With the procession under way, the room was packed. There were Jakarta evacuees, Singapore community, media, friends, family, and most important, the graduates. The atmosphere was amazing, all these people had been organized in only seventy two hours, and this was it - the class of '98 was graduating, still early mind you, but they were graduating. Anxious smiles and caps and gowns borrowed from the Singapore American School covered the mixture of attire and attitudes underneath it all. Cameras flashing, video filming, and parents weeping, the ceremony began as everyone took their seats, or stood, or crouched.

The ceremony began with an address by Mr. Guy Robinson, the chairman of the school council. He went on to thank everyone who had made the evening possible and acknowledge those who couldn't be there. Other speakers included the ambassador of the United States to Singapore, reading a letter from the ambassador to Indonesia, ending with an Indonesia saying pronounced with an American accent, bringing laughs from those who understood.

Following those came speeches from the students, Ai Takeuchi giving a powerful speech over all the struggles. Other student speeches included Andrew Bennett, whose "edumacation" speech produced by a typical student's procrastination was extremely heartfelt. He reminded all those present of all that we have, that truly, those from Jakarta didn't come with nothing, they came with enormous things, such as memories, friendships and family. He says "Even though our suitcases or carry-ons seemed empty, we came with so much, so much."

Clayton Carmack took the podium as representative of the student body and class president with anxiety. His speech was focused on how the years in Jakarta will never be forgotten, and how until the evacuation, there was nothing that could have torn him away from Jakarta. His gratitude went out on behalf of all the students to the teachers, the parents and all those who had influenced them. In lack of description for the thanks that was due, all that seemed to remain was to merely say "Thank you."

Other speeches included one by Mr. Gene Magill, a social studies teacher and the senior class sponsor, who described his time at JIS, and reminded the students of their class assignments that were due on their day of departure. He spoke an inspiring speech of history and how the students had been a part of something amazing, whether beneficial or not. He also lightened the atmosphere up substantially with his witty comments about having wanted to be a U.S. president, but not having an interestingly enough social life to do so, but if there was any other country that was looking for a new president, to let him know.

Mr. Mark Gray, the athletics director, announced the awards that had been postponed from the Awards Evening (which I will try and get a complete list of and list them within these pages soon). As well, the Headmaster, Mr. Niall Nelson, who had just arrived with Mr. Gray, gave a speech about his memories of JIS and of the past years. He spoke of changes and how JIS would survive anything that was put in its way, JIS would experience, with Indonesia, many changes to come. There was also an impromptu Joint Sound performance, with a heart breaking Stand by Me sung by the few who were present. Also, another senior, Blake Hunter displayed his talent on the alto saxophone with another silencing Amazing Grace.

The class historians, Natalie Ledbetter, Rebecca Weimer (and another {I'm so sorry - I can't remember the name!}) recalled all the times from Pre-K to the present day. They reviewed successes, things that were learnt, and especially, the opposite sex stories that were amusing to say the least. Then there was the revealing of the culprits of the alarm clocks in the library, and various Bali stories. It was wonderful to relive it all and share the laughter as each comment passed to a new student.

The diploma ceremony itself was led by Dr. Majula Salomon, with the presenters being Mr. Guy Robinson, Mr. Gene Magill and Mr. Niall Nelson. It was decided that all the students' names would be called, whether present or not, which gave a eerie ring to the spaces when no one stood up to receive their diploma. The students, in recognition of those who were not present, decided to pass a graduation cap to each other, handing it off to each consecutive student who came up to receive their diploma. The cap was then presented to Mr. Guy Robinson by Clayton Carmack on behalf of all the graduates who were and were not present.

The ceremony ended with the flipping of tassels, and the roar as the caps were tossed in celebration. Might I add, that the years of the tassels ranged from the 1980's to the present year. It seemed some students had graduated even in 1987! There were catered foods and drinks afterwards, and a very crammed reception full of hugs, photographs and flowers. Some people were still arriving, while other graduates were already finding their way out to the grad party being held upstairs in the Hyatt. It was a wonderful ceremony and the reunion of everyone was definitely a sight to have seen - the energy in there was amazing!