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Tanzhi Junior High School students pass through 'Dragon Gate' for good luck in entrance exams

From Liberty Times · (10m ago) Chinese Positive tone

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • 潭子國中 held a ritual to bless students taking the upcoming junior high school entrance exams.
  • Students passed through a "Dragon Gate" and a "Wisdom Gate" to symbolize opening their minds and achieving success.
  • Parents and teachers offered well wishes and gifts, including traditional items like "zongzi" (rice dumplings) and calligraphy brushes, to boost student morale.

In a heartwarming display of community support, Taichung's Tanzhi Junior High School organized a special blessing ceremony for its ninth-grade students facing the upcoming national junior high school entrance examinations. The event, themed "Tanzhong Dragon Gate Leap, Talented Individuals Flourish," aimed to create a positive and encouraging atmosphere as students prepare for this crucial milestone. The ceremony featured a symbolic passage through a "Wisdom Gate," designed by the scout troop, to signify the opening of their minds, followed by a "Dragon Gate" constructed by the Xianglong Drum Art Society, representing advancement and success. This unique approach, blending traditional symbolism with creative rituals, underscores the school's commitment to nurturing not just academic prowess but also the emotional well-being of its students. The inclusion of parents and community members, who provided traditional blessings like "zongzi" (rice dumplings) and calligraphy brushes, further amplified the sense of collective encouragement. This local initiative, deeply rooted in cultural practices and community spirit, offers a stark contrast to the often impersonal and high-pressure examination environments seen elsewhere. It highlights how Taiwanese schools strive to support students holistically, recognizing that success is built on a foundation of confidence and community backing. The "Train Station of Success" theme, transforming the school hall into a symbolic departure point for future dreams, perfectly encapsulates the hopeful and empowering message conveyed to the students, reminding them that their community is cheering them on every step of the way.

We hope that through traditional culture and innovative ideas in the blessing activities, we can relieve students' pre-exam stress, gather the care and support of teachers, parents, and the community, so that all students can face the exams with confidence, achieve success, and move towards a new milestone in life.

— Liu Qin-huaThe principal of Tanzhi Junior High School, Liu Qin-hua, explained the purpose behind the unique blessing ceremony, emphasizing the school's holistic approach to student well-being and academic success.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.