---
title: HWIS Celebrates 10th Anniversary
description: On Saturday, October 17th, 2015, HudsonWay Immersion School celebrated its 10th anniversary as a Mandarin Chinese and Spanish immersion preschool and elementary (k-5) school.
image: https://blog.hwis.org/hubfs/blogdefault-2.jpg
---
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[Blogs](https://blog.hwis.org) / HWIS Celebrates 10th Anniversary
# HWIS Celebrates 10th Anniversary
**Oct 22, 2015 ** Written By HWIS
[Events](https://blog.hwis.org/topic/event)
**New York, NY** – On Saturday, October 17th, 2015, HudsonWay Immersion School chartered a cruise down the Hudson River to celebrate its 10th anniversary. Over 200 parents, teachers, and special guests joined together to celebrate this important milestone.
Director Elizabeth Willaum reflected on the accomplishments of the school, which was established in 2005 with five students, including the founders’ twin sons. Today the school serves close to 200 children, with two campuses in New York City and Summit, NJ.
“These children, these 200, and the many more who have passed through their hollowed walls, are on their way to becoming bilingual, bi-literate, thinking in multiple languages, dreaming in multiple languages,” Willaum remarked. “They are becoming culturally proficient, and competent. They are becoming the global citizens of the world.”
Founders Sharon Huang and Bill Hicks gave a toast in honor of their supporters.
“Our teachers and staff give their heart, patience, creativity, and dedication for the benefit of our children, and society as a whole,” Huang said. “And so this is a toast to you. Our teachers, administration, our staff, to our family of supporters, and to all the parents who are ahead of the curve in enabling us to have an exciting future for our children.”
Over the past decade, immersion programs have become increasingly popular. Immersion education is a model in which students learn subject matter (math, science, social studies, and language arts) using the target language as the vehicle. The long-term benefits include enhanced mental development, flexibility in thinking and reasoning, and greater cultural sensitivity.
**About HudsonWay Immersion School**
*HudsonWay Immersion School has campuses in New York City and Summit, NJ, offering full day and after school programs in Mandarin or Spanish for children in preschool through grade 5. An innovative immersion approach enables students to learn content in two languages, empowering them to become bilingual, bi-cognitive and bi-cultural. For more information visit* [*www.hwisdev.wpengine.com*](http://www.hwisdev.wpengine.com)*.*
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[Annual HWIS Field Day was a great success!](https://blog.hwis.org/field-day)
[100th Day of School Celebration!](https://blog.hwis.org/100th-day-school-celebration)
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New York, NY 10069
(212) 787-8088
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Stirling, NJ 07980
(908) 598-8088
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###### @2019 HudsonWay Immersion School