Maya's Message (Winter 2025-2026)

Dear Fellow Alumni,

Excitement is building as hundreds of Dragons plan to come back “home” this summer to launch the school’s 75th birthday celebrations at our historic alumni reunion. As I write in early March, 237 Dragons from across six decades have already confirmed their attendance. Because many of you asked for additional time to finalize your plans, we have extended the registration period for our JIS 75th Birthday Alumni Homecoming until March 31st. We cannot wait to welcome you back. No matter where life has taken you, JIS will always be part of where your journey began.

On campus, the semester has already been filled with exciting events for our next generation of Dragons. From IASAS Season 2 competitions and Cultural Conventions to community celebrations and regional events, students are embracing opportunities to challenge themselves and broaden their experiences. These are the moments that stay with us as alumni — whether we remember them as participants, performers, or friends cheering from the audience.

For me personally, one of the highlights of the past few months has been reconnecting with JIS alumni as our global reunion tour continues. I recently had the pleasure of gathering with Dragons in Seattle and Chicago, as well as here in Jakarta at our Pattimura Elementary (PEL) campus. Each reunion had its own energy, yet what stood out most was the sense of familiarity: conversations flowing easily, laughter over shared memories, and the unmistakable bond that comes from having once called JIS home.

What makes these gatherings especially meaningful is not only the friendships that have endured across decades, but also the generosity of connection across generations. Younger and more senior alumni alike are coming together to share experiences, offer guidance, and support one another’s ambitions. The photo galleries from these events are shared on our Alumni Online Community.

Our final outreach event this school year will mark another first, as we travel to Scotland to connect with Dragons from across the United Kingdom. We look forward to welcoming alumni in Edinburgh on March 19, with attendees planning to join from as far afield as Dublin and Kyiv.

75 Faces of JIS

As we prepare to celebrate this milestone year at JIS, we would also love your help. Spanning the decades from 1951 to today, we plan to highlight 75 Faces of JIS — Dragons who have lived our values, impacted our community, and, in some cases, helped shape the future of the school.

Who would you nominate? Nominations should include individuals who have contributed to JIS in meaningful ways and whose impact on the community has been especially memorable, including current or former staff, faculty, leaders, or alumni who have achieved meaningful accomplishments in their lives and whose connection to the school reflects the spirit and values of JIS. 

I encourage you to share the names of those you believe deserve to be recognized for their contributions to the JIS story. I look forward to reading your nominations and celebrating these remarkable members of our Dragon community. If you would like to nominate someone, please fill in this survey. Please submit your nominations by April 1. Decisions will be made in the Spring and based on finding representation from each decade and constituent group.

And finally... I hope you enjoy this edition of Dragon News, where you will meet two alumni entrepreneurs making their mark in their respective industries, as well as three Dragons whose journeys have come full circle— two who have returned to JIS as teachers and one who is now part of our parent community.

If you have news to share or would like your story featured in a future edition of Dragon News, we would love to hear from you. Please reach out to us at alumni@jisedu.or.id 

Thank you, as always, for your continued support of JIS and for remaining such an important part of our global Dragon community. I look forward to seeing many more of you in the months ahead.

Warm regards,

Maya Nelson, Head of School
Class of 1977