Reflector 2015

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S they swing lazily back and forth, Hung-Jie Song (12) and Ziwei Moey (12) stare into the blue ocean. On a campus by the beach, students enjoyed each others’ company in nature. PHOTO BY JONATHAN CHANDRA

Volume 54 Dalat International School Tanjung Bunga 11200 Penang, Malaysia Tel: (60-4) 8992-105 Fax: (60-4) 8902-141 Email: office@dalat.org Website: www.dalat.org Population: 594 Students 143 Staff


Giving you Pause. As you continued on your journey through life, the things that once loomed large tended to shrink. As you matured, what seemed of highest importance became trivial when put into perspective. As an infant, for instance, you had a fierce attachment to your pacifier, bawling if it ever left your sight. As a young child, you scoffed at the naivety of your past self—but still, you considered it the end of the world if your mother failed to cut the crusts off your sandwich. Even now, though you felt old and grown up, you continued to glorify the small

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ESTURING as she describes the events of her day to Hinako Kawata (9), Rosalina Shin (9) sits comfortably as the swing chair rocks gently back and forth. Places like the swings or white tables by the cafeteria served as sites for intimate conversations between students.

things. Life seemed to hinge on your next test grade or on purchasing the right shirt or dress to wear to the Christmas Banquet. And thus life progressed. You matured, learning along the way that some things held more importance than others. For the most part, you gained perspective as you grew in age and wisdom. Sometimes, however, events occurred in the world that bore so much weight and tragedy that you had to pay attention to them in the midst of all the small concerns in your life. These events gave you pause, giving you a new perspective on what you held important. When air control authorities lost communication with Air Asia Flight QZ 8501 on 28 December, 2014, headed from Surabaya to Singapore, it hit you close to home.

You grieved for the families of the deceased when search crews found wreckage of the plane a few days later, confirming the deaths of 162 men and women. The expansion of the self-proclaimed Islamic State, commonly known as IS or ISIS, through the Middle East continued to feature prominently in the news. Horrific accounts of beheadings and persecution jarred your mind. The accounts of tragedy and inexplicable evil that you saw in the news gave you pause. In light of the events happening in this fallen world, you realized how greatly God had blessed you. You remained safe and alive among people that cared about you. At the same time, you sympathized with the hardships faced by individuals struggling in other countries, and your heart

broke to hear news of the death and sufferings of others. Somehow, your upcoming tests or your outfit for the banquet no longer seemed as important. You knew that they held value, but you knew also that more important “things” happened in the world. As time passed, you would turn back to the little big things in your life, forgetting momentarily about global troubles. But times would inevitably come to remind you once again of the incredible blessings you had received—times that gave you a chance to pause. —By Jonathan Chandra

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ANDS tightly gripping onto the ropes at his side for support, Micah Martens (12) steadies his feet as he makes his way across the rope course at Nomad Adventures. Suspended high above the air, seniors braved through shaky footholds and swinging ropes as part of their Senior Sneak.

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AUGHING as their friend pulls them along, Yejii Lee (P3) and Marie Yun (P3) sit in a green wheelbarrow. Elementary recess gave respite for the shorter attention spans of younger students, giving them a welcome pause from learning and a chance to release their energy outdoors.

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Opening

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Pause.

The first day of school had finally arrived. After a summer packed with activity, you relished the chance to catch up with friends. Warm hugs and fist bumps abounded as you experienced the joy of returning to familiarity. As you cracked old jokes and made new friends, you looked forward to the year. Even attending classes again didn’t seem so bad. You’d deny it to your friends, but you knew that you missed learning—even just a little bit. You even listened with interest, if not excitement, at Mrs. Terresa Uzzle’s lecture about the importance of statistics in everyday life on your first day of AP Stats. As the year went on, however, the magic of the first day of school seemed to slip away. Though you had missed learning over

the summer, you quickly rediscovered the stresses that came with it. From having to make time in your week to hammer out 100 minutes of practice time for Concert Band to attempting to make sense of the Neolithic Revolution for your first AP World History test, school work weighed heavily on you. It seemed like busyness followed you wherever you went. Apart from academic assignments, sports and extracurricular activities burgled your precious supply of free time. Your days seems packed, whether with attending almost daily practices for Varsity Football or meeting every Saturday so you could scramble with fellow StuCo members to prepare for the Christmas Banquet.

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WEPT up in the music, Aster Hng (10), Katiera Cox (11), Gabriela Mims (11), and Priska Sugianto (12) harmonize to “Here I Am to Worship.” Lending their voices and instruments to God during Spiritual Emphasis Week, Missions Emphasis Week, and Friday chapels, the worship team helped lead the student body in praise.

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S the bus trundles back to campus after Senior Sneak, Jing Yi Khoo watches a card game unfold while Hee Ra Chung rests her head on her friend’s shoulder. “Sneak was amazing but energy draining,” admitted Chung. “I was so exhausted that Jing’s shoulder felt as comfortable as my bed at home!” she said, laughing.

At times, your life felt like an impossible juggling act. You strained to keep track of your work and to handle all your responsibilities, knowing that one wrong move, one lapse of concentration, could send everything crashing down. But one outlet kept you sane. Pause. Pauses came in all shapes and forms. Long pauses—sustained periods of calm or fellowship with people that mattered—came in the form of events like SEW and MEW or trips like senior sneak. Short pauses made their mark as well. Meeting with your peers on Tuesdays and Thursdays for morning prayer in the Student Center gave you strength for the day. For boarding students, quiet time allowed

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NATTENDED morsels of cheese perched on his lower lip, a costume-clad Kai Anderson (P4) awaits instructions from Mrs. Shannon Sawatzky about making his next piece of food craft. On 31 October, staff children visited various classrooms for food and activities as part of the annual Staff Kids Trick-or-Treat event.

for rest in an otherwise packed and busy life in the dorms. In stressful situations, times of pause helped you through. When you took time to rest in the goodness of God or made space in your busy schedule to catch up with a friend, it reminded you about what really mattered. You realized that participating in sports, focusing on academics, or serving the community all lost their value if you became too overwhelmed with them to enjoy yourself. So you pressed on with the school year, drawing from the optimism you had on the first day, knowing that if stressors returned, you had the perfect remedy. You knew when to pause . —By Jonathan Chandra

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ER eyes focused on the vial of glittery nail polish in front of her, Gloria Kim (11) gently grasps the pinky nail of Anna Kilgo (2) as she prepares to paint it light blue. The PTO hired the junior class for Family Fun Day on 14 November, giving them an opportunity to serve others and earn money for their class.

First Days

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IGHTLY gripping the handles of his inner tube, Wansuk Kunawaradisai (7) rushes down a water slide at the Cinta Sayang Resort. The Middle School Retreat provided time for students to relax and unwind.

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N a slow business day, Aaron Kelley (11) looks into the distance as Katiera Cox (11) balances a pencil on her upper lip. Juniors ran the class store to raise funds for JSB and class activities. JONATHAN CHANDRA JONATHAN CHANDRA

S they sit on the outdoor bleachers, Carissa Hoffmeyer (8), Hannah Lawrence (8), and Sarah Chinn (7) giggle at middle school boys. Students of all ages socialized around the basketball courts.

[student life]

tense games of Guitar Hero with the boys in Jaffray Dorm, student life filled you with emotion and excitement. After a while, however, socializing at high intensity took its toll. Packed weekends meant you had to stay up late on Sunday nights to work on homework, leaving you sleep-deprived and corpse-like by the next school week. I hate hanging around people. People make my head hurt, you thought to yourself as you stumbled past a swarm of talkative freshmen, You knew that you didn’t really hate others. Sleep deprivation had the power to turn even the best of people into grumpy and antisocial zombies. While stimulants like coffee or tea worked as a temporary fix, only rest and a change of habits could truly reverse the curse. The next Monday, you emerged from your H Block class content and rested. After a weekend of sound sleep and productive work, you felt alert and alive. Side stepping Chiem’s flailing arms as she conversed animatedly with Yook, you knew you had learned your lesson. Though socializing gave you a break from responsibilities, overindulging in it could send your life into chaos. When those times came, you needed to pause. — ­ By Jonathan Chandra

MR. JONATHAN STEFFEN

Wow, I love hanging around people. People seem really cool, you thought to yourself as you walked out of your H-Block class into a chattering mob of your peers. You grinned as you passed Cindy Chiem (12) engaging in excited conversation with Jennifer Yook (12). You gave a friendly Dominic Fitzgerald (10) a fist bump as you continued on, thinking about your plans for the weekend. Like most students, you had a life aside from school work and extracurricular activities. Seizing opportunities to socialize with friends or participate in school-sponsored trips gave you a welcome pause from other responsibilities. As the year rolled on, you took opportunity after opportunity to interact with others. You enjoyed weekends at Gurney with your friends, where you watched movies, slurped on bubble tea, and had the occasional epic toy sword fight at Toys “R” Us. You worked the candy counter at the junior class store, dishing out change to customers Nathan Chand (8) and Sara Stoltzfus (8) as they talked to each other about their favorite moments from the middle school retreat. From working up the courage to ask your crush to the Christmas Banquet to playing in-

EATED around a table, Sam Hofer (10) and Josiah Brake (10) engage in animated discussion about old movies. When the school day ended, students used their free time to socialize around campus.

JONATHAN CHANDRA

A Necessary Pause.

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Students share laughter and build relationships in the...

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ESTURING with his hands. Andy Kim (12) explains an AP Physics problem to Johnathan Tan (12) while Harrison Taylor goes over his memory verse for World Religions. High school students frequently utilized the Student Center to review and discuss concepts learned during class. Studying together helped students lighten the burden of rigorous AP course like AP Chemistry and AP Calculus.

“I’ll be here at the Student Center!” Johnathan Tan (12) hollered as he entered the door, his voice soon submerged beneath the roaring chatter and laughter of adrenaline-pumped high school students. Among the all building complexes on c ampus, students ranked the Student Center as the most popular of them all. Every day, students of all ages crowded into the building to socialize with each other, play games on their iPads, and of course, buy snacks from the StuCo store. “I go to the Student Center to hang out with my friends and talk about how our school day has been,” said Amanda Goh (11). Busting through the doors with sweat dripping down his forehead, Yan Rong Tan (12) and Jet Oh (12) rushed to the small group of seniors gathered towards the end of the room, carrying in their hands, seven take-away packets of warm chicken rice. Seniors bought food outside of school and brought it back to eat. Compared to other locations on campus, the Student Center had the fewest restrictions. As a matter of fact, students received the popular “green light” zone on their

YES fixed on Angelene Woo (11), Samuel Tan (11) and Zachary Tan (11) ask for her opinion on the new school bell. “I think many people prefer the old bell,” replied Woo. During lunch, students enjoyed talking to each other about the latest news and trends of school. PHOTO CREDIT: DAVID BEAK

DAVID BEAK

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STUDENT HAVEN

iPads only in this building. See the reason behind its popularity? “There is like basically no rules here,” Jonathan Park (11) said while casually scrolling through his Facebook news feed. “We don’t have to be quiet or clean,” claimed Jane Jung (11). “We can eat, which is the whole point of being in here!” The StuCo store shined as the highlight of the Student Center. Students came to buy food and relax from school. Once the school day ended, they naturally paced into the building, located the most comfy sofa to sit on, and simply, “chilled.” During lunch, students would indulge in food and candies and would sometimes forget to throw their trash away. Twix wrappers and empty drink cans lay abandoned on tables and on the floor. “It’s funny how StuCo members yell at us to pick up the trash, but it is their job to keep the Student Center clean!” said Kylie Toh (10). Trying to yell through an orchestra of chatter and noise seemed almost impossible even for John Kim (12), StuCo’s PR man, known for his loud voice. As a re-

sult, a handful of students did not even hear anyone telling them to pick up after themselves. “Sometimes, I feel like no one can hear us telling them to pick up the trash but, oh well,” Tayah Lee (11) sighed as she pulled the shutter down to close the store. “I feel powerful but guilty at the same time because I have authority to tell people what to do but, I feel bad for being so demanding,” Ysabel Loh (11) said proudly with a grin. “I am like a stereotypical cartoon character with a loud speaker.” The atmosphere in the building also made it the perfect place for students to socialize and even hold important meetings. The overwhelming level of volume inside muted out other extraneous noises that made small, secretive discussions possible. The seniors held their Eighth Grade Buddies RIPPP (Really Im-

aginative Ping Pong Party) event meeting inside the Student Center publicly. Interestingly enough, no outsider tried to eavesdrop, yet alone realize that the seniors even had a secretive meeting at all. “This is the best and most comfortable place to relax and talk about upcoming events,” Peter Tan (12) said while munching on a packet of chicken rice. “No one really listens or hears us anyway.” “It is always so crowded and noisy in here but, that makes this place a better place to have deep and personal conversations,” said Zachary Tan (11). Filled with memories, the Student Center still stands as one of the favorite places to socialize and eat on campus. With the air conditioners on full blast and delicious food sold daily, students could not resist but barge inside and indulge in their “student haven.” —By David Beak

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ATHERED together, freshmen Peter Kim, Grace Chang, and Tian Ooi peer over their classmates to find out why Victoria Galang, and Areeya Kunawaradisai started laughing hysterically. After school, the ninth graders loved to hang around the white tables and share hilarious stories.

ANDS clutched onto the swings, Wansuk Kunawaradisai (7) and Toan Matsumoto (7) ask Jae Woo Cho to push them higher. Middle School students sought pleasure in swirly slides and swift swings after school to kill time and allow their overflowing energy to escape.

MACKENZIE JORDAN

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Student Life

Green light zone

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Eat

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Homework

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DAVID BEAK

Socialize

Why do you go to the Student Center?

Socializing

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MR. JONATHAN STEFFEN

MR. JONATHAN STEFFEN

PHOTO CREDIT: MR. JONATHAN STEFFEN

MR. JONATHAN STEFFEN

“Hey, let’s go ride the Boomerang!” exclaimed Sumin Lim (6) as hordes of middle school students dashed up the steps. On 7 August, adrenaline-filled middle school students assembled together to start their school year by embarking on a Middle School Retreat to Cinta Sayang Resort in Sungai Petani. “The teachers assigned us to buses according to our grades. We had so much fun on the bus because we turned on music and talked the whole way,” said SeongMin Kim (8). Just like that, the one-anda-half hour trip ended, and the students grabbed their belongings and—after following rules and

receiving a debriefing of the day’s schedule—immediately changed into their swimsuits and dived into the pool. Team building games such as climbing a pole, picking up candy from a bowl of flour, and reaching inside a bucket filled with meal worms allowed the students not only to have fun but also to bond with each other. “The meal worms almost felt like gummy worms,” said James Zhu (8). “You needed real courage, but it felt good!” The real excitement and lasting memories occurred inside the water park. Students went all around the water park trying out attractions like the Wave Pool and Lazy

River. The Boomerang, of course, became the star celebrity of the entire retreat. “If you ride the Boomerang backwards, it is more fun!” said John Cho (8). “I rode the Boomerang with Letitia [Ong, 7], but my ears hurt because she was screaming too loud!” said Risa Sasada (7). For new students, the first week of school ends up becoming the most awkward and nerve-racking time of the year as they do not know anyone yet. Mr. Scott Uzzle, middle school coordinator said, “The whole purpose of this retreat is mainly for the new students who need to make new friends.”

“Everyone was really friendly and did not ignore me. I found that really meaningful because I did not feel left out,” said Dael Kim (7) with a smile. “Through the retreat I became really close with Lydia [Brooks, 7] and Elizabeth [Horton, 7],” said Shanci Mackey (7). “Dude, we should try riding it backwards!” requested Lim (6) as he sat on his tube and got ready to enjoy the ride. Even by the end of the retreat, the middle schoolers had so much energy left over from the water park that the bus ride back resonated with unending chatter, music, and more memories. —By David Beak


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OUTH ajar, Jonathan Chandra (12) laughs in total disbelief as Mr. Scott Uzzle describes the contents of his “Mystery Drink.” During the retreat, the seniors participated in thrilling and daring games that provided spectators with scenes to laugh at. PHOTO CREDIT: DAVID BEAK

DAVID BEAK

RINGING, Melissa You (12) and Li Ze Choo (12) gnaw into five pieces of hard bubble gum. The seniors made rafts out of the bubble gum they had personally chewed. Many did not dare touch their own saliva-filled gum balls, but the competitive ones immediately started constructing a “perfect” raft.

ZACHARY TAN

Leaders crawl into caves and seniors learn about transitioning to...

DAVID BEAK

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ARKER in hand, Peter Tan (12) waits for Mr. Brian Brewster to ask the next question. Mr. Brewster tested his new game “University Monopoly” with the seniors which taught the importance of time and money in college. The players had to do push-ups in order to earn money in the game.

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NTENTLY listening, Christina Kim (11), Ysabel Loh (11), and Jennifer Yook (12) think about the challenges a leader faces. The lectures not only encouraged students to become better leaders but also gave them time for reflection upon moments where they had not shown these qualities.

PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE

As students busily scrambled to their next classes, a handful dressed in casual attire carrying heavy luggage gathered at the clock tower. On 21 August, StuCo, Junior and Senior Excom, and the Dorm Council left school for the Student Leadership Retreat to Nomad Adventure Earth Camp. At Nomad, the young leaders unpacked their luggage in their dormitories and ate a hearty meal together at the cafeteria “The girls faced the gruelling challenge of utilizing the shipshaped shacks: the little plastic changing room pods and showers,” said Tayah Lee (11). Mr. Brian Brewster lectured about the different leadership styles using examples from the Bible. The students also played games that assessed their individual leadership styles. “We had to organize ordinary playing cards into specific groups when given instructions which we all found pretty fun and mean-

ingful because we got to find out what kind of leaders we were,” said Hung-Jie Song (12). On the second day of the retreat, the students went caving and white-water rafting, which not only tested their fitness but also their practical leadership skills. “I found out that these student leaders were chosen as leaders for a reason because they would constantly seek for ways to help each other inside the cave and even helped me not to fall on my face,” said Areeya Kunawaradisai (10). The Student Leadership Retreat drove the students to their physical limits but provided the necessary experience to challenge and utilize their leadership qualities and skills learned during the course. “I learned that sometimes actions speak louder than words,” said Wen-Chi Chen (11). “We always say we are great leaders, but when we are put to the test, few people actually make necessary sacrifices and step up.”

On 13 March, the class of 2015 embarked on a one-minute journey to Rainbow Paradise Hotel next door to start their Senior Transition Retreat. During the retreat, the seniors learned essential information needed for their pending transition to college; and they played creative games led by Mr. Scott Uzzle in between sessions. “We had a session where we talked about relationships and sex, which I personally found entertaining because the guys kept on asking questions that we would normally not ask teachers,” said Ting Hui Lim. “We played a game where the girls had to feed guys sour Skittles with their feet,” exclaimed Jet Oh. “Unfortunately, I was one of the guys; and I must say, it was not a pleasant experience.” Away from the tiresome and often soporific sessions, the seniors received a four-hour block of free-time where they played UNO Attack, skim boarded, or battled it

out in “Ninja.” “The most memorable moment was just spending time with friends during lunch and dinner because it was possibly our last bonding experience as a class,” said Shaikha Shahtaj. The Senior Transition Retreat’s purpose did not lie in just preparing the seniors for college but also gave a final chance to cherish two days together as an entire class. “Mr. Brewster kept telling us that this retreat could be the last time we could be together as a class, and this was a true eye-opener for me,” said Josh Basha. “I realized that it finally was time to say good-bye to my friends and have closure before leaving.” As the student leaders and seniors returned to school, they roamed freely around campus instead of rushing to classes. All the lectures, games, and discussions had worn them, but they felt thoroughly prepared for college and life away from Penang. —By David Beak

Leadership Retreat & Senior-Transition Retreat 13


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Entering with bold moves and leaving compelled during...

MAZED, Rosalina Shin (9) and Hinako Kawata (9) listen to Mr. Rudy Sheptock talk about a boy who survived a major skateboarding accident. SEW equipped the students with intriguing testimonies from Rudy’s life that showed God’s miracles in action.

guard our hearts against complacent Christian living.” Right before Pastor Rudy’s sermons, the drama cast performed a variety of skits that focused on the idea of bold moves. “I played the role of a human android whose name sounded really similar to hemorrhoids which everyone found hilarious,” said Aaron Chand (10). “The small skits are really funny but meaningful at the same time and relate to the theme of SEW very well,” said Tate Oppenheim (7). “I also liked how the skits built up to Rudy’s message.” On 5 March, the reverberating keyboard resonated once again as

the chapel doors opened for the last night of MEW. After the unfortunate news of Pastor Tom Cura’s coming departure, Mr. Kirk Ronzheimer flew in from Laos with his family not only to speak as the guest speaker for MEW but also to serve as the new spiritual director. MEW revolved around the theme of “Compelled,” and Mr. Ronzheimer shared how God had compelled him to live his life. “I learned that even if I make mistakes, God will not abandon me or stop loving me,” said Amanda Low (8). Once again, to complement his message, the students of an

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TAGED in front of a large crowd, Mr. Kirk Ronzheimer introduces himself by sharing his ministry and life in Laos. In the three days of Mission Emphasis Week, Mr. Ronzheimer used stories that challenged students, staff, and parents to live a “compelling life.”

JONATHAN CHANDRA

CISSORS pointed to the cardboard man, Jaime Ooi (12) and Jacob Uzzle (12) act out a skit that emphasized the idea of a loving Creator who always takes care of His creation. Small drama skits during MEW entertained the crowd and led to the core concepts of Mr. Kirk Ronzheimer’s message.

Introduction to Theater Arts class prepared a number of simple but meaningful skits that went handin-hand with Pastor Kirk’s message and theme. “Will you ask Jesus to give you a bigger heart?” asked Mr. Ronzheimer as he referenced a skit about two friends who had a broken relationship. The worship team, led by Mr. Joshua Allen, played a diverse array of songs that guided the audience to God. “I especially loved the song ‘Breathe On Us’ because it really emphasized our desire for God’s presence to be upon us and how His breath alone can compel us,” said Katiera Cox (11). As the music continued to resonate on the last night of SEW and MEW, students gathered in small groups to pray for each other and talk about how God had spoken to them throughout the week. —By David Beak

JONATHAN CHANDRA

The reverberating sound of the keyboard resonated inside the chapel as students started to flood in for the first night of SEW. On 3 November, Pastor Rudy Sheptock finally flew into Penang as the guest speaker for SEW after fighting shingles for weeks. “Let me tell you, I had a very hard time with shingles, but God brought me here for you all,” said Mr. Sheptock. Pastor Rudy centered his sermons on the theme of “Bold Moves,” the SEW theme. Known for his accidental spitting, wild gestures, and energetic vibes, he received a warm welcome from the students and staff. “Bold moves are things you cannot do without help from God,” said Mr. Sheptock “I admired Mr. Sheptock’s enthusiasm and passion,” said Ben Tse (12). “I sat on the front row and saw him sweating heavily, but I will never forget his telling us to

ESTURING with his hands, Mr. Rudy Sheptock asks the question, “What is your bold move for God?” For the course of three days, Mr. Sheptock shared stories and inspired students and staff to carry out bold moves for God.

JONATHAN CHANDRA

THREE DAYS FOR GOD

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JONATHAN CHANDRA

14 Student Life

Spiritual Emphasis Week / Missions Emphasis Week 15


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EETH bearing wide grins, Lucia Combrink (12) and Ben Tse (12) pose for a photo together, holding the signs Tse used to ask her to JSB. Students peppered their “askings” with traditions, such as hugging if the girl said “yes” and posing for photos for family and friends afterwards.

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OY spreading across her face, Brenda Ng (11) holds the luscious bouquet just awarded her by Joseph Um (12) as she stood on the stage at Junior for Hire. Some students, like Um, utilized public events to put together touching “askings” that would be remembered by the student body.

MILING for the cameras, Susan Oh (10) and Tim Sasse (10) pose as friends snap photos. Students worked themes into their “askings” that reflected the interests of those addressed, making the “asking” more personal and memorable. In Sasse’s case, Oh used a baseball.

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DAVID BEAK JONATHAN CHANDRA

DAVID BEAK

RINNING satisfactorily, David Unruh (10) chats with Tayah Lee (11) after Lee asked him to the Christmas Banquet. StuCo members faced problems when asking as they had to spend the night engaged in hosting the banquet, so sometimes they solved this problem by asking another StuCo member.

DAVID BEAK

With Confidence and a Little Planning...

DREAMS BECOME REALITY “Will you go to JSB with me?” asks David Beak (12), as his prospective date Jennifer Yook (12) finishes reading the notebook page he held at his chest. Every year as JSB “asking” season approaches, students find themselves faced with several stress-inducing questions. For guys, these questions include, “Whom should I ask?” “When is the best time?” and “How will I do it?” For girls, one question lies heaviest on their minds: “Who will ask me?”

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EARING out pages from his notebook, David Beak (12) reveals a romantic monologue page by page. Then he asked Jennifer Yook (12) the critical question, “Will you go to the JSB with me?” Yook answered without hesitation, “Yes.” They fell into an embrace, drawing aahs from the gathered crowd. PHOTO CREDIT: JONATHAN CHANDRA

16 Student Life

As guys strove to become someone’s answer to this question, they—against all feelings of nervousness or apprehension—orchestrated a smorgasbord of exciting and original “askings” that captured both the hearts of their prospective dates and the imagination of the student body. Some “askings” involved taking their dates-to-be on rabbit trails, stretching out the suspense masterfully, sometimes for a whole day, before releasing it all at once with a single question. Ben Tse (12), for example, employed this technique in his asking of Lucia Combrink (12). “I had someone pass her a letter to JSB University,” Tse said, “and I asked her to meet me at the clock tower after X-Block. Then throughout the day she was given

individual signs [that spelled out will – you – go, etc.]. I decided to let Dennis [Choi, 12], hold the ‘me’ sign to troll her. He went up to her to ask the question; then he said ‘Wait a minute, I am not the chosen one’ and then I came up and gave him a high-five and asked Lucia to the JSB.” Some boys took the suspense element even further: Shawn Lim (11) asked Juliet Suen (12) to the JSB by having Shion Matsumoto (12) put her in a bag and drag her around campus; she finally ended up at the playground where he stood with flowers asking her as soon as she emerged. “It was the most terrifying yet happiest moment of my junior year,” Lim said. Most students asked friends for help to set up “askings” as

they lay in wait. Aaron Chand (10) had Morgan Guthrie (12) drop balloons with a note tied to the end with “CB?” written on it onto Tesa Sasse (12) from the stairs above the clock tower before Chand appeared and asked her. He later said, “Thankfully, she said ‘yes’; but who wouldn’t want to go with the one and only Aaron Chand?” “Asking” season was one filled with stress and excitement. But when the CB and JSB evenings arrived, students found solace in knowing that they had overcome nervousness and “won” a great date. By the end of the “season,” with dates secured and hearts captured, students had only to look forward to a night filled with fun, excitement, and memory-making. —By Aaron Bengs

Christmas Banquet & Junior-Senior Banquet “Askings” 17


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Living with friends on campus feels just like..

OCUSED, Alan Luchtenburg (10) and Susan Oh (9) work on their homework diligently after school. Hard-working dorm students tried to finish their school assignments quickly to enjoy the evening without worries. After school, students preferred to stay outside at the courts or near classrooms to enjoy their time, allowing those who preferred a quieter place either to study or to pass time, a perfect atmosphere inside the dorms to focus.

HOME AWAY FROM HOME Joseph Um (12), a member of Dorm Council. Immediately after arriving at their temporary residence, everyone quickly grabbed his or her belongings and dashed inside. “As we reached our destination, we saw a wall of rain approaching and almost panicked!” said Andriani Sugianto (11). Despite the unpleasant weather during their arrival, students enjoyed the tea plantation scenery and indulged in the cool, refreshing atmosphere of the highlands. “The place we stayed was really pretty, said Susan Oh (9). “We even went to the Boh Tea gardens where we goofed around most of the time.” The boys of Jaffray, Jackson, and Ziemer dorms huddled together in small groups to explore the area.

over 16 plates of food!” exclaimed Alan Luchtenburg (10). Living in the dorms gave students the privilege to experience living with friends. Whether watching a funny movie together as a dorm or just sitting on a comfy beanbag while scrolling through Instagram posts, dorm students never ceased to enjoy their time. “Jazzy, can we please watch something?” Oh requested politely as Jenkins continuously tried to land her new trick. After countless attempts, she gave up and let out a deep sigh. “All right, we can watch something now,” Jenkins said helplessly as she turned off the Xbox and rummaged through a pile of movies stacked on the shelf underneath the television. —By David Beak

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OOKING ahead, Melissa You (12) and Christina Kim (11) walk down to the cafeteria for dinner while Mrs. Valerie Weidemann brings down empty containers she borrowed; Risa Sasada (7) runs to catch up with her dorm family. With dinner provided by the kitchen staff every day of the week , dorm students and staff never had to worry about missing a meal. PHOTO CREDIT: GLORIA KIM

DAVID BEAK

DAVID BEAK

“A few other boys and I went to the waterfall when it just started to rain, so we had to run back soaking wet,” said Matthew Shafer (12). “We took off our shirts and started running hysterically to the vans.” In the morning, John Kim (12) led the entire dorm community in morning exercises. The early stretches replenished the required energy needed to continue through the day. On their way back to Penang, the vans stopped at a Chinese restaurant for a full-course meal that left the dorm students and dorm parents satisfied but definitely craving for more. “The food was so good that a group of boys including Marshall [McManus, 12], Joe [Brake, 10] and Bena [Mauger, 10] ate like

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“What’s wrong with this guy?!” Jazzy Jenkins (6) exclaimed as she failed to land a skateboard trick on the Xbox 360 game “Skate 3.” “You have to use the markers on the wall,” said Sabrina Ly (11) as she watched Jenkins play. With an Xbox 360 installed in each lounge, dorm life became more communal as students teamed up against and with each other to play a diverse array of games like “Super Smash Bros.” and “NBA2K14.” To make the school year memorable, the dorms travelled to Cameron Highlands from 28– 29th November for a retreat over the Thanksgiving long weekend. “The retreat was really meaningful because all the dorms got to spend time together away from school and just simple relax,” said

AREFULLY holding a make-shift medicine ball, Samuel Tan (11) watches as Mr. Eddie Jenkins pours cement into it. Dorm parents took the time to interact with their dorm kids by socializing with them or by working on simple projects like making a cement “medicine ball” for weight-lifting enthusiasts. The interaction between dorm parents and kids made the students feel right at home, forming stronger and closer bonds between the two.

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Student Life

YES on his iPad screen, Fong Wei Ting (12) watches a viral video, recommended by his dorm siblings, on YouTube. With the limited boundaries of campus, dorm students often ran out of ways to spend their leisure time. Dorm brothers and sisters shared hilarious videos with each other or played board and video games together to enjoy each other’s company. The concept of living as a community in the dorms helped eliminate boredom.

SOME PIECES OF (Dorm) ADVICE: “Get to know your dorm family fast and have fun! Don’t make yourself feel miserable.” - Teddy Zimmer (9)

“Make sure you label your clothes, do not do useless things, and hide your money!” - Susan Oh (9)

“Bring your own shampoo and supplies.” - Jonathan Lao (6)

“Obey your dorm parents or else...” - Lyric Hawk (3)

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DAVID BEAK

Checking off bucket lists during...

EXTRA DAYS OFF SCHOOL and all the “fixin’s” and mouth-watering desserts like pumpkin pie. Day students also had their own Thanksgiving meals at home. “Everyone helped out in setting the table and preparing the meal which was really fun because we felt like an actual family and really bonded with each other,” Susan Oh (10) commented. “We even invited other families over and played games.” The holiday weekend became an ideal time for students to go watch world-renowned director Christopher Nollan’s Interstellar and the worldwide famous Mockingjay movies at Gurney Plaza. A handful of students preferred to stay at home and indulge in favorite hobbies like long boarding

or kayaking to Rat Island. “Long weekends are the perfect time for me to make music,” said Aaron Kelley (11) as he practiced on his guitar. On Merdeka Day on 31 August, the streets of Penang bustled with honking cars and motorcycles, making it almost impossible for anyone to travel to Gurney or Straits Quay. On busy holidays such as this, some took the chance to work ahead on a ss ignments. “I do not like doing homework, but since I couldn’t go out, I thought I might as well finish my homework early and actually have a stress-free Sunday,” said Levi Hawk (6). “In Advanced Band, our prac-

tice times are trimmed during longer weekends, so I find it easier to get them done then,” Mikaela Steinkamp (8) said as she grabbed her t rumpet to start rehearsing for the Christ mas Concert. Reality struck when Sunday approached and students realized that their weekend off had come to an end. Despite having to wake up early again the next day, they looked forward to sharing the plans they had laid out before the long weekends and breaks. Back at school, students assembled once again and returned to daily assignments and homework while reminiscing the memories made during the break. —By David Beak

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RENCH gripped tightly, Calvin Thompson (11) peers back at John Kim (12) who finally got to testdrive his new home-made long board while Josh Basha (12) and Joseph Um (12) screw in a new set of wheels onto another board. Students used the extra days off school to mend boards and enjoy hobbies like long boarding and skating. DAVID BEAK

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DAVID BEAK

As the bell rang to mark the end of school, students assembled together in groups to lay out their plans for the long weekend. A few days off school broke the regular routine as families could enjoy time with their children. “I usually hang out with my friends or take the chance to sleep in because I do not get to do that often during school days,” said Matthew Shafer (12). “Long weekends are the perfect time to relax, catch up on hobbies, and spend quality time with my family since I am not busy with homework,” noted Aster Hng (10) as she packed her bags to go home. During the four-day Thanksgiving break, dorm parents prepared a special meal with turkey

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YING on the grass, Joseph Stoltzfus (12) takes a quick nap as Tesa Sasse (12), Morgan Guthrie (12), and Colleen Mims (home-schooled) gaze at the clouds above. On long weekends, high school students had ample time to take in the beauty of nature.

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ATIENTLY waiting, Dael Kim (7) plays her favorite tune on the piano as Aubrey Sullivan (9) braids Kim’s hair. The five-day weekend gave dorm students an opportunity to experience a traditional Thanksgiving meal cooked by their dorm siblings and parents.

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ATIENTLY waiting, Peter Lee eagerly eyes possible bidders as the silent auction slowly neared its end. Lee did his best to gain bids by prominently advertising his English tutoring skills. Juniors had to take the initiative during the silent auction to promote themselves as best as they could.

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ITH her arm outstretched, Angela Tan methodically paints a door frame at the orphanage. Karsten Ladner said, “It was great to see the change we made at the orphanage. The kids were really excited to see us, and they even pitched in. It is nice to know we made a difference.”

GABRIELA MIMS.

JONATHAN CHANDRA.

Juniors raise funds...

“Sold! For the astounding price of 1200 ringgit,” bellowed Mr. Karl Steinkamp as Sarah Stevens strolled off stage satisfied with the extraordinary amount that she had earned for her class by offering to teach kids how to play the popular video game Minecraft. Each year, the juniors served the community through the Serveathon, Junior for Hire, and the junior class store; in this way they earned enough money to fund the Junior-Senior Banquet as well as funds for their senior activities. “Junior for Hire as pretty nerve-wracking. When I was up there, I was very nervous because it was really awkward, and I didn’t know where to look; but it went by really quick. There was a flurry of hand raising, and then I was sold. Once the bidding was over, I felt relieved and proud because I

22 Student Life

knew I was contributing to something greater,” said Tayah Lee. The juniors toiled and laboured throughout the year, but they learned invaluable lessons as they worked. Throughout the stress and anxiety of planning the JSB, they discovered the ins and outs of having a job and working as a team. During the Serve-athon, they served the community by slathering paint on the walls of an orphanage and bringing colour to the lives of children in need. Though the work felt tedious at times and the sun’s hot rays slowly sapped their energy, the class bonded and made a difference in the community. “The Serve-athon gave me the opportunity to reach out to people and serve them in ways I would have never be able to if it were just

me. Our class came together and worked hard to paint the houses for an orphanage that could not afford it. I felt honoured to paint beside some of the orphanage kids as they jumped in and helped us finish the task,” said Katiera Cox. The juniors didn’t just earn through big events like Junior for Hire and the Serve-athon, but they made money each day by working in the junior class store. At the store, they slaved away, making bubble tea and selling candy to their schoolmates. Doing their best to emulate a working environment, they even featured an employee of the month sign where they honoured those who contributed in unique ways. Zachary Tan, one such employee, said, “The secret is to work hard with a good attitude. For me, I was able to contribute more be-

cause I found ways to make the system work. For example, I arranged the wires for the blenders, I created the ‘take your own straw,’ and I made sure there was a rag on both tables at all times. Everything was clean and orderly. It felt good to be able to help my class out.” Whether shaking up a bubble tea or demonstrating debonair debate skills up on stage, the class came together to improve the community. The work could feel tedious and challenging, but they stepped up and helped their community “After the bidding finished, I felt happy because I thought I wouldn’t sell for very much. I am extremely proud of how I was able to learn marketing skills and promote myself to help my class earn money,” said Stevens. —By Tayler Nash

GABRIELA MIMS.

FOR A BETTER YEAR

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IMPERING on stage, Charlotte Combrink gesticulates wildly as she attempts to re-enact paddling a kayak. After boldly stepping up, Mr. Karl Steinkamp introduced her and expounded on the services she offered; during this exposition, she did her best to demonstrate these skills.

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PHOTO CREDIT: JONATHAN CHANDRA.

EHIND the candy table, Samuel Tan sits patiently, waiting for a customer to come along and purchase his goods. After courteously helping out the previous gaggle of first graders as they picked out goodies to snack on, Tan sat down eager to provide sweets to all those who wanted some.

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ROCLAIMING his love for Morgan Guthrie (12), David Beak (12) grasps her hand during the skit “Woman at War.” The RLT Players acted out a variety of skits during their performance, titled For All Ages, which ran from 20–22 November.

Dramatic Pause.

NSPECTING a crumpled cupcake wrapper during a break in the Catching and Throwing KIC Club, Suyoung Lim (1) talks with Reshwin Pillai (1) and Aaron Pontrich (1). Kids’ Interest Clubs, or KICs for short, gave elementary students a chance to work together in groups.

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IGHTS shining brightly behind them, John Kim (12) and Johnathan Tan (12) play along to “Your Grace Is Enough.” During SEW, the worship team practiced together every day after school, working to perfect their set of songs.

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during the Team Soccer KIC when Jeremiah “JT” Orr (3) had looped around a gaggle of defenders to pass the ball to Jack Cura (4), who had nearly scored. Laughing a little, you remembered watching Lydia Brooks (7) slap Seth Kelley (8) on the face as she berated him with a Russian accent during first quarter’s middle school drama, Some of My Best Friends Are Spies. From Boy Scouts to Student Council to Care and Share to the worship team, working in groups helped you to interact with others and make use of your talents to glorify God. The groups you joined gave you a welcome break from academic study. The fulfilment you gained from doing things you enjoyed allowed you to return to other responsibilities refreshed and ready to work. Just as pauses in dramatic performances intensified actions or dialogue that took place immediately after, taking a pause from other work to participate in a group allowed you to intensify your output in school. As the performance ended and the lights flickered on, you applauded with the rest of the audience, appreciating the power of a dramatic pause . –By Jonathan Chandra

JONATHAN CHANDRA

There you sat in the Penang PAC theater, seated in darkness that obscured your vision like a thick veil. Squinting, you made out vague outlines of people scurrying across the stage. Whispers of anticipation spread through the audience. Suddenly, colored lights flashed on, making the white stage floor appear a light shade of purple. The night became an excited blur as the RLT Players performed skit after skit, taking you through a vast array of emotions. In one scene, Hannah Graves (11) stepped into the light. She stood for moment, pausing dramatically, before delivering her lines. Looking back on the performance, you realized how much you admired the work that your peers had put in. From your own experience, too, you realized that it took dedication and teamwork. You smiled, recalling the day when you decided to sit outside and watch elementary kids in their KICs clubs. You had cheered

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“I love Gymnastics Club where we can stand and jump on a balance beam or learn how to do cool flips.” —Billy Ferguson (1) “Basketball is my favorite KICs. We learn how to control the ball and develop good reflexes. My dream is to become a professional basketball player and play for the Oklahoma City Thunder. —Drew Worten (3)

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MBRACING Ting-Yi Huang (2), who just came in second in the 100-meter dash during the Track-n-Field Club, Daniel Kim (9) whispers, “You did great and I think you can win first the next time! Good try!” High school helpers encouraged the elementary students to challenge themselves in KICs.

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GLORIA KIM

APTIVATED by Mrs. Ailee Chan’s sewing skills, Amy Won (2), Laura Nadapdap (2), Nikita Sarhad (2), and Rio Yamaguchi (2) lock their eyes on the hands demonstrating the basics of sewing on a piece of card. “I’m going to give my card to my mom once I am done with it!” said Yamaguchi.

GLORIA KIM

“I like Ballet Club because everyone is really nice, and we do fun things like making a line where everybody does different poses. We learn some basics like positioning our arms and standing in a good posture.” —Gabriella Uzzle (2)

AREFULLY examining the cards in her hands, Rhys Hofer (3) hesitates before she lays one down in the card game called Apples to Apples. Every Thursday, the Board Games Club invited students who enjoyed staying in an air-conditioned room and playing games that incorporated brain work, such as chess.

YES fierce and body pumped, Noah Brooks (3) dribbles his ball while guarding it from Jason Cho (3). Team Soccer Club, the most popular KICs among elementary students, took place on Tuesday through Thursday. They mastered football skills as well as honesty through learning to control the ball and admitting that they had hand-balled.

Showing off Their Best KICs “I like playing games outdoors where I can be active. Team Soccer is my favorite KICs because soccer is one of the best sports. I’m going to become a famous soccer player when I grow up!” —Lauren Worten (4)

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Ready, Set, and...Game on!

KIC-king Up Their Levels

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Monday—the word that makes every high school and even middle school student cringe—marks the day of the week when students have to climb out of their beds after two cozy days of rest to spend the next eight hours sitting in a classroom. The word doesn’t quite have the same effect for some who spend good hours of the day sweating and testing out their abilities in different ways: the elementary students.

Elementary students ended their days with different activities as they participated in the KICs, short for Kids’ Interest Clubs, from Monday to Thursday. On the lower field, one group of students practiced the 100-meter dash; another group of students trained their standing long jumps with Mrs. Patricia Combrink and Daniel Kim (9), a high school helper. Mrs. Robin Frohlich and Darian Yeap (10) trained oth-

ers to throw the discus properly in the Track-nField Club. Football and Tee-Ball players dominated the upper field from Tuesdays to Thursdays. “Batter up! Watch the runners on the first and second base!” called Mrs. Frohlich to the players. Jake Pontrich (4) hit the ball far into the field and darted towards the first base, while Lyric Hawk (3), who saw that Jeremiah Orr (3) had caught the ball,

frantically ran to third. “Aw! That was so close!” cried Orr with disappointment when Mrs. Frohlich claimed Hawk safe. Inside the classrooms, future artists and seamstresses took up their tools to create paintings and decorate cards. “I’m going to put this papier mâché in my room as a decoration!” said Ashley Park (3) to her friend Noella Seevaratnam (3) in Papier Mâché Art Club.

From indoor to outdoor activities, elementary students picked clubs of their choice to match their talents and interests. Regardless of gender, each participated in what would teach him or her new skills such as how to handle a football properly or how to create an art masterpiece. These daily recreations generated anticipation rather than fear of Mondays in the hearts of elementary students. —By Gloria Kim

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AFELY believing that the ruckus ended when Sara Stoltzfus (8) and Seth Kelley (8) seized Gabe Roberts (7), Celestine Teoh (7) and Elizabeth Horton (7) lower their guards only to have the villain escape in a moment. Roberts and his partner-in-crime failed in stealing a secret recipe in the drama Some of My Best Friends Are Spies.

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ROUD of their performance for the night, Shanci Mackey (7), Lydia Brooks (7), and Celestine Teoh (7) clap together with the audience as Mrs. Valeri Brokaw introduces each member of the cast. A total of 12 actors and actresses collaborated to make Some of My Best Friends Are Spies; and three of them joined to produce a second drama.

S a disciple of Jesus, Simon Peter, played by Joel Kelley .(6), speaks with conviction to testify Jesus as the Messiah in front of Young-Woo Eun (5), Lydia Geiman (6), Ning Yi Chia (5), Wen Khaw (5), Jason Kim (5), Jack Ferguson (5), and Gabe Frohlich (6) in the musical, Simon Says: The Rockin’ Trial of Simon Peter. Surely, he won the judge’s heart at last.

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TAYLER NASH

HANGING gears from a clever secret agent from Some of My Best Friends Are Spies to a sentimental fiancé in Rowdy Kate, Sara Stoltzfus (8) declares her love to Justus Goh (8). The actors held the script in their hands when they did not have their lines fully memorized and gradually laid them aside as they rehearsed through the quarter.

GLORIA KIM

Spotted on Stage

Spotted: highlights of acting

a Judge, a Spy, and a Rowdy Bride

“Acting can be as creative as you want it to be. You can be in space aboard in a rocket ship or in the depth of the sea, forward or backward in time. There’s no limit!” —Gabe Roberts (7) “You get to experience being in different places that you’ve never been before and different people that you could never be. Our musical had a court room setting, and I’ve never been in a real one.” —Kate Buhr (6)

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“The reason why I join drama is that I get to take on different personalities and see things through their perspective. It was fun to play a man’s part in Some of My Best Friends Are Spies because when will I ever get to wear a beard again?” —Ji Yun Shin (7)

“This court is now in session! Simon must either prove that Jesus is who He claimed to be or cease and desist preaching the same,” announced Isaac Uzzle (6), the judge, on the night of Simon Peter’s trial. Dressed in robes and court gowns, the cast of Simon Says: The Rockin’ Trial of Simon Peter took on the spotlight to share what they had prepared for months and prove Jesus as the Messiah. The fifth and sixth

graders used a part of their time on Mondays and Tuesdays to practice the songs and the actions dedicated to each scene of the musical. “Putting together Simon Says was a blast. Fifteen sixth graders chose to participate along with all of the fifth graders, and they brought so much energy to this production! Some of the funny things they did were their own ideas,” said Mrs. Valeri Brokaw.

“I enjoyed learning the songs and being all creative on stage. We conveyed what Easter really meant by acting and singing; and through that, I learned more about who Jesus is,” said Sofia Siqueira (5). The seventh and eighth graders managed to perform two dramas, one during the second quarter and the other during the fourth. “Being an actor in Some of My Best Friends Are Spies was entertain-

ing because the whole plot was based on trying to find a secret recipe to nothing but a fudge,” said Nathan Chand (8). Rowdy Kate took place in the second semester, which illustrated taming a rough Western woman, played by Lydia Brooks (7), through tender romance. “We have some talented young actors in the middle school. By seventh grade, we don’t do musicals anymore; but we put together a

full one-act play in just eight to nine weeks of X-Block practices. I decided to squeeze Rowdy Kate in at the end of the year after the musical,” said Mrs. Brokaw. As the students finished the last lines of the plays, the audience responded with a volley of applause that continued until they took a final bow. Their efforts truly paid off as they met with their parents’ accolades on their way home. —By Gloria Kim

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MACK! As soon as electricity flows through the snap circuit, the fan propels and flies into Taewoo Song’s (4) glasses. Hajin Bae (4) watched in amusement as Mr. Jonathan Steffen experimented with the circuit kit that could create dozens of configurations, such as a lie detector or a Space War Radio.

EACEFUL streams of air flow throughout the room as Jordan Stuart (4), Elisabeth Chen (4), Elizabeth Buhr (4), and Fukue Suntarat (4) hold their postures during a yoga session. The Junior Girl Scouts delved into maintaining physical fitness as well as practicing healthy habits and knowing how to recycle.

OU have to hold it like this, and you have to pat it very gently,” Siena Cataudella (1) tells Stella Park (1) and the other girls who gathered around to gaze at the delicate kitten. The Daisy girls scouted the topic of proper animal care and protection. By learning to care for animals, they learned to care for themselves in the long run.

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“The Junior Girl Scouts helped out in starting a recycling project, putting recycling bins and posters all over the campus. We are helping the community because if you could reuse things, we can save lots of materials and help stop global warming. It’s good to recycle at school and at home, too.” —Hailey Hofer (4)

GLORIA KIM

GLORIA KIM

The Troops of Honor

FTER working on their Brownies’ passport project, Ashley Park (3) and Claire Ohk (3) enjoy their sandwich cookies. A typical Girl Scout Brownies’ meeting started by making passports where they journalled their Girl Scout journey by adding pictures and decorating pages. They ended the session by sharing snacks that a member had brought for all.

Girl Scouts’ ripple effect

Boys dressed in their uniforms stood firmly in front of Mr. Paul Hoffmeyer with their two-finger salute while Elliot Steffen (4) led them in reciting the Cub Scout Promise: “I promise to do my best to do my duty to God and my country, to help other people, and to obey the law of the pack.” This initiation ceremony marked the beginning of a Cub Scouts meeting. The boys divided up into their dens, exploring different skills

30 Student Life

suited for their age. Sean White (1) and Joshua Allen (1), scouts of the Tiger den, learned how to stitch a card. Jae­ Youn Kim (2) and Aiden Jeong (2) busied themselves making paper kites in the Wolf den. “The best thing about Cub Scouts is crafting and making stuff. Then we get to hang out with friends and eat snacks,” said Kim. The Bear den boys practiced techniques of sharpening a knife on a soap bar instead of a

whetting stone. The Webelos, short for “We’ll be Loyal Scouts,” built and experimented with electric circuits. The three patrols of the Boy Scouts­­­—the Sharks, the Scorpions, and the Panthers—gathered on Tuesday evenings to earn badges after making achievements in particular areas. “The Shark patrol is learning things like how to wear the Boy Scouts uniform properly, like the neckerchief,” said Min Guk Kim (8).

Girls assembled in their own troops to explore a whole new different array of skills. First graders put on their Daisy vests and learned how to care for animals and themselves. The Brownies, dominated by second and third graders, memorized the Girl Scout Law and the handshake during their meetings. The Junior Girl Scouts mastered different yoga postures to earn the badge for health and well-being.

“We also learned about recycling,” said Karis White (4). “It’s practical because it’s preparing us to become better adults!” During their meetings, the girls confidently recited the Girl Scout Promise together, raising three fingers that represented the three parts of the Promise. Every week, these five scout groups built character, courage, and dexterity in preparation for their future. —By Gloria Kim

GLORIA KIM

A Salute to the Scouts

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Stamped with Neon Bright Night Under Bright Minds All hosed down, teams of Red, Blue, and Yellow stood on playing grounds for the battle, their hands charged with specialized ammunition for the night. StuCo improvised the ordinary, typical game of Capture the Flag by incorporating neon-colored powders as a means of tagging out an intruder on a team’s home ground. With the wet hands fully charged, each team member stamped his hand prints on the oppo-

nents’ black shirts while waiting for the right time to run for the flag. The 29th of August, packed with “glowing” activities of the StuCo event Lucidus Noctis, waned as participants wildly ran to the other team’s territory. Behind the scenes, StuCo had vigorously prepared for weeks, even during the Leadership Retreat, to make the day possible. To begin with, they put their brains together to come up with

a unique event for all students to enjoy. They dealt with conflicting opinions; and once they chose to use paint, they contemplated the details to polish their plan. “In order for something to work, you must cooperate together and collaborate,” said Christina Kim (11). “That is the only way that any thing will turn out well. Each of us has to be enthusiastic, positive, and supportive of others even if you are not satisfied

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with their opinions.” Based on their decision to use neon powder, they established the theme Lucidus Noctis, meaning “Bright Night.” Other tedious work included cutting highlighters and mixing them with water for decorations, filling balloons with glow sticks, and mixing corn starch and dye to make 150 bags of neon powder with their hands. “We spent a whole week just preparing; it was exhausting,

ASUALLY delving into a conversation, Keegan Oppenheim (11), Priska Sugianto (12), Abby Bengs (11), and Mackenzie Jordan (11) spend a relaxing time at the StuCo event, After Dark. The Student Center turned into a live concert cafe where anyone could come in, enjoy music, and buy homemade baked goods.

CHRISTINA KIM

EEPING his distance from his enemies, Joseph Hsu (10) hops on his leg in the game of Pop-the-Balloon during Lucidus Noctis. Teams eliminated each other by stepping on the balloons until one player survived on each team. Then, the three finalists fought each other—and the Yellow team’s balloon survived till the end.

yet rewarding,” said Ysabel Loh (11). Zachary Tan (11) also added, “The joy of being in StuCo comes from seeing students really enjoy and bond through what we have prepared. Then we feel accomplished and proud, not just as an individual but as a team.” Excitement sparked brighter as the day grew darker. When the night finally fell, the participants returned home with their uniquely designed shirts of colorful neon hand prints. This bright night ended successfully thanks to the planning of the StuCo members. —By Gloria Kim

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O print the stamp of elimination on their enemies, Ben Finlay (10), Raymond Ko (10), Charlotte Combrink (11), and Fong Wei Ting (12) chuck their hands into blue neon powder. “There was an extra element of novelty in the Lucidus Noctis version of Capture the Flag. People went around splashing paint on each other in the end,” said Combrink.

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ATHERED around the table, Ms. Stephanie Schhangur and Raymond Ko (10) listen attentively to President Shelly Choi’s (12) thoughts about future StuCo events. The members of StuCo discussed plans at the Leadership Retreat, where they focused on the major attributes of a leader such as cooperation and responsibility.

Stamped with Leadership “Being high-school president taught me the beauty of collaboration and the profit that comes from trusting others. I used to be that student who liked to plan and complete things on my own, but I realized that delegating work to others in line with their strengths is a more effective way of approaching big projects rather than trying to do everything myself. Each StuCo member proved to be talented and trustworthy individuals working for the good of others,” said Shelly Choi (12), StuCo President.

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Turning Plans into Reality

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AKING turns, Evan Chinn and Noel Teng stir the pot of “bubbles” that the junior class store will sell after school. After making these pearls, they boiled water to make tea. They washed the dishes, wiped the table, and turned off the lights before they left. Everyday, some juniors worked during the lunch block to take care of these daily tasks.

for a Bigger Purpose

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NTO the Woods, right?” exclaims Cindy Chiem (12) as she high-fives an excom member who had voted for the same movie as she for the senior class party. Excom members gathered every Monday in Mrs. Terresa Uzzle’s classroom to prepare and plan class parties as well as service projects.

“Who’s making the pearls for the drinks today?” Karsten Ladner, president of the junior class, threw his usual question to his classmates hanging around the Student Center during lunch. Sensing the reluctance among them, he pushed his inquiry until one of them said, “I’ll make them.” From preparing the junior class store daily to organizing class events, excom members plowed through the days keeping their homework and class agenda up-to-date. “It’s easy to forget

your own school work or chores and blame yourself later; but being a part of excom is completely different because you are leading a class, and it is not about you anymore,” said Ladner. Sunny Kim, the vice president of the class, said, “The purpose of excom is to plan and raise money for the After-Sneak Dinner, the JSB, and our Senior Sneak by selling candies in the store, raising funds through the Serveathon, and organizing food sales during special school events.”

The senior excom carried less work on their shoulders as they had completed their fund-raising the previous year. They focused more on organizing class events and service projects to provide an opportunity for the class to bond in their last year of high school. “As we proceeded to our senior year, there wasn’t a sense of urgency due to the absence of a common purpose— fund-raising and the JSB. But the team did its best to unite the class and return the juniors’

favor,” said president Benjamin Tse (12). Once a month in Jaffray Dorm on Sunday evenings, another group of leaders met to discuss and execute plans: Dorm Council. Two representatives from each dorm brought up issues to talk about and suggested ideas to improve dorm students’ lives. They also planned the yearly dorm retreats and led small group discussions during all dorm meetings. “We have to stay keen to the atmosphere of the dorm, observe and listen to other’s opinions

and suggestions, and bring everybody together. I learned to embrace my dorm siblings and understand them,” said Rainbow Chan (9). Even when people busied themselves with their own work, the class excoms and the Dorm Council brought everyone together for a bigger purpose. And even when everyone felt reluctant to spend his lunch time making pearls for the junior class store, president Ladner searched for that one person to prepare for the daily sales. —By Gloria Kim

GLORIA KIM

Class Excom Positions President Benjamin Tse (12) Karsten Ladner (11) Vice President Ziwei Moey (12) Sunny Kim (11)

Secretary Hung-Jie Song (12) Amanda Goh (11)

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Members at Large Cindy Chiem (12) Hui Min Tang (12) Charlotte Combrink (11) Sarah Tan (11) Karissa Steinkamp (11) Shawn Lim (11)

GLORIA KIM

Business Manager Jing Yi Khoo (12) Lexi Zimbulis (11) GLORIA KIM

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ITH piles of account books on her lap, Lexi Zimbulis, the business manager of the junior class excom, reports the class budget. The juniors worked hard to earn money every chance they had, such as in the junior class store, at special sports event sales, at the Food and Fun Fair, with the Junior for Hire, and at the Serve-athon.

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HE smell of food permeates the leadership class meeting room as Sunny Kim (11), Amanda Goh (11), and other excom members eat lunch while listening to Mr. Karl Steinkamp’s talk about time management. The new class sought to help students in leadership positions make the best use of their time and mature in terms of responsibility.

Excoms & Dorm Council 35


Breaking Their Legs

Memorable lines from the RLT performance, “For All Generations”

By Gaining Acting Experience

Revenge of the Grandparents

“Who’s going to protect your parents if you are invaded by the woogu-woogus?” —Kirk Ladner

If Love is a Crime “My momma always said that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.“ ­­—Tesa Sasse (12)

The Will “You have been disowned. You shall know the bond of butter chicken masala!” –—Aaron Chand (10)

“We shall all need ice packs once the butterflies are free to roam and flap.” —Joseph Stoltzfus (12)

INCE Earnest last proposed to you, he clearly has changed his mind!” exclaims Rainbow Chan’s (10) character, Cecily, to the indignant Gwendolen, played by Elisabeth Brokaw (11). The Importance of Being Earnest, provoked laughter from its audience on 7 and 8 November.

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UTRAGED, Katiera Cox (11) snaps at Jessie Brandon (12) after she learns that she won’t receive anything from her rich grandfather’s will as David Beak (12) observes. “The Will” included all members of the RLT and provided a satyrical look at the aftermath of a death.

icated hours of the four prior months to rehearsing 10 short, individual skits, each written by Mr. Sasse. “Playing multiple characters in different skits really broadens my range as an actor,” said Aaron Chand (10). Held at the Penang Performing Arts Center from 19–21 November, this year’s performances had the highest audience turnout since its première four years prior, with showings on three consecutive days. Leading up to the performances, the 13 members practiced for a combined three hours twice a week. As the performances neared, re-

hearsals lasted for up to 10 hours on weekends. “We became really close, like a family; and we understand each of our fellow actors’ strengths and weaknesses. We’ve watched each other grow with time,” said Katiera Cox (11). Students who wanted to take part in acting, but couldn’t commit to lengthened rehearsal hours, auditioned for the comical hour-long play, The Importance of Being Earnest. “The purpose of one-act plays is to give people an alternate drama option, since some students wouldn’t be interested in singing and dancing,” said Ms. Dan-

neker. “Additionally, we often end up recruiting students from the oneact plays to join RLT the following year. In addition to RLT Players and one-act plays, aspiring performers could stretch their acting muscles by joining Mr. Sasse’s Theatre Arts class. “We have learned all types of exercises and acting techniques, including projection and characterization, which includes getting yourself to cry for a role,” said Joseph Stoltzfus (12). Students who took the class fulfilled the performing arts requirement and put on a Reader’s Theater performance

of the popular ’70s TV show, set during the Korean War, *M*A*S*H. With scenes set in every corner of the chapel, audience members observed the Korean Warbased comedy from different angles. They could also snuggle up with their own blankets and eat scrumptious desserts provided by the junior class—all while enjoying a comedic, laughter-induced performance. As the lights faded on the first RLT skit, Guthrie and Beak gave their final bows and walked backstage, proud that the hours of practice had paid off. —By Emma Hofer

JONATHAN CHANDRA

“It’s LEE-LEE FOO-OUGHT. It’s French.” —Tesa Sasse

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GABRIELA MIMS

“Kids these days. Questioning ice cream. This is part of our dinner. —Kirk Ladner (12)

“You are life to me, you are all I can see!” sang David Beak (12) as he serenaded his sweetheart Morgan Guthrie (12) in the opening act of the RLT players’ performance, For All Generations. With lyrics and music composed by Mr. Mark Sasse and Ms. Laura Danneker, the skit fit into its World War IIera context. The 10-minute musical, “A Woman at War,” told the story of a young couple whose lives change when Beak’s character suffers a war casualty that leaves him in a wheelchair. The Road Less Traveled, or RLT Players, ded-

“Why does the idiom have to be about pie? Why can’t it be: ‘we are here to get a scoop of the chicken masala’?” —Aaron Chand “I am only evil sometimes. You have a 50–50 chance.” —Tesa Sasse

The Last Princess JONATHAN CHANDRA

“You know each day when you tell me to sit on that marble throne, the one with a hole in it? And you tell me to sit there for awhile, and suddenly there is a bad smell that goes down into the throne?” —Hannah Graves (11)

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“We carry only Asian clocks. Asian clocks are never wrong. And even if they are, nobody minds—time is always flexible.” —Aaron Chand

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JONATHAN CHANDRA

A Minute Problem at the World’s Last Clock Shop

UNS in hand, David Beak (12), Joseph Stoltzfus (12), and Aaron Chand (10) sing in the act, “A Woman at War,” during the RLT performance. Set during World War II, the short musical examined the wounds that a war brings about, whether on or off the battlefield.

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IGGLING amongst themselves, tap dancers Rebekah Steinkamp (12), Joseph Stoltzfus (12), and Lilian Li (10) exchange a nonsensical conversation with Colonel Henry Brake, played by Kia Thompson (12). On 24 March, families gathered in the chapel to watch the lively, engaging play.

High School Drama 37


Expressing Their Passion

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ROZEN, Ysabel Loh (11) puts on the look of a paused video while Lexi Zimbulis (11) takes the spotlight in their duet act during the forensics chapel. Before the team went onto the ISKL SEA Forensics Tournament, they practiced performing on stage in front of their peers to build tolerance for stage fright.

with Every Word Spoken

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tices with their coaches. “You should emphasize the second word rather than the first for clarity. And be expressive with your voice,” Mrs. Liza Nichols told the actors in practice. Zimbulis and Loh also participated in solo acting, which required them to dominate the stage on their own. Other students challenged themselves to only use his or her voice to create a picture in the audience’s mind in oral interpretation.

OLDLY claiming his opinion in front of his teachers, Aaron Kelley (11) cleverly defends his team by expounding on the benefits of experiencing a secular society at a non-Christian university. This special event demonstrated the beauty of debates where individuals stood as contestants equally free to raise objections to other’s opinions.

“Oral interpretation helped me to effectively communicate with other people and definitely made me step out of my comfort zone,” said Christina Lee (11). Impromptu and original oratory speakers trained viewing issues from every angle and sharing their ideas effectively. Within 60 ticks of the clock, Andrew Kim (10), Wen-Chi Chen (11), Sunny Kim (11), and Peter Kim (9) prepared a two to five minute impromptu speech about topics of a philosophical nature. During original oratory speech, Kyle Fischer (11), Chen, and Kim (11) delivered a persuasive speech about con-

troversial topics. The team’s tenacious efforts eventually paid off at the fifth annual staff-student debate and at the 37th ISKL SEA Forensics Tournament. “Dalat graduates should not feel obligated to attend a Christian university but have the freedom to jump into a secular society,” Kimberly Horton (10) articulated. Although the staff team won, the occasion served as a good experience for the students. They also did not

miss their chance to learn and grow from the ISKL Tournament, focusing more on the celebration of talents than the competition. “I felt like I performed the best when I just wanted to share with everyone how much I enjoyed acting or speaking and when I wasn’t worried about the judges or whether or not I would make it into the next round,” said Zimbulis, who returned with a gold medal with Loh. —By Gloria Kim

ISKL SEA Forensics Tournament Results Muri Award for Outstanding School Performance, 2nd Place Duet Acting Gold: Lexi Zimbulis (11), Ysabel Loh (11) Bronze: Christina Lee (11), Joseph Stoltzfus (12)

Impromptu Finalist: Andrew Kim (10) Semi-finalist: Wen-Chi Chen (11) Sunny Kim (11)

Oral Interpretation Bronze: Lexi Zimbulis (11) Finalist: Kimberly Horton (10) Semi-finalist: Ysabel Loh (11)

Solo Acting

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ACING her opponents, Kimberly Horton (10) gives her arguments in the ISKL debate competition. To help the team, a senior debater took on a new role of a coach: “Coaching and being coached were very different roles. It felt fulfilling to start a new generation of debaters and pass my techniques to them,” said Johnathan Tan (12).

Finalist: Lexi Zimbulis (11) Ysabel Loh (11)

GLORIA KIM GLORIA KIM

“If this was the last time you could speak to your mother, what would you say?” began Ysabel Loh (11) at the start of her duet act with her partner, Lexi Zimbulis (11). Calm but powerful, expressive yet not too dramatic, the duo seized the audience’s attention by evoking various emotions, bringing out laughter at times and tears at another. They developed these skills not as a child earned a candy but through vigorous prac-

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GLORIA KIM

IS resonant voice resounding in the chapel, Andrew Kim (10) gives his five-minute long extemporaneous speech in a composed manner. “Forensics, especially extemporaneous speech, taught me to communicate my ideas persuasively; and it developed my understanding of current world affairs,” said Kim.

