YIS Centennial Year and Alumni Reunions

by Arthur Yoshinami, Alumni Association Launching Committee (AALC)

YIS will be celebrating its centennial milestone this year and there are many events planned to recognize and celebrate this exciting time. The newly-formed Alumni Association Launching Committee (AALC), comprising Dragons from the 1970s to the 2020s, is collaborating closely with the school to help alumni celebrate this milestone and enjoy their reunions in Yokohama.

100th Anniversary banner which can be seen displayed on the school campus
 

There are several Centennial alumni related projects underway we would like to share them with you, read on to find out more:

A Centennial Special Edition Chowa: Work is in progress with the support of the school for publication in October 2024. This special Chowa is a collaborative effort by the whole community of alumni; past and present faculty/staff and parents of alumni. The first section of Centennial Chowa will reflect on the school’s history since its inception; the evolution of the school in Yamate and how the high school was born. The second part will be created by the 52 alumni classes reflecting on their passage at school. We are planning to devote a page to each graduating class year. The last part will be dedicated to all the people who have helped make YIS happen from heads of school, chair of the BOD, contributors to the school and graduates of 52 classes. 
 

Teacher Vivian Kerr with her students circa 1970's
 

Thursday, October 24, 2024: There will be a YIS alumni reunion at the YCAC from late afternoon through the evening organized by the YIS AALC (cost TBD). 

*We are also working on another option for those unable to attend the Gala at the Westin. This event will most likely be at YCAC following the Sports Day and Panel Discussions at YIS. We will update you in due time, so please watch this space.
 
Friday, October 25, 2024: On Friday evening there will be a Cocktail Party at YIS with a Musical Concert organized by the school's music teachers and performed by current students and alumni. At this event the AALC will present their inaugural Alumni Achievement Award to an alumnus. This event will cost 2,500 yen per person. 

Saturday, October 26, 2024 (Time TBD): We will have an Alumni Panel Discussion to facilitate a reconnection between attending alumni and the school. Panelists will include alumni from the 1970’s through to the 2020’s.The topics will be dependent on who attends the celebration, but among the topics under consideration are:

• What have been the experiences of YIS graduates as they have gone out into the world?
• How well were graduates prepared for college and for their careers and what do they wish they had been more prepared for?
• For those who left Japan, how was that transition to the outside world? How did the lessons taught at YIS help alumni in their later lives?
• For those who remained in Japan, how did your YIS education prepare you for advanced education and careers in Japan?

With all these events in the works we are excited to welcome Dragons from around Japan and the world home to YIS. We look forward to reconnecting with you in October.


For enquiries about the 100th anniversary celebrations organized by the school please email 100years@yis.ac.jp.

For enquiries about the celebratory events for alumni organized by the Alumni Association Launch Committee please email alumni@yis.ac.jp.

We encourage alumni, former staff and parents of alumni to stay informed about alumni-specific events and conversations through our alumni Facebook page.