

Deepak Sapra
September 1, 2018, 12:25 pm

Dhruv, this is an excellent piece. Very nicely put. I like the mix that you have brought out in your speech – a mix of competence and compassion. Keep soaring !
Kudos to Anant and Mythilli as well for the role that they have played in your journey

(Reply)

Ritha Chandrachud
September 1, 2018, 2:15 pm

So proud of you Dhruv. Our little boy has grown up so much. I know you wont let me hug you hard so doing it virtually here 🤗🤗🤗

(Reply)

Radhika peddamma
September 1, 2018, 11:33 pm

Dhruv, very well written with lots of great advice, not only for fresh grads, but students in general. Proud to hear of your accomplishments and to see the well-rounded young man you’ve become! Wishing you happiness and success.

(Reply)

Anuradha Purbey
September 2, 2018, 12:35 am

Very insightful thoughts Dhruv!! please keep inspiring ..and be inspired. I really liked your thoughts on living well and continuing to connect with your teachers and mentors…the feeling is priceless:):)

(Reply)


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