Gwangju, Korea, 17 October 2022 -- On Saturday 15 October 2022, more than 400 Past Pupils of Don Bosco, their former teachers with some Salesians of Don Bosco, gathered in Gwangju Salesian High School campus for the 40th 'Friends Great Encounter' (an annual celebration before the pandemic) connected with a 'Homecoming' of the Alumni batch that graduated 30 years ago. On this occasion the 125th edition of their annual newspaper 'Salesian Friend' (20 pages newspaper size, in Korean 'Salesian벗') was published.

       After a few months of diligent preparation, the whole event was a great success, an encouragement after more than 3 years since the previous coming together in their Alma mater. Led by the president of Gwangju Salesian High School Mr Ro Soon-wan (graduation batch 19th) the whole event took place in a wonderful sunny autumn weather was a success. This Alumni experience can be summed up in three words: Thanks - Friendship - Commitment.

       Gratitude

       During the day our past pupils have expressed their gratitude to the teachers who joined their meeting, as well their 15 teachers who already passed away in past 30 years . More then 30 'Salesio' current and former teachers were present for the occasion and were given a token of gratitude. A grateful spirit was expressed also towards the senior past pupils. As usual, the homecoming batch offered their financial contribution to their alma mater scholarship fund, to the development of the association and to the school. A grateful heart was also expressed through the 20 pages of the Past pupils newspaper.

       Friendship - Family spirit

       Batch 31 (graduation 1992) was the most numerous with 50+ participants, but there were also many special batches. Three 'special' batches remembered their 60th, 50th and 40th graduation anniversary. Also the 19th batch (classmates of the current Alumni Association president) was larger. The inter-generation relationship was strengthened with the presence of a few members from the 1st batch up to the 38th batch during the whole event. Raffle, songs, dances, talks at the table, sharing the meal and enjoying a health entertainment made this day a true family event.

       Commitment

       Among the 30,000 Alumni of Gwangju Salesio High School (Junior and Senior) since 1956 there are many famous friends, some of them present on this occasion. A short time on stage was given to Hwang Yeong-pil (former Korean history teacher, 31st batch) with almost 800,000 subscribers on YouTube. A current member of Parliament, also a past pupil, was there and many other 'Salesians' contributing to society in many important posts, bringing the education they have received as light for the world. The award ceremony of 'Outstanding Salesian' (as the Bosconians are known in Korea) was given to five Past pupils for their achievement and contribution to the society: Park In-moon (19), Shim Seong-gyu (29), Hwang kyu-sang (31), Hwang seong-phil (31) and Go Jae-cheol (30).

       At the same time, a small, but very meaningful encounter happened at the midday - a focus on the National Federation of DB Past Pupils of Korea. We are grateful for the encouragement, support and follow up from the World Confederation Presidency:

       Towards the relaunching of Korean Federation of Don Bosco Past Pupils

       Between the two large events, at lunch time a small but important meeting of the leadership took place - leaders of the largest association branches of Alumni, gathered from Seoul, Gwangju and Incheon. Special mention for the presence of one younger Past Pupil (batch 43), interested in launching GEX. All 9 participants were convoked by Mr Bosco Lee Jae-myong (batch 4, current provisory leader of the Korean Federation) were able to listen to the video-call of World Confederation president and shared the first draft of the biography about the first Korean SDB missionary and founder of their school, Fr. Archimedes Martelli (1916-1984).

       Mr Bryan Magro (based in Malta) greeted the leadership and shared three basic criteria for the healthy growth of the Association: walking together with the Salesians and working together for and with the young people in need. The Confederation president elected last November 2021 mentioned also the incoming 'Special World Congress' (2024) that would focus on the profile of the DB Past Pupil for Today.

       Also the GEX Vice-president, Mr Niel Evangelista, was able to leave a 5 minute recorded video greeting: encouragement to growth together with the whole Salesian Family, focus on the accompaniment of younger generations of past pupils (GEX - Young past pupils) and journey together in the same direction as the World Confederation (strategic plan 2021-2027).

       'Salesian High School' is the first and only SDB 'academic' education institution, founded in Gwangju (1956), with more than 40.000 Past pupils, who contributed to the growth of the country, culture, local society and Church. The main office of the Past Pupils Association is based in Gwangju with smaller or larger centers around the country. Among the 'famous past pupils' are many diocesan priests and SDBs, including also the present archbishop of Gwangju, Hyginus Kim Hee-jong (5th batch).

       Related resources:

• GEX Vicepresident, Niel Evangelista greetings to Korean Past Pupils (5 min videoclip)
• Korea - Federation of Don Bosco Past Pupils 2022

       Related news articles:

• AustraLasia 5622 (III) Gwangju 'Bosconians' celebrate the month of Mary (2021)
• AustraLasia video - Baptism of 60 High school boys by the Rector Major (2018)

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