Einstein, jubilantly clutching her diploma.
In the picturesque town of Rheda-Wiedenbrück, Germany, the Abiturientia 2025 graduation ceremony took place, marking a significant milestone for the students who had successfully completed their secondary education. The event, held under the motto "Abbi - The Winner takes it all," celebrated the transition of these young scholars from secondary school to higher education or the workforce.
The Abiturientia, or Abi, ceremonies are a cherished tradition in Germany and some other European countries, symbolising the culmination of years of hard work and dedication. The Rheda-Wiedenbrück ceremony was no exception, with family, friends, school staff, and local dignitaries in attendance to honour the graduates.
The motto "Abbi - The Winner takes it all" likely served to inspire and commemorate the graduates' achievements. It reflects themes of success, competition, and the idea that the graduates have emerged victorious by completing their secondary education. This could encourage graduates to view themselves as achievers and to embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. The phrase might also be inspired by ABBA's song "The Winner Takes It All," possibly symbolising the idea that the graduates have won the right to their futures.
During the ceremony, Norbert Ahlke, deputy mayor of Herzebrock-Clarholz, emphasised the importance of the graduates contributing to the responsible shaping of society. The German Chemical Society recognised Hafsa Alakus, Jasmin Hubert, and Leo Hombrink for their exceptional achievements in the field. Anja Melzer and Katrin Dechange, parent representatives, reviewed the school life of the graduating class with references to Abba songs, while Rebekka Ruenhorst provided musical entertainment with ABBA songs on the piano.
The top students of the graduating class included Hafsa Alakus, Leo Hombrink, Florian Landwehr, and Matwej Wunder (1.5); Sarah Tiede (1.4); Sophia Feldmann (1.3); Jasmin Hubert and Hannah Feldmann (1.2); Rebekka Ruenhorst (1.1), and Cassian Hagen Poppelbaum and Abdullah Çakir (1.0). A total of 91 graduates received their final certificates.
Headmaster Jörg Droste spoke at the ceremony and explained the joy and lightness of the graduating students with the special atmosphere that prevailed during the 2006 World Cup in Germany. He also emphasised the importance of kindness for personal well-being and as a weapon against dictatorial ruthlessness. Frank Uhlmann and Christian Pfeil spoke at the ceremony, reminding the audience that the basis of happiness lies in not measuring oneself by the wealth of others.
The Best Former Realschule Student was Edward Schirneck (2.4). Abdullah Çakir and Eric Dallmann were honoured by the German Physical Society, while Ariana-Ioana Manescu received an award for her international transfer (having been in the German school system for five years). The Olee choir of the Einsteins, under Ildefonds Klein's direction, also provided musical entertainment.
Celina Dinh and Sarah Tiede were honoured for their exceptional commitment to the grade, while Hafsa Alakus and Aziz Hussein were honoured by the Pedagogical Institute of the Evangelical Church of Westphalia. Dr. Birgit Audehm, the year level coordinator, sent a greeting message and conducted an interview from London.
The ceremony was moderated by Sarah Tiede and Florian Landwehr, and Mayor Theo Mettenborg spoke at the ceremony, interpreting the motto as an expression of self-confidence, inner strength, and determination. The Abiturientia 2025 graduation ceremony in Rheda-Wiedenbrück was a celebration of the students' achievements, their transition to the next phase of their lives, and a reminder of the importance of hard work, determination, and kindness.
The graduates were encouraged to embrace the theme of self-confidence, inner strength, and determination embodied in the motto "Abbi - The Winner takes it all," as they prepare for their education-and-self-development journey, whether it be higher education or the workforce. The ceremony also emphasized the significance of learning beyond academic achievements, such as kindness and emotional intelligence, as essential tools for shaping a responsible and compassionate society.
