Distinguished guests, respected professors, teachers, and parents, and my fellow graduates:
尊敬的各位来宾，各位教授、老师和家长，以及我的毕业生同学们：
Good morning. My name is Li Jieran, and it is a great honor to speak here today as a representative of the Class of 2026.
大家上午好，我是李介然，很荣幸能够作为2026届毕业生代表在此发言。
Ten years ago, when I was still a high school student, I came to Shenzhen for the first time to prepare for my chemistry Olympic competition. Sitting in a classroom at Shenzhen Middle School, I threw myself in chemical formulas and equations. At that time, the word “law” felt infinitely distant from me, someone who has buried himself in the world of science.
十年前，我还是一名高二学生，为了化学竞赛第一次来到深圳。坐在深圳中学的教室里，我埋头琢磨着化学式。“法律”这两个字，对于当时一头扎进科学世界的我来说，恐怕真的有无穷远的距离。
It was not until five years ago, when the STL summer program happened to fall during a break in my research, that I first encountered both the law and STL. While I had no time to do extra preparation, I still decided to give it a try.
直到5年前，STL夏令营凑巧举行在我科研的空档中，尽管完全没有时间做额外准备，抱着试一试的心态，我还是走进了夏令营的课堂，这才在保研季里与法律，与STL第一次相遇。
It took only one class with Professor Norman for me to be completely drawn in. Pearson v. Post, a seemingly simple dispute over the ownership of a fox, nevertheless revealed a balance of complex competing interests. That was when I realized that legal problems can be just as fascinating and intellectually appealing as scientific ones.
只是Norman教授的一堂课，我就深深被法律所吸引。Pearson v. Post，简简单单一只狐狸的归属之争，却牵涉着复杂的利益权衡。我这才发现，原来法律问题也拥有丝毫不逊于科学问题的趣味与智识上的魅力。
Even so, I feel fear when it comes to the decision. On one side lay a path I knew well, a path leading to a Ph.D. in chemistry. On the other stood a completely new and unfamiliar world: the study of law. For someone with no legal background at all, I was struggling when it came time to decide what I should do next.
尽管如此，在两条分叉路前，我的内心还是会感到恐惧。一边是我已经轻车熟路的化学博士之路；另一边，是崭新陌生的法学内容。对于一个毫无法律基础的小白而言，面对下一步的选择，我内心的挣扎可想而知。
But I asked myself: if I didn’t come to STL and see for myself what this world would be like, would I regret it in the future? The answer was yes. Despite the struggle and fear, I still chose to set out on this journey. As it turned out, over the four years, STL has never been a decision I came to regret.
但我问自己：如果不来STL看看法学世界的样子，将来会不会后悔？答案是肯定的。就这样，尽管带着挣扎与恐惧，我还是踏上了这段法律的旅途。事实证明，四年时光，STL从未让我后悔。
Here at STL, there is a stage for all kinds of experiences.
在这里，STL为各种各样的经历提供了舞台。
In the classroom, professors encourage students to speak up and share their own ideas boldly. We are not required to follow tradition, nor are we bound by established paradigms. Through the exchange and sometimes collision of different perspectives, our understanding of the law gradually deepens.
在课堂上，老师们鼓励学生们大胆提出自己的观点。我们无需遵循传统，也不必遵循范式。在不同观点的交锋中，我们逐渐加深对法律的理解；
Outside the classroom, the school supports us in taking part in a wide range of activities: joining public interest legal associations and various student organizations, participating in moot court competitions, forming bands, and even launching academic journals. In short, everyone who comes here can find a place to express their talents and passions.
在课业之外，学院支持我们参加各种活动：参加公益法律协会与各种学生组织，进行模拟法庭，组建乐队，甚至是创办期刊。可以说，每一个来到这里的人，都能找到挥洒自己天分与激情的角落。
These experiences may include moments of success, and also moments of regret. Four years ago, I was struggling about this uncertain future. But now, when I look back, what comes to mind is not whether my arguments in class were accepted, nor whether we won any awards in moot court competitions. Instead, I remember the moments when I was brain-storming to come up with my own arguments, and the late nights I spent with my teammates writing briefs together.
这些经历或有美好，或有遗憾。四年前的我曾对未来的各种不确定而感到担忧，但当我现在重新回顾这些经历时，涌入脑海的并非课堂上自己的观点有没有被大家接受，也不是模拟法庭有没有拿到名次。我只会记得，在苦思冥想后终于构思出了完整的属于我的观点时的那份激动，与一同参赛的战友们一起披星戴月，终于完稿后的那份如释重负。
It turns out that the journey of effort itself has already become an unforgettable treasure in my life.
原来这段努力的过程本身，已经成为了人生中难忘的财富。
Here at STL, we have found both great mentors and lifelong friends.
在这里，STL让我们找到了良师与益友。
We are fortunate to have the best professors and teachers, who teach us, encourage us, and believe in us.
我们拥有最好的教授与老师们，他们教导我们，鼓励我们，相信我们。
At the same time, we also have each other. We formed study groups to tackle difficult problems together, and we went to the playground side by side to exercise. We celebrated each other’s successes, and we also complained about failures together and encouraged one another through them.
同时，我们也拥有最好的彼此。我们组成学习小组一起攻克难题，也结伴去操场挥洒汗水。我们一起庆祝彼此的成功，也一起吐槽失败、互相打气。
These bonds we formed are more precious than any knowledge we have gained.
这些情谊，比任何知识都更加珍贵。
Today, our story at STL is coming to a closure, and a new chapter of life is slowly unfolding before us. The road ahead may still be full of uncertainty—the fluctuations of the market, the rapid development of AI technologies… To be honest, these unknowns still frighten me from time to time.
如今，STL的故事即将画上句号，未来生活的篇章正在徐徐展开。前方或许仍然充满不确定性：市场的波动、AI技术的急速发展……说实话，这些未知仍然时不时会让我感到恐惧。
But what has changed over the past four years at STL is that I feel less struggled in moving forward with my life. As the poet Wang Guozhen once wrote, “I don't want to dwell on whether I will succeed. Since I have aimed for a distant destination, despite the wind and rain, I will try my best to make the trip.” The outcome, of course, matters, but it is the journey we go through and the passion we pour into the journey that become our most valuable treasures.
但与四年前不同的是，经过STL的这四年，我的挣扎确确实实少了几分。正如汪国真在诗中所言：“我不去想是否能够成功，既然选择了远方，便只顾风雨兼程。”结果固然重要，但历经的风雨、挥洒的激情，才是最宝贵的财富。
More importantly, during these four years at STL, I have come to realize that I am surrounded by a group of remarkable people. No matter what choices lie ahead, I know that I will never walk alone.
更重要的是，在STL的这四年，我知道，有这么一群优秀的人在我身边，不管如何选择，我从不独行。
Finally, I would like to share once again the words that Professor Rudolph gave us at the end of our 1L year:
最后，我想把Rudolph教授在1L结课时送给我们的话，再次分享给大家：
“Be professional. Be polite. Be kind. And take care.”
“保持职业操守；保持礼貌体面；保留心中善意；记得爱护自己。”
To the Class of 2026—congratulations on your graduation! Take good care, and until we meet again.
2026届的我们，毕业快乐！各自珍重，后会有期！