Forensics 39


The Lucky Ones

Drawn to Care and Share

As soon as the van arrived, students busied themselves with decorating the field, setting up tables, and organizing game stations. Yu Zhi Phuah (10), Jerald Lim (10), Hasung Cho (10), Keito Watanabe (10) took turns running the sponge toss station. Raymond Ko (9), Sean Ko (10), and Gloria Kim (11) worked with facepaints and henna pastes. And Lucia Combrink (12), Shion Matsumoto (12), Charlotte Combrink (11), Andy Ewe (11), and Shawn Lim (11) played with the children at the basketball station. Soon, Malaysian

and Chinese children from ages six to 12 filed in the scene. Scampering around the field, they attempted to toss coins into little pots at one station and fling wet sponges at a person sitting behind a wooden board at another. Inside the face painting room, they sat still as mannequins so that the artists could paint a perfect spider or Hello

Kitty on their faces. “I had a blast running the basketball throw and the ring toss stations and seeing the children get excited,” said Mackenzie Jordan (11). Christy Chow (10) also noted, “Knowing that we’re doing something special for them and bringing smiles to their faces brought a smile to my face. I don’t regret giving up my

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OLDING a spoonful of fried rice to her mouth, Mackenzie Jordan (11) enjoys her meal after a successful carnival event. Members of Care and Share happily munched their meals in no time after seven hours of running the game booths.

ERE you go,” says Ke-Erh Huang (9) as she hands a boy a bouncy ball that he purchased. The children gathered around the prize table to use the coupons that they earned from participating in the activities to buy toys and food.

Saturday for this.” The last event of the day commenced with Mr. Pagee and Mr. Steffen holding up the luckydraw box. Eager to hear their names called out, the children held onto their tickets with both hands; their ears and eyes concentrated on Mr. Pagee. “And the lucky winner of the bicycle is— Amsyar!” The boy darted forward to claim his prize; and despite the pouring rain, he rode around the soggy field with laughter. Each member of Care and Share paused to watch the boy and indeed felt lucky to witness such happiness. —By Gloria Kim

GLORIA KIM

GLORIA KIM

“That’s my name! That’s my name!” yelled Irfan while waving a piece of paper with his name on it, trying to catch Mr. Bob Pagee’s attention. Mr. Pagee handed him a football as a prize during the Fishing Village Carnival’s biggest event: the lucky draw. Having rm200 to spend, Mrs. Anne-Marie Pagee and Mr. Jonathan Steffen had purchased prizes as fancy as a new white bicycle. On the 22nd of November, 45 Care and Share members headed down to the Fishing Village in Gertak Sanggul to put on a carnival for the elementary students of Poi Eng School.

GLORIA KIM

HISK! Keegan Oppenheim (11) hands the student from the Poi Eng School a Frisbee at the Frisbee station. Members of Care and Share rewarded the children with coupons for trying their activities and more for accomplishing certain tasks like making the Frisbee through a hoop. With the coupons that they earned, the children bought food such as a bag of popcorn.

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ATHERED together in the Guidance Office, Ke-Erh Huang (9), Darian Yeap (10), Wei Sing Goh (10), Jerald Lim (10), Yu Zhi Phuah (10), Hasung Cho (10), Ning Kang Chia (10), and Caitlin Goh (10) give their attention to Mrs. Anne-Marie Pagee during a meeting discussing the details of the Fishing Village Carnival. Mrs. Pagee assigned each individual to different activity stations.

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God’s Lucky Servant “Going down to the Fishing Village has always been a fulfilling experience. When I saw the children all thrilled with the gifts and the games that we prepared for them, I complimented myself for choosing to be involved in Care and Share. It was also rewarding because all the money that we earned from the event was used to help raise funds for the Poi Eng School.” —Wei Sing Goh (10)

Care ‘n‘ Share 41


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ITH a whiteboard marker in her hand, Susan Oh (10) helps a boy on her team to think of a word that starts with the letter “Q” in the game of A-Z vocabulary race. The SKTT volunteers spent the first few hours teaching the students of the Kebangsaan Tanjung Tokong School English by playing word games.

ARRYING a wooden board high above his head, a student from Sekolah Kebangsaan Tanjung Tokong lays it on the truck and Aaron Kelley (11) waits in line. Students showed gratitude toward the SKTT volunteers, who had worked hard to arrange the day by helping them as they got ready to leave.

REPARED for the splash, Ting Hui Lim (12) clenches his fist and teeth as a student from the Kebangsaan Tanjung Tokong aims at his face with a wet sponge during the SKTT service project. The volunteers interacted with the students by playing recreational activities with them and helping them improve their English through conversations.

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YES focused on the game board, Brenda Ng (11) writes down the scores at the O-X game station. Separated into three different teams, the students of the Kebangsaan Tanjung Tokong School competed with each other to score the most points. In the end, all three teams received goodie bags regardless of the scores.

GLORIA KIM

GLORIA KIM

GLORIA KIM

Moving on to the Next Step

Reaching Out through SKTT

with SKTT Students

42 Groups

gee enthusiastically before she shut the door of the vans carrying 16 students to serve in the SKTT volunteer group on November 1. As the vans entered the gate of Sekolah Kebangsaan Tanjong Tokong, 35 of their sixth-grade students stood waiting on the front field, welcoming their English teachers of the day. Julia Munson (9) noted, “They had such cheerful spirits from the

beginning that made us eager to interact with them. I appreciated their enthusiasm for learning; the day felt more like a fun hangout than a teaching session.” To begin the activities, Mrs. Pagee divided the students into three teams and seated them in rows inside a classroom. Joyce Oh (11), Susan Oh (10), and Areeya Kunawaradisai (9) led their groups through a series of English word games

such as A-Z vocabulary race, hangman, and a word puzzle. “I was impressed at how they took no sweat in writing out words for each letter of the alphabet. Their English had improved progressively through the years that we’ve had SKTT projects. We were moving on to the next step in terms of communication and relationships,” said Ting Hui Lim (12). Out in the bright morning sun, the stu-

dents came to play recreational activities with their “teachers” until the time came to say goodbye. Unfortunately, all the students, in their sixth-grade graduating year, had to say farewell for the last time. The volunteers wished each of them luck as they moved on to the next step of their lives. With the truck reloaded, the volunteers hopped back in the vans and waved good-bye. —By Gloria Kim

GLORIA KIM

As early as 8:00 a.m. on Saturday morning, students who had looked forward to staying in their cosy beds and sleeping until the afternoon bustled here and there about school campus. They brought out wooden boards and other equipment made for recreational activities that Mrs. Anne-Marie Pagee used for volunteer-service projects and loaded them on a truck. “Is everybody on board?” asked Mrs. Pa-

“Volunteering in the SKTT service project was one of the best opportunities to serve the community and to build relationships with people outside our school. The experience exceeded all my expectations. There was a sense of mutual respect and friendliness between us. We were passionate about teaching, and they were passionate about learning. It was a pleasure to become a part of the group.” ­— Joyce Oh (11)

Sekolah Kebangsaan Tanjong Tokong (SKTT) 43


Let Heaven Come Down!

As We Worship

After a week of assignments and tests, students who felt like drowning in the sea of stress found a way to comfort their hearts. Watching a movie or shopping with friends momentarily relieved stress, but something better touched their hearts and soothed them— worshipping God. To help students readily open up to God, the worship team welcomed them at the start of chapel every Friday with praise songs, invit-

ing them to sing along. “I believe that the worship team guides students and staff to Jesus and provides a time for individuals to connect with God, renewing their relationship with Him,” said one of the four vocalists, Aster Hng (10). Nine musicians and vocalists who shared a genuine passion to praise Jesus came together under the guidance of Mr. Josh Allen to lead not just the chapel worship sessions but also in the

MEW and SEW weeks. Priska Sugianto (12), Gabriela Mims (11), Katiera Cox (11), and Hng used their singing skills to serve as vocalists in the team. “The worship team isn’t about us and our talents. It is all about pointing our talents back to God and praising Him,” said Cox. Consistently seen on the stage every year, guitarists John Kim (12) and Zachary Tan (11) and bassist Johnathan Tan (12) filled the mu-

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HRISTMAS lights brighten up the chapel as Elisabeth Brokaw (11), Mrs. Valeri Brokaw, and Kimberly Horton (10) lead the audience in singing peaceful Christmas songs during the Christmas Praise and Worship on 12 December. Unlike the regular worship band, the praise and worship team included trumpet and saxophone players.

ARKED with his unique enthusiasm when jamming on the drums, Peter Tan (12) makes the music lively with the thuds of a snare drum and the crashes of cymbals. The audience jumped to the rhythm and imitated the drummer with imaginary sticks in their hands, purely enjoying the worship sessions of SEW.

the drummer. “This is really a team effort; it’s not about any single one of us. It’s about God using us as a team. During worship practice, we learn how to blend as a team and as musicians.” “It’s been cool to see how the worship team has gelled together and improved as a whole over the school year,” said Mackenzie Jordan (11) from the audience. The countless worship sessions revealed the worship team’s zeal for praising God, which stirred the students’ hearts to surrender themselves to Jesus and relieve their stress through Him. —By Gloria Kim

GLORIA KIM

AISING their voices to God, vocalists Aster Hng (10), Katiera Cox (11), Gabriela Mims (11), and Priska Sugianto (12) sing the lyrics and guide the audience to praise God during MEW. Deep, resounding sounds of the bass created by Johnathan Tan (12) and soft notes of the keyboard played by David Beak (12) supported the singers’ voices.

JONATHAN CHANDRA

GLORIA KIM

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sic with powerful and refined strums. David Beak (12) added gentle echoes of keyboard harmonies to enrich the overall sound. Keeping the beat alive with his drums, Peter Tan (12) brought the people to their feet to jump and dance to his rhythm. “I want to create a suitable and comfortable environment for people who want to praise God to just let loose and share their passion for Him,” said

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OCKING their electric guitars, John Kim (12) and Zachary Tan (11) build emotions for the audience to soak into the music during MEW. Out of his enthusiasm for worship, Kim bobbed his head back and forth as he strummed his guitar. Sometimes with a guitar and sometimes on a cajón, Tan shifted gears to different instruments at times.

44 Groups

GLORIA KIM

“I believe the main purpose for the worship team is to be a pointing sign to Jesus and all that He has done for us. The worship team began doing pre-service worship and prayer, where we set apart a time for ourselves to worship freely and pray over the service every time before we practiced. We emphasized that if we wanted to see a revival come to Dalat, it would have to start with our being faithful.” ­—Zachary Tan (11)

JONATHAN CHANDRA

Inviting Jesus to Chapel

Worship Team 45


EEPING the ball out of the reach of her opponent, Kassy Steinkamp (11) prepares to shoot. The varsity girls’ basketball team enjoyed a winning season, with a record of 17-2.

JONATHAN CHANDRA

[sports]

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ITH legs outstretched, Jason Kim (5) intercepts a SCIPS pass as James Yun (5) runs into space behind him. In competitive games, students in every sport and age group put the skills they had learned in training into practice.

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ACK arched acrobatically, Kai Fraser (11) clears the high jump bar during Track and Field Day. Fraser went on to win a gold medal in the event.

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Knowing No Pause.

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EMMA HOFER

TEPPING forth, Christy Chow (10) winds her arm back to toss the ball to the pitcher’s mound while Julia Munson (9) holds her position behind her. Two girls’ softball teams traveled to Kuala Lumpur for the ISKL Slow-pitch Softball Tournament.

You looked forward intently, measuring the distance between you and your target. Having gauged your situation to the best of your ability, you ran committedly forth. With considerable momentum carrying you through, you leapt up in the air, attempting to clear the high jump bar. For a split second you hung there, nervous and suspended in time. In sports, times of pause often felt nervewracking. In the silence just before a possible game-winning free throw or the suspense precluding an opposition penalty kick or the tension preceding a match-point serve, pause fostered anxiety. At other points, however, pauses brought relief. Sports people experienced this in different ways, from the restfulness of a halftime break

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LERTLY tracking the an incoming, through ball, Micah Martens (12) prepares to take possession. Despite a committed performance, the boys’ varsity team lost the game 5-1 to ISKL.

in football or a time-out in basketball that allowed Coach Karl Steinkamp to deliver a rousing speech to keep your team in the game. During the game and in the heat of the moment, however, pause took a back seat. In football or basketball, any lapse in concentration could allow your opponents to steal the ball and proceeded to score. In track events, pausing or slowing down could open up opportunities for competitors to pass you by. And so, when games or races took place, our sportsmen and women played and ran without pause. As best they could, they worked to do their school proud. The anxious pause ended as you emerged from your in-air limbo. You ended up on the landing pad, the bar remaining in its original position. Contended at your achievement, you lay for a moment on the cushion. Having successfully given your best, you could now afford to pause . —By Jonathan Chandra

Sport Division Page 47


EMMA HOFER

Committing Themselves to . . .

Their Profession realized too soon that Bijay Rana (11) could not benefit from the fruit of his toil as one ISKL player collected the ball and rapidly manoeuvred around his competitors, striking the ball into a part of the net that not even Kim could reach in time. A regular spectator of the boys’ games would immediately feel taken aback to realize that a notable number of regular starters, such as Karsten Ladner (11), Jarrod Chang (10), Ben Finlay (10), and Shion Matsumoto (12), sat off on the sidelines, succumbing to painful injuries and stomach bugs. Despite this unlucky timing, “The way we played showed a lot of commitment and mental toughness. Over the course of the tournament, the guys progressed in intelligence and playing faster and tougher, which is what we have been training them to do,” said Coach Dustin Roberts.”

Upholding his composure, Shion Matsumoto (12) pushes past an opponent to sustain ball possession before crossing it to Micah Martens (12). Despite the Yongsan Warrior’s (YISS) onslaught, the boys couldn’t overcome and lost, 2–3. Competitors from Southeast Asia gained experience during the tournament.

Jaws set, Shawn Lim (11) prepares to whiz past the last line of the Hong Kong Knight’s defense with the support of Woo Young Chung (10) on the wing in a match that resulted in a 1–2 loss. During the ACSC Tournament in Seoul, Korea, players improved on communication skills and teamwork.

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“We had no substitutes, but we still played hard,” said Shawn Lim (11). Stealing a ball from a defender, midfielder Peter Lee (11) ventured into unfamiliar territory and sharply cut around the remaining center back. Without hesitation, he shot the ball into the lower left corner of the goal. Cheers erupted from the sidelines. “Even though we were losing 5–0, we didn’t give up and came back with a goal against ISKL. Our endurance and team chemistry are our strongest characteristics,” said Lim. “One member of our team had an intense hamstring cramp when he was sitting down. Every movement would bring pain, and we couldn’t help him. So, we laughed at him for 30 minutes,” recalled Kim. As the second-half whistle ended the game, teammates huddled together to reflect on the game, disappointed in the result, but proud of their valiant efforts. Although the team faced a discouraging defeat against ISKL, the players found a way to cheer each other up with whoops and jokes and light-hearted humor. —By Emma Hofer

ACSC Tournament

Faith 1–3 YISS 2–3 GSIS 1–2 Morrison 1–0 Hong Kong Knights 1–2

ISKL Tournament ISKL Varsity 0–3 ISKL JV 0–2 ISKL Varsity 0–1

PSAC Tournament Dalat JV POWIIS A Uplands B POWIIS B Uplands A

3–0 0–0 1–0 3–0 0–3

Spike & Strike POWIIS 1–0 ISKL 1–5 MAZ 0–2

As he leans to his left, Woo Young Chung (10) nudges the ball to his side and fakes out a POWIIS adversary before executing a step-over in a 1–0 victory. The Spike and Strike tournament on the second weekend of September gave athletes a chance to hone their technique for future matches.

Blood pulses through the veins of John Kim (12) as he readies himself to grab the ball as it whirls through the chilly morning air of South Korea. Unfortunately, the shot from the direct free kick slipped into the goal and handed a win to Hong Kong in the boys’ final game of the season.

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48 Sport

Friendlies

Uplands B 1–1 ASL 3–1 Batu Ferringhi FC 3–2 POWIIS 1–1 Uplands A 1–1 Batu Lanchang 2–0 Teluk Bahang 2–2

EVAN CHINN

As halftime concluded with a whistle’s signal, a spirited group of football players gathered in a huddle to recite their team cheer. “Eagles!” roared John Kim (12) above the buzz of distant traffic, “what is your profession?” Clustered around him, the remainder of his teammates whooped and swayed from side to side, pounding their cleats rhythmically to the earth of Penang Sports Club. Thereafter, each member of the squad dispersed to his respective stomping grounds on the pitch. The clamor for the football commenced with another short burst into the referee’s whistle. With haste, Bena Mauger (10) sprang to the ball and passed it to Woo-Young Chung (10), who then one-touched it back to Micah Martens (12). Pressured by a nearing opponent, Martens crossed the ball to the other side of the field but

Boys’ Football Season Record: 8–5–10

“Football is about joy. It’s about dribbling. I favour every idea that makes the game beautiful. Every good idea has to last.” —Ronaldinho, Famous Brazilian Football Player Varsity Boys’ Football 49


MACKENZIE JORDAN

“Eagles on three! One, two, three, Eagles!” hollered the varsity girls’ football team as they prepared themselves mentally and physically for the game ahead. The girls competed against two teams during the Spike and Strike Tournament, including ISKL and Uplands. They finished a close second to Uplands by a two-goal difference. “Uplands has always been the one and only competition in Penang for many years now. I am so proud of how the team pulled through despite the horrendous weather conditions and

injuries that left some players out of the game,” said Juliet Suen (12). During the intense second battle between Uplands and the girls, Dalat created chance after chance to score—but to no avail. Players Emma Hofer (11) and Sarah Tan (11) put wellplaced shots on target, but the ball refused to enter the goal. Cheers erupted from stands which held students and parents who had gathered to witness this stagnant game against Uplands. As the game edged closer to full time, the

Quickly sprinting past their defenders, Christy Chow (10) and Joy Kiehl (8) set up an attack on goal against Grace International School. Unluckily, the girls lost both games against Grace 2–1 and came in fourth in the ACSC Tournament. PHOTO CREDIT: TOM MIYAKAWA

Focused on the game against ISKL, Rebekah Steinkamp (12), Hannah Buhr (10), Grace Chang (9), and Kia Thompson (12) wait for the coach’s call. Players on the bench provided mental and physical support for those on the field and an occasional sip of water. PHOTO CREDIT: EVAN CHINN

stench of a zero-zero game filled the air. “Our second game against Uplands was the best game we played. We were well organized, had lots of energy, passed the ball well, and put together a total team effort. I am proud of the way the girls are improving in the basic fundamentals of the game, said Coach Robin Frohlich. “They are all becoming better soccer players.” Earlier in the year, the girls team had won both of their games against ISKL at the tournament in the capital, with Captain Suen scoring goals in both games and home-schooler Rachel Wells scoring in the first with a powerful shot past the keeper. “Golazo! Golazo!” screamed Karsten Ladner (11) as the stands erupted in cheers. —By Evan Chinn

MACKENZIE JORDAN


Mrs. Jacki Steinkamp

Eyes methodically scanning the field for a passing opportunity, John Cho (8) positions himself for a cross against an Uplands B team. During the boys’ friendly against Uplands, they kept the score even late into the contest but conceded a goal in the final minutes, dropping the game 2-3.

MRS. JACKI STEINKAMP

Huffing and puffing as they raced to upper field, desperate to avoid the wrath of the coaches and their infamous “bonus laps,” middle and high school boys hauled cleats and water bottles on their trek to football practice. To many, the words “ball is life” held new meaning in the everyday world. An average day included waking up and traveling to school, squeezing in a couple minutes and football or basketball, going to class, kicking a ball around during lunch time, returning to class, and then skirmishing or shooting with friends or attending practice after school. “I usually practice football by drilling through skills such as shooting, passing, and juggling, as well as exercising strength training. I want to be on varsity next year!” exclaimed John Cho (8). Continuing a JV custom, the boys travelled to Uplands to play their varsity team. Coaches viewed this game as an opportunity for the boys to experience an important part of football—losing. “When we play a team that is both older and stronger, we get the boys prepped for the rest of the season by introducing them to the toughest competition of the season. Afterwards, they can analyze themselves on their character un-

MRS. JACKI STEINKAMP

52

Sport: JUNIOR VARSITY BOYS’ & GIRLS’ FOOTBALL

Ahead of the Game

“Success is not accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing.” -Pele, professional football player

In an intense battle against two Uplands players for the ball, Mikaela Steinkamp (8) divides the competition and drags the ball back into possession. Although the girls demonstrated composer, perseverance, and skill through their cheerful attitude and performance, they could not overcome a more experienced Uplands team and fell 0-4.

Behind the ball...

JV Boys’ Football Season Record: 1–1–7

JV Girls’ Football Season Record: 1–1

Uplands Tournament

Friendlies

Dalat A vs Dalat B 3–0 Dalat B vs Uplands A 0–3 Dalat B vs POWISS A 0–1 Dalat B vs Uplands 0–1 Dalat B vs POWISS B 0-0

Uplands 0–4

Friendlies Uplands A 0–14 POWISS 1–2 Uplands B 2–3 Dalat Girls 0–4

Tenby

8–0

der pressure. Our game against Uplands is a character building game,” said coach Mr. Mark Trescott. Practices occurred on a flexible schedule twice a week on upper field. Coaches Mr. Jon Ronning and Mr. Trescott used this time to introduce new concepts and gradually integrate these techniques into play. “Our JV boys’ soccer team improved greatly this year. It was a privilege to be able to coach such fine young men. I especially loved their sportsmanship and how they never gave up in any of our games,” said Coach Ronning. Meanwhile, on the other end of the gender spectrum, the girls trained hard for their upcoming games. Coach Robin Frohlich led girls ranging from seventh to ninth grade through drills and football techniques on upper field every Tuesday and Thursday. “During practices I introduced them to new concepts and skills such as crossing and through-balls which we then drilled. After practicing these skills, the girls engaged in fun, friendly games with the hopes of implementing the skills they had learned, understanding their positions on the field and focusing on all the rules of the game,” said coach Frohlich. Sadly, very few teams from either gender

competed against these teams, resulting in a short season for the junior varsity. “It was really sad that we could only play a few games; we all had so much fun while it lasted!” exclaimed David Chinn (9). The girls, however, accepted this lack of competition by playing against other Dalat teams. “Our team improved greatly after facing the U-13 girls every Monday. It taught us how to play our positions better, handle the ball well— and it introduced us to the fast pace of a real game,” said Shannon Frohlich (8). Although the girls did not experience an exciting, competitive season, they still enjoyed the social and learning aspect. “One of my favorite memories was getting to know the other girls on the team whom I usually don’t talk to because they are in different grades, as well as gaining experience from their different skill levels of soccer,” said Carissa Hoffmeyer (8) to sum up the season. —By Evan Chinn Forcefully kicking the ball away from her goal, Carissa Hoffmeyer (8) clears it out of dangerous territory. By engaging in friendly matches, the girls put their different ball handling skills to the test before participating in tournaments. PHOTO CREDIT: MRS. JACKI STEINKAMP


Through wins and losses, the team ...

Face contorted with focus, Adrian Nonis (9) bumps the ball into the air during the game against Grace. Dalat battled these opponents during the semi­finals of ACSC Tournament but lost 1-3 after a two-set set disadvantage starting off the game. Nonis performed consistently well throughout the season, receiving the title of “Top Defensive Player” by the coaches.

Set Themselves Up for Success

Knees bend in anticipation, Andy Ewe (11) and Adrian Nonis (9) await an incoming serve for the chance to set up a scoring opportunity. Players communicated and worked with each other to create defensive formations or scoring plays introduced to them in practices and from previous games. GABRIELA MIMS

“Mine! Mine!” hollered Joseph Leech (11) as he bumped a spike into the air right in front of the net. In a well­-coordinated play, Yan Rong Tan (12) ran up and faked a spike, leaving the opposing team dazed and confused as Andy Ewe (11) smashed the ball past the reeling team. During the ISKL Tournament, Dalat pulled out a convincing win against ISKL’s JV but suffered defeat at the hands of their varsity. “We grew and developed throughout the season. The players demonstrated a desire and commitment to do what it takes to become a competitive team on a consistent basis. They not only developed skills individually but also became more unified, played together as a unit, and supported each other with communication and encouragement,” said Coach Dale Sawatzky. With the introduction of new coach Mr. Sawatzky, members of the team learned new tech-

niques, skills, and plays to improve their game. Dalat used this to their advantage during the ACSC Tournament. In the first two games against Faith and YISS, Dalat played in five set games but lost by only a few points in both. With a new surge of confidence from their recent performance, they then convincingly won two consecutive matches against St. Paul. With two games under their belt, the boys continued their path to a potential championship, with Grace as the only team standing between them and the trophy. Grace took an

early two-set lead, but Dalat did not give up and managed to take back one set before succumbing to the more experienced Grace team, who would go on to win the championship. “We did really well; it was some of the best volleyball we played all year. I really felt like we were playing as a team when we communicated to set up plays and blocks and used skills we learned in practice,” said Ewe. “It is really encouraging that we did so well when our team was pretty young as next season we will be even stronger because most will be returning next year. ” —By Evan Chinn

With the title of “setter” resting on his shoulders, Joseph Leech (11) prepares to set the ball gently up in the air for a teammate as Andrew Kim (10) stands ready to assist in a game against Chung Ling. The boys used friendlies throughout the season to apply skills and to gain experience, working and communicating as a team.

Well renowned as one of the best spikers in the school, Andy Ewe (11) smashes the ball into the opposing team after a well-placed set from Joseph Leech (11). Players applied different plays and skills learned in practice into real games, profiting from their hard work as they improved consistently through the season.

UiTM 3-0 TAR College 3-2 Penang State 3-0

ACSC Tournament YISS 1-3 Grace 3-1 Faith 3-2 St. Paul 2-3 St. Paul 1-3

54

Sport

Spike and Strike MKIS ISKL Heng Ee PCGHS MKIS MKIS ISKL

3-1 3-0 3-1 3-2 3-0 3-2 3-1

Which sports brand do you support? Nike

ISKL Tournament ISKL 3-0 ISKL JV 0-3 ISKL 3-1

MRS. JACKI STEINKAMP

Friendlies

EMMA HOFER

MRS. JACKI STEINKAMP

E

Boys’ Volleyball Season Record: 14-4

Adidas

52%

23%

Puma

Reebok

17%

8%

Varsity Boys’ Volleyball

55


Bumping their way. . .

Soaring above the newly refurbished gym floor, Charlotte Combrink (11) prepares to spike the ball with the support of Felicia Teoh (10). Over the course of the season, players worked with each other and anticipated plays before they happened. Said newcomer Mersades Zimmer (10), “I turned into a better teammate by the end of this season .”

Up to Third Place

Scores Girls’ Volleyball Season Record: 12–14 ACSC Tournament Faith 1–2 GIS 2–0 ICS HK 1–2 MCA 1–2 SPCS 2–0 YISS 2–0

Spike & Strike PCGHS MKIS ISKL Heng Ee MKIS MKIS

1–2 2–1 2–0 0–2 2–0 0–2

ISKL Tournament

Twin Towers Tournament

ISKL 2–1 Mt. Kiara 1–2 AVA 0–2 NIST 0–2 Klang 0–2 NIST 1–2 SMK Bandar 0–2 ISKL 2–1

Friendlies

Staff 2–1 VPM 0–3 Penang State 1–2

ISKL Varsity 3–1 ISKL JV 3–0 ISKL Varsity 3–0

MRS. JACKI STEINKAMP

EMMA HOFER

Satisfied with their performance, Charlotte Combrink (11), Lucia Combrink (12), Tayah Lee (11), and Kassy Steinkamp (11) exchange blissful glances after overcoming their tie against MKIS in the third set with a score of 15–12. During the Spike and Strike Tournament on 3–4 October, girl volleyball players became accustomed to the feeling of winning close matches.

MRS. JACKI STEINKAMP

As she focuses on her set, Kassy Steinkamp (11) flings the ball given to her by Danielle Combrink (9) over the net. Despite brilliant plays, the girls suffered a 1–2 defeat against PCGHS in their third set. They did, however, win three of their six games in the Spike and Strike Tournament and took the second-place medal, which only increased their desire to improve.

EMMA HOFER

56 Sport

JONATHAN CHANDRA

Weary from a long day of school work and games, Lucia Combrink (12) keeps her eyes on the ball as she bumps with precision back to Kassy Steinkamp (11). On Fridays, when they played multiple games consecutively, student-athletes learned to juggle the combination of classwork and competing in weekend tournaments. After executing a play that required agility, foresight, and the preclusion of a lost set, team members Angelene Woo (11), Tayah Lee (11), Lucia Combrink (12), Charlotte Combrink (11), Mersades Zimmer (10), and Kassy Steinkamp (11) huddle together and cheer each other on. The game resulted with a 2–0 victory against the team’s frequent opponent ISKL.

Sweat trickling down their faces, six volleyball players squatted in ready position with arms prepared to spring at a moment’s notice after the referee blew his whistle to resume the third set, where the score sat at 23–17. Having played five games in the span of two days during the Girls’ ACSC Volleyball Tournament in Manila, Philippines, the girls now possessed a readiness to anticipate the next move of their opponents. Before the shrill whistle resonated against their eardrums, Captains Tayah Lee (11) and Charlotte Combrink (11) turned their heads one last time to provide encouragement to their teammates whom they had grown to trust and appreciate in the preceding three months. “Keep your heads up, ladies!” cheered Combrink emphatically. “I promise you won’t regret this; just don’t give up!” Lee nodded in agreement with the rest of the team. Having just played St. Paul in a 2–0 win, the girls entered the game which determined the third-place winner on the verge of exhaustion. By now, all eight players felt acquainted with the concept of rigorous servitude. “After facing defeat in an early game, we had to go to the loser’s bracket and work up the hard way; so it was very tiring,” said Mersades Zimmer (10), “but I think we are resilient. We can lose badly one game, but bounce right back and win the next. After a while we nicknamed ourselves the Cockroaches because we just wouldn’t die.” Like cockroaches, the girls demonstrated that their opponents could not expect them to concede without contest. Three months before, half of the players had scarcely uttered anything beyond a polite greeting to one another.“Half of the team had never played varsity volleyball together, and at first this weakened our chemistry on the court,” said Lee.

Daily practices, however, which included intense fitness training, arduous drills, and never-ending scrimmages under the guidance of coaches Mrs. Lisa Munson, Ms. Jodi Hoogendoorn, and Mrs. Laura Ladner, brought the girls together. “The rate at which we bonded and befriended each other simply through working for a common cause was incredible,” reflected Lee. “In a short amount of time we all became great friends.” “Although I learned a lot of new skills and things about volleyball, my biggest take away was the relationships I built and strengthened, and the leadership skills I practiced on and off the court,” said Combrink. The whistle shrieked. The opponents set a high ball that arched right over the net, only to halt with the blocks of Combrink and Kassy Steinkamp (11) and dodge the fervent efforts of a desperate YISS opponent. Both Steinkamp and Combrink had used their height to aggressively hit and block shots throughout the course of the season and proved themselves invaluable to the team's performance. Next, Angelene Woo (11) stepped back to take the set. The ball sailed over the net and quickly came back before Felicia Teoh (10) set it back to Danielle Combrink (9), who spiked it past the net, beyond the reach of an opponent. The score sat at 25–17. Finally, after nine lengthy games in three days, the girls had won third place. "Though we were elated, we were all wiped out,"said Zimmer. Winning third place deemed itself a deserved reward to the girls' commitment, perseverance, and trust. "I've learned to enjoy the game more, to trust my teammates and make use of their skills, and to not worry about every little thing," said Combrink. "We worked hard, had fun, and it paid off in the end," commented Lucia Combrink (12), the lone senior among the girls. The sweaty girls, once underdogs, embraced each other, thankful that they had stuck together and not given up. Third place never felt sweeter. —By Emma Hofer

“Extra discipline makes up for a lack of talent and a lack of discipline quickly siphons away extra talent; that’s why it’s frequently the most disciplined rather than the most gifted rise to the top.” –Unknown Varsity Girls’ Volleyball 57


Bumping the ball safely into the air, Annabelle Teoh (8) keeps the ball in play as Mikaela Steinkamp (8) awaits the pass for a chance to set up a new move. Teamwork between players helped carry the girls to victory against all five teams during the Home Tournament. The girls carried away a gold medal and satisfied hearts after an unbeaten tournament.

JV Girls’ Volleyball Season Record: 7–2

JV Boys’ Volleyball Season Record: 2–5

MRS. JACKI STEINKAMP

There is no glory in practice, but without practice, there is no glory! –Unknown.

Home Tournament ISKL JV ISKL

Executing a back set, Joseph Hsu (10) passes the ball for a spike. The hustle and exertion put into games by the boys was not enough, however, to secure them a win during the ISKL Tournament as the older and more experienced ISKL, DSKL, and VBJT teams proved too much for the much younger and less experienced JV boys.

ISKL JV ISKL

2–1 0–2 2–0

ISKL Tournament

Home Tournament

ISKL Tournament

VBJT

0–2

ISKL A

3–0

JSKL

1–2

ISKL

1–2

ISKL B

2–1

ISKL

2–1

DSKL

1–2

ISKL A

2–1

ISKL

2–1

ISKL B

2–1

JSKL

0–2

ISKL B

2–1

1–2

A team above all....

Above All a Team

Sport

Knees bent in anticipation, Shanci Mackey (8) awaits an incoming serve. The muscle memory built during hours of practice meant that players could quickly move into position to intercept a serve or a spike. The girls used this to their advantage during the Home Tournament when they earned a well- deserved second place.

MRS. JACKI STEINKAMP

58

MRS. JACKI STEINKAMP

MRS. JACKI STEINKAMP

“Mine!” cries Emmett Balzer (10) as the ball races towards him with Noah Graves (10) and Daniel Munson (10) “covering.” Communication, an essential skill in volleyball and other sports, played an important role in the boys’ success throughout the season. The boys’ team won two out of four games during the Home Tournament, with both wins coming from games against ISKL JV.

Taking a deep breath, you feel your heartbeat speed up as you excitedly glance at the clock: 3:48. Only two minutes until the bell! Flashes of spiking the ball into the ground speed through your mind, and it’s all you can do to keep yourself seated. As you close your eyes and lay your head on the desk, the sound of guitar music meets your ears. You almost hit your knees on the desk as you jump up from your chair, grab your bag, and dash out of the room. It is finally volleyball practice. After school each day, the campus emptied of almost every soul except for dorm students and athletes. Using the now-empty campus to their advantage, the JV volleyball players jogged into the gym with their gear and their minds set to practice mode. Coaches used practice as a time for players to learn new skills, techniques, and combination plays for incoming games. “Our players are learning how to work hard, how to play hard, and how to be a successful team,” said Coach Craig Roylance. Students struggled with choosing between a variety of extra-curricular activities and the burden of homework. Hard work and dedication paid off for the JV boys as they faced ISKL’s JV team, fighting hard throughout the game to a well-deserved 2–1 victory. The boys had fought back from one set down with the support of dozens of cheering Dalat students and staff. Combining skills and plays learned in practice with cold, hard will-

power, they had overpowered the opposition. “We did really well during the tournament. It encouraged me that we were actually communicating in the game—like we were taught in practices,” said Emmett Balzer (10). Much like the JV boys, the JV girls experienced a successful season at the hands of coaches Mrs. Sara Kearney and Mrs. Becky Jenkins. Although the task of learning different skills and plays proved difficult and daunting, the girls did so with smiles on their faces. “The girls improved their skills with hard work, patience, and good attitudes as setters, passers, and hitters during practices,” said Coach Kearney. Through determination and coaching, they proved themselves the team to beat at the ISKL Tournament. At the Home Tournament, they managed to grab an impressive second place with five consecutive victories. “I was super proud of our girls at the tournament as they played the more challenging game of attempting three hits each play,” said Coach Jenkins. “Getting a bump, set, and spike to send the ball over the net is risky. However, Coach Kearney and I were so proud to see these girls make some great plays at the net. They showed us their hard work in practice each week, and these developed skills paid off.” With a combination of teamwork, perseverance, and dedication throughout the season, both JV teams gave new meaning to “A Team Above All, Above All a Team.” —By Evan Chinn

Junior Varsity Boys’ and Girls’ Volleyball 59


A Winning Season

Speedily bustling down the court, Calvin Thompson (11) and Jet Oh (12) back up Shion Matsumoto (12) who barrels past his Morrison pursuers. Matsumoto made the basket in this final game with Morrison. PHOTO BY MRS. JACKI STEINKAMP

Eventually, Teluk Kumbar managed to sink a few shots past the quick reflexes and long arms of defender Calvin Thompson (11). Immediately after halftime began, Coach Mr. Chuck Arnold motioned for his players to hustle over to the bench. The score sat at 16–8. “Guys, our offense isn’t clicking. We’ve gone through dozens of drills, and we need to execute them. Otherwise, our defense will have to win this game for us. Push through your shots, shoot confidently; don’t be scared to get blocked, and do not look at the other team’s defense! I know you have good possession and can shoot well, but your mentality is hiding that. I want every one of you to get out of this mental block.” The boys straightened up and listened with intent to the counsel of Coach Arnold and Coach Mr. Scott Uzzle, with team managers Tommy Cura and Samuel Tan (11) taking notes beside them. The coaches decided to sub out three of the five starting players. Every player took his coach’s insight to heart. The boys had poured a massive amount of commitment and dedication into the team and would do whatever needed to help. “Remember guys, good defense creates offense,” said Coach Uzzle before releasing Shion Matsumoto (12), Yang Rong Tan (12), Shawn Lim (11), Titus Hwang (11), and Sam Huang (10) back out onto the court. Without delay, the boys dropped all outside thoughts and focused solely on the game. To the awe of the audience, Lim managed to sink a three–pointer four minutes into the third quarter, and two other three-point shots subsequently, which incited a throng of other shots at the backboard.

Soon, the score sat at 20–14, with Teluk Kumbar in the lead. For the remainder of the game, the boys managed to keep their opponents on their toes. In the previous months, the boys had learnt the gift of hard work and the gratification that comes with discipline and patience. Within four months, their coaches transformed them from an odd group of scraggly, enthusiastic basketball-loving players into a squad with an insane amount of heart, perseverance, and determination. “At the start of the season, we would throw balls out of bounds in games and risk good plays because we didn’t trust each other and were unsure of one another. Now we’ve become a brotherhood; we’ve bonded with one another so much that on weekends we hang out together,” said Sheldon Ang (10). In addition to chemistry, the team has improved in mentality, confidence, and defense. Matsumoto’s striking vertical jump enabled him to bag four points in layups, with the assistance of Joseph Um (12) and Thompson. In the final minutes of the game, the gym’s projector displayed a score of 33–30, with Dalat in the lead. Teluk Kumbar made six more attempts on the net, but to no avail. The defense of the boys, combined with their valiant offense efforts, led them to victory. After the last whistle blew, the audience serenaded the players with encouraging hand claps, whistles, and cheers. The boys ended their season at home in victory. As they shuffled out of the gym into the locker room, they smiled to one another with happiness and pride for the distances that their hard work had taken them to. —By Emma Hofer

Eyes on the net, Brian Hiew (11) prepares to shoot past a Gang Club defenders. Though Hiew missed the shot, his teammate Sam Huang (10) tapped the ball into the net and the boys won 67–41.

Floating in mid-air, Yan Rong Tan (12) watches the ball glide into the net as Brian Hiew (11) and Sam Huang (10) apply pressure on the defenders. The Morrison game ended in a 64–20 victory.

EMMA HOFER

Screeech! The sound of squeaky basketball shoes changing direction every which way blended with the short, ear-splitting pitches of the referee’s whistle. At 7:30 p.m., both day and residential students flocked to the gym with a golden glow of light piercing out in long shadows from the gym’s holed structure. The students and other spectators, mesmerized by the beat and rhythm of the University of Kentucky basketball theme song, which resounded from the speakers, converged on the gym’s bleachers. For a basketball game on a school night, the audience seemed large. Many felt eager to watch one of the last games before the boys left for the ACSC Tournament in Taiwan. Others desperately waited to witness the team’s performance against Teluk Kumbar, a rival team that had beaten the boys two previous times within the season. Today, however, each player hoped to gain the upper hand against their rivals. From the moment the ref ’s whistle blew to signal a start to the games, players ran about in a frenzy, as if they had inhaled oxygen contaminated with panic. From the sidelines, the enthusiastic crowd yelled cheers and clashed on makeshift cardboard drums together; chaos and confusion hung in the air. “We always start out nervous in big games when everybody’s watching,” said co-captain Jet Oh (12).

MRS. JACKI STEINKAMP

Dribbling towards . . .

Boys’ Basketball Season Record: 18–7 Panther Invitational Tournament ISKL

MRS. JACKI STEINKAMP

With precision, Calvin Thompson (11) makes a layup in the last quarter of 69–30 game against Morrison. After making 12 points in the match, Thompson began to receive more playing time.

Island Shootout Tournament

ISKL 33–30 Gombak 44–28 MKIS 57–26 ISKL 47–40

Chung Hwa 42–21 Teluk Kumbar 44–60 Heng Ee 47–16 Chung Ling 42–34 Jalan Damai 33–24 Teluk Kumbar 32–39

Friendlies

ACSC Tournament

Chung Hwa 48–22 Gang Club 49–50 Chung Ling Private 59–57 Gang Club 50–42 Gang Club 67–41 Morrison Kaohsiung 64–20 Morrison Kaohsiung 69–30 Teluk Kumbar 33–30

Faith 47–44 YISS 47–28 St. Paul 45–52 Grace 35–61 ICS Hong Kong 39–45 Morrison Tianjin 45–47 Faith 43–40

Varsity Boys’ Basketball 61


Dribbling and shooting...

of shape. I’m really proud of how we played through all of our games as a team and with intensity, ” said Tayah Lee (11). The girls faced stiff competition, however, as they endured a full-court press by club team Prosport, which led to several opportunities for speedy players such as Charlotte Combrink (11) to break away from the opposition and complete a relatively easy layup. “At the end of practice everyday Coach Steinkamp says, ‘On the baseline!’ We run wind sprint after wind sprint, jog-in-place, dance, or perform other exercises,” said Combrink. “Yes, he makes us dance! Everyday our conditioning—accompanied by deafening music and the team gasping for breath— stretches a little bit longer. I hardly even noticed when we were doubling the time we used to spend conditioning. Our fitness levels have definitely increased this season—and they are still climbing.” The girls continued in their good form against EME, engaging in an intense physical battle to carry Dalat to its third straight victory in a high-scoring 52–30 game.

As she sprints past an ISKL defender, Danielle Combrink (9) looks for an opening to complete a lay-up. The girls learned how to execute plays in practice with precision and accuracy, such as making runs to open up passing opportunities or how to stand in formation in defense. They took their first game in the ISKL Tournament against the ISKL Panthers.

MRS. JACKI STEINKAMP

“The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.” –Phil Jackson, Professional Basketball Player

In the final game of the tournament, the girls pulled out a shocker as they smashed Dreaminders 42–25 to conclude with a perfect record. “Having Mr. Steinkamp as our coach this year of basketball has been one of the best if not the best. After so many years of playing with this team, we’ve all become one family working hard for something we all love. We push each other to be the best and take care of one another on and off the court— it truly is a blessing to be a part of this family. Hashtag: smelltheblood,” said Juliet Suen (12). As the last game ended, the team slowly walked out of gym, recalling the beautiful game, waiting for the next time they would step on these courts to smash the competition once again. —By Evan Chinn

MRS. JACKI STEINKAMP

“Come on girls, push yourselves!” shouted head coach Mr. Karl Steinkamp as he surveyed his team during one of the season’s practices. The gym became a familiar place for the girls as they practiced basketball four days a week, pushing on through sore muscles and a busy schedule. “I’m really impressed with the girls this year. They are adapting to a new very aggressive trapping defense that is winning games for us. Their commitment is impressive as they have often come to an optional Saturday gym time, worked hard on conditioning over the Christmas break, and really push themselves in each practice,” said Coach Steinkamp. Daily practices provided essential training and at the same time let them “hang out” with teammates and their coaches. This hard work paid off for the girls in Kuala Lumpur during the first week of second semester. In their first game of this tournament, they fought hard for a close 35–29 win over their rivals ISKL. “The ISKL Tournament was really challenging because it took place right after Christmas break, so we were all a bit rusty and out

MRS. JACKI STEINKAMP

Their Way to Victory

Flying high above the rest, Charlotte Combrink (11) shoots a jump shot against the Penang State team. Endless conditioning provided strength to run faster and jump higher than other teams, giving them a distinct advantage. In the close game with Penang State, the girls fought hard but ended the game with a one point disadvantage, 46–47.

Varsity Girls’ Basketball Season Record 17–2 Friendlies

ACSC Tournament

JV Boys

51–39

Grace

44–26

JV Boys

40–36

CAJ

54–36

Youngsters JV Boys Penang State

78–10 37–31

ICS HK

47–17

St. Paul

59–39

46–47

Penang State 44–38 Morrison 52–10 Nationals 48–37

Faith

44–24

Morrison

52–41

Morrison

36–45

ISKL Tournament ISKL Prosport

35–29 55–32

EME 52–30

A look of determination etched across her face, Kassy Steinkamp (11) charges through the ISKL defence for a lay-up. In the Island Shootout Tournament, the girls fought hard but fell short by a mere two points, with the final score resting at 26–28.

62 Sport

MRS. JACKI STEINKAMP

Dreaminders 42–25 As she leans past an opponent to get a clear passing lane, Tayah Lee (11) executes a bounce pass around the leg of an ISKL player. The girls preferred using bounce passes in close spaces because they created difficulties for their opponents to intercept them. They used skills learned in practice to their advantage in the tournament and beat ISKL 35–29.

Varsity Girls’ Basketball 63


Baller-inas in action...

Dancing on the Court

“The friendlies we played against local schools were really good because they gave us some experience in competitive basketball. It helped us get used to the nervousness of a game and focus on playing better,” said Jonathon Chinn (9). Numerous friendlies with the varsity girls also provided important game experience and practice for the boys. After three losses to the girls, the boys hard work finally revealed itself, as they took a final game 54-43. The girls experienced similar success under coaches Ms. Lacey Fields and Mrs. Tammy Mackey. During some of their first games, the girls exercised their defense, passing, and shooting skills in competitive environments. Although winning games encouraged the girls, tough losses became a learning opportunity. “The girls dedicated themselves to improving their skills and teamwork throughout the season. They all made great strides in playing the game of basketball, and enjoyed applying their weeks of practice to the three tournaments that they participated in this season,” said Coach Mackey. As both the girls’ and boys’ teams switched

to high gear in preparation for the Junior Island Shoot-out Tournament at the beginning of February, coaches pushed players physically and mentally through rigorous workouts during practice and encouragement to stay focused on the goal ahead. “Our team has improved so much. Even though the practices were hard, we persevered; and as a result, we improved our game offensively and defensively,” said Mikaela Steinkamp (8). “We even learned ways to improve over the off season.” During the Junior Island Shoot-out, the girls and boys competed against teams from Kuala Lumpur and Taiwan. During games against Morrison, the boys and girls played with an entire crowd of supportive students, teachers, and parents shouting chants of “Defense!’ and “Go Eagles!” Whether they won or lost, the players came off the court with good attitudes, knowing that they had done the best they could and that they had the support of the community. —By Evan Chinn

JV Boys’ Basketball Season Record: 9–8

JV Girls’ Basketball Season Record 5–9

Panther Invitational Tournament

Panther Invitational Tournament

ISKL 44–31 ELS 48–8 Mt. Kiara 44–30 ISKL 44–43

Junior Island Shoot-out Home Tournament Morrison 32–40 Panthers 34–21 Berapit 30–46 ISKL 44–43

PASC Tournament

MRS. JACKI STEINKAMP

As he bends his knees and raises his arms for a shot, Bernard Combrink (7) executes good shooting form. The boys spent hours on campus casually shooting baskets or playing intense skirmishes with each other. Such off-season determination produced successful performance during the season, with the boys winning all four of their Junior Island Shoot-out games.

64 Sport: Junior Varsity Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball

Uplands POWIIS

31–37 34–46

Friendlies Dalat Girls Dalat Girls Dalat Girls Dalat Girls POWISS Morrison ISKL

31–37 36–40 39–51 54–43 40–29 32–40 34–2

ELC 15-16 ISKL B 26–3 Jakarta International School ISKL A 29–42 ELC 19-9

18–29

Junior Island Shoot-out Home Tournament Morrison 7-15 ISKL 10–5 Panthers 14–23 Dato Keramat 22–32

PASC Tournament Uplands POWIIS

17–19 47–13

Friendlies Dato Keramat 30–24 Australian School of Singapore 30–33 POWIIS 6–25

printing

ocused

MRS. JACKI STEINKAMP

Shouts of “Defense!’ and “Go Eagles!” echoed around the court as the junior varsity boys faced off against Morrison during the Junior Island Shoot-out. In one of the most anticipated games of the season, hundreds of students, teachers, and parents flocked to the gym to support the boys. Unfortunately, the boys dropped the first game of the tournament to Morrison, 40-32. Under Coaches Mr. Brandon Orr and Mr. Tom Penland, however, the boys steadily improved throughout the season. Afternoon practices pushed them to their limits to increase stamina, speed, and muscle memory. “For many of the guys this was their first time being on an organized basketball team. They have proven to be a team that never gives up, plays hard, and shows great sportsmanship,” said Coach Penland. “They have been a joy to coach and have exemplified the key characteristics that Dalat strives for in their students.” During the early part of the season, the boys faced light competition against local schools to prepare them for tougher competition later.

“I have missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions I have been entrusted to take the game winning shot—and missed. And I have failed over S past the ISKL defender, Felicia Teoh (9) looks for a scoring opportunity during the girls’ game against and over and over again ISKL. Although they gave “their all” amidst the cheers of encouragement from supporters, the girls lost 29-42. Tough losses taught the girls the importance of perseverin my life. And that is why— ance, teamwork, and discipline. F on executing a bounce pass, Toan Matsumoto I succeed.” (7) demonstrates textbook skills cultivated in practice. “The JV team has made amazing strides throughout the course of the season. They have dramatically improved -Michael Jordan, their ball handling, shooting, defensive ability, passing, and overall understanding of how to play as a team,” said Coach Mr. Tom Penland. Professional Basketball Player PHOTO CREDIT: MRS. JACKI STEINKAMP


jump. To the amazement of the audience, seven high school athletes in total broke records, inspiring their younger teammates. “I was really impressed with how red dominated in U-16 men’s relay and broke records. I’d love to be like them [Shawn Lim (11), Sam Huang (10), Evan Chinn (11), and John Kim (12)] one day,” said Wansuk Kunawaradisai (7). “Being able to break records while running your heart out with everyone watching and cheering you on is something that not many people can experience,” said Huang, who broke three track and field records. In the high jump event, Kai Fraser (11) used the competition to push his limits. Fraser, who beat his previous high jump record, said “The feeling of breaking a record is one of the most satisfying.” As Fraser swiftly landed on the other side of the bar without knocking it down, he let out a resounding “Yes!” as he realized that he achieved his year-long goal. Apart from the competition, the day brought students together to bond in an environment void of academia. “I’m glad that we don’t have to compete for grades, and I like having even competition,” said Tate Oppenheim (6). Whether sitting under the shade of the stands while sipping a soda or making posters for their team, students enjoyed a day without school work. At the end of the meet, the Red team won the team spirit award, but Green won overall by accumulating a whopping 1892 points. “Even though some of us aren’t fond of

physical activity, I think it’s our participation that helped us climb to the top,” said Fraser. Still, a few who dislike showcasing their abilities opted out of some events. “Just because you aren’t athletic enough to win anything doesn’t mean you should miss out on the chance to discover the greatness within you when you run your heart out,” said Huang. Others recognized the benefits of participating. “It is a great way to gage your performances over time and see how you have improved; otherwise, you wouldn’t know how far you have come,”said Andrew Kim (10). “Though running in front of a bunch of people can be really scary, it sure does beat sitting in school all day,” said Rebecca Lee (5). As Chow crossed the finish line, with Sugianto and Ronning trailing behind her by onefifth of a second, she breathed a sigh of relief. With the support of her Green teammates and her friends, she had accomplished what she set out and trained to do. Minutes later, the time-keepers informed her that she had beaten a record set in 2007. “Winning motivates me to work harder,” Chow said, “and that is something I never want to stop doing.” At the end of the day, students shuffled into cool buses, with echoes of laughter and team cheers resonating above the loud buzz of the bus engines. Though tired and sun-burnt, students cherished the memories made with their friends, and looked forward to next year’s track and field day. —By Emma Hofer

fixed on the finish line, Christy Chow (11) sprints her heart out with Wen-Chi Chen (11) following closely behind. During Track and Field Day, students took part in the 200-meter dash, which required a large amount of stamina. In this race, runners had more time to inch ahead of their competitors than other races allowed.

Exuberantly pressing onwards, Kai Fraser (11), Sam Huang (10), Andy Ewe (11), John Kim (12), and Shawn Lim (11) fight for a blue ribbon in the U-16 Men’s 100 meter dash final. The runners’ speed incited team unity. In the end, Fraser narrowly defeated Huang for first place by 0.05 seconds.

ignoring

MR. JONATHAN STEFFEN

50 M DASH Debbie Persons Jim Fisher

’70 ’70

100 M SPRINT Sharon Bressler Tim Ziemer

’70 ’64

7.1 sec 7.5 12.3 10.9

Track & Field 67

Thrusting her arm forward, Yeorin Yun (10), keeps her upper body in proper form and lets go. Students who participated in field events had more time than others to chat, watch the competitive track events, or rest in the shade between turns of throwing or jumping.

Andy Burkhart Dan Burkhart Jason Lee Andre Winsor

’89

3:52.5

’10

1896 pts

400 M SPRINT Danielle Combrink ’14 1:01.53 David Sahlberg ’65 52.7

HEPTATHLON Ben Weidemann

’13

3197 pts

800 M RUN Charlotte Combrink Danny Babcock

’14 ’10

2:31.8 m/s 2:07.8

LONG JUMP Kathy Mills ’89 4.81 M Don Lemon ’71 6.52 M

1500 M RUN Charlotte Combrink Randy Johnson

’14 ’73

5:17.7 4:27.5

TRIPLE JUMP Jill Reimer ’83 9.78 M Jon Strong ’94 12.66 M

3000 M RUN Charlotte Combrink

’14

11.34

’94

2:09:20

4 X 100 M RELAY Carol Lemon ’71 54.6 sec Esther Sahlberg Peggy Irwin Sharon Bressler

As she leaps into the sand pit, Juliet Suen (12) braces to land without losing balance. The hot and sandy long and triple-jump events drew participants of all ages to see how far they could leap. Although shot put and high jump took place at USM, other field events such as javelin and discus throwing occurred on upper field prior to Track and Field Day.

4 X 400 M RELAY Hannah Friesen ’98 4:46.2 m/s Naomi Lyon Maria Vaartjes Jean Tsai

PENTATHLON Frances Wong

HALF MARATHON Carl Frohman

MR. JONATHAN STEFFEN

“We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self discipline, and effort.” — Jesse Owens, American track and field athlete and four-time gold medallist in the 1936 Olympics.

Every five years, the Reflector publishes the complete, up-to-date track and field records. Since 2005, the method of recording events in Penang has changed. Instead of using the old “1-B,” “1-G,” “2B,” etc. method, the state now records records by age (16+, Under-16, Under-14, etc.). As the two systems are not equivalent, the Reflector is now only recording school records, not breaking them down into specific age categories. These are the school records as of March 2015.

5000 M RUN Michelle Hayden ’80 22:04 Drew Steiert ’07 17:48

the urge to give up in the hot Penang sun, sixth-graders Levi Hawk and Gabe Frohlich press on, competing in the under-12 age group in the 800 meters, which required circling the track two times. Running events gave middle schoolers an opportunity to showcase their abilities or become aware of hidden talents.

eyes

Track and Field Records

200 M SPRINT Danielle Combrink ’14 27.14 David Sahlberg ’65 23.7 Josh Hultquist ’96 23.7

EVAN CHINN

On 21 November, six adrenaline-filled athletes piled behind the start of the 100-meter rubber track at USM. Hannah Graves (11), Wen-Chi Chen (11), Andri Sugianto (11), Kayla Ronning (9), Christy Chow (10), and Shoko Tezuka (10) crouched behind the starting block of each respective lane as beads of sweat settled on their skin. Each girl in the U-16 age group hoped to win a ribbon and above all, gain participation points for her team. “The intensity before a race is incomparable,” said Hannah Buhr (10). “Though you are excited, your palms get really sweaty, and your heart beats fast because you don’t know what to expect.” The six racers prepared to dash off while watching Mr. Brian Brewster motion the signal to on your mark, get set, go! with a slap of his self-made starting “gun.” At the instant he clapped the block, the sprinters pushed off, striving to reach the other side of the finish line before anyone else. Seconds later, her opponents realized that newcomer Chow possessed incredible, insuperable speed. As she neared the finish line, her peripheral vision caught sight of dozens of sneakers-clad cheerleaders in green T-shirts whose team chants and shouts of encouragement spurred her on toward victory. Above her in the stands, announcers Mr. Scott Uzzle and Mr. Bob Davis used their booming voices to narrate with pomp and professionalism that students may have confused with ESPN anchors. “The announcer’s commentary on how people were stretching or running really brightened up my day,” said Ronning. Beyond the track, other students flocked to the shade of the high jump and shot-put areas and went on to compete in the long and triple

Mid-Air, Shanci Mackey (7) braces herself to land on the warm, padded high-jump mat while avoiding the string barrier. The high jump event at Track and Field Day provided a chance for taller students to use their height to their advantages. Though Mackey ultimately missed a chance to win first place, she gained motivation to do so next year.

EMMA HOFER

Under a Hot Malaysian Sun

MR. JONATHAN STEFFEN

Dreams fulfilled . . .

Brent Faulkner Josh Hultquist Ryan Winchester Sam Fisher

’94

46.4

HIGH JUMP Charlotte Combrink ’13 1.52 M Jon Strong ’94 1.97 M JAVELIN Andi Thompson ’10 29.59 M Dave Wilson ’84 48.78 M SHOT PUT Sarah Browne ’89 12.88 M Brent Faulkner ’94 13.33 M DISCUS Lisbeth Hinkel Craig Podenak

’01 ’98

SOFTBALL THROW Nicole Schott ’93 Richard Liley ’81

25.39 M 39.82 M 21.22 M 32.20 M

POLE VAULT Richard Liley ’81 3.22 M

Track & Field 67A


Running . . .

The Race of Life

Teeth clenched, Andrew Kim (10) steadies himself to hurl the one-kilo discus during throwing practice. “The worst thing about the discus is that it blends in with the leaves, and I can’t find it after I throw it,” said Kim.

EMMA HOFER

championships. “In practice, we work on our form to improve our results,” said Daniel Kim (9). In addition to long distances and field events, some students chose to compete for short-distance events. “We do a lot of intervals in training, which is exhausting and discouraging at times; but I know it will pay off,” said Christy Chow (10). Thirty minutes later, runners began to round the corner to the finish line. Though none of the 18 came in first, Charlotte Combrink (11) and Jack Cura (4) won second place for their age groups. Feeling content that they had finished the race, the runners huddled together under the shade of a tree and sipped on bottles of 100 Plus, overwhelmed with joy and satisfaction. ­—By Emma Hofer

EMMA HOFER

“On your mark, get set, boom!” The gun sounded as the race official stepped out of the way for hundreds of runners to begin their intense six-kilometer race over various types of terrain. On 15 February, the Penang State Cross Country Meet in Butterworth attracted 18 students who had trained in hopes of gaining a metal. For three previous months, runners of all ages ran together on Mondays and Wednesdays under the parching, hot sun. “Training is tough yet rewarding. It’s fulfilling to be superior to my former self by smashing records and setting new personal bests,” said Ben Tse (12). Whether running from school to Leader Gardens, up Pearl Hill, or around Straits Quay—runners strengthened their bodies by taking hours out of their after-school routine to train. Other students trained to compete in the field events for discus, javelin, and shot put. Though all would compete in the MSSPP zone meet, few would make it to the state

MRS. PATRICIA COMBRINK

Chuckling at Raymond Ko’s (9) joke, Joy Kiehl (8), Christy Chow (10), and Brenda Ng (11) enjoy an afternoon running session around campus. On Mondays, runners typically ran from campus up to Sea Home. Striding towards the finish line, Jack Cura (4) speeds up as he prepares to complete the daunting six-kilometer race. Minutes later, he crossed the finish line to win a silver medal.

Cross Country 67B


With precision, pitcher Joseph Hsu (10) tosses the ball over to a precise spot on the slow-pitch mound. During the tournament at ISKL, the boys’ team won three out of the four games they played.

With diligence and practice . . .

In a drill before a game, Tesa Sasse (12) and Angela Tan (11) throw to their respective partners and progressively increase the space between them. Players practiced throwing before games to warm up their arms. EMMA HOFER

Covering Their Bases

EMMA HOFER

“Pick up the pace, boys!” hollered varsity boys’ softball coach Mr. Chance Edman as he clapped his hands to speed up his players in the outfield. Each player stood with a glove in hand and a cap on his head, holding a guarded stance ready to take on any ball that wandered into his respective area of the diamond. Players knew that they could not waste time: letting a grounder slip through their legs, not reaching for a pop fly, or fumbling with and dropping the ball could instantly change the direction of the game. On Friday, 10 April, the boys’ team faced the staff in their season opener at the College General field. Whether sitting nearby on fold-out chairs or on the side of the hill that overlooked the field, friends and family members received blinding amounts of vitamin D from the 4:00 p.m. sun’s rays. Not far from College General, the girls on campus took turns tossing grounders, pop flies, and a variety of other throws. “In practice, we simulate game-like situations and work to perfect our batting and throwing forms,” said Andriani Sugianto (11). Boys’ coaches Mr. Edman and Uncle Bri-

EMMA HOFER

an Weidemann and girls’ coaches Mr. Mark Sasse, Mr. Tom Cura, Mrs. Carre Penland, and Mrs. Debby Cura trained 18 boys and 24 girls respectively players who represented the school in the ISKL slow-pitch tournament and in the MSSPP island and state tournaments. “In our slow–pitch tournament, we realized that defense is one of our strongest areas,” said Coach Sasse. “However, now we need to focus on shifting back to fast–pitch. It’s more difficult, but we’ll be up for the challenge.” Aside from the girls’ team, the boys also worked to hone the basic skills of batting, fielding, and catching. “We have great chemistry, but we need to improve our communication and quicken our reaction time on the field,” remarked captain Josh Basha (12). Despite their differences between practices, all players aimed to do well in the MSSPP island tournament in early May so that they could make it to state.

Back at the College General field, Mr. Kerry Mahoney stepped up to bat. Joseph Hsu (10) wound up and pitched him the small, white, slow-pitch ball. Waiting for the perfect moment, Mr. Mahoney forcefully swung the bat high into the humid air, sending the ball over the diamond. In the outfield, Emmett Balzer (10), Joseph Leech (11), Fong Wei Ting (12), and Joseph Um (12) each looked to see if it would fly in his direction Waiting for the spiralling ball to fall towards him in the left field, Balzer ran to the ball where he reached it just seconds after it had touched the ground. He then threw it to second base, where baseman Tim Sasse (10) tagged Mr. Mahoney before he slid onto the plate. “That’s the third out!” announced Coach Edman. Audience members cheered, and players exchanged enthusiastic grins for where their resilience and determination to improve had taken them. The outcome of the season looked hopeful. –By Emma Hofer­

Prepared to help her team, Jane Jung (11) on the varsity B team hesitates between tagging out the ISKL player behind her or throwing the ball to home. Despite their effort, the B team lost 4-16 to ISKL’s eighth graders.

Ball flying, team captain Josh Basha (12) hits his second consecutive home run in the varsity boys’ third game against ISKL. With Basha’s assistance, the boys won three of their four games in the tournament.

68 Sport

Rapidly rushing to get the ball to first base, outfielder Fong Wei Ting (12) prepares to propel his arm forward. At College General, the boys’ team gained the upper-hand and beat the staff team 10-6.

EMMA HOFER

EMMA HOFER

EMMA HOFER

Straining to throw the ball, Angela Tan (11) pulls back before releasing the ball to Boyie Chin (11) across the field. Over the course of the season, players strengthened their arms and increased their throws.

Varsity Boys’ & Varsity Girls’ Softball 69


With practice . . .

Smashing Towards Success

Eyes fixed on the ball in front of her, Wen-Chi Chen (11) prepares to tap it across the court to Ning Kang Chia (10). During practices, players took part in drills that worked on arm strength and improved aim. Though tiresome, these drills revealed their effectiveness in important matches.

Standing in position, Alex Ruble (8) readies himself by standing in the proper form to swat the ball across the court to his opponent. On 31 January, seven tennis players drove for two hours to the Prince of Wales Island International School and competed in a day-long tournament in Balik Pulau.

“We find that the players tense up during real matches, so scrimmages are helpful with calming nerves,” said Coach Graves. Throughout the season, players took part in tournaments at ISKL and POWIIS. “Though the tournaments were far away, they were worth it because we faced fresh competition and became aware of our strengths and weaknesses,” said Yu Zhi Phuah (10). In January, the team welcomed Jack Ferguson (5), a previous Sabah state tennis champion. By the time MSSPP came around in the early spring, players had grown comfortable with playing in front of an audience and had garnered an array of new skills. Once again, Li lobbed the ball into Yang’s corner. Satisfied, she laid down her racquet, wiped the sweat from her forehead, and congratulated herself on a job well done. —By Emma Hofer

With intensity, Noah Graves (10) places his focus on his opponent’s serve at a tournament against POWIIS. Following the disheartening loss of a set vital to his advancing to the next round, Graves realized that he would have to perform impeccably if he wanted to stay in the competition.

EMMA HOFER

“During practices, players develop new skills and techniques that they are learning and want to get more comfortable with,” said WenChi Chen (11). Drills during practices pushed players to maintain diligent attitudes and to refine their volleys, overheads, spins, and drop shots. “Though we don’t play many official games during the season, I’ve improved through the scrimmages we play every Wednesday against players from Uplands and POWIIS,” said Ziwei Moey (12). Indeed, players gained the bulk of their experience through practice matches.

