This spring, Head of School Bill Taylor, his wife Jennifer, and Director of Advancement Elly Erickson embarked on a special journey to Asia, where they were warmly welcomed by members of the Trinity-Pawling community. Over the course of five gatherings in China, Japan, and Korea, more than 125 alumni, parents, and students came together to celebrate the shared bonds that unite us across continents. The visit provided a wonderful opportunity to reconnect, strengthen friendships, and look ahead to Trinity-Pawling\u2019s bright future.<\/p>\n
At every gathering, the Taylors and Ms. Erickson witnessed the deep reach and lasting influence of a Trinity-Pawling education. One of the most profound aspects was how alumni living abroad embraced current and future students. New students \u2014 even before setting foot on campus \u2014 were welcomed into the Pride by their peers and graduates of the School.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was truly special to reconnect with so many alumni and students at the Seoul Reception\u2014thanks to the School\u2019s incredible effort,\u201d shared Joon Sung Kim \u201904. \u201cBill Taylor\u2019s presentation was a powerful reminder of how much Trinity-Pawling has grown and how connected we still feel to the teachers and community that shaped us. I really hope more alumni take part in future events like this \u2014 you\u2019ll be glad you did.\u201d<\/p>\n
Director of Advancement Elly Erickson echoed this sentiment. \u201cIn Seoul, a large circle of alumni opened up to include both current and incoming students. Watching them warmly welcome the next generation into the Trinity-Pawling community was inspiring and embodied the enduring values of a TPS education.\u201d<\/p>\n
In Tokyo, Yu Tamura \u201910 highlights, \u201cOf all the invaluable lessons and experiences I gained at Trinity-Pawling, the greatest gift has been the lifelong connection with my TPS brothers across generations. The gathering in Tokyo truly reminded me of the strength of these bonds. I look forward to staying connected and contributing to the future growth of this amazing community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Guests at each event expressed deep gratitude for the School\u2019s outreach. “We are deeply grateful to Trinity-Pawling School for this Asian visit opportunity, which has given us parents in Shanghai a precious annual gathering moment,\u201d comments Mr. Jing Zhou and Ms. Yinzhi Han P\u201928, William\u2019s parents and hosts of the Shanghai gathering. \u201cThis connection not only promotes the children’s mutual assistance, cooperation and growth performance on campus, but more fortunately, the children were also present when Mr. Taylor visited this year. This undoubtedly makes the bond between parents and the School closer and deeper, and such interactions are of great significance to the development of the community and the children.”<\/p>\n
The receptions also featured enriching cultural experiences. In Shanghai, guests enjoyed a private tour of the Han Tianheng Art Museum, guided by William Han \u201928, who recounted his family\u2019s heritage with the museum and stories behind its art treasures.<\/p>\n
As part of the Beijing Reception at the CP Center\u2014an esteemed landmark that serves as a vital platform for dialogue and exchange among Chinese business leaders around the world\u2014reception guests were invited to experience the Center\u2019s remarkable Grand Hall. Encompassing more than 4,500 feet in a panoramic, multi-sensory design, it stands as the largest and most distinctive venue of its kind in China.<\/p>\n
Beijing Reception hosts Mr. Ping Tse and Ms. Yanxia Zang P\u201929 share, \u201cWe were delighted to host the event in Beijing because we deeply believe in the School\u2019s mission and vision. Supporting this visit was our way of contributing to a stronger, more connected community\u2014which we see as essential to the School’s continued growth and excellence. It was especially meaningful for our families to hear directly from Mr. Taylor and feel even more inspired about the future we\u2019re building together.\u201d<\/p>\n
Head of School Bill Taylor expressed his appreciation for the extraordinary hospitality shown at every stop. \u201cWe extend our heartfelt gratitude to the many families and alumni who contributed to these memorable gatherings. Their participation made this journey especially impactful. From stunning venues to seamless logistics, each detail reflected the gracious hospitality and dedication of our worldwide network of families and friends.\u201d<\/p>\n
Special thanks go to the generous families and alumni who helped make this journey a success:<\/p>\n
\u25cf Shenzhen, China: Mr. Jinchao Huang and Ms. Xiaowen Zhang P\u201927<\/p>\n
\u25cf Shanghai, China: Mr. Jing Zhou and Ms. Yinzhi Han P\u201928<\/p>\n
\u25cf Beijing, China: Mr. Ping Tse and Ms. Yanxia Zang P\u201929<\/p>\n
\u25cf Tokyo, Japan: Yu Tamura \u201910 and Sugako Maeda P\u201923<\/p>\n
\u25cf Seoul, Korea: Nam Kyu Kang \u201997, Joon Sung Kim \u201904, and Jay Choi \u201915<\/p>\n
Kudos also goes to our student translators \u2014 Bohen Hu \u201926, William Han \u201928, Akina Tse, and Shun Shiraishi \u201923 \u2014 for their invaluable support.<\/p>\n
These gatherings were filled with camaraderie and an inspiring sense of joint purpose. Whether reminiscing about campus days, exchanging stories of current student life, or envisioning the School\u2019s future, the spirit of Trinity-Pawling was present in every moment.<\/p>\n
The Pride\u2019s global family continues to grow stronger. To attend, coordinate, or assist with future events in Asia, please contact Elly Erickson at eerickson@trinitypawling.org or via WeChat (ID: TPS-Advancement). Together, we are building bridges that unite our international community and fuel the thriving future of Trinity-Pawling.<\/p>\n