HADLEY — For many members of the Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School class of 2026, Wednesday’s graduation marked the end of nearly their entire childhood spent at a school where learning two languages and navigating two cultures became part of who they are.
Underneath the pavilion at the Young Men’s Club of Hadley, the school celebrated its 10th graduating class, made up of 28 students who reflected on the unique experience of growing up immersed in both Chinese and American traditions.
“For a lot of us, it’s seen every part of us. Since I was 5, it’s seen every part of me,” senior Aidan Betournay told classmates before repeating his speech in Chinese.
Founded in 2007 and expanded to serve grades K-12 in 2013, the charter school has built a reputation for combining Chinese language immersion with the International Baccalaureate program. Students pointed these strengths out, noting that they shaped both their worldviews and identities.
“We kind of make something new out of it when they intertwine, so I think that’s really special,” Betournay said.
He expressed gratitude to the school for making him and his classmates who they are today, and reminded his peers not to let the good parts of school go in the process of trying to forget the difficult moments.
Before the ceremony started, Isabella Cestero Szewczyk reflected on her upbringing surrounded by the Chinese language and culture.
“I feel like that is such a passionate thing to have with you, and I will definitely be taking Chinese into my college years,” she said.
Rondey Jarius Allen said he will always remember being a young elementary student trying to sing Chinese songs.
Allen, who also delivered his senior address in English and Chinese, spoke about finding value in PVCICS, despite it being an untraditional high school experience.
“You don’t see many 27-person classes or schools tucked between Subaru dealerships and strip malls,” Allen said.
He explained that learning to appreciate his school for its differences has translated into a new, broader worldview of looking on the bright side and seeing the bigger picture in everyday situations.
“When you look at the chip on the frame, you often miss the beautiful painting,” he said.
Once the graduates filed into their seats, Principal Kathleen Wang reminded them that life is about incremental growth and small progress. She urged the graduates to fuel themselves by being outside, away from social media.
She acknowledged that she knows they will all do very well in life because they’ve always risen to the challenge, even when their classes felt strict and demanding.
“I want to wish you well. I will miss you,” Wang said.
The student selected faculty speaker was Michael Locher, who poked fun at the students for selecting a physics teacher to write a speech.
He told graduates to appreciate their incoming years of extended childhood and take every opportunity to step out of their comfort zones.
“Take fencing lessons, go skydiving, start a hiking group, publish a poem, live in another country, make flamboyant mistakes,” he said.
He cautioned them not to let the fear of not being good enough get in their way, as they all excel in school, can speak another language and have earned their International Baccalaureate diplomas.
Many students and faculty noted that the International Baccalaureate program is unique to PVCICS. The curriculum takes place during the last two years of high school and requires the completion of six, two-year courses that aim to build strong critical thinking and time management skills as well as a closeness to other cultures.
Graduate Ryan Larsen said that he appreciated the approach PVCICS took to the curriculum.
“I couldn’t imagine doing IB in another school,” he said.
Board of trustees member Charles Bagley took the stand to congratulate the students for “graduating from an innovative school that provides academic rigor and immersive Chinese language and culture.”
The graduates made their way into a line next to the stage to receive their diplomas. They were also given two flowers to hand out to loved ones in the crowd after they walked across the stage.
The graduates dispersed to greet their people with thanks and then scurried back to the front of the stage for a class photo and a highly anticipated cap toss.
To the same tune that welcomed them into the pavilion, the PVCICS orchestra played “Pomp and Circumstance” to accompany the class as they walked out with their high school diplomas in hand.
Class of 2026 graduates: Rondey Allen, Aidan Betournay, Isabela Caride-LaRose, Isabella Cestero, Catherine Chang, Avinash Chhibber, Aidan Cleary, Owynn Gilburg, Sharry Hu, Krish Indarapu, Darwin Irschick, Michael Jay, Henry Klein, Nikolas Koch, Ryan Larsen, Olivia Lugg, Jiyu Moon, Abigail Nicolson, Jason Pugliano, Jackson Quist, Magnolia Sharp, Alikzander Sniffen, Gabriel Stone, Phoenix Stone, Asa Taggert, Nathaniel Tuttle, Emma Vasovic, Owen Wallace
