Eagle's Eye - October 2011

Dalat International School, Tanjung Bunga, 11200 Penang, Malaysia

What’s Inside: Friday Night Confessions . 3 Administrators, teachers reveal deepest secrets

A Road Less Traveled . . 4 SEW speaker challenges students and staff with this year’s theme

RLT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 New drama troupe to put on mini-performances

Point/Counterpoint . . . 6 New cafeteria guidelines create controversy

Hope for the Nations . . 7 Logos Hope visits Penang

Kicking & Screaming . . 6 Girls take home gold in home football tournament

Guys take home silver . . . 9

Kick Start . . . . . . 10 MS retreat on Jerajak Eagle’s Eye Staff Note: This copy of the school paper has been written by the students in the Advanced Placement English 12 class.

Writers: Abbie Brake, Emily Brokaw, Nathan Danneker, Joel Kirk, Keegan Ladner, Karl Reeves, Joel Shafer, Jordan Strong, Winnie Tan, David Tse Adviser: Mr. John “Tommy” Tompkins

Eagle’s Eye

October 2011

Here Comes the Sun!

By Abbie Brake

slapping the white sand, to see the constellations of a thousand stars against the backdrop of a velvet sky –Telunas seemed far away from the worries of previous weeks.

Whether eating delicious food (like the famed banana crepes or the lauded chicken fajitas), attempting to unravel complicated and intricate riddles, playing games of questionable origin, or just hanging out –seniors had time in between their scheduled activities for merely enjoying each other’s

No one spoke. The moment seemed too lovely—as if words would spoil its beauty. Silhouetted against the glowing sky, a group of seniors sat cross-legged with faces upturned. They had woken up early in the morning –four-thirty–to watch the sunrise. And what a sunrise! The clouds had obscured the sun at first, only tentatively spreading a warm orange haze. Then, in a gauzy film of lavender and pink, the clouds parted to let the sun burst through, golden and breathtaking. It signified the arrival of another day at Telunas.

On 15 September, 47 seniors and five of their sponsors cheerfully waved their school cares farewell (at least for a little while) and clambered onto the bus for a twelve-hour trip that would also include two boat rides to the island of Riau and a very special place called Telunas Beach Resort. Some had traveled to Telunas before on trips, but others had never experienced its infectious charm. Atypical of most “beach resorts” usually endowed with luxury suites, startlingly and suspiciously blue water, and swarms of tourists and vendors alike, Telunas had a unique simplicity all its own.

The high sloping roofs, the rustic wooden huts on stilts immersed in the water, the immense quiet of the island and the atmosphere, wove a spell. To see the sun twinkling through the cracks of the floorboards like glittering, winking stars, to see the sparkling emerald water gently

company. A few spent hours of intense focus waiting for a tug at the other end of a fishing line.

Others crept out after dark for a shrimping spree, armed with short, spear-like pronged weapons and flashlights. Still others lounged around and talked about the weather, about philosophy, about life –about anything and everything.

But the seniors did not just relax. In fact, the four days they spent on the island itself brimmed with activity. The Ad(Continued on page 2, col. 1)

I Came, I Saw, iPad An enthusiastic crowd of middleschool students chatted raucously about the mystery surrounding the big announcement.

Seniors and parents, feeling above and beyond such excitement, composed themselves in such a manner that only the odd gleam in an eye or the twisting of lips betrayed their innermost feelings.

After weeks of bombardedment with the message, “It’s coming,” only one question came to everyone’s mind: “Really, what is coming?” An excited Chan Hee Park (12) exclaimed, “I hope it’s 1

By Karl Reeves

Justin Bieber.”

As the countdown began in the chapel on 19 August, parents covered their ears as children screamed and teachers watched with knowing s m i l e s . M r.

Karl Steinkamp called for a drum roll causing muffled whispers to snake across the room. Ten seconds later it came: “X Block” would now replace “P-periods.” A tremendous groan filled the room; a bemused and disap(Continued on page 2, col. 1) October 2010

Place Your Bets!

Smooth jazz, delectable mocktails, and dashingly dressed juniors welcomed the senior class to “Casino Uno” for a night of high class service and scrumptious food after the long trip home from the 2011 sneak location: Telunas Beach Resort, Indonesia. The diamond dazzled “Casino Uno” sign hung above the scene where seniors, juniors, and spon-

iPad...

(Continued from page 1, col. 4) pointed Casey Chen (12), with a rolling of the eyes, asked her friend, “Is that it?”

A s e r i o u s l o o k i n g M r.

Steinkamp, noticing the disappointment in everyone’s eyes, announced that one more surprise would follow. Children suddenly hushed, and parents diverted their full attention back to Mr. Steinkamp.

Epic music pumped through the speakers and then a strange figure shuffled onto the stage wearing what looked like an archaic laptop on his back. Ben

Senior Trip...

(Continued from page 1, col. 4) venture Race came first. After dividing into teams, the seniors had to build rafts, solve puzzles, count 2,119 wooden posts, and tear maniacally through the jungle in order to complete just a few of the different challenges. The last involved setting up a long, meters-high pole filled with holes and attempting to float ping-pong balls up to the top by pouring water from the ocean in while plugging all the holes at the same time.

Fingers –toes –ears –and even tongues jammed into the holes to stop the water from leaking out. In the end, though, most seniors did not mind what place they earned. Working and laughing Eagle’s Eye

By Joel Kirk sors alike placed their “bets” in games of Uno Black Jack, or fast-paced games of Uno or Uno Attack. Some came out of the games richer than ever, boasting bags full of chocolate coins to munch on later that night. The lights dimmed and a video began playing, unfolding the captivating story of Bruno Bond, secret agent extraordinaire.

A unanimous “woaaah!” echoed around “Casino Uno” as Yang Yang Sim (11), aka Bond, emerged from the ocean looking fit and prepped for action. After a top-secret phone call, Sim set out to his next location – Casino Uno. From the movie screen, Sim himself emerged through the doors of Casino Uno to the surprise of the seniors, and sat at a near-by Black Jack table.

And so began the adventure in the casino.

Following the skit, the seniors seated themselves for dinner where juniors served them an (Continued on page 3, col. 1)

Weidemann (11) flaunted his new gadget in front of the whole school. Clad in wires and boxes, Weidemann won a few laughs though he did little to satiate the appetite of the crowd as they realized the joke.

Suddenly all went dark. Nathan Peace (12), president of StuCo, stood on stage shining like a beacon of light. He held an iPad in his hands, the source of his light, and he surveyed the crowd, meeting everyone’s awestruck eyes.

The iPad would be coming to Dalat International School.

Teachers passed a leaflet out explaining that everyone in high

school would receive an iPad at the start of the next school year.

Bellowing applause thundered though the chapel. Chen turned to her friend and mouthed the word, “Wow!” When asked about the iPad, Mr. Nathanael Klassen (IT wiz and teacher at Dalat) said “I think this is a great opportunity for learning, especially now that we are in the twenty-first century, a time of technological advancement.”

The iPad will add another dimension to learning as students can interact with apps and fellow classmates on the renowned iPad interface.Mr. Steinkamp

also explained to students that the iPad will replace the heavy textbooks with which students usually stumble around, and it may even replace the much beloved TI-89 calculus calculator because of its superior software and opportunities for math advancement.

The iPad, however, comes with one disadvantage: the price. As with any great technology, the iPad does not come cheap. Nevertheless, the school believes that it will prove to be a key asset and will push down costs of materials such as textbooks etc. As Mr. Klassen said, “The benefits outweigh the costs.”

Realizing this, the normally controlled seniors bounded out of chapel with the knowledge that they would receive the electronic tablets first in January 2012. Park said, “Well this is just plain awesome.”

But the usually energetic middle school crowd walked out of the chapel looking a little deflated as they realized they would not receive the device for a few years. And the parents? They all checked their wallets.

Nevertheless, nobody can deny the fact that the iPad will prove a valuable tool for students and teachers alike. Hopefully, it will offer a learning experience like no other. •

side-by-side had proved rewarding enough.

The class also worked together during their service project, a day that began with teaching children rudimentary English vocabulary and ended with building the foundation for a wall. Prior to leaving, they had worked on posters, flashcards, and simple songs to aid their fifteen-minute lessons. They did not expect, however, to receive tenfold more than they gave. Nathan Peace felt humbled to see “how simply people lived and how happy they were” as he watched the children’s faces illuminate with smiles of welcome and friendship. “I didn’t understand why last year’s seniors said that the service project was the best part of the trip,” explained

Sarah Hwang, pausing before adding, “but now I do.”

Other poignant moments came on Sunday night, following a long and arduous hike through a leafy, mosquito-ridden jungle and a quick swim in the curiously copper waters below a rushing waterfall. Seniors had the opportunity to share their testimonies –their stories of faith and happiness, their stories of doubt and grief. People expressed openly and freely, and afterwards instead of a formal closing, many stayed behind to pray together. Samuel Yeo described it as “surprising –you would never think that kind of story would come from that person.” Layers peeled away as people became more willing to share.

The night after, and the last (most wondered how everything had come and gone so quickly,) the seniors had time to reflect as they munched on homemade pizza. Yu Ting Lin recalled that he and David Toh “made a mountain pizza of onions,

cheese, mushrooms, meat, and peppers.” Lin went on to say that he “would have gone for seconds if [he] could.” S’mores around a bonfire on the beach crowned the evening as seniors swapped jokes, stories, and already-cherished memories of the days past. Chan-Hee Park would carry home disagreeable reminders of his “sun-tan and octopus bite and poisonous fish sting” but otherwise had no reservations about calling his week an unforgettable one.

And on the way back on 20 September, as most seniors snored in their seats, a few contemplated. They remembered the laughter and the companionship, the quiet and the tranquility. At Telunas, they had viewed glorious gold-laced sunrises and silvery orange rimmed sunsets.

They had reveled in simplicity.

They had found new friends and rekindled old. Sitting wakeful, wide-eyed, and cross-legged, they thought, and smiled over the memories –but they did not speak. •

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October 2010

Friday Night Confessions

By Jordan Strong “I got pregnant during biology class,” said Mrs. Jill Girling with a grin…

This shocking statement caused an explosion of laughter in the chapel on the Friday night of 2 September. She went on to explain herself, saying that her pregnancy occurred during college and incidentally she had a biology