Teachers' Day Tradition Continues for 35 Years... The Special Bond Between Alumni and Teachers at Jinju Technical High School

Honoring Their Teachers for 35 Years
“Living Upright Lives Thanks to Our Teachers’ Guidance”

"I am always grateful, and once again, thank you. You really don't have to do this anymore, but on this rainy day, you still came to see me. I feel sorry and thankful at the same time."

Yu Woosu, now 90 years old, repeatedly expressed his gratitude for the Teachers' Day event that his former students have continued for 35 years. Yu Hongjae, 89, who was sitting next to him, also became emotional and said, "In all my years as a teacher, I've never experienced such a beautiful gathering."

The '76 Woojeon Association,' an alumni group of the 13th graduating class from the Department of Electrical Engineering at Jinju Technical High School (now Jinju Mechanical Technical High School), has held a Teachers' Day event every single year since 1991, 15 years after their graduation in 1976. This year marks the 35th anniversary of the tradition.

This year's event was held on the evening of May 12th at a restaurant in Chilam-dong, Jinju. Despite the inclement weather, around 10 alumni attended to honor their two homeroom teachers and spent time expressing their gratitude. Before the event began, they captured the joy of their reunion with a commemorative photo.

Choi Jingyu, president of the 76 Woojeon Association and head of Semyeong Electric & Fire Protection, said in his welcoming remarks, "Thanks to the sincere teachings of our teachers, we have been able to live upright lives in society. We will continue to live without forgetting those lessons."

During the event, carnations were presented and stories from their school days were shared. Teachers and students naturally raised their glasses together, reminiscing about the past. The atmosphere felt as warm and lively as if they had returned to their classroom 50 years ago.

The 76 Woojeon Association is run by 13 core members, including President Choi Jingyu and General Secretary Song Cheonjong, the former head of the Electrical and Communications Team at Gyeongsang National University, along with their classmates. In addition to Teachers' Day, they also gather with their teachers at the end of each year, continuing to nurture a special bond between teachers and students.

President Choi Jingyu said, "There is nothing more precious than being able to gather in good health with teachers and friends and enjoy a drink together. As time goes by, the love and teachings of our teachers feel even more profound."

General Secretary Song Cheonjong added, "Thanks to our teachers, friends are able to meet, and thanks to friends, we can continue to honor our teachers. I hope we can meet again in good health at the end of this year."

Meanwhile, at a time when 'the decline of teachers' authority' and 'the absence of teachers' have become major social concerns, the beautiful teacher-student relationship maintained by the Jinju Technical High School 76 Woojeon Association for nearly half a century is quietly moving the local community.