The CIC community recently gathered to honor those who choose belief over doubt—individuals who step forward, speak up, and act with purpose.

These everyday decisions do more than just complete a task; they shape the confidence, resilience, and strength of the entire campus.

The Courage of Everyday Choices

Self-empowerment is not defined by a single grand gesture. Instead, it is a quiet, steady courage built from consistent actions.

This month, the spotlight was on those who lead by example, including:

• Taking Initiative: Volunteering as a Student Council homeroom representative without hesitation.
• Leading with Voice: Advocating for others as a Head Delegate of the MUN team and lifting peers through thoughtful leadership.
• Visionary Ownership: Putting oneself forward for executive roles, such as Vice President of Student Council, and speaking clearly about a vision for the future.

Ownership and Impact

These moments serve as a powerful reminder that self-empowerment begins with the courage to step forward.

By using their voices and taking ownership of their actions, these leaders are actively creating a positive impact on the world around them.

May these achievements inspire the entire community to continue leading with determination and confidence.

Giving back to the local community has long been a tradition at �Ͼ�Ʒ��. Our students arrive from more than 70 countries with diverse cultures, languages, and dreams. In Hamilton, they find a welcoming community that supports them and becomes their home away from home — and in return, the CIC family gives back with incredible generosity and heart.

In 2025 alone, CIC students contributed 26,605.75 community service hours and raised $30,247.54 to support meaningful causes in Hamilton and beyond.

These efforts were more than volunteer hours or donations. They were expressions of gratitude — students showing appreciation for the city and people who have supported their journey in Canada.

Through charity events, volunteer work, and acts of kindness, our students proved that global citizens care deeply about the communities they call home.

Top Donations:
• Ronald McDonald House – $6,397.40
• World Vision – $6,293.76
• Terry Fox Foundation – $4,634.57
• Hamilton/Burlington SPCA – $4,528.56
• Neighbour to Neighbour – $2,000.00

From supporting local families to helping global causes, CIC students demonstrated that compassion knows no borders. Their dedication reflects the heart of CIC — a community where students learn not only to succeed academically, but also to serve, care, and give back.

Thank you to every student who volunteered, donated, and inspired others. Because of you, Hamilton is not just where you study — it’s where you belong.

“We feel confident and safe to let our daughter study abroad at CIC.” — Parents of Scarlette Chu, CIC ’27

Since joining �Ͼ�Ʒ�� in August 2025, Scarlette has received multiple Character Award nominations in recognition of her outstanding character and exemplary presence among her peers.

Studying abroad is a big step for any family, but watching her feel supported in every part of her life – academically, socially, emotionally, and physically – has brought them so much reassurance.

Scarlette’s parents can’t hide the pride and happiness when they talk about her first year at CIC.

We are thrilled that CIC’s Academic, Social, Emotional, and Physical (ASEP) approach has supported Scarlette in forming meaningful friendships, exploring new interests, and growing into a confident, well‑rounded young person.

�Ͼ�Ʒ�� proudly congratulates this year’s recipients of the Top Subject and Continuing Excellence Awards, recognizing students who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement and dedication.

At CIC, success is defined not only by talent, but by resilience, discipline, and a commitment to continuous growth.

This year’s award winners exemplify these qualities, showing that consistent effort and perseverance lead to meaningful accomplishment.

These scholarships are made possible through the �Ͼ�Ʒ�� International Scholarship Endowment Fund (CISEF), a registered charity supported by a dedicated volunteer Board of Directors.

Since its founding in 2009, the Endowment Fund has awarded over $1.1 million in scholarships to more than 1,000 CIC students, reflecting a long-standing commitment to investing in student success and future potential.

We celebrate each recipient’s achievement and look forward to seeing them continue to grow, lead, and inspire—both at CIC and in the years ahead.

To all our long-serving team members—thank you for being the heart of Total Care!

