Voices, Visions, and the Power of Connection: February Reflections at Horizon
- David Lundin
- Feb 7
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 10
At Horizon Japan International School, education is not merely the transfer of knowledge. It’s the awakening of possibility.
In February, we witnessed something powerful. Not just lessons or programs, but moments of transformation. Across our Yokohama campus, students took the stage in classrooms, auditoriums, and even the hallways to express their voice, honor their heritage, and step confidently into the world they’re preparing to lead.
Here’s what we saw. And what it taught us.
“When a child tells a story, they’re not just reading. But they’re remembering who they are.”
During World Read Aloud Day, our students weren’t just listening to stories. They were being invited into new worlds. Authors like Lois Lowry, Phaea Crede, and others didn’t just speak. They ignited something. For a moment, screens disappeared, and what remained was a human truth: Stories connect us.
Across both Primary and Secondary, students explored the power of language to inspire, provoke, and heal. It reminded us that literacy isn’t just about books alone, it’s about belonging, curiosity, and courage.
“Speak your truth, even if your voice shakes.”
This month, our Grade 10 students stood tall, presenting their MYP Personal Projects, the culmination of months of research, reflection, and risk-taking. From global issues to deeply personal themes, their work revealed not just knowledge, but purpose.
Meanwhile, students in Grades 6–12 began preparing for TEDxYouth@HJIS 2025, a stage where ideas are not just shared, but shaped into movements.
Some will speak. Others will volunteer. All will grow.
Because here at Horizon, we believe that when young people speak, the world should listen.
“The culture you carry is the map of your soul.”
Kindergarteners marched through our halls carrying a dragon handcrafted and full of symbolism as part of our annual Chinese New Year celebration. They danced. They laughed. They unknowingly honored centuries of tradition.
Elsewhere, students experienced Setsubun, shouting “Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!” as they scattered soybeans and cast out bad luck. And in Grade 1, parents joined classrooms to teach paper cutting and share stories from their own Lunar New Year traditions.
In these moments, we saw more than festive learning, we saw the heartbeat of Horizon: a school where culture is not simply acknowledged, but lived.
A Message from the Head of School
“At Horizon, we believe that education is most powerful when it connects learning with purpose. The events highlighted this month, from student-led projects and global storytelling to cultural celebrations, remind us that our students are not just preparing for the world, they are already shaping it.
Thank you to our parents, staff, and students for continuing to build a school culture rooted in curiosity, respect, and community.” - Mehmet Deniz, Head of School
Why These Events Matter
At Horizon Japan International School, we are committed to nurturing well-rounded, internationally minded learners. Events like World Read Aloud Day, TEDxYouth@HJIS, and multicultural celebrations enrich our curriculum and align with our belief that education should prepare students to lead with empathy, creativity, and global awareness.
Whether they are writing a speech, presenting a project, or celebrating new year traditions, Horizon students are actively building the knowledge, confidence, and cultural fluency they will carry for life.
