Witnessing the Bloom of Youth: A Look Back at SuOn Academy’s Class of 2025 Graduation Ceremony as Top Universities Around the World Extend Their Olive Branches

In June, sunlight filters through the Gothic stained-glass windows of Victoria College in Toronto, casting vibrant shadows across the century-old stone steps. At 1:00 PM on June 20, 2025, 125 graduates from SuOn Academy, dressed in formal academic gowns, slowly entered the historic hall of Victoria College at the University of Toronto. Established in 1892, this academic sanctuary is not only one of U of T’s most prestigious colleges but also a living monument to the history of Canadian higher education.

Victoria College is renowned for its iconic Gothic Revival architecture—soaring spires, intricate stone carvings, and majestic arcades all exude academic solemnity and historical gravitas. Its famous Annesley Hall, designated as a National Historic Site of Canada, retains its original late-19th-century interior décor, with painted ceilings and handcrafted oak seating that have witnessed the growth of generations of scholars. Hosting the graduation ceremony here is not only a tribute to academic tradition but also a heartfelt wish from SuOn Academy—that our graduates, like this enduring structure, may stand the test of time and leave their mark on history.

 

A Launchpad to the World’s Top Universities: SuOn Students Impress Global Institutions with Their Achievements
As of June 6, 2025, SuOn Academy’s 125 graduates from the Class of 2025 have received an astounding 1,056 university admission offers—an average of 8.4 offers per student, breaking the school’s all-time record once again. Even more remarkably, 90% of graduates were admitted to at least one of the world’s Top 100 universities, and 74% will pursue further studies in STEM or business fields.

The University of Toronto remains the top destination, offering 194 admission letters to SuOn students—marking the ninth consecutive year in which SuOn has maintained an average of more than one U of T offer per graduate. Ranked #1 in Canada and #16 globally (2025 US News Rankings), U of T has produced 10 Nobel laureates, including insulin discoverer Frederick Banting. Its prestigious “Track One” engineering program and the finance major at Rotman Commerce are golden tickets coveted by students around the world.

The University of Waterloo extended 42 offers to SuOn graduates for its highly competitive mathematics and computer science programs. With one of North America’s strongest co-op systems, Waterloo’s CS graduates enjoy an average starting salary of CAD $85,000, and companies like Microsoft and Google hold exclusive recruitment events there annually.

UK-bound students also received excellent news: 7 students were admitted to the world’s top-ranked Education program at University College London (UCL); 5 students received offers for Artificial Intelligence at the University of Edinburgh; and King’s College London (KCL) opened its Computer Science department to SuOn graduates.

In the U.S., top programs also welcomed our students. These include Computer Science at the University of Washington (Top 10 nationally), Applied Mathematics at UC San Diego (alma mater of several Fields Medalists), and Parsons School of Design, ranked #1 in the U.S. for art and design.

Notably, several students were admitted to Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Others chose international destinations like the University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus and the University of Amsterdam, showcasing the global diversity of SuOn graduates’ pathways.

The Class of 2025 has collectively earned CAD $10,586,950 in scholarships—averaging CAD $85,000 per student, continuing the school’s legacy of outstanding scholarship achievements.

Ceremony Highlights: Bidding Farewell to Youth in Applause and Tears
The ceremony began with the solemn notes of Canada’s national anthem. In his heartfelt opening speech, Principal Dr. Ian Botnick said:
“You once walked into SuOn with nervous anticipation; today, you walk out with confidence and dreams. Remember, SuOn will always be your home, and every teacher here is proud of you.”

Mr. Wenjin Han, Consul for Education at the Chinese Consulate-General in Toronto, gave a speech rich in national sentiment:
“This year marks the 55th anniversary of China-Canada diplomatic relations and the 20th anniversary of our strategic partnership. I hope you will contribute to the friendship between our nations.” He also praised SuOn Academy for its outstanding work in cross-cultural education.

Steve Heck, former CTO of Microsoft Canada, delivered a witty and thought-provoking keynote: “In the age of AI, it’s not about competing with machines, but about making them serve humanity.” He shared his journey from a university dropout to a tech leader and encouraged students to “stay curious and dare to break the mold.”

The speech by teacher David Watkins brought many to tears: “I remember drawing smiley faces on your first homework assignments. Today, I want to draw a bigger smile on every one of your diplomas.” When a video of heartfelt messages from parents played on the big screen, many students quietly wiped away tears.

A student-made graduation video brought the ceremony to its emotional climax. It captured moments from lively classroom interactions and hallway reflections to the thrill of opening acceptance letters and enjoying sunny days on campus. Every ordinary yet precious memory from the past three years was beautifully preserved.

Student representative Katy Jin reflected on her most unforgettable SuOn moments and voiced what many felt: “SuOn didn’t just teach us knowledge—it taught us how to grow into our best selves far from home. Here, we learned independence, confidence, mutual support, resilience, and growth.”

 

Tossing More Than Just Caps into the Future
As 125 graduation caps soared into the Gothic dome of Victoria College, sunlight streamed through the stained-glass windows, casting dazzling colors across the hall. In that moment, youth met history, and dreams merged with reality.

During the free photo session that followed, students rushed to take final pictures with their beloved teachers.

In his closing remarks, the principal said:
“Today, you graduate from SuOn; but SuOn will never graduate from your life. No matter where you go, the bauhinia flowers of this place will always bloom for you.”

Off to explore the stars and oceans—may you return with the same youthful heart.

(For more unforgettable moments, follow SuOn Academy’s official WeChat [2025 Graduation Season] series)

✨ Class of 2025: What’s your most unforgettable memory at SuOn?

? Junior students: What message do you want to send your graduating seniors?

? Parents: What heartfelt words do you wish to share with your child?