Paths Forward: Halcyon Alumni Share Insights for Grade 10 Transition

Last week, we welcomed back a group of alumni to speak to our Grade 10 students as they prepare to transition into the International Baccalaureate’s (IB) Diploma Programme.

Our panelist included members from the Class of 2020 through to our most recent graduating class, Class of 2025: Artur Tomakhov and Arthur Hamill (Class of 2025), Mia Ciauri (Class of 2022), Nicole Schwartz (Class of 2021), Sabrina Ciauri (Class of 2020), Willem Dube (Class of 2022), and Yuki Hoshino (Class of 2023). Each panelist offered reflections on their IB journey, how the IB programmes shaped them, supported their passions, and laid the foundations for their current paths at University, and into their working lives. 

The session focused on the IB’s mission: to inspire students to think beyond themselves - how education has helped each of them start to make a difference in the world. Our alumni shared how the IB encouraged them to discover their own agency, whether through Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) projects, the Extended Essay - university-level research, or the ability of the programmes to follow personal interests with depth and purpose. 

The panelists shared how the IB’s flexibility allowed each of them to tailor their learning around what mattered most to them; one alumni reflected on a CAS project that involved teaching others - what started as a small initiative sparked a wider passion for social impact - creating a tutoring company. Another shared their experience of building homes as part of a service project, underscoring how these opportunities blend skill development with meaningful action. These real-world experiences not only gave them perspective, but also confidence. One panelist stated: “The programme afforded me the space to develop a passion, to master skills that helped me, and in turn helped me to help others.”

There was a shared appreciation for how Halcyon nurtured the habits of self-reflection and initiative. From time-management and self-discipline to empathy and collaboration, our alumni recognised how much these strengths shaped their lives at university, including the willingness of Halcyon teachers to go above and beyond to make a lasting difference. 

One especially thoughtful moment came when Ms Fritz asked the group what legacy they hope to leave behind. The responses were diverse, but deeply rooted in the IB values: one alumni spoke about social entrepreneurship, building ventures to positively impact communities, another on the importance of leaving behind personal traits, of being dependable, caring, and principled; attributes of the IB’s Learner Profile. “People won’t always remember what you said or the circumstance, but they will always remember how you made them feel,” one shared, a reminder of the power of compassion, empathy and connection. 

As our Grade 10 students look ahead to their IB Diploma journey, it was both encouraging and inspiring to hear from our alumni - peers who have already walked that path. We are so grateful to these alumni - and all our alumni - for returning, sharing and reminding us of the IB’s true impact, not just a rigorous academic programme, but a launchpad for thoughtful and purposeful lives.