The 153rd-term students of Darüşşafaka High School were awarded their diplomas at a graduation ceremony held on our campus on Wednesday, June 24.
The ceremony, where we bid farewell to our 98 high school students as they embarked on the next chapter of their lives, was attended by the management level of the Darüşşafaka Society and Educational Institutions, directors of the Darüşşafaka Alumni Association and Darüşşafaka Sports Club, members of our High Advisory Board, representatives of Türkiye İş Bankası, our students, teachers, Darüşşafaka alumni, parents, and donors.
Hosted by our 11th grade students Zeynep Hazan K. and Berke H., the ceremony began with a moment of silence in honor of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the Founder of the Republic of Türkiye, his comrades, and the founders of Darüşşafaka, followed by the Turkish National Anthem. Our High School Principal, Azize Şen Tosun, delivered the opening speech of the ceremony.
Tosun: “Your success is not only the success of your own story, but also of solidarity, equal opportunities, and the transformative power of education.”
Ms. Tosun reminded our students how, years ago, they had walked through Darüşşafaka’s iconic green gates carrying little more than a suitcase and their dreams, while today, they were leaving through those same gates equipped with knowledge, lifelong values, lasting friendships, treasured memories, and a strong hope for the future. She continued: “I hope you will carry Atatürk’s words with you throughout your lives: ‘The one who loves their country the most is the one who fulfills their duty in the best possible way.’ Life will take you to different cities, different universities, and different professions. Among you will be doctors, engineers, teachers, lawyers, entrepreneurs, and scientists. Whatever path you choose, always strive to do your very best. The greatest service you can render to our country is to carry out whatever work you do with integrity, dedication, and the utmost effort. Use your knowledge not only for your own benefit, but also for the good of society. Consider your achievements not merely as personal accomplishments, but as your contributions to your country and to humanity. As we bid you farewell today, I would also like to remind you that you carry into the future the faith placed in you by the founders of Darüşşafaka and by the thousands of donors who have sustained this great educational institution. Your success is not only the success of your own story, but also of solidarity, equal opportunities, and the transformative power of education.”
Arpacı: “The diploma you receive today is a promise to the future”
Following Tosun’s address, the Director General of our Educational Institutions, Ebru Arpacı, took the stage. She reminded the 153rd Term students that school is not only a place where lessons are taught, exams are taken, and grades are given, but also where individuals learn to discover who they are, and addressed the graduates with these words: “Today, people in many parts of the world are facing the severe consequences of wars, conflicts, hatred, and injustice… Wars leave behind not only destroyed cities, but also lives cut short, silenced laughter, divided families, and profound sorrow. That is why peace is not merely a noble wish. It is one of humanity’s greatest responsibilities. It requires hard work, courage, justice, and dialogue. It calls for a heart that can feel another person’s pain and a conscience that can look after another person’s rights. Be guided by your conscience… The world becomes a better place on the shoulders of not only knowledgeable people, but also those who use their knowledge in the service of kindness, justice, and humanity. Our Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s principle, ‘Peace at Home, Peace in the World,’ continues to guide us today. My wish for you is that you never stray from the path he set before us. Honor his legacy built on reason, science, freedom, secularism, the Republic, modernity, and peace, not only through your words, but through your actions. The diploma you receive today is not only proof of the hard work you have put in the past. It is also a promise to the future… A promise that says, ‘Wherever I may be, I will uphold human dignity and value hard work, kindness, honesty, and peace.'”
Following Arpacı’s speech, Merve Kalyoncu (DŞ’98), Chair of the Board of the Darüşşafaka Alumni Association, and Cenk Eyüboğlu, Member of our Board of Directors and Chair of the Education Commission, addressed the students of the 153rd Term.
Güleç: “May your conscience be your compass, the light of science your companion, and Atatürk’s principles and reforms your constant guide!”