MRS. ELIZABETH GRAVES

Standing on the court’s baseline, Lilian Li (10) tossed up a tennis ball, preparing to slam it across the court where her opponent warily squatted in apprehension. Seconds later, she flung her arm forward and smashed it over the net into the corner, beyond the reach of Sheng Ting Yang (11). Every Monday and Thursday, the members of the tennis team, along with coaches Mrs. Jan Hogan, Mr. John Fischer, and Mrs. Elizabeth Graves, came together under the sweltering sun and underwent a variety of hitting drills that improved their reflexes and coordination.

MRS. ELIZABETH GRAVES

EMMA HOFER

70 Tennis

EMMA HOFER

“I enjoyed the position I was in as a tennis player. I was to blame when I lost. I was to blame when I won. And I really like that.” ­—Roger Federer, Swiss Professional tennis player and fivetime winner of the Grand Slam Final

Swiftly striking the ball with her racquet, Lilian Li (10) keeps her arms outstretched but remains in the middle of the court. During practices, coach Mrs. Elizabeth Graves presented drills to students that improved their coordination, forced them to make speedy decisions, and quickened their reflexes.

Thwack! Keito Watanabe (10) smacks the ball and returns Coach John Fischer’s serve in a practice match after school. To prepare players for the matches that mattered, coaches endeavoured to simulate game-like situations during practice by hustling each player to reach his or her limit.


You’re never to young to...

Grasping the ball with both hands as he prepares to execute a cherry bomb, Aidan Leong (3) enjoys a game of Four-square after school with friends. Elementary kids used after school as a time to get together and socialize, buy candy from the junior class store, and play sports such as Four-square and basketball.

Rule the Field

“It is not the size of the man, but the size of his heart, that matters.” —Evander Holyfield, American professional boxer

EVAN CHINN

GLORIA KIM

Expertly swiping the ball out of the way of the defender, Jason Kim (5) pushes towards the SCIPS goal for a shot. Players used footwork skills, honed by playing casually against friends, to their advantage during competitive games and football meetings every Thursday.

72 Sport: Elementary Sports

EVAN CHINN

Focused intently on the task at hand, Kanon Yamaguchi (3) lines up her bat as she prepares to smash the ball. Elementary students routinely practiced T-ball on Thursdays with Coach Dustin Roberts. “My favourite part of T-ball is being able to relax, talk to friends, and get better at playing,” said Yamaguchi.

“Pass the ball! Shoot! Shoot! Great job!” yelled the group of supporting parents during one of the young ones games against St. Christopher International Private School. Coach Mrs. Robin Frohlich and her army of teachers’ assistants had students practicing many hours on upper field every Thursday, working on dribbling skills, passing, and skirmishing. “During Thursday practices, elementary students first worked on fundamental skills like passing and trapping the ball properly. After practicing, they then played small-sided games with the hopes of implementing what they had learned, demonstrating their understanding the positions on the field and focusing on all the rules of the game,” said Coach Frohlich. Girls and boys aged five through 10 participated in these Thursday football meetings, open for any youngster keen on honing his skills. After-school football provided time for the kids to have fun playing with their friends and meeting new people. “I like Thursday football meetings because I get to play more than I usually do. Football is the first sport I’ve ever played, and I really enjoy

improving,” said Christopher Jang (4). Thursday football didn’t just focus on practices, however, as the kids learned how to use their new-found skills effectively in games. In the game against SCIPS, the boys showed skill and coordination against a more experienced SCIPS’ team, managing to keep the score even throughout the game and even scoring a goal; but they could not stop SCIPS from scoring again later in the game. The boys maintained a good attitude even after this disappointing loss. “I have really good memories of playing against SCIPS, like when we scored to tie the game,” said Owen Lai (4). “They scored another goal in the end, so we lost; but it was still fun playing our best against a school as good as SCIPS.” The girls, many of who debuted in football this season, played to the best of their abilities against an onslaught of SCIPS’ shots on goal. Kaitlyn Ladner (1), playing as a defender, put up a good effort and managed to prevent the much older and taller SCIPS team from scoring. “I really enjoyed the game against SCIPS, especially when we scored and when I learned how to play aggressively. We even ended up winning 1-0!” said Ladner. Football certainly did not act as the only ac-

tivity played after school by elementary kids,. T-ball became immensely popular among the youngsters, with Mr. Dustin Roberts and his teachers’ assistants helping to satisfy their thirst for this sport after school. Although they didn’t have competitive T-ball matches, they still had fun as they skirmished between grades. But perhaps the most favoured sport of all, Four-square, entertained almost all the students in elementary school, and this year proved no exception. Students sharpened their Four-square skills before class, during lunch, and after school each day. Campus after school provided a fun, friendly environment for the young ones to grow in their athletic and social abilities. At the end of long day of fun and school work, the elementary students returned home, looking forward to the next day when they could rule the court and field. —By Evan Chinn As he surveys the field for an opportunity to pass the ball to a teammate, Alex Fischer (6) positions himself at a right angle to make a cross into the box. The boys demonstrated the skills they had learned during after-school practice in their match against SCIPS, but they dropped the game 1-2 late in the game. PHOTO CREDIT: EVAN CHINN


Searching for time to . . .

Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity.

Kick Away Homework

Catching up on the recent occurrences in Middle School, eighth graders Alice Chang, Alicia Chin, Linus Lim, Amanda Low, Mikaela Steinkamp, Elisabeth Kilgo, and Joy Kiehl weigh the pros and cons of using the new slide, while Karl Chan watches a basketball scrimmage. Students often met on the outdoor court to rest before their own sports practices, to watch athletes train, or to socialize. PHOTO CREDIT: EMMA HOFER

EMMA HOFER

Speedily charging towards the hoop, Seongmin Kim (8) advances past Nicholas Khor (8), dribbling smoothly as he pursues a layup. Student-athletes made sure to prepare during the preseason by taking part in pick-up games which simulated the intensity of a real match. Additionally, those who lacked interest in joining a sports team could play recreationally and build relationships with other participants.

time with friends and others who are fun to be around,” said Caleb Cox (9). Others saw exercising in the newly-built weight room as a productive outlet that they could pour their frustration into. “I really enjoy using the weight room to work out because it’s accessible and provides a nice atmosphere where I can focus solely on improvement,” said Hannah Graves (11). On weekends, student athletes took time to train by themselves as others found ways to strengthen their bodies by kayaking to Rat Island or long boarding at Straits Quay. “When my friends and I long board, we get to know each other better and help one another master tricky moves, such as the G-turn, the 15–foot boneless, the big flip, Peter Pan steps, and chopping the wood; this is how I’ve learned to use core strength and balance,” said Keegan Oppenheim (11). As 11:30 p.m. rolled around, players trickled out of the gym and trudged to their dorms or to the pick-up area to await a ride home. Though Finlay, Unruh, and Sugianto anticipated catching up on sleep and social interaction during the weekend to come, each felt satisfied after an enjoyable night of football. —By Emma Hofer

Foot on one of Micah Marten’s (12) skateboard trucks, John Kim (12) steadies his friend to avoid an accident on Pearl Hill’s steep decline. During weekends and after school, skateboarders and long boarders alike found intense and demanding off-campus settings where they could test and improve their abilities. After hours of practicing his G-turn, Martens finally mastered it, to the delight of Kim and Keegan Oppenheim (11).

With grace and poise, dancers Priska Sugianto (12), Andriani Sugianto (11), Susan Oh (10) follow the instructions of Mrs. Rachel Chand as they learn the choreography to a dance from the upcoming spring musical, “A Tad of Trouble.” The mirrored wall of the new Health room, which featured a barre, provided dancers new opportunities to practice ballet without having to leave campus.

AARON BENGS

“Going to indoor gives me the chance to practice off-season with friends of all ages and of all skill levels. It helps improve my ball touches because the ball moves so fast along the floor,” said Evan Chinn (11). From non-athletic dorm students to male or female athletes to staff members or parents who facilitated the games, indoor football brought all kinds of people together. Mr. Dustin Roberts, varsity boys’ football coach, and Mr. Doug Ladner found themselves competing with their younger counterparts and enjoying themselves. Aside from Friday night indoor, students took part in other forms of leisure sports. After a school day, games of pick-up basketball or football, or a lively match of Four-square started and drew others in to participate. “Since some other players and I have been playing football together for years, our games together are now really competitive,” said Jazzy Jenkins (6). Many middle schoolers established acquaintances with upper-classmen as a result of playing leisure sports together. “Even though I’m a bit old for Foursquare, I play it constantly because its competitive mood is irresistible and because it gives me

EMMA HOFER

—John F. Kennedy, Former President of the United States

Fiercely sweating, three students jogged from the outdoor court across the field to the indoor gym just before 9:30 on a Friday night. They had played Four-square for three solid hours. By now, all the lights on campus had dimmed, and the shadows cast from the glow of the gym along with the incentive to stay late on campus drew Ben Finlay (10), David Unruh (10), and Andri Sugianto (11) to join their peers. As their shoes thumped on the concrete, the players exhaled breaths of excitement for what the night would hold. Finlay opened the door, and each student’s face became radiant from the reflected bright light inside the gym. As Sugianto­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­—who had just recovered from an ankle injury after months of resting—scanned the court, she realized that she had forgotten how much she enjoyed coming to indoor football. Indoor meant as much to each participant as the weekend did to any other. Cheers, referee calls, shoe squeaks, and muffled coughs echoed loudly along the walls of the gym. “Every Friday, we divide up into equal teams of six and alternate playing on the court for five minutes at a time,” said Josh Basha (12).

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ONCENTRATING on Ms. Joyce Goh, their conductor, Kassy Steinkamp (11), Kia Thompson (12), and Mackenzie Jordan (11) anticipate their cue to begin singing. Concerts near the end of each quarter allowed middle and high school students to perform the pieces they had practiced in Band and Choir classes.

Pause for Effect.

JONATHAN CHANDRA

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S he munches happily on fruit, Gunwoo Kim (2) pokes at his empty plate. Tested on their knowledge of sequences, second graders had to skewer various fruits in the correct order. Afterwards, they ate their tasty creations.

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ERCHED on the edge of a turtle pond, Aaron Bengs (12) sits cross-leged as he examines the instructions on his sheet. Mrs. Susan Allen led the Spiritual Formation class on a field trip to the Spice Gardens, giving seniors an opportunity to exercise spiritual disciplines and spend time with God in a peaceful setting.

The clock ticked down. Beads of perspiration formed on your forehead as your fingers scurried across the keyboard, laboring to finish your essay for AP English 12. You glanced at your watch. Five minutes left. Swiftly, you hammered out the keystrokes that would make up a suitable conclusion. Four minutes left. You had time to review. As you scrolled through, eliminating rogue “to be” verbs and fixing grammatical flaws, you came across a barrier. What had seemed like a fine sentence when first typed out now appeared awkward. Three minutes left. As you thought about how you could remedy the sentence, you recalled how you had gotten yourself into this predicament. The night before, you had had to finish your Chemistry lab, catch up on your VHS course, work on your eBook for Media Literacy, and study for your U.S. History test. Exhausted, you wrote out a rough outline for your essay, hoping to finish it between your D-Block study hall and lunch. Often times, school work threatened to overwhelm you. When deadlines loomed like dark shadows and assignments weighed you down like bags of bricks, you wondered how you could possibly manage to keep up with academic work along with all the other responsibilities on your plate. Despite stresses, you knew that you didn’t hate school. You loved Foundation Art, finding joy in drawing ink figures as Mrs. Liza Nichols’s eccentric blend of humor and Hung Jie Song’s (12) corny jokes brightened up your class. You listened with interest when Mrs. Sara Kearney explained how matrices worked in Algebra II. When the burdens of course work weighed heavy on you, it helped to step back and pause.

You knew that though you had to put work into studying, it benefited you in the long run. No universal theory, no all-encompassing formula, no chemical equation could tell you how to study or approach academics. Each subject required a different manner of study, and each teacher had different requirements of his or her students. You had to view things positively, while realizing that you couldn’t tackle all your assignments in the same way. Sometimes you needed a pronounced, literal pause. Study breaks helped you to battle against stress and tedium and gave you time to focus your mind on friends, family, or other important commitments. The clock continued to tick. Two minutes. As you thought about what academics meant to you, and about the importance of pausing, you had a breakthrough. With a few swift keystrokes, you inserted commas in appropriate places within your sentence. You realized that just as sentences needed marks of pause to separate ideas, you needed moments of pause between academic assignments. Pursuing academics without pause left you exhausted, just as lengthy sentences with little punctuation left a reader bored and his eyes tired. The clock ticked down. One minute. Viewing academics as a breathless run-on sentence left no room for rest. You reminded yourself of the importance of study breaks and the value of school. You picked up your paper by the printer just as the bell rang. You stood outside the library for a moment as students swarmed around you, heading to their classes. In academics, as in all areas of life, sometimes you needed to pause. —By Jonathan Chandra

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What do you wanna be when you grow up? “I wanna be a skydiver when I grow up.” - Daniel Park (1)

“A tooth fairy so I could fly and have a wand.” - Mia Kirk (K)

“A YouTuber and a gamer.” - Soo Song (1)

“I want to be Reepicheep from Narnia.”

“All right class, everybody come to the mat. It’s time for a story!” exclaimed Mrs. Shuli de la Fuente-Lau. A throng of first graders quickly bolted from their seats and scurried over, eager to hear a story. Sitting down ready to listen, Mrs. de la Fuente-Lau opened a book and read The Enchanted Wood aloud. “I love when Mrs. de la Fuente-Lau reads stories to us, especially when it is about history. We got to learn about Rome, which was my favourite. She read to us about two baby boys that were put in a basket and then tossed into a river. A wolf found them and kept them as her own babies. I think their names were Romulus and Aeneas,” said Anna Chand (1). Preschoolers, kindergarteners, and first grades watched videos and listened to stories about topics ranging from science to the Grand Canyon. They explored important, relevant topics. “I really like social studies. In Mrs. [Lacey] Fields class, I learned about ‘community helpers,’ which are people who help others, like doctors and garbage man. It was really cool; she showed us a video about all the different types of community helpers,” said Edyn Roylance (K).

Reading books and watching instructional videos did not rule the classroom; teachers acknowledged the kids’ propensity for running and playing. They provided special blocks solely for the younger ones to create art and build friendships in a school environment. “I love ‘centres;’ it’s where we get to make stuff, like puppets and is so much fun. We also have free play, where we can play games with our friends,” said Jayden Chand (P4). The teachers also employed online websites to enhance the children’s learning, such as RAZ-Kids, an interactive site that provides eBooks to help youngsters learn important comprehension skills. “I love reading. I really enjoy using RAZ because it helps you while you read,” said Aidan Boyd (1) It really helped me improve my skills.” As Mrs. de la Fuente-Lau finished up reading the storybook, the kids sat entranced by the lively action. Afterwards, they began to barrage her with multiple questions about the book. Calmly and coolly, she collected herself and began to satisfy the young children’s incessant curiosity. —By Tayler Nash

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resounding sigh emanating through the plastic playground equipment, Jayden Chand (P4) rests after a demanding game of tag as Joonbeom Lee (P4) eagerly waits to start another. Sliding, running, and jumping let preschoolers release their pent up energy. “Recess is my favourite because I get to play with my friends,” said Chand.

TARING at his cloth with concentration, Sean White (1) cuts out a T-shirt for his project in the Arts and Crafts KIC’s Club. “I was cutting out a shirt for the fake me because in Arts and Crafts, we built paper versions of ourselves. It was a lot fun, especially designing the hair because we got to take yarn and glue it on,” White said. MACKENZIE JORDAN

- Jaywon Kim (K)

love learning

MACKENZIE JORDAN

“A famous soccer player for Swansea.”

Learning to...

- Levi Boyd (P3)

MACKENZIE JORDAN

“I want to be a horse trainer because horses are so pretty.” “A vet and a singer at the same time.”

- Tiffany Ang (K)

JONATHAN CHANDRA

- Anna Chand (1)

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ITH their eyes glued onto Tim Phan (12), P3 students Leecia Wee, Aaron Leong, Joel de Visser, Sophie Ko, and Levi Boyd listen carefully as Phan mesmerises them with his hypnotic story-telling abilities. The senior class took time out of their day to interact with the youngsters, reading stories and spending quality time with them.

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CISSORS in hand, Soren Anderson (1) cuts out paper squares with printed cartoon figures for a class game. “I really enjoy doing crafts for school,” said Anderson, “especially when we do them for history. We get to cut out paper people and then color them in.” The class finished snipping and then began the coloring, adding a bit of artistic flair.

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ER hand firmly placed on her notebook, Kadence Arnold (2) writes down the week’s Bible verse. Second grade students did this for every verse, often drawing a picture to accompany it, to help them visualize the passage. Though busy discovering the world, students also garnered important truths from God’s Word to help them grow spiritually.

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ETICULOUSLY calculating his next throw, Gabriel Roylance (2) prepares to launch the ball and begin the game of Four-square. The young ones played each recess, participating in games ranging from hide and seek to jump rope. After hours of sitting indoors, they had a chance to release their energy and spend time with their friends during their lunch block.

UFFAWING with his buddy Jordan Suen (4), David Kilgo (4) leans against the playground fence to rest after an exhausting basketball session. Elementary kids traipsed around the fields and basketball courts, laughing and playing games with their friends. The campus provided a good place to hang out and shoot the breeze for these young students.

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“Mrs. [Jodi] Roberts is super nice. She lets us have a class party if we get 25 points, which we earn by wowing her.”

It’s ELEMENTARY

- Ha-Eun Jeon (3)

my dear Watson

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N their way down to lunch, Owen Lai (4) asks Jordan Suen (4) and Lauren Worten (4) how they want to spend the remainder of the lunch break after they finish eating. Each day, the kids would make their way down to the cafeteria, where they would eat, joke, and laugh with friends. Once their bellies filled up, they would play outside until the bell rang.

“Mrs. [Karen] Sasse can be so funny.”

-Lyric Hawk (3)

“I really like how Mrs. [Carre] Penland makes fun games for us to play like Heads Up, Seven Up.”

DAVID BEAK

80 Academics: Second, Third, and Fourth Grades

-Luke Ng (4)

GLORIA KIM

all about ancient myths and legends; it was so cool,” said Kyra Brewster (2). Though academics played a crucial role in elementary, the young ones also discovered important life lessons in recess. “Recess is the best because I don’t have to do any work; instead, I can play with my friends,” said Benjamin Stoltzfus (4). Elementary kids basked in the beauty of life as they ran and frolicked with their buddies during lunchtime. “My favourite thing about school is my teacher, Mrs. [Jodi] Roberts. She teaches really well and makes class so much fun,” said Mark Dewhirst (3). Teachers took the time not only to teach the kids important facts, but also to build character in them. They entertained their students with stories and games. “I love it when after recess, Ms. [Mary] Geiman tells us stories about her childhood,” said Kanon Yamaguchi (4). Students came to school each day excited for class, where they grew together under the guidance of their teachers. Whether studying facts of science or running about giggling at lunch, they enjoyed every moment, returning each day excited and ready to learn. —By Tayler Nash

DAVID BEAK

The sound of children laughing resonated from the upper court into the ears of those students sitting inside learning. Elementary students enjoyed frolicking around and eating during the first lunch block, running to and fro playing games like tag. Acknowledging kids’ natural inclinations for curiosity and adventure, elementary school teachers made their classes the best ever so that the kids seldom lost interest. Science proved the most interesting and wellloved subject of these young pupils. “Science is the best; last semester we got to discover how much pressure our toy cars could withstand. It was really fun and interesting,” said Drew Worten (3). In third grade, students took a look at different forces at play in the universe. They also discovered the world around them and how they could play a part in improving it. “ I really love science class because we get to learn really interesting facts,” said Sidharta Selvaraja (2). “This semester we learned about reusing and recycling, so now I know how to help the environment.” Students also delved into the unfolding of history. “Learning about World War Two was my favourite thing. I liked how everyone was fighting for freedom. It was sad sometimes, especially when we read about a girl who was stuck in an orphanage and couldn’t escape the war,” said Hailey Hofer (4). Teachers immersed students in wondrous worlds from the past, ancient civilizations from the Aztecs to the Pilgrims. “In history, I loved to learn

What is your favourite thing about your teacher?

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T the junior class store, Kathryn Boyd (3) consults one of the expert attendants about the various candies that could satisfy her sweet tooth. After a long day completing assignments and playing, kids flocked to the store seeking some satisfying sugar to refuel. Once again filled to the brim with energy, they ran off to play with their friends and enjoy themselves.

“I really like my teacher, Mrs. [Eileen] Buhr, because she is kind and loyal.”

-Sidharta Selvaraja (2)


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TTENTIVELY listening, Ryan Chan (5) and Ethan Chan (5) focus carefully as Ms. Shawna Wood instructs them on how to write a well-constructed research paper. “English is my favorite subject, so I really enjoyed learning how to write while also researching cool things,” said Alicia Anderson (5). Teachers helped ingrain these important skills by having students write on topics of their own choice.

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USHING out some more lead, Emily Chai (6) prepares to outline what’s left of her poster on gravity. Students paired up, and then each couple drew a poster on the topic—one side on the pros and cons of having downward pull, the other side on the benefits and detriments of a world without it. In sixth grade, students explored the intricacies of the planet and how God designed it perfectly.

middle with school

TAYLER NASH

Students built new friendships and solidified ones created in elementary as they matured and learned together. “My favourite thing about sixth grade is my table group because I sit with all my friends; we call ourselves ‘The Three Amigos,’” said Gabriel Siqueira (6). “Art and Band are my favourite classes because I get to express my creativity,” said Alix Stuart (6). Though they required students to put in extra hours of work, fifth and sixth graders loved the classes’ deviation from traditional classroom topics. Sitting in the classroom learning, however, seldom bored students, as teachers kept the kids’ interests. “I really love Social Studies and Science because Mrs. Deana Arnold always makes learning fun,” said Yong-Yu Huang (5). Teachers utilized their wit and ingenuity to captivate the students. Each day filled with entertaining activities, like researching and writing a paper about famous celebrities or going on a class trip to a concert; they made memories they would look on fondly as they continued onward through school. Middle schoolers learned valuable lessons about accountability as they ventured out into areas with a smorgasbord of new personal freedoms. Given numerous new responsibilities, they explored and learned to love the world in which they live. —By Tayler Nash

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Entering middle school marked the beginning of a new chapter in students’ lives. Whether finally accomplishing the feat of finishing elementary and joining the sixth, seventh, and eighth graders as fresh fifth graders or becoming bona fide veterans when starting sixth grade, students changed immensely and made ground-breaking discoveries. Both fifth and sixth grade students returned from their summer break to a completely foreign scholastic experience. “My very first day of middle school was both scary and exciting. I really enjoyed doing all the activities, but there was so much new stuff to learn. But now that I have completed a semester, I can say I really love fifth grade,” said Kaitlyn Ladner (5). Navigating life in junior high proved a foreboding yet exhilarating challenge for incoming middle schoolers. “I enjoy having more complicated math problems and greater freedoms, which has helped me learn valuable lessons about responsibility,” said Joel Kelley (6). Despite studying in separate classes, fifth and sixth grades bonded by sharing a lunch block, where they joined together in games, especially the middle school favourite: Four-square. “Lunch break is my favourite because I get to run and play with my friends,” said Sofia Siqueira (5).

DAVID BEAK DAVID BEAK

ENCIL in hand, Levi Hawk (6) scrawls notes about the math problems written on the board. Sixth graders studied math comprehensively, delving into the complexities of decimals and fractions. Though challenging at times, teachers ensured that their students fully grasped the material by providing them with copious examples on the board of how to work out certain problems.

N a scurry to get back to class, Joel Kelley (6) simultaneously reaches for his textbook while putting away his lunch box. Middle schoolers discovered the importance of budgeting their time as they followed a strict schedule. Tardies ensured they arrived on time to class because if they accumulated five tardies, it resulted in a detention. Students had to take responsibility for arriving on time to class.

If you could change one middle school rule, which would it be? “If you are in sixth grade or above, you can stay after school without a parent constantly watching you.”

-Tate Oppenheim (6)

“Instead of five tardies resulting in a detention, we should be allowed to have seven.” -Joshua Yeoh (6)

“When you miss a day of school, people don’t ask so many questions.” -Culles Mah (6)

“No tardies at all for A-Block because my brother always makes me late.” -Kaylee Nash (5)

82 Academics: Fifth and Sixth Grades


AREFULLY scrolling, Shin Ji Yun (7) and Jelly Julia Galang (7) look through the pictures they took together. As soon as the 3:50 p.m. bell rang, the hallways resonated with the sound of tired middle school upper-classmen who relieved themselves from a whole day of studying by either socializing at the lockers or dashing to the courts to play basketball.

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PAD in hand, Joshua Koay (7) and Jae Woo Cho (7) search information on Google for their technology assignment. The new iPad minis allowed middle schoolers to experience innovative learning through online resources. In technology, the seventh graders studied how computers functioned and focused on researching the Internet for necessary information.

On top of the...

JONATHAN CHANDRA

What is your favourite word and why?

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Basketball

“Basketball is a sport everyone enjoys in Middle school.” -Linus Lim (8)

DAVID BEAK

“It is almost impossible to say this word while being angry. No one can take you seriously.”

DAVID BEAK

BUBBLES

-Celestine Teoh (7)

“My favorite class is Social Studies because we learn about the history of different countries. I find it really interesting how countries formed, said Wansuk Kunawaradisai (7). Besides the core classes like science and language arts, seventh graders enjoyed Band, Bible, and P.E. “In Bible, we studied Biblical topics like suffering temptation. Mrs. [Valerie] Brokaw always relates a Bible story like Adam and Eve depending on the topic,” said Elizabeth Horton (7). “No class can beat P.E because in P.E, all we need to do is have fun, and plus we get stronger and more fit,” said Bernard Combrink (7). Despite the burden of standing as role models for the fifth and sixth graders to look on, these middle school upper-classmen never failed to enjoy their time as well. “We may be the bosses of middle school, but we know how to have fun and be crazy!” exclaimed Joseph Chandra (7). As the bell rang at 5:30 p.m. to signify the end of open campus, the group of eighth graders gathered at the bleachers started to grab their bags and instruments and head to the guardhouse. “I made it! It went in!” yelled Chand as he danced around the basketball court wildly and waved his hands violently to make sure his friends caught the action of his three-pointer. —By David Beak

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YES fixed upon the plate, Amanda Low (8), Zhi Yong Lee (7), and Albert Jeong (8) could not wait to dig into the pancakes they made in the Cooking with Danneker X-Block. The upper-classmen of middle school joined a variety of X-Blocks that helped them develop skills aside from academics.

EACHING for the dodge ball, Ruben Nyul (8) and John Cho (8) dash to the front to attack the opposing team first as Linus Lim (8) watches out for incoming balls from the back. During P.E, the eighth graders played a variety of team sports like dodgeball and futsal, working together to win.

DAVID BEAK

SWAG

“SWAG is an anagram for ‘something we Asians got,’ and being an Asian, I’ve got SWAG!”

“I bet you I can make this three pointer,” declared Nathan Chand (7) as he dribbled the basketball up to the three point line. His classmates, sitting on the bleachers, laughed hysterically believing he would miss the shot. “Being an eighth grader makes me feel like I have authority over everyone else,” said Carissa Hoffmeyer proudly. The seventh and eighth graders took a variety of courses that both piqued interest and inspired students to sift out the subjects they liked and the subject they had difficulty in. Language Arts, unanimously, ranked as the toughest class for the eighth graders. Taught by either Mrs. Missy Davis or Mr. Mark Trescott, both classes studied the Illiad by Homer. “The Illiad is fun to read because it talks about wars and gods, but it is also a very hard book to understand,” said John Cho (8). In science, eighth graders dissected animals and learned how to classify different living things such as mammals and plants. They even studied how the human body functions. “Science is extremely fun because we learn a lot of new things about animals,” said Amanda Low. “Also, Mr. [David] Nguyen makes learning fun. Social Studies equipped the eighth graders with knowledge about the world. Under the supervision of Mr. Trescott, students studied U.S. history.

-Ji Yun Shin (7)

ONOMATOPOEIA “It’s fun to say!”

-Seth Kelley (8)

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YES fixed on the screen in front of her, Gabriela Mims (11) stares at her Journalism computer, attempting to put the finishing touches on one of her layouts. Journalism students had to put in extra hours in after school (or even after finals!), getting quotes, taking photos, writing copy, or just giving a final polish to a layout.

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RACKING a smile, Adrian Nonis (9) and Tommy Han (9) present the book All Creatures Great and . They used methods such as showing a comedy skit video to make their presentations more interesting to their classmates. Students in Honor’s English 9 gave presentations on books to help their classmates gain a new perspective on a book.

AARON BENGS

What common English mistake rustles your jimmies? “When people spell colour without the u ‘ ’” -Jaime Ooi (12)

-Emma Hofer (12)

-Melissa You (12)

“When people use incomplete sentences. I hate the word “um.” No offense to Joseph Um” -Tate Oppenheim

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-Evan Chinn (11)

to be verbs

The sound of scuffling pencils fills an otherwise silent room as AP 11 students rush to finish an inclass essay in preparation for the AP exam. A student swallows hard, all eyes on him, before clearing his throat and beginning his much-anticipated speech in Mr. Mark Sasse’s Speech and Forensics class. Scoffing in frustration, a Journalism student fights a cranky printer refusing to spit out his work. Though the sounds that echoed through the rooms of language arts classes did not always show enjoyment, they ended in a job well done and in completed work that helped students better their reading, writing, and speaking skills. Journalism remained a popular class, with a total of nine students joining, despite horror stories of stressful deadlines and a heavy workload. They found a variety of ways to deal with the more challenging aspects of the class. Tayler Nash (12) said, “I run a tight ship; I make sure to get all my work done even if I have to make certain sacrifices. For example, I was struggling between watching Taxi Driver and finishing my captions one night; but I whipped myself into shape and did my journalism work.” Mackenzie Jordan (11) said, “The workload is challenging, but I enjoy it a lot; and it’s fulfilling to see the end results.” Speech and Forensics helped equip students by teaching public speaking, one of the most useful and applicable skills in high school. Students had

to overcome nerves and other barriers to make quality speeches.“ Mr. Sasse teaches you things that you need in the future to make you an effective speaker and a good persuader,” said John Kim (12). Students focused on giving quality speeches in class by drawing on different topics; this, in the process, gave them the added bonus of learning to discourse about current events. English classes gave students an opportunity to cement their language skills over the four years of high school, each year building on the last. “In English Mrs. [Carin] Roylance let me register to go to Mt. Everest for my research paper,” said Aaron Chand (10). Teachers combined an open mind with creative strategies to make normal assignments exciting. Though to some students English may seem repetitive, in reality the repetition helps to bond and build the skills they will find essential in college such as a conversational knowledge of literature and high-level writing skills. Language arts classes gave students a chance to develop their skills in writing, reading, and speaking English. Though students found the classes challenging, despite the work load or nervousness or repetition, language arts classes rewarded them with improved skills and disciplines for high school—and then in university and beyond. —By Aaron Bengs

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AARON BENGS

“When people use text talk to talk to me on the computer”

To Be or Not

AARON BENGS

“I can’t stand it when people say ‘expresso’ instead of ‘espresso.’ It really kills me”

AARON BENGS

“When people mix up your and you’re”

AXING eloquent on the ins and outs of marijuana use, Eric Soon (11) delivers his final speech of the semester. Students in Speech and Forensics presented a variety of topics over the semester, giving them a chance to improve their speaking skills while simultaneously building a conversational repertoire of current-event knowledge.

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ANDS gripped tightly around the Shakespeare classic Hamlet, David Beak (12) listens as one of his classmates reads aloud the answers to the prescribed questions as Shion Matsumoto (12) taps away on his iPad. Students answered questions individually and then shared them out loud together to help bring the stories to life.

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ATCHED over by Mr. Brandon Orr, Elisabeth Brokaw (11) and Rachel Halbedl (11) work together on their presentation about Robber Barons in the twentieth century. Students created their own unique and informative presentations about a subject of their choosing. In U.S. History class, students’ passion and creativity grew in teaching peers about a topic they thought interesting.

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LEEFULLY smirking, Sam Hofer (10) reads out loud the section on European Industrialism as Sam Huang (10) follows along in his textbook. In World History, students delved into the myriad of periods, eras and civilizations that have grown and crumbled throughout the ages. They gained a valuable understanding of the past through the examination of defining aspects of critical events, people, and ideas.

ISTENING closely, Jessie Brandon (12) and Tesa Sasse (12) receive instructions from Mr. Mark Sasse on how to write their opinion-editorial papers. American Government students wrote two papers contrasting liberal and conservative opinions on a current issue, and then concluded by presenting their own opinion. Social studies provided students with an opportunity to stay aware of global and national issues.

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-Lize Choo (12)

“Gandhi because of butter chicken masala ...and his pursuit of world peace.” “Genghis Khan ...to expand the population. Just kidding... JFK because he had great hair.”

-Karsten Ladner (11)

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88 Academics: Social Studies

discovered the inherent relevance of history and how the past forms the world anew. In U.S. History, American citizens focused on the history of their homeland and its blooming into a world power by presenting projects and “watching the most interesting of documentaries about the history of the U.S.,” Mersades Zimmer (10) said. Under the careful guidance of Mr. Mark Sasse, students created a court environment and had a battle of the wits. “We had a court case—The Populus vs. the Robber Barons,” Emma Hofer (10) said. “And we had to come up with an argument against the Barons.” Whether through presentations using the app. Explain Everything or watching documentaries on the Progressive Era, American students learned about their homeland and gained a new perspective on the United States. Minds expanded and world-views began to form as students grew in knowledge about the world in which they live. Social Studies prepared them for the whirlwind of world issues that they will inevitably experience and have to face as they step out of the school’s borders. Students’ newfound knowledge of cultures and the capacity to have compassion for those they previously knew nothing of sparked within them a sense of maturity. Their vision of the world today became clearer as they learned about the past. —By Tayler Nash

“Mao Ze Dong because he made everyone equally poor.”

-Aaron Chand (10)

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Children don’t understand much about the outside world or its history; and if school didn’t teach them, a culture of ignorance would grow. With careful education about the past and the present, leaders began to form; and conscientious citizens emerged. By educating children about history and society, teachers put their students on the map by moulding them into knowledgeable and innovative thinkers. “Hey Jimmy; I’m gonna jihad!” Matthew Shafer (12) flippantly exclaimed into his hand positioned to look like a hand phone. The class roared with laughter. In American Government, Shafer expounded on the dangers of NSA eavesdropping on phone conversations and the absurd consequences misinterpretation can cause. Classes such as American Government and Media Literacy provided students with an opportunity to explore current issues in a contemporary society. “In Media Literacy, Mrs. Susan Allen brought in Legos. We played with them while we watched toy marketing videos that showed us how our childhoods were a lie,” said Karsten Ladner (11). World History and Global Studies delved into the history of students’ ancestors and the patterns of civilizations. “No matter how advanced our world gets, humans still go through this repetitive cycle of growth and destruction,” Aster Hng (10) said. Whether learning about feudalism in Medieval Europe or the River Valley Civilizations, students

What leader from the past do you wish was in power now?

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YES fixed upon Mr. Mark Sasse, Harrison Taylor (11) listens intently as he expounds upon the national repercussions of Theodore Roosevelt’s introduction of the Progressive Party. U.S. History class explored the intricate construction of present-day America by examining important epochs. American students gained a more comprehensive view of their homeland as they learned about their ancestors.

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ER iPad prominently displayed, Andri Sugianto (11) shows Tim Sasse (10) and Sean Ko (10) an info-graph on the wealth of entrepreneurs like J.P. Morgan and Andrew Carnegie expressed in the contemporary value of the U.S. dollar. Learning about the differences between the current generation and previous ones often left students dumbfounded at the number of changes between past and present.

“Abraham Lincoln because he was allegedly a vampire hunter.” -Rainbow Chan (9)

“Genghis Khan so I can meet my ancestor... oh wait; I’m Taiwanese.”

-Hung-Jie Song (12)


- Jessie Brandon (12)

E “ =mc2 because it’s the only equation I memorized “ -Caleb Cox (9)

“Y=mx+b because it’s the first one I thought of”

- Christie Chow (10)

APIDLY typing, Hyun Ji Kim (9) works on her essay in Geometry, trying to explain the topics they had focused on in a full-fledged paper. Though it may have seemed odd to write papers in math, Geometry students wrote as a way to explain everything what they knew about the concepts they had studied.

...from life’s equation His pencil scraping back and forth wildly across the paper, Josh Basha (12) completed the last problem on his Statistics test. With time left over to check his answers, he handed in his test and sat back down. “I like word problems,” Basha said, “and it makes Statistics really simple.” Though math classes often seemed challenging at first, upon embarking on their own arithmetic adventure, students had their preconceptions shattered and discovered that they really could enjoy working with numbers. Students who joined Statistics or AP Statistics found that it sometimes leaned more towards social studies than the mathematics they expected, which challenged once again their ideas about math classes. They studied the nitty-gritty of statistics and probabilities, looking at mean, median, and mode, and an array of other terms and how they describe statistics. Students saw how to use them effectively and how to evaluate their often-deceptive use in the real world. Geometry students studied shapes and angles, learning how they interact and how to describe them. The class gave students a break from the equations of algebra and focused on a more hands-on part of math. Grace Chang (9) liked the class because “...we don’t have to do as many calculations as in algebra. It was fun to color tessella-

tions as I could show off my art skills.” Algebra II continued to build on the concepts studied in earlier algebra courses, going more in depth and testing students’ resolve with more complex problems. “Algebra II is a great class that helps you build your understanding of math,” Robert Kilgo (11) said. College Algebra gave students that had already done Algebra II the option to continue building on their algebra skills, studying at a higher level and challenging them with a “flipped” class structure. “In Pre-Calculus we learn about the joys of matrices and expanding equations,” said Mary-Claire McIntyre (11). Pre-calculus proved a good option for students who wished to hone their math skills to a fine point and challenge themselves in a new mathematical discipline. For students who had successfully completed Pre-Calculus, AP Calculus presented itself as the next natural step in their mathematical journey, often in preparation for a specific career. Students discovered they really could have fun in math, and that algebra and equations made up only one part of a huge field, one that held something that almost anyone could enjoy. So despite the challenges presented, students managed to hone their math skills and build a strong foundation for the years ahead. —By Aaron Bengs

P

W

ENCIL in a flurry of motion, Christie Chow (10) works out practice problems at the start of class. Mrs. Sara Kearney used these problems to help Pre-calculus students review the concepts they had studied before. Students cemented concepts by repeating them often and getting help from Mrs. Kearney whenever they had a problem.

RITING down notes, Joseph Hsu (10) dutifully copies the lesson from the board to prepare for an upcoming test. Students followed a class structure in Pre-calculus to warm up, copy down notes, and study new concepts. Following this method helped them memorize formulas and concepts and apply them in problems and projects. AARON BENGS

“a2+ b2 = c2because it’s the easiest to remember”

R

AARON BENGS

“The Pythagorean theorem because it’s the only one I can remember, and I’ve used it in real life”

Deriving meaning

smile as the answer appears on the screen, Thizbe Balzer (11), having just meticulously calculated the standard deviation of a list of values, prepares to copy her results onto her worksheet. Calculators made some problems in Statistics vastly easier, allowing students to cover more topics in the curriculum.

AARON BENGS

What is your favorite equation?

A

“The quadratic formula because we did a song last year and it got stuck in everyone’s head” -Tim Sasse (9)

AARON BENGS

-Aaron Tan (9)

Math 91


E

YES sparkling with excitement behind her clear plastic safety glasses, Kassy Steinkamp (11) uses a dropper to drip liquid onto a hot pad to test its temperature. Chemistry students used hands-on methods like this experiment to experience the methods and procedures for themselves and get a taste of working in a scientific field.

S

Bonding together

CANNING her Physical Science textbook, Vivien Lee (9) quickly reads the assigned section before discussing it with her class. Students used all their resources to cover the large base of topics studied in Physical Science. The course gave students a helpful segue into high school science by introducing a variety of topics before delving into specifics later in school. AARON BENGS

...over

AARON BENGS

“BOOM!” The volatile chemical concoction exploded into the air as Physics students looked on in amazement. Under the wing of Mr. Brian Brewster, the class conducted a variety of exciting and memorable experiments, reminding students that studying science isn’t all textbooks and formulas. Physics students had the opportunity to receive instruction from their own high school principal. Proving his ability to juggle two roles, Mr. Brewster used a variety of interesting experiments and activities to engage students and help them grasp the concepts they had studied in a fun and memorable way. John Kim (12) said, “In Physics we do experiments that not only explode bottles but our minds.” Chemistry students discovered how chemicals and molecules interact and mix in the world also using experiments and studies. Angelene Woo (11) said, “In AP Chemistry, we learned about kinetics, equilibrium, the light spectrum, various reactions, and thermo-chemistry. Though it is very challenging, it helps me prepare to study science on a college level.”

AARON BENGS

F

OCUSED intently, Mr. Brian Brewster continues to pour dry ice into an open cooler as it billows over the top and across the pavement. He then proceeded to replicate a demonstration from that morning, which had ended in a loud bang and attracted the attention of curious students. This led Mr. Brewster to repeat the experiment for eager non-Physics spectators.

a Bunson burner

In Biology, students studied life and all its parts, examining the inner workings of living bodies, genetics, and other topics involving the little intricacies of life. They engaged in hands-on activities like dissections to experience how biological concepts look in action. “Biology is really cool because you can’t see many of the things we study, but they are still there,” said Kylie Toh (10). Students built a foundation for Physics and Chemistry in Physical Science, spending a semester studying the basics of each, doing experiments that, though more simple than those of the higher sciences, demonstrated the same core concepts that would carry them throughout high school science. Raymond Ko (9) said, “My favorite thing in Physical Science is conducting experiments to visually see what we learn in class.” Students did experiments and studied the natural world around them in interesting and exciting ways in science classes. They used the knowledge they gained to build a solid foundation for college and their careers beyond. —By Aaron Bengs

H

URRIEDLY recording data from his experiment, Shawn Lim (11) scribbles down numbers and values. Doing experiments like this one formed a vital part of the science curriculum as it helped students experience science, showing them how principles and functions they had worked so hard studying looked in their everyday lives.

What is your favorite molecule? “Carbon dioxide because it makes the fizz in soda” -Seth Kelley (8)

“H20 because I like drinking water”

-Joseph Leech (11)

“Buckminsterfullerene because it’s made out of 60 carbon atoms, and it looks supa cool.” -Lexi Zimbulis (11)

H “ 20 because it keeps me alive” -Ben Finlay (10)

“Glucose because it gives me energy” -Andrew Kim (10)

AARON BENGS

“Aluminium because it’s found all over the world”

92 Academics: Science

- Keegan Oppenheim (11)


“Feeding the five thousand because it’s amazing how he took something small and made it tons and tons”

H

IS marker in hand, Samuel Tan (11) glances at the barrage of images on the iPad with Sunny Kim (11) and the rest of their group in Mrs. Melodee White’s World Religions classroom to discuss their project. Students broke up into groups to work on projects and activities together and to share with one another what they knew about religion.

AARON BENGS

RINS breaking across their faces, Raymond Ko (9) laughs at a classmate’s quip as he and Caleb Cox (9) open their iPads and access DISCourse to find the resources for the beginning of a new project. Students in New Testament Survey used technology to their advantage, letting it aid them as they embarked on a variety of projects, discussions, and articles.

Living in the Light

- Ben Finlay (10)

“Raising Lazarus from the dead”

...of God’s Word

- Julia Munson (9)

With kindergarteners talking and giggling, Angelene Woo (11), listened as they each gave their own answer to her question. “In Design and Purpose, we went to talk to kindergarteners to ask them what they wanted to do when they grow up,” Woo explained. As part of one of the two one-semester junior Bible courses, students interacted with others and learned about colleges, careers, the working world, and other experiences and challenges that await them after graduation. The class’s counterpart, World Religions, proved equally engaging, giving students opportunities to take field trips all around Penang visiting notable religious sites such as Kek Lok Si temple and the Jewish cemetery. Said Kai Fraser: “World Religions is a good way to gain an understanding of other people’s world views.” Bible classes formed the core of the curriculum, not just for juniors, but for all grades. Raymond Ko (9) said, “Bible class is very interesting because even though I know a lot of the stuff, there’s always something extra to learn and to dive deeper into.” Going in-depth into the often familiar stories of

W “ hen Jesus sent the demons into the pigs because he’s getting rid of something bad” - Cheryl Yeap (11)

W “ hen he raised the girl from the dead because I like how he says they’re sleeping”

F AARON BENGS

- Priska Sugianto (12)

G

AARON BENGS

ITTING alert and with a smile across his face, Joel Frohlich (10) waits as Mr. Joshua Anderson prepares a video for his class on a new emerging technology. Students in Foundations of Faith watched videos, read articles, and explored websites to stay informed on the current topics in the ever-changing world around them and how they effect their spiritual lives.

AARON BENGS

What’s your favourite miracle that Jesus performed?

S

AITHFULLY scribbling down notes for herself as she sits in a garden enjoying God’s creation, Jennifer Yook (12) meditates quietly. Students in Spiritual Formation took a trip to the Spice Gardens in Batu Ferringhi near the end of the quarter to take time off from school and shift the focus to God and to the spiritual disciplines they had studied.

the Bible, freshmen studied the Old and New Testaments to analyze the principles gain a better understanding of how God has worked through history. The sophomores discovered new things not just about the Bible, but about a variety of topics that branched into theology, such as morality, predestination, and apologetics. Aster Hng (10) said, “Mr. Joshua Anderson shows us videos online about morality and the basis of true good and evil. He’s trying to help us build a strong moral platform.” These videos prompted class discussion on difficult topics. Mrs. Susan Allen headed up Spiritual Formation, a class to help students “discover themselves spiritually” and explore their relationship with God—with plenty of fun bonuses thrown in along the way. “I like how we eat cookies and learn about God at the same time...and how they both connect in a way that you will not know until you take that class,” Jaime Ooi (12) said. In Apologetics, seniors witnessed the ins and outs of defending the Christian Faith, delving into topics such as evolution vs. creationism and the importance of world view. In Bible classes, students gained a spiritual education not offered in other courses—nor indeed in other schools—helping students to take a break from their busy academic lives and take time to form their beliefs, learn to defend them, and lay a strong spiritual groundwork for college and beyond. —By Aaron Bengs

Bible 95


Keeping time... Toots, squeals and screeches echoed from the band room at various times of day. Ms. Laura Danneker guided students as they pursued their passion for music and displayed their fine-tuned skills. Taking the class over multiple years allowed students to perfect their work and to see their love of music to grow. “From taking band I’ve found a love for music and making it. I started putting a lot of emotion into what I play because banging on the drums is just fun. I love the stuff we put together as a band,” said Peter Tan (12). Required practice hours prompted students to polish their individual work

and then learn how to work harmoniously with others to accomplish the intricacies of a complete piece. “Band is an incredibly valuable class to me­—learning musicianship is something that will never go out of style or our of use. There is absolutely no substitute or replacement to music in the positive ways it affects growth in the human mind and spirit. Without music life would lack expression,” said Hannah Graves (11). Band gave students an opportunity to do something they loved as they developed their skills and became more well rounded individuals. —By Mackenzie Jordan

G

A

LANCING reassuringly at Harin Park (9), Kimberly Horton (10) blows soflty into her flute, a few moments before the beginning of the Annual Fund concert to tune up before the cue to begin. This concert gave students an opportunity to use their skills to improve the school as they showcased their work. PHOTO CREDIT: JONATHAN CHANDRA

96 MINI-MAGAZINE / BAND

S he watches Ms. Laura Dannekers’ hands move Hasung Cho (10) blows suavely into his saxophone. Events such as the Annual Fund concert showcased the skills and improvements of individual students and brought to a point all of the practices and hard work they had put in during the school week.

JONATHAN CHANDRA

in music and beyond

Timeline Journ. antics Posers exposed Romance Trending Trafficking

2-3 4-5 6-7 10-11 12-13 14-15

CHOIR / MINI-MAGAZINE 97


CURRENT EVENTS August 2014 - April 2015

SEPT. 19

Scotland votes to remain as part of the United Kingdom

AUG. 8

West African Ebola outbreak categorized as an international concern by the WHO

SEPT. 26

Pro-democracy protests erupts in Hong Kong

DEC. 16

Taliban massacre at the Peshawar School leaves 132 students and 10 teachers dead

APR. 19

50th anniversary of the evacuation of Dalat School from Vietnam

50

APR. 3

Iran and six world powers reach nuclear deal

JAN. 7

Twelve killed in terrorist attack at Newspaper in Paris

JAN. 8

Boko Haram launches deadly assault on Baga

JAN. 24

Leftist leader wins Greece prime minister election

MAR. 21

Saudi Arabia leads attack on Houthi rebels in Yemen

By: David Beak 2 Current

2014 – 2015 3


The

Current CREW

Jonathan Chandra

Gabriela Mims

. Mackenzie Jordan

David Beak

“On nights before big deadlines, we often stay on campus until as late as 10:00 p.m. We have a familial bond; we order pizza and talk about life and give each other advice. We call ourselves

the journ family “The life skills and experiences this class has given me, such as ad selling, working with InDesign and Photoshop, taking pictures, and writing copy are priceless.” —Emma Hofer

Gloria Kim 4 Current

Tayler Nash

.

Aaron Bengs

Evan Chinn

. Emma Hofer

“Yes! There’s eu cha quay today!” exclaimed Gloria Kim (11) as she walked through the door. The faces of her fellow Journalism students lit up as they filed into the room, took their seats at the table, and eagerly reached for a piece of fried dough. Mr. John “Tommy” Tompkins brightened most Thursday mornings by bringing his Journ. students this special treat fresh from the market. “Eu cha quay is basically fried diabetes; I’m pretty sure we are all going to die by the age of 30, but it tastes so good,” said Gabriela Mims (11). Throughout the year, each morning began with Tommy reading from a small devotional book or a few pages from Bruchko. Then he followed by praying before his students dispersed into the Journ. lab. Though serious when necessary, the Journalism students always found time for fun and bonding. “On nights before big deadlines, we often stay on campus until as late as 10:00 p.m. We have a familial bond; we order pizza and talk about life and give each other advice. We call

ourselves the Journ. family The life skills and experiences this class has given me, such as ad selling, working with InDesign and Photoshop, taking pictures, and writing copy are priceless,” said Emma Hofer (11). The Journ. room allowed students to escape from the crowded hallways and focus in a (relatively) quiet space. Laughter flowed freely as students conversed about their weeks and offered each other advice regarding both life issues and layout technicalities. “As editor this year, I have really been happy about how this group has grown together. We know how to put in work, but we also know how to have a lot of fun in the process,” said Jonathan Chandra (12). Though the work seemed tedious and long at times, at the end of the day, the rewards students gained from the class outweighed any and all stress they experienced. —By Mackenzie Jordan THE Journalism students listen as editor Jonathan Chandra (12) delivers a pep talk. Chandra occasionally called for his fellow students to huddle and to discuss upcoming deadlines. These talks helped motivate everyone.

WATCHING as sweetened condensed milk drips slowly from his eu cha quay, Jonathan Chandra (12) readies himself to devour the tasty fried dough. The rest of the Journ. students chewed their food and listened as Tommy read the daily announcements.

John “Tommy” Tompkins

Journalism Antics 5


Captured on camera: Ysabel Loh (11)

Shannon Frohlich (8)

Hudson McManus (10) Christina Kim (11)

Johnathan Tan (12)

Hung Jie Song (12) Keegan Oppenheim (11)

Ji Yun Shin (7)

did photos, Journ. students frequently had to explain why students couldn’t look straight at the camera. “I never knew Journ. students could only use candid photos,” said Albert Jeong (9). “It seems like they will have a hard time because most students automatically pose when they see someone taking pictures.” Despite the abundant number of uncandid photos, Journ. students did find joy in scrolling through the posed shots and storing those especially “priceless” looks that filled the Journ. room with laughter. Finally done sorting, Chandra let out a loud laugh as he came across an uncandid photo of Hung-Jie Song (12) whipping a mop over his head like angry barbarian. After sharing it with the rest of the his staff, the editor stored the picture in a separate folder for future use on the “poser page” in this mini-mag. —By David Beak

RESSED in a bathrobe and holding a cardboard gun, Journ. student Tayler D Nash (12) intentionally glares at the camera,

joining hands with the posers. Sometimes, even Journ. students broke the rules and posed to make fun of their classmates and to experience how it feels to stare at the camera and pose on purpose.

DAVID BEAK

Dael Kim (7)

Karsten Ladner (11)

Sighing helplessly, yearbook editor Jonathan Chandra (12) sorted the pictures on his camera only to detect discreet posers in the background, rendering a majority of photos useless for the yearbook. “Whenever I have people constantly posing for the camera, I ask them in a serious tone ‘Do you want to be in the yearbook?’” said Chandra. Journ. students constantly struggled to capture perfect pictures without posers randomly making funny faces in the background. “My heart literally burns because I cannot use the picture even if one person is posing,” said Gloria Kim (11). Said Aaron Bengs (12) as he organized his photos, “Posers make me want to go home and never return.” At least once a week, someone in the Mac Lab would grunt or complain about a poser who had ruined a photo by simply staring at the Nikon. Required to take and use only can-

JONATHAN CHANDRA

Trevor Ronning (8)

CULPRITS exposed

Haram Jeon (K) Jonathan Chandra (12)

JONATHAN CHANDRA

Caris Pollock (K)

BS exposed, Kai Fraser (11) flashes his OINTING, Tesa Sasse (12) smiles for the upper body in the middle of volleyball Pcamera before the choir concert. Journ. A practice. Even students participating in sports students captured moments like this for pos-

Joel Halbedl (11)

6 Current

Brian Hiew (11)

Jia-Jie Toon (7)

never missed out on annoying the Journ. students by making crazy poses. Journ. students had the most trouble taking good pictures of sports because students constantly moved around or stopped to pose like Fraser.

sible use in the future. Even though students knew uncandid photos would not make it into the yearbook, that did not stop them from instinctively flashing a quick pose whenever they saw a camera lens facing them.

Posers 7


:

TAYLER NASH

Taken into possession in 1786 by English sea captain Francis Light, the buildings of George Town stand as proof of the mixing of elements from rich Malay, European, Indian, and Chinese heritages. Between the languages spoken, food eaten, and religious festivals celebrated, the more than 200 year-old city serves as a place for many to feel at home. The colonial British first erected 12,000 old buildings—shophouses, government offices, churches, squares, and fortifications—at the end of the 18th century, and the heritage of those who resided in the city merged to create a unique architecture and culture. In 1786, Captain Light officially took possession of the island in exchange for annual payments. He named its capital George Town after King George III of England. To attract people to settle here, Light introduced Penang as a free trading port and allowed newcomers to claim as much land as they could clear. During the industrial revolution in the late 1800s, deposits of tin from neighboring states, along with the trade of rubber, nutmeg, cloves, sugar, and coconut, sparked a trade boom in Penang. Immigrants from India and China also came over to work. Penang survived the economic crash on Wall Street during the 1930s, and during World War II, many of George Town’s historic buildings remained undamaged despite the allied bombings on the Japanese, who had taken over the defenseless island. Queen Elizabeth II gave George Town, with the oldest municipal history in the country, city status in 1957, the same year that Malaya gained independence. Common tourists spots of George Town sit at its four original streets—Beach, Light, Pitt, and Chulia—all of which form the center of the city. Named as a UNESCO world heritage site in 2008, George Town has recently seen a dramatic increase of tourism: St. George’s Church, Little India, the court building, Fort Cornwallis, the clan jetties, and the port areas all have become popular historical sites. Boasting a tropical climate and 2,550 mm (100.4 inches) of annual precipitation per year, the humid city, with its buildings that display various types and stages of development within its history, unlocks a portal into years past.

8 Current

Eyes focused on the perfect image, Tayler Nash (12) awaits the ideal moment to press the shutter. Journ students, like Nash, practiced their photography skills in their spare time.

Calm and serene, the waters off the jetty reflect the boats and docks. The outskirts of George Town serves as a popular tourist spot because its village remains almost unscathed from prior years.

While at the George Town jetty, Jessie Brandon (12) adjusts the settings to her Fuji-film camera. Seniors made sure to document the beauty and culture of Penang before they left.

JESSIE BRANDON

–By Emma Hofer

“George Town, Penang.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Web. 21 Apr. 2015. “Melaka and George Town, Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca.” - UNESCO World Heritage Centre. World Heritage Convention, 2008. Web. 21 Apr. 2015. “More in Penang.” Journey Malaysia » Georgetown UNESCO World Heritage Site. Journey Malaysia. Web. 21 Apr. 2015.

TAYLER NASH

JESSIE BRANDON

G E O R G E TOWN

Observing the industrial area of George Town, Joseph Stoltzfus (12) and Marshall McManus (12) decide where to go next. Seniors often used weekends to check off items on their bucket lists or to go on spontaneous excursions around the island before they graduated.

TAYLER NASH

u l t u r e

JESSIE BRANDON

C

Tensely watching the henna tattoo artist draw a design on her hand, Rebekah Steinkamp (12) holds still to prevent smudges. Students often went outside their comfort zone to satisfy their thirst for adventure while immersed in this unique environment.

Culture 9


LOVE, LOVE ME DO. . .

During E-Block lunch, StuCo sophomore class representatives Andrew Kim and Lilian Li watch a comedic video together. The cramped quarters of the StuCo store provided a way for friendships to blossom into something more.

10 Current: Romance

EMMA HOFER

“Go on dates and honeymoons” -Reshwin P. (1) “Kiss them” -Myra L. (3) “Write a letter to them” -Soo S. (1) “Say ‘Hi, I love you’” -Anric C. (3) “Hug them, kiss them, carry them, marry them” -Jane L. (1) “Holding hands” -Laura N. (2) “Buy flowers for her, even if she is taller than you” -Jaewon K. (K) “Kiss and snuggle” -Nathan T. (K) “Write a poem about them and give them a ring” -Ha-Eun J. (3) “Give her a house” -Zachary Y. (3) “Give her a rose” -Drew W. (3) “Blush and follow her around” -Jeremiah O. (3) “Get into a relationship and get serious” -Hailey H. (4)

JONATHAN CHANDRA

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO SHOW SOMEONE YOU LOVE HIM/HER?

Hurrying to eat as many M&M’s as possible before her opponent rolled a six on the die, Jaime Ooi (12) laughs as Yan Rong Tan (12) watches her use the chopsticks to grab a chocolate. On the Senior Leadership Retreat, senior couples processed what college life would entail and played games together. During X-block, Sarah Tan (11) and Shion Matsumoto (12) chat about friends, school, sports, and other important parts of their lives as Matsumoto chews on a spring roll. Free blocks throughout the day gave couples the time to enjoy one another’s company or to catch up on daily occurrences.

EMMA HOFER

EMMA HOFER JONATHAN CHANDRA

After successfully asking Ziwei Moey (12) to the JSB, Hung-Jie Song (12) poses with her for a photo. Couples enjoyed thinking up creative ways to ask one another to formal events, such as the JSB and the CB.

their significant other. Whether exploring George Town, watching a movie at Gurney, or simply walking to Gusto Café for a burger and drink, Penang offered a host of different ways to improve relationships and make memories. “Lilian [Li, 10] and I love eating together, and my paying for her meal makes her happy, which makes me happy,” said Andrew Kim (10). Yan Rong Tan (12) and Jaime Ooi (12) found time for one another in the workout room, where they could boost and motivate the other as they learned new exercises and spotted each other when weight lifting. Anson Chin (10) and Grace Lim (10) regularly walked with each other to class and shared noodles in the student center while listening to their favorite song, “Without You” by DJ Rafael, to help them grow closer. Aside from the realm of high school, middle schoolers found ways to chat with their crushes and display their affection for them. The wide array of emoticons in the online chat world entailed endless possibilities for where the casual friendship could lead. “I think the best way that you can display your love for another person is by finding out their love language because what you do depends on that,” said Nathan Chand (8). Indeed, one could make another feel valued and appreciated by giving gifts, acts of service, quality time, words of affirmation, or a physical touch—such as a hug or a pat on the back. Displaying a deep shade of pink on her cheeks and a wide grin that stretched across her face, Moey exclaimed “Yes!” to Song’s proposition and hugged him. She couldn’t think of anybody better to go with to her senior JSB. –By Emma Hofer

Giggling, Grace Lim (10) laughs at Anson Chin (10)’s joke while they sit on the swings after a long day. The campus’ wide array of sitting areas beckoned for couples to come and seek solace, companionship, or the listening ear of a special friend.

EMMA HOFER

“I think you are smart and beautiful—every time I see you I can’t help but smile,” said Hung-Jie Song (12) to Ziwei Moey (12) before quickly adding, “and I think we have a lot of chemistry together.” Students in the AP Chemistry X-Block broke into laughter as Song got on one knee and asked Moey to go to the Junior-Senior Banquet with him. Though finding a couple who labelled themselves as “official” seemed more scarce than having a practice without rain during football season, some students had a special friend to whom they would regularly iMessage and search for chances to talk to without appearing too obvious. During the Christmas Banquet and JSB-“asking” seasons, high school students searched for creative ways to invite their significant other to the formal event. Kai Fraser (11) invited Aster Hng (10) to the JSB on the swings that overlooked the ocean on her birthday by giving her an origami rose. Shawn Lim (11) asked Juliet Suen (12) to the JSB by wearing a cape, blindfolding her, hiding in the elementary school playground, and careening down the purple slide as spectators led her to the opening and took off the blindfold. He held up a sign that said, “It would be super if I could be your man to the JSB” and gave her a bouquet of flowers. At Christmas time, Sarah Tan (11) asked Shion Matsumoto (12) to the Christmas Banquet at one of the basketball game half-time shows by having John Kim (12), Micah Martens (12), and Joseph Leech (11) take off their shirts to display the letters, CB?. Aside from snazzy events, couples looked for ways to spend time with one another that gave them something to talk about and in which they could learn more of

Mind deep in thought, Priska Sugianto (12) munches on her lunch, consisting of chicken rice and teh ice, with Keegan Oppenheim (11). Seniors frequently brought back outside lunches to campus so that they could eat with their significant other.


Nasi Kandar

i Kandar

5%

among

Roti Canai

Pop

Indie/Alternative

a small

Electronic

Rap/Hip-Hop

group

Other

or

Rock

Classical

entire

Christian

R&B

student

35%

7%

oti Canai

17%

12%

Char Kuey Teow %

Foreign

12

ey Teow

7%

7%

Chicken Rice

6%

5%

ken Rice

4%

3%

0

10

20

TRENDING

6%

Satay

“ Whether it ’s %

Satay

4%

2% 2%

7%

ried Rice

3%

%

Fried Rice

Favorite Music Genre?

17

Other

35

Favorite Food?

Other

30

2%

body, it

Country

2%

35 30

Favorite Movie? *charts based on a survey of 100 high school and middle school students

25 20

c o n nects us all in

15 10

a

5 0

the

-

a r The Hunger Theita The Woman an Cinderella jay Interstellar nt The Hobbit: ell it 3 lla Insurgent e g r m b e g m e n o 2 I me in Black r b Games: TheoBattle Imitation ki st W k2: ind su a er H e e oc t 1 C t n c Mockingjay of the Five Game Angel of G h I h e M ar T Bla In Th Armies T tion PPart 1 inDeath

Otherher

Ot

very

Quirks. Things that made you unique. Things that differentiated you from other people. You might have loved these quirks, but you also hated them; you couldn’t fit in anywhere. Everyone seemed different from you, and you stood out, whether you liked it or not. You imagined finding a whole group of people who shared your quirks. A group you could finally fit in with. And you did. You found a school where everyone loved what you loved, everyone hated what you hated, and everyone believed in what you believed in. They even called your quirks “trends” because of how many people adopted them. And although you found common themes among people, everyone still

had their own personal quirks; and you would never trade it for the world. “Dalat has embraced many trends that range from word slang, fashion, classes, friendships, and food. Some examples include wearing high-cut basketball socks, owning a pair of Vans, going to Gurney to hang out, wearing ties on ‘Friday Tie-day,’ and many more. “What makes Dalat unique is that it is always willing to try new things, and everyone joins in. Whether it’s trending among a small group or the entire student body, it connect us all in a very different way,” said Zachary Tan (11). Trends linked you and your friends together. They even linked your whole school together. Trends did change, but when they did, everyone

moved with them. New trends changed into old trends, and then newer trends took their place. “I think it’s interesting to see what’s trending and everything that comes and goes across the years,” said Tayah Lee (11). “One specific week, everyone could be doing one thing; and then the next week, everyone’s forgotten about it and is doing something different.” You looked back on all the trends that came and went throughout the year, and you enjoyed every one of them. You realized that those trends set you apart from the rest of the world. Those things common among you and your peers differentiated you from everyone else, and you liked that now: now that you had others by your side. —By Gabriela M.

different way.” TRENDS 13


HUMAN TRAFFICKING u

29.8 million people worldwide are victims of human trafficking

u 80%

of those people are women ­

u

50% are under 18

u

An average of 32 million US dollars is made annually by the human trafficking industry

u9

million of that is made in Asia

“Before I came to Dalat, I was not informed of how people were treated unequally. I just lived a busy life of a student, and I was quite self-centered back then. Last year, in Media Literacy class, I learned about sex and human trafficking, and I became aware of the hidden and dark realities of this world. If people are taking advantage of the poor and the needy, aren’t we all compelled to do something? I think there is something wrong with an apathetic mindset because taking advantage of anyone is not allowed: we are all equal in God’s eyes. Since investigating trafficking, I have thought of ways I can help to make a small difference in this world. People often think that rescuing and prosecuting are the only ways to fight human trafficking. However, this is a very complicated and interconnected issue. There is injustice in every dimension of human society, and all of the injustices contribute to particular evils of human trafficking. I don’t think we all need to stop what we are doing and jump into the particular work of rescuing; however, choosing to support companies that function ethically is one way of practicing justice. Another is noticing and reacting to ‘small acts’ of injustice in our social situations. We can all have an impact if we live with a conscious awareness of this issue.”—Shelly Choi (12)

We have heard it time and time again today—200 years after the abolition of slavery, more slaves exist than ever. Every day innocent women, children, and men fall into slavery. Migrant workers make their way to countries in southeast Asia with the promise of a steady job so they can support their family; instead, they find themselves working day and night for little or no pay with poor accommodation and meager nutrition. Classes like Media Literacy have opened the eyes of compassionate students. "Dressember" gave staff and parents the opportunity to bring awareness by wearing only dresses for the entire month of December while students sported pins on their shirts and backpacks showing support for the same anti-slavery concepts. —By Mackenzie Jordan

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” Edmund Burke

Human Trafficking Labor in Penang Human Trafficking Labor in Penang 10%

­

"Poverty. Illiteracy. Desperation. Demand. These are just a few of the reasons human trafficking continues to prevail in our society today. Some deny that slavery exists in the 21st century, but I disagree. While growing up in India, I witnessed first hand the affects of human trafficking and the distorted lies that it feeds off of. Hotels and upper rooms were barred in, trapping women and children like captives before their next ‘customer.’ The constant cycle of deception that nurtured lies and secrecy feeds into the trap of the rising demand of human trafficking. Twenty-seven million people are held captive in slavery today, and one of the leading forms is through sex slavery. Women and children are being bought and sold like packaged goods for sex everyday. Where does it end? We must boldly step out and bring this to light, recognizing slavery exists today. We must step forward and stop objectifying women as merely tools but bring them dignity and respect. It needs to change, and it starts with this generation now.”

