YES EOY Ceremony

The YES End of Year Ceremony was more than just a celebration – it was a culmination of the growth, leadership, and the dedication that YES showed consistently throughout the past year. Held at the Brookhaven Country Club, the evening meeting brought together parents, members, families, and leaders together in the grandest experience to date. This event reminded all of us of the commitment, collaboration, and dedication we have shown throughout this year

The moment guests started arriving, the atmosphere became energetic and warm, with conversations flowing throughout the room. After the primary welcoming, the first event: “Look Back on the Year” commenced, with student representatives such as Cathy, Wilson, Jean, and Celine all providing their own accounts of their best moments and times with YES over their past years. 

Their stories reflected the shared experiences and growth they have shown, along with an increased confidence, professionalism, and maturity. Each one of us members all came into YES with some uncertainty, however, one can be sure that eventually this uncertainty will evolve into leadership, teamwork, and new purposes. 

Following the “Look Back on the Year”, Mr. Su, Mrs. Ivy, and Mrs. Guan commended our senior members, giving a warm thanks and recognition of their hard work and dedication across their time with YES. 

This recognition wasn’t just for our senior students, but also the first edition of our YES yearbook. 

If it wasn’t for our historians, photographers, and social media managers, this yearbook would not come to be. Their work throughout the year captured various memories and achievements that might have otherwise been forgotten, but their hard work sets these memories in stone. 

After the praise for our hardworking members, YES moved on with a well said speech by Haidi Huang. Her keynote address emphasizes the success that comes from one of the most important things in life: our parents. She spoke about the sacrifices that often go unnoticed behind the scenes : the long hours, the difficult decisions, that our parents make just for us to have the opportunities we have. Her message reminded all of us that we should be grateful towards the hard work and responsibility our mothers and fathers provided to us. 

As the evening continued on, our newly established live auction introduced a new element of surprise and interactiveness to YES. Items such as home raised chicken eggs and even tennis classes were purchased by members of the audience, and students such as Michelle, Derek, Gloria, Emily, and Vivian were able to successfully sell their products whilst gaining a new feeling of professionalism and confidence in public speaking. In addition to the live auction, there was also a silent auction that continued throughout the night with items such as home tools, artworks, and SAT classes also being sold at tables during the event. 

After the auction, one of our most important events of the year began: the YES Launch Presentations. 

6 teams, each with members from unique backgrounds, were given the opportunity to present a product presentation that solved a real world issue in our society in front of all attendees and a panel of judges that would determine the winner. Various products were shown, such as diabetes tracking devices and odor absorbing bag inserts, but the ultimate winner went by the name of “AI-Fry”, a truly innovative AI powered air fryer that seasons, cooks, and prepares meals for you. The judges awarded the team not just with praise, but also with a cash prize, a truly convincing incentive… This experience was not just about results, though, as it challenged members of YES to communicate effectively with team members, defend their ideas, and most importantly developed their teamwork and adaptability. It is with the YES Launch Presentations that students were able to realize their development as not just members, but also self-fulfilling leaders. 

The closing finale of the evening was the award ceremony, in which the atmosphere shifted its way from remembrance to celebration. Our leaders such as Ted Su and Ivy Sun celebrated the growing students who had worked so hard this past year, handing out awards of leadership and accomplishment to numerous students. 

Beyond these awards, a key idea is reinforced: achievement comes from consistency and effort along with the willingness to persevere across challenges no matter what they may be. 

As the YES End-of-Year Ceremony comes to a close, it serves as both a celebration of the past year and an inspiration for the future. Students walk away with lasting memories, stronger connections, and renewed motivation to continue growing as leaders. In just one evening, the event captures something powerful: the transformation that occurs when students are given opportunities to lead, collaborate, and believe in themselves.