Ritsumeikan Uji High School’s IB Course held its annual awards ceremony for CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) and EE (Extended Essay). Together with TOK (Theory of Knowledge), these three components form the IB core—key pillars that embody the spirit of the IB curriculum. The ceremony featured congratulatory remarks from the Principal, the CAS Coordinator, and the EE Coordinator, as the entire course gathered to celebrate our students’ efforts and achievements.

■ Awarded Students

The following students were recognized for their exemplary accomplishments:

Award recipients will be able to include these distinctions in their university applications, and we were honored to recognize excellence among our seniors. This year’s senior class has excelled both academically and in their activities, and we look forward to their IB Diploma examinations beginning in just two weeks. Overall, the CAS and EE awards highlight the hard work of our students and the distinctive attributes of the IB Course.

■ Why This Ceremony Matters

The Extended Essay is often described as a “capstone” research project in high school. Over roughly ten months, students independently define their research question, conduct investigation and analysis, and complete a paper of approximately 4,000 words in English or 8,000 characters in Japanese. Across diverse fields—science, literature, social sciences, arts—students pose original questions and craft their own answers, moving from learning knowledge to creating knowledge.

CAS is the bridge between learning and society. Through sports, arts, and community engagement, students continually reflect on how their actions affect others and the broader community, building creativity, empathy, and the intellect that leads to action.

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Principal’s Address (Full Text)

Good afternoon, everyone. I am Yokozawa, the Principal. It is a great pleasure to meet you all today at the Ritsumeikan Uji High School IB Course awards ceremony for the Extended Essay (EE) and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS). First, let me express my heartfelt congratulations to all of you who have achieved outstanding results.

The International Baccalaureate, or IB, is not an education that simply fills you with knowledge. It is an education that nurtures your ability to ask questions, think, and take action. It aims to cultivate curiosity, critical thinking, a global perspective, and autonomous learning. At the heart of this are three “core” components: EE, CAS, and TOK. These three pillars truly embody the spirit of the IB. Your presence here today is proof that you confronted that core head-on and saw it through.

Let me begin with the EE. The Extended Essay is essentially a “graduation thesis” for high school. Over about ten months, you independently set your research topic, conduct investigation and analysis, and ultimately complete a paper of 4,000 words in English or 8,000 characters in Japanese. The journey was by no means easy. You struggled to settle on a theme, felt discouraged when sources were scarce, and rewrote your drafts many times—yet you kept moving forward. Today’s results are the fruit of that steady effort.

Some of you delved into scientific experiments. Others engaged with local or university researchers and analyzed data. Still others completed papers from original perspectives in fields such as literature, society, the arts, and philosophy. Each of you searched for your own questions and created your own answers. Through the EE, you grew from “learners” into “creators.” Rather than merely receiving knowledge, you formulated your own questions and voiced your ideas to the world. That is the essence of the IB—and the highest value of the EE.

Now to CAS—the component you have all devoted yourselves to with such passion. CAS is the arena where learning connects to society. Beyond the classroom—after school, on weekends, and even during long vacations—you embraced challenges that “link yourself to the world” through creative activities, sports, artistic expression, and community contribution. Some students carry out ten or even twenty kinds of activities, documenting them in photos and videos, reflecting repeatedly, and constantly revisiting the question “Why am I doing this?”

You went beyond simple volunteering or extracurriculars to think deeply about the impact of your actions on others and on society. You collaborated with peers, sometimes clashing in opinion, yet continuing dialogue and overcoming differences. There you found “living learning” that no textbook can teach. Through creativity, challenge, and service, you have acquired an “intellect that acts.” CAS is, in essence, a mirror reflecting your growth as human beings.

Today’s achievements are the crystallization of each student’s effort, and at the same time, they were made possible by the careful guidance of your teachers, the warm encouragement of your families, and the support of your friends. I ask you to take this opportunity to express your gratitude in words. Saying “thank you” is itself a worthy act.

The experiences you have gained through EE and CAS will become a firm foundation for your lives ahead. With the spirit of inquiry fostered through the EE, and the capacity for action and empathy cultivated through CAS, you will be able to overcome whatever difficult paths you may face.

Please continue to “pose your own questions, collaborate with others, and contribute to society.” With the intellect, passion, and kindness you have developed at Ritsumeikan Uji, I hope you will go forth and open up the world that lies ahead.

My heartfelt congratulations to you all. Please keep moving forward with strength and confidence. Thank you very much.

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■ Editor’s Note

As the Principal’s message underscores, the IB Course fosters both the power to think and the will to act. This ceremony was a warm occasion characteristic of Ritsumeikan Uji, celebrating the fruits of inquiry and practice together. Congratulations once again to all the award recipients.