Forced Labor

22%

Forced Labor

Prostitution Prositution 68%

Democratic Servitude

Democratic Servitude

—Katiera Cox (11) 14 Current

Human Trafficking 15


Vocal tunes...

lead students to Bangkok’s festival

“Meee-eee-eee-eee-ahh-ahh-ahh-ahh ahh.” No doubt puzzling passersby, the sound continues and then stops suddenly. A few key strokes on a piano, and a whole new sound roars to life in the choir room: “My Bonnie Lies over the Ocean.” The sounds of these warm ups puzzled even choir students at first but later proved invaluable as the difficulty of their pieces increased and the vocal strain intensified. After warming up, choir students used the majority of class time practicing individual parts of larger pieces, always preparing for the next concert or festival. Choir provided a chance for self-expression as well as a chance to work on something non-academic during the MACKENZIE JORDAN

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MILES light the faces of Danielle Combrink (9) and Susan Oh (10) as the choir claps its hands as Ms. Joyce Goh plays “Four White Horses.” Warm ups with fun beats prepared the class to sing expressively.

school day. Tim Phan (12) said, “Choir is a unique experience as it allows us to take a break from the academic aspect of school and join together to create a form of art.” Choir members travelled to Bangkok International School to participate in the Choral Festival with eight other international schools from Southeast Asia. The Dalat Choir prepared one song, “Freedom Train” to perform alone—and they practiced five other songs to perform corporately with the other schools. Students enjoyed choir class as it would enrich not only their minds but their lives as a whole—maybe even turning a hobby into a passion. —By Aaron Bengs

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AVING their hands, David Chinn (9), Keegan Oppenheim (10), and Kyle Fischer (11) keep time as they sing. The bass and tenor sections stood together to learn their parts. PHOTO CREDIT: MACKENZIE JORDAN

CURRENT No. 1 Fall / Spring Edition REFLECTOR 2015

96 MINI-MAGAZINE / BAND

CHOIR / MINI-MAGAZINE 97


“Fan art consisting of pencil drawings and refined sketches of fictional characters.” -Lucia Combrink (12)

-Andy Kim (12)

“Post-Impressionism, especially Van Gogh because he conveyed a lot of emotion.”

- Mackenzie Jordan (11)

the Art is...

Your pen scrawls quickly over the lined notebook paper as a barrage of monotonous math problems flies at you, stifling the last drops of patience and motivation you have for the day. Instead of computing complicated conundrums about how many apples Susan has if she shares seven with Sally and receives five in return, you begin to let your pen flow with ease across the supple page, drawing out fantastical warriors and mythical beings or scribbling down hearts and logos or whatever creative object you can think of—you just need to draw. You daydream of one-day drawing famous masterpieces that museums like the Smithsonian or the Louvre would exhibit, but you know that it’s impossible without the proper discipline and time to fine-tune the awesome doodling skills God has given you. Perhaps you belong in art class. Down on lower campus, squeezed into the last corner of the classrooms lies the art room. Though chock-full of exotic and even frightening drawings from past students whose names students or teachers haven’t uttered in the halls for quite a long time, it acts as a safe haven for creative and budding artists who seek out a place for freedom of expression. Joshua Tan (9) said, “I always look forward to art class because I get to draw horses which brightens up my day.” After countless hours of creating art together in a squished, small classroom, the community of artists has a strong sense of solidarity. “Every time I go to art, I tell lame jokes; and nobody laughs. It makes me feel like I am at home,” said HungJie Song (12). But, at times, silliness and absurdity roamed wild throughout the classroom, especially from

Mrs. Liza Nichols who “...often tells us about her love for snails and how she dreams of eating them one day,” said Grace Chang (9). Those in Foundation Art took a field trip to Straits Quay to visit an art studio. “I learned something very deep on our field trip: our artwork conveys stories. I draw and paint because my artwork means something, it sends out an important message to the person viewing,” said ­­Chang. Though not only serving as a centre for artistic advancement, these classes on lower campus graciously gave students a chance to rejuvenate themselves through fellowship with like-minded people and to let their creativity flow freely out onto paper. “I really enjoy art as a way to relax and get away from the rest of my school work. It is also the most fun class I am taking because of the best teacher ever—Mrs. Nichols,” said Sarah Tan (11). People with artistic aspirations flock to art, where they can enjoy a whole block drawing, painting, sculpting, or doing whatever creative endeavour they chose. “I just really enjoy doing art, so it’s fun to spend the whole block doing what I love,” said Hudson McManus (10). With persistence and hard work, art classes chisel away the bad habits and finely shape the unique talents God blessed you with; they will prepare you for a liberating expression of your inner self. The drawings and paintings that you could only imagine in your mind now have the ability to form concretely. Free from all crude and sophomoric inhibitions, you can now create full and elegant expressions of artwork with the new-found skills that the class has endowed within you. —By Tayler Nash

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ONSULTING her iPad, Grace Chang (9) begins drawing an outline. Art students sought inspiration in other’s artwork as the basis of their own pieces. Mrs. Liza Nichols let her students learn by attempting to re-create art—she even had students forge Benjamin Franklin’s signature! Valuable lessons gleaned from exercises taught students the fundamentals of art.

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ONCENTRATING intensely, Hung-Jie Song (12) conscientiously draws the bare-bones sketch for his upcoming art piece. Foundation Art students learned the amount of control, planning, and discipline that creating well-composed art pieces required. Good habits formed and bad techniques forgotten, students gained a strong artistic foundation.

ITH a focused gaze, Elynn Tan (9) uses a colored pencil to bring vibrancy to her illustration of two women whispering. Art students experimented with different mediums to discover God-given gifts and to expand their array of artistic abilities. Art classes provided students a chance to fulfil their creative curiosity through foreign forms of expression. TAYLER NASH

“MS paint because the depth speaks to my soul. Its detail transcends time and space.”

Home is where

AINTBRUSH dipped carefully on a palette, Sean Ko (10) prepares to color the remainder of his art piece. Advanced Art students honed in on certain techniques and composed pieces to display the extent of their skills. Since students had a grasp of the basics, they extended their creative freedom, which helped them realize their potential as artists.

TAYLER NASH

“Pencil sketches because of how detailed they can be.”

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TAYLER NASH

What is your favorite style of art?

-Aaron Kelley (11)

-Brenda Ng (11)

TAYLER NASH

“Cartoons because they combine imagination and reality.

Art 99


Working out...

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YES honed in on his target, Tim Sasse (10) prepares to pommel Mary-Claire McIntyre (11) with the dodge ball. Students in Fitness participated in Fitness Fun Day and exercised while playing games together. They used this time to put the things they learned in class on Tuesday and Thursday about the importance of exercise into action.

the mind and the body

Shouts echoed across the court, punctuated with laughter and accompanied by the on and off again patter of sport shoes on the outdoor court. Melissa You’s (12) eyes darted rapidly around the court looking for an open pass. Making the connection, she bolted into an open space to continue the play and bring her team one step closer to scoring. Just one of the many sports played by the P.E. class, some found basketball familiar; but others had scarcely tried it. In this way the class gave students a chance both to play familiar games with their friends in school and to try out entirely new sports. They enjoyed the fun and laid-back nature of the class. John Kim (12) said, “I like P.E. because you don't have to shower in the morning until after sports.” Others enjoyed the benefits of exercise. “It's fun having P.E. in the morning because it helps me stay refreshed throughout the day,” said You. In Fitness, students had similar opportunities to P.E., but they proved more academically strenuous, spending some days exercising and some in class learning about the technical side of fitness. “My favorite thing about Fitness is ‘Fitness Fun Day’ when we do things like playing dodge ball or captain ball on Wednesdays. On Tuesday and Thursday, we have in-class lessons on health and wellness,” said Areeya Kunawaradisai (9).

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ASKETBALL in hand, Melissa You (12) glances around rapidly, looking for an opening, preparing to complete a pass to her teammate. P.E. students took a break from exercising their minds to work out their bodies, playing a variety of sports—some familiar, others unknown. So although students knew some of the sports well, P.E. class held new experiences for all.

Students discovered that physical activity and classroom learning helped them gain a well-rounded understanding. Shaikha Shahtaj (12) said, “Fitness prepares you well to lead a healthy life-style.” Health also helped students build better habits, as they devoted a large amount of time in the classroom—or on the computer—studying about issues such as substance abuse, STDs, diet, exercise, sleep, and emotional health. Robert Kilgo (11) said, “In Health we learned how to better our lives through proper nutrition and better fitness.” Meeting together in Friday X-Block allowed students to put the week’s lessons into practice. Health, Fitness, and P.E. classes proved occasionally challenging as they forced students out of their comfort zones and into trying new sports and activities; the classes strove to show high schoolers how to improve themselves by learning life-long lessons about the importance of leading positive and healthy life-styles. —By Aaron Bengs

What’s your favorite activity in Fitness, P.E., or Health ?

“Soccer because I don’t have too much stamina so a smaller field is good for me.” -Jonathan Chandra (12)

“Captain ball because we get to work together.”

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-Daniel Kim (9)

MACKENZIE JORDAN

LANCING back and forth, Andy Kim (12) forces himself to make a split-second decision: to pass or to shoot? Deciding against a three-point attempt, he passed the ball to Yan Rong Tan (12). Students in P.E. learned to make critical decisions, showing once again that students learn some things outside of class.

AARON BENGS

A “ merican football because I got to learn a new sport”

-Kia Thompson (12)

Circuits “ are cool because you basically go around the circle of life”

MACKENZIE JORDAN

-Jaime Ooi (12)

100 Academics: Fitness, Health, and P.E.

M AARON BENGS

IS body lunging forward, Jarrod Chang (10) summons his inner strength to pull himself up and complete another sit-up. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, students in Fitness used class time exercising, doing circuit training, playing sports, or running. They took these opportunities to apply the concepts they had learned in the classroom.

AARON BENGS

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USCLES taut in a spectacle of raw, sinewy glory, John Kim (12) holds a basketball defensively at his side, watching and waiting either to break into open space or to pass off the ball. Students in P.E. played sports during the school day, burning excess energy and taking a break from the academic stress of a regular day in the classrooms.

“Mrs. Frohlich’s teaching because it’s very inspiring and now I want to add a bit of cardio to my life” -Noel Teng (11)


All Greek to Me

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smile cracked across his face, Hudson McManus (10) notices a small mistake as he delivers his presentation in Malay on his “dream house.” Mrs. Ailee Chan used projects like this to get students actively using their language skills to talk about familiar topics, allowing them to further integrate the national language into their everyday lives.

(but not to them)

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YES and ears open, Josh Basha (12) and Daniel Munson (10) follow along faithfully as Mr. Joshua Allen reviews previous vocabulary terms with the class. Spanish II studied material like grammar or vocabulary corporately before breaking up into groups of two to delve deeper into the concepts and turn their knowledge into skill.

REPARING her taste buds for a perfectly-cooked morsel, Yeorin Yun (10), lifts her spoon as she and Keito Watanabe (10) listen to Mrs. Eunice Teoh explain the significance of the dish she had prepared for them. Students enjoyed home-cooked food from time to time to help expose them to new parts of Chinese culture.

If you could speak any language, what would you choose and why? “German or French because they sound intelligent”

-Shelly Choi (12)

AARON BENGS

with Chinese culture and apply their Mandarin expertise to everyday situations, giving them a skill they could use in their day-to-day lives. Bahasa remained an ever-popular language for study. Jessie Brandon (12) said, “Bahasa is one of the most entertaining classes. From all the weird plays we do to the funny performances, it is one of my favorite classes.” Mrs. Ailee Chan used not only skits but also games and projects to help bring the material to life. “We’ve been working on a presentation on what we can do to make our school better,” said Calvin Thompson (11), explaining that Bahasa III had projects and homework just like a regular class, despite meeting online instead of in a typical classroom environment. Foreign language classes offered a welcomed brea­­k from the regular academics of the school day. For this reason students consistently listed language classes among their favorites. Gilbert Lister (10) of Mandarin II said, “It’s the best class ever; you should definitely join.” In all the busyness of sports and academics and class activities, students sometimes lost sight of their purpose in school; perhaps they love language classes because, between the food and the robots and the presentations and the skits and the projects, from them they can reap something that they have no trouble connecting to everyday life: a new way to communicate. ­­ ­­­­­­­­ —By Aaron Bengs

AARON BENGS

With animated machines whizzing to and fro across the screen, laughter erupted from the students as they watched the Spanish version of the movie Robots. Foreign language classes provided students with a fun and useful way to enrich themselves and their community. With courses offered in Spanish, Mandarin, and Bahasa Melayu, both online and in a classroom setting, students learned how to communicate better with new cultures. “Hic/hiz, quis, vin, hub, pud, pus,” sang Gabriela Mims (11) to the tune of “Row Row Row Your Boat.” Spanish III students created songs about past tense irregular prefixes to remember them. Mr. Joshua Allen used this and a variety of other methods, such as watching Spanish films, playing games, and doing projects, to help his students absorb new or difficult-to-remember concepts. “We learn about tools and other vocabulary that we can use in everyday situations,” said Keegan Oppenheim (11). This focus on practical application drew students to foreign language classes and gripped their interest. Others chose languages more immediately applicable and useful in Malaysia, such as Mandarin. “In AP Mandarin we explore culture and customs to help us understand the way Chinese people communicate in daily life. For example, every Friday, Mrs. Eunice Teoh brings us tea to drink, and we do cultural activities like drawing and painting,”said Sean Ko (10). This helped students get in touch

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“I would speak Mandarin fully because Chinese people are taking over the world and the businesses around them.”

-Zachary Tan (11)

XCITEDLY looking on, Keito Watanabe (10) Andrew Kim (10), Tommy Han (10), and Jerald Ooi (9) watch Mrs. Eunice Teoh open the container filled with home-made treats and listen to her explain the snack. Students looked forward to Mrs. Teoh’s cooking as a respite to the challenging curriculum and a rare chance to eat tasty food in class.

“Arabic so I can scare Americans.”

AARON BENGS

- Chia Hoong Ewe (9)

“Korean so I can order food and live there forever and be a Korean hobo.”

AARON BENGS

-Tim Phan (12)

102 Academics: Foreign Language

“Chinese because I used to live in China, so I should speak it anyway.” -Abby Bengs (11)


TUDIOUSLY working on his AP Psychology assignment, Hung-Jie Song (12) reflects on whether humans function as determined beings or if they act with free will. AP Psychology online dealt with important questions about the nature of humanity by allowing students to research different theories and then reflect on their findings in a semester journal.

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RM entrenched in her pencil case, Angela Tan (11) reaches to grab a highlighter to identify the important information of the Personal Psychology chapter. Some online courses combined weekly reading assignments in a physical textbook with online homework to provide students with a reasonable mix of virtual and tangible work.

Learning as...

TAYLER NASH

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on-line students

inaccessible classes. “ICT is pretty interesting because we get to learn about micro-processing and Microsoft Access, and it’s nice to have the flexibility to schedule your own work,” said Ke-Erh Huang (9). Picking and choosing their classes from a wider variety endowed students with a sense of purpose— they wanted to learn the information in the class because they had chosen it. “I really enjoy Developmental Psychology because it actually teaches you a lot of applicable skills, and it is nice to have the freedom to work ahead or to skip re-learning information I already know,” said Kaela Ruble (11). Students with extreme motivation and discipline used online providers to take AP courses and gain college credit early. “AP Psychology can be hard, but I learned lots of valuable lessons. You get to work at your own pace so it’s individualistic, and it teaches you to manage your time—you have to be responsible to learn the material,” said Gloria Kim (11). Though, “you have to plan well, so you don’t fall behind,” as Kai Fraser (11) said, students continued to enroll in online courses because of the unique prospect they provide for learning about specific topics and the individualistic aspect. After seemingly endless hours in the E Lab, staring at a computer screen or pounding away at a keyboard, students completed their classes feeling content with the new and interesting information learned about topics they found fascinating. —By Tayler Nash

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TAYLER NASH

Resounding through the E lab, the rhythmic beating of keys echoed as an array of students arduously worked on their online courses, completing the assignments for the week. A lone teacher sat silently upon the platform, watching the students closely and making sure they didn’t divert from work into the innumerable distractions the Internet offered. The ability to take courses online enticed students. Different providers like VHS and Seven Star featured a variety of selections that catered to students’ interests. “I take AP Computer Science online. It is interesting because you get to learn about programming and the unique terminology that goes with it. However, the learning can be quite slow sometimes; so it takes a lot of effort and discipline to get my work done,” said Jacob Uzzle (12). Taking an online course required self-motivation, but because students chose courses of their own volition, getting work done often came naturally. Online classes also let students continue their education beyond courses offered by the school. Students desiring to fluently learn a language used online schools to take advanced language classes. “I am in Spanish 4. It is hard at times without a teacher, but it has sustained my Spanish skills and reinforced much of my previous learning,” said Peter Tan (12). Whether taking Personal Psychology, Information and Communication Technology, or AP Physics, online courses proved ever popular as students utilized the special privilege to enroll in otherwise

TAYLER NASH TAYLER NASH

IS fingers poised on the keyboard, Ting Hui Lim (12) prepares to conclude his AP Macroeconomics essay. Students searching for a challenge took advanced-placement classes ranging from AP U.S. History to AP Geography with on-line providers. This allowed them to gain college credit while also getting a comprehensive education in subjects of their liking.

N the E-Lab, Jonathan Chandra (12) assists Karsten Ladner (11) with the grammar and mechanics of his AP Psychology essay. Often times, students lent a helping hand and gave advice to their peers so everyone could do his or her work to the best of his or her ability. The friendly atmosphere made students feel welcomed and comfortable as they worked on their courses.

What genre of music is your favorite to listen to during your online class? “I listen to a variety of genres. Usually anything I feel like that day. Sometimes I listen to Alaskan music.” -David Unruh (10)

“EDM (Electronic Dance Music) because it empowers me to finish my work.” -Joel Halbedl (11)

“Alternative because it sounds nice.”

-Isaac Chan (11)

“Usually I just put on some pop or rap.” -Katiera Cox (11)

“I listen to majestic music.”

-Juliet Suen (12)

104 Psychology and On-Line Classes


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NTENTLY staring at her screen, Morgan Guthrie (12) reads through comments on the audio version of Macbeth that she edited for class. The students posted audio files of various edited speeches and plays in an online forum, allowing their peers to give constructive criticism and encouraging words about the quality of their work.

ECEIVING assistance from Mr. Joel Roberts, Mika Yeap (9) and Fong Wei Ting (12) attempt to smooth out the kinks in their program and building design. Just minutes before, Yeap alerted the teacher, inquiring, “Mr. Roberts, why is it not working? Everything is in place.” After following Mr. Roberts advice, everything began to run smoothly.

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INGERS delicately choosing the precise piece, Eric Soon (11) completes his robot. “We really have to think about how to design our robot because its construction is very important for its ability to complete the assignment,” said Anson Chin (10) Also, building complex and creative robots with Legos allowed students to relax and enjoy themselves

What piece of technology would you want invented? “A time machine so I could see what life was like in the pre historic days.”

TAYLER NASH

TAYLER NASH

-Mary-Claire McIntyre (11)

Building robots...

and a brighter future

TAYLER NASH

N the B-Lab, Christy Chow (10) begins editing her podcast about the upcoming Missions Emphasis Week. She recorded herself giving a monologue about some background information, such as the concerns of MEW and its purpose. “I really enjoyed researching some history about MEW; it was really interesting,” commented Chow.

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ITH his hand reaching to press the start button, Karsten Ladner (11) prepares to demonstrate his program that would make the robot only pick up a red ball, and if it picked up a blue one, then it would let go. “The ‘Red Ball’ project was quite challenging, but it felt so great when I finally got my robot working,” said Ladner.

106 Academics: Technology

TAYLER NASH

TAYLER NASH

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With fingers gliding over a sea of keys, a row of students effortlessly edited selections of President Obama’s speech and created humorous new variations. Recognizing the constant, inevitable influx of technology into commonplace contexts—up to the point where employers and universities expect students to competently understand the effective use of a computer—administrators incorporated two technology courses to prepare students so they feel comfortable when working professionally with a plethora of gadgets. Robotics taught students the basics of programming by presenting a challenge each week for the students’ robots to perform. Working in groups of two, students individually built programs, using loops and variables, to accomplish the task set before them. “It is so cool to make a program and then watch the robot run it all by itself,” said Ning Kang Chia (10). Though in constant consultation over the construction of the Lego robot, every programmer had a chance to create his own unique solution. “I enjoy robotics because it enables us to discover and develop our hidden creativity by constructing and pro-

gramming our robots in different ways,” said Jethro Lee (11). Digital Media Technology, commonly known as DMT, expounded on the various components involved in making different forms of media such as images, sound files, and videos. “I enjoy DMT because we get to learn about ways to use technology in everyday life,” said Christy Chow (10). “DMT is quite an interesting class. At the moment, we are learning about how to edit audio, and I am hoping by the end of it I will be able to know how to make videos of me commentating while playing computer games,” said Peter Tan (12). As students progressed through the course and garnered knowledge on creating, editing, and perfecting media, they applied their knowledge into one final project—a documentary focused on the school theme: First Things First. Finally familiar with the multiple uses of technology—ranging from the creation of art to the programming of robots to perform menial tasks— students with the new-found yet vital ability felt ready for the future. —By Tayler Nash

“I want a Tayler Nash robot, so I could hit it with a baseball bat; but it would never die. It would be like stress ball for me—it would rule.”

-Joseph Chandra (7)

“A teleporter so I could travel anywhere I want to go in a split second.”

-Melissa You (12)

“A laser gun or a light saber because they are so cool.”

-Xi Xuan Lim (10)


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OCUSED, Zoe Seevaratnam (6) prepares to toss her Frisbee into a hole as Joshua Allen (1) and Mackenzie Jordan (11) watch. Younger students played games to win coupons during the PTO Family Fun Day.

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ER hands wrapped around her backpack, Jennifer Yook (12) smiles at her mother before she leaves for the airport. Choir students travelled to Thailand for the Bangkok International Choir Festival.

A Necessary Pause.

JONATHAN CHANDRA

JONATHAN CHANDRA

You travelled down a bumpy asphalt road, tiny legs pedalling, spurring your bicycle onward. Your father’s hands, gripping firmly but gently, kept you steady. A few moments later, you realized you no longer felt his assuring hands. Looking back, you saw your dad down the road, smiling proudly. Grinning back, you pedalled on. Years had passed since you had learned to ride a bike as a child. Practically grown up, you didn’t need the help of others anymore. Strong and independent, you figured that people couldn’t impact you much at this point in life. So you thought. With a rapping of fists against the room door, your little sister woke you up, knowing you had slept through your alarm. You rushed down to breakfast and wolfed down a plate of scrambled eggs that your mother had made. You raced against time, hoping you wouldn’t arrive late to school. You made it to your A-Block class with seconds to spare. Breathing a sigh of relief, you slid into the chair just as the bell rang. As the day passed, you moved from class to class, absorbing the instruction of your teachers. When the lunch bell rang, you headed down to the cafeteria, cracking jokes with friends as you lined up for fried rice and roast beef. You thanked the kitchen staff as you tossed used cups and cutlery into plastic buckets and stacked your tray atop the others. At the end of the school day, you met with

OOKING down at the buffet table, Benjamin Tse (12) prepares to take his food as classmates line up behind him. During their stay at Nomad Adventures as part of Senior Sneak, seniors washed their own dishes and showered in recycled water containers.

JONATHAN CHANDRA

[people]

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108 People Division Page

Pastor Tom Cura for a discipleship session. As your mentor, he discussed how to improve your walk with God. You left the conversation with renewed spiritual vigor. At the end of the day, you realized that the individuals in your life impacted you significantly. Parents and siblings made sure you made it to school on time. National and administrative staff worked behind the scenes to keep the school running, From the advice of friends to the knowledge imparted by teachers to the guidance of spiritual mentors, people invaluably contributed to making you a better person. As a child, you no longer needed your father’s steady hand after you had learned to ride a bicycle. But when you came home with knees bleeding from a bad fall, when your tires lost their air from running over sharp rocks, you went back to your dad for help. As a young adult, the same principles applied. However independent you felt, you needed people to come alongside and help you grow. At times, it helped to take a step back, to appreciate the contributions of others. Sometimes it helped to pause. —By Jonathan Chandra

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OLDING up a sign, Celestine Teoh (7) poses alongside Mr. Mark Trescott. Moments earlier, Teoh had thrown a tennis ball at a target to dunk Mr. Trescott in a tub of water. Dunkings helped raised awareness for the Annual Fund.


David Seung Won Beak, Korea

StuCo 2; Band 1; Drama 2–4; Tae Kwon Do 3,4; Jazz Band 2,3; Ambassadors 2–4; Worship Team 3, 4; Basketball 1; English 2; NHS 3,4; Reflector 4

Aaron Bengs, U.S.A.

Choir 4; Music Theory 1; Foreign Language 1–3; Reflector 4

Jessie Anne Brandon, U.S.A.

Teacher’s Ass’t. 1,3; Drama 1–4; Forensics 2; Softball 1,4

Jonathan Chandra, Indonesia

Swimming 2; Jazz Band 1–3; Band 1,2;English 2,3; History Bowl 3,4; Forensics 1; NHS 3,4; Reflector 3,4

Cindy Mae Chiem, Malaysia

Class Excom 4;Teacher’s Ass’t. 1–4; Band 1; Forensics 1–2; Football 3; Volleyball 1; Bible 3; NHS 3,4

Dennis Jeewoo Choi, Korea

Teacher’s Ass’t. 1–4; Band 1,2; Forensics 1; Volleyball 2–12; Basketball 1

Shelly Ji Sun Choi, Korea

StuCo Excom 4; Dorm Rep. 2; Class Excom 3; Teacher’s Ass’t. 1–4; Band 1,2; Football 2,3; Bible 4; NHS 3,4

Bridging Gaps

H

ANDS gesturing, Daniel Kang (8) talk about his favorite NBA team to Derrick Lim (12), his senior buddy. The seniors of high and middle school partook in insightful conversations that bridged the gap between counterparts.

between Seniors and “Seniors”

“We should dress up as cereal killers during the Halloween event!”exclaimed Johnathan Tan (12) to Alex Ruble (8), his eighth grade buddy during the first encounter between the seniors and their eighth grade buddies at the outdoor basketball court. The seniors prepared peppermint ice-cream cones and donuts for the eighth graders to eat and split into groups to then play games to get to know each other better. “When I saw my senior buddy for the first time, I knew right away that she would be a crazy person just like me,” said Julia Siqueira (8). The seniors also planned a Halloween dress-up party where everyone had to dress-up and play a variety of games together like “Stick the Bone on Mr. Bones” and “Broomstick

D

RESSED up in their costumes, Yan Rong Tan (12), John Cho (8), and Min Guk Kang (8) stride across the field. During the Halloween party, seniors and eighth graders paraded the campus dressed up as their favorite characters.

JONATHAN CHANDRA

Josh Basha, U.S.A.

Dorm Rep. 4; Football 4; Softball 2–4

Li Ze Choo, Malaysia

Instrument Lessons 2–4; Badminton 1–4; Karate 1; Basketball 3,4; Foreign Language 3; Social Studies 2,3

Hee Ra Chung, Korea

Teacher’s Ass’t. 1,2,4; Band 1; Drama 4; Softball 3; Math 3; Foreign Language 1,2,3

Lucia Combrink, The Netherlands

StuCo Class Rep. 1,2; StuCo Excom 4; Teacher’s Ass’t 1; Band 1; Volleyball 1–4; Basketball 1–4; Track & Field 1–3; Cross Country 1–4; Statistics 3; Music Theory 3; NHS 3,4

Morgan Guthrie, U.S.A.

Choir 1–4; Softball 2; Drama 2–4; Math 4

Jing Yi Khoo, U.S.A.

Class Excom 4;Teacher’s Ass’t. 3,4; Math 3; NHS 4

Andy Sungdong Kim, Korea Band 1; Floorball 1,2

John Kim, Korea

StuCo Class Rep. 3; StuCo Excom 4; StuCo Pep Rep. 4; Dorm Rep. 3,4; Choir 2; Drama 2, Cross Fit 3; Tae Kwon Do 3; Ambassadors 2; Worship Team 3,4; Football 3,4; Softball 2

Kirk Ladner, U.S.A.

Jian Shiun Lai, Malaysia

Teacher’s Ass’t. 3,4; Instrumental Lessons 4; Badminton 2,3; Football 3; Floorball 3; Foreign Language 1–3; Social Studies 2

Denzel Jing Khai Lim, Malaysia

served to make sure the eighth graders transitioned well into high school. For these younger students, having a senior buddy made them feel special and less burdened about adapting in high school. “Oh, it would be so funny to dress up,” exclaimed Ruble (8). “We should wear a cereal box and carry fake knives as well!” Both the soon-tobe graduates and their middle school counterparts cherished the moments they shared together dressing up, conversing, and playing games, bridging the gap between the middle and high school. —By David Beak

F

OCUSING, Priska Sugianto (12) and Mandy Lim (8) use fruit knives to carve their watermelon. The seniors and their eighth grade buddies worked together to accomplish missions and games at various stations.

DAVID BEAK

Class Excom 3; Teacher’s Asst.. 1,2; Drama 1–4; Jazz Band 1,2; Football 1,2; Technology 3

Race.” “We carved watermelons instead of pumpkins, and I especially had fun eating the extra unwanted pieces” said Linus Lim (8). “I could bond with my friends and my buddy’s friends, understanding and getting to know them better,” said Jennifer Yook (12). Senior buddies bought lunch or small snacks for their buddies and either left them at their buddy ’s locker or personally handed them to their new friends. “I received a beanie from my buddy which I found very surprising because he is not the type to give things to others,” said Albert Jeong (8). “I encouraged my buddy by giving her iced Milo and baked goods,” said Morgan Guthrie (12). The whole idea of having senior and eighth grade buddies

Teacher’s Ass’t. 2,3; SKTT 3; Guitar 1–3; Badminton 1–4; Volleyball 3; Basketball 2,3

Derrick Lim, Malaysia

Teacher’s Ass’t. 2; Band 1; Forensics 2,3; Volleyball 2; Basketball 2,4; Tennis 1,3; Math 1,2; Bible 3,4; Social Studies 2; Science 3; NHS 3,4

Ting Hui Lim, Malaysia

Class Excom 3; Teacher’s Ass’t. 1; Band 1; Basketball 3,4; Badminton 2,3; Floorball 3; Foreign Language 2

Clarissa Lister, Indonesia

StuCo Class Rep. 3; Band 1; AP Music Theory 4; Bible 2,3; NHS 3,4

Micah Martens, Canada, Switzerland

Floorball 2–4; English 3; Reflector 3

Shion Matsumoto, Japan

Teacher’s Ass’t. 1; Band 1; Football 2–4; Volleyball 1; Basketball 1–4; Softball, 1,2; Foreign Language 1; Social Studies 1,2; NHS 3,4 Basketball 3; Softball 4

110 Seniors (Basha – McManus)

TAYLER NASH

Marshall McManus, U.S.A.

Seniors & Eighth-Grade Buddies 111


Nomads On Vacation

L

ICKING her lips, Cindy Chiem cunningly observes her hand to make sure she does not lose the round. On the bus, seniors enjoyed playing card games like “Big Two” and “Liar.” Some even took the time to take a quick nap after a long day.

from the Jungle to the Beach

112 Senior Sneak

JONATHAN CHANDRA

A

IRBOUND, Shion Matsumoto fails to block a spike by Tim Phan; Derrick Lim eyes the ball and aims to send it back as Micah Martens, Lize Choo, Peter Tan, and Johnathan Tan watched the entire scene take place. Beach volleyball became the hit activity at the resort.

H

ANDS pointing to his eyes, Joseph Stoltzfus sends signals to his classmates below the platform as the quarter master preps Stoltzfus for his Flying Fox. At the Nomad mountain camp, seniors chose between four different rope courses. One ended with the Flying Fox, which rewarded seniors with a refreshing finish after a tiring course.

OOK! We are here!” Priska Sugianto says while pointing to the Swiss Garden Resort outside the window. After sleeping in treehouses for two days, the girls could not wait to arrive at the resort and submerge themselves in luxury.

DAVID BEAK

Johnathan Tan. The resort allowed the students and staff to enjoy their last part of sneak with tranquillity. A bonfire provided by the hotel staff on the last night became a highlight. “We turned on ‘Shake It Off’ by Taylor Swift and all started dancing wildly beside the fire,” said Jaime Ooi. “It was the one of the best moments of sneak!” After escaping school for five days, the class felt sad to leave paradise. As usual, on the way back, the bus resonated with loud music and endless chatter about the memories made at the camp and resort. A handful of boys had to ride back on the van with the sponsors, missing out on the fun in the bus. As the bus came to a halt on campus, 47 exhausted seniors stepped out to witness a group of cheering juniors welcoming them back. As they munched on food served by the juniors, the upper-class men and women shared stories about their five days in paradise. —By David Beak

AARON BENGS

ter rafting, Ting Hui [Lim] dramatically fell into the water head first,” said Hee Ra Chung with a chuckle. “I felt like I was watching a movie!” On the last night at Nomad Camp, the coordinators prepared a time for the class to share their experiences at the camp. Unexpectedly, the activity ended with a flurry of emotions. “The most memorable event for me was when we did an activity where we had to write compliments to each other,” Shelly Choi said. “When our president Benjamin [Tse] started crying while he was giving a short speech about how grateful he was to lead our class, I could not help but tear up.” After two days of sweating and getting dirty, the seniors packed and rode the bus to the Swiss Garden Resort at Pangkor for the second half of their sneak. As soon as they arrived, everyone marvelled at the luxuriousness of the resort that did not compare to the conditions they had at Nomad. “We played beach volleyball literally for the whole day which was really fun because everyone got to play,” said Juliet Suen. “Some boys and I tried to watch soccer through the window of a bar in the resort because our hotel room did not air any sports channels,” said

JONATHAN CHANDRA

As the bus came to a halt, 47 excited seniors stepped out onto dirt. The senior class had arrived at Nomad Adventure Earth Camp, the first destination of their sneak. On 11 September, the class journeyed to Ipoh for five days. Despite meeting on upper field with droopy eyes and wide yawns, everyone felt exhilarated to skip school and kick-start their senior sneak. Upon arrival at the camp after a long bus ride booming with loud music and card games, the group could not wait to start unpacking. At the camp, the class had the special opportunity to sleep in an old, recycled warehouse and to use toilets made out of water tanks. “The conditions were below-par, but the experience of showering in a water tank was really enlightening,” said Hung-Jie Song. Through various team-building games and activities like white-water rafting, follow the train, and rope courses, the class not only enjoyed the thrill but also bonded together as a class. “We did this activity called ‘The Quest for the Magic Flame’ which was like doing ‘The Amazing Race’ ; we divided into groups which really helped us to work together and compete to win,” Denzel Lim said. “During white-wa-

“L


Pixar Premier:

Ziwei Moey, Malaysia

Class Excom 4; Teacher’s Ass’t. 3; Drama 4; Volleyball 3, Basketball 3; Tennis 4; NHS 4

Tayler Nash, U.S.A.

Teacher’s Ass’t 2; Badminton 3; Jazz Band 1,2;Foreign Language 2; Reflector 4

The Incredibly Fast, Scary Journey to Infinity and Beyond

Jet Oh, Malaysia

Volleyball 4; Basketball 2–4; Track & Field 3; NHS 4

Jaime Ooi, Malaysia

His lithe figure clothed in some less-than-school-appropriate red tights, Keegan Oppenheim (11), as Dash, appeared on stage. Laughter filled the room of watching juniors and seniors, and they displayed priceless expressions of shock. "The most memorable moment was when Keegan slid onto the stage in his ridiculous red tights; all the seniors roared with laughter,” com-

Teacher’s Ass’t. 1; Drama 1–3; Volleyball 1; Basketball 1; Tennis 1; Softball 2–3

Tim Phan, U.S.A.

StuCo Class Rep. 1; Choir 4; Band 1; Drama 4; Badminton 2; Volleyball 4; Basketball 1–3; Swimming 2; Music Theory 1; Foreign Language 2-3; Fitness/ Health 3

Tesa Sasse, U.S.A.

Teacher’s Ass’t. 1-2; Choir 4; Drama 1–4; Softball 1–4

Matthew Shafer, U.S.A. Social Studies 4

Shahtaj Shaikha, India

Class Excom 3; Teacher’s Ass’t. 2; Band 1; Forensics 1,2; English 1; Bible 1; Social Studies 3; NHS 3;4

Hung-Jie Song, Taiwan

Class Excom 4; Teacher’s Ass’t. 2,3; Band 1,2,4; Forensics 2; Badminton 2,3; Jazz Band 1,2; NHS 3,4

Rebekah Steinkamp, U.S.A.

Choir 4; Football 4

Joseph Stoltzfus, U.S.A.

D

Teacher’s Ass’t. 1; Choir 1,4; Drama 2–4; Forensics 4; Ambassadors 1,4; Football 1; Floorball 1; Art 4; English 3; Media Literacy 3; NHS 3,4

Juliet Suen, U.S.A.

KICs 2–4; Band 1, Instrumental Lessons 1,2; Jazz Band 1–3; Football 2–4; Basketball 1–4; Track & Field 1; NHS 4

Priska Sugianto, U.S.A.

GLORIA KIM

Choir 2,4; Worship Team 4; Drama 4; Softball 4; Ballet 1,3,4; Bible 3

Johnathan Tan, Singapore

StuCo Class Rep. 3; Forensics 1–4; Ambassadors 1–3; Worship Team 1–4; Softball 1; Tennis 1,2; Science 3; Art 3; NHS 3,4

S

Peter Tan, Malaysia

Class Excom 3; Band 1,2,4; Jazz Band 1–4; Ambassadors 2; Worship Team 4; Foreign Language 1; NHS 3,4

Yang Rong Tan, Malaysia

Volleyball 3,4; Basketball 1–4; Track & Field 1–3

Hui Min Tang, Malaysia

Class Excom 3,4; Teacher’s Ass’t. 1,2; Choir 4; Band 1; Drama 3,4; Ambassadors 1,2; NHS 4 GLORIA KIM

Kia Alice Thompson, Australia

Fong-Wei Ting, Malaysia

Benjamin Tse, Malaysia

Class Excom 3,4; Teacher’s Ass’t. 2–4; Band 1,2; Drama 4; Jazz Band 1,2; Volleyball 1; Basketball 1; Track & Field 2–4; Cross Country 2–4; Science 1; Bible 3; P.E. 4; Fitness/Health 3; Math 2; Social Studies 4; NHS 3,4

Joseph Um, Korea

Dorm Rep. 2,4; Jazz Band 4; Football 4; Basketball 2–4; Softball 3,4

Jacob Uzzle, U.S.A.

Band 1,2,4; Drama 4; Jazz Band 3,4; Track & Field 3; English 2; Computer Science 3

Jennifer Seung An Yook, Korea

StuCo Excom 4; Class Excom 3; Teacher’s Ass’t. 1–4; Bible 1; Foreign Language 1; Technology 2; NHS 3,4

Melissa You, Malaysia

Teacher’s Ass’t. 1–4; KICs 1; Badminton 2,3; Football 2; Volleyball 1

114 Seniors (Moey – You) / After-Sneak Dinner

W

ITH lively expressions, Kyle Fisher (11), Karsten Ladner (11), and Hannah Graves (11) speak their lines with clarity. The junior class entertainment committee practiced their skits, eager to please the audience and honor the seniors. The hard work of those planning the program kept the night running smoothly with plenty of activity and little time for boredom.

GLORIA KIM

Dorm Rep. 1–4; Teacher’s Ass’t. 1–4; KICs 1–4; Choir 1,4; Volleyball 1; Football 2–4

Drama 4; Ambassadors 1–4; Worship Team 1; Martial Arts 1; Basketball 1–2; Softball 4

RAPED in streaming toilet paper, Jamie Ooi (12) maintains her composure as her humored classmates dress her in a “monster” costume. Shion Matsumoto (12) helped wrap his table-mate in an equally comical toilet-paper costume.

MILING cheerfully, Tessa Sasse (12), Morgan Guthrie (12), and Kirk Ladner (12) pose for a photo. Seniors also enjoyed taking pictures––mostly selfies––with the elaborately prepared props. The variety of picture-taking opportunities gave the seniors a plethora of fond memories to look back on.

mented Karsten Ladner (11) afterwards. Overall, the entertainment for the After-Sneak Dinner made the night a joyous occasion, with plenty of small, humorous moments that kept everyone laughing continually. The faces of the exhausted seniors lit up as they stepped from the bus and saw the friendly smiles of the juniors welcoming them back from the senior trip to Pulau Pangkor. Dressed professionally in black and white, the juniors passed out popcorn and movie tickets to each of the seniors. “The welcome back really made it easier to deal with the dread of going back to school the next day after all the fun we’d been having,” said Priska Sugianto (12). Official invitations, strategically placed on “movie tickets,” provided a subtle hint towards the theme and revved up both seniors and juniors for the event.

The 17th of September, the day of the After-Sneak Dinner, brought a flurry of activity as juniors raced around campus, finishing up last minute-touches on decorations and practicing their skit lines. The junior food committee grilled, baked, wrapped, and packaged their creations; others worked on preparing colorful fruit drinks. "My favorite part overall was the preparation; it didn't even feel like work, just a fun bonding time!" said Tayah Lee (11). Upon arrival, after stopping at the first pit stop, the juniors escorted seniors into the chapel in their table groups and then welcomed them with loud cheers just inside the doors. Tables covered with colorful crayons and crossword puzzles brought back childhood memories and helped set a child-like, playful mood for the night. Seniors experienced a night filled

with skits, each followed by a game and break for dinner or a delicious dessert. “One of the best parts for me was the competitions. The juniors did a great job in keeping everyone involved throughout the night,” said Marshall McManus (12). “Good job everyone!” congratulated Mr. Karl Steinkamp as Buzz Lightyear [Kyle Fisher, 11] high-fived Ladner and Hannah Graves (11). Smirks crossed their faces as Dash strutted past them. After the noisy seniors made their way out of the chapel, the juniors reluctantly took down their decorations and stacked the chairs. Though the evening proved stressful, juniors felt a sense of accomplishment after pulling-off their first big class event. Eager to discard his extraordinarily tight costume, Oppenheim headed towards the bathroom to change. —By M. Jordan


Thizbe Balzer, 11

Canada

Abby Bengs, 11 U.S.A.

Elisabeth Brokaw, 11 U.S.A.

Isaac Chan, 11 Canada

Wen-Chi Chen, 11 Taiwan

Boyie Chin, 11

Malaysia

Evan Chinn, 11 U.S.A.

Charlotte Combrink, 11

The Netherlands

Katiera Cox, 11 Canada

Andy Ewe, 11

Malaysia U.S.A.

Kai Fraser, 11 Australia

ILLING a roller with paint, Sunny Kim serves her fellow classmates by pouring paint into pans and running to get supplies. The 60+ juniors appreciated the class excom that eased their strenuous work while they served the community.

At 8:00 a.m. on Friday, 26 September, smiling juniors rushed onto the bus, grabbing seats next to their friends. “Save me a spot!” Calvin Thompson yelled across the rows of seats to Samuel Tan. The class, excited about Mr. Karl Steinkamp’s decision as a sponsor to skip school Friday for the Serve-athon, chattered amongst themselves as the bus started on its way towards Butterworth. After arriving at the destination, the class worked all day at three houses: a boys’ orphanage, a girls’ orphanage, and an elderly home. Sponsors divided students into small groups and assigned them rooms to paint. “It was really cool to see people who don’t really hang out work together and get to know each other a bit more while

choking on paint fumes and painting the walls,” said Kassy Steinkamp. Hoping to bless the community, the class worked alongside some of the local residents painting the three homes. Paint poured into trays and rollers glided along the walls. Soon—only six hours later—the juniors had finished their job. “As I worked alongside the orphans painting their homes, I was touched by the simple gratitude they expressed. Their eyes lit up as they saw we had transformed their homes,” said Katiera Cox. “I will never forget the looks of joy on the children’s faces once the day had come to a close and we had said our good-byes.” After a full day of tiring work and sweat, the juniors piled back onto the bus.

P

H

PHOTO D

W

ITH a smile on her face, Amanda Goh asks Christina Kim to help her cover old walls with fresh, new paint. Soon afterwards, some of the orphanage workers joined them to finish polishing the girls’ building.

GLORIA KIM

Kyle Fischer, 11

An Early Startto the Serve(athon)

F

Amanda Goh, 11

Malaysia

Hannah Graves, 11 U.S.A.

Joel Halbedl, 11 U.S.A.

Rachel Halbedl, 11 U.S.A.

Brian Hiew, 11

Malaysia

Emma Hofer, 11

PHOTO C

U.S.A.

Titus Hwang, 11 Korea

Mackenzie Jordan, 11 U.S.A.

David Jung,11

GLORIA KIM

Korea

Jane Jung, 11

Korea

Aaron Kelley, 11

GLORIA KIM

U.S.A.

Robert Kilgo, 11 U.S.A.

Christina Kim, 11

Korea

Gloria Kim, 11 Korea

Sunny Kim, 11

Korea

Karsten Ladner, 11

AINT dripping from his brush, Keegan Oppenheim finishes the tedious job of window painting. Out in the open, he remained safe from the toxic fumes.

U.S.A.

Christina Lee, 11 Taiwan

Jethro Lee, 11 Korea

Peter Lee, 11

Korea

Canada

Joseph Leech, 11 U.S.A.

Shawn Lim, 11

DOMINANT PHOTO A

GLORIA KIM

Tayah Lee, 11

IS face bearing a half-smile, Peter Lee scratches the back of a dog. The juniors enjoyed playing with various orphanage pets during breaks.

“It seemed like such a small task to me. I don’t think I’ll ever know the positive effect it had on the people we served,” said Aaron Kelley. Upon approaching the school, Mrs. Jacki Steinkamp announced that a surprise awaited the fatigued class. Immediately after climbing off the bus, seniors greeted the juniors with cheering and applause, leading them into the Student Center. “We attempted to rejuvenate the exhausted post-Serveathon juniors with food and songs. It was immensely fun,” said Tayler Nash (12). All in all, the Serve-athon succeeded, fulfilling the requirements of paint, sweat,headaches, and feelings of a job well done. The exhausting, eight-hour day had finally come to an end, and the satisfied members of the class of 2016 stumbled into their cars to go home and get an early start on the coming weekend’s rest. —By Gabriela M.

Malaysia

Ysabel Loh, 11

Malaysia

Sabrina Ly, 11 U.S.A.

Mary-Claire McIntyre, 11 U.S.A.

Gabriela Mims, 11 U.S.A.

Joshua Moon, 11 Korea

Brenda Ng, 11

Malaysia

Joyce Oh, 11 Korea

Keegan Oppenheim, 11 U.S.A.

116 Juniors (Balzer – Oppenheim)

Serve-athon 117


Jonathan Park, 11 U.S.A.

Bijay Rana, 11 Nepal Kaela Ruble, 11 U.S.A.

Eric Soon, 11

Malaysia

Karissa Steinkamp, 11 U.S.A.

Sarah Stevens, 11 U.S.A.

Andriani Sugianto, 11

U.S.A.

Malaysia

Angela Tan, 11

Malaysia

Samuel Tan, 11 Singapore

Sarah Tan, 11

UNNING her eye liner across her eyelid, Katiera Cox (11) prepares for the concert. After lunch, students rushed to get ready. The boys had an easier job, simply changing into black outfits. The girls touched up their makeup, re-did their hair, and donned high-heels.

A

S the top platform of the Baiyoke Tower rotates and lights blink 85 stories above the street, the voices of Joseph Stoltzfus (12), Susan Oh (10), Kyle Fischer (11), Bell Vianco (9), Abby Bengs (11), Yi Lin Law (9), Mackenzie Jordan (11), and Kia Thompson (12) rise above the wind. MACKENZIE JORDAN

Alwyn Tan, 11

R

Malaysia

Zachary Tan, 11 U.S.A.

Noel Teng, 11

Malaysia

Calvin Thompson, 11 Australia

MRS. AMY OPPENHEIM

Malaysia

Harrison Taylor, 11

Angelene Woo, 11

Perfection Re(Choired) for Their Trip to Bangkok

Malaysia

Sheng-Ting Yang, 11

Taiwan

Cheryl Yeap, 11

Malaysia

Elijah Yeng, 11

Malaysia

Alexis Zimbulis, 11

Malaysia

Sheldon Ang,10

Malaysia

Emmett Balzer, 10

Canada

Josiah Brake, 10 U.S.A.

Hannah Buhr, 10

Canada

Chloe Castro, 10 U.S.A.

Malaysia

Aaron Chand, 10 U.S.A.

Jarrod Chang, 10

Malaysia

Megan Chang, 10 Malaysia

Ning Kang Chia, 10 Malaysia

Anson Chin, 10

Malaysia

Hasung Cho, 10 Korea

Christy Chow, 10 Malaysia

Woo Young Chung, 10 Korea

Benjamin Finlay, 10

U.K.

Dominic Fitzgerald, 10

U.K.

Joel Frohlich, 10 U.S.A.

Caitlin Goh, 10

Malaysia

Wei Sing Goh, 10

Malaysia

Noah Graves, 10 U.S.A.

Aster H’ng, 10

Malaysia

Sam Hofer, 10 U.S.A.

118 Juniors (Balzer) – Sophomores (Hofer)

MRS. AMY OPPENHEIM

Denise Chai, 10

Harmonized voices filled the air; songs by Pink! Great Big World, and even Justin Bieber echoed through the van. Students passed the time on their long trip by singing well-known songs, despite some disapproving looks Ms. Joyce Goh gave them. They awoke before sunrise to make it to Bangkok International School on time. Despite the early morning, they stayed alert, excited for their first day of singing with 250 students from eight other international schools.

L

IPS parted, Priska Sugianto (12) sings her part. The director encouraged her students to stand next to someone from a different school, meet new people, and make new friends. Although intimidating for some, others eagerly reached out to those around them to make good connections.

Each school choir had individually practiced the same five songs and came together under one director from abroad. “It was a privilege to take part in that huge production; the experience was amazing, and it was neat to see people from so many different places come together and work as one choir,” said Kyle Fischer (11). The director shared her personal stories and connections to each song; giving each person in the choir a reason to feel passionate about the pieces. After two full days of practicing, the group performed in a concert. The choirs from each school sang a unique song that they had prepared; and then as a mass, they presented the well-rehearsed songs. As voices rever-

berated throughout the auditorium, tears filled the eyes of those in the audience. “The feeling was beyond anything I could try to describe. I had chills running up and down my arms the whole time,” said Tesa Sasse (12). The taxing hours standing on stage going over their parts reaped rewards as the audience loaded the performers with positive compliments afterwards. After rehearsing for eight hours each day, the students had a fun-filled evenings to look forward to. The first night they stayed in the guest house to socialize with students from Grace International School. “We ate dinner with them and then just hung out; it was cool to see people from other international schools,” said Tim Phan (12),

“I recognized people that I had known before and made new connections.” On the final night, after the concert, the group celebrated with a fancy dinner at the Baiyoke Tower and then explored the endless levels of Terminal 21, a large nearby mall. “My favorite thing about the trip was the chance we had to bond so well with each other. It’s an amazing group, and I had the unique chance to connect with people from every grade,” said Danielle Combrink (9). The voices of the enthusiastic choir students resounded in the travel vans, on the plane, in the airport, and even when standing on the rotating platform of the Baiyoke Tower. Singing 24/7 seemed almost required on such a trip. —By M. Jordan

Choir Trip 119


Malaysia

Sam Huang, 10

Open Doors

for The Dormies

Taiwan

Neehar Kantimahanti, 10 India

Darby Kendrick, 10 U.S.A.

Khai Yi Khor, 10

Malaysia

Andrew Kim, 10

Korea

Inha Kim, 10 Korea

Kevin Kim, 10

Korea

Kirby Kirby, 10

U.K.

Sean Ko, 10 U.S.A.

Lilian Li, 10

Malaysia

Grace Lim, 10 Korea

Jerald Lim, 10

Malaysia

Xu Xuan Lim, 10 Malaysia

Gilbert Lister, 10 Indonesia

Jing Low, 10

Malaysia

Alan Luchtenburg, 10 U.S.A.

Bena Mauger, 10 U.S.A.

Hudson McManus, 10 U.S.A.

Daniel Munson,10 U.S.A.

Susan Oh, 10 Korea

Yu Zhi Phuah, 10 Malaysia

Jerome Ramirez, 10

The Philippines

Jessica Ross, 10 South Africa

Tim Sasse, 10 U.S.A.

En Qi Saw, 10

Malaysia

Felicia Teoh, 10

Malaysia

Shoko Tezuka, 10 Japan

Kylie Toh, 10

Malaysia

David Unruh, 10

Japan

Darian Yeap, 10

Malaysia

B

OOK lying open in his lap, Jonathan Lao (6) studies for his upcoming test while Dexter rests next to him. The couches in the dorm lounges provided comfortable places to complete homework.

one another, which gave the students a sense of community. Students from sixth grade to twelfth grade stayed in the dorms, so everyone had a wide range of “brothers” and “sisters” to bond with. "Being one of the youngest in the dorm can be really annoying at times, but in the end all my older ‘brothers’ and ‘sisters’ look out for me and make sure I'm okay," said Gloria Kim (7). The dorm parents picked two boys and two girls from their dorm to become Dorm Council members, who kept watch over their dorm brothers and sisters, solved conflicts, and gave advice freely. They had meetings with their dorm parents to discuss dorm issues and situations, to make sure everyone adjusted well, and improve dorm life. “Dorm Council meets once a month to discuss upcoming events," said Joseph Um (12).

"We want to make sure people participate and that everyone has fun and enjoys his or her time.” Two Saturdays every month dorm parents treated their kids to dinner at a restaurant. On other occasions they cooked a meal in their own kitchen and served it to them. The dorms went out as one big family, at times going to see a movie such as The Hobbit: Battle of The Five Armies, Interstellar, and How To Train Your Dragon 2. They also frequently journeyed to a bowling alley or stayed in and watched a movie in their own lounge. Planned events such as the dorm retreat to the Cameron Highlands and the Valentine's Day dinner offered plenty of bonding time. Late-night dorm parties allowed opportunity for dorm students to visit other dorms. Students could say out until 1:00 A.M. on weekends. Jaffray Dorm

often held sports activities such as dodge ball in the gym, PingPong, or basketball. Ziemer had henna, Dance-Dance Revolution, and various movies; and Jackson kids warbled karaoke tunes. Senior dorm students went to a staff member's house once each month to play games like Pictionary or Charades, eat snacks, or watch movies. A loud clatter resounded in the boys’ hallway as Micah Martens (12) and Kim rushed by. “We’re heading out to long board,” said Kim as Uncle Brian nodded knowingly. —By M. Jordan

L

OOKING on as their friends play tag football, Calvin Thompson (11) and Alan Luchtenburg (10) discuss upcoming basketball try-outs. Dorm students relaxed around the white tables after school chatting about their day and discussing school work. Dorm siblings offered advice and comfort to their adopted brothers and sisters.

AS music fills her ears, Melissa You (12) relaxes and browses through social media. At the end of the day dorm kids took time to unwind before moving on to the piles of homework or sports practices.

DAVID BEAK

U.S.A.

Keito Watanabe, 10

Bursting through the large, swinging door of Jaffray Dorm, John Kim (12) waved to his dorm parents. Uncle Brian Weidemann and Aunt Valerie Weidemann welcomed him back warmly and asked about his day. Kim made his way towards the boys’ hallway and passed his dorm brother Rahul Gill (10) on his way in. "Since the dorms are coed, I feel like I'm at home and have a family and parents who really care about me and help me with a lot of things," said Melissa You (12). Dorm parents sought to provide a safe, home-like atmosphere for students under their care. The three dorms each planned its own activities and encouraged interaction with

MACKENZIE JORDAN

U.S.A.

Joseph Hsu, 10

MACKENZIE JORDAN

Kimberly Horton, 10

Yeorin Yun, 10

Korea

Mersades Zimmer, 10 U.S.A.

Rainbow Chan, 9 Canada

Grace Chang, 9 Korea

Alexander Chan-Sturgis, 9

U.S.A.

Suzuna Chihama, 9 Japan

David Chinn, 9 U.S.A.

Jonathon Chinn, 9 U.S.A.

John Choi, 9 Korea

120 Sophomores (Horton) – Freshmen (Choi)

Dorm Life 121


Danielle Combrink, 9

The Netherlands

Caleb Cox, 9 Canada

Chia Hoong Ewe, 9 Malaysia

Shion Fraser, 9 Australia

Victoria Galang, 9 U.S.A.

Rahul Gill, 9 Malaysia

Daniel Go, 9 Korea

Tommy Han, 9 Korea

Ke-Erh Huang, 9 Taiwan

Simon Jeong, 9

Korea

Hinako Kawata, 9 Japan

Melynn Kendrick, 9

U.S.A.

Daniel Kim, 9 Korea

Hyun Ji Kim, 9 Korea

Louise Kim, 9 Korea

Peter Kim, 9 Korea

Maverick Kirby, 9

U.K.

Raymond Ko, 9 U.S.A.

Zachary Kok, 9 Malaysia

Areeya Kunawaradisai, 9

Thailand

Yi Lin Law,9 Singapore

Vivien Lee, 9

Korea

Aloysius Liew, 9 Singapore

Chung Hong Lim, 9 Malaysia

Asaka Mori, 9 Japan

Stepping Up Busy socializing, parents and students roamed the ballroom of the Paradise Hotel. The Annual Fund Silent Auction offered paintings, vouchers, desserts, and much more. This auction gave families the opportunity to donate to the Fund to improve the school. Palms sweaty, high school band students chattered anxiously as they prepared for the Annual Fund Concert. In just a moment, they would place their instruments to their mouths and try to create the melody they had

A

FTER embracing Mr. Scott Uzzle in a hug, Seong-Min Kim (8) shakes himself off. Kim had released the plank beneath Mr. Uzzle, dropping him into the cold water. The “Dunk Tank” had teachers actively participating in the Annual Fund.

practiced for a whole quarter. They stepped up to the stage. In the back rows of the audience, the high school choir sat in nervous anticipation for its performance as the band delivered their musical pieces. “Because we had five songs, it was frightening waiting for the performance. I didn’t know if we’d have the ability to pull them all off,” said Abby Bengs (11). The band stepped down from the stage, and the choir stepped up. The Jazz Band followed the choir’s performance with three bluesy songs. Throughout the night, guests bid in a silent auction; and to finish the event, Mr. Larry Chinn announced the winners of each item.

The money earned mounted to about 20 percent of the total goal for the coming weeks. “Here’s Mr. Scott Uzzle!” Mr. Chinn announced to the crowd around the Annual Fund Dunk Tank one month later. Mr. Uzzle, among other teachers, would sit on a thin plank while students of all ages launched tennis balls at a target to drop their teachers in a large bucket of cold water. “You can’t dunk me!” Mr. Uzzle yelled towards Seong-Min Kim (8), who prepared to throw a ball at the colorful target. Kim responded by hitting the bull’s eye, releasing the plank beneath Mr. Uzzle and dropping him into the chilly abyss below. School families

had donated the required rm100,000 in order for this event to happen. Soon after Mr. Uzzle stepped down from the tank, Mr. Chinn himself stepped up, students and teachers cheering him on to fall into the large, icy bucket. To raise funds, StuCo organized a sleep-in day for high school students with only one requirement: participation in the Annual Fund. Students in each grade contributed at least 10 ringgit to a class jar. Depending on their participation as a whole, the classes had permission to sleep through a certain number of school blocks. The freshman class earned first place, gaining permission to sleep through the first three blocks of the day. The juniors GABRIELA MIMS

Julia Munson, 9

to Achieve Goals

U.S.A.

Dars Muthaliar, 9 Malaysia

Adrian Nonis, 9

Malaysia

Sophia Ong, 9 Singapore

Jerald Ooi, 9

Malaysia

Tian Ooi, 9

Malaysia

Harin Park, 9

Korea

Daniela Rana, 9 Nepal

JONATHAN CHANDRA

Kayla Ronning, 9 U.S.A.

Jung En Seo, 9 Korea

Rosalina Shin, 9 Korea

U.S.A.

Aaron Tan, 9

Malaysia

Elynn Tan, 9

Malaysia

Joshua Tan, 9 Singapore

Belle Gabriella Vianco, 9 Indonesia

Mika Yeap, 9 Malaysia

122 FRESHMEN (Combrink – Yeap) / Annual Fund

H

ANDS steady, Hinako Kawata (9) and Rosalina Shin (9) play their notes as they watch Ms. Laura Danneker conduct. The Annual Fund Concert raised enthusiasm for the school’s programs, which helped update band instruments.

GABRIELA MIMS

Aubrey Sullivan, 9

finished with second place, gaining permission to sleep in until C-Block. The sophomores followed them, sleeping in until B-Block. The seniors finished in last place, coming to class at the beginning of the day. “It was really relaxing to sleep in. I didn’t have to wake up at 7:00 to go to school. I could instead spend the time with friends or catch up on rest,” said Areeya Kunawaradisai (9). The high school students alone raised rm500. StuCo surely had stepped up to the plate, winning over 98 percent of high school students’ participation. All in all, the Annual Fund raised rm166,999 for the school to buy band instruments, gym equipment, middle school laptops,

dorm kitchen equipment, and elementary school iPads. This amount totalled to almost rm30,000 more than the original goal. “We were able to use the extra money to purchase more of what we wanted. We actually needed more than the original goal we had set, so it really helped that people donated more than we expected,” Mr. Chinn said. Surely, families stepped up to achieve the goals the Annual Fund set to improve the school. —By Gabriela M.

P

RACTICING vocal exercises, Susan Oh (10) and Bell Vianco (9) warm up before the concert. The choir delivered five songs including “Bridge Over Troubled Waters” and “Set Me as a Seal Upon Your Heart” at the Annual Fund Concert.


Malaysia

Nathan Chand, 8 U.S.A.

Alice Chang, 8 Korea

Vivien Chang, 8 Taiwan

Alicia Chin, 8

Malaysia

John Cho, 8 Korea

Shannon Frohlich, 8 U.S.A.

Justus Goh, 8 Malaysia

Carissa Hoffmeyer, 8 U.S.A.

Albert Jeong, 8

Korea

Daniel Kang, 8 Korea

Seth Kelley, 8 U.S.A.

Nicholas Khor, 8 Malaysia

Joy Kiehl, 8 Germany

Elisabeth Kilgo, 8 U.S.A.

Ashley Kim, 8 Korea

Esther Kim, 8 Korea

Seong-Min Kim, 8

Korea

Esther Ko, 8 Korea

Min Guk Kong,8 Korea

Hannah Lawrence, 8 U.S.A.

Lauren Lee, 8

Malaysia

Linus Lim, 8

Malaysia

Mandy Lim, 8

Malaysia

Suji Lim, 8

Korea

Xu An Lim, 8

Malaysia

Amanda Low, 8

Malaysia U.S.A.

Ruben Nyul, 8 U.S.A.

Sin Ler Oo, 8

“It’s so unfair! Middle schoolers get to party during class all the time!” said Jennifer Yook (12). “I know!” Cindy Chiem (12) said. “Why can’t high schoolers do fun things in school like middle schoolers do?” Throughout the year, middle school teachers made it a priority to throw class parties for their students. Ranging from pool to movie parties, these events brought middle schoolers together and permitted them to take a break from studying. Fifth graders held a Christmas party at the school, during which they played water polo and water soccer, opened presents, and swam. They ate onion rings, pizza, popcorn, and cookies to fill their rumbling stomachs after the activities. Specific classes also decided to host parties for students; the

sixth graders in social studies and science enjoyed investing in each other while at a pool party. “I like class parties because we don’t have to do school work, and I can have fun— and usually food— with friends,” said Joel Kelley (6). Similarly, a seventh grade language arts class watched A Wrinkle in Time and played Monopoly and different card games. “Parties are a break from school, and you get to hang out with your friends without being pressured by studies,” said Bernard Combrink (7). Eighth graders, at a class party, played games like Mafia and Never Have I Ever.

