Chao Kuang Piu College hosted its second high table dinner and graduation night for Academic Year 2025/2026.  About 150 students, including some 50 graduating seniors, attended the event.

Mr. Victor Lai, Founding President of the Macau Speakers Association and World Speech Day Ambassador for Macau, delivered a thematic sharing titled “Speak Your Future.”  Mr. Lai was the champion of the four major Cantonese speech competitions in Macau from 2016 to 2017 and received the Best Interpretation Award in the 2017 Chinese National Competition “I Am a Speaker”.

He shared his journey of transforming himself from a shy student into a leader in the art of public speaking. He encouraged graduates not to be constrained by their self-image, especially not to let popular labels (such as “Type I” or “social phobia”) hold them back.  He urged them to challenge themselves and to unleash their potential.

Other guests at the event included:

• Ms. Chan Man Wa, Secretary General of the Macau Speaker Association
• Ms. Kong Ngan Peng, Deputy Secretary General of the Macau Speaker Association
• Mr. Wong Hoi Pang, Founder of Mamotor

During the event, the House Association transition ceremony was held.  Ainsley Chan, the outgoing House Association President passed the college’s symbolic token (an owl) to the new President, Livia Lu. The college also presented the Distinguished Student Leader Awards and the Outstanding College Service Awards (see the list above in the Chinese section).  After performances by a student singer and the Stardust Choir, the evening moved to the graduating class’s theme segment.

Graduating class representative Koko Ye reviewed her four years of college life in her speech. Although she entered the college during the pandemic, she received warm and meticulous care from senior students.  The rich variety of activities made her exclaim countless times: “This is exactly the college life I imagined during high school!”

She encouraged her fellow graduates to take the first step with courage: “Now is not the time for us to make difficult and hasty decisions — it is time to try without the fear of failure.”  She concluded, “In the vastness of space and the infinity of time, it is my great honor to share the same planet and the same stretch of time with you.”

Then, led by two graduating members of the CKpopC dance club, the graduating class group dance brought the evening to a climax. After the party, the students lingered and posed for photos in their graduation gown and formal dresses.

Below are excerpts from students’ afterthoughts:

• “After listening to the sharing, I feel that my personality is not the issue. What matters is the willingness to try and take the first step. Even if I don’t do well enough, after the first chance there will be a second and third chance. Once you get used to it, you’ll naturally have more experiences. So, everyone has their own stage — be the protagonist of your own life.”
• “Having self-confidence is very important for yourself. You must dare to take the first step in order to have a chance to see the scenery ahead. Even if your first step is unsteady, you are still closer to your goal than standing still and just watching. Every attempt is a breakthrough for yourself, and the small successes you accumulate will eventually build a solid foundation of confidence.”
• “From the speaker’s personal story, I understood that only by daring to try and challenge yourself can you see more of your own possibilities.”
• “The speaker was very interesting. The essence of public speaking is to make things clear; accent is secondary.”
• “While sharing his experiences, the speaker demonstrated his belief and confidence in himself. It made me feel that most of the time, we just need to trust ourselves a little more, starting with small steps.”
• “Life has many challenges and difficulties, but the most important thing is the courage to take the first step.”
• “I learned many public speaking skills. With confidence, you can speak out your own life.”
• “Learning by doing. If you keep saying you’re introverted and afraid to speak, you might never step out of your comfort zone. Only by doing it yourself, by practicing expressing yourself, can you have the chance to grow and have the courage to seize opportunities when they arrive.”
• “You need to plan and set goals for the future, think ahead about your life path.”
• “After graduation, embark on a new journey. Life allows you to keep trying.”