2023 High School Graduation Ceremonies: First Use of the Renovated Gymnasium

A proud graduating class is leaving Steinmühle: proud of having the highest Abitur score in the school’s history, proud of their sense of community, proud of their classmate who has just received a “fresh” acceptance to the Mozarteum in Salzburg, proud of a classmate’s Social Award for so much volunteer work that one wonders when she even had time for school. The graduates can also be proud that they were the first class in a long time to celebrate the evening on their own grounds—namely, in the renovated gym. But this graduating class has a very special bond with Principal Bernd Holly. Both they and he are leaving Steinmühle for good. The young people are heading out into the world, while Bernd Holly is retiring. Such is the passage of time.

What is time? Björn Gemmer, the remaining member of the school’s former co-principal team, made this the topic of his speech at the high school graduation ceremony. To the surprise and delight of the audience, he began his speech with the first verse and the chorus of Udo Jürgens’ 44-year-old song “1000 Jahre sind ein Tag” (1,000 Years Are a Day), ultimately noting how well such an old song—in terms of its message—still fits into today’s world, but also to the graduates’ school careers.

The principal praised his colleagues for sparking the students’ curiosity as early as the lower and middle grades about a wide variety of topics—many of which, across different subjects, often centered on the theme of time, whether it was the time project in 6th grade or, later on, the classification of historical periods in history or art classes.

According to philosophical theories, the secret to one’s individual perception of time lies in the answer to the question of how fulfilling a period of time is—and the answer as to why those nine years had simply flown by so quickly was quickly found: “Because they were so fulfilling.”

As part of the morning program—which included speeches by students Paul Martin and Linda Hübl, interspersed with musical performances—certificates were handed out following the tutorials, accompanied by brief remarks from the tutors, and awards were presented. What a celebration!

Of course, these results—and the individual achievements that each person defined for themselves—had to be celebrated. On this hot summer day, the evening was celebrated as airily as possible in the renovated gym: doors open for a light breeze, the buffet set up outside in the pavilion—with a delicious selection of food that left everyone in awe. What a fantastic kitchen team—the boarding school staff! The relaxed program, which included the graduates’ tributes to all the tutors, provided opportunities for breaks in between—for conversations at tables and in small groups around the grounds—and for taking a deep breath, especially when some of the speeches and the appreciation expressed in them truly touched the heart.

It is virtually impossible to give all the speakers, those presenting awards, and the honorees the attention they deserve in a single article. However, it’s safe to say that the graduation ceremony took place in a fitting setting. This marked a successful first attempt at holding this important day in the renovated sports hall instead of in a tent or an expensively rented venue. School Director Dirk Konnertz said, “We are planning a suitable usage concept for this hall that will also make other events possible.”