Afterwards, they watched an episode of “I Love Lucy” while eating desserts and chips. When high schoolers suffered from studying, lack of sleep, and writing final exams, middle schoolers took class time to celebrate the end of the semester in their exam-free week before the break. “Seriously, once you get to high school, all the fun slows, and you’re bombarded with a heavy work load,” said Yook. “I guess while you’re in middle school you need to appreciate the simple, fun things in life that are easy to grow out of.” —By Gabriela M.

B

Q

UBBLE tea in hand, Sara Stoltzfus (8) sips her drink while listening to Mikaela Steinkamp (8) and Hannah Lawrence (8) talk about oncoming class events. “Penang Perk” offered students drinks and candy after school.

S

HAKING her friend frantically, Kaylee Nash (5) asks to play Four-square. Enjoying the cool afternoon, the fifth graders passed a ball among themselves playing this favourite game.

UIETLY reading Hatchet, Jacob Zahn (7) swings by the ocean. With free time after school, middle schoolers enjoyed doing activities like playing basketball, reading, and playing instruments with their friends. GABRIELA MIMS

Yusoof Monawvil, 8

Growing Out of Middle School Joys

GABRIELA MIMS

U.S.A.

Karl Chan, 8

GABRIELA MIMS

Teddy Zimmer, 9

Malaysia

Natasha Palanivel, 8 Malaysia

Sofia Park, 8 Korea

Anna Queres, 8

Brazil

Trevor Ronning, 8

U.S.A.

Alex Ruble, 8 U.S.A.

En Min Saw, 8

Malaysia

Zhi Yi Saw, 8

Malaysia

Julia Siqueira, 8 Brazil

Grace Son, 8 Korea

Courtney Soon, 8

Malaysia

Mikaela Steinkamp, 8 U.S.A.

124 Freshmen (Zimmer) – Eighth Grade (Steinkamp)

Middle-School Events 125


Sara Stoltzfus, 8 U.S.A.

Yi Yao Tan, 8

Malaysia

Annabelle Teoh, 8

Malaysia

Hannah Trescott, 8 U.S.A.

Jeremiah Worten, 8 U.S.A.

James Zhu, 8

E

AGERLY discussing the upcoming chapel sermon, Mr. Tom Cura waits on prayer group members to show up. Before beginning, students provided Mr. Cura with topics for chapel that interested the student body.

E

YES tightly shut, Seth Kelley (8) lifts up a prayer. Each week, students came together to talk, pray, and encourage one another. Beginning the day with prayer helped students rejuvenate in the fellowship of believers.

China

Malaysia

Lydia Brooks, 7 U.S.A.

Sophie Bubrik, 7

GABRIELA MIMS

Sheryl Ang, 7

U.S.A.

Aimee Buhr, 7

Canada

Joseph Chandra, 7 Indonesia

Jordan Chang, 7

Malaysia

Sarah Chinn, 7 U.S.A.

J. Cho, 7 Korea

Andrew Choi, 7

The Netherlands

Julia Galang, 7 U.S.A.

Elizabeth Horton, 7

GABRIELA MIMS

Korea

Bernard Combrink, 7

U.S.A.

A Thankful Way

Da Ye Jung, 7 Korea

Dael Kim, 7 Korea

Gloria Kim,7

to Start the Day

Korea

Inkyul Kim, 7 Korea

Joshua Koay, 7 Malaysia

Wansuk Kunawaradisai, 7 Thailand

Jian Yi Lai, 7

Malaysia

Nicole Lee, 7

Malaysia

Zhi Yong Lee, 7

Malaysia

Daniel Lim, 7

Malaysia

Jia Yi Lim, 7

Malaysia

Shanci Mackey, 7 Japan

Letitia Ong, 7 Singapore

Jerald Ooi, 7

Malaysia

Jong Min Park, 7 Korea

Yerin Park, 7

Korea

Gabe Roberts, 7 U.S.A.

Risa Sasada, 7 Japan

Edward Seong, 7

Korea

Ji Yun Shin, 7

Korea

Tien Min Tan, 7

Malaysia

Celestine Teoh, 7

Malaysia

Jia-Jie Toon, 7

Malaysia

126 Eighth (Stoltzfus) – Seventh (Toon)

GABRIELA MIMS

U.S.A.

Toan Matsumoto, 7

“Let’s start with what we’re thankful for,” Mackenzie Jordan (11) said to lead the discussion. Each person shared, beginning with Jordan, about how they had felt blessed recently. “One of the things I am challenged by each week is student prayer time. Rarely does anyone ask me what I’m thankful for, but I know every Tuesday and Thursday I need to have something to share. Prayer time with the students has be-

L

ISTENING to others give thanks, Marshall McManus (12) and Rainbow Chan (9) contemplate their blessings. Prayer groups gave students opportunities to put Psalm 107:1 into practice, which says, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”

come a highlight of my week,” said Mr. Tom Cura. Every Tuesday and Thursday, students met in the Student Center at 8:00 a.m. to share prayer requests and pray for each other. Mr. Cura supervised the group, and Jordan led the discussion. “I enjoy our prayer group traditions because they give us all a chance to reflect on our blessings and remember that God is the reason for all of them,” said Marshall McManus (12). “It helps to put me in a mindset of gratitude before we pray.” Always getting a little off topic, the group formed a close bond, not only as peers but also as friends. They wel-

comed newcomers, who quickly got to know the group, with open arms. After everyone gave his thanks and bits of off-topic thoughts, Jordan asked those with prayer requests to share so that the group could supportively pray for them. “I’ll start, and anyone who wants to pray feel free to do so. Pastor Tom will close,” Jordan said. “Thank you, Lord, for allowing us to come together this morning to pray...” After the group prayed, Mr. Cura closed with a final prayer: “… And God, I thank you for all these things we can be thankful for and share this morning. We are truly blessed.” ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­—­By Gabriela M.

Prayer Groups 127


The Best Bell

Aaron Worten, 7 U.S.A.

Philip Yeoh, 7 Malaysia

Jacob Zahn, 7

of the Day

U.S.A.

Ruthie Allen, 6 U.S.A.

Eyes flickered towards the clock every few seconds, stomachs rumbled, and students—thoughts far from their work— perched in anticipation on the edges of their chairs. The bell rang and they eagerly jumped to their feet and rushed towards the door. The hallways flooded, and eyes probed the crowd for friends. Once united with their classmates, students headed for their favorite comfortable lunch spots. The lower-classmen watched jealously as the turquoise-shirted seniors signed out and left

campus to eat lunch at Hillside’s hawker stalls, Gusto’s Cafe, or SAB, some favorite nearby restaurants. “Senior lunch privileges provide a time to escape from school, get some fresh air, and enjoy good food everyday,” said Kirk Ladner (12). After heading up from the cafeteria, students stayed on the far side of campus, relaxed around the white-tables, or sat on the silver swings. "It's nice to relax after we all finish eating; it's fun to sit and watch the parasailers go by—sometimes they even wave at us," said Grace Lim (10).

S

P

Kalia Brewster, 6 U.S.A.

Kate Buhr, 6 Canada

Jenny Chae, 6 Singapore

Emily Chai, 6 Malaysia

Elspeth Chin, 6 Singapore

Subin Cho, 6 Korea

Annie Choi, 6

Korea

Abigail Dewhirst, 6 U.S.A.

Micah Faircloth, 6 U.S.A.

Gabe Frohlich, 6 U.S.A.

Lydia Geiman, 6 U.S.A.

Levi Hawk, 6 U.S.A.

Tien-Erh Huang, 6 Taiwan

Jazmine Jenkins, 6

U.S.A.

Cassandra Jong, 6

Malaysia

Erica Kang, 6 Korea

Joel Kelley,6 U.S.A.

Jaxon Kendrick, 6

U.S.A.

Yebeen Kil, 6

Korea

Jeremy Kim, 6 Korea

John Kim, 6 Korea

Seung Hwan Kim, 6 Korea Korea

Min-Song Ko, 6

Korea

Jonathan Lao, 6 U.S.A.

Sumin Lim, 6

Korea

Culles Mah, 6 Malaysia

Joshua Ong, 6

Malaysia

Tate Oppenheim, 6 U.S.A.

Rachel Poh, 6 Malaysia

Tyler Ronning, 6 U.S.A.

Melanie Schouten, 6

Malaysia

G

AZING at the ocean, Kylie Toh (10) and Grace Lim (10) talk with Lilian Li (10) as they finish their ice cream and laugh as they watch the parasailers glide by. Students frequently chose to sit and take in the beautiful, sunny days after they finished their meals.

GLORIA KIM

MACKENZIE JORDAN

Yu-Min Kim, 6

Zoe Seevaratnam, 6 U.S.A.

Jia Yi Sim, 6

Malaysia

Gabriel Siqueira, 6 Brazil

U.S.A.

Alix Stuart, 6

U.S.A.

Abel Tan, 6

Malaysia

128 Seventh (Worten) – Sixth (Tan) / Lunch

MACKENZIE JORDAN

Sophia Stoltzfus, 6

POON poised, ready to scoop chicken rice into his mouth, Jonathan Tan (12) chats with his classmates as he eats. Seniors enjoyed the quality of good food from the hawker stalls and ate in the comfort of the air-conditioned Student Center. Those who had cars could easily make it back in time to relax as they ate food from various places.

ILING food onto his tray, Joshua Tan (9) moves quickly through the cafeteria line. His rush to beat the long line on the stairs had paid off, and he received his first choice. Behind him hungry students scooped food onto their trays. The cafeteria offered a mixture of Asian and Western cuisine to satisfy the varied taste buds of the students.

Others joined those already seated in the air-conditioned Student Center. The StuCo store inside the Center offered a wide variety of snacks and candies that satisfied student’s remaining cravings after lunch. Last-minute studying, casual chatting with friends, or rushing to finish last night’s homework filled the last minutes of lunch time. "Lunch provides such a welcome break from school. It's nice to take a breather from the suffocating school work. I focus on my friends instead of the stress of school work," said Harrison Taylor (11). The bell rang, signalling the end of the lunch block. Sighs filled the air as students reluctantly removed themselves from the comfortable chairs and gathered their belongings and headed to their F-Block class. ­­—By M. Jordan


U

Aria Tan, 6

NDER their umbrellas, Jacob Uzzle (12) and Jessie Brandon (12) make their way to the Paradise Hotel. The rain bonded groups and couples, giving them something to talk about throughout the evening.

U.S.A.

Joonas Tan, 6 Finland

Amie Trescott, 6 U.S.A.

Jirawan Tritham, 6 Thailand

Esther Tse, 6 Malaysia

T

ALKING with Shion Matsumoto (12), Sarah Tan (11) moulds a piece of clay. StuCo gave all the table groups clay to create a toy to enter into the toy competition, one of the night’s games.

Miona Tsukada, 6 Japan

Isaac Uzzle, 6 U.S.A.

Joshua Yeoh, 6 Malaysia

Alicia Anderson, 5

U.S.A.

Lana Brewster, 5 U.S.A.

Ethan Chan, 5 Malaysia

Ryan Chan, 5 Malaysia

JONATHAN CHANDRA

Ning Yi Chia, 5

Malaysia

John Chin, 5

Malaysia

Young-Woo Eun, 5 Korea

Jack Ferguson, 5

A Frosty Night for a Banquet

Australia

Alex Fischer, 5 U.S.A.

Yong-Yu Huang, 5

Taiwan

Helen Jang, 5 Korea

Christopher Jong, 5

Malaysia

Enoch Jung,5 U.S.A.

Wen Khaw, 5 JONATHAN CHANDRA

Malaysia

Jason Kim, 5 Korea

Magdalene Koay, 5 Malaysia

Kaitlyn Ladner, 5

Malaysia

JONATHAN CHANDRA

Geonhui Lee, 5 Korea

Rebecca Lee, 5 Taiwan

Esther Lo, 5 Malaysia

Kaylee Nash, 5 U.S.A.

Christopher Ooi, 5

Malaysia

Sofia Siqueira, 5 Brazil

Adelynn Tan, 5

Malaysia

Joseph Yun, 5

Malaysia

Christina Zahn, 5 U.S.A.

Lydia Allen, 4 U.S.A.

David Bae, 4 Korea

Caitlyn Buckland, 4 Canada

Elizabeth Buhr, 4

Canada

Hazel Chan, 4 Malaysia

Adelina Chee, 4

Malaysia

Ryan Chew, 4 Malaysia

130 Sixth (Tan) – Fourth (Chew)

A

burst of air from Shawn Lim (11) leaves the candles flameless at the Christmas Banquet. Couples competed against each other to blow out as many candles as they could. StuCo announced that Areeya Kunawaradisai (9) and Daniel Kim (9) won after they tallied up the marks.

JONATHAN CHANDRA

U.S.A.

Jeta Anderson, 4

Students rushed from campus to Paradise Hotel with colorful umbrellas to shield themselves from the chilly, drizzling rain. Girls hid under the roofs and coverings to block their dresses and hair from the falling droplets of water. Everyone wanted to look his or her best for the Christmas Banquet on Friday, 5 December. StuCo members greeted guests as they entered the ballroom. Students donated wrapped toys to Care and Share at the beginning of the night, laying them down at the entrance. Groups and couples sat at tables and roamed around taking pictures

G

IVEN the opportunity to write notes, Abby Bengs (11) seizes her chance to encourage her friends. StuCo set up a booth for guests to write notes to each other throughout the Christmas Banquet.

with friends. StuCo members had decoratedthe ballroom with strung lights and snowflakes. The night’s theme centered on the animated movie Rise of the Guardians. “There were different types of decorations based on the characters from the movie. There was an Easter Bunny section with colorful egg candles, a Santa Claus section with a naughty and nice list, and a Sand Man section with glitter and sand. Overall, it was very pleasant and created a relaxing ambiance,” said Zachary Tan (11). Throughout the night, videos about Jack Frost—played by sophomore class representative David Unruh—directed CB attenders to different games and activities. These games included competition in toy making, candle blowing, present wrapping, and candy throwing.

“When they called my name to play the candy throwing game, I was scared,” said Priska Sugianto (12). “I didn’t really want to play. But when I actually joined in, I did a lot better than I thought I would and had a lot of fun.” After the games and the program had finished, StuCo members permitted the guests to linger and take pictures around the ballroom, on stage, and at their photo booth. “Thanks for coming, everyone!” said John Kim (12), dreading the takedown of the decorations. “We need to clean up, so, seriously, please leave,” Kim reiterated. After their final good nights and present giving, students rushed out the door at the end of the “frosty,” drizzly night. —By Gabriela M.

Christmas Banquet 131


Jack Cura, 4 U.S.A.

Elijah Davis, 4 U.S.A.

Jimmy Ferguson, 4 Australia

Jasmine Hassan, 4 U.S.A.

Hailey Hofer, 4

W

ATCHING as wax dripped from their candles, Joel Kelley (6) and Jazzy Jenkins (6) sit quietly. Students, parents and staff gathered in the chapel for a Christmas candlelight service to worship and spend a few quiet moments reflecting on

U.S.A.

Michael Hsu, 4 Taiwan

Tian Xiang Hwang, 4

Malaysia

Christopher Jang, 4 Korea

Anjali Kaptain, 4 U.S.A.

David Kilgo, 4 U.S.A.

Beatrice Ku, 4

E

Malaysia

Owen Lai, 4 U.S.A.

Alanis Liew, 4 GLORIA KIM

Singapore

Luke Ng, 4

Malaysia

Malaysia

Jake Pontrich, 4 U.S.A..

Talent Displayed

in The Chapel

Tobin Sawatzky, 4

Canada

Sahana Selvaraja, 4

Malaysia

Taewoo Song, 4 Korea

Elliot Steffen,4

U.S.A.

Benjamin Stoltzfus, 4

U.S.A.

Jordan Stuart, 4

U.S.A.

Jordan Suen, 4

U.S.A.

Fukue Suntarat, 4 U.S.A.

Enson Tang, 4

Malaysia

Zoei Toh, 4 U.S.A.

Karis White, 4 U.S.A.

Benjamin Wong, 4

Malaysia

Lauren Worten, 4 U.S.A.

Kanon Yamaguchi, 4 Japan

Yoseph Yang, 4 Korea

Ashley Yeoh, 4 U.S.A.

Himani Alagan, 3 Australia

Ariana Anderson, 3

U.S.A.

Kathryn Boyd, 3 U.S.A.

Noah Brooks, 3 U.S.A.

Anric Chin, 3

Malaysia

Jason Cho, 3 Korea

Jay Hyunjae Cho, 3 Korea

Mark Dewhirst, 3 U.S.A.

Kyla Ann Faircloth, 3 U.S.A.

132 Fourth (Cura) – Third (Faircloth)

Students flood into the chapel—a sea of bubbling chatter. The band prepares for its first song by playing softly in the background. Talk died down as they increased their volume, and chapel officially started with worship. The music ended with a prayer led by one of the lead singers, and Mr. Tom Cura walked forward from the back of the room. Every Wednesday he shared with both middle and high school students at separate times. The Friday schedule allowed him 40 minutes before lunch to deliver God’s message. Pastor Tom sought to challenge students to inspect their own lives and live boldly for Christ. “I want to present the Gospel in a way that is interesting and relatable for youth. I don’t want to take any of the glory; it’s all for

God,” said Mr. Cura. Mr. Cura started each chapel with something to draw students into his message. A clip from Charlie Brown introduced his sermon on bullying. Stories from his childhood helped students relate to him in a new way, and asking the praise band to sing “Man in the Mirror” added some spice to his message about masks, challenging students to reflect on their true character. “I look forward to chapel days, not because it’s Friday— well, I do thank God that it’s Friday. But truly, I see chapel as a time set aside from academics to worship God and to hear His Word. It is such a refreshing and motivating experience,” said Ben Tse (12). The chapel provided a place for more than spiritual talks and weekly times of worship. Numer-

ous activities took place—staff constantly stacked and unstacked chairs to accommodate the bustle of student life. Classes hosted meetings in the room, where they decided who would become their class representatives or who would form next year’s excom. Blankets and pillows piled on the floor as the seniors sprawled across the room during their Lock-in. StuCo transformed the room for its Lucidus Noctis event; and later, the PTO stacked chairs to form dressing rooms and set up mirrors to provide a comfortable place for girls to try on dresses at the JSB Dress Sale and Swap. The stage hosted the feet of talented actors, dancers, singers, and speakers that graced the room with their skills. Piano re-

citals filled the hall with tunes played by diligent hands. “It’s important to practice a lot for piano recitals; there’s hard work involved, but it’s rewarding in the end,” said Ysabel Loh (11). The chapel­—a constant hub of activity­ —became a never-ending source of excitement, laughter, and inspiration. As students journeyed up the stairs away from lower campus, their discussion reflected the recent message imparted to them by Mr. Cura or the winner of a class vote. —By M. Jordan

GABRIELA MIMS

U.S.A.

Rishon Pillai, 4

GLORIA KIM

Trevor Nichols, 4

YES scanning the notes on the page, Karis White (4) plays her well-practiced piece. The piano recitals showcased the work of talented individuals.

A

S the worship band plays the song “Undignified,” Kyle Fischer (11) and Jonathon Chinn (9) dance to the music. The worship team brightened the mood and brought more movement and fun into chapel services by encouraging students to follow moves to wellknown songs.

The Chapel 133


U.S.A.

Rhys Hofer, 3 U.S.A.

Ha-Eun Jeon, 3 Korea

Yun Kil, 3

Korea

JiSung Kim, 3

Korea

Yeonsoo Kim, 3 Korea

Amos Koay, 3 Malaysia

Alyssa Lam, 3 Hong Kong

Jonathan Lam, 3 Hong Kong

Aidan Leong, 3

Malaysia

Jun Sheng Leow, 3

Malaysia

Myra Tian Ai Lim, 3

Malaysia

Brendan Loke, 3

Malaysia

Cullno Mah, 3 Malaysia

Alexia Nyul, 3 U.S.A.

Claire Ohk, 3 Korea

Jeremiah Orr, 3 U.S.A.

Ashley Park, 3 U.S.A.

Jonathan Park, 3 Korea

F

OCUSED on their conversation, Aaron Chand (10) and Mr. Tom Cura walk on the paved road around campus. Students picked a trusted teacher or staff member to become their mentor. Their weekly chats served as a source of release, encouragement and accountability. An older mentors could share advice and personal experiences that may help a student’s current situation.

Growing Spiritually

GABRIELA MIMS

Lyric Hawk, 3

with a Little Help from Friends

A

BOUT to head out to walk and talk, juniors Aaron Kelley, Joel Halbedl, Karsten Ladner, and Evan Chinn meet up before their accountability time. The boys met with trusted friends who experienced the same things on a daily basis. Accountability partners or groups provided an outlet for students to share their daily struggles and to pray for and with each other.

Noella Seevaratnam, 3 U.S.A.

Kyle Tang,3

Malaysia

Cherry Thomas, 3 Indonesia

Kalista White, 3 U.S.A.

Drew Worten, 3 U.S.A.

Emily Yeng, 3

Malaysia

Zachary Yuen, 3 Hong Kong

Kadence Arnold, 2

U.S.A.

Kyra Brewster, 2 U.S.A.

Bethia Chin, 2 Singapore

MACKENZIE JORDAN

Samuel Chung, 2 U.S.A.

Paul Davis, 2 U.S.A.

Peter Hsu, 2 Taiwan

Aiden Jeong, 2

Korea

Anna Kilgo, 2 U.S.A.

Gunwoo Kim, 2 Korea

JaeYoun Kim, 2 Korea

Nathan Kim, 2 Korea

Onyou Kim, 2

Korea

Doye Kwon, 2 Korea

Chloe Lee, 2 Malaysia

Juan Moon, 2 Korea

134 Third (Hawk) – Second (Moon) / Mentoring

D

ISCUSSING their week over lunch, Emma Hofer, (11) Gabriela Mims, (11) and Hannah Graves (11) listen intently to one another. The less-frequented brown tables provided a quiet place to talk in privacy. With little interruption each girl had time to share about her week and pray for one another.

MACKENZIE JORDAN

Taiwan

Ting-Yi Huang, 2

A warm ocean breeze flowed through their hair as Katiera Cox (11) and Mrs. Debby Cura walked the loop around campus. “God used mentoring in my life to help me place my priorities back in line. Mentoring has grown me in His Word and guided me towards His truth. Having a mentor allows me to confide in a godly leader who speaks the truth and keeps me accountable to the choices I have made in Christ,” said Cox. Last year Mr. Tom Cura presented a chance for students to choose a staff member as their mentor and meet on a weekly basis. This opened up an opportunity for students to grow in their faith and have a trusted adult with whom they could discuss daily issues and situations. “I like how we can be completely open with each other. Mr. Cura is not only a mentor to me, but a friend as well; and I look up to him and try to follow the ex-

ample he sets,” said Aaron Chand (10). The number of people involved in mentoring relationships, Bible studies, life-groups, and accountability partnerships grew as first semester progressed. “Young people need to be listened to. They need to have the opportunity to regularly share their cares and concerns with a Christian adult they trust and respect. The goal of mentoring is to develop a meaningful relationship of spiritual significance,” explained Mr. Cura. Some students meet in small groups, accompanied by an adult. “We meet weekly; sometimes we discuss last week’s chapel message or a different Bible passage,” said Jessie Brandon (12). “We also talk amongst ourselves and catch up on what’s going on in each other’s lives.” Others preferred to meet with a group of close friends and share weekly happenings or recent events in their lives. The school’s

schedule shift, which allowed all high schoolers to have the same lunch block, provided an optimal time for students to meet with each other. “It’s a great time to pause and catch up with my friends,” said Emma Hofer (11). “I have the chance to share with people that I trust and gain their valuable advice.” Accountability partners also offered a one-on-one, more intimate alternative. “It’s nice to be able to get together with a trusted friend and keep each other accountable in our walk with God,” said Aaron Kelley (11). Campus provided a safe place for students to meet and share with each other. Most people took advantage of the white tables, the silver swings, or the paved roadway—which provide a pleasant view of the ocean. The bell rang, signalling the end of X-Block; Mrs. Cura and Cox waved at each other as they walked separate ways. —By M. Jordan


Getting Ready

Ruben Morf, 2 Switzerland

Laura Nadapdap, 2 Indonesia

Kiera Nichols, 2 U.S.A.

Jonathan Ong, 2

Malaysia

Gabriel Roylance, 2 U.S.A.

Nikita Sarhad, 2 U.S.A.

Gemma Sawatzky, 2 Canada

Sidharta Selvaraja, 2

Malaysia

Jiwoo Seo, 2 Korea

Anya Shanmugabalan, 2 U.S.A.

Jesse Tan, 2 Finland

Nathan Tan, 2

Malaysia Malaysia

Eleannor Tang, 2

Malaysia

Gabriella Uzzle, 2 Singapore

Amy Won, 2 Korea

Rio Yamaguchi, 2

D

RESS in hand, Aubrey Sullivan (9) scouts out the available options at the PTO JSB Dress Sale and Swap. As the third-annual JSB dress swap, the sale brought in about 25 lively participants.

MACKENZIE JORDAN

U.S.A.

Leeann Wee, 2

ATCHING the brush move across her arm, Edyn Roylance (K) waits for Andriani Sugianto (11) to finish her henna tattoo. For the PTO Food and Fun Fair, juniors set up face paint and henna tattoo stations for children and adults to get ready for the fun.

GABRIELA MIMS

Zhong Xi Tan, 2

for Food and Fun

W

Japan

Teo Taeho Yoon, 2 Korea

Yushi Abe, 1

Japan

Joshua Allen,1 U.S.A.

Soren Anderson, 1

U.S.A.

Seoeun Bae, 1

Korea

Aidan Boyd, 1

U.S.A.

Siena Cataudella, 1 U.S.A.

Anna Chand, 1 U.S.A.

Ethan Cheam, 1 Malaysia

Rachel Dewhirst, 1 U.S.A.

Aiden El-Deeb, 1

U.K.

Darren Eun, 1

Korea

Billy Ferguson, 1 Australia

Jeremy Kim, 1 Korea

JiChan Kim, 1 Korea

Na Young Ko, 1 Korea

Jane Lee, 1 Korea

Yewon Lee, 1

Korea

Zack Lee, 1

Malaysia

Suyoung Lim, 1 Canada

Hina Maruo, 1 Japan

Jonathan Ooi, 1

Malaysia

Daniel Park, 1 U.S.A.

136 Second (Morf) – First (Park) / Parent-Teacher Organization

JONATHAN CHANDRA

Korea

Sungjoo Kim, 1

“Wow! That dress looks great on you!” said Mrs. Debby Cura to Abby Bengs (11) at the PTO JSB Dress Sale and Swap. “Thank you!” Bengs responded. “Do you think I should get it?“ “I think so,” said Mrs. Cura. “Do you think it’s the one?” The Parent-Teacher Organization, also known as the PTO, held events throughout the year for school and local families to attend. Through JSB dress sales, the Food and Fun Fair, garage sales, and barbecues, students connected with staff and parents dedicated to holding events for them. “PTO is an organization that encourages parents and teachers to work together for the benefit of the entire school community,” said Mrs. Elizabeth Graves, PTO president. The JSB Dress Sale and Swap pulled together dresses from PTO members and students to set up a small dress “shop” in the chapel. This event permitted students and PTO members

to find JSB dresses during the “JSB crunch time.” “I found some great quality things,” said Mary-Claire McIntyre (11). “I saw a lot of girls and adults buying dresses of all styles and colors. It really brought a lot of different people together, to bond and get closer.” For the Food and Fun Fair, parents and staff set up food stalls around Center Court, and the junior class set up a drink and candy station. Other juniors organized fair games, like the Sponge Toss, for children and adults alike to play throughout the night. “I like eating from all the different stalls because people make and bring food from all their home countries,” said Karsten Ladner (11). “I especially love the Korean kimbap, the Mexican quesadillas, and the French beignets.” Garage sales offered leaving families an opportunity to sell some of their furniture. Other families took this opportunity to give away their

“trash,” hoping it could become another family’s “treasure.” “It’s fun to make money off old things you don’t want, and it’s nice to live in a community where you can have garage sales that allow you to do that,” said Emma Hofer (11). “Thank you so much for participating!” Mrs. Robin Jordan said to Bengs, who soon stepped out of the chapel with a newly purchased gown. Seconds later, Bengs returned with two other girls, offering their hands to clean up the multi-purpose room. They had realized how much the members of PTO had done in order to grow closer to them, so they wanted to offer the same kindness to them by helping after the eventful afternoon. —By Gabriela M.

“H

ERE you are,” Karsten Ladner (11) says to Isaac Uzzle (6) as he hands him fair-game coupons. Elementary students and middle schoolers used coupons to buy toys, manicures, face paint, and henna tattoos.


C

Stella Park, 1

ANDLE in hand, Angelene Woo (11) grins as David Beak (12) instructs her to light a candle and then write her name in the official NHS book. One-by-one students repeated this process before receiving their certificate and pin.

Korea

Soniya Peters, 1

The Netherlands

Reshwin Pillai, 1

Malaysia

Aaron Pontrich, 1 U.S.A.

Matthias Seevaratnam, 1 U.S.A.

Soo Song, 1 Korea

ITTING quietly, Shannon Frohlich (8) observes as Hannah Trescott (8) points her finger accusingly at Mikaela Steinkamp (8). NJHS members wrote their own skit to demonstrate the characteristics required of NJHS members.

MR. JONATHAN STEFFEN

Letyzia Tang, 1

S

Malaysia

Sean White, 1 U.S.A.

Aydan Wong, 1

Malaysia

Rebekah Wood, 1 U.S.A.

Joelle Yeoh, 1

Malaysia

Tiffany Ang, K

Malaysia

Ashlynn Arnold, K

MACKENZIE JORDAN

U.S.A.

Rachael Burley, K Malaysia

Noah Channon, K Malaysia

Sing Yi Chew, K

Malaysia

The Journey Towards

Anna-Sophia Combrink, K

The Netherlands

Adaiah de Visser, K The Netherlands

Macy Guthrie, K

Excellence (and Oz)

U.S.A.

SkyeLynn Haug, K U.S.A.

As high school students flowed into the chapel for the NHS assembly, the tune of “Somewhere over the Rainbow” met their ears. A clip from the movie The Wizard of Oz on the screen showed Dorothy singing the famous song, followed by the swirling tornado that dropped her in the land of Oz. The curtains drew back, revealing Lucia Combrink (12) on stage, playing the role of Dorothy. As she and Cindy Chiem (12), her faithful dog Toto, set out along the

Zi Xin Huang,K China

Haram Jeon, K Korea

Anju Johno, K

Japan

Alina Kaptain, K U.S.A.

Jaewon Kim, K Korea

Mia Kirk, K Canada

Aiden Ko, K

Korea

Joshua Lyon, K U.K.

Jia Ni Man, K China

Jia Jun Man, K China

Joshua Morf, K Switzerland

Joshua Nadapdap, K Indonesia

HanBi Park, K Korea

Caris Pollock, K Malaysia

Edyn Roylance, K U.S.A.

S

Saecka Takizawa, K Japan

Hayase Tsukada, K Japan

Nathanael Tucker, K U.K.

Leeia Wee, K Singapore

China

Kaius Anderson, P4 U.S.A.

Reuben Beasley, P4 U.K.

138 First (Park) – Pre-Four (Beasley)

MACKENZIE JORDAN

Hana Zining Xin, K

CRUNCHING her face in confusion, Cindy Chiem (12) hides behind Lucia Combrink (12) who speaks eagerly to Joseph Stoltzfus (12). Stoltzfus explained a calculus riddle that he needed to solve in order to continue on. Combrink quickly gave the answer and invited him to join their adventure to Oz.

Yellow Brick Road, they met a number of other characters who searched for scholarship, character, service, or leadership— qualities required for NHS members. The previous year’s NHS members scripted a skit using The Wizard of Oz to help demonstrate the four characteristics required of those inducted into the National Honor Society. Joseph Stoltzfus (12) acted the part of the scarecrow who looked lacked brains and was looking for scholarship; tin man by Shion Matsumoto (12) looked for a heart of service; David Beck (12), the lion, looked for courage and leadership; and the wicked witch searched for better personal character. “It was hard work trying to come up with a theme for the

skit. As class president, I enjoyed seeing everyone work together as a team; it was almost like preparing for JSB again!” said Ben Tse (12). After the band of characters reached their destination, the NHS members lined up along the stage and one-byone walked into the audience to find the new inductees. The 19 new members included juniors: Angelene Woo, Aaron Kelley, Sunny Kim, Charlotte Combrink, Alexis Zimbulis, Sarah Tan, Karsten Ladner, Zachary Tan, Amanda Goh, Wen Chi Chen, Tayah Lee, Ysabel Loh, Brenda Ng, and Karissa Steinkamp; five new seniors joined them as well: Hui Min Tang, Juliet Suen, Ziwei Moey and Jing Y Khoo, and Jet Oh. “When I entered

the chapel I spotted my parents sitting in the front row, so I knew that I had made it into NHS, it saved me the pain of waiting in anticipation to find out,” said Goh. Later the same day 12 middle schoolers became new inductees of NJHS, the middle school equivalent, including eight graders: Alice Chang, Joy Kiehl, Ashley Kim, Esther Kim, Sin Ler Oo, Courtney Soon, Yi Yao Tan; and seventh graders: Lydia Brooks, Jordan Chang, Bernard Combrink, Elizabeth Horton, Jerald Ooi. Each new member walked up, lit a candle, and signed his or her name in the official book. As everyone else left the chapel, NHS students stayed behind to feast on a special luncheon provided by the staff. —By M. Jordan

National Honor Society / National Junior Honor society 139


Night Vibes

Jayden Chand, P4 U.S.A.

Mattea Chim, P4 Hong Kong

Hannah Drawe, P4

and Light Hearts

U.S.A.

Sean Driscoll, P4 U.K.

Natalie Fischer, P4 Malaysia

Olivia Ho, P4

Malaysia

Paul Hsu, P4 Taiwan

Caleb Jeon, P4 Korea

Hajin Kim, P4 Korea

Joonbeom Lee, P4 Korea

Axy Lyon, P4 U.K.

Timothy Morf, P4 Switzerland

Ella Ohk, P4 Korea

Carsten Ooi, P4

Malaysia

E

Korea

Charlotte Pontrich, P4 U.S.A.

Micah Steffen, P4 U.S.A.

Sierra Truong, P4 U.S.A.

Sarah Wood, P4 U.S.A.

Mudi Xia, P4 China

Wenqian Xia,P4

EMMA HOFER

YES focused on the crowd ahead of him, Zachary Tan (11) carries the chorus of “Angel Owl” as Gabriela Mims (11) sings the harmony. The soothing music relaxed everyone who attended the event and reflected the night’s atmosphere.

Surin Park, P4

China

Eliza Yeoh, P4 Malaysia

Levi Boyd, P3 U.S.A.

Joel de Visser, P3 The Netherlands

Josie Haug, P3 U.S.A.

Samuel Huh, P3 Korea

Zoe Kahrobaei, P3 Canada

Marcus Ko, P3

As the sky outside the Student Center darkened, teenagers slowly trickled in, welcomed by a calm atmosphere. A soft glow came from the fairy lights strung around the transformed center and the smell of coffee wafted through the air. From the time StuCo had first announced the event, students had eagerly anticipated Café Night, “I couldn’t wait for those who were going to rap; I was excited to hear their original songs,” said Kimberly Horton (10). StuCo members, dressed sharply in black and white, served hot coffee, Milo, and homemade chocolate cupcakes. Comfortable chairs, beanbags, and couches sat facing a small café-like stage. Different musicallytalented groups per-

U.S.A.

Sophie Ko, P3 Korea

Sophie Lee, P3 U.S.A.

Yejii Lee, P3

Korea

Aaron Leong, P3

Malaysia

Hazel Lim, P3 Malaysia

Hae Song Min, P3

MACKENZIE JORDAN

Korea

Gavin Orr, P3 U.S.A.

Thomas Penland, III, P3 U.S.A.

Tryn Phungsonthorn, P3 Malaysia

Shivm Takizawa, P3 Japan

Melissa Tan, P3 Malaysia

Leecia Wee, P3 Singapore

Marie Yun, P3

Korea

140 Pre-Four (Chand) – Pre-Three (Yun) / Student-Council Events

A

smile crosses Christina Kim’s (11) lips as she sings “Gravity,” accompanied by David Beak (12). StuCo’s Café Night gave an opportunity for students display their musical talent outside regular band and choir class.

G

LANCING up as more people enter the Student Center, David Unruh (10) finishes cleaning the counter. Throughout the evening students journeyed to and from the counter for more dessert and drinks.

MACKENZIE JORDAN

U.S.A.

Kieran Shanmugabalan, P3

formed throughout the night. Song choices included “Put Your Records On” sung by Christina Kim (11) and David Beak (12), “Realize” performed by Gabriela Mims (11) and Zachary Tan (11), and even a rap written and performed by Jonathan Chandra (12), John Kim (12) and Micah Martens (12). Brief intermissions allowed time for students to congratulate their friends enthusiastically and retrieve more food. “I love how awesome StuCo is and all the hard work they do to make our school year more fun,” said Robert Kilgo (11). Those elected as a part of the Student Council also organized the annual Christmas Banquet and planned events such as Café Night, Lucidus Noctis, and

The Amazing Race. Their efforts broke the monotony of everyday school life and created opportunities for students to branch out, meet new people, and bond with their classmates. “It’s been fun planning events for high school and working together to think of good ideas; it’s shown me a lot about time management and qualities required to be a great leader,” said Raymond Ko (9). As the evening drew to a close, students gathered their belongings and left the student center feeling relaxed and full but still chattering about the night’s progression. They laughed as they remembered certain amusing moments, and commented on how well their friends had performed. —By M. Jordan


L

Ms. Agnes A/P Michael

AZILY settling on the chapel floor, Shelly Choi (12) and Jennifer Yook (12) listen to Ben Tse (12) address his class at the start of the senior lock-in. After the speech, they congregated to play Human Knot, untangling themselves in 15 minutes.

Housekeeping

Mr. Joshua Allen, B.A.

Spanish I, II, & III; Test Prep. MAP/CLEP Testing Coordinator, StuCo, HS Worship Leader

Mrs. Susan Allen, B.S.

Media Literacy, Bible 12, Instructional Coach

Mrs. Bona Anderson, B.C.

Preschool 4

Mr. Josh Anderson, M. Div.

New Testament, Old Testament, Foundations of Faith, Values & Decision Making, Forensics

H

OT sauce burying his plate, Peter Lee (11) spices up his meal at Nando’s. Juniors stuffed their faces after exhausting themselves in “breaking the code” at their class party. After eating, they met up to watch Mockingjay–Part 1, filling half the theater.

Ms. Ang Gaik Cheng (Adeline) Finance

Mr. Chuck Arnold, M.A.

MS & HS Technology, Varsity Boys’ Basketball

Mrs. Deana Arnold, B.S.

Grade 5, Cross Country, Track & Field, Recycling DAVID BEAK

Ms. Bernadette Selva A/P Selvarajan (Bernie)

Administration

Mr. Brameshwaran A/L Gopalakrishnan

Mr. Brian Brewster, M.A.

HS Principal, Physics, U-13 Girls’ Football, Crossfit, Campus Development

Mrs. Valeri Brokaw, M.M.

Junior Band, Band 6, Beginning Band 8, Music 5, Bible 8, HS Jazz Ensemble, Ambassadors, MS Drama, MS Choir, Intermediate Musical

Mrs. Eileen Buhr, B.Ed. Grade 2

Mr. Garth Buhr, B.Ed.

Special Services Coordinator, JV Girls’ Football

Mr. Cecil Fernandez Security

Ms. Ailee Chan, LLB

Bahasa Malaysia ES, I, II, III; SKTT; KICs Sewing

Mr. Chelliah A/L Periasamy Security

Ms. Stephanie Chhangur, B.Sc.

AP Chemistry, Chemistry, Physical Science, StuCo

Mrs. Debbie Chinn, M.A.

English 9, Honors English 9, AP English 11, Forensics

Mr. Larry Chinn

Director of Development

Mr. Chong Ying Keat (Joel) Finance

Mrs. Patricia Combrink, B.Ed.

ES P.E., Track & Field, Cross-Country

Mrs. Debby Cura, B.A.

Development, Girls’ Softball

Mr. Thomas Cura, M. Div.

Spiritual Life Director, Design & Purpose, Cross Country, Track & Field, Varsity Girls’ Softball

Ms. Laura Danneker, B. Mus.

Concert Band, AP Music Theory, Advanced Band, Language Arts 7, HS Drama, MS Jazz Ensemble, MS Cooking Club

Mr. Bob Davis, M.S.

Math Specialist, U-13 Boys’ Basketball

Mrs. Missy Davis, M.S. MS English, MS Bible

Mrs. Shuli de la Fuente-Lau, M.A. Grade 1

Mr. Dharma A/L Paramasevam Kitchen

Mr. Chance Edman, B.A.

Athletic Director, P.E., V arsity Boys’’ Football, Varsity Boys’’ Softball

Ms. Lacey Fields, B.S.

Kindergarten, JV Basketball, Girl Scouts

Mrs. Heather Fischer, M.Ed. ES Principal, Curriculum Director

Mr. John Fischer

Facilities Coordinator, Industrial Arts, Tennis

Mr. Francis Xavier Maintenance

142 Staff (Agnes A/P Michael – Francis) / Class Events

Warming Up

through Class Events

Heating their hands by the fire, seniors roasted marshmallows after skim boarding along the shore. The cold evening breeze chilled their salt-splashed faces as they sat in the sand talking and laughing. The class celebrated their last year by throwing a beach party and hosting a lockin. They played games like Never Have I Ever, and they ended the night falling asleep to Iron Man 2. “At the lock-in, I really enjoyed just chilling with my class while playing games. Spending my last year at Dalat with friends in my class is priceless,” said Priska Sugianto (12). Other classes appreciated each other through parties as well. Juniors, although getting to know their class through Junior-Senior Banquet workdays, liked to host class events during the year. Before Thanksgiving break, juniors split off into teams

and completed one of Penang’s most popular activities— Break the Code: Real Room Escape. After the tedious problem solving, juniors filled their empty stomachs with food from different places in Gurney Plaza and then proceeded to watch Mockingjay–Part 1. “It was nice to see our class grow closer together and hang out—especially when school and junior class work was building up and getting hectic. It helped us bond and relax even though we had a lot going on,” said Amanda Goh (11). Preceding Christmas break, juniors celebrated the end of the first semester by relaxing at Keegan Oppenheim’s house. Eating lunch and swimming served as a way for them to invest in their peers. Sophomores, similar to the seniors, had a restful class event at the beach, a park, and a pool. “Class events give us a chance to gather together and

get to know people in our class we didn’t previously know,” said Aaron Chand (10). The freshmen held a class party at the school, bonding with each other despite the new challenges of high school. “We swam and played games. I liked it because we could eat pizza and hang out together,” said Dars Muthaliar (9). The seniors reflected on all their past years of high school as they sat by the fire. They realized that class events had drawn them closer together through the difficulties they had faced. Time had seemed to fly by, and they sat on the shore thankful for all they had experienced. —By Gabriela M.

M

UNCHING on snacks, Chloe Castro (10), Noah Graves (10), and Aaron Chand (10) discuss current school topics across a table in the Student Center. Sophomores enjoyed their day of swimming, playing games, and eating with their class.

PHOTO A

GLORIA KIM

Mrs. Brandi Brewster, M.S.

Pre-school 4, U-13 Girls’ Volleyball

DAVID BEAK

Maintenance


Mrs. Robin Frohlich, B.A.

HS P.E., Fitness, Grade 4 PE, KICs Coordinator, Varsity Girls’ Football, U-15 Girls’ Football, Youth Football

Ganeson A/L Subramaniam Maintenance

Mr. Gerard Colvin Estrop Security

Ms. Mary Geiman, M.S.Ed. Grade 4

Ms. Joyce Goh

ES Music , HS Choir, Junior Class

Mr. Gunasegeran A/L Narainan Housekeeping

Jackson Dorm

Mrs. Mary Hawk, M.A. Jackson Dorm

Mr. Ho Ah Khang

URING her free block, Mrs. Liza Nichols grabs a cup of decaf coffee from the staff lounge to kick off her lazy morning. Teachers appreciated the variety of snacks and drinks offered for their enjoyment.

and Across Generations Often times, students faced the arduous task of seeing the similarities between themselves and their teachers. When explained, however, these similarities appeared glaringly obvious. “The Student Center offers us a relaxed environment to de-stress after school and during lunch,” said Mary-Claire McIntyre (11). Students enjoyed going to the Student Center to talk with their friends, to eat lunch, or to study for a test they had the next block. Teachers also had a hot-spot they visited to re-energize after a tiring class and to socialize. The staff lounge offered a pleasant environment for staff members to get snacks, talk to each other during breaks, and relax during free blocks.

D

EEP in discussion, Mrs. Debbie Chinn and Mrs. Susan Allen eat their lunches together. High school staff met on Wednesdays to socialize and encourage each other.

GABRIELA MIMS

Mr. Jonas Hawk, M.A.

Through the Ages

D

GABRIELA MIMS

Kitchen

Mrs. Pam Hoffmeyer, M.L.I.S.

Librarian, MS Research Skills, Child Safety Team

Mr. Paul Hoffmeyer, B.S.

Substitute Teacher Coordinator, Online Learning, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, U-15 Boys’ Football

Mrs. Jan Hogan, R.N.

Nurse, Guest House Coordinator, Tennis, Junior Class

Ms. Jodi Hoogendoorn, B.Sc.

Physical Science, Biology, AP Biology, Varsity Girls’ Volleyball

Mr. Jon Horton, B.S.

Technology Director, JV Boys’ Volleyball

Mrs. Lori Horton, B.A.

ES Library, ES & MS Battle of the Books

Ms. Intharani A/P Munusamy Kitchen

Mr. Jaganathan @ Christopher GABRIELA MIMS

Security

Ms. Jasmine A/P Sundra Raj Housekeeping

Mr. Jayaprakasan Narayanan A/L L Dharmalingam Security

Mrs. Becky Jenkins

Ziemer Dorm, JV Girls’ Volleyball; JV Girls’ Basketball;.

Mr. Eddie Jenkins

Ziemer Dorm

Ms. Kalawathy Pakkiathai A/P A.Rajiah

H

Housekeeping

Mr. Andrew W. Kearney, M.M.

Sixth Grade Band, Chapel Coordinator

ELPING his students, Mr. Joshua Allen corrects errors in Spanish sentences. Working at a linguistically diverse school, teachers communicated to each other through different languages.

Mrs. Sara Kearney, M.Ed.

Algebra II, Pre-Calculus, AP Calculus, JV Girls’ Volleyball

Mr. Leonardo Emuag

Ms. Leow Ah Mooi Administration

Ms. Leow Yen Ling Finance

Ms. Lim Ah Chai Housekeeping

Ms. Christine Lim, B.Ed. Grade 1, Senior Class

Mr. Loh Sin Choon Security

Mr. Kerry Mahoney, M.Ed.

HS Academic & College Counselor, Apologetics, Varsity Girls’ Football

Mrs. Robin Mahoney, B.Ed. Kindergarten

Mr. Manimaran A/L Kuppusamy Kitchen

Mr. Manogran A/L Ramasamy Kitchen

Ms. Mary Michael Aloysius Housekeeping

144 Staff (Frohlich – Mary) / Staff Life

PHOTO A

GABRIELA MIMS

Kitchen

“I enjoy the staff lounge because it has snacks and decaf coffee,” Mrs. Liza Nichols said. It offered a variety of food and drinks for teachers to grab before class, providing tea, coffee, fruits, cakes, pastries, and candy. “The staff lounge is a nice social gathering place,” said Mr. Joshua Allen. Teachers often ran into each other in the lounge much like students did in the library or in the Student Center. Teachers invested in each other off campus as well as on campus. They went to Gusto Cafe, George Town, and Gurney Plaza to eat, watch movies, shop, or experience the culture of the island. “Off campus, I like to hang out with my friends at the pool in my apartment complex,” Mrs. Pam Hoffmeyer explained. Much like students, staff members got together at parks, pools, gyms, shopping malls, and cafés. Both on campus and off, they enjoyed the com-

pany of their friends and co-workers. Staff threw parties for holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. These occasions served as opportune times for teachers to get together and celebrate special events throughout the year. To get through the stresses of work, they started Bible studies and groups to talk about the struggles and difficulties they have experienced. Not that long ago, teachers themselves tackled tests and papers just as students did. All of them have experienced the same kind of difficulties students faced. When given the opportunity, they gladly took the time to prove that students and teachers had more in common than they thought. —By Gabriela M.

H

APPILY playing in the field, Mr. Dustin Roberts extracts a blade of grass from his son Marshall’s mouth. Staff appreciated the safe environment on campus for their children to play.


Security

Mr. Mohan Dumar A/L A S Veeraramani Kitchen

Mr. Muniandy A/L Ramasamy Kitchen

Ms. Lisa Munson, M.S.

MS & HS PE, MS & HS Health, Online Health, Varsity Girls’ Volleyball, KICs Garden Club, MS Intramurals

Mrs. Nagamal A/P M.Doraisamy (Rose) Housekeeping

Mr. David Nguyen, M.Div.

C

HICKEN frying in the large pan, Mr. Owen Cedric Emuang prepares the day’s lunch. The kitchen staff worked to cook enough food to fill the stomachs of all the students. The friendly staff greeted everyone and spoke to familiar dorm students as they stacked their lunch trays.

S

TANDING on a ladder Mr. Francis Xavier and Mr. Victor Lim reach to repair the basketball goal. National staff responded to every call that requested they fix something. Any time an air conditioner broke or a projector stopped working, the national staff came to the rescue.

MACKENZIE JORDAN

Mr. Mathialagan A/L N. Ramasamy

MS Science; Bible 7; U-13 Boys’ Basketball

Mrs. Shuyin Nguyen, MPA ESL

Ms. Liza Nichols, B.A.

Foundation Art, Advanced Art, Master Studio, AP Art Studio, Special Studies Art; Forensics

Ms. Ooi Huey Fern (Lilian) Finance/HR

Mr. Brandon Orr, B.S.

Worship Leader, JV Boys’ Basketball

Mrs. Christina Orr, B.A.

The Peacekeepers

ES & MS Special Services Teacher

Mr. Owen Cedric Emuang Kitchen

Mrs. Anne-Marie Pagee

Guidance/Counseling, Care & Share

Mr. Bob Pagee

who Go Unnoticed

Human Resources, Child Safety, Senior Class, Friday-Night Gaming

Ms. Palany A/P Ganapathy Ms. Emily Peace, B.A.

Assistant Dorm Parent, Short-Stay Coordinator

Mrs. Carre Penland, B.S.

Grade 4, Varsity Girls’ Softball

Mr. Tom Penland, M.A.

MS Math, JV Boys’ Basketball Maintenance

Mr. Ponamudi A/L Valaithan Maintenance

Ms. Prisna A/P Frak Part Finance

Mr. Rajeen A/L Mareemuttoo Maintenance

Mr. Ramasamy A/L R. Govinda (Sam) Maintenance

Mr. Ravindran A/L Moses Maintenance

Mr. Dustin Roberts, B.S.

ES & MS Art, Varsity Boys’ Football, Junior Class

Mrs. Renae Roberts, B.S.

Preschool 3, Junior Class

Mrs. Jodi Roberts, B.S. Grade 3

Mr. Joel Roberts, B.S. IT Specialist, Robotics

Mrs. Lydia Roberts

PowerSchool Administrator, HS Academic Scheduler

Mr. Jon Ronning, B.A.

IT Specialist, Robotics, Game Night, JV Boys’ Football

Mrs. Rebekah Ronning, B.A.

ES Computer

Mrs. Carin Roylance, B.A.

English 10, English 12, Forensics

Mr. Craig Roylance, B.S.

ESL Coordinator, JV Boys’ Volleyball, Varsity Boys’ Volleyball, MS Worship Leader

Mr. Sabapathy A/L Somasundaram Security

Mr. Sangaran A/L Ramu Thaver (Susu) Maintenance

146 Staff (Mathialagan – Sangaran)

MACKENZIE JORDAN

Mr. Perumal A/L Govinda

MACKENZIE JORDAN

Housekeeping

“Good morning,” said Mr. Jayaprakasan Narayanan to Victoria Galang (9) as she crossed the road in front of stopped traffic. Galang smiled and returned the friendly greeting. Every morning and afternoon, when the roadway within school saw the most traffic—parents dropping off and picking up their kids—Mr. Narayanan and a number of other guards stood at the cross walks and directed students to cross at the white lines or for cars to drive on by. Others on national staff worked every day and kept the dorms and classrooms clean, swept the campus, raked leaves, washed the clothes of dorm students, and provid-

S

MALL broom in hand, Agnes Michael collects leaves in a dust pan. Everyday the new and old staff alike cleaned the campus, ensuring that everything looked neat and tidy.

ed safety for everyone on campus. “Saroja is a really sweet lady who cleans the dorms and washes our clothes— she always sends our washed clothes back on time, which is really convenient, ” said Christina Kim (11). “When I first came to Dalat, the national staff welcomed me warmly, and with cheerful smiles. Although I often get swept away by my daily activities and fail to acknowledge the much-appreciated staff, I am grateful for the time and work they invest to make our school a better place,” said Jennifer Yook (12). Faithful staff members have worked on campus for many years. “I have worked here seven years, and I love it; Dalat is so close to everything—­­ in fact my whole family works here,” said Mr. Vgekumar Maneemuthoo. Other staff mem-

bers diligently prepared meals every day. “I love cooking everything on the menu, but my favorite thing to cook is curry!” said Mr. Owen Cedric Emuang, the head of the kitchen staff. Most students, however, did not see the hours expended cleaning up after they finished their meals. Whenever anything appeared out of order, ceased to work, or created an unnecessary mess, the national staff always appeared in time to save the day. They worked daily as unnoticed peacekeepers, and functioning without them would certainly prove an arduous task. At the end of the day, as students drifted off to drama practice, sports activities, or to their off campus homes, the guards stood watch once again, silently ensuring safety and peace for all. ­—By M. Jordan

National Staff Life 147


S

Mr. Santhanasamy A/L Francis

IPPING icy-cold drinks, Mackenzie Jordan (11) and Keegan Oppenheim (11) wait for their food at the Hillside stalls. During breaks, students enjoy eating out together to relax and discuss their holiday plans.

Housekeeping

Ms. Sarasvathi A/P A.Navaseelam (Joyce) Teacher’s Assistant

Ms. Saroja A/P Supramaniam Housekeeping

Mrs. Karen Sasse, B.S. Grade 3

Mr. Mark Sasse, M.A.

Intro. to Theatre Arts, SE Asian Studies, American Government, Speech, Forensics, global Studies, Digital Citizenship, U.S. History, Varsity Girls’ Softball, RLT Players, HS Drama

E

XCITEDLY opening an ang pau, Mary-Claire McIntyre (11) smiles at the generous giving of her friends. For Chinese New Year, family and friends gave money in envelopes to help others prosper in the new year.

Mr. Jarrell Dale John Sawatzky, B.Ed.

Bible 6, Science 6, PE 6, Varsity Boys’ Volleyball

Mrs. Shannon Sawatzky, B.Ed.

Preschool 3, Kindergarten Music, ES Worship Leader

Mrs. Shantel Seevaratnam, M.A. Kindergarten, Debate

Mr. Sim Hock Sun Kitchen

Mr. Jonathan Steffen, B.S. DLRC Coordinator

Mrs. Jacki Steinkamp, M.S.

ES Counselor, Child Safety, Junior Class

Mr. Karl Steinkamp, M.S.

Head of School, LEAD Class, Varsity Girls’ Basketball, Junior Class

Mr. Sundaraj A/L Rangasamy H.R.

Ms. Tan Gaik Fung (Jasmine) Administration

Mr. Lu-Shien Tan, BBA Director of Admissions

GABRIELA MIMS

Ms. Thanavalli A/P Kamache Housekeeping

Mandarin I, II, III; AP Chinese & Culture

Mr. Toh Poh Suan Housekeeping

Mr. John “Tommy” Tompkins, M.S.

Honors English 10, English 11, AP English 12, Journalism I, II; Reflector, Eagle’s Eye, NHS

Mr. Mark Trescott, M.Ed.

MS Social Studies, MS Bible, JV Boys’ Football, NJHS

Mrs. Michele Trescott, B.A.

Grade 6 Bible, Language Arts, Social Studies, NJHS

Mrs. Claudia Tse (Kang Saw Ee) Administration, Senior Class

Mrs. Tung Seok Yeng (Mrs. Lee) Finance

Mrs. Terresa Uzzle, M.A.

AP Statistics, College Algebra, Statistics, Geometry, Senior Class

Mr. Wallace S. Uzzle, M.A.

MS Coordinator, MS Counselor, Special Services, Varsity Boys’ Basketball, Senior Class

Ms. Valliammah A/P Karpaya Library

Mr. Vegekumar A/L Mareemuthoo (Kumar) Kitchen

Mr. Victor Lim Maintenance

Mr. Vijay A/L Sambantham Mudaliar Security

Mrs. Stephanie Watkins, B.A. Grade 2

Mr. Brian Weidemann

Jaffray Dorm, Residence Supervisor, Deputy Director, Security, Varsity Boys’ Softball

Mrs. Valerie Weidemann, B.A.

Jaffray Dorm, Dorm Council

Mrs. Melodee White, M.S.Ed.

AP World History, World History, World Religions, Junior Girl Scouts, History Bee & Bowl

Ms. Shawna Wood, M.Ed.

MS Principal, LA 5, MS Slide Monitor, Senior Class

148 Staff (Santhanasamy – Wood)

National Unity

and a Break from Busyness

“I can’t wait for Chinese New Year weekend!” said Ysabel Loh (11). “I want a break from school, time with family, and lots of ang paus! ” “I’m looking forward to seeing my relatives the most,” said Amanda Goh (11). “But a break from my busy schedule can’t do any harm!” Holidays in Penang served as opportune times for students to take breaks from school work or simply to relax. On holidays like Chinese New Year, Malaysia Day, and Merdeka Day, students and teachers used the time to catch up on sleep and invest in their families and each other.

“I mostly like to rest during the holidays,” said Zhi Yi Saw (8). “They make good times to hang out with friends.” National holidays did not only provide restful time away from school work, but also created a chance for students to experience the culture of the island. During holidays, ethnic, political, or religious groups commemorated different, traditional festivals. Malls, restaurants, and parks held events and performances associated with the different holidays, such as a traditional drumming dance at Gurney Paragon Mall or a Lion Dance at Paradise Hotel for

Chinese New Year. These experiences allowed students to see different cultures in Penang first-hand. Chinese New Year, especially, gave school families a four-day weekend they could use to eat feasts surrounded by relatives, to visit the beach, or to go shopping. The start of the Year of the Goat brought family reunions, relaxation, good memories—and, of course, ang paus! —By Gabriela M.

GABRIELA MIMS

Administration

Mrs. Eunice Teoh, M.A.

GABRIELA MIMS

Mr. Thurairaj A/L A. Pawadai Pillai (Raj)

M

ETAL stick in hand, Jennifer Yook (12) and David Beak (12) roast marshmallows by the shore. Breaks allowed the two and several other friends to use the evening resting in each other’s company.

National Holidays 149


W

ITH cash in one hand and a bag of brownies in the other, Brenda Ng (11) laughs at the antics of Li Ze Choo (12) across the street. On Thursday afternoons, Rainforest Bakery set up shop on campus, providing hungry students and teachers with baked goods.

Pause and Reflect.

You dipped your feet into the pool at the Flamingo Hotel, sipping the milk out of a young coconut. Under the beaming sun, your friends contrived to splash as much water at you as possible. You disregarded the splashes, zoning out as you reminisced your life in Penang. Living on a tropical island definitely had its advantages. You lived in perpetual summertime and enjoyed close proximity to the beach. Perhaps the best part of everyday life in Penang was the affordability of most commodities. You spent a mere 50 sen on a glass of soy milk at the Hillside stalls, and only five ringgit for a pair of pink underwear—a gag gift for your friend’s birthday. The things you spent your money on said a lot about what you held important. You had paid for tickets to Transformers: Age of Extinction, not because of its cinematic mastery, but to spend time with your friends. Laughing together at the film’s lack of plot and wealth of pointless explosions, you had one of the most enjoyable days of the year. “Age of Extinction? More like Age of ExSTINKtion!” commented Hung-Jie Song (12) as you purchased some bubble tea at the ground floor Each a Cup.

H

JONATHAN CHANDRA

IS thoughts wandering, Aaron Chand (10) sits on a bench in a contemplative mood as he sips on his teh ais limau. The cultural habit of Malaysians eating late dinners ensured that students could procure food and drink from hawker stalls long after the sun went down.

JONATHAN CHANDRA

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JONATHAN CHANDRA

[advertisements]

Drinks in hand, you and your friends hopped onto the 101 bus, fishing out rm1.40 from your pockets for the ride back to Tanjung Bunga. As you disembarked the packed vehicle and stepped out into the warm sunlight, someone suggested going swimming. In unanimous agreement, your group dispersed, resolving to meet each other at the poolside of Flamingo in 30 minutes. And now here you sat. As you reflected on the things you had paid money for throughout the day, you realized that the priceless experiences you had had with your friends trumped them all. Newly aware of your surroundings, you set your coconut down and launched yourself into the pool, ready to exact revenge on those who had splashed you. Having paused and reflected on the incredible worth of your friendships, you knew that you shouldn’t waste a single moment you had with them. —By Jonathan Chandra

C

LUTCHING his bag of Milo ais, Joseph Chandra (7) watches Zhi Yong Lee (7) play on his iPhone. Students and staff, especially those living in the neighborhood, frequently socialized over food and drink at the Permai Village stalls.


Indian Delights

Mr. & Mrs. Stoltzfus

Wins @ the Bowl

EMMA HOFER

Though each member dreaded the exhaustive, six-hour journey to Kuala Lumpur, no one could possibly foresee what wonderful memories they would make or what awards they would collectively win during this two-day trip. “The History Bee and Bowl is always a highlight of my year. We “Who was the last husband of Cleopatra?” asked the judge to Jacob compete both individually and as a team against other schools in the reUzzle (12). gion. This year, the competition was tougher,” said Zimbulis, “but that “Mark Antony!” Uzzle quickly answered. made it all the more exciting and rewarding to win!” “Congratulations, Dalat!” exclaimed the “This was my second year at the History Bee and judge. “You are the varsity winners of the 2015 Bowl in KL, and I had a lot of fun bonding with my History Bowl.” team and boosting my knowledge,” said Chandra. Hand claps filled the ears of the competitors, That night, the nervous members stopped to and Uzzle ecstatically went to high-five his felfill up on Papa John’s pizza before checking in to low team members, Jonathan Chandra (12), Lexi their hotel which sat two blocks away from ISKL, Zimbulis (11), Karsten Ladner (11), and Anson where the competitions would occur. Early the next Chin (10). Their painstaking approach towards morning, the competition began. the competition had garnered a first-place Histo“It is always a challenge to come up with anry Bowl trophy. swers under pressure, but my team was really fun In the junior-varsity category, sophomores and supportive,” said Chin. “The History Bee can Sam Hofer, Josiah Brake, Denise Chai, Jing Low, show you how much you actually don’t know and and Grace Lim also won first place in the bowl. where you can improve.” In the individual History Bee competitions, Throughout the day, students sat at desks and anChandra, Zimbulis, and Ladner, respectively, swered the questions they knew they could answer. earned second- and third-place medals; and in “We all had buzzers at our desks, like in “Jeopthe junior-varsity category, Hofer and Brake, reardy,” and we pushed them as fast as possible in spectively, won the first- and fourth-place awards. order to answer a question first,” said Hofer. On the previous day, all 10 students—along Feeling thankful for the experience and the with staff members Mrs. Melodee White and Mr. INTENTLY reviewing his answer choices, Chandra (12) studies the history memories made, Uzzle embraced his friends. He Shien Tan—armed with textbooks, worksheets, Jonathan question on the Quiz Up app. Among other and backpacks, had piled into a van on the sunny methods, playing timed history games effec- didn’t want to ever forget these emotions. —By Emma Hofer morning of Saturday, 24 March. tively prepared students for the competition.

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Sam’s Collections

Mr. & Mrs. Chiem

Congratulations, Cindy! You have always walked through life with a smile on your face and hope in your heart. As you graduate, we eagerly look forward to what the future has in store for you. We know you will change the lives of all those you meet. Know that in all things, He loves you and will always guide you. All our love,

Mom and Dad

“May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.” Psalm 20:4

Vainglorious!

DAVID BEAK

“I was never a fan of games like ‘Vainglory,’ but my friends all forced me to play,” said Jonathan Park (11). “I don’t regret it because I actually enjoy the game!” At lunchtime, the high school boys only talked about “Vainglory” “Yes! We won!” yelled Adrian Nonis (10) in excitement as he jumped and the matches they had played at home or before school. By sharing off the beanbag to celebrate his team’s victory in the new gaming stories and even reenacting certain monumental moments during the trend: “Vainglory.” game, these students let out loud laughs and relieved stress. Created by the company Super Evil Megacorp, “Vainglory” or “VG” On campus, not a day went by without one person either playing became an instant world-class app and even made it as an “editor’s choice” or talking about this new game. The incessant mentioning of the word in the app. store. Students who discovered this game, immediately spread “VG” itself attracted innocent students to at least search for the game the news to their peers—and soon enough, almost every high school and check it out. boy’s iPad had “Vainglory” downloaded and ready to launch. “I find it really amazing how a game became such a big trend in In the game, two teams of three this school,” said Ziwei Moey (12), a fellow battled it out on a map by choosing VG player. a specific hero to control. The players “Usually game trends do not last more worked together to defeat the opponent’s than a few months, but I have a very strong heroes, destroy “turrets,” and ultimately feeling the ‘Vainglory’ trend will never end!” destroy the “vain crystal.” exclaimed Dennis Choi (12). Every morning, students gathered in The communal experience of teaming the library to squeeze in one round of up with peers and battling opponents VG before the first bell rang. Students created bonds between different grades. continuously tapped their iPad screens Senior boys went up to the freshmen and without rest, groaning and yelling challenged them to a match. Soon enough, whenever their team started to lose. a fiery battle of pride erupted in the library. Those who did not fall under the spell “Go push the lane!” shouted Derrick of “Vainglory” did not understand why Lim (12) as he and teammate Tim Phan (12) people found the game fun and felt left successfully killed the Kraken, forcing the on his face, Hasung Cho (10) enjoys a round of Vainglory out when everyone around them played. SMILE with Kevin Kim (10) on the same team. High school boys quickly freshmen to surrender. Despite feeling defeated, Some students simply started playing ate their lunch and crowded into the Student Center during lunch the freshmen shook hands with the seniors and VG because everyone played. —By David Beak to play VG with each other. laughed it out.

