Dear HKIS Community

As we share this Spring issue of DragonTales, we do so at a meaningful moment for HKIS. This season marks the beginning of our 60th anniversary, a time to reflect on where we began, celebrate who we are today, and look ahead with intention as we continue shaping our story together.

We begin by celebrating the achievements of our alumni. Congratulations to Amar Bhardwaj ’16, this year’s recipient of the Bob Christian Alum of the Year Award. Amar’s leadership in climate and energy policy work spans the White House, U.S. Congress, and state and city governments. His commitment to environmental impact began at HKIS and continues to shape policy at the highest levels today.

This issue also offers a moment to honor those who have given so much to our school. We say farewell to four individuals whose combined service spans more than 130 years. Amy Lai and Sam Lam have each devoted over four decades to HKIS, quietly and faithfully ensuring that our daily operations run smoothly. We are equally grateful for Cecile Legaspi and Gayle Renken, whose stories capture the spirit of HKIS. They truly embody the phrase, “Once a Dragon, Always a Dragon.” While they begin a new chapter this fall, they remain an important part of our community, and we look forward to welcoming them back at future alumni gatherings.

At the heart of this issue is the beginning of our 60th anniversary celebration. Our history is rich and layered. In April 1966, ground was broken for the original HKIS building. Later that year, the school officially opened in a provisional site in Chung Hom Kok for the 1966-67 academic year before moving to the Repulse Bay campus in September 1967. Because of this unique timeline, we have chosen to honor our 60th anniversary across the 2026-27 school year and celebrate the full story of our beginnings.

This spring, we began that celebration in a way that reflects the heart of HKIS. Nearly to the day of the original groundbreaking, we welcomed more than 500 alumni and former faculty from around the world to the HKIS60 Homecoming Week. Over the course of nine events, organized with the support of the Alumni Association’s Hong Kong Chapter, our community came together to reconnect and remember.

On a personal note, this week was especially meaningful. I had the privilege of meeting many individuals whose names have long been part of HKIS history. Spending time together brought those stories to life in a new and personal way. A few guests joined us at every event, and through those shared moments, I am grateful to now call them friends: Jim Handrich, Lauran Bethel, Shari Krugler, Michael and Louise Weber, and Mary Jane and David Elliott. These gatherings remind us that our history is not only preserved in milestones, but in the relationships that continue to shape our community.

We closed the week with a joyful celebration, titled “Back to the Future”. We didn’t have Marty McFly’s DeLorean there, but we did travel back to the origins of HKIS to reflect on our roots and help guide the future we are building together. Nearly 800 current parents, faculty, and staff gathered at the Ocean Park Marriott for the Spring Celebration, marking both the end of Homecoming Week and the opening chapter of our anniversary year.

I hope you enjoy this issue, filled with photos, videos, and stories that capture the spirit of this special time. Thank you for being part of the HKIS story, past and present. Together, we continue to build a community rooted in connection, purpose, and hope.

Warmly,