“Gratitude for Growth, a Rendezvous with Dreams”—A Record of the Liren Primary School Children's Growth Ceremony

Ten years old marks a turning point in every child's growth, a milestone on life's journey. A tenth birthday ceremony allows children to reflect on their first decade and look forward to the next two years with hope and encouragement. On April 23, 2015, Liren Primary School's first Children's Growth Ceremony, themed "Growth, Gratitude, Dreams," commenced as children eagerly awaited. Fourth-grade students, teachers, and some parents shared this happy and unforgettable moment, making the children's first ten-year birthday memorable and meaningful.

The event was divided into four chapters: "Gratitude," "Journey," "Ceremony," and "Dreams."

To help children understand the profound meaning of the growth ceremony and reflect on life's journey at this important juncture, the school made thorough preparations. Through an essay contest titled "My Growth Story," children were guided to recall their growth experiences, reflect on those who loved, taught, and helped them, and share joyful and touching memories. A "Teacher and Parent Messages" activity allowed children to feel the care and blessings from both home and school.

At 9:00 am on April 23rd, the event began with sincere speeches by fourth-grade student representative Yao Yuqi and teacher representative Xia Xuefen. At 9:10 am, the children embarked on their journey to the destination of the event—the Helv City Ruins Museum. More than 180 children walked 6.5 kilometers, a journey of almost an hour. Under the bright sunshine and gentle breeze, the children's laughter filled the air. Although sweat trickled down their foreheads, not a single child complained of tiredness, nor did anyone fall behind. Perhaps, in the hearts of these children about to celebrate their tenth birthday, tomorrow's growth begins with today's test; no one wants to fall behind or stumble at the starting line. At 10:10 am, the children finally arrived at the Helv City Ruins Museum, ready for their growth ceremony.

In front of the magnificent Helv City Ruins Museum, the Liren Children's Growth Ceremony began with the children's tender yet heartfelt singing. The song "Thank You for Growth" expressed the children's appreciation and gratitude for their parents, teachers, friends, and all the good things in their lives. Growth is built on gratitude, making these children cherish those around them and appreciate the seemingly ordinary yet indispensable people and things in their lives. Parents and teachers offered blessings and hopes, making these ten-year-olds less willful and more responsible. The school also prepared a commemorative gift for the children—a small but meaningful badge: the green color represents the hopes of parents and the school, and "benevolence, righteousness, integrity, and simplicity" serves as a guide for their growth. With the melodious music of the growth ceremony, the children solemnly pinned the badge, carrying responsibility and dreams, to their chests. As the ceremony neared its end, the children enjoyed birthday cake, sharing the hard-earned sweetness and joy written by growth.

At 12:30 pm, under the guidance of a tour guide, the children visited the Helv City Ruins Museum. As one of Wuxi's most precious historical and cultural heritages, the Helv site provided the children with a rich historical and cultural feast. The children learned about the long history of Wu region, experienced the noble moral character of the ancestors of Wu region, and gained a more intuitive understanding of the Wuxi city spirit of "emphasizing morality, pursuing pragmatism, and striving for harmony." After the visit, witnessed by their parents and teachers, the children solemnly wrote down their dreams and made an appointment to meet again at their graduation ceremony two years later. Liren Primary School's first Growth Ceremony concluded with the children's anticipation and dreams for the future.

Holding a tenth birthday ceremony is one of the school's practices of the "Eight Rites and Four Rituals" series of activities. Through this activity, the children recalled their growth experiences, expressed gratitude for their parents' nurturing, teachers' instruction, and friends' help, and also seriously considered their future path. This milestone will surely become an unforgettable memory for them.