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Forever Travel

Cheow Guan

With Compliments from

Cheow Guan Sdn. Bhd.

Est’d. 1983

Grocer and Supplier to: • Households

No. 290, Burma Rd. 10350 Penang, Malaysia Tel: 04-2270 553, 2271 094

• Hotels • Hospitals • Restaurants • Dealers in Dried and Frozen Japanese Foodstuffs • Agent to ESSO Gas • Cooking Stoves, Etc.

Casually Sharing

effective way to give a twist to an ordinary school day while supporting a good cause.” Fund-raising events such as this, the Annual Fund, and the Christmas Banquet gift donations further enabled Care and Share When an English teacher assigns a persuasive essay, he’s bound to read to surprise elderly people at the Bethesda Home, children at Pastor a paper about how “schools should not make students wear uniforms.” Luka’s Home, and families from the Family Hope Welfare Association And some students don’t think twice about what they wear to school, with quality gifts. The Catholic School in Banda Aceh and the fishing but others dread having to wear the same clothes every day. village school in Gertak Sanggul also benefitted from the support with Luckily for the latter ones, they have the chance to show off their basketball equipment and prizes for a carnival. fashion sense and attend classes in casual outfits once in a while thanks “I always felt pleased and joyful when I bought the ribbon for to Care and Share. the No-Uniform Day because I was helping people in need by Mrs. Anne-Marie Pagee organized “No-Uniform Days” every simply giving rm10,” said Alice Chang (8). semester to raise funds for the On 20th March, Mrs. Pagee shared communities Care and Share with everyone about how Care and worked with. Generally raising Share had made use of the funds up to rm5,000, students’ funds raised from different events during helped buy food for needy families, chapel, showing pictures of the support children’s homes, and keep groups that received the gifts. the vans running with fuel so that “Serving these people feels the Care and Share could make their most rewarding when you see the joy weekly visits to the Shan Home as that’s on their faces when we put on well as an old folks’ home. events for them. I could not do all the “No-Uniform Days are great things I do without the support of our because we get to dress in whatever students, parents, and staff! I am very we feel comfortable in—while thankful for the way everyone pulls following the dress code—and together to make it happen,” she said. make donations to Care and Share Thus, when the next No-Uniform conversing among themselves, juniors Jonathan Park, Ysabel Loh, Sunny at the same time,” said Samuel BUSY Kim, Jane Jung, Jethro Lee, Samuel Tan, and Zachary Tan sit at the round table Day comes, don’t miss out on the Tan (11). after school on a No-Uniform Day. Students often went out to Gurney on a rare fun; dress casually with a sharing Abby Bengs (11) added, “It’s an No-Uniform Day that happened on a Friday in their casual attire. —By Gloria Kim heart! GLORIA KIM

14-B, Aboo Sittee Lane, 10400 Penang, Malaysia Tel: (60-4)-2266 633 Fax: (60-4)-2266 611 E-mail: julieyeoh@forevertravel.com.my

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Mr. & Mrs. Lim

Parent-Teacher Organization

Congratulations, Ting Hui! Mom and Dad are grateful that you have made it to your senior year and have completed it so wonderfully with flying colors. Life ahead shall be marvelous but poses challenges too, especially the need of pursuing the national service for two full years before your university studies.

Reading Frenzy

stay in the classrooms at all times. As soon as her speech ended, Mrs. Fischer awarded medals by grades with the help of Mrs. Shantel Seevaratnam, the new elementary principal for next year. “Today is literally the biggest day for the elementary students out of the In third grade, Sean White, Suyoung Lim, and Stella Park’s team called whole year!” said Gabriella Uzzle (2). “The Reading Fair is happening the Minecraft Eagles won first place. In second grade, Leeann Wee, Nikita at 7:00 p.m. in the chapel. Tons of people are going to come; I don’t Sarhad, and Ruben Morf of the Cute Minions took the gold medals. know how we can fit all of them in there!” Members of the Newton Scientific Readers, Amos Koay, Aidan Leong, As pumped as Uzzle, other elementary students piled into the chapel Andrew Worten, Myra Lim, and Rhys Hofer, won first in third grade. on 15 April to celebrate the fifth annual Reading Fair. Lastly, Jimmy Ferguson, Jasmine Hassan, Elliot Steffen, and Elizabeth “The Reading Fair is a follow-up to the big competition called the Buhr in their team Wise Owls won gold for the fourth graders. Battle of the Books where the students read a lot of books in a short “The best part of the Reading Fair was getting to work with our amount of time. Now, the students friends and making something that are going to present visual displays everyone could see. We all did a of the books that really made great job, even those who didn’t win an impact on them,” said Mrs. a medal,” said Tobin Sawatzky (4). Heather Fischer as an introduction “I love reading; it’s like my to the event. favorite thing in the whole world, so In groups of three or four, this Reading Fair was a project that the elementary students created I really enjoyed doing,” said White. decorative boards that named T h e e ve n t i n c o r p o r a t e d some basic information about competing against each other to their books, including the title, win medals, but a greater part of the author, the author’s purpose, it lay in honoring the students’ the illustrator, and the publisher. work. The chapel bustled with They then described the plot, the elementary students who all conflict, and the resolution in short joined in congratulating the standing in front of their boards, third graders Alyssa Lam, Cherry paragraphs written solely on their PROUDLY Thomas, Ariana Anderson, Noella Seevaratnam, and Anric Chin face their medalists even if they did not win own. They did not receive any help parents for a photo during the Reading Fair. Parents had the time to look anything themselves. from adults as the projects had to around the students’ work after a short awards ceremony. —By Gloria Kim GLORIA KIM

Dad and Mum take the opportunity here to wish you all the best in your health and life. And do keep up your good performances as usual to equip the needed competency and good attitudes in order to pursue a successful and promising life in times to come.

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C&MA Canada

Mr. & Mrs. Combrink

Lucia Combrink – 2015 Dearest Lucia: congratulations on this milestone in your life!

We are so proud of you! We thank God for who you are: a fun-loving, adventurous, caring and sensitive young woman with a desire to impact the world for the better! We pray that our Father would grant you joy as you journey through life and seek to serve Him and live your life according to His purposes. “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.” (Num 6:24-26)

We rejoice with you, graduates! As you graduate from Dalat International School, our prayer is that you will never stop impacting your world wherever you go and whatever you do. May God continue to bless you, your dreams, your abilities, and your future. From Brem & Donna Frentz (VP & Associate VP, Global Ministries), on behalf of the entire Alliance family of churches in Canada.

THE CHRISTIAN AND MISSIONARY ALLIANCE IN CANADA

to the graduating class of

2015 •

Tie Me Up!

individual reason for taking part in the trend. “I felt invincible with my tie on,” Nash said. “It was a refreshing break from the perpetual drab of the Dalat uniform.” Students found security in wearing their ties and in standing out and Head held high, Matthew Shafer (12) strutted across campus, his tie looking different, grateful that teachers allowed them this opportunity flapping and waving in the wind like a flag of individuality. How did to put their own spin on the dress code. he get into this situation? Others joined out of distaste for modern culture, attempting to He recalls the average tie day: “I wake up. I go into my dresser, break away in a sort of fashion coup d’état. “The issue with today’s and I see some ties hanging in the back. Usually I pick my panda tie society is that not enough men know how to tie ties,” said Brake. because it’s the coolest tie ever,” said Shafer. “Sometimes, I pick my Chiem chose to participate in this trend for its sheer fashion value. Inuit hunting party tie. And then I hope that other people remember— “I love wearing a tie because it’s just so cool; I feel like it should be because that’s the point: to unite in a trend that will last until I leave.” a part of our school uniform,” said she. “Wearing a tie makes me Despite its uniqueness, the sight of boys sauntering around in feel bold and confident.” eye-catching neck wear proved At least one student had much less common for students every Friday serious reasons for taking part in the as Shafer’s friends soon joined him trend: “I joined in because it’s become in this fashion statement. a bandwagon, and we’re doing it for “I just did it to start a trend,” fun. Because we’re seniors, we might Shafer confirmed. as well make it the best year we can,” Dubbed “Friday Tie Day,” Hung-Jie Song said. “Also its stinkin’ participants included, on at least one cool to wear a tie.” occasion, Marshall McManus (12), Though students had different Kirk Ladner (12), Tayler Nash (12), motivation for joining in on Friday Tie Joe Brake (10), Hudson McManus Day, they could all agree they enjoyed (10), Karsten Ladner (11), and taking part in a trend that, though Cindy Chiem (12). The practice it didn’t serve a particular purpose, became an outlet for self-expression it brought them closer together and across the tennis court to their D-Block classes, Chiem, Shafer, as students took a bold step into the TRAIPSING Nash, and Song discuss the difficulty of their recent Apologetics test. Except gave them a chance to pay tribute to gray areas of the dress code. Nash, the students all sported a unique tie that complemented their personal Shafer’s immortal fashion sense. Students all had their own style, even trading ties for maximum effect. —By Aaron Bengs AARON BENGS

With all our love: Dad, Mom, Charlotte, Danielle, Bernard, and Anna-Sophia

CONGRATULATIONS

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Dalat Staff

Muthu Frozen Food Sdn. Bhd.

Banishing Board-um

ABBY BENGS

wave crashed and rushed up the beach, advancing like an army across the plains of battle. Matsumoto dropped his board and leapt onto it, racing across the surface of the water for a good 20 feet before the wave receded and the board struck the sand, throwing him onto the Gliding effortlessly over the surface of the wave, John Kim (12) sent ground. He got up, grabbed his board, and walked back to where the a spray of salty seawater cascading across the beach as he leaned into other guys stood. a 360˚ rotation. One by one waves threw themselves onto the beach “Sick run dude,” Oppenheim said. before being dragged back into the water, clawing and curling up into Skimboarding gave this group something to talk about and look forward too after a long day of studying. “It really helps me relax after a wall before smashing apart as a new wave plowed over it. Micah Martens (12) and Keegan Oppenheim (11) stood further school,” Abby Bengs (11) said. “I can take my mind off studying to down shore, waiting vigilantly for a perfect wave. “Oh sick,” Martens do something that I can tackle on my own terms.” Though it proved challenging at first, newcomers, with practice, exclaimed, “I’m goin’.” He sprinted across the sand before dropping his board onto the eventually joined the veterans in shredding waves and coasting down wave splayed across the shore and hopping onto it until it receded the shoreline, doing tricks and maneuvers along the way. completely, pulling him into the ocean where he skidded exhilaratingly “At first I could barely stand on the board, but after tons of cuts and bruises and advice from my friends, I was able to do across the top of another wave before slowing down a couple of really cool tricks,” Matsumoto said. “It and sinking into the surf. was somewhat like surfing, and I really enjoyed it.” “It’s a whole new experience when it’s just you, Skimboarding also gave students an the board, the wave, and the sunset,” said Kim. opportunity to bond through a mutual interest “You are captured in the moment of connection outside school and “normal” extra-curricular between nature and your heart.” activities. “You know, we share boards because we A group of students often went after school, are poor—and skimboards are gnarly expensive. either before or after supper, down to the Paradise I never realized how nice my friends are,” Kim Hotel beach to spend a few hours having fun and said, laughing. burning off extra energy. Standing together down shore the boys— CAREFULLY controlling his body weight, As the afternoon wound to a close, the silhouetted against the sky—waiting for the right John Kim (12) leans in and out, causing his guys picked up their boards and headed back to spin as he slides down the shore. moment. Small waves began to roll up together board With the sand on one side and the sky on to campus, stopping at the outdoor shower at below the beach, and one of the silhouettes, Shion the other, skimboarders enjoyed great views Paradise Hotel to rinse off the sand and saltwater. —By Aaron Bengs Matsumoto (12) sprinted down the shore. The as they relaxed together and caught waves.

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We’ve Got Spirit!

ple, temporarily dying their hair grey naming it “Oldies Day.” Students went all out, not wasting their chance to wear something different to show off clothes from a past decade. Big, frizzy hair, flower crowns, dramatic makeup, and old shoes switched things up. School came to life with color during Spirit Week. Some compared it Students complimented each other’s remarkable outfits and took to when Dorothy’s house landed in Oz, and the movie turned from turns guessing what era someone represented. black and white to color. “I was dressed from the ’90s, and when I posted a picture on “Spirit Week has been a long-standing tradition; it’s been so Instagram some of my older friends were sort of offended because widely asked for, and we want to be the voice for the student body,” they’re from that generation. I thought it was pretty funny,” said said Zachary Tan (11). “It’s about school unity and making fun Jaime Ooi (12). memories.” On Thursday, the final day, StuCo assigned each class a specific The event gave a welcomed break from the sameness of school color to wear. The juniors created an ocean of blue, offset by the uniforms. Tuesday kicked off the seniors in mystical black, the sophoweek with “twin day”; this induced mores in fiery red, and the freshmen lots of laughs as people paired up in pure white. with one or two other people and Wearing one color with the rest of matched their clothes. The school their classmates helped students feel hallways abounded with pairs of coconnected with their grade, united ordinated students. through color. “Twin day was great! I appreci “Class color day was cool; it gave ated how you could dress up and us a chance to wear something other have fun with another friend,” said than school uniforms and yet still be Mary-Claire McIntyre (11). united with other people,” said Hud Wednesday saw people from a son McManus (10). host of different eras treading the The change of clothing brightened school grounds. From the ’40’s everyone’s week and brought a flashy, war-effort women, to the ’60’s flowlively element to school life. It gave as a hippie and a person from the stone-age respectively, Kassy er children, the ’80’s aerobics out- DRESSED Steinkamp (11) and Charlotte Combrink (11) enjoy their lunch. The girls students the opportunity to stand out fits, and the ’90’s grunge-rockers. discussed the crazy outfits around them and commented about which and show their fun-loving spirits. Students also dressed as elderly peo- ones they liked best. —By Mackenzie Jordan MACKENZIE JORDAN

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Spoofing the JSB

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wrote out a script and started practicing. Taking performances from JSB night, the seniors made a parody of the “Lost Boys” basketball act by having a group of real varsity basketball players perform a “synchronized movement” to the song “Get Cha Head in the Game” while a few “fake” Silence filled the campus the morning after the JSB. Restless juniors basketball players danced around aimlessly at the back. slept in, but gathered in front of a large whiteboard, the seniors and “The moment I saw the seniors take off their shirts to reveal sponsors discussed theme options for the After-JSB Dinner as they basketball uniforms, I knew what to expect and immediately burst reviewed the JSB program. Soon, they covered the whiteboard ended out laughing,” said Andy Ewe (11). with a list of things to spoof. The doors had opened at six, and the juniors entered the coffeehouse “At first it was hard to think of what we could spoof, but after seeing themed “Starfish Bucks Café” with laughter and amazement. A handful the list we came up with, I was really excited,” said Ben Tse (12). of seniors handed them coffee mugs with each of the juniors’ names After finalizing a theme and acts to written on them. perform, the seniors broke into committees “I was amused to see how the seniors had to plan out their event. The decoration taken our decorations and used them for team collected the props from the JSB and something completely irrelevant from their manipulated them to “tease” the juniors. original purpose—like how they chopped our At the JSB, the juniors had constructed a tree in half and placed a campfire inside it,” said large skull-shaped rock formation and called Emma Hofer (11). it “Skull Rock” from the Disney movie Peter The evening progressed and the chapel Pan. They also built other signature items resounded with sounds of laughter and from the movie like “Tick Tock Croc” and the moments of embarrassment as the seniors Indian camp as photo ops which the seniors pinpointed mistakes the juniors had made took advantage of for the after-JSB spoof. during the JSB. Andriani Sugianto (11) covered “We thought about what we could do her mouth as she laughed at Josh Basha (12) with ‘Skull Rock’ and decided to just lay the and Ben Tse (12) spoofing her tribute. ‘rocks’ all around the chapel steps and put up MUNCHING on a spring roll, Mr. Karl Steinkamp The After-JSB Dinner came to a close, warning signs,” said Mr. Scott Uzzle. “I found enjoys his appetizer as Mrs. Jacki Steinkamp and after a couple of group shots and personal compliments the seniors for organizing the After-JSB it absolutely hilarious!” Dinner so well. The seniors brought comfortable pictures as photo ops, the juniors left, thanking As the decoration team hustled to print signs couches and chairs from the Student Center for the the seniors for a memorable evening. and design the chapel, the entertainment group junior class sponsors to sit on and feel honored. —By David Beak

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Congratulations Class of 2015

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CONGRATULATIONS KIRK! You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made Your works are wonderful; I know that full well. -Psalm 139:1,14

We love you! Dad, Mom, Kyle, Keegan, Karsten and Kaitlyn

Exploring Spirituality

worship band because I had time each day to focus on God. I could feel the influence in other areas of my life, and worship band I felt more secure because I realized that everything I did was for God. I gained a lot of confidence and developed my talents.” In the wake of Mr. Rick Hurlbut’s departure, a new Bible class rose out Seniors relished this refreshing change of pace and material as the of the ashes like a fiery phoenix ready to swoop down on the seniors course focused on personally experiencing God instead of learning as a harbinger of faith and spirituality. Mrs. Susan Allen, the teacher facts and memorizing Bible verses. “I learned that much of Christianity to tame the young phoenix, taught the course with both panache and is very experiential,” said Dennis Choi (12), “and through Spiritual passion. Her dedication to ensuring each individual had a chance Formation I have had a lot of highly valuable experiences. For example, to develop a relationship with God enhanced the class immensely, when we went out to the beach to meditate on Bible verses, I was able making it, as Morgan Guthrie (12) said, “ . . . the best Bible class I to connect with God through nature.” have had at Dalat.” “Spiritual formation is a really good way of exploring the different “Spiritual Formation was a true blessing this senior year because I ways you can connect and worship God. It was really different from needed time to think about God and reflect on my future,” said Lucia other Bible classes, which was very revitalizing,” said Jennifer Yook (12). Combrink (12). “I enjoyed journaling for that class because it helped These students flourished as Mrs. Allen me develop my relationship with God by allowed them the freedom to explore their faith reflecting on my experiences with the spiritual on their own accord, only advising them to disciplines,” practice the spiritual discipline and allowing Each week, the seniors experimented students to opt out if they felt uncomfortable with one spiritual activity, ranging from with the activity. “It’s really relaxing to have graciousness to silence, chosen by Mrs. Allen. time each day for yourself to sit and think,” They then went to a quiet spot on campus and said Fong Wei Ting (12). practiced the discipline. Students’ spiritual lives blossomed as the The students found that setting aside time course went on. Each day, they grew closer to each day to honor God and develop spiritually God and discovered their own spirituality in not only enhanced their relationship with the light of His Word. “I have learned more in LOOKING up from his journal, Li Ze Choo (12) Lord but also improved their everyday life. Spiritual Formation than any other Bible class,” carefully contemplates his next sentence. After Said Peter Tan (12), “It was fun and a good reading a selection from Isaiah 32, Choo took time said Guthrie. After spending time alone with time to relax while also growing close to God. to reflect and meditate on it, scrawling down his God, students felt relaxed and ready to take on It really helped me cope with daily stresses like thoughts as God spoke to him. —By Tayler Nash the day. JONATHAN CHANDRA

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Mr. & Mrs. Matsumoto

Coughing up Answers

GABRIELA MIMS

tion pitted groups of five or six students against each other in a grueling two-hour ordeal. “The Purple Comet Math Competition was enjoyable because I could freak out with my teammates when we had no idea what was Forty minutes on the clock. Pencil in hand. And tension mounted in going on. We could take a different approach and work together to the room as students waited for their cue to start the daunting chal- solve the problems,” said Jing Yi Khoo (12). lenge ahead of them. All in all, the ASMA Math Contest and the Purple Comet Math “You may begin,” Mrs. Terresa Uzzle announced, and students Competition gave both mathematically and non-mathematically inhastily flipped their papers over, scanned their documents, and start- clined students an opportunity to participate in something that could ed on the first of seven questions. help them keep their math skills up, gain extra credit, or simply enjoy “Seven questions sounds easy,” you had thought when you signed solving different problems. up for the American Scholastic Mathematics Association Contest, “At first I took the ASMA Math Contest just for fun,” said Denise more commonly known as the ASMA Math Contest. But once you Chai (10), winner of the competition week after week. “I’ve always turned the paper over and saw the been intrigued by math problems; there’s complex problems on it, you thought a certain satisfaction when you come again. across a difficult problem and are able to The ASMA contest gave students conquer it.” an opportunity to brush up on their Pencils scratched the white sheets of skills or to obtain extra credit in math paper in screams of desperation. Erasclasses. Taking place every month, the ers rubbed out old pencil marks—when competition provided a challenge for anyone actually took the risk of spending students who wished to take it. extra time using an eraser. “I enjoyed participating in the Pushed by the time left on the clock, ASMA Math Contest,” said Dennis you frantically scribbled your answer to Choi (12), a previous winner of the the last question on the test. competition. “It was a great way to test “Please put your pencils down,” Mrs. out my math application skills. ASMA Uzzle called out. Sighs and groans filled requires critical thinking and insight QUICKLY calculating a problem, Amanda Goh (11) works with the room as the students placed their into standard mathematics.” her teammates at the Purple Comet Math Competition. Students pencils down on their desks. You had The Purple Comet Math Competi- filed into the library to take part in the brain-numbing challenge. finished. —By Gabriela Mims

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Master Piece Tailor

Mr. & Mrs. Hawk

l

Congratulations to Jackson Dorm Seniors

Shelly Choi & Joseph Um

l

m

You’ve participated well in our dorm family and in our lives, and while we love to see you go, we hate to see you go. Stories of you will be shared in our rooms and halls for years to come. You are treasures to us! We pray that your eyes will be open to see God’s grace spread before you and behind you. May His never-ceasing love bring you comfort and boldness in your relationships and endeavors.

Love, Your Proud Aunt Mary & Uncle Jonas Mr. & Mrs. Basha

Josh Basha, We have truly enjoyed watching you grow from a fun little boy to a young man that seeks God. Remember, as a follower of Jesus, He lives in you and you live in Him. May you be known more for your love for Jesus, integrity, and godly character than your great athletic abilities and hair that is envied by all. As you begin this new chapter of your life, we want to let you know that we are so very proud of you. As you face the challenges of life, may you truly seek God first. May you live a life that truly pleases God as you strive to advance the Kingdom of God in all that you do. We love you very much and feel truly blessed to call you our son.

Love in Christ, Mom and Dad “The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” –Zephaniah 3:17

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A Tayler-Made Solution

is for criminals. And as you know, criminals are caught by the police. He’s afraid, and so he’s coming straight from the underground!” Another student, Ting Hui Lim (12), said, “I noticed it the first day and just asked him about it like any normal person,” echoing the “It’s adorable. He’s so cute. He comes in with a cup and is like, ‘hey more sensible voices of level-headed individuals. guys!’ I just want to give him a hug,” said Jessie Brandon (12), con- Nash himself explained, “My sister lost my regular tumbler,” Not cerning her fellow classmate, Tayler Nash. to lose heart, he engineered a solution to the predicament of not Nash, since the beginning of March, had developed a custom of having a portable container, simultaneously exposing the world— bringing to school, almost every day, a ceramic mug filled not-quite- warm with family forgiveness and home-brewed coffee—from to-the-brim with a certain black, bitter, hot drink. In lieu of the regu- which spawned such an affection for the drink: “So now she makes lar tumblers that other students ported, he bypassed conventions and me coffee in the morning, and I use the only other mug I can find.” convenience to display true dedication to the caffeinated beverage. Just prior to spring break, Nash Some days, he rode with his parcleared out his locker, full of four ents to school, reportedly making similarly crafted ceramic mugs, each sure they drove slowly; other times, having held the caffeinated beverage such as the first day, he mounted his that so many students consume from bicycle and managed to migrate all their portable mugs every morning the way from Alila Homes to camfor a boost of energy. As he walked pus without losing any significant away, these mugs almost seemed amount of his coffee—only a few as relics—icons—of coffee drinkdrops ran down the side of the mug. ing dedication and the accomplishFellow students soon took notice of ments of one man who, almost literthis strange behavior. ally, went the extra mile in the car, “I didn’t know what he was thinkon his bicycle, or on foot to school ing, but I love it,” said Peter Tan (12). every day with the Americano in Fellow senior, Hung-Jie Song, a container not made for such dywith his typical non-sequitur extrapnamic utility. He stood as a prime olation, had conspiracy in mind: “He SPORTING his coffee mug, Tayler Nash (12) concentrates example—an inspiration—to coffee loves coffee. Now, lay that detail aside deeply on a final piece of copy for Journalism. With his per- enthusiasts everywhere. for now. He brings a mug. Mugging severance to drink, Nash successfully managed his life. —By Matthew Shafer (12) AARON BENGS

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Mr. & Mrs. Tan

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I Would Walk...

fake Elvis voice resounding from the GPS. Music played from small portable speakers and kept them motivated and the mood bright. The highways, though busy, had wide walkways, ensuring the students’ safety even as they walked along The sun had barely risen as Micah Martens (12), Josh Basha (12), main roads. Mackenzie Jordan (11), Emma Hofer (11), and Gabriela Mims (11) “My heart was racing as we approached the first highway, but set out on their lengthy journey. crossing is all about timing. We waited until there were no cars and Backpacks laden with food, water, and other necessities weighed sprinted as fast as we could; there’s definitely safety in numbers,” said them down; but they felt a strong determination Martens. to reach their destination. The students made occasional stops by the The idea had begun weeks earlier when Basha side of the road to eat, rehydrate, and rest their mentioned the little-known tradition of making legs. “As we walked down the highway, we got lots the 18-kilometer journey to Queensbay, a faraof honks and strange looks from passing cars. It way mall—on foot. Though others expressed was even worse when we got to Queensbay. Five doubt that they could make it, the five of them teenagers, sweaty and barefoot walking around a agreed that the experience and bragging rights mall, can raise a few eyebrows,” said Mims. seemed worth it. Finally, after traveling for nearly five hours Following the path marked by Basha’s GPS, the smiles brightened their faces as their destination group walked at a steady pace along main roads, came into view. They let out sighs of the relief as entertaining themselves by individually counting they walked through the doors and felt the cold cars of a specific color, looking to see who could air-conditioning wash over them. find the most by the end of their journey. “It was a surprise when we rounded the corner “I was surprised that we found stuff to talk and saw Queensbay in the distance; I thought we about the whole way. I thought I might get bored had so much farther to go. It was definitely a reafter walking for so long, but it was really fun!” lief,” said Basha. said Hofer. The five expressed feelings of accomplishment Nine kilometers into their trek they stopped WATCHING as their friends approach, Josh as they treated themselves to healthy smoothies— (12) and Micah Martens (12) wait pafor a second breakfast at SAB, a local Indian food Basha tiently by the clock tower as everyone gath- and not-so-healthy donuts—as they rested and restaurant chain. The break renewed their energy ers. The group congregated at school before waited for their parents to arrive and take them and they set off again, following the sound of a setting off on their long journey. home. —By Mackenzie Jordan MACKENZIE JORDAN

Pastor Pragas: Congrats Baby J! You are done with high school and it’s time for the next season of your Pastor Pragas: Congrats Baby J! You are done with high school and it’s time for the next season of your life. Will be cheering you and supporting you in prayers! <3 life. Will be cheering you and supporting you in prayers! <3 Wilson: Someone once said “All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them”. Wilson: Someone once said “All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them”. Here’sHere’s to believing for God’s best as you step into a new adventure! The best is yet to come! to believing for God’s best as you step into a new adventure! The best is yet to come! Ben: As your class president andayour friend, I thank talksbetween between Thank Ben: As your class president nd your friend, I thank you you for for tthe he ssmall mall talks you you and and me. me. Thank you foryou all fthe hard you have invested His love! or all the hwork ard wand ork aeffort nd effort you have invested into into the the cclass! lass! EEmbrace mbrace His love! Sze Wei: Johnny! Excited to see you embark on a new journey in life! Remember that God’s favor Sze Wei: Johnny! Excited to see you embark on a new journey in life! Remember that God’s favor is is always upon you. Wishing you God’s best. always upon you. Wishing you God’s best. Jeremy: Cous,Cmay His andand favor continue thedays days your Good Jeremy: ous, m ay grace His grace favor continue to to hunt hunt you you ddown own aall ll the of of your life. life. Good luck luck in in your studies and your life. your studies and your life. Aster:Aster: Hey Johnie! You are Thanks for friendand and a joy. gonna Hey Johnie! You the are tart he in art smart! in smart! Thanks for being being an an amazing amazing friend a joy. I’m I’m gonna miss miss you a big you ton. a big *HUG* ton. *HUG* Sybs: All the best everything youyou do!do! Keep shining God Sybs: All the in best in everything Keep shining for for Him! Him! G od bbless! less! Peter:Peter: JT, JD,JT, Jade, Johnathan, it’s iamazing how God lives. I’ve respected JD, JJohn, ade, John, Johnathan, t’s amazing how God uses uses us us in in oone ne aanother’s nother’s lives. I’ve respected you asyou an inspiration and aI’m to tcall you my onyou you dreams trust as an inspiration nd Iproud ’m proud o call you my friend. friend. Don’t Don’t ggive ive uup p on dreams and and trust the the peoplepeople around you; yyou’ll findfind thatthat some ofothem more toyou! you! around ou; you’ll some f them mean mean aa lot lot m ore to Jasmine: Hi John! you school and start aanew great things await Jasmine: Hi JAs ohn! As yleave ou leave school and start new chapter, chapter, ggood ood aand nd great things await you. you. Go Go discover all God that G od wants or you and always keep Him Him in in the the ccenter enter oof f it it all! Praying for for you! discover all that wants for fyou and always keep all! Praying you! Hey JHope ohn! Hope ou wcontinue ill continue o excel inin the the things things tthat hat yyou’re ou’re going to to do do in the future! You’re Alvin: Alvin: Hey John! you ywill totexcel going in the future! You’re going t o b e p rosperous! A ll t he b est a nd k now t hat H e i s a lways w ith y ou. G od b less! going to be prosperous! All the best and know that He is always with you. God bless! JT Congrats on your milestone achieved. So So very very p roud oof f yyou. ou. You’re a raeally cool and and great Fione:Fione: JT Congrats on your life’slife’s milestone achieved. proud You’re really cool great individual. S tay s trong a nd n ever g ive u p c hasing y our d reams. Y ou a re w orth i t! < 3 individual. Stay strong and never give up chasing your dreams. You are worth it! <3

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“This event is for you guys. You’ve contributed to our school in so many ways, and we just wanted to thank you,” said Mrs. Debby Cura as parents and staff walked into the chapel and grabbed their name tags. “Please continue to mingle and enjoy the food in front of you.” Organized by Mrs. Cura and Mrs. Debbie Chinn, the volunteer recognition program gave an opportunity for teachers and staff to give back to parents and volunteers who had contributed to the school and to the students. The two hoped their socializing event would honor these worthy individuals. “It’s nice to have volunteers come to the school; I know they’re not being paid for what they do, so I know they genuinely care,” said Aaron Chand (10). Coaches, PTO members, volunteer and substitute teachers, and unpaid volunteers came to the chapel to socialize and get together with teachers and staff who wanted to express their gratitude. “This is a great event because it lets us know how much the school values all the hard work we do for our students HANDING out name tags, and staff,” said Mrs. Elizabeth Graves, Mrs. Amy Oppenheim helps out at the volunteer recognition PTO president. program. After Mrs. Debby “Volunteers take time to serve our Cura addressed the crowd, school, and I really appreciate all they guests at the event mingled, do for us,” said Hung-Jie Song (12). eating dessert and drinking tea. The exciting afternoon became Parents’ children roamed the room filled with appreciation for as conversation buzzed. Guests lined up volunteers who had invested for snacks and grabbed cups of coffee. in the school. Along with mingling and socializing, the school provided desserts, spring rolls, fruit, and coffee and tea to volunteers. They also gifted each volunteer with a mug that had the logo of the event printed on it. “Dalat wouldn’t be the school it is if volunteers didn’t give their time and resources like they do. It’s important for us to remember and honor the contributions that so many of our parents and community members make,” said Mr. Tom Cura as the event came to a close. Whether they taught, coached, or just simply served, volunteers helped in countless ways, investing in the lives of students, teachers, and families. —By Gabriela Mims

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Crown College

Mr. & Mrs. Kim

A Derby Challenge

GLORIA KIM

The event included 48 races that ran on a long track sloping downhill to the finish line. Because of the large number on competitors, the scout leader recruited several Boy Scouts including middle schoolers Sean Hans Koay, Min Guk Kong, Nicholas Khor, and Joshua Ong to Rumbling with the usual sound of people talking and the odd noise help out with the race. of wooden cars whizzing downhill on a racing lane, the basketball “It was pretty hard to make sure everything went on track because court surged with students and parents after school on 21 April. The we had 48 cars, and we kept messing up the numbers. We had to make owners of these racing cars wore brown or navy uniforms, revealing certain calls to each other to get things moving smoothly. It took 18 their scout spirit. hours of planning to prepare for this,” said Koay, who led in organizing Ever since the announcement that the competition. the Cub Scouts would hold a Pinewood The first, second, and third place winners, Derby event, the boys grew impatient to Samuel Chung (2), Tan, and David Bae (4) build and test out their “Cub-mobiles” respectively, won simple trophies as rewards. to see whose would get to the finish line “There’s a trick in making these cars go at the bottom of the track the fastest. fast and that is to make sure that the axles “We’ve been working on this project spin well; if the wheels are off-center, they for about two weeks every month, won’t turn well,” explained Mr. Hoffmeyer. drawing our own designs of the cars on “The aerodynamics can also help. Basically, wooden blocks, attaching the wheels, and it’s the design and the smoothness of the painting them,” said Zhong Xi Tan (2). wheels that determine the speed of the cars.” “It was a lot of work, but it wasn’t too Through making these cars, the Cub hard because our scout leaders helped us.” Scouts did their best to accomplish the When the boys finished drawing on tasks on their own. They also learned their wooden blocks, they took them crafting skills, the rules of fair play, and to Mr. Paul Hoffmeyer, who cut the sportsmanship, which will come to their shapes out. advantage in the future. “I am very proud of each of the boys. BITING his tongue, JaeYoun Kim (2) waits at the end of the As the event wound down, the court to catch the approaching car with Juan Moon (2) during They worked hard trying to come up track the Pinewood Derby race. As a scout sent his car down from the resonated with the sounds of the boys with their own designs and paint colors,” top, another waited below to retrieve it as quickly as he could cheering and congratulating each other. to take it to the start line for a repeat run. said Mr. Hoffmeyer. —By Gloria Kim

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Seoul Garden Restaurant

Mr. & Mrs. Khoo

Robot War!

JONATHAN CHANDRA

Robotics students immensely enjoyed the event, marveling at the turnout and the overwhelming atmosphere of excitement. As the students finished up their last duel, “the J-Team,” composed of Mr. Jon Ronning, Mr. Joel Roberts, and Mr. Jon Horton, brought Vehement chants of “Cornwallis! Cornwallis! Cornwallis!” echoed out a robot of their own. With much aplomb, the seasoned veterans through the student center as children cheered on two robots, “Pink asserted their dominance over the young up-and-comers by defeating Fluffy Unicorn” and the aforementioned “Cornwallis,” as they clashed robot after robot, until finally one pair of students dared to challenge in the centre of the “battle arena”—a black circle painted onto a 8x8 the behemoth “Battlebot.” foot wooden board. The robots’ creators stood aside and looked on “The best part was when ‘Pink Fluffy Unicorn’ knocked ‘Boombot’ with fingers crossed, hoping that by some miracle out of the ring because I wasn’t expecting our robot to their program would outwit the opponent’s robot. defeat the teachers’ magnum opus,” said Mika Yeap (9). “The tension was palpable as our robots clashed The event proved a success not only at alluring a in the centre of the circle. My robot was one of the generation of young robot builders, but the adults also smaller ones, so I tried to use chicanery to win and enjoyed themselves. Mr. Roberts, robotics co-teacher programmed it to outmaneuver the others. It didn’t said, “This year we held the first robotics competition. work so well, though. ‘Cornwallis’ only won once,” It was a really fun time, and we had a great turnout. said Karsten Ladner (11). The students build some amazing robots. One of the Each robot attempted to knock the other robots’ coolest things was to hear the younger kids chanting precariously placed ball out of its makeshift Lego the names of the different robots as they fought. I can’t cradle, while simultaneously attempting to stay wait to do it again next year!” within the boundaries of the circle. If any robot As the event finished up and the crowd of kids and left the black circle by accident or by the malicious adults streamed out of the student centre, the robotics intent of another automaton, they lost the game. students stayed back to help clean up and take some “It was a lot of fun to build and program our final photos. robot ‘Francis’ because we tried to think of different PREPARING to launch “Boombot,” Mr. Ronning said, “The BattleBot competition tactics to win, but in the end we appealed to brute the robot created by the technology was a very fun and exciting event. It was great to strength. Our robot did very well and came in second, teachers, Mr. Jon Ronning puts on the see how creative our students can be in building and touches. After bringing out the said Sheng Ting Yang (11). “The best part, however, final surprise robot, Mr. Ronning excitedly programming robots. And the student interest in the was when, during the battles, all the elementary kids set it up and challenged students to event was outstanding. The robotics program will showed such excitement as they watched.” a battle. never be the same!” —By Tayler Nash

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Mr. & Mrs. Tang

Home Cookin’

MR. JONAS HAWK

bles, which is a fun way to be with one another.” Most dorm students requested staying in more frequently and eating a home-cooked meal, though they still welcomed meals out and about Penang. “Mmm!” murmured Rainbow Chan (9) between bites of her burrito. “My favorite meal was the barbeque brought to us in November “We should come here more often!” by Mr. and Mrs. [Jason and Elizabeth] Graves,” said Harrison Taylor Circled around the table at the Permai Park food stalls, Chan’s (11). “I’d love to have some of that pulled pork and wings again!” friends nodded in agreement. Between the beloved burritos and On another occasion, the dorm parents acquiesced to the cravings wraps at Danny’s or the legendary satay place next to it, the escape of their Korean members and fixed a meal of kimbab, kim-chi, bulgofrom campus proved worthwhile. gi, and japchae. “It was wonderful to get a mouthful of home from For the first time in years, the cafeteria no longer served meals on foods that I don’t normally get to eat,” said Joseph Um (12). Saturday nights, so dorms regularly alternated between eating homeStill, others preferred trying local food. “I want to try as many cooked meals on campus or purchasing takenew things as possible because I know that I away food at different restaurants around won’t have the same stuff around when I go to Penang. college,” said Micah Martens (12). “Since I’m away from home, it makes my The dorms celebrated Valentine’s Day by week to see the dorm parents putting their going out to a steamboat restaurant in George time into making us a nice, home-cooked Town together and filling up on local cuisine. meal,” said Alan Luchtenburg (10). “It was so much fun because we got to “One of the most requested meals in Jackgrill our own food and eat as much as we son Dorm is burgers and Caesar salad,” said wanted, which made everything better,” said Uncle Jonas Hawk. By putting the grills purSamuel Tan (11). “I am glad that we took the chased with the Annual Fund to good use, risk of getting steamboat because it was andorm students gained expertise at flipping other memory we created together as a dorm burgers and other kinds of meat. community.” “My favorite Saturday night meal is Un Putting the rest of the burrito into her cle Jonas’ homemade burgers. He buys the CELEBRATING Valentine’s Day at a local steam- mouth and crumpling up its wrapper, Chan restaurant, Rainbow Chan (9) feasts on the best beef and buns and puts homemade beef boat seafood cuisine. Dorms frequently traveled to res- smiled to herself and felt grateful for the meal jam in between them,” said Shelly Choi (12). taurants or the stalls in Batu Ferringhi for special she had enjoyed along with her dorm friends “Also we all get to help cut and cook vegeta- Saturday outings. and family. —By Emma Hofer­

Ad Feature: Saturday Night Dorm Meals 183


Mr. & Mrs. Phan

Cherry Art Studio

Furry Kids

Rapid-Fire Debate

AARON KELLEY

predicting what the opponent might possibly argue. On the day of the debate, the two teams took turns making their case; the first speaker from proposition gave a four-minute speech; then the first speaker from opposition gave his four-minute speech, and so on until each debater “There is a fundamental flaw in the opposition’s case!” Kyle Fischer had had an opportunity to speak. These speeches contained both the (11) yelled, slamming his fists against the podium for emphasis. Fischer team’s own case and rebuttals, or objections, for the opponent. then began to expose the fallacies the opposition had committed in The Post-Debate Debate, however, outweighed the actual debate their argument while also bolstering his own argument. After finishing in terms of rowdiness and volume. After the debate finished, those his speech, he sat down, content with the damage he had inflicted on from both sides discussed the topic more thoroughly, most of the his adversaries. time without using their “inside voices.” They had A couple of weeks after the forensics season the opportunity to make points that they had not ended in mid-February, Mr. Joshua Anderson and made during the debate because they either ran out the student debaters wanted to continue training of time or just did not think about that perspective while also finding potential debaters within the in the moment. student population. To accomplish this, they started After this extensive discussion, Mr. Anderson and a Debate Club that met on Thursdays during other spectators gave the debaters feedback on their X-Block, inviting various other students who had content and performance, helping them see where not participated during the season to come and try they excelled and where they could improve. Marytheir hand at verbal sparring. Claire McIntyre (11) said, “It’s casual, but we are all When the club started, students divided into very passionate about it, making it a productive time two teams of three debaters: the proposition and without adding a whole bunch of stress.” the opposition. They decided the teams and the Although the debaters had to carve time out of motion, or topic, a week before the debate took their schedule to take part, the Debate Club X-Block place. The motions they argued ranged across the gave students an opportunity to sharpen their wits spectrum, from the merits of school uniforms to and tongues in battle. Eventually, the Debate Club whether prisons should focus more on rehabilitation GESTURING with his hands, Joel had to change to a more impromptu style of debate to Halbedl (11) makes his argument accommodate those with busy schedules. Nevertheless, or punishment. why students should not have to The students spent the next week, or the night for learn poetry as part of the curriculum. the debaters continued meeting, presenting cases and immediately before the debate, crafting and refining Debaters used hand gestures and body exposing fundamental flaws every Thursday during arguments, gathering supportive statistics, and posture to help them display confidence. X-Block. —By Aaron Kelley (11)

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Mr. & Mrs. Beak

Satay Hut

All in the Cards

AARON BENGS

Joe Brake (10) said, “I play games because they’re fun.” This time gave them a way to relax in a low-stress environment as the weekend rolled in. The variety of games played also spanned a wide scope; popular It’s your turn!” exclaimed Sam Hofer (10) to Joel Frohlich (10), games included “Bang,” “Twilight Imperium,” “Spacehawk,” “Waras they sat around the table where the game pieces and tokens for hammer,” and “Dominion Medieval,” spanning genres from card “Gears of War” sat atop the board. Frohlich picked up the dice and games to table top RPGs (Role-Playing Games). The choice also rolled them, following the instructions based on his role. crossed age boundaries; younger kids played simpler games while Led by Mr. Bob Pagee, students from elementary to high school older kids participated in more RPG-style games. gathered in room 14 on Friday nights to hang out and play board “‘Bang’ is my favorite game because it has a cowboy theme and games together. you don’t know the roles that oth Game Night gave students an er people are playing,” said Sam opportunity to create new lives Hofer (10). for themselves in games and es Relatively easy-to-learn card cape their grueling academic lives games like “Bang” served as a gateto relax together and compete in way into gaming for interested stubrain-stimulating competition. dents who felt intimidated by big, “It takes me to a different complex strategy games like “Twiworld, kind of like video games— light Imperium.” but you can interact with people Game Night gave students of at the same time. It’s also more all ages a time to come together strategy oriented,” said Frohlich. and play games, crossing all Others found that gaming boundaries of age, taste, and genre formed such a part of them that to enjoy each other’s company they couldn’t pinpoint why they and improve their skills. They like it; Rahul Gil (9) commented, could have fun playing out fantas“I just play because I play.” tic situations while still socializing Some students chose to play SITTING around the table with his friends, Sam Hofer (10) rolls the dice to and spending quality time with simply for entertainment rea- initiate and dictate the rest of his turn. The friendly competition helped to keep those closest to them. sons, regardless of other factors. students interested in complex games. —By Aaron Bengs

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Yeah, yeah—we’ve heard it all before. You want a light workload. That, or you’re one of those kids who take a bajillion APs, and you don’t feel like you have time for a busy course like Journalism. Well, we here on the Reflector staff think you should reconsider. Sure, Journalism can be a lot of work. But if you manage your time well, you’ll do just fine. Journ. isn’t just work, though. It’s fulfilling work. More than that, it’s fun work. Take Journ., and you’ll unleash your creative side as you design layouts, enjoy the ridiculous antics of posers who attempt to ruin your candid pictures, and experience a host of strange and wonderful new things. Under the wise guidance of Journ. veteran Mr. John “Tommy” Tompkins, you’ll learn loads about photography, design, and writing. You’ll produce the next issue of the yearbook you are holding in your hands right now.

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— DIAL 1800-JOURN** TO SIGN UP NOW! — **We don’t actually have a 1800 number. We just wanted to impress you. If you are seriously considering taking Journ., please consult a member of the Reflector staff or our adviser and course teacher, Mr. Tommy Tompkins. If you wish to sign up for the course, please refer to Mrs. Lydia Roberts during the first week of the 2015-2016 academic year. That’s all. Take care. —10 April 2015, Jonathan Chandra, Editor-in-Chief, Reflector 2015.

Staying on the Ball

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than usual and have fun at the same time. “I’m so good, so I go to help people like Joseph Leech,” Basha said. Students of different skill levels mixed on the court and could learn from one another. John Kim (12) said, “It’s fun to get challenged by As the ball left the sweet spot atop David Unruh’s (10) boot, it soared the kids in indoor because I block 99 percent of their shots.” across the gym floor; every eye in the room Others liked that it gave participants a focused in on the ball’s movement. When it balanced game to practice in; Bena Mauger smacked against the wall, cheers erupted from (10) said, “What I like about it most is that Unruh, teammates and crowd alike. you can easily control the game—but the “Yeah!” he shouted, galloping back to teams are also split up quite evenly so there’s his side of the “field” to prepare for another no one dominant team.” round. Friday night indoor also drew a crowd of Every Friday night, players formed teams people looking for entertainment from the of five and rotated off the court when they sidelines; it claimed a dedicated following of lost, migrating to the bleachers to watch and students who enjoyed watching the event. wait until their time to return. “I like to watch to see the competition,” Kia Indoor gave students a place to practice Thompson (12) said. The games grew into their football skills without being judged or a kind of spectator sport as students and staff ridiculed, as everyone in high school could regularly went over to the gym to watch and participate and form a team. Joseph Leech find out who would shine that night. (11) said, “I love indoor because they accept As the losing players rotated off and five more people of all skill levels, and if I’m losing I came to replace them, they took comfort in the can be on a team with Josh Basha [12] and fact that they would be back on again in no time we’ll win.” and took the opportunity to rest and rehydrate. Indoor gave amateurs a chance to play After a long week, Friday night indoor helped football in a forgiving environment. “I like students find a pause from classes and sports it because they let me play even though I’m practices and homework to exercise in a fun, JUKING deftly, Bena Mauger (10) makes his way really bad,” Harrison Taylor (11) said. down the court and towards the net as he prepares low-stress environment, honing their skills Varsity players took the opportunity to to shoot. Students used indoor as an opportunity to as they spent quality time with friends and hone their skills in a less competitive situation show off their skill on the ball to their fellow players. brothers. —By Aaron Bengs

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Mr. & Mrs. Chandra

Toccoa Falls College

29 majors 39 minors Center on Christ. Change the world For more info go to www.tfc.edu

A Treat to Attend

MRS. VALERIE WEIDEMANN

in their homes, investing into the lives of each senior as they prepared a variety of foods and entertainment each week. “It’s not easy to host a whole group of loud and rowdy seniors at your house and also take the time to make food and prepare fun activities,” “Basha! He’s right behind you!” exclaimed Joseph Um to Josh Basha said Matthew Shafer, “so I just really appreciate all the work they put as they both vigorously waved their Wii remotes, cutting acute shapes into making it a fun night every week for us seniors.” The event proved the perfect heterogeneous mix between in the air. As if on cue, Fong Wei Ting’s cadaverous, electronic character competition and affability, precisely what made it so popular in the appeared behind Basha’s and attacked. Helpless to defend himself, first place. Basha’s character stood inundated and overpowered, leaving only Um “I’m back, baby!” exclaimed Basha as Um revived his electronic character from its pretend death. to win the game against Ting’s ghost-like character. “Me, too!” announced Marshall “Just one left; game over,” asserted McManus as Um, in turn, revitalized Ting with a confident, wry smile as his character. “Quick, let’s shine our Basha walked away in shame and sat flashlights on Fong Wei’s character and with the rest of the vanquished players. win this game!” Senior treat, one of a host of senior As the trio shined their flashlights and student privileges, provided a fun and Ting’s electronic character withered away engaging atmosphere where dorm kids with a shriek, the collection of seniors burst could bond with their fellow classmates into celebration as Basha exclaimed, “Back over great food and exciting, often from the dead!” highly competitive, games. Senior treat ruled as a place where seniors “We played so many great games could forget the tribulations of a stressful over the year at senior treat,” said student life, a place where kids could enjoy John Kim. “We seniors always found each other’s company as they reflected upon a way to make them super funny and competitive. Senior treat was always one GATHERED around a long table in Jaffray Dorm lounge, seniors the end of their high school journey, a place Shelly Choi, Josh Basha, Joseph Um, Matthew Shafer, John Kim, where, just for one night, the line between of the highlights of my week.” Martens, Marshall McManus, Fong Wei Ting, Melissa You, student and teacher became obscured and Often held off campus, a plethora of Micah Yan Rong Tan, Priska Sugianto, and Kia Thompson dine on Uncle generous, gregarious staff members and Brian Weidemann’s grilled chicken. As an incentive to get their attendees conversed as peers. —By Micah Martens (12) families agreed to host the popular event homework done, seniors rushed to Senior Treat.

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Rainforest Bakery

Regent Furnishings

Hannah Graves (11) and Emma Hofer (11)

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Joseph Leech (11)

A Final Lock-in

DAVID BEAK

300 Chulia Street George Town, Penang 04-261 4641

Mrs. Daniela Morf and Jonathan Ooi (1) inspect items from the Rainforest Bakery on a Thursday afternoon.

Denzel Lim. “I do not usually sing out loud, but the competition was so intense that I couldn’t help but sing my heart out.” After singing too loudly and laughing too much, the soon-tobe-graduates indulged themselves in snacks, but—of course—a few When the campus lights flicked off, dorm students returned to their immediately rushed to the room 28 to continue their paused games homes; but seniors scurried into the chapel. Carrying a sleeping bag from before. in one hand and a bag of chips in another, Andy Kim barged inside, A handful sat in front of the chapel projector or lay on their sleeping all pumped up for the seniors’ last lock-in together. bags to watch the Avengers and Iron Man 2. Others sat around in a To make their last lock-in special, excom decided to use room 28 circle on stage and played cards. as a gaming room where seniors could bring their gaming consoles As midnight passed and the movies ended, a few crept into their and plug them into laptops and projectors to play against each other. sleeping bags and slept. Soon, the sponsors turned off the chapel lights “When we heard that we could bring our for the sleepy members to sleep peacefully. Jet Oh gaming consoles, all the gamers went crazy; and and Yan Rong Tan “hit the sack” before midnight we ended up having four gaming ‘stations’ all because of a basketball game the next morning. fully occupied throughout the entire night,” “I felt a bit sad to not be able to stay up, but said Jaime Ooi. I would have fallen asleep during the game if I The group received free time from 5 p.m. had stayed up,” said Oh. to 10 p.m. where they could utilize the entire As the clock reached three in the morning, campus or come into the chapel to watch a movie everyone slowly started to fall asleep. Mr. Bob or—of course—play video games in room 28. Pagee secretly went around taking pictures of After a short meeting where class president the sleepers and ended up with a collection of Ben Tse shared about the long tradition of hilarious sleeping positions. signing a class canvas in the counseling office, In the morning, the class woke up to a hearty Cindy Chiem led the class in a series of breakfast of pancakes and capatis prepared by recreational games. Everyone especially enjoyed Mr. Scott and Mrs. Terresa Uzzle. Some tired the song game that had them screaming and from sleeping too late and some exhausted on their laps, Shelly Choi (12) and Jennifer yelling a wide variety of songs across the room. PILLOW Yook (12) listen to Ben Tse (12) brief them about the from staying up playing video games—they “We divided into two teams and were given lock-in program. Behind them, a group of seniors all enjoyed their last moment of the lock-in a word on the screen. Then we had to take turns and sponsors listen as well. The seniors loved the munching on pancakes coated in thick syrup. singing a song that had that word in it,” said idea of having a last lock-in before their last school —By David Beak year ended.

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Mr. & Mrs. Kim

Penads (M) Sdn Bhd

with

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PEN*ADS (M) SDN BHD(23272-D) Tingkat2, Bangunan TH 42, Greenhall, 10200 Penang, Malaysia +60 (4) 264 1111 +60 (4) 264 2222, +60 (4) 264 3333

A Chiller Church

CHRISTINA KIM

from the typical 10 a.m. PIC service, all-dorm church also gave students an opportunity to depart from the more formal or smart casual dress characteristic of churchgoers. “During dorm church, we bring cushions and wear casual clothes “Hey, are you in worship team today?� questioned Matthew Shafer or even pajamas,� said Shafer. “It’s nice to not have to dress up, (12) of Kia Thompson (12) as they headed down to the chapel on a because button-ups and jeans aren’t the best thing for a hot, tropical Sunday morning for an all-dorm church service. environment.� Feigning puzzlement, Thompson shook her head slowly, before Including a message from a dorm parent—usually Uncle Brian breaking into a smile. Weidemann—and culminating in small group sharing time, all-dorm “Yup, I’m in the worship team,� she admitted. church delivered a spiritual experience in a cozier, familiar setting. Once they entered the chapel, Shafer took a seat on a floor In addition to all-dorm church, individual dorms held their own amidst varied individuals from other dorms. services once a quarter. Here, separate dorm Thompson, on the other hand, climbed onto families communed with God and enjoyed the the stage, joining fellow seniors John Kim, company of each other. Priska Sugianto, and Joseph Um, as well as “Whenever we have church in Chandler Uncle Jonas Hawk and Hudson McManus (10). Dorm, Aunt Mary [Hawk] makes us cinnamon Voices and instruments sounding in unison, the buns,“ said Calvin Thompson (11), with a smile band led the congregation of dorm students in on his face. “I like having dorm church because “How Great Is Our God.� it’s quieter and more meditative,� he added. Once a quarter, dorm students and dorm The resident-life church experience, whether parents stayed at school on a Sunday to in the form of all-dorm church or a simple church participate in dorm church. Although it meant service held by one particular dorm family, gave missing out on joining the larger congregation students a different take on spirituality. of Penang International Church, all-dorm “Hey, good job today,� said Shafer, as he church gave students time to commune with and Thompson munched on their lunch. God in a closer-knit group. A faint smile given in return, Thompson “Dorm church is a nice change,� said Josh contentedly returned to eating, appreciating out by the tables after all-dorm Basha (12). “It gives us time to sleep in and HANGING church, Kia Thompson (12) jokes with Lyric Hawk the unique experience she had participated in: worship God in our own way.� (3). Students enjoyed a more calm and relaxed having church at school. As well as starting an hour later in the day atmosphere after church in the dorms. —By Jonathan Chandra

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Senior Class

Gusto Café

The home of good food, great people & awesome conversations. Café Hours Weekdays 7:00am - 3:00pm

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Telephone : 604-2625 192

Peter Lee (11)

Kicking in the Club

Not only did the team allow students to play with their own teachers and coaches, but it also gave them a chance to get to know one another, as well. “I love the competition that comes from playing soccer every week with Dalat FC. I really enjoy playing with the other Players from both teams bounced on their feet, keeping their blood staff and students—plus the interaction with local teams—even if it pumping as they waited for the referee’s whistle. does get chippie at times,” said Coach Chance Edman. “Thweet!” screeched the whistle as those in the center of the pitch Rough weather plagued the team during the rainy season as players tapped the ball to their teammate, initiating the start of the match. sloshed through deep puddles on the field, their cleats dripping wet Every Dalat FC game started in this fashion—along with a few with mud, grass, and water. Often times, the ball substitute players on the sidelines cheering would fly across the pitch only to be stopped their teammates on. short with a huge splash in a puddle; or it would “Dalat FC was an opportunity outside skid across the field at abnormal speeds. the football season to improve my play. I re Occasionally, such playing conditions preally enjoyed the casual atmosphere and the vented goals—or they enabled the ball to slip chance to play with people different from my through the keepers hands and into the net. “It regular season team,” said David Chinn (9). was really frustrating when the ball is coming Players, such as parents, coaches, and stuat you and you think you have it, but then it dents from other schools, joined the varsity nutmegs you! Keeping your cool is an important in the matches. Made up of a mixture of old part of goalkeeping,” said Jonathon Chinn (9). men and young boys, the weekly football The players often faced stiff competition club brought an interesting flavour to the from local teams, and in many cases came away pitch at 5:30 on Wednesdays. from a game tired and disappointed. “The best Varsity boys’ football coach, Mr. Dustin games we played weren’t the ones we won by a Roberts, played an important role in the large margin, but the ones that we had to fight team’s success. “The best part about playing every minute to win the ball and score a goal,” on the team is that I’ve been able to coach LEG stretched out in an attempt to snatch the ball said David Unruh (10). some of my previous varsity players on the out from the legs of the opponent, Bena Mauger Coming together from all different ages and holds the line against a charging TAR College finer things of the game and also to play (10) player. The team snatched their first victory in an professions, the Dalat FC gave both students alongside them at the same time with a com- intense 4-2 victory over TAR, with goals from John and staff a chance to share their common love mon goal of victory,” said Coach Roberts. Kim (12), Mauger, and Jorge Siqueira. of the game of football. —By Evan Chinn EVAN CHINN

Congratulations Class of 2015!

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Mr. & Mrs. Shahtaj

Mr. & Mrs. Choi

Tapir Rapping

MACKENZIE JORDAN

more students than the current line up. “Originally, we asked Calvin [Thompson, 12], Peter Lee [11], Aaron [Bengs, 12], Uncle Brian [Weidemann], and Tayler [Nash, 12] to perform as well. It would have been amazing if they had, but I guess they just couldn’t handle “If you’re not Richard Gere?” roared Jonathan Chandra (12) as the the awesomeness,” said Kim. The three got cracking and began the writing process, composing crowd eagerly waited to shout their reply, “Better Fear the Tapir!” Hip-hop super group Fear the Tapir, composed of wordsmiths Micah both music and lyrics. “We wanted to be as original as possible—like Martens (12), John Kim (12), and Chandra, performed their first Adidas Original. Our lyrics and stories aren’t fictional; they are real and probably last show at Café Night. Full of musical entertainment from our hearts like morning devotionals. They might not make sense, and copious consumption of coffee, the night dripped with the sweet but that’s OK because they make dollars,” said Kim. nectar of opportunity as the three displayed their tight rhyming skills As the night approached, Fear the Tapir practiced as much as possible, polishing their lyrics and style in order to present and exposed the community to the grandeur that is hip-hop. The idea for such a performance all started with the musical themselves at the top of their game when the time came. “After all the virtuoso Kim. “John approached me one day to see if I wanted to do hours of composing and writing songs, to be finally able to perform them in front of such a great turnout a rap rock collaboration for a StuCo audience was really special—and the event. It morphed into the beautiful reception we got was way better than I monster that is now Fear the Tapir,” ever imagined. It was just a really great said Chandra. “Merging rap with experience,” said Martens. the driving force of a single acoustic They performed two songs, the first guitar, John, Micah, and I formed a being the self-titled “Fear the Tapir” piece of musical innovation that will and the second, a more whimsically be remembered for years to come. Just titled “Easy Breeze.” Both displayed kidding, it probably won’t. But we had their masterful rhyming skills and a lot of fun!” expertise in sharp wit, wordplay and all But Fear the Tapir eventually grew bigger than the two just covering rap- WITH arm outstretched, Jonathan Chandra (12) points to the crowd things punny. rock songs; it morphed into a triad of as he rapidly spouts rhymes full of wickedly sharp witticisms and As they finished, their performance tongue twisters as John Kim (12) and Micah Martens had capped off Café Night on a note creative visionaries as they incorporated breathtaking (12) await their turn. Previously, he had introduced the group, Martens into their act. allowing Kim to tune his guitar. Fear the Tapir went on to become a of lapidary inanity. —By Tayler Nash At first, the group planned to feature crowd favorite as their fast-paced songs hyped up the crowd.

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studied through the whole day we had off before the SAT, only taking breaks for a bite to eat,” said Josh Basha (12). Studying, however, had its difficulties. With constant temptations of media, students found it hard to keep focus. All high school students “How many AP tests do you have?” Aaron Chand (10) asked Hannah had an iPad, and frequent imessage notifications made it especially Graves (11). As the school year approached its last month, high school hard to study. students busily went back home to study for standardized tests like “I get myself organized, sit down, and flip open my AP Chemistry the SAT or AP. book—and then I receive a notification on Facebook,” said Jing Yi Aiming to embellish their transcript so it would look good to Khoo (12). “I can never focus until I actually turn off my iPad.” colleges, students signed up for numerous AP courses. As the month No matter the reason, students had no choice but to study and of AP exams, May, approached, everyone started to panic. take the exam. Test day came, and they expressed signs of anxiety and “All the juniors and seniors stayed home during Labour Day worry as they walked to the examination room with their peers. because they had a major AP exam the All this stress disappeared as soon as they next week,” said John Choi (9). finished these exams. With standardized “I wanted to go watch The Avengers tests out of the way, they could relax and with my friends,” said David Jung (11), prepare for finals. “but I had to study so I could get a five But the seniors who had a grade point on my AP Psychology exam.” average of 90 percent and above for their In addition to the burden of impending courses, did not have to take finals in that AP exams, high school students had to course and could simply relax and wait for take other tests like the SAT or ACT. No the school year to end. one liked to wake up early on Saturday “With all my AP exams done, senioritis morning to take an exam for six hours. struck me so hard that I felt like not even waking “The SAT was really boring; however, up to come to school,” said Derrick Lim. I know it is important to my learning,” Despite the amount of time and effort said Sheng-Ting Yang (11). it took to receive a five on the AP Biology “Last year, I didn’t study at all for the exam or a score of 2100 on the SAT, Melissa You (12) studies for her upcoming AP SAT; and I wasn’t stressed out. This year, FOCUSED, Psychology exam. Living in a communal environment, dorm students let out a sigh of relief when this though, my dorm sister Andri [Sugianto, students respected those studying for standardized tests by stressful time finally ended. 11], was completely stressed out. She remaining quiet or leaving them alone to focus. —By David Beak

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“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. –Jeremiah 29:11–13

Korean Adventures

EVAN CHINN

much crab they could cram down their throats. “I felt like I was in Alaska,” said Kim. “I was sitting in a beautiful place, my plate stacked high with massive crab legs, sucking the tender, juicy meat out. It was awesome!” “Goalazo!” hollered Ben Finlay (10) as he scored in ‘Dreamleague,’ a In addition to the fun and games, the guys competed in the ACSC Tournament. Teams from all over Asia—Taiwan (Morrison), Korea popular football video game. Varsity players entertained themselves using electronics and (YISS), Philippines (Faith), and Thailand (Grace)—had travelled to friendly competition during the long bus rides and flights on the play against each other. Dalat faced stiff competition as each of these team’s trip to Korea. Coaches Mr. Dustin Roberts and Mr. Chance schools presented seasoned players and experienced coaches. Edman sat on the sidelines as their players formed a large cohort of Results from the early part of the tournament proved discouraging, as the boys lost a number of games after giving up an early lead. Fifa-15 or Dreamleague players. Fortunately for the players’ well-being, Korea provided beautiful This, however, did not stop them from pulling out one win. During their game against Morrison, a goal from weather, delicious food, and exciting football. Shion Matsumoto (12) secured a much-needThe team ventured out into the streets during ed victory. lunch or dinner to find food at fast-food restau “I was so happy during our last game rants or local hole-in-the-wall eateries. against Morrison. We had worked hard, and With temperatures dropping below 10 finally that hard work had paid off,” said Lee. degrees Celsius, however, the boys, unaccus After a trip filled with emotion, delicious tomed to the frigid weather, struggled to keep food, football, and cold weather, the boys warm with only sweaters and jeans or thin boarded the plane bound for Penang with heavy football uniforms. Though some enjoyed the but satisfied hearts. “I will never forget our trip cold, others packed together like cattle to into Korea. It’s not every day that you get to travsulate themselves or ran around in a frenzy to el with your friends to a beautiful country and maintain body heat. play a game you love,” said Bijay Rana (11). Warmth would soon come to the team, as spicy Korean noodles, barbeques, buffets, and HUDDLED together, the boys share encouraging As Air Asia Flight D7-507 left Incheon, the countless delicacies dotted the streets. On one words before breaking out into formation, but not Fifa-15 and Dreamleague party resumed, the an intense “1,2,3, Eagles!” initiated by team players said their good-byes to the cold air as occasion, the team ate at a fancy buffet res- before captain John Kim (12). Although the players didn’t taurant. Shawn Lim (11), Peter Lee (11), and triumph in their games, they grew greatly in their memories raced through their minds. —By Evan Chinn John Kim (12) held a competition to see how relationships with the other players and coaches.