Following Eyüboğlu’s remarks, our Chair of the Board of Directors, Oğuz Güleç, took the stage and emphasized that the occasion was more than a graduation ceremony; it marked a new chapter in a journey that had begun with hope. Addressing the graduates, he said: “Eight years ago, when you arrived on this campus from different cities and with different life stories, you did not know one another. You grew together under the shade of the same plane tree, shared meals at the same tables, and dreamed together in the same classrooms. Together, you overcame every challenge. Although you are leaving your home today, we will continue to hear your laughter and joyful voices throughout our campus… From now on, you are no longer just classmates; you are members of a lifelong fellowship.” Güleç addressed the 153rd Term graduates:
“Today, as you toss your graduation caps into the air, they will carry your hopes, your dreams, and your faith in the future to the sky. Wherever life takes you, never lose touch with one another, and never forget Darüşşafaka. Today is not only about 98 young people graduating in this hall. Today, 98 beacons of hope are setting out on new journeys across our country and around the world. Wherever you go, you will carry with you Darüşşafaka’s 163-year legacy of kindness, its spirit of solidarity, its belief in equal opportunities, and the light of reason and science entrusted to us by our Great Leader, Atatürk. We are immensely proud of you! On behalf of our Board of Directors, myself, and the entire Darüşşafaka family, I congratulate every one of you from the bottom of my heart. May your conscience be your compass, the light of science your companion, and Atatürk’s principles and reforms your constant guide!”
Following his address, Prof. Dr. Türker Kılıç, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at İstinye University, delivered the traditional “Last Lecture” to our students. His speech was followed by the screening of a film reflecting on the eight years our 153rd Term students spent at Darüşşafaka.
Celalettin Çağlar (DŞ’69) Award
The special award of our Former Board Member Celalettin Çağlar (DŞ’69), presented to students who stand out through their achievements in the subjects of “Science” and “Mathematics,” was awarded this year to Mustafa Çağan K. in the field of science and Burak İ. in mathematics. The awards were presented to the students by Yasemin Kalaycı, Assistant Principal for 12th-grade students.
This was followed by presenting awards to our students who graduated from Darüşşafaka High School with the highest rankings: the first-place award was presented to Emine K. by Oğuz Güleç, the second-place award to Elif Y. by Cenk Eyüboğlu, and the third-place award to Selin Ö. by Ebru Arpacı.
Emine K., who graduated from Darüşşafaka High School as the top student, delivered an emotional speech before placing the 153rd Term plate on the school’s commemorative tree. In her speech, Emine said:
“I remember the day I first walked through Darüşşafaka’s doors as if it were yesterday. Perhaps, like many of my friends, I was not afraid, nor in tears. Thanks to my older sister, who studied in these very classrooms before me, I already had some understanding of what it meant to live here and grow together. I always felt her support by my side. During these eight years, we did not just attend classes; we learned about life. I learned how to find solutions instead of complaining. I was hurt, and I was angry at times, but I also learned how to forgive. We learned how to act together, share the same table, and hold on to one another like links in a chain. This school taught me that learning is not limited to books and that it is also possible to laugh and enjoy ourselves while working hard. I would like to thank Darüşşafaka for giving me and thousands of children like me not only a quality education, but also hope, confidence, and a new life. We may be leaving this school today, but we will carry the values Darüşşafaka has given us throughout our lives. My success today is also a result of everything Darüşşafaka has given me. I am so proud to be a Darüşşafaka Alumni! I am so proud to be a part of this family!”
Following our student’s speech, the traditional flag and banner handover ceremony took place. During the ceremony, 153rd Term students Azime S. and Ahmet Emin K. handed over the flag and the banner to 11th-grade students Aslı İrem K. and Oğuzhan K.
Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for: our 153rd Term graduates received their diplomas one by one.
The ceremony also witnessed the celebration of our 153rd Term Student Belinay, one of the first students from Türkiye to earn a scholarship to study at Marlborough College, with applause for completing her education in the United Kingdom.
Our graduation ceremony came to an end with the singing of the Darüşşafaka Anthem by everyone, followed by the traditional graduation cap toss.
