Graduation

At Legacy, graduation is a BIG event. The students have been preparing speeches and music for many weeks…months, in the case of the original music that was composed especially for this occasion! On Sunday, preparation begins at the school with some last-minute rehearsing and the loading of all the sound equipment.

Graduation is at the Empress Hotel in /Chiang Mai (in the same room that Festival services are held, for those of you who have been there). Hotel staff had the hallway outside the room decorated with a tropical theme, complete with banana trees and thatched roofs.

There is much setup to do, so students and teachers arrive early. This being Thailand, everyone else arrives late. “Starting time” seems to be just a benchmark for westerners to calculate how late everyone else is. Elainea, Norah and Mahlulee are among the early arrivals.

The Empress Hotel is very good to Legacy, and they do a great job with everything they host for us.

While we were setting up, I gave Surachai my camera, and he took a hundred pictures or so. Here is a sampling. ... Setting up the video.

What’s a father to do?

Nathan at a rare moment without guitar in hand.

U Tai does not seem willing to pose.

La Nu Nan is always surrounded by electrical equipment.

David Beattie came to Thailand for graduation! When the Burmese students went back home the next Sunday, David went with them and spent some time in Yangon. Here, he shares a moment with Dola (Norah’s younger sister.)

Erika.

Jaseefu was involved in most every musical number. Like several others, he is at home with a guitar or a keyboard. ... I think it was after this photo that I took the camera back from Surachai.

Myo Zaw and “Auntie” Tumar. They are now back home in Yangon. The Burmese students are very close to this couple. All of them have spent time at their home on their way to Thailand. Seng Mai actually lived there for years while pursuing her education in the capital. She and Hkawn Din are like daughters to them.

Leon and Gloria have put so much effort into this evening- both the event itself, and eight years of work on the school, not to mention the time spent with the graduates. It is an emotional time. While Norah was giving her speech, she looked a Leon and teared up a little. The old softie that I am becoming observed this and teared up myself. Not only is this the culmination of 3 years of their lives, it is the last day that all of them will be see each other after spending 3 years living together. Several of them mentioned in their talks at graduation that they felt like a family…Thai, Burmese…Kachin, Karen, Mizo, Lahu, Chan, etc- all living together as one. It is a beautiful thing to behold.

Fon’s name is really Na Leh. I learned a lot when I looked at the graduation program. Names seem to be a bit more flexible in Asia than they are at home.

Hkawn Din and a better-dressed David.

While we’re waiting for everyone to show up, we take lots of pictures. Here you see the graduates and teachers.

20 or 30 minutes after the scheduled starting time, the place is still practically empty. The students continue to take pictures and entertain themselves. This is most likely the only Legacy graduation that has featured “A Pirate Looks at 40” as pre-ceremony entertainment :)

We finally begin! The first year students sang 2 songs in tribute to the graduates, including an original composition by Atiwat entitled “The Great Brother" In their Legacy uniforms, they reminded me of the Beatles in the early days! From left to right, Japur, Chalermsak, Wichai and Atiwat.

Jaseefu was busy at the keyboard. One of the songs was his original composition.

The teachers sang "My Wish" (a Rascal Flatts song)

Norah and Fon sing Jay's original composition "Love Is My Life" with Nathan on the guitar.

The Legacy choir performed 2 numbers.

“Doctor Penguin” and his partner-in-crime “Captain Treetops” (not pictured) provided some after dinner lighthearted magic and entertainment. They are 2 Farung friends of Leon who do shows for children to entertain and educate.

A thorn between 2 roses. This pose was at the request of the ladies. Notice Surachai, who managed to get into more pictures than about anyone…complete with bouquet here!

This picture tells you all you need to know about the personalities of Norah and her children. Mayulah is on the left and Mahulee on the right. Guess which one is always up to something? …You are right.

The graduates in their gowns. From left to right, (the ubiquitous Surachai),then Buut, Jaseefu, Seng Mai, Norah, Hkawn Din, Jay and Beka.

The graduates and the teachers.

Everyone.