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Mr. & Mrs. Tan

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Senior Bucket Lists

TAYLER NASH

As seniors faced the terrible trial of saying good-bye to their lovely homes in Penang, many of them faced the anxiety of missing out on the opportunities that the myriad of cultures on this little island offered. Facing the harsh reality of leaving Asia frightened many of them, but they did not sit about idly; they seized each and every opportunity to explore George Town, scan the night markets of Batu Ferringhi, and experiment with the delicacies offered by Penang’s cuisine. Seniors formulated both written and mental bucket lists of all the adventures they desired to take before they left. “When I was in eleventh grade, I took a trip to Batu with some of my dorm sisters. While we were there, we went to the night market and had a blast. It really inspired me to see more of Penang because it is such an amazing blend of different cultures,” said Kia Thompson (12). STOPPING to examine one of the This desire, however, did not many pieces of street art found in George Town, Colleen Mims only spring from experiences but (home-schooler), Tesa Sasse (12), also from the fear of leaving Asia. and Kia Thompson (12) fawn over “Once you realize you aren’t going the beautiful depiction of a young to be in Asia anymore, you start to girl flying on a turtle. As they walked down the busy streets of want to soak it all in. There is so Penang, seniors appreciated the much to be learned from all these awe-inspiring artwork found on the different cultures,” said Tesa Sasse buildings’ walls. (12), “and it would be foolish to pass up the chance that we have been blessed with.” “We often forget how privileged we are to live on a tropical island like this—one full of Indian, Chinese, and Malay cultures. It is amazing how we can see Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism all practiced here—and how there are so many different festivals and traditions to be experienced,” said Joseph Stoltzfus (12). The end of the year loomed before the seniors; they made pacts to get up early to watch the sunrise or to take a day to go watch Thaipusam. Slowly they began to check off items, and the dream of experiencing the Pearl of the Orient filled their hearts. —By Tayler Nash

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Lest We Forget... “Honor Guard, move,” announced the Parade Marshal Joel Halbedl (11) to commence the Remembrance Day convocation on 11th November. As the drums rolled, Keegan Oppenheim (11), Robert Kilgo (11), Karsten Ladner (12), and Sean Hans Koay (home school) positioned themselves at the four corners of the Catafalque, which symbolized a fallen soldier. The entire school, elementary to high school, gathered in the gym to honor the service of military veterans. Such a big group sat quietly for the next 30 minutes, showing great respect. “Celebrating Veterans Day as an Honor Guard was meaningful because there are so many people who need recognition for what they did,” said Oppenheim. “The purpose of celebrating this event is to remind ourselves that freedom comes at a price,” said Mr. Bob Pagee. “We honor the people who were willing to make sacrifice and pay the ultimate price.” Several Boy and Girl Scout troops joined in as the Honor Guard, the Color Guard, and the Parade Group. “In scouts, we recite a pledge that promises to do

our best to our country; and we had an opportunity to know the value of others who had given their service,” said Mr. Paul Hoffmeyer, scout master. “Before Veterans’ Day, the Brownies learned about World War I and remembering the people who died; it was really sad,” said Noella Seevaratnam (3). A representative from the Boy Scouts, Nicholas Khor (8) came up to read “In Flanders Fields”; and from Junior Girl Scouts, Karis White (4) read “The Ode.” Both poems illustrated the bitterness of wars and the death of soldiers. “I think Veterans’ Day is one of the most important events to celebrate because it is hard to remember the sacrifices that people made for us. We need to have a time to just focus on reminding ourselves of what they did,” said Rebekah Steinkamp (12). Following the poetry readings, everyone stood for a minute of silence as each individual thought about the grief of loss and the joy of the armistice. Then bugler Christina Kim (11) played “Reveille” to signal the end of the minute. FLAG bearers Hailey Hofer (4) and Elisabeth “Honor Guard, dismissed,” announced Chen (home-schooler) stand at the front of Halbedl to conclude the program. the Veterans’ Day parade, ready to march into the gym. They waited for parade With reverence, the assembly stood up to marshal Joel Halbedl (11) to cue them before leave after the scouts had made their exit. they began the solemn procession. —By Gloria Kim

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“The JSB invitation was really fun. I will never forget the look on the seniors’ faces when we all charged into the student center dressed in bright colours making random noises,” said Amanda Goh. Hours of hard work lay ahead for the junior class; all 61 broke into Screaming and whooping hysterically, a mob of brightly coloured committees, each with its own task. juniors rushed into the student center. The seniors, who had just A large majority concentrated their efforts in preparing the decorareturned from the Senior Transition Retreat, stood perplexed and tions for the banquet. Each Saturday, the high school art room bustled confused at the disturbing sight in front of them. Their looks of con- with juniors painting, cutting, and designing props. “Our decorations fusion soon changed into smiles, however, when committee turned into some kind of crazy family. We Mr. Karl Steinkamp called out, “Quite everyone!” all laughed together, worked hard together, and en At this signal, the senior men, ushered into a dured long, tiring work-days together,” said Sarah Tan. group below a line of balloons—each filled with While the decorations committee toiled on photo confetti and glitter—received long toothpicks and ops and decorations, the entertainment committee instructions to pop the balloons. focused their energy on skits for the program. Com “Pop! Pow! Pop!” Confetti and glitter carpeted mittee members memorized lines, held meetings to the floor, and, of course, the senior guys and spondiscuss scripts, and planned out the schedule for the sors. Along with all the confetti and glitter came a evening of 24 April. card with the JSB invitation on it. “I couldn’t have asked for better committee mem The girls, however, received a much cleaner bers and wouldn’t trade the memories I have of prepresentation. Each girl and sponsor received her paring for JSB for the world. As my friend Joel Halown baggy of water with a JSB invitation inside. bedl once said: I’m glad JSB is done, but I’m sad its The words “Not all who wander are lost” covered over,” said Kyle Fischer. the front of the invitation. On the night of the JSB, the juniors saw the results “The junior class would like to invite all you WITH an uneasy look stretched across of their labour. Countless hours of work had created seniors to the JSB,” said Mr. Steinkamp. her face, Lexi Zimbulis and Tayah Lee a night filled with memories, tears, and laughter. As Seniors and juniors exchanged hugs, laughter, prepare food for the JSB invitation. Mr. Steinkamp had said earlier in the year, “You will and conversation but were soon halted by Mr. The juniors surprised the seniors on get out of the JSB what you put in.” return from the Senior Transition Steinkamp’s voice yet again. His mere utterance their Retreat with an invitation to the JSB, Thanks to the immense combined effort of the of the words “ice cream” sent the class skipping signalling the beginning of weeks of whole class, this year’s banquet showcased their great hard work. towards tables lined with juniors ready to serve. effort. —By Evan Chinn MRS. JACKI STEINKAMP

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otherwise, they faced point deductions from their English grade. “SSR has given me a time to quietly read a book of my choice. Because of the heavy load of school work and other distractions, it can be hard to find time to read a good piece of literature,” said Caleb Cox (9). Though students could not read their assigned homework read“Everybody, right now you all need to be quiet and sit down,” announced Mr. John “Tommy” Tompkins to the juniors who had cho- ings in a textbook during this time, SSR did enable them to complete sen to come to the Wednesday X-Block session of Sustained Silent required reading for a book they would study in English class. Ninth graders completed the majority of To Kill a Mockingbird within their Reading in room three. Students moved to sit next to their friends and awaited a relaxing eight SSR blocks; the tenth graders read Fahrenheit 451; and the juniors, The Scarlet Letter. 35-minute period whey they could read a novel of “The convenient thing about SSR is that we can their choice on either their iPad or a hard copy from come any day of the week—a classroom is always the library. If they wandered off task on their iPad, open during X-Block,” said Andrew Kim (10). however, or if they goofed off with friends, they did Additionally, students who fulfilled their renot receive an attendance mark for that day. quired reading blocks saw improvement in their “We have SSR at Dalat because the link bewritten and verbal fluency. tween reading and academic success is clear,” “What I like about SSR is that it helps me exsaid Mrs. Debbie Chinn, who initiated the propand my vocabulary. Because English is not my gram. “SSR encourages reading by helping stufirst language, reading helps me gain exposure to dents always have a book on hand and friends words used in context, helping me improve my to discuss it with—and it reinforces the value of speaking and writing fluency,” said Joyce Oh (11). reading in the hope that students will become Thirty-five minutes later, the bell rang and stulife-long learners. dents hurriedly collected their items before shuf“As a school with a Christian world-view, the importance of a student’s love for reading lies INTENTLY focused on the text before her, fling out the door, nodding farewell to Tommy. within his or her will to read God’s Word. De- Tayah Lee (11) reads the account of Henry Some felt relieved for the period’s end; others reveloping a love of reading also encourages hab- Fleming in The Red Badge of Courage by Ste- gretted having to uproot from their comfortable phen Crane while Sam Huang (10) carefully reading position. Despite the students’ attitude its that protect and enrich Christian growth.” his reading material. Mrs. Carin Roy- regarding SSR, all had gained an invaluable gift All juniors taking regular English, along studies lance supervised the Tuesday SSR block where with the freshmen and sophomores, needed to sophomores and juniors alike gathered to and came out of the school year a little more enlightened. —By Emma Hofer attend at least eight sessions of SSR per quarter; delve in the world of literature.

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The Lunch Race

The variety of food choices there made it perfect for people of different tastes, bringing together a diverse class. Though Lucky 99 did prove a very popular lunch destination, with at least one group going there almost every school day, many seniors still struggled with “Lai lai lai!” shouted Yan Rong Tan (12), beckoning Lucia Combrink making the choice of where to eat lunch. (12) and John Kim (12) in local slang as they scurried up the stairs to “Being able to go out to lunch is awesome, but it comes with its the car park to drive to lunch. downsides, like spending an exorbitant amount of time trying to de After handing their student ID cards in to the security guard on cide where to eat. There are too many good places to go and so little duty, they piled into Tan’s car, which rushed off to Lucky 99 with time,” said Priska Sugianto (12). the speed of a frightened gazelle. Approximately five minutes later, Despite this, lunch nonetheless gave seniors a great opportunity they arrived and subsequently tumbled out to taste a variety of delicious local foods. They of the car. preferred eating off campus because it allowed They then dashed across the street to the them to eat whatever they chose instead of hawker center where they dispersed to orwhatever the cafeteria served. Additionally, der their food. Congregating at their regular they didn’t have to pack their own lunch every spot—a long, wooden dining room table in morning. the back of the hawker stalls—they all sat to Josh Basha (12) said, “Senior lunch provides gether to order drinks, taking a chance to reus with a bunch of different options instead lax and socialize as they waited for their food eating in the cafeteria, and it gives us the privito arrive. lege to go off campus during the school day.” As their time together wound down, they As college loomed only a year away, seniors piled back into the car and raced back to found that lunch gave them an opportunity campus. They ran down urgently from the to spend precious time together as a class car park, quickly collecting their IDs in the before they would separate—some of them office before the bell so they wouldn’t get forever—and head off to college to continue marked tardy. their education. “Ninety-nine is the best place for students TRAIPSING down the sidewalk, Jonathan Chandra “It is a special privilege; I absolutely love gogobbles a piece of pizza on his way back from to convene and share their thoughts and (12) lunch. With the heat beating down on their backs, ing out with my friends to eat and enjoy our ideas over a cup of delicious teh ais,” Li Ze seniors appreciated every inch of shade they could time with good food,” Melissa You (12) said. Choo (12) said. find on their long march back to campus. —By Aaron Bengs AARON BENGS

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Peer to Peer

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of all ages participated in the program. Through tutoring, students also gained a chance to meet people they would not have met otherwise. Multiple high schoolers began relationships with students younger or older than they. Tutoring forged friendships as “No,” said Mackenzie Jordan (11) as she tutored Keegan Oppenheim well as helping others receive deeper knowledge of certain subjects. (11) in English 11. “It’s better to write the sentence this way.” “Tutoring was a really great way for me to get to know younger Peer tutoring offered students challenged in different subjects a students and middle schoolers and help them excel in their studies,” chance to get help from their peers or their friends. said Hannah Graves (11), a previous tutor of a sixth grader. Students signed up to get tutoring for an X-Block on one of Tutors also gained extra service hours for volunteering for peer the five weekdays. They either chose a tutor themselves, or Mr. tutoring. If they gained over 20 hours, they received a pin on their Joshua Anderson paired them plaque as an award for their time with someone. invested in helping others. Because of the rigorous nature of By investing 40 minutes a week in classes at school, some students also helping another student learn more requested a tutor from their own about a specific subject, however, class to help them study for tests tutors gained much more than or to give them tips on studying service hours. They gained friends. certain topics. Stress often built Whether they met someone their age up, and tutoring allowed them to or someone older or younger, tutoring “blow some of it off ” with one of built relationships. their peers. Through tutoring, students did “Being tutored in art isn’t as not only gain an understanding of stressful as many of the other subjects they struggled in, but they subjects we learn about in school,” could also enjoy themselves while said Hung-Jie Song (12). “I get to getting to know each other. expand my views about the various “ Thanks for all the help,” components of art and the several INTENSELY studying Algebra, Calvin Thompson (11) listens Oppenheim said to Jordan as the factors I frequently fail to embrace.” to what his tutor, Shelly Choi (12), has to say about matrices. X-Block bell rang, and they finished Subjects ranged from chemistry Through peer tutoring, students could get the help they needed off the afternoon session. to basic math classes, and students for specific classes. —By Gabriela Mims

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Brrring! The sound of the buzzer signaling the end of the first quarter momentarily put the game between the boys’ basketball team against the Morrison Academy Kaohsiung on pause. In that short three-to-five-minute break, a group of musicians took up their instruments in haste to lead the crowd in cheering. Before the basketball season started, Mr. Chuck Arnold suggested having a pep band, like two years ago, to encourage the players. Mrs. Valeri Brokaw gathered 12 middle school musicians, Hannah Trescott (8), Esther Kim (8), Alice Chang (8), Sophia Park (8), Celestine Teoh (7), Ashley Kim (8), Philip Yeoh (7), Suji Lim (8), Nicole Lee (7), Lydia Brooks (7), Mikaela Steinkamp (8), and Xu An Lim (8) during X-Blocks to form the band. “Having the pep band was really encouraging because it created the atmosphere that the players look forward to. High schools in America always have pep bands in sports events,” said Joseph Um (12), a varsity player, “and it was great to see one in my own school.” Sometimes, a few high school musicians joined the BLOWING into their instruments, Suji crew to cheer on their friends. Lim (8), Alice Chang (8), Joseph Chandra “I know how it feels listening (7), Nicole Lee (7), and Celestine Teoh (8) to the pep band as a player and create a tune that everyone could cheer how it feels playing as a band along. The musicians experienced the challenge of playing while standing up. member. As a basketball player, I felt more energized when the crowd was uniformly shouting, ‘Go Eagles!’ along with the tune that the band was playing,” said Elisabeth Brokaw (11). “We had to flip our papers as soon as possible before the buzzers went off, which was hard to do while I was holding onto my clarinet standing up. My thumb was killing me, and I often squeaked,” said Suji. “Pep band was a great opportunity to support school spirit and a great way to improve my trombone playing skills,” said Xu An. During every break sessions, music and shouts echoed throughout the gym, keeping the basketball players’ energies alive. The last buzzer signaling the end of the game brought people to their feet as they gave a round of applause for all the players’ efforts. —By Gloria Kim

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advertisements, students like Beak wondered how they’d get everything done. Ad features ranged from more serious reports of minor annual events and detailed accounts of student groups to more trivial and whimsical stories. Students seemed willing to write about almost anything. One “You guys, I don’t know what we’re going to do,” said an anxious Mr. feature, for instance, described in detail the morning beverage habits John “Tommy” Tompkins to the yearbook staff, congregated together of a certain student. around the black conference table in the English room. “The deadline “Tayler [Nash, 12] had written an article about me for the Eagle’s is in two weeks, and we still need 33 ad features!” Eye, so I decided to write something about how he brings his coffee in “I’m stressed guys :( ” messaged David Beak (12) on the Journ. group a mug everyday,” said Matthew Shafer (12), a rare non-Journ feature chat some days later, referring to the mass of still unfinished features writer. “It was a tribute. Or revenge, depending on how you look at it.” the class needed to tackle. The rest of the class shared his sentiments, A combination of good division of labor—each student vowed to worrying about their daunting situation. write at least three ad features, totaling 27 out of the 35 required— Each year, as second semester neared late nights in the Journ. room, and its close, the school sends a copy of incessant implorations to non-Journ. its yearbook to Columbia Scholastic friends for help ensured that, though Press Association for assessment. pressured, students would submit the And each year’s Journ. crew strived required number of ad features by their to meet CSPA’s expectations of deadline, 2 May. journalism and yearbook design— Fueled by generous portions of pizza, including a suggestion that each page fried chicken, various soft drinks, and of advertisements bear one segment chips with salsa, students worked well of written copy to “attract student into the weekend, finally completing attention” (as one judge suggested). their required work on time. Open to all juniors and seniors, the No longer anxious, Tommy smiled majority of ad features nevertheless as he received the last ad feature needed found themselves written by Journ. two days before the planned submission students. With the stresses of writing of whole yearbook to the press. The these short pieces of copy (and finding an INTENTLY focused on his computer screen, Evan Chinn (11) finishes Journ. crew had worked hard, and the appropriate photo) added to working on up his last ad feature of the year. Journalism students worked late into book would reach the student body in unfinished layouts and not-yet-designed night and over weekends to meet the final deadline. time. —By Jonathan Chandra JONATHAN CHANDRA

Ad Feature: on Ad Features 219


Dynamic Kids

Tanjung Bunga Hardware

Come Sale Away!

MACKENZIE JORDAN

With Best Wishes to the Graduating Class of 2015

Dalat Chapel

The Spiritual Life Department would like to congratulate the senior class of 2015. We wish you all the best in the days to come. Thank you for all your years of commitment and for your contributions to the success of Dalat. You will be in our thoughts and prayers. God bless you all. ­—Mr. Tom Cura, Mr. Brandon Orr, Mr. Joshua Allen, and Mr. Andy Kearney

“ Seek f irst the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” — Matthew 6:33 220 Advertisements

As they approached the mini-market, Jonathan Chandra (12) and Gabriela Mims (11) stopped to prepare themselves. “OK, we have last year’s yearbook, a pen, price sheets, and contracts; we’re ready!” said Chandra. The Journ. class learned and practiced some ad selling tactics at the beginning of the year, which helped them when they eventually ventured out to invite different stores to place an ad in the yearbook. “The first time I went ad selling, I was nervous. We walked into a store, and I had no idea what to say; but I awkwardly introduced the yearbook and asked if they wanted to buy an ad. They said no. As the year progressed, however, I got better at pitching the yearbook to businesses and sold more ads,” said Evan Chinn (11). Students travelled all over the island to various convenPREPARING to head out, Jonathan ience stores, restaurants, hair Chandra (12) changes out of his school uniform into attire more appropriate salons, and dentists to invite for ad selling. Journ. students rushed them to support the publicaback and forth from changing rooms tion. The work felt tedious, and looked for their ad selling partners. but students recognized it as necessary in order to have color pages in the book. Though they experienced rejection many times, they persevered with the goal of raising enough money to have a mini-mag and gained valuable life skills as they pitched to various businesses. “Ad selling has helped me to be more open in talking to people that I don’t know—not just trying to be friendly but to present myself in a favorable way. Now when I get a job, I will be better prepared for presenting my skills,” said Gloria Kim (11). After an afternoon of walking in the hot sun, visiting endless stores and restaurants, pairs of students often celebrated their productivity or consoled their rejection with a cold drink and a bite to eat. The hard work paid off at the end of the day—Journ. students rejoiced when Tommy informed them they had enough money to have a mini-magazine and 23 pages of color in their yearbook not counting color ads. —By Mackenzie Jordan Telesonic Business Communication

CLEMENT LIM

BITRONIC USA

TELESONIC BUSINESS COMMUNICATION 22-1, Jalan Perniagaan, Pusat Perniagaan Alma 14000 Bukit Mertajam S.P.T. Malaysia tlscomm@tm.net.my

Tel: 604-551 4199 (Hunting) Fax: 604-551 2971 H/P: 012-485 0997 Registered PKK & CIDB Company No. ASO144346-M

QUALITY PRODUCTS COME WITH QUALITY SERVICE

Ad Feature: Selling Ads in the Community 221


INDEX

IMB

Matthew — Congratulations!

Leo Books

Leo Books Sdn. Bhd.

(An independent bookshop specializing in new, used, overprints, & book rentals)

Lot 1-25, First Floor, Island Plaza 118 Jln. Tanjung Tokong, 10470 Penang Tel: 04-8998911 E-mail: leobookstore@gmail.com

222 Advertisements

— |__ AA — Abe, Yushi 136 Accountability Partners 135 ACSC Tournament 60 Ad Feature Feature 219 Advanced Art 99 Advanced Band 20 After-JSB Dinner 167 After-Sneak Dinner 114, 115 Agnes A/P Michael 142, 147 Alagan, Himani 132, 228 Algebra II 77, 90 Allen, Joshua (1st grade) 30, 108, 136, 228 Allen, Joshua (Mr.) 14, 45, 102, 142, 145, 162, 220, 223 Allen, Lydia 130, 229 Allen, Ruthie 10, 128, 226, 227, 233 Allen, Susan 76, 88, 95, 142, 145, 162, 169 “Amazing Race” 32 Ambassadors 225 American Government 88, 89 Anderson, Aleteia 228 Anderson, Alicia 82, 130, 226, 231, 233 Anderson, Ariana 132, 159, 228 Anderson, Bona 142, 162 Anderson, Jeta 130, 229 Anderson, Joshua 94, 95, 142, 162, 185, 226 Anderson, Kai 5, 138 Anderson, Soren 79, 136 Ang Gaik Cheng (Adeline) 142 Ang Pau 149 Ang, Sheldon 60, 118 Ang, Sheryl 126 Ang, Tiffany 78, 138 Annual Fund 96, 109, 123, 157, 183 AP Calculus 90 AP Chemistry 93 AP Computer Science 105 AP English 11 86 AP English 12 77 AP Geography 104 AP Macroeconomics 104

AP Mandarin 102 AP Physics 105 AP Psychology 104, 105 AP Statistics 90 AP U.S. History 104 Arnold, Ashlynn 138 Arnold, Chuck 60, 142, 162, 217, 231, 232 Arnold, Deana 83, 142, 162, 229 Arnold, Kadence 80, 134, 231, 234 Arnold, Marshall 162 Art 98, 99 Arts and Crafts KIC’s Club 78 “Askings” 16 ASMA Math Contest 171 A Tad of Trouble 75 Avengers 193

137, 157, 163 Bernadette Selva A/P Selvarajan (Bernie) 142 Bethesda Home 157 Bible 95 Biology 93 *Blossom Art Gallery 177

SENIOR CLASS EXCOM: FRONT ROW: Ms. Christine Lim, Jing Yi Khoo, Ziwei Moey, Hui Min Tang, Mrs. Claudia Tse, Mrs. Terresa Uzzle; BACK ROW: Mr. Scott Uzzle, Ms. Shawna Wood, Hung-Jie Song, Ben Tse, Cindy Chiem, Mr. Bob Pagee

JUNIOR CLASS EXCOM: FRONT ROW: Mr. Karl Steinkamp, Sunny Kim, Lexi Zimbulis, Karsten Ladner, Amanda Goh, Ms. Joyce Goh; BACK ROW: Mrs. Jacki Steinkamp, Mrs. Jan Hogan, Shawn Lim, Kassy Steinkamp, Charlotte Combrink, Sarah Tan, Mrs. Renae Roberts, Mr. Dustin Roberts

|__

Love, Your South Asian Aunts and Uncles

This index lists everyone named or pictured in this book. Names and listings preceded by an asterisk (*) are advertisers. Bold-faced words are topics covered. Page numbers preceded by “MM” are found in the mini-magazine Current.

|__

We celebrate you and this milestone, thanking God for His never-ending love and faithfulness. We are praying that you’ll continue to grow in wisdom and knowledge while increasing in love for our Father.

*Beak, Mr. & Mrs. 186 Beasley, Reuben 138 Beh, Ellsy 159 Bengs, Aaron 76, 110, 189, 196, 199, MM 4, MM 5, MM 7, Back Endsheet Bengs, Abby 103, 116, 119, 123, 131,

— |__BB —

*Baa Baa Black Sheep 167 Bae, David 130, 179, 228 Bae, Seoeun 136, 228 Bahasa Melayu 102 Baiyoke Tower 119 Ballet Club 26 Balzer, Emmett 58, 59, 69, 118, 225, 226, 232, 233 Balzer, Thizbe 91, 116, 224, 225, 226 Band 76, 96 Bangkok International Choir Festival 108 Basha, Josh 13, 21, 69, 75, 90, 102, 110, 167, 172, 175, 189, 191, 195, 196, 201, 213, 231, 232 *Basha, Mr. & Mrs. 172 Basketball, JV Boys’ 64, 232 Basketball, JV Girls’ 64, 231 Basketball, Varsity Boys’ 61, 232 Basketball, Varsity Girls’ 63, 232 Battlebot 181 Battle of the Books 159 Beach Volleyball 113 Beak, David 16, 17, 25, 36, 37, 44, 87, 110, 139, 141, 149, 186, 189, 196, 219, 224, 225, 227, MM 4, MM 5, Back Endsheet

STUDENT COUNCIL: FRONT ROW: Ms. Stephanie Chhangur, Areeya Kunawaradisai, Tayah Lee, Shelly Choi, Lilian Li; SECOND ROW: Wen-Chi Chen, Jennifer Yook, Christina Kim, Raymond Ko, Ysabel Loh; BACK ROW: Mr. Joshua Allen, David Unruh, Lucia Combrink, John Kim, Andrew Kim, Zachary Tan

DORM COUNCIL: FRONT ROW: Mrs. Valerie Weidemann, Grace Chang, Christina Kim, Kia Thompson, Rainbow Chan; BACK ROW: Josh Basha, Joseph Um, Marshall McManus, David Unruh, John Kim

Index (Abe – Blossom Art Gallery} 223


MS DRAMA: (Rowdy Kate, Spies): FRONT ROW: Lydia Brooks, Julia Galang, Sara Stoltzfus, Dael Kim, Celestine Teoh; SECOND ROW: Ji Yun Shin, Carissa Hoffmeyer, Nathan Chand, Nicholas Khor, Da Ye Jung, Hannah Trescott, Mrs. Valeri Brokaw; BACK ROW: Justus Goh, Min Guk Kong, Gabe Roberts, Julia Siqueira, Shannon Frohlich, Seth Kelley, Elizabeth Horton; NOT PICTURED: Shanci Mackey

RLT PLAYERS: FRONT ROW: Denise Chai, David Beak, Christina Kim, Tesa Sasse, Jessie Brandon, Hannah Graves; BACK ROW: Jing Low, Aaron Chand, Kirk Ladner, Joseph Stoltzfus, Morgan Guthrie, Katiera Cox, Mr. Mark Sasse; NOT PICTURED: Kimberly Horton

224 Index (Board Games Club)

— |__CC —

Café Night 141, 199 Cameron Highlands 18, 121 Care & Share 24, 40, 157, 225 Carnivall Water Park 10 Castro, Chloe 118, 143, 230 Cataudella, Amy 228 Cataudella, Siena 31, 136, 228 Catching and Throwing KIC Club 24 CB 17 Cecil Fernandez 142 Chae, Jenny 128 Chai, Denise 118, 153, 171, 224, 225 Chai, Emily 82, 128 Chan, Ailee 26, 102, 103, 142, 162, 225 Chand, Aaron 14, 17, 36, 37, 86, 89, 118, 135, 143, 150, 177, 201, 224 Chand, Anna 78, 136 Chand, Jayden 78, 140 Chand, Nathan 6, 29, 85, 124, 224, 228, 231, 235, MM 10 Chand, Rachel 75, 224 Chandra, Jonathan 13, 101, 105, 110, 141, 153, 189, 190, 196, 199, 213, 221, 227, MM 4, MM 5, MM 6, MM 7, Back Endsheet Chandra, Joseph 85, 107, 126, 151, 190, 217, 226, 230, 231 *Chandra, Mr. & Mrs. 190 Chan, Ethan 82, 130, 226 Chang, Alice 74, 124, 139, 157, 217, 226, 227, 233 Chang, Anna 228 Chang, Grace 9, 51, 90, 98, 120, 223,

Chong Ying Keat (Joel) 142 Choo, Li Ze 12, 89, 110, 113, 150, 169, 196, 213 Choir 76, 97, 108, 119 Choir, MS 227 Choir Trip to Bangkok 119 Choral Festival 97 Chow, Christy 41, 46, 51, 66, 67, 90, 106, 107, 118, 229, 230, 233 Christmas 133, 145 Christmas Banquet 2, 4, 6, 17, 131, 141, 157, MM 10 Christmas Concert 20 Christmas Praise and Worship 45 Chung, Hee Ra 4, 110, 112, 196, 224 Chung, Samuel 134, 179, 228 Chung, Woo Young 48, 49, 118, 231, 232 Cinta Sayang Resort 7, 11 Class Events 142 Club Team Soccer 27 *C&MA Canada 161 Coffee Aficionados 173 Combrink, Anna-Sophia 138 Combrink, Bernard 64, 85, 125, 126, 139, 227, 230, 231, 232 Combrink, Charlotte 23, 33, 34, 41, 56, 57, 62, 63, 67, 116, 139, 160, 165, 223, 227, 229, 232, 233 Combrink, Danielle 57, 63, 97, 119, 122, 160, 229, 232, 233 Combrink, Lucia 16, 17, 41, 56, 57, 98, 110, 139, 160, 169, 196, 213, 223, 227, 229, 232, 233 *Combrink, Mr. & Mrs. 160 Combrink, Patricia 27, 142, 162, 229 Compelled 14 Concert Band 4 Cooking with Danneker 84 Cox, Caleb 75, 90, 94, 122, 211 Cox, Katiera 4, 6, 14, 22, 36, 37, 44, 45, 105, 116, 117, 119, 135, 224, 225, MM 14 Cross Country 67, 229 *Crown College 178 Cub Scouts 30, 228 Cura, Debby 69, 135, 137, 142, 159, 162, 177, 233 Cura, Jack 24, 67, 132, 229 Cura, Tom 14, 69, 109, 127, 133, 135, 142, 162, 177, 220, 229, 233 Cura, Tommy 60, 232 Cute Minions 159

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HS DRAMA (The Importance of Being Earnest): FRONT ROW: Ysabel Loh, Sam Hofer, Rachel Halbedl, Jing Low, Rainbow Chan; BACK ROW: Ms. Laura Danneker, Daniel Munson, Kyle Fischer, Elisabeth Brokaw, Joel Frohlich, Benjamin Tse

226, 230 Chang, Jarrod 48, 100, 118, 226, 231 Chang, Jordan 126, 139, 226, 227 Chang, Megan 118 Chang, Vivien 124 Chan, Hazel 130 Chan, Isaac 105, 116 Chan, Karl 74, 124, 228 Chan, Rainbow 35, 36, 89, 120, 127, 183, 223, 224, 225, 230 Chan, Ryan 130, 228 Channon, Noah 138 Chan-Sturgis, Alexander 120 Chapel 133 Chapel Praise Band 225 Cha, Ryan 82 Cheam, Ethan 136, 228 Chee, Adelina 130 Chelliah A/L Periasamy 142 Chemistry 77, 92 Chen, Elisabeth 30, 207, 229 Chen, Wen-Chi 13, 38, 39, 66, 70, 116, 139, 223, 226, 227, 229, 233 *Cheow Guan 157 *Cherry Art Studio 185 Chew, Ryan 130 Chew, Sing Yi 138 Chhangur, Stephanie 142, 162, 223 Chia, Ning Kang 40, 70, 107, 118, 229 Chia, Ning Yi 29, 130, 231 Chiem, Cindy 6, 34, 110, 113, 125, 139, 155, 161, 193, 196, 223, 227 *Chiem, Mr. & Mrs. 155 Chihama, Suzuna 120 Chim, Mattea 140 Chin, Alicia 74, 124 Chin, Anric 132, 159, MM 11 Chin, Anson 107, 118, 153, 233, MM 10, MM 11 Chin, Bethia 134, 228 Chin, Boyie 68, 116, 230, 233 Chin, Elspeth 128, 230 Chinese New Year 149 Chin, John 130 Chin, Luis 228 Chinn, David 53, 97, 120, 225, 231 Chinn, Debbie 142, 145, 162, 177, 211, 226 Chinn, Evan 34, 66, 75, 86, 116, 135, 189, 219, 221, 231, , MM 4, MM 5, Back Endsheet Chinn, Jonathon 64, 120, 133, 231 Chinn, Larry 123, 142, 162 Chinn, Sarah 6, 126, 226 Cho, Hasung 40, 41, 96, 118, 155, 226, 229 Cho, Jae Woo 9, 85, 126, 232 Cho, Jason 27, 132 Cho, Jay Hyunjae 132 Cho, John 11, 52, 53, 85, 111, 124, 228, 229, 231 Cho, Subin 128, 226, 230 Choi, Andrew 126, 226 Choi, Annie 128 Choi, Dennis 17, 110, 155, 169, 171, 196, 212 Choi, John 120, 201 *Choi, Mr. & Mrs. 199 Choi, Shelly 32, 33, 103, 110, 112, 143, 173, 183, 191, 193, 196, 199, 212, 215, 223, 227, 234, MM 14

— |__DD —

Daisy Girl Scouts 30, 31, 228 *Dalat Chapel 220 *Dalat Staff 162 Dance-Dance Revolution 121 Danneker, Laura 37, 96, 123, 142, 162, 224, 226 Davis, Bob 66, 142, 162, 232 Davis, Elijah 132 Davis, Missy 85, 142, 162 Davis, Paul 134 Debate Club 185 Deeb, Michael Back Endsheet *Dee Pee Tailor 217 de la Fuente-Lau, Shuli 78, 142, 162 Design and Purpose 95

Developmental Psychology 105 de Visser, Adaiah 138 de Visser, Joel 79, 140 Dewhirst, Abigail 10, 128 Dewhirst, Mark 80, 132, 228 Dewhirst, Rachel 136, 228 Dewhirst, Sally 159, 228 Dexter 121 Dharma A/L Paramasevam 142 Digital Media Technology 107 Dorm Church 195 Dorm Council 13, 18, 35, 121, 223 Dorm Life 19, 121 Drawe, Hannah 140 Dreamleague 203 Dressember MM 15 Driscoll, Sean 140 *Dr. Looi 167 Dunkings 109 Dunk Tank 123 *Dynamic Kids 220

—|__EE —

Easter 145 *Ecotech Sales & Service 218 Edman, Chance 69, 142, 162, 203, 231, 232 Eighth Grade 85, 124, 126 Eighth Grade Buddies 9, 11, 111 El-Deeb, Aiden 136 Elementary Clubs 27 Elementary Musical 29 Elementary Sports 72 English 87 *ESL Department 212 Eu cha quay MM 5 Eun, Darren 136 Eun, Young-Woo 29, 130 Ewe, Andy 41, 54, 67, 116, 167, 232, 233 Ewe, Chia Hoong 103, 122 Excoms 34, 35

133, 185, 209, 224 Fischer, Natalie 140 Fishing Village Carnival 40 Fitness 100 Fitzgerald, Dominic 6, 118, 225 *Flamingo Hotel by the Beach 202 Flying Fox 112 Food and Fun Fair 35, 137 Football, Junior Varsity 230, 231 Football, Varsity Boys’ 49, 231 Football, Varsity Girls’ 51, 230

For All Generations 37 Foreign Language 102 Forensics 38, 39, 226 *Forever Travel 156 Foundation Art 77, 98, 99 Foundations of Faith 94 Four-square 73, 75, 80, 83, 125 Fourth Grade 80, 130 Francis Xavier 142, 147 Fraser, Kai 46, 66, 67, 95, 105, 116, 226, MM 7, MM 10

SKTT: FRONT ROW: Lilian Li, Brenda Ng, Jessie Brandon, Jane Jung, Cheryl Yeap, Ke-Erh Huang; SECOND ROW: Mrs. Ailee Chan, Denise Chai, Gloria Kim, Aaron Kelley, Juliet Suen, Lexi Zimbulis, Sarah Stevens, Mrs. Anne-Marie Pagee, Felicia Teoh; BACK ROW: Susan Oh, Andrew Kim, Kassy Steinkamp, Bena Mauger, Dominic Fitzgerald, David Jung, Karsten Ladner, En Qi Saw; NOT PICTURED: Joyce Oh, Derrick Lim, Ting Hui Lim, Tian Ooi, Areeya Kunawaradisai, Julia Munson, Li Ze Choo

CARE & SHARE: Darian Yeap, Lilian Li, Mrs. Anne-Marie Pagee, Khai Yi Khor, Felicia Teoh, En Qi Saw

—|__FF — |__

HS DRAMA (A Tad of Trouble): FRONT ROW: Andriani Sugianto, Hannah Graves, Priska Sugianto, Susan Oh, Rainbow Chan, KeErh Huang, Kimberly Horton, Ziwei Moey, Ms. Laura Danneker; SECOND ROW: Morgan Guthrie, Mrs. Rachel Chand, Darby Kendrick, Thizbe Balzer, Jessie Brandon, Tesa Sasse, Christina Kim, Ysabel Loh, Hui Min Tang, Mr. Mark Sasse; BACK ROW: Hee Ra Chung, Jacob Uzzle, Aaron Chand, Joel Frohlich, Joseph Stoltzfus, Hudson McManus, Josiah Brake, Benjamin Tse, Colleen Mims, David Beak; NOT PICTURED: Tim Phan, Clarissa Lister, Hinako Kawata

187, 224, 233 Brameshwaran A/L Gopalakrishnan 142 Brandon, Jessie 37, 89, 90, 102, 110, 131, 135, 173, 196, 224, 225, 233, MM 9, Back Endsheet Break the Code 143 Brewster, Brandi 142, 162, 233 Brewster, Brian 12, 13, 93, 142, 162, 230, 235 Brewster, Kalia 128, 230, 233 Brewster, Kyra 80, 134 Brewster, Lana 130, 226, 231, 233 Brokaw, Elisabeth 36, 45, 88, 116, 160, 217, 224, 225, 226, 227, 230, 232 Brokaw, Valeri 29, 45, 85, 142, 162, 217, 224, 225, 226, 227, Back Endsheet Brooks, Lydia 11, 24, 29, 126, 139, 217, 224, 227, 230 Brooks, Noah 27, 132 Brownies 30, 31, 207, 228 Bubble Tea 34 Bubrik, Sophie 126 Buckland, Caitlyn 130, 229 Buhr, Aimee 126, 229, 230 Buhr, Eileen 81, 142, 162 Buhr, Elizabeth 30, 130, 159, 229 Buhr, Garth 142, 162, 230 Buhr, Hannah 50, 51, 66, 118, 229, 230, 231 Buhr, Kate 28, 128, 226, 229 Burley, Rachael 138

|__

Boyd, Aidan 78, 136 Boyd, Kathryn 81, 132, 228 Boyd, Levi 78, 79, 140 Boy Scouts 24, 30, 207, 228 Brake, Josiah 7, 18, 118, 153, 161,

|__

Board Games Club 27 Boh Tea 18 Bold Moves 14 Boomerang 10, 11 Bowling 121

Facebook 201 Faircloth, Kyla Ann 132, 228 Faircloth, Micah 128 Family Fun Day 5 Family Hope Welfare Association 157 *Farmasi Tanjung Bungah 164 Favorite Food, Movie, Music MM 12 Fear the Tapir 199 Ferguson, Billy 26, 136 Ferguson, Jack 29, 70, 130, 229 Ferguson, Jimmy 132, 159 Fields, Lacey 64, 78, 142, 162, 228, 231 Fifth Grade 82, 130 Fifth-Sixth Musical 226 Finlay, Ben 33, 48, 75, 93, 94, 203, 231 Finlay, Benjamin 118 First Grade 79, 136 First Things First 107 Fischer, Alex 73, 130, 232 Fischer, Heather 142, 159, 162 Fischer, John 70, 71, 142, 162, 229 Fischer, Kyle 38, 97, 115, 116, 119,

AMBASSADORS: FRONT ROW: Mrs. Valeri Brokaw, Rainbow Chan, Rosalinda Shin, Thizbe Balzer, Rachel Halbedl, Victoria Galang, Hinako Kawata; BACK ROW: Aaron Tan, David Chinn, Emmett Balzer, Joseph Stoltzfus, Elisabeth Brokaw, Joel Frohlich, Kimberly Horton; NOT PICTURED: Hannah Buhr, Joel Halbedl, Asaka Mori

CHAPEL PRAISE BAND: FRONT ROW: David Beak, Aster H’ng, Katiera Cox, Priska Sugianto; BACK ROW: Zachary Tan, Peter Tan, Gaby Mims, Johnathan Tan, John Kim, Mr. Brandon Orr

Index (Fraser) 225


Friday Tie Day 161 Frohlich, Gabe 29, 67, 128, 226, 230 Frohlich, Joel 94, 118, 187, 224, 225

History Bee & Bowl 153 *HL Shoppes 212 H’ng, Aster 118, 225 Hng, Aster 4, 20, 44, 45, 88, 95, MM 10 Ho Ah Khang 144 Ho, Olivia 140 Hobbit, The 121 Hofer, Emma 51, 86, 88, 116, 135, G 137, 160, 167, 173, 175, 189, 192, 206, 230, 233, MM 4, MM 5, Galang, Julia 84, 126, 224, 227, 230 Back Endsheet Galang, Victoria 9, 122, 147, 225, Hofer, Hailey 31, 80, 132, 207, 229, 230 MM 11 Game Night 187 Hofer, Rhys 27, 134, 159, 228 Ganeson A/L Subramaniam 144 Hofer, Sam 7, 88, 118, 153, 187, 224 Geiman, Lydia 29, 128, 226, 230, 233 Hoffmeyer, Carissa 6, 53, 85, 124, Geiman, Mary 80, 144, 162 224, 226, 230, 233 Geometry 91 Hoffmeyer, Pam 144, 145, 162 *George Town Pharmacy 168 Hoffmeyer, Paul 30, 144, 162, 179, Gerard Colvin Estrop 144 207, 228, 231 Gill, Rahul 121, 122, 187 Hogan, Jan 70, 144, 162, 223, 229 Global Studies 88 Honors English 9 87 Go, Daniel 122, 232 Hoogendoorn, Jodi 57, 144, 162, 233 Goh, Amanda 9, 34, 35, 116, 117, Horton, Elizabeth 11, 28, 85, 139, 139, 143, 149, 171, 209, 223, 227, 224 233 Horton, Jon 144, 162, 181, 233 Goh, Caitlin 40, 118 Horton, Kimberly 38, 39, 45, 96, Goh, Joyce 76, 97, 119, 144, 162, 120, 141, 224, 225, 226 223, 235 Horton, Lori 144, 162 Goh, Justus 28, 124, 224, 228 How To Train Your Dragon 2 121 Goh, Wei Sing 40, 41, 118, 232 HS Drama 224 Graves, Elizabeth 70, 71, 137, 159, HS Jazz Ensemble 226 177, 183, 229 Graves, Hannah 24, 36, 66, 75, 96, Hsu, Joseph 32, 59, 68, 69, 90, 120, 115, 116, 135, 192, 215, 224, 226, 232, 233 226 Hsu, Michael 132 Graves, Jason 183 Hsu, Paul 140 Graves, Noah 58, 71, 118, 143, 226, Hsu, Peter 134 228, 229, 232, 233 Huang, Ke-Erh 40, 41, 105, 122, 224, *Grumpiez Green Pepper Mexican 225 Cantina 213 Huang, Sam 60, 61, 66, 67, 88, 120, Guitar Hero 6 211, 229, 232, 233 Gunasegeran A/L Narainan 144 Huang, Tien-Erh 128 Gurney Plaza 6, 20, 145, 149, 157 Huang, Ting-Yi 26, 134 Gusto Café 145, MM 10 Huang, Yong-Yu 83, 130, 226, 233 *Gusto Café 129 Huang, Zi Xin 138 Guthrie, Macy 138 Huh, Samuel 140 Guthrie, Morgan 17, 21, 25, 37, 106, Human Trafficking MM 15 110, 111, 115, 169, 196, 224 Hwang, Tian Xiang 132 Gymnastics Club 26 Hwang, Titus 60, 116, 232 Frohlich, Robin 27, 51, 53, 73, 101, 144, 162, 230 Frohlich, Shannon 53, 124, 139, 224, 227, 230, 231, MM 6 Fund-raising 23, 35 *Furry Kids 185

|__

— |__ G —

HS JAZZ ENSEMBLE: FRONT ROW: Areeya Kunawaradisai, Jing Low, Keito Watanabe, Joseph Hsu, Hannah Graves; SECOND ROW: Ms. Laura Danneker, Hasung Cho, Raymond Ko, Jerald Lim, Yu Zhi Phuah, Thizbe Balzer, Mrs. Valeri Brokaw; BACK ROW: Jacob Uzzle, Kai Fraser, Elisabeth Brokaw, Emmett Balzer, Noah Graves, Peter Tan, Jarrod Chang; NOT PICTURED: Aloysius Liew, Asaka Mori

226 Index (Fraser)

— |__HH —

Halbedl, Joel 105, 116, 135, 185, 207, 209, 228, MM 6 Halbedl, Rachel 88, 116, 224, 225 Halloween 111 *Han Kook Grocery 164 Han, Tommy 87, 102, 122, 231, 232 Hassan, Jasmine 132, 159 Haug, Josie 140 Haug, SkyeLynn 138 Hawk, Jonas 144, 162, 183, 195, 230 Hawk, Levi 20, 67, 83, 128, 230, 232 Hawk, Lyric 19, 27, 81, 134, 195 Hawk, Mary 144, 162, 195 *Hawk, Mr. & Mrs. 173 Health 100 Hiew, Brian 61, 116, 231, 232, MM 6 *High Power Electrical Engineering 217 Hiking to Queensbay 175

—|__ii —

ICT 105 *IMB 222 Importance of Being Earnest 224 *Indian Delights 152 Indoor Soccer 189 Information and Communication Technology 105 Interstellar 121 Intharani A/P Munusamy 144 Introduction to Theater Arts 14 iPad Minis 85 Iron Man 2 143, 193

— |__jj — |__

MS JAZZ BAND: FRONT ROW: Jordan Chang, Andrew Choi, Carissa Hoffmeyer, Mikaela Steinkamp, Celestine Teoh, Sarah Chinn; SECOND ROW: Mandy Lim, Amanda Low, Ashley Kim, Esther Kim, Philip Yeoh, Xu An Lim, Da Ye Jung; BACK ROW: Ms. Laura Danneker, Elisabeth Kilgo, Zhi Yong Lee, Joseph Chandra, Anna Queres, Alice Chang, Jacob Zahn, Natasha Palanivel, Nicole Lee, Yusoof Monawvil

|__

FIFTH-SIXTH MUSICAL (Simon Says): FRONT ROW: Ethan Chan, Maggie Koay, Kate Buhr, Isaac Uzzle, Alicia Anderson, Christina Zahn, Yong-Yu Huang, Kaitlyn Ladner; SECOND ROW: Christopher Ooi, Lana Brewster, Jazzy Jenkins, Ruthie Allen, Zoe Seevaratnam, Jia Yi Sim, Subin Cho, Kaylee Nash, Gabe Frohlich; BACK ROW: Lydia Geiman, Esther Tse, Aria Tan, Alix Stuart, Sofia Siqueira, Helen Jang, Tate Oppenheim, Joel Kelley, Mrs. Valeri Brokaw; NOT PICTURED: Rebecca Lee, Amie Trescott

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FORENSICS: FRONT ROW: Mrs. Debbie Chinn, Mrs. Liza Nichols, Ysabel Loh, Sunny Kim, Aaron Kelley, Wen-Chi Chen, Lilian Li; BACK ROW: Mrs. Carin Roylance, Mr. Joshua Anderson, Peter Kim, Joseph Stoltzfus, Lexi Zimbulis, Kimberly Horton, Christina Lee, Grace Chang; NOT PICTURED: Kyle Fischer, Andrew Kim

Jaganathan @ Christopher 144 Jang, Christopher 73, 132

Jang, Helen 130, 226, 231, 233 Jasmine A/P Sundra Raj 144 Jayaprakasan Narayanan 144, 147 Jazz Band, MS 226 Jazz Ensemble, HS 123, 226 Jenkins, Becky 59, 144, 162, 233 Jenkins, Eddie 18, 144, 162 Jenkins, Jazzy 18, 75, 128, 133, 197, 226, 230, 233 Jeon, Caleb 140 Jeong, Aiden 30, 134, 228 Jeong, Albert 85, 111, 124, 228, MM 7 Jeong, Simon 122 Jeon, Ha-Eun 81, 134, MM 11 Jeon, Haram 138, MM 6 Johno, Anju 138 Jong, Cassandra 128, 230, 233 Jong, Christopher 130 Jordan, Mackenzie 41, 45, 76, 86, 98, 108, 116, 119, 127, 149, 154, 175, 189, 215, MM 4, MM 5, MM 15, Back Endsheet Jordan, Robin 137 Jore, Sarah 229 *Journ. Ad 189 Journalism 86, 87 Journalism Antics MM 5 JSB 17, 22 JSB Dress Sale and Swap 133 JSB Invitation & Preparation 209 Jung, David 116, 201, 225 Jung, Da Ye 126, 224, 226, 227 Jung, Enoch 130 Jung, Jane 9, 69, 116, 157, 225, 233 Junior Class Excom 223 Junior Class Fund-raising 23 Junior Class Store 35 Junior Excom 13 Junior for Hire 16, 22, 35 Junior Girl Scouts 30, 207, 229 Juniors 116, 118 Junior-Senior Banquet 17, 22, 143 JV Boys’ Basketball 232 JV Boys’ Football 53, 231 JV Boys’ Volleyball 233 JV Girls’ Basketball 231 JV Girls’ Volleyball 233

— |__kk — |__

Fraser, Shion 122, 232 Freshmen 122, 124 Friday Night Football 189

Kahrobaei, Zoe 140 Kalawathy Pakkiathai A/P A.Rajiah 144 Kang, Daniel 111, 124, 232 Kang, Erica 128 Kantimahanti, Neehar 120 Kaptain, Alina 138 Kaptain, Anjali 132 Karaoke 121 Kawata, Hinako 2, 15, 122, 123, 225 Kayaking 20, 75 Kearney, Andrew 144, 162, 220 Kearney, Sara 59, 77, 90, 144, 162, 233 *Keat Cheong Auto Service Centre 176 *Keat Interior Decorator 197 Kelley, Aaron 6, 20, 38, 42, 98, 116, 117, 135, 139, 185, 225, 226, 227

Kelley, Joel 29, 83, 125, 128, 133, 226, 227, 228, 230 Kelley, Seth 24, 28, 84, 93, 124, 127, 224, 228 Kendrick, Darby 120, 224 Kendrick, Jaxon 128, 228, 232 Kendrick, Melynn 122, 233 Khaw, Wen 29, 130 Khoo, Jing Yi 4, 34, 110, 139, 171, 196, 201, 223, 227 *Khoo, Mr. & Mrs. 181 Khor, Khai Yi 120, 225 Khor, Nicholas 74, 124, 179, 207, 224, 227, 228, 232 KICs (Kids’ Interest Clubs) 26, 27 Kiehl, Joy 51, 67, 74, 124, 139, 227, 230 Kilgo, Anna 5, 134, 228 Kilgo, David 81, 132, 228 Kilgo, Elisabeth 10, 74, 124, 226 Kilgo, Patrick 228 Kilgo, Robert 100, 116, 141, 207, 228 Kil, Yebeen 128, 230, 233 Kil, Yun 134 Kim, Andrew 38, 39, 55, 66, 67, 93, 102, 120, 211, 223, 225, 229, 232, 233, MM 10 Kim, Andy 8, 98, 100, 110, 193, 194, 196, 212 Kim, Ashley 139, 124, 217, 226, 227 Kim, Christina 12, 19, 32, 116, 117, 141, 147, 162, 207, 223, 224, 233, MM 6, Back Endsheet Kim, Dael 11, 21, 126, 224, 227, 230, MM 6 Kim, Daniel 26, 27, 67, 101, 122, 131, 229, 232 Kim, Esther 124, 139, 217, 226, 227, 231, 233 Kim, Gloria (Grade 7) 121, 126 Kim, Gloria (Grade 11) 5, 41, 105, 116, 189, 221, 225, 233, MM 4, MM 5, MM 7, Back Endsheet Kim, Gunwoo 76, 134 Kim, Hajin 140 Kim, Hyun Ji 91, 122 Kim, Inha 120 Kim, Inkyul 126 Kim, Jaewon 78, 138, MM 11 Kim, Jae Youn 30, 134, 179, 228 Kim, Jason 29, 47, 72, 130 Kim, Jeremy (Grade 1) 136 Kim, Jeremy (Grade 6) 128, 232 Kim, JiChan 136 Kim, JiSung 134 Kim, John (Grade 6) 11, 128, 230 Kim, John (Grade 12) 9, 18, 21, 25, 44, 45, 48, 49, 66, 67, 75, 86, 93, 100, 101, 110, 121, 131, 141, 163, 179, 189, 191, 195, 196, 197, 199, 203, 213, 223, 225, 231, MM 10 Kim, Kevin 120, 155 Kim, Louise 122 Kim, Min Guk 30 *Kim, Mr. & Mrs. (Andy’s) 194 *Kim, Mr. & Mrs. (John’s) 179 Kim, Nathan 134 Kim, Onyou 134 Kim, Peter 9, 38, 122, 226 Kim, Seong-Min 11, 74, 123, 124, 232

Kim, Seung Hwan 11, 128, 230 Kim, Sungjoo 136 Kim, Sunny 34, 35, 38, 39, 95, 116, 117, 139, 157, 223, 226, 227, Back Endsheet Kim, Yeonsoo 134 Kim, Yu-Min 128, 232 Kimbap 137 Kindergarten 79 Kirby, Kirby 120 Kirby, Maverick 122 Kirk, Mia 78, 138 Ko, Aiden 138 Koay, Amos 134, 159 Koay, Benny 228 Koay, Isaac Hans 228 Koay, Joshua 85, 126, 230, 231, 232 Koay, Maggie 130, 226, 231 Koay, Sean Hans 179, 207, 228

Koay, Shawn 229 Ko, Esther 124, 231 Ko, Marcus 140 Ko, Min-Song 128, 230 Ko, Na Young 136, 228 Ko, Raymond 33, 41, 67, 93, 94, 95, 122, 141, 223, 226, 229, 231, 233 Ko, Sean 41, 89, 99, 120, 229, 233 Ko, Sophie 79, 140 Kok, Zachary 122 *Kong Hoe Trading 197 Kong, Min Guk 111, 124, 179, 224, 227, 228, 231 Ku, Beatrice 132 Kunawaradisai, Areeya 9, 13, 42, 100, 122, 123, 131, 223, 226, 230 Kunawaradisai, Wansuk 7, 9, 66, 85, 126, 230, 231, 232 Kwon, Catherine 159 Kwon, Doye 134

MS CHOIR: FRONT ROW: Joel Kelley, Tate Oppenheim, Ji Yun Shin, Ruthie Allen, Dael Kim, Celestine Teoh, Lydia Brooks; BACK ROW: Elisabeth Brokaw, Jia Yi Sim, Esther Tse, Min Guk Kong, Alix Stuart, Da Ye Jung, Julia Galang, Mrs. Valeri Brokaw; NOT PICTURED: Sophie Bubrik, Subin Cho, Aria Tan

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY: FRONT ROW: Ziwei Moey, Sunny Kim, Shelly Choi, Jonathan Chandra, Jing Yi Khoo, David Beak; SECOND ROW: Amanda Goh, Ysabel Loh, Brenda Ng, Tayah Lee, Angelene Woo, Hui Min Tang, Jet Oh; THIRD ROW: Wen-Chi Chen, Shaikha Shahtaj, Cindy Chiem, Jennifer Yook, Juliet Suen, Lexi Zimbulis, Karsten Ladner, Benjamin Tse, Zachary Tan; BACK ROW: Sarah Tan, Kassy Steinkamp, Charlotte Combrink, Derrick Lim, Joseph Stoltzfus, Shion Matsumoto, Lucia Combrink, Peter Tan, Aaron Kelley, Hung-Jie Song; NOT PICTURED: Clarissa Lister, Johnathan Tan

NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY: FRONT ROW: Lydia Brooks, Sin Ler Oo, Hannah Trescott, Ashley Kim, Nicholas Khor, Mikaela Steinkamp, Courtney Soon, Jordan Chang; BACK ROW: Mr. Mark Trescott, Joy Kiehl, Shannon Frohlich, Suji Lim, Yi Yao Tan, Alice Chang, Jerald Ooi, Bernard Combrink, Esther Kim, Mrs. Michele Trescott; NOT PICTURED: Natasha Palanivel, Elizabeth Horton

Index (Kwon) 227


DAISY GIRL SCOUTS: FRONT ROW: Mrs. Amy Cataudella, Seoeun Bae, Hannah Lee, Rachel Dewhirst, Yewon Lee, Soniya Peters, Mrs. Sally Dewhirst; BACK ROW: Jane Lee, Soo Song, Na Young Ko, Stella Park, Anna Chang, Siena Cataudella, Olive Teh, Letyzia Tang

BROWNIES: FRONT ROW: Mrs. Karla Nyul, Rhys Hofer, Gabriella Uzzle, Priscilla Qi En Teh, Ashley Park, Bethia Chin, Claire Ohk, Ms. Lacey Fields, Mrs. Aleteia Anderson; BACK ROW: Anna Kilgo, Kathryn Boyd, Himani Alagan, Alexia Nyul, Ariana Anderson, Noella Seevaratnam, Kyla Ann Faircloth, Kalista White; NOT PICTURED: Ankita Rajesh, Kadence Arnold, Mariana Chen, Myra Lim

228 Index (Ladner)

*M Associates 211 Mackey, Shanci 11, 29, 58, 67, 126, 231, 233 Mackey, Tammy 64, 231 Mah, Culles 83, 128, 230 Mah, Cullno 134 Mahoney, Kerry 69, 144, 162, 230 Mahoney, Robin 144, 162 Malay 103 Malaysia Day 149 Mandarin 102 Manimaran A/L Kuppusamy 144 Man, Jia Jun 138 Man, Jia Ni 138 Manogran A/L Ramasamy 144 Martens, Micah 3, 46, 48, 75, 110, 113, 121, 141, 163, 175, 183, 191, 196, 199, 231, MM 10 Maruo, Hina 136 Mary Michael Aloysius 144 M*A*S*H 37 *Master Piece Tailor 172 Math 91 Mathialagan A/L N. Ramasamy 146 *Matsumoto, Mr. & Mrs. 170 Matsumoto, Shion 17, 41, 48, 60, 87, 110, 113, 115, 131, 139, 163, 170, 196, 203, 227, 231, 232, MM 10, MM 11 Matsumoto, Toan 9, 65, 126, 170 Mauger, Bena 18, 48, 120, 189, 197, 225, 229, 231 McIntyre, Mary-Claire 90, 101, 107, 116, 137, 145, 149, 165, 185, 233, 235 McManus, Hudson 98, 103, 120, 161, 165, 195, 224, 231, MM 6 McManus, Marshall 18, 110, 115, 127, 161, 191, 196, 232, MM 9 Media Literacy 77, 88, MM 15

— |__ NN —

Nadapdap, Joshua 138 Nadapdap, Laura 26, 136, MM 11 Nagamal A/P M.Doraisamy (Rose) 146 Nando’s 143 Nash, Kaylee 83, 125, 130, 226, 233 *Nash, Mr. & Mrs. 165 Nash, Tayler 86, 114, 117, 161, 165, 173, 189, 196, 199, 219, MM 4, MM 5, MM 7, MM 8, Back Endsheet National Holidays 149 National Honor Society 139, 227 National Junior Honor Society 139, 227 National Staff 142, 144 New Testament Survey 94 Newton Scientific Readers 159 Ng, Brenda 16, 43, 67, 98, 116, 139, 150, 160, 225, 227, 229 Ng, Luke 81, 132 Nguyen, David 85, 146, 162, 232 Nguyen, Shuyin 146, 162 NHS 139, 227 Nichols, Kiera 136 Nichols, Liza 38, 77, 98, 145, 146, 162, 226 Nichols, Trevor 132

Nielsen, Matthew 228 Nielsen, Michael 228 Ninth Grade 122 NJHS 139, 227 Nomad Adventure Earth Camp 13, 112 Nonis, Adrian 54, 87, 122, 155, 231, 232, 233 No-Uniform Day 157 *Nyack College 210 Nyul, Alexia 134, 228 Nyul, Karla 228 Nyul, Ruben 85, 124, 231

Park, Daniel 78, 136 Park, HanBi 138 Park, Harin 96, 122 Park, Jonathan (Grade 3) 134 Park, Jonathan (Grade 11) 9, 118, 155, 157, 232 Park, Jong Min 126

Park, Sofia 124, 217 Park, Stella 31, 138, 159, 228 Park, Surin 140 Park, Yerin 126 P.E. 100 Peace, Emily 146, 162 *Penads 195

— |__OO —

Oh, Jet 9, 13, 60, 114, 139, 193, 196, 227, 232, 233 Oh, Joyce 42, 43, 116, 211 Oh, Susan 17, 18, 19, 20, 42, 75, 97, 119, 120, 123, 224, 225, 233 Ohk, Claire 31, 134, 228 Ohk, Ella 140 Oldies Day 165 Ong, Jonathan 136 Ong, Joshua 128, 179, 228 Ong, Letitia 11, 126 Ong, Sophia 122 Ooi, Jerald (Grade 7) 126, 139, 227, 230 Ooi, Jerald (Grade 9) 102, 122, 231 Ooi, Carsten 140 Ooi, Christopher 130, 226 Ooi Huey Fern 146 Ooi, Jaime 14, 86, 95, 101, 112, 114, 115, 165, 193, 196, MM 10, MM 11 Ooi, Jonathan 136, 192 Ooi, Tian 9, 122 Oo, Sin Ler 124, 139, 227 Oppenheim, Amy 159, 177 Oppenheim, Jay 228 Oppenheim, Keegan 40, 75, 93, 97, 102, 115, 116, 117, 143, 149, 163, 207, 215, 228, MM 6, MM 11 Oppenheim, Tate 14, 66, 83, 86, 128, 226, 227, 228, 230 Orr, Brandon 64, 88, 146, 162, 220, 225 Orr, Christina 146, 162 Orr, Gavin 140 Orr, Jeremiah 24, 27, 134, MM 11 Owen Cedric Emuang 146, 147

—|__PP — |__

BOY SCOUTS: FRONT ROW: Mr. Jay Oppenheim, Mr. Patrick Kilgo, Mr. Paul Hoffmeyer, Mr. Benny Koay; SECOND ROW: Joel Kelley, Tate Oppenheim, Isaac Hans Koay, Nathan Chand, Ashwin Rajesh, Jaxon Kendrick, David Kilgo, Joshua Ong, Nicholas Khor; THIRD ROW: Justus Goh, Luis Chin, Matthew Nielsen, John Cho, Min Guk Kong, Trevor Ronning, Yusoof Monawvil, Seth Kelley, Eugene Lee; BACK ROW: Albert Jeong, Gabe Roberts, Maxime Van Combrugge, Noah Graves, Karl Chan, Robert Kilgo, Joel Halbedl, Yi Yao Tan, Keegan Oppenheim, Sean Hans Koay; NOT PICTURED: James Zhu

— |__ MM —

3

Mentoring 135 Merdeka Day 20, 149 MEW 5, 14, 44, 45, 106 *Michelin Tyres 208 Middle School Drama 29 Middle-School Events 125 Middle School Retreat 7, 11 Mims, Colleen 21, 205, 224 Mims, Gabriela 4, 44, 45, 87, 102, 116, 135, 141, 175, 189, 221, 225, MM 4, MM 5, Back Endsheet Minecraft Eagles 22, 159 Min, Hae Song 140 Mini-Magazine (“Current”) 96, 97 Missions Emphasis Week 4, 15, 106 Mockingjay–Part 1 143 Moey, Ziwei 1, 34, 70, 114, 139, 155, 196, 223, 224, 227, 229, 236, MM 10 Mohan Dumar A/L A S Veeraramani 146 Monawvil, Yusoof 124, 226, 228 Moon, Joshua 116, 232 Moon, Juan 134, 179 Morf, Daniela 192 Morf, Joshua 138 Morf, Ruben 136, 159 Morf, Timothy 140 Mori, Asaka 50, 122, 230 MS Choir 227 MS Drama 29, 224 MS Jazz Band 226 Muniandy A/L Ramasamy 146 Munson, Daniel 58, 102, 120, 224, 233 Munson, Julia 42, 46, 94, 122, 233 Munson, Lisa 57, 146, 162, 233 Musical, Fifth-Sixth 226 Muthaliar, Dars 122, 143, 231 *Muthu Frozen Food 163