Valedictorian: Wing Hay Pang (Raven)

• Western University: Ivey Business School – Commerce
• University of Edinburgh – Business Management
• University of Toronto: St. George – Rotman Commerce – Commerce
• University of Toronto: Scarborough – Management & International Business
• University of Toronto: Mississauga – Commerce
• University of Waterloo – Accounting & Financial Management
• McMaster University – Business
• Wilfrid Laurier – Business Administration
• Western University – Management & Organizational Studies
• Queens University – Commerce
• University of Sydney – Commerce
• Total Scholarships: $425,000

Valedictorian Speech

As I stand here today, looking out at this graduating class, I see more than a group of students in caps and gowns—I see a generation ready to rise, ready to lead, ready to redefine what success truly looks like.

I’ve seen it in my friends who still smile even when faced with homesickness and heavy workloads. I’ve seen it in the quiet persistence of classmates who fought through language barriers. I’ve seen it in the ones who, despite self-doubt, still raised their hands, still showed up, still tried. I’ve seen it in the bold, small moments—the ones where we chose to keep going. That’s not ordinary. That’s courage. That’s strength. That’s you.

But I’ll be honest—my story didn’t begin with that kind of strength. I wasn’t always the one raising my hand, taking the lead, or stepping forward. In fact, I often stepped back—and there was a reason for that.

Back in Hong Kong, I was the student who was constantly underestimated. I failed math more times than I want to admit. I still remember the sting of my teacher saying to me, “You will never make it into university.” That sentence followed me like a shadow. And for a long time, I believed it.

But coming to Canada—to CIC—shifted something in me. Not because life got easier, but because I started seeing possibility again. I realized that our past doesn’t define us—our choices do. And one by one, I began choosing differently.

I stepped out of fear and into opportunity. I ran for student council. I took on DECA. I founded clubs. I started using my voice—not just for myself, but to uplift others too.

And I know I’m not alone in this transformation. Every one of us here has fought their own battles. What was yours? Stressful assignments? Sleepless nights? Doubts, deadlines, identity struggles—or maybe just the overwhelming uncertainty of the future?

Whatever it was, you made it through. You showed up. You kept going. And today, we don’t just celebrate making it—we celebrate what it took to get here.

We’ve proven something essential: That resilience lives here. That courage lives here. That strength lives here. In each of us.

This moment—this graduation—is not the end of our challenges. It’s not the last time we’ll face doubt, or adversity. And it certainly won’t be the last time someone underestimates us.

But if this journey has taught us anything, it’s this: We are not built to back down. We are built to rise.

The world ahead is unpredictable. It’s fast. It’s loud. And sometimes, it can make us feel small. But we’ve already shown—we can stand tall in uncertainty.

We are not just the next generation of students. We are future innovators, storytellers, healers, entrepreneurs, and advocates. We are the ones who will build something better—not just for ourselves, but for others too.

So, my message to you is this: Don’t wait to be ready. Don’t wait to be chosen. And don’t wait to feel fearless. Start anyway. Speak up anyway. Build anyway.

Because the world doesn’t need perfect people—it needs real ones. And sometimes, the people who’ve been doubted the most… become the ones others believe in the most.

Be that person—for yourself, and for those who need someone to believe in.

Class of 2025—own that power. Not tomorrow. Not someday. But now.

We didn’t just graduate. We transformed. And we’re just getting started.

Thank you.

Vote of Thanks: Ho Yan Lam (Allison)

• University of Toronto: St. George – Mechanical Engineering
• University of Waterloo – Mechatronics Engineering
• Queens University – Mechatronics Engineering
• McMaster University – Engineering
• Total Scholarships: $118,000

Vote of Thanks Speech

Good afternoon fellow graduates, platform party, and parents. My name is Alison, I’m very honoured to be the vote of thanks for this year’s May graduates. The theme of my speech today is simple: don’t take it for granted. Because behind every meal, every class, every small act of care — there were people who made it all possible. And too often, we don’t notice… until we stop and look back. So today, I want to share four stories, through these stories I hope we can recognize just the departments that have shaped our time at CIC.��