Last Christmas

The enchanting Christmas atmosphere with its sparkling colors is coming to the PennSchool community in this final month of the year, evoking fond memories of the three Christmas seasons  that have passed. For alumni, Christmas at PennSchool continues to be a beautiful and cherished reminiscence of their school days.

For Vo Hoang Bao Tran, even though she is now a student at VinUni, the arrival of this season brings back nostalgic moments of joy and laughter with friends at the last Christmas Fair and Music Festival.

“As a former student, I, Võ Hoàng Bảo Trân, currently studying at VinUni, have felt a wave of nostalgia as the Christmas season approaches, reflecting on the delightful memories of Christmas at PennSchool. The Christmas fair when I was at PennSchool was a truly unforgettable experience that left a lasting impression on my heart. Besides the lively decorations and festive atmosphere, what made the event truly special was the collective effort to support a charitable cause. Decorating the food stalls became a collaborative effort where students showcased their creativity, turning simple stalls into festive displays of holiday spirit. Selling items for donation added a sense of purpose to the celebration, emphasizing the importance of giving back to the community. It wasn’t just about enjoying the festivities; it was about uniting as a school community to make a positive impact.

The music performances during the Christmas fair were another highlight. The talent and enthusiasm displayed by my fellow students turned the event into a lively artistic celebration. From traditional carols to contemporary renditions, the performances created a sense of unity, bringing everyone together to appreciate the beauty of music and the spirit of the season.”

The last Christmas season also brought many nostalgic emotions for the young girl Tran Khanh Linh, an alumni of the American Diploma Pathway.

“Another Christmas Eve is approaching, but unlike last year, I can no longer celebrate this holiday as a PennSchool student. It makes me a little sad to  reminisce about the times when my friends and I stayed after school to help Miss Huong decorate our class. To be honest, it was complete chaos when we first did the Christmas decorations! Covering our uniforms with those beautiful glitter tinsels, walking around the class, and posing weirdly to tease our teacher – we had a lot of fun back then. Once we finished our play, we returned to our task of decorating our beloved classroom, and the joy of planning and working together has remained a precious memory in my mind. In the end, we successfully created a lovely Christmas tree on our classroom door.

Looking back, I regret not taking more pictures of that time. Perhaps I hadn’t considered the day when I would say goodbye to my friends, teachers, and the precious memories we created in this school. We were naive to think that six months would be enough time for us to be together, but as it turned out, we were wrong. I still remember the moment when we took the last photo together at our graduation ceremony; I burst out crying, finally understanding that there would be no more exam days, no more Halloweens, and no more Christmases where we would gather around the Christmas tree, as we had already set our own paths to follow.”

This Christmas, they became not only alumni of PennSchool but also sophomores in the University. The experience during this holiday season has brought different impressions to them.

“These memories continue to inspire me as I navigate the festive season at VinUni, where I carry forward the lessons of giving and community learned during those magical moments at PennSchool. The university’s multicultural community and cultural exchanges have added depth to my festive celebrations. The unique traditions and festivities at VinUni have allowed me to embrace the holiday season in a different cultural context, creating a tapestry of memories that beautifully blend my past at PennSchool with the present at VinUni. These experiences have not only shaped my academic journey but have also enriched my understanding of the global tapestry of holiday celebrations.”

– Vo Hoang Bao Tran – Alumni of the American Diploma Pathway (ADP)

When we get older, we will realize that friendships from high school and university differ considerably. That’s also Thuy Linh’s feeling, as she increasingly cherished the memories she had at PennSchool.

“As I write this on December 14, with just one day left until my university’s Winter Break begins, I recognize that Christmas celebrations in university differ from those in high school. There will still be parties on the last day, but we will mostly hang out separately. That is the nature of university life. You attend  class and then go home, do team projects, and say goodbye. It might sound kind of cold, right? Since everyone is  busy, forming a strong bond like the one you have with your high school friends is rare, but not close to impossible. Staying in the university dorm, having lovely roommates, and a friendly community where the professor and other students share a strong bond – these factors have prevented the feelings of distance and loneliness.

But as a former student of PennSchool, besides wishing you a Merry Christmas, I also suggest that  you take more pictures of your friends and teachers, especially those in Grade 12. There will come a time in the future when deadlines and challenges may cause you to forget these wonderful people and memories. So seize your opportunities as much as you can now! Don’t be like me, who now regrets having only one picture to recall those beautiful times we had on the last Christmas day at PennSchool.

Feliz Navidad, mis amigos!”