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CUB SCOUTS/WEBELOS: FRONT ROW: Gabriel Roylance, Aiden Jeong, Samuel Chung, Zhong Xi Tan, Brendan Loke, Joshua Allen, Ethan Cheam, Sean White; BACK ROW: Mr. Paul Hoffmeyer, Taewoo Song, Elliot Steffen, David Bae, Ryan Chan, Michael Nielsen, Joseph Yun, Mark Dewhirst, Jae Youn Kim

Lim, Suyoung 24, 136, 159 Lim, Ting Hui 13, 42, 43, 104, 110, 112, 158, 173, 196 Lim, Xu An 124, 217, 226 Lim, Xu Xuan 107, 120 Lion Dance 149 Lister, Clarissa 110, 196 Lister, Gilbert 102, 120 Lock-in 143, 193 Lo, Esther 130 Loh Sin Choon 144 Loh, Ysabel 9, 12, 32, 38, 39, 116, 133, 139, 149, 157, 223, 224, 226, 227, MM 6 Loke, Brendan 134, 228 Long Boarding 20, 21, 75 Long Weekends 21 *Looi, Dr. 167 Low, Amanda 14, 74, 84, 124, 226 Low, Jing 120, 153, 224, 226 Luchtenburg, Alan 18, 19, 120, 121, 183 Lucidus Noctis 32, 33, 133, 141 *Lucky Tailor 205 Lunch 129 Ly, Sabrina 116, 230 Lyon, Axy 140 Lyon, Joshua 138

|__

|__

Ladner, Doug 75, 169 Ladner, Kaitlyn 73, 83, 130, 169, 226, 233 Ladner, Karsten 22, 34, 35, 48, 51, 88, 89, 105, 106, 115, 116, 135,

Lai, Owen 73, 80, 132 Lai, Sherrie 159 Lam, Alyssa 134, 159 Lam, Amelia 159 Lam, Jonathan 134 Language Arts 86 Lao, Jonathan 19, 121, 128 Lawrence, Alisa 233 Lawrence, Hannah 6, 124, 125, 233 Law, Yi Lin 119, 122 Lazy River 11 Leadership Retreat 13, 32, 33 Lee, Chloe 134 Lee, Christina 38, 39, 116, 226 Lee, Eugene 228 Lee, Geonhui 130 Lee, Hannah 228 Lee, Jane 136, 228, MM 11 Lee, Jethro 107, 116, 157 Lee, Joonbeom 78, 140 Lee, Lauren 124 Lee, Nicole 126, 217, 226, 233 Lee, Peter 22, 48, 116, 117, 143, 197, 199, 203, 231 Lee, Rebecca 66, 130, 231, 233 Lee, Sophie 140 Lee, Tayah 9, 13, 17, 22, 56, 57, 62, 63, 115, 116, 139, 209, 211, 223, 227, 232, 233, MM 13 *Lee Tong Hai & Sons Construction 164 Lee, Vivien 92, 122 Lee, Yejii 3, 140 Lee, Yewon 136, 228 Lee, Zack 136 Lee, Zhi Yong 84, 126, 226, 230 Leech, Joseph 55, 69, 93, 116, 189, 192, 232, 233, MM 10 Leisure Sport 75 *Leo Books 222 Leonardo Emuag 144 Leong, Aaron 79, 140 Leong, Aidan 72, 134, 159 Leow Ah Mooi 144 Leow, Jun Sheng 134 Leow Yen Ling 144 Li, Lilian 37, 70, 71, 120, 129, 146, 223, 225, 226, MM 10 Liew, Alanis 132 Liew, Aloysius 122 Lim Ah Chai 144 Lim, Christine 144, 223 Lim, Chung Hong 122 Lim, Daniel 126, 230 Lim, Denzel 110, 112, 193, 196, 212 Lim, Derrick 110, 111, 113, 155, 196, 201, 227 Lim, Grace 120, 129, 153, MM 10, MM 11 Lim, Hazel 140 Lim, Jerald 40, 41, 120, 226 Lim, Jia Yi 126 Lim, Linus 74, 84, 85, 111, 124, 232 Lim, Mandy 111, 124, 226 *Lim, Mr. & Mrs. (Derrick’s) 203 *Lim, Mr. & Mrs. (Ting Hui’s) 158 Lim, Myra Tian Ai 134, 159, MM 11 Lim, Shawn 17, 34, 41, 48, 60, 66, 67, 93, 116, 131, 203, 223, 231, 232, MM 10 Lim, Suji 124, 217, 227 Lim, Sumin 11, 128, 230, 232

|__

—|__ll —

137, 139, 153, 161, 169, 181, 207, 223, 225, 227, 231, MM 6 Ladner, Kirk 36, 110, 115, 129, 161, 169, 196, 224 Ladner, Laura 57, 169, 233 *Ladner, Mr. & Mrs. 169 Lai, Jian Shiun 110, 196, 212 Lai, Jian Yi 126

Pagee, Anne-Marie 40, 41, 42, 146, 157, 162, 225 Pagee, Bob 41, 146, 162, 187, 193, 207, 223 Palanivel, Natasha 124, 226 Palany A/P Ganapathy 146 Pangkor 115 Papier Mâché Art Club 27 Paradise Hotel 149 Paragon Mall 149 Parent-Teacher Organization 136, 137 *Parent-Teacher Organization 159 Park, Ashley 27, 31, 134, 228

JUNIOR GIRL SCOUTS: FRONT ROW: Fukue Suntarat, Elizabeth Buhr, Caitlyn Buckland, Jeta Anderson, Hailey Hofer; BACK ROW: Mrs. Melodee White, Zoei Toh, Karis White, Lydia Allen, Jordan Stuart, Sarah Jore, Elisabeth Chen, Joy Teh; NOT PICTURED: Rebecca Lee, Amie Trescott

CROSS COUNTRY: FRONT ROW: Jack Cura, Aimee Buhr, Shoko Tezuka, Kate Buhr; SECOND ROW: Mr. Tom Cura, Hannah Buhr, Esther Tse, Brenda Ng, Mrs. Patricia Combrink, Mrs. Deana Arnold; BACK ROW: Danielle Combrink, Lucia Combrink, Raymond Ko, Charlotte Combrink, Sean Ko, Bena Mauger, Ben Tse; NOT PICTURED: JiaJie Toon, Elijah Davis, Joshua Lee, Matthew Teh, Joy Kiehl

TRACK: FRONT ROW: Mrs. Deana Arnold, Amy Buhr, Hannah Buhr, Esther Tse, Christy Chow, Felicia Teoh, Hasung Cho; BACK ROW: Mr. Tom Cura, Shawn Koay, Danielle Combrink, Andrew Kim, Charlotte Combrink, Sam Huang, Benjamin Tse, Daniel Kim, Mrs. Patricia Combrink; NOT PICTURED: Joseph Leech, Kai Fraser

TENNIS: FRONT ROW: Lilian Li, Wen-Chi Chen, John Cho, Ziwei Moey, Jack Ferguson, Mrs. Elizabeth Graves; BACK ROW: Mrs. Jan Hogan, Keito Watanabe, Ning Kang Chia, Yu Zhi Phuah, Noah Graves, Sheng-Ting Yang, Mr. John Fischer; NOT PICTURED: Alex Ruble

Index (Penads) 229


VG FOOTBALL: FRONT ROW: Emma Hofer, Rebekah Steinkamp, Kia Thompson, Shannon Frohlich, Andriani Sugianto, Joy Kiehl, Grace Chang, Christy Chow, Hannah Buhr; BACK ROW: Mrs. Robin Frohlich, Asaka Mori, Sabrina Ly, Sarah Tan, Chloe Castro, Elisabeth Brokaw, Rachel Wells, Daniela Rana, Juliet Suen, Boyie Chin, Mr. Kerry Mahoney

— |__QQ — |__

Queensbay 175 Queres, Anna 124, 226

U-13 BOYS’ FOOTBALL, B-TEAM: FRONT ROW: Joonas Tan, Gabe Frohlich, Tate Oppenheim, Joel Kelley, Seung Hwan Kim, Daniel Lim; SECOND ROW: Tyler Ronning, Culles Mah, Sumin Lim, Levi Hawk, John Kim, Jerald Ooi; BACK ROW: Mr. Jorge Siqueira, Gabe Roberts, Josh Yeoh, Joshua Koay, Wansuk Kunawaradisai, Gabriel Siqueira, Bernard Combrink, Zhi Yong Lee, Joseph Chandra, Mr. Jonas Hawk

230 Index (Penang PAC)

— |__RR — |__

U-13 BOYS’ FOOTBALL, A-TEAM: FRONT ROW: Daniel Lim, Levi Hawk, Sumin Lim, John Kim, Tyler Ronning; BACK ROW: Mr. Jorge Siqueira, Wansuk Kunawaradisai, Bernard Combrink, Gabriel Siqueira, Gabe Roberts, Jerald Ooi, Mr. Jonas Hawk

*Rainbow Paradise Beach Resort 188 Rainbow Paradise Beach Resort 13 *Rainforest Bakery 192 Rajeen A/L Mareemuttoo 146 Rajesh, Ashwin 228 Ramasamy A/L R. Govinda 146 Ramirez, Jerome 120 Rana, Bijay 48, 118, 203, 231 Rana, Daniela 122, 230, 233 Rat Island 20, 75 Ravindran A/L Moses 146 RAZ-Kids 78 Reader’s Theater 37 Reading Fair 159 Recitals, Piano 133 *Reflector 2015 Staff Ad 189 *Regent Furnishings 193 Remembrance Day 207 RLT Players 24, 36, 37, 224

— |__SS —

SAB 129, 171, 175 Sabapathy A/L Somasundaram 146 *Sam’s Batik House 206 *Sam’s Collections 154 Sangaran A/L Ramu Thaver (Susu) 146 Santhanasamy A/L Francis 148 Sarasvathi A/P A.Navaseelam (Joyce) 148 Sarhad, Nikita 26, 136, 159 Saroja A/P Supramaniam 147, 148 Sasada, Risa 11, 19, 126 Sasse, Karen 148, 162 Sasse, Mark 37, 69, 86, 88, 89, 148, 162, 224, 233 Sasse, Tesa 17, 21, 36, 68, 89, 114, 115, 119, 196, 205, 224, 233, MM 7 Sasse, Tim 17, 69, 89, 90, 101, 120, 232 SAT 201 *Satay Hut 187 Saturday Night Dorm Meals 183 Sawatzky, Dale 55, 148, 162, 233 Sawatzky, Gemma 136 Sawatzky, Shannon 5, 148, 162 Sawatzky, Tobin 132, 159 Saw, En Min 10, 124 Saw, En Qi 120, 225, 233 Saw, Zhi Yi 124, 149 Schhangur, Stephanie 33 Schouten, Melanie 128 Science 93 Second Grade 80, 134, 136 Seevaratnam, Matthias 138 Seevaratnam, Noella 27, 134, 159, 207, 228 Seevaratnam, Shantel 148, 159, 162 Seevaratnam, Zoe 108, 128, 226, 230 Sekolah Kebangsaan Tanjung Tokong 42

Selvaraja, Sahana 132 Selvaraja, Sidharta 80, 81, 136 *Senior Class 196 Senior Class Excom 13, 223 Senior Leadership Retreat MM 11 Senior Lock-In 193 Senior Off-Campus Lunch 213 Senior Sneak 4, 108, 113 Senior-Transition Retreat 13, 209 Senior Treat 191 Senior Trip 115 Seo, Jiwoo 136 Seo, Jung En 122 Seong, Edward 126, 232 *Seoul Garden Restaurant 180 Serve-athon 22, 35, 117 Seventh Grade 85, 126, 128 SEW 5, 14, 15, 25, 45 Sewing Club 26 Shafer, Matthew 18, 20, 88, 114, 161, 173, 191, 195, 196, 219, 222 *Shahtaj, Mr. & Mrs. 198 Shahtaj, Shaikha 13, 114, 196, 198, 227 Shan Home 157 Shanmugabalan, Anya 136 Shanmugabalan, Kieran 140 *Sharma, Dr. 205 Sheptock, Rudy 14, 15 Shin, Ji Yun 28, 84, 126, 224, 227, 230, MM 6 Shin, Rosalina 2, 15, 122, 123 Silent Auction 123 Sim Hock Sun 148 Sim, Jia Yi 128, 226, 227, 233 Simon Says 29, 226 *Sin Chuan Book 217 Siqueira, Gabriel 83, 128, 230, 232 Siqueira, Jorge 197, 230, 231 Siqueira, Julia 111, 124, 224, 231, 235 Siqueira, Sofia 29, 83, 130, 226, 231, 233, 234 Sixth Grade 82, 128, 130 *Sizzling Chicken 216 Skimboarding 143, 163 SKTT 42, 43, 225 Sneak (Senior) 4, 108, 113 Socializing 9 Social Studies 88 Softball, Varsity Boys’ 232 Softball, Varsity Girls’ 231 Some of My Best Friends Are Spies 28, 29 Son, Grace 124, 233 Song, Hung-Jie 1, 13, 34, 89, 98, 99, 104, 112, 114, 151, 161, 173, 177, 196, 201, 215, 223, 227, 236, MM 6, MM 7, MM 10 *Song, Mr. & Mrs. 201 Song, Soo 78, 138, 228, MM 11 Song, Taewoo 30, 132, 228, 235 Soon, Courtney 124, 139, 227 Soon, Eric 87, 107, 118 Sophomores 118 Spanish 4, 102, 105, 145 Speech and Forensics 86, 87 Spice Gardens 76, 95 Spike and Strike Tournament 51 Spiritual Emphasis Week 4, 15 Spiritual Formation 76, 95, 169 Spirit Week 165

*Sri Ananda Bahwan Restaurant 171 SSR 211 Staff 142, 144 Standardized Exams 201 Statistics 90 Steffen, Elliot 30, 132, 159, 228 Steffen, Jonathan 30, 41, 148, 162, Back Endsheet Steffen, Micah 140 Steinkamp, Jacki 117, 148, 162, 167, 223, Back Endsheet Steinkamp, Karissa 118, 139 Steinkamp, Karl 22, 23, 35, 47, 62, 115, 117, 148, 162, 167, 209, 223, 232 Steinkamp, Kassy 34, 47, 56, 57, 62, 76, 92, 117, 165, 223, 225, 227, 232, 233 Steinkamp, Mikaela 20, 52, 58, 64, 74, 124, 125, 139, 217, 226, 227, 230, 231, 233 *Steinkamp, Mr. & Mrs. Joel 175 Steinkamp, Rebekah 37, 51, 114, 160, 175, 196, 207, 230, MM 9 *Sterling Insurance Brokers 215 Stevens, Sarah 22, 118, 225 Stoltzfus, Benjamin 80, 132 Stoltzfus, Joseph 21, 36, 37, 39, 112, 114, 119, 139, 153, 196, 205, 224, 225, 226, 227, MM 9 *Stoltzfus, Mr. & Mrs. 153 Stoltzfus, Sara 6, 28, 125, 126, 224, 230 Stoltzfus, Sophia 128 *Straits Minimart 200 Straits Quay 20, 75 Stuart, Alix 128, 226, 227, 233 Stuart, Jordan 30, 132, 229 StuCo Café 141 Student Council (StuCo) 4, 13, 17, 24, 32, 131, 133, 140, 141, 165, 223 Student Leadership Retreat 13 Suen, Fiona 159 Suen, Jordan 80, 81, 132 Suen, Juliet 17, 51, 62, 67, 105, 112, 114, 139, 196, 225, 227, 230, 232, MM 10 Sugianto, Andriani 18, 66, 69, 75, 89, 118, 137, 167, 201, 209, 224, 230, 233 *Sugianto, Mr. & Mrs. 209 Sugianto, Priska 4, 44, 45, 75, 94, 111, 113, 114, 115, 119, 131, 143, 191, 195, 196, 209, 213, 224, 225, 233, MM 11 Sullivan, Aubrey 21, 122, 137 Sundaraj A/L Rangasamy 148 Suntarat, Fukue 30, 132, 229 Super Smash Bros. 18 Sustained Silent Reading 211 Swiss Garden Resort 113

Tan, Alwyn 32, 118 Tan, Angela 22, 68, 104, 118, 233 Tan, Aria 130, 226 Tan, Elynn 99, 122

Tan, Jesse 136 Tan, Johnathan 8, 9, 25, 38, 44, 45, 111, 112, 113, 114, 174, 196, 200, 225, MM 6

U-15 BOYS’ FOOTBALL: FRONT ROW: Mr. Paul Hoffmeyer, Nathan Chand, Min Guk Kong, Trevor Ronning, John Cho; BACK ROW: Joshua Tan, Tommy Han, Ruben Nyul, Raymond Ko, Adrian Nonis, David Chinn, Dars Muthaliar; NOT PICTURED: Alex Ruble

JV BOYS’ FOOTBALL: FRONT ROW: Mr. Jorge Siqueira, Hudson McManus, Trevor Ronning, Wansuk Kunawaradisai, Bernard Combrink, Joshua Koay, Mr. Mark Trescott; BACK ROW: Mr. Jon Ronning, Dars Muthaliar, Ruben Nyul, David Chinn, Joseph Chandra, Jerald Ooi; NOT PICTURED: Alex Ruble, Nathan Chand

VB FOOTBALL: FRONT ROW: Jonathon Chinn, Karsten Ladner, Josh Basha, Ben Finlay, Woo Young Chung, David Unruh, Jarrod Chang, Peter Lee, John Kim, Mr. Dustin Roberts; BACK ROW: Mr. Chance Edman, Bena Mauger, Shawn Lim, Brian Hiew, Joseph Um, Micah Martens, Josh Wells, Bijay Rana, Shion Matsumoto, Evan Chinn, Mr. Nathan Watkins

U-13 GIRLS’ BASKETBALL: FRONT ROW: Kadence Arnold, Maggie Koay, Ning Yi Chia, Alicia Anderson, Lana Brewster, Christina Zahn; BACK ROW: Mr. Chuck Arnold, Lauren Worten, Esther Tse, Sofia Siqueira, Adelynn Tan, Rebecca Lee, Helen Jang

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U-15 GIRLS’ FOOTBALL: FRONT ROW: Victoria Galang, Areeya Kunawaradisai, Rainbow Chan, Mikaela Steinkamp, Carissa Hoffmeyer, Sara Stoltzfus; BACK ROW: Mrs. Robin Frohlich, Shannon Frohlich, Grace Chang, Hannah Buhr, Mr. Garth Buhr; NOT PICTURED: Joy Kiehl

Roberts, Dustin 48, 72, 73, 75, 145, 146, 162, 203, 223, 231 Roberts, Gabe 28, 126, 224, 228, 230 Roberts, Jodi 80, 146, 162 Roberts, Joel 80, 107, 146, 162, 181 Roberts, Lydia 146, 162 Roberts, Marshall 145 Roberts, Renae 146, 162, 223 Robotics 107, 181 Robot War 181 Romance MM 11 Ronning, Jon 53, 146, 162, 181, 231 Ronning, Kayla 66, 122 Ronning, Rebekah 146, 162 Ronning, Trevor 10, 124, 228, 231, 232, MM 6 Ronning, Tyler 128, 230, 232 Ronzheimer, Kirk 14 Ross, Jessica 120, 232 Rowdy Kate 28, 29, 224 Roylance, Carin 86, 146, 162, 211, 226 Roylance, Craig 59, 146, 162, 233 Roylance, Edyn 78, 137, 138 Roylance, Gabriel 80, 136, 228 Ruble, Alex 70, 111, 124 Ruble, Kaela 105, 118, 233

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U-13 GIRLS’ FOOTBALL: FRONT ROW: Subin Cho, Dael Kim, Cassandra Jong, Aimee Buhr, Min-Song Ko, Yebeen Kil, Zoe Seevaratnam, Elspeth Chin, Lydia Brooks; BACK ROW: David Unruh, Lydia Geiman, Ji Yun Shin, Kalia Brewster, Esther Tse, Julia Galang, Jazzy Jenkins, Mr. Brian Brewster

Penang PAC 24 Penang’s Culture 205, MM 8 Penland, Carre 69, 81, 146, 162, 233 Penland III, Thomas 140 Penland, Tom 64, 65, 146, 162, 232 Pep Band 217 Personal Psychology 105 Perumal A/L Govinda 146 Peters, Soniya 138, 228, 234 *Peter Transport Services 177 *Phan, Mr. & Mrs. 184 Phan, Tim 79, 97, 103, 113, 114, 119, 155, 184, 196, 233 *Phoenix Press 182 Phuah, Yu Zhi 40, 41, 70, 120, 226, 229 Phungsonthorn, Tryn 140 Physical Education 100 Physical Science 92 Physics 93 Pillai, Reshwin 24, 138, MM 11 Pillai, Rishon 132 Pinewood Derby 179, 235 Ping-Pong 121 Poh, Rachel 128 *Poliklinik Sharma 205 Pollock, Caris 138, MM 6 Ponamudi A/L Valaithan 146 Pontrich, Aaron 24, 138 Pontrich, Charlotte 140 Pontrich, Jake 27, 132 Posers MM 7 Prayer Groups 127 Pre-calculus 90 Preschool 79 Preschool Four 138, 140 Preschool Three 140 Prisna A/P Frak Part 146 PTO 5, 133, 136, 137, 159 PTO Family Fun Day 108 PTO Food and Fun Fair 137 PTO JSB Dress Sale and Swap 137 Purple Comet Math Competition 171

—|__TT —

Tad of Trouble 224 *Tai Sam Guah Seafood 216 Takizawa, Saecka 138 Takizawa, Shivm 140 Tan, Aaron 90, 122, 225 Tan, Abel 128, 232 Tan, Adelynn 130, 231

JV GIRLS’ BASKETBALL: FRONT ROW: Annabelle Teoh, Mikaela Steinkamp, Felicia Teoh, Esther Kim; BACK ROW: Mrs. Tammy Mackey, Shannon Frohlich, Shanci Mackey, Julia Siqueira, Esther Ko, Hannah Buhr, Ms. Lacey Fields

Index (Tan) 231


— |__ UU —

Um, Joseph 16, 18, 21, 60, 69, 114, 121, 173, 183, 191, 195, 196, 217, 231, 232 *Unison 219 Unruh, David 17, 75, 105, 120, 131, 141, 173, 189, 223, 230, 231 U.S. History 77, 88, 89 Uzzle, Gabriella 26, 136, 159, 228 Uzzle, Isaac 29, 130, 137, 226 Uzzle, Jacob 14, 105, 114, 131, 153, 196, 224, 226 Uzzle, Scott 11, 13, 60, 66, 123, 148, 162, 167, 193, 223, 232 Uzzle, Terresa 4, 34, 148, 162, 171, 193, 223

— |__VV — |__

232 Index (Tan)

VG SOFTBALL: FRONT ROW: Susan Oh, Tesa Sasse, Priska Sugianto, Jane Jung, Cheryl Yeap, Felicia Teoh, Christy Chow, Wen Chi Chen, Mr. Mark Sasse; SECOND ROW: Mrs. Debby Cura, Jessie Brandon, Amanda Goh, Christina Kim, Gloria Kim, Andriani Sugianto, En Qi Saw, Angela Tan, Mrs. Carre Penland; BACK ROW: Mr. Tom Cura, Emma Hofer, Melynn Kendrick, Boyie Chin, Kassy Steinkamp, Kaela Ruble, Mary-Claire McIntyre, Julia Munson, Daniela Rana

Vainglory 155 Valentine’s Day 121, 183 Valliammah A/P Karpaya 148 Van Combrugge, Maxime 228 Vegekumar A/L Mareemuthoo (Kumar) 148 Veterans’ Day 207 Vgekumar Maneemuthoo 147 VHS 77 Vianco, Belle Gabriella 119, 122, 123 Victor Lim 148 Video Games 193 Vijay A/L Sambantham Mudaliar 148 Volleyball, Junior-Varsity 59, 233 Volleyball, Varsity Boys’ 55, 233 Volleyball, Varsity Girls’ 57, 233

Wells, Josh 231 Wells, Rachel 51, 230 White, Kalista 134, 228 White, Karis 30, 132, 133, 207, 229 White, Melodee 95, 148, 153, 162, 229 White, Sean 30, 78, 138, 159, 228 Wise Owls 159 Won, Amy 26, 136 Wong, Aydan 138 Wong, Benjamin 132 Woo, Angelene 8, 56, 57, 93, 95, 118, 139, 227, 233 Wood, Rebekah 138 Wood, Sarah 140 Wood, Shawna 82, 148, 162, 223 World History 88 World Religions 8, 95 Worship Team 45 Worten, Aaron 128, 232 Worten, Drew 26, 80, 134, 159, MM 11 Worten, Jeremiah 126 Worten, Jeremy 232 Worten, Juni 159 Worten, Lauren 26, 80, 132, 231

— |__XX —

X-Block Fair 10 Xbox 360 18 Xia, Mudi 140 Xia, Wenqian 140 Xin, Hana Zining 138 JV BOYS’ VOLLEYBALL: FRONT ROW: Mr. Jon Horton, Joseph Hsu, Raymond Ko, Mr. Craig Roylance; BACK ROW: Joe Brake, Daniel Munson, Teddy Zimmer, Sean Ko, Emmett Balzer, Noah Graves; NOT PICTURED: Simon Jeong

VB VOLLEYBALL: FRONT ROW: Adrian Nonis, Sam Huang, Anson Chin, Jet Oh, Yan Rong Tan; BACK ROW: Mr. Dale Sawatzky, Tim Phan, Joseph Leech, Andy Ewe, Andrew Kim, Mr. Craig Roylance, Mr. Jon Horton; NOT PICTURED: Mr. Shaun Png

U-13 GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL: FRONT ROW: Kaitlyn Ladner, Kaylee Nash, Alicia Anderson, Cassandra Jong, Esther Tse, Helen Jang, Yebeen Kil, Jazzy Jenkins, Lana Brewster, Yong-Yu Huang; BACK ROW: Mrs. Brandi Brewster, Lydia Geiman, Jia Yi Sim, Ruthie Allen, Kalia Brewster, Alix Stuart, Nicole Lee, Sofia Siqueira, Rebecca Lee, Mrs. Alisa Lawrence; NOT PICTURED: Julia van Zulen, Magdalene Koay

—|__YY — |__

VB SOFTBALL: FRONT ROW: Joseph Hsu, Josh Basha, Sam Huang, Tim Sasse, Teddy Zimmer, Jonathan Park, Woo Young Chung, Joshua Moon, Fong Wei Ting; BACK ROW: Mr. Chance Edman, Andrew Kim, Joseph Um, Noah Graves, Harrison Taylor, Marshall McManus, Joseph Leech, Emmett Balzer, Mr. Brian Weidemann

Watanabe, Keito 41, 71, 102, 103, 120, 226, 229 Watkins, Nathan 231 Watkins, Stephanie 148, 162

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VB BASKETBALL: FRONT ROW: Tommy Cura, Yan Rong Tan, Brian Hiew, Andy Ewe, Joseph Um, Shion Matsumoto, Mr. Chuck Arnold; BACK ROW: Mr. Scott Uzzle, Jet Oh, Adrian Nonis, Sam Huang, Shawn Lim, Titus Hwang, Calvin Thompson, Samuel Tan; NOT PICTURED: Sheldon Ang

— |__ ww —

Wave Pool 11 WEBELOS 30, 228 Wee, Leeann 136, 159 Wee, Leecia 79, 140 Wee, Leeia 138 Weidemann, Brian 69, 121, 148, 162, 191, 199, 232 Weidemann, Valerie 19, 121, 148, 162, 223

Yamaguchi, Kanon 72, 80, 132 Yamaguchi, Rio 26, 136 Yang, Sheng-Ting 70, 118, 201, 229

Yang, Yoseph 132 Yeap, Cheryl 94, 118, 225, 233 Yeap, Darian 27, 40, 120, 225 Yeap, Mika 107, 122, 181 Yeh, Joanna 159 Yeng, Elijah 118 Yeng, Emily 134 *Yenshen Hardware 211 Yeoh, Ashley 132 Yeoh, Eliza 140 Yeoh, Joelle 138 Yeoh, Josh 230 Yeoh, Joshua 83, 130, 232 Yeoh, Philip 128, 217, 226 *Yong Tanjung D.I.Y. Hardware 168 Yook, Jennifer 6, 12, 16, 17, 95, 108, 111, 114, 125, 143, 147, 149, 169, 193, 196, 223, 227, 234 Yoon, Teo Taeho 136 You, Melissa 12, 19, 86, 100, 101, 107, 114, 121, 191, 196, 201, 213, 216 *You, Mr. & Mrs. 216 YouTube 18 Yuen, Zachary 134, MM 11 Yun, James 47 Yun, Joseph 130, 228 Yun, Marie 3, 140 Yun, Yeorin 67, 103, 120

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JV BOYS’ BASKETBALL: FRONT ROW: Trevor Ronning, Nicholas Khor, Shion Fraser; SECOND ROW: Wansuk Kunawaradisai, Tommy Han, Bernard Combrink, Daniel Kang, Linus Lim, Daniel Kim; BACK ROW: Jeremy Worten, Aaron Worten, James Zhu, Seong-Min Kim, Wei Sing Goh, Teddy Zimmer, Daniel Go, Mr. Tom Penland; NOT PICTURED: Jonathon Chinn, Joshua Tan, Mr. Brandon Orr

Volunteer Recognition Program 177

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U-13 BOYS’ BASKETBALL: FRONT ROW: Yu-Min Kim, Alex Fischer, Joshua Koay, Abel Tan, Sumin Lim, Levi Hawk, Jaxon Kendrick; BACK ROW: Mr. David Nguyen, Edward Seong, Joshua Yeoh, Jae Woo Cho, Gabriel Siqueira, Jeremy Kim, Tyler Ronning, Mr. Bob Davis; NOT PICTURED: Christopher Ooi

*Ting, Mr. & Mrs. 166 *Toccoa Falls College 191 Toh, Kylie 9, 93, 120, 129 Toh Poh Suan 148 Toh, Zoei 132, 229 Tompkins, John “Tommy” 148, 162, 189, 211, 219, 221, Back Endsheet, MM 5 Toon, Jia-Jie 126, MM 6 Track 229 Track and Field Day 66 Track-’n’-Field Club 27 Trends MM 13 Trescott, Amie 130 Trescott, Hannah 126, 139, 217, 224, 227 Trescott, Mark 53, 85, 109, 148, 162, 227, 231 Trescott, Michele 148, 162, 227 Tritham, Jirawan 130 Truong, Sierra 140 Tse, Anthony 214 Tse, Benjamin 14, 16, 17, 34, 35, 67, 108, 112, 114, 133, 139, 143, 167, 193, 196, 214, 223, 224, 227, 229 Tse, Claudia 148, 159, 162, 214, 223 Tse, Esther 130, 214, 226, 227, 229, 230, 231, 233 *Tse, Mr. & Mrs. 214 Tsukada, Hayase 138 Tsukada, Miona 130 Tucker, Nathan 138, MM 11 Tung Seok Yeng (Mrs. Lee) 148

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VG BASKETBALL: FRONT ROW: Tayah Lee, Juliet Suen, Mersades Zimmer, Sarah Tan, Jessica Ross; BACK ROW: Mr. Karl Steinkamp, Kassy Steinkamp, Charlotte Combrink, Elisabeth Brokaw, Lucia Combrink, Danielle Combrink; NOT PICTURED: Daniela Rana, Mrs. Becky Jenkins, Mr. Stephen Lee

Tan, Joonas 130, 230 Tan, Joshua 98, 122, 231 Tan, Lu-Shien 148, 153, 162 Tan, Melissa 140 *Tan, Mr. & Mrs. (Johnathan’s) 174 *Tan, Mr. & Mrs. (Peter’s) 204 Tan, Nathan 136 Tan, Peter 9, 12, 45, 96, 105, 107, 113, 114, 169, 173, 196, 204, 225, 226, 227 Tan, Samuel 8, 18, 23, 60, 95, 118, 157, 183, 232 Tan, Sarah 34, 51, 98, 118, 131, 139, 209, 223, 227, 230, 232, MM 11 Tan, Tien Min 126 Tan, Yan Rong 9, 55, 60, 61, 100, 111, 114, 191, 193, 196, 212, 213, 232, 233, MM 10, MM 11 Tan, Yi Yao 126, 139, 227, 228 Tan, Zachary 8, 9, 22, 32, 44, 45, 103, 118, 131, 139, 141, 157, 165, 223, 225, 227, MM 13, Back Endsheet Tan, Zhong Xi 136, 179, 228 Tan Gaik Fung (Jasmine) 148 Tang, Eleannor 136 Tang, Enson 132 Tang, Hui Min 34, 114, 139, 183, 196, 223, 224, 227 Tang, Kyle 134 Tang, Letyzia 138, 228 *Tang, Mr. & Mrs. 183 *Tanjung Bunga Hardware 221 Taylor, Harrison 8, 89, 118, 129, 183, 189, 232 T-ball 73 Team Soccer KIC 24 Technology 106 Teh, Joy 229 Teh, Olive 228 Teh, Priscilla Qi En 228 *Teik Leong 208 *Telesonic Business Communication 221 Teng, Noel 34, 101, 118 Tennis 70, 229 Tenth Grade 118 Teoh, Annabelle 58, 126, 231, 233 Teoh, Celestine 28, 29, 84, 109, 126, 217, 224, 226, 227 Teoh, Eunice 102, 103, 148, 162 Teoh, Felicia 56, 65, 120, 225, 229, 231, 233 Tezuka, Shoko 66, 120, 229 Thanavalli A/P Kamache 148 Thanksgiving 20, 145 Theatre Arts 37 The Importance of Being Earnest 37, 224 The Wizard of Oz 139 Third Grade 80, 134 Thomas, Cherry 134, 159 Thompson, Calvin 21, 60, 61, 102, 117, 118, 121, 173, 195, 199, 215, 232 Thompson, Kia 37, 51, 76, 101, 114, 119, 189, 191, 195, 196, 205, 223, 230 *Thompson, Mr. & Mrs. 207 Thurairaj A/L A.Pawadai Pillai (Raj) 148 Ting, Fong Wei 18, 33, 68, 69, 107, 114, 166, 169, 191, 196, 232

—|__ZZ —

Zahn, Christina 130, 226, 231 Zahn, Jacob 125, 128, 226 Zhu, James 11, 126, 232 Zimbulis, Lexi 34, 35, 38, 39, 93, 118, 139, 153, 209, 223, 225, 226, 227 Zimmer, Mersades 56, 57, 88, 120, 232, 233 Zimmer, Teddy 19, 124, 232, 233

JV GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL: FRONT ROW: Annabelle Teoh, Esther Kim, Mikaela Steinkamp, Carissa Hoffmeyer, Mrs. Becky Jenkins; BACK ROW: Mrs. Sara Kearney, Julia Munson, Grace Son, Alice Chang, Shanci Mackey, Hannah Lawrence

VG VOLLEYBALL: FRONT ROW: Ms. Jodi Hoogendoorn, Felicia Teoh, Tayah Lee, Angelene Woo, Mrs. Laura Ladner; BACK ROW: Kassy Steinkamp, Mersades Zimmer, Charlotte Combrink, Lucia Combrink, Danielle Combrink, Ms. Lisa Munson

Index (Zimmer) 233


Play. There you stood, in a line of your peers, standing at the side of the stage in the middle of a banquet hall in the Paradise Hotel. One by one, those lined up in front of you progressed to the stage in their gowns, ready to receive their diplomas. It seemed strange that in a few moments you would graduate from high school, that in a brief space of time you would complete a rite of passage that identified you as an adult to society. How far you had come! Though the first few months of your senior year had seemed insurmountable, your ability to pause had carried you through. Life had come at you

G

IGGLING hysterically, Jennifer Yook (12) leans back on a smiling Shelly Choi (12) at a photo op during the After-Sneak Party.

234 Closing

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at just the right pace for a time, and you had handled it well. Then your last semester rolled around, and things began to pass by all too quickly. All of a sudden, the equilibrium you had gained seemed in danger of collapsing. Senioritis set in, and you struggled for continued motivation in and out of school. You panicked. Part of you looked forward to continuing to a new part of life, while another part of you didn’t want things to change. You loathed the idea of leaving some of your favorite people in the world, and you couldn’t imagine life outside of the island you had come to know as home.

BSERVING the world outside of her hideout, Soniya Peters (1) sits in a playground tunnel as she nibbles on a Fun Dip Candy Stick.

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LAYFULLY kicking out at the air in front of her, Kadence Arnold (2) attempts to escape the grip of Sofia Siqueira (5).

But you pieced yourself together and carried on the theme of “pause” in your life. You realized that life passing by quickly didn’t preclude the need to take times of rest. You aspired to finish well, both in school and in your relationships with others. When your last Junior-Senior Banquet rolled around, you emerged from the night both honored and contemplative. Honored, because the juniors had put on a spectacular Peter Pan-themed event, but contemplative because of the message it had conveyed. Just like the Lost Boys in the old tale, you couldn’t stay in Neverland forever. You had to grow up and move on in your life.

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OOKING forward expectantly, Taewoo Song (4) extracts the stopper from the inclined track, sending his Pinewood Derby car whizzing down.

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You remembered what you had learned as you heard Mr. Brian Brewster announce your name, and as you walked up on the stage to receive your diploma. As you paced forward, time seemed to stop, and for the last time in your high school career, you experienced a moment of pause. And then it ended. You proudly accepted your diploma; you looked forward to the time ahead. Though you would remember your times in high school fondly, you knew that God would sustain you through the enjoyable times to come. You had paused for long enough. A new time had come: a time to play. —By Jonathan Chandra

TTEMPTS to protect himself from Julia Siqueira’s (8) jabs proving ineffective, Nathan Chand (8) howls with laughter at his friend’s pokes.

“Y

OU’ D better sing well or I’ll throw my shoe at you!” says Ms. Joyce Goh to her choir students during JSB as Mary-Claire McIntyre (11) stands behind her.

Closing 235


Glue this supplement after page 236 in the back of the 2015 Reflector.

Creating extraordinary music...

OUT OF ORDINARY BUCKETS

When the curtains lifted, a zestful beat of the drum boomed in the Performing Arts Center as elementary students swayed uniformly to the song “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa).” The audience clapped along as they pulled off the choreography with their principal, Mrs. Heather Fischer. “I believe that music is essential to someone who wants to be a life-long learner and receive an education for life. I think it is a travesty that schools across the world are cancelling fine arts projects and music programs, and this decision will be regretted later on,” said the principal. “I am absolutely proud to see my students being involved in music; they have put in a lot of work to perform for a night of concert.” Ms. Joyce Goh, the head of the elementary music department,

chose to do something different from the traditional scripted musicals of the past. She brought out some ordinary plastic buckets, drumsticks, and xylophones for the students to showcase what they had learned. “I felt so nervous before the concert; but we’d been practicing for the whole fourth quarter, and I felt that we could do well,” said Ji Sung Kim (3). “It felt awesome playing in front of that many people. In the waiting room, Lyric [Hawk, 3] and I were hugging each other because we were so scared,” said Kathryn Boyd (3). After the opening celebration, the first graders stood behind their buckets to play a simple and cheerful rhythm. Then second and third graders came up and played more complex rhythms

than the group before, adding to the entertainment. The fourth graders sat in a long row to perform their music, with Ms. Goh sitting at the end to play with them. The audience made remarks about the level of difficulty of their songs, especially the famous “Pirates of the Caribbean” on the glockenspiels. “I loved the glockenspiels because they made pretty sounds,” said Zoei Toh (4). “Everything was really well put together, and I was impressed by the students’ performances. It was nice how they chose to do it in the concert hall because I could hear and see them clearly,” said Robert Kilgo (11). When the fourth graders made their exit, the curtains came down; and the audience grew restless. The reopening of the curtains

silenced everyone, as the students stood on the stage in two circles, each holding onto a colorful parachute. While the song “Firework” played in the background, they created waves that made the parachutes sparkle and shimmer like a Fourth-of-July show. Delighted by their performance, parents came down to the stage and grabbed their child into their arms after the concert. The curtains closed for the last time, and the beat of the drums ceased; but the enthusiasm lingered. —By Gloria Kim

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RINNING at the audience after his first solo on the bucket drum, Jeremiah Orr (3) continues playing with Ha-Eun Jeon (3) and Ashley Park (3) during the elementary concert. Students worked hard to play the drums in unison so that the overall sound created one song instead of individual blasts.

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GLORIA KIM

OKINGLY claiming to have spotted an alien spaceship, Hung-Jie Song (12) points into the distance as Ziwei Moey (12), exasperated at his antics, pretends to push him off the hill. PHOTO BY JONATHAN CHANDRA

HEN the ball shoots up to the ceiling and falls back down on the parachute, Lyric Hawk (3), Jordan Stuart (4), Zoei Toh (4), Karis White (4), and Caitlyn Buckland (4) express amazement with smiles and jawdrops. As the finale of the concert, the elementary students stood around a parachute and created ripples.

GLORIA

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ELODIOUS sound of the glockenspiels resound in the concert hall as Kalista White (3) and Kathryn Boyd (3) play the base and Drew Worten (3) plays the alto. Elementary students learned different instruments in class, such as the boom-whackers and the glockenspiels, which they chose to play for the concert.

GLORIA KIM

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Elementary Musical 237


Jit Sin TSS

TRAP

33–0

18–8

Chung Hwa

23–0

Trans Krian

E

5–4

TSS

19–4

Kampung Selamat

7–6

Simpang Empat

0–9

YES focused intently on the ball, Jonathan Park (11) swings in an attempt to score a run for his team. Using a combination of offensive and defensive skills nurtured by coaches during the season, the boys came back from eight runs down to beat TARP 18-8. PHOTO: MR. JONATHAN STEFFEN

23–0

Penang Free

A

26–2 21–0

RMS outstreched to catch the incoming throw, Wen Chi Chen (11) narrowly tags out her opponent during the girls’ game against Simpang Empat. Despite an impressive defensive performance by the girls, they dropped their final game 0-9 to finish the MSSPP tournament with silver medals.

Sweat dripped down every face and neck as the boys gathered around the clock tower, waiting in the heat of the sun for the vans to transport them to College General. Light-hearted chatter and excitement filled the air as the vans pulled up ready to take them to the MSSPP Tournament, the last of the season. Both boys and girls experienced the excitement and delight of missing school for softball. “I felt so excited as we left because I knew we were a strong team with a good chance of winning,” said Wen Chi Chen (11). The girls’ hard work throughout the season and confidence in their own abilities proved worthwhile as they got off to a roaring start, with four straight wins on the first day. They easily secured themselves a spot in

SEIZE THE MOMENT

the semis, with only one of the four wins resulting in a competitive game. The boys saw similar success, delivering a dominating performance in all three games for a first-place victory over old rivals Penang Free. “The MSSPP Tournament was a great bonding experience for the entire team. The games we played really showed us our strengths and how much we had improved over the course of the season,” said Coach Chance Edman. Although the boys celebrated and basked in the glory of their

gold medals, the girls still fought for a chance to celebrate with the boys in their championship. In the girls’ game against Kampung Selamat, things looked grim as they trailed by three runs in the final innings. Against all odds, the team produced a threerun comeback to beat Kampung Selamat 7-6, earning themselves a spot in the finals. “Our semifinals game was one of our best games because the whole team kept going and doing their best even when we were losing,” said Christy Chow (10). The girls’ dramatic run in the

E

S

XECUTING a textbook softball pitch, Josh Basha (12) hurls the ball towards home plate in the boys’ game against Penang Free. Basha pitched a no-hitter and made his sixth home run of the season to lead the boys to a 21–0 landlside victory.

PRINTING at full speed for the home plate, Christy Chow (10) secures a run for the girls in their game against TSS. The girls achieved four straight wins on the first day and earned themselves a spot in the semifinals the following day.

MSSPP Tournament, however, would soon come an end. Although they had produced an excellent performance in every game, they could not stand up to the more experienced Simpang Empat team, falling 0-9 but securing themselves a silver medal. “The final game of the season was hard, because we had come so far and fought so hard only to lose in the last step. Overall, I am very happy with our performance, and I look forward to playing again next year,” said Christina Kim (11). With heavy but determined hearts, the team loaded into the vans and bid fairwell to the field, eagerly anticipating the next time they would return to have a crack at first place. —By Evan Chinn

MRS. JACKI STEINKAMP MRS. JACKI STEINKAMP

SMKPT Labu

Stepping up to the plate to..

Boys’ Softball MSSPP Record: 4–0

MRS. JACKI STEINKAMP

Girls’ Softball MSSPP Record: 5–1

MSSPP Softball 239


H

ANDS together, Hudson McManus acts out his line, “...and a lot of prayer.” On Saturday at 2 p.m., the understudies of the high school drama team performed A Tad of Trouble. The audience shed tears of laughter and sadness throughout the play.

E

Students filled the auditorium and gallery with...

NERGETICALLY singing, Tim Phan (12) takes the lead as Kia Thompson (12) and Keegan Oppenheim (11) follow. The Concert Choir performed “Together” from High School Musical as their finale. Everyone cheered and sang along to the familiar tune.

‘FINE’ARTS OF ALL KIND ceeded into the main theatre to watch A Tad of Trouble. Three showings of the play provided ample opportunity for students, family and staff to enjoy the talents of the committed performers and artists. Middle school and high school bands also performed in the main concert hall. “It’s really cool to perform in PenangPAC at the end of the year. It makes you feel professional with the big stage and fancy lighting,” said Seth Kelley (8). Choir spiced up the evening with the well-known “See You Again,” followed by “Elijah Rock” and songs from West Side Story. The choir members exited af-

ter ending their concert with the tradition of singing “The River” with previous choir alumni; they changed into bright, fun clothing behind stage after that. As the Jazz Band finished their last song, the choir quickly gathering at the top of the auditorium. They ran cheering down the aisles as the soundtrack to High School Musical’s “We’re All in This Together” played and they finished out the evening as the audience clapped to the beat of the well-known tune. “The dance the choir performed from High School Musical was entertaining and new; it was a really cheerful way to end the Fine Art’s Festival as it broke

tradition and added more color to the evening,” said Joseph Um (12) afterwards. Fine arts week gave a chance for students to showcase their talents and display a year’s worth of work and dedication. It provided a break from studies and a time away from home and school to enjoy the talents of students from a variety of age groups. ­—Mackenzie Jordan

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RINNING, Lucia Combrink (12) admires the deer head artwork and tells Benjamin Tse (12) how realistic it looks. Throughout the Fine Arts Festival, art students displayed their masterpieces at the art exhibition for everyone to see. Industrial Arts students helped with the stage props for PHOTO: DAVID BEAK A Tad of Trouble.

JONATHAN CHANDRA

DAVID BEAK

JONATHAN CHANDRA

Students flowed up the stairs towards PenangPAC’s biggest auditorium, and paused to admire the artwork displayed before the entrance. The collection included the best work from Foundation Art to AP Art classes. “It’s extremely gratifying to see all my work together. It was incredibly satisfying to have even completed the year with all my pieces done,” said Sarah Tan (11). Following the tradition of a themed dress code, the art students made their appearance dressed in black, white and various items of clothing fashioned from newspaper. After complimenting the artwork, students and parents pro-

JONATHAN CHANDRA

N

ERVOUS, Elisabeth Brokaw (11), Hannah Buhr (10), Thizbe Balzer (11), and Hannah Graves (11) await their turn to conduct the Advanced Band. Each AP Music Theory student composed and arranged a short piece of music for an entire band and personally conducted it at the MS Concert.

240 Senior Supplement

S

AXOPHONES in hand, Alice Chang (8) and Lauren Lee (8) perform “Polka” at the PenangPAC lobby. Chand and Lee, members of the Gracioso Quarter, had the opportunity to play publicly during intermission. Parents and passersby gathered to listen to their lively music.

Fine Arts Festival 241


GABRIELA MIMS GABRIELA MIMS GABRIELA MIMS

GABRIELA MIMS

GABRIELA MIMS

As students filed into the dark chapel, they could feel the palpable excitement in the air. The room, pitch-black with a few fairy lights, sophomores, juniors, and seniors wandered around, speculating about the theme for the night. The lights came on, and Mr. Karl Steinkamp opened the night with a graduation skit. Suddenly, Keegan Oppenheim (11) and Mary-Claire McIntyre (11) burst onto the scene. “Hello everyone!” said Oppenheim. “My name is Peter, and this is Tinkerbell!” After their dramatic entrance, they invited everyone to “fly” with them to the mystery hotel. Dismissed from the chapel, seniors and their dates walked up the stairs for family members and friends to take their pictures. They then proceeded to the buses,

and juniors and sophomores followed shortly. After the bus ride, students dismounted in front of the Hotel Jen, previously Trader’s Hotel, the venue for the night. As students went up to the ballroom, hanging clouds and stars met them from above. Upon entering, guests saw two 17 by 19 foot silhouettes on either side of the ballroom. Spread throughout the room lay decorations and photo-ops imitating different aspects of Neverland, including Skull Rock, the Lost Boys’ Tree, an Indian camp, Mermaid Lagoon, and a ship facade. “I really enjoyed making the silhouettes. It was extremely rewarding to see the final pieces fit together,” said Sarah Tan (11). After everyone found his or her seats, the program began with the first stop of a tour through

Neverland: seniors giving tributes for their sponsors. As the night continued, the entertainment committee led guests to different “stops,” each a different location from Peter Pan’s story. At each destination, juniors prepared a skit and a set of tributes for seniors. “Overall, I thought the tributes this year were really well done, and I was really moved by mine especially,” said Joshua Basha (12). A photo montage preceded each set of tributes to honor the life of each senior. The seniors stopped first at Candy Cloud, which included a skit featuring a video from previous teacher Mr. Jason Hall. The audience then paid a visit to the cafe, “Starfish Bucks,” at Mermaid Lagoon, where water-dwelling “hipsters” get their lattes. Other stops throughout the

night included Crocodile Creek, the Indian Camp, Fairy Forest, and the Lost Boys’ Hideout. “I liked the high school musical lost boys dance because it was funny,” said Lillian Li (10). Spread out throughout the night, appetizers, dinner, and dessert gave students a breather between the “tour stops” to walk around, to take pictures, and, of course, to eat. “Throughout the whole night, I felt so honored by the juniors. The night was altogether incredible,” said Lucia Combrink (12). To close the night, the whole junior class performed a closing song, “I Believe I Can Fly,” led by Zachary Tan (11). All in all, the “Journey to Neverland” gave juniors a chance to honor the seniors for a magical six hours. —By Gabriela Mims & Aaron Bengs


AKE her mute, or me deaf!” Jacob Uzzle (12) cries out to God as Kimberly Horton (10) prepares to burst into song. Playing the roles of angels Zander and Olivia in the stead of Ysabel Loh (11) and Tesa Sasse (12), the two understudies put their own creative spin on these characters.

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Singing and dancing in a...

ALMS up, Susan Oh (10), Darby Kendrick (10), Thizbe Balzer (11), and Andriani Sugianto (11) twirl in white tops and colored skirts as they lead the cast in a dance. Along with Priska Sugianto (12), the “angel dancers” amplified emotion throughout the play with their graceful movements.

FAN-TAD-STIC MUSICAL

JONATHAN CHANDRA

GABRIELA MIMS

JONATHAN CHANDRA

JONATHAN CHANDRA

“I hated my father for sending me away! I hated my mother for loving me anyway! I hated myself for not being able to speak, and I hated Obadiah—such a stupid, nasty creep!” sang David Beak (12) as he traipsed around the stage at the Penang Performing Arts Centre at Straits Quay. Second-semester’s drama performance featured the original musical A Tad of Trouble and two solo performances by Kia Thompson (12) and Jaime Ooi (12). Written by Mr. Mark Sasse and a group of students who attended Dalat six years ago, the drama follows a young, mute boy as he deals with his disability and feelings of gut-wrenching guilt in a fictional western town. “A Tad of Trouble was both exciting and fun to act in. I got to develop and mold my character [Temperance], which was challenging but also exhilarating,” said Jessie Brandon (12). Because the actors had more leeway to interpret their characters and make them their own, each version of the play had its own unique flavour. And holding three different showings gave all the understudies the chance to take the stage and show off their abilities. On Saturday at 1:00 p.m., understudies performed their own take on the musical. “The two versions of the play

A

PPALLED at Joel Frohlich’s (10) intentions to send him away with a traveling salesman, David Beak (12) stares in exaggerated horror at his on-stage father. Since the character of Tad Phineas initially lacked the ability to speak, Beak made use of overemphasized gestures and expressions to convey his emotions.

244 Senior Supplement

were quite different. Ysabel [Loh, 11] and Jacob [Uzzle, 12] had vastly differing takes on the same character. Each show had its own unique feel, but both were really fun to watch,” said Karsten Ladner (11). The role of Beak’s guardian angel proved a distinguishing feature between the two plays. “Interpreting my character in an out-of-the-box kind of way was really fun. The way it was written, Zander was supposed to be really grumpy; so I decided to pizzazz it up. Mr. Sasse was a bit apprehensive at first, but eventually he acquiesced and just went with it. I think I succeeded in putting a little bit of Yzzy into Zander,” said Loh. A Tad of Trouble did not only feature acting; it also incorporated a dance troupe composed of Priska Sugianto (12), Andriani Sugianto (11), Thizbe Balzer (11), Darby Kendrick (10), and Susan Oh (10). “Being one of the dancers was a lot of fun. It was a challenge, though, because we had to emu-

late the emotion of the scene. For example, when Beak died, we had to act really depressed, which was difficult to do while dancing. But with the hard dances also came fun ones like the jingle because we got to back up Obadiah, the villain of the play,” said Kendrick. Both entertaining and touching, the drama’s message of redemption and seizing the second chances God gives His creation shone through the script and its deliverance. The despicable entrepreneur Obadiah, played by Joseph Stoltzfus (12) [and Aaron Chand (10) as his understudy], embodied the way of the world that led Beak astray. In his ways of trickery and buffoonery, Stoltzfus extorted and lied without apprehension. In the end, however, he too experienced forgiveness. “I forgive you, Obadiah,” crooned Beak to Stoltzfus as the plot slowly crescendoed in a moment of true compassion. Although, in the end, Stoltzfus escaped the arm of the law, Beak realized the true meaning of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross in its gift of a new life. As Jennifer Yook (12) said, “The play succeeded in conveying the sense that God is always looking out for us and guiding us toward righteousness by constantly providing second chances.” —By Tayler Nash

HREE’S the perfect number for a love-seat,” quips Jaime “T Ooi (12), who played an obnoxious mother. Both Ooi and Kia Thompson (12) took on multiple roles in solo performances that preceded the musical. Ooi presented a piece about love and heartbreak, and Thompson acted out a skit about fearing the future.

GABRIELA MIMS

“M

S

TEALTHILY, David Beak (12) reaches for the wallet in Joseph Stoltzfus’s (12) back pocket. Actors took the opportunity to humor the audience by inserting their own created character qualities during the play.

Drama: A Tad of Trouble 245


C

Seniors inspire others to ...

ANDIDLY sharing her struggles during high school with the audience, Lucia Combrink (12) checks her notes to make sure she covered everything. At the Senior Chapel, students used their testimonies to advise and encourage their successors.

GO LIGHT THEIR WORLD

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LOWING, seniors Tesa Sasse and Jessie Brandon glance at one another as Jacob Uzzle, Lucia Combrink, Jonathan Chandra, Ziwei Moey, and Melissa You sing the worship song. Part of Senior Chapel focused on impacting the world. PHOTO: MRS. LYDIA ROBERTS

Grinning knowingly at the class, Mr. Uzzle compared his statements about poop to sin and mistakes, warning the seniors that in college they would witness people who flaunted their sin or pretended they didn’t have any and judged others. He encouraged the seniors to emulate Jesus, who hung around and ate with sinners and had harsh words for the judgmental, religious folk. With confidence and clarity, Mr. Uzzle polished off his speech by reminding the seniors that “A mistake is not a mistake if you learn from it; it’s just a learning experience.” The audience clapped enthusiastically, and the seniors reflected on the speech, hoping to remember it for a long time. —By Emma Hofer

G

LEEFULLY playing with cloud– like foam, Wenqian Xia (P4) and Mattea Chim (P4) hold onto pieces of foam. As a part of their year-end prank, the Senior Class placed dishwasher soap in the school fountain which brought delight to all.

MRS. JACKI STEINKAMP

staff members who had personally known them. “It encouraged me to hear from the staff’s perspective of how my classmates and I had made a difference in our time here,” said Shelly Choi (12). For their senior gift, the class donated a jungle gym and placed it near the P.E. office, where young children could play and strengthen their muscles. Finally, the seniors pulled off two different pranks to leave their last mark on the school as seniors. In addition to placing bubbles in the fountain, the seniors gave tribute to their British literature class by barricading the sophomore and junior lockers with desks and chairs and singing a parody of “Do You Hear the People Sing?” from the hit Broadway musical, Les Misérables.

EARY-EYED, Juliet Suen (12) absorbs Mr. Scott Uzzle’s kind words of affirmation towards her. At the Senior Tea, seniors and their families gathered for a formal night of desserts and encouraging words from the school staff. MR. JONATHAN STEFFEN

246 Senior Supplement

Aaron Chand (10). “He inspired me to start free-style rapping.” The second Senior Chapel service focused solely on worship and senior testimonies, with the class playing songs such as “My Lighthouse” by Rend Collective, and “Go Light Your World,” by Kathy Troccoli—which the seniors sang while holding candles in the dark chapel. Following the worship session, John Kim, Lucia Combrink, Joseph Stoltzfus, and Benjamin Tse gave their testimonies which centered on a specific theme and concluded with a corresponding piece of advice. “It was encouraging to be reminded that academics aren’t the most important part of high school, and that we should focus on things such as relationships and being passionate,” said Tayah Lee (11). In addition to the senior chapel, the school hosted a tea for all of the soon-to-be alumni and their families, which included home-made desserts and affirmations of each student by different

MRS. LYDIA ROBERTS

“Everybody poops,” declared Mr. Scott Uzzle. “Grown ups do it, and children do, too.” The audience broke into a herald of stifled laughs, chortles, grunts, and sniffs. Nobody had expected the Baccalaureate speaker to give the audience a story-book reading of Everyone Poops, by Taro Gomi. Moments before, Jennifer Yook had addressed the “Baby Elephant Syndrome” and fear of the unknown in relation to Jesus’ disciples, reminding seniors to “break out into the unknown doing what we are called to do.” During the week prior to Baccalaureate, a variety of traditional senior activities had occurred. The class split Senior Chapel into two services focused on the graduating class. The first service, christened “Senior Night Live,” encompassed skits, senior quotes, and the giving of the senior wills. “I will never forget Jonathan Chandra’s willing me one of his most prized rap albums, Moment of Truth, by Da’ T.R.U.T.H,” said

T

E

YES closed in sincerity, John Kim strums on his guitar while Morgan Guthrie, Clarissa Lister, and Benjamin Tse sing “Oceans” by Hillsong. During Baccalaureate, seniors lent their voice or instrumental skills to lead the worship service. PHOTO: MRS. LYDIA ROBERTS

Senior Chapel, Senior Tea, Baccalaureate 247


The smiles and tears that accompany...

COMMENCEMENT

For some, the tears had already begun to flow even before the graduation ceremony began. Parents, siblings, and friends of the graduates experienced emotions all over the spectrum on that paradoxically somber yet joyful night on 5 June. Most felt happiness and sincere joy that the class of 2015 could now begin his new journey. But this came with the company of sadness—the loss of friends, siblings, and children—and maybe even feelings of fear for what the year ahead might look like without the company of these dearly-loved people. “My heart was filled with so

many emotions as I watched the seniors walk down the aisle,” said Aaron Chand (10). Despite the somewhat somber attitude of relatives and friends, the seniors kept the evening light-hearted with their last antics. As Mr. Brian Brewster called each of their names, each graduate walked across the stage, picked up a diploma, and paused to take a selfie with Mr. Karl Steinkamp. The room erupted in laughter as those attending watched the seniors and Mr. Steinkamp contort their faces for the camera. After the ceremonial turning of the tassels, the class began to walk back toward the exit, but

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S

ITH the entire audience watching, Josh Basha (12) marches down the aisle in cap and gown to “Pomp and Circumstance.” After every senior proceeded to his or her seat, Mrs. Roxana Stoltzfus prayed to open the graduation ceremony.

248 Commencement

MILING widely, Mr. Karl Steinkamp and Melissa You (12) take a “selfie” on the stage of the Paradise Hotel. Like those before them, the graduating class came up with a joke to play on Mr. Steinkamp as they walked to receive their diplomas.

suddenly music began to blast and their faces lit up as they stopped in their tracks and began to dance. Their choreographed moves went along to “Footloose” by Kenny Loggins. “It was hard not to feel happy when their faces were filled with such joy,” said Andriani Sugianto (11) afterwards. Once again the crowd broke into laughter as the new graduates made their last impression. “The flash mob was really cool,” said Boyie Chan (11). “It wasn’t surprising coming from their class since they’re all really fun and unconventional.” Afterwards everyone made his

way to the back of the room and the picture-taking and congratulations began. Eventually people trickled out, and most of them journeyed next door and down to the school cafeteria. The traditional “wailing wall” gave peers an opportunity to sign yearbooks, reminisce over past memories, cry with one another, and say their good-byes. “Who would have thought that the cafeteria would be a place of good memories,” commented Jonathan Chandra (12) wryly. Students slowly dispersed as the seniors headed to the chapel to enjoy one last moment together. —By Mackenzie Jordan


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[Journ Family]

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­— 2015 REFLECTOR STAFF: Gabriela Mims, People/Mini-Magazine; Gloria Kim, Groups; Mackenzie Jordan, People/Mini-Magazine; Evan Chinn, Sports; Emma Hofer, Sports/Mini-Magazine; Aaron Bengs, Academics; David Beak, Student Life/Mini-Magazine; Tayler Nash, Academics; Sunny Kim, Proofreader; Mr. John “Tommy” Tompkins, Adviser; Jonathan Chandra, Editor

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Dalat International School is a Pre-3 through 12 school serving missionaries and expatriates in Southeast Asia. The school is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). The Reflector is published annually; copies may be ordered by sending u.s.$50.00 to Dalat International School, Tanjung Bunga, 11200 Penang, Malaysia. Five-hundred and fifty copies of the 2015 Reflector, Volume 54, were printed by Phoenix Press of Penang, Malaysia. Body type throughout the book is a 10 pt. Adobe Garamond Pro; theme body type is a 13 pt. Adobe Garamond Pro and 11 pt. Daniel (OTF) Black and division body type is a 13, 14 pt. Adobe Garamond Pro and 11 pt. Daniel (OTF) Black. Theme captions are in 7, 8 pt. Daniel (OTF) Black; theme headlines are in 48 pt. Daniel (TT) Regular. Division Titles are in 34, 40, 45 pt. American Typewriter. Student Life headlines are in 40 pt. Littlebird Medium; kickers are in 18 pt. Tekton Pro Bold; captions are in 8 pt. Candara Regular. Groups headlines are in 48 pt. Lobster 1.4; hammers are in 23 pt. Mf Really Awesome; captions are in 8 pt. Champagne & Limousines; side bar headlines are in 20 pt. Eccentric Std.; and side bar copy is in 12 pt. Champagne & Limousines. Sports headlines are in 40, 44 pt. Team Spirit; kickers are in 18 pt. Varsity Regular; captions are in 8 pt. Adobe Garamond Pro; quotes are in 19 pt. Futura, and scoreboards are in 8 pt. (Regular), 8, 12 pt. (Bold) Georgia; Track and Field title is in 18 pt. Papyrus; Track and Field records are in 10 pt. (Bold), 10 pt. (Regular), 10 pt. (Semibold) Adobe Garamond Pro; Academics headlines are in 60 pt. WC Mano Negra Bta; hammers are in 20 pt. Oldstyle 1 HPLHS; captions are in 8 pt. Cardo (TT) Bold; sidebar titles are in 18 pt. WC Mano Negra Bta; and in 12 pt. Handwriting - Dakota; People headlines are in 36 pt. Kino MT; hammers are in 17 pt. HipsterishFontNormal; and captions are in 8 pt. Bell MT Bold. The Mini-Magazine uses fonts in 14, 26.818, 70.818 pt. Elegantlight, 10 pt. Champagne & Limousines Bold, 20 pt. Chalkduster, 40 pt. Stencil Std Bold, 8 pt. Gill Sans MT, 29 pt. Cheap Potatoes, 16 pt. Roboto Slab, 7, 12 pt. BodoniXT, 39, 100 pt. Bebas Neue, 9 pt. (Thin), 10.367 pt. (Light), 17 pt. (Regular) Roboto, 9 pt. A Font with Serifs, 21, 25, 34 pt. Nouvelle Vague, 150 pt. barcode font, 15 pt. Arial, 11, 12, 13.32, 25 pt. Alex, 14 pt. Helvetica Bold Oblique, 18 pt. Call of Ops Duty, and 24 pt. Tiza. All copy was written by the Dalat International high school journalism staff except for a few ad features written by other students. The computer programs used were Microsoft Word 2011, Adobe InDesign CS6, and Adobe Photoshop CS6. The staff used 10 iMacs and printed rough drafts on a Canon IR2200 printer. All student, staff, and group portraits were taken with a Nikon D90 digital camera. All candids, underclassmen, and staff portraits (except those noted by photo credits) were taken by Reflector staff photographers. Senior portraits were taken by Mr. Michael Deeb. Special thanks to Sunny Kim for the final proofreading, to Gabriela Mims for for assistance in designing the covers of both the yearbook and the Mini-Magazine, to Mr. Jonathan Steffen, Mrs. Jacki Steinkamp, Jessie Brandon, Christina Kim, and Zachary Tan for sharing their pictures for use in some layouts. Thanks also to Mrs. Valeri Brokaw, a last-minute proofreader and people “identifier” for the groups in the Index. The Reflector is a June-delivery book: the last deadline is in early May. A supplement will be mailed to seniors in the fall, completing the year and including the fine arts festival, MSSPP sports, Junior-Senior Banquet, drama, awards, and graduation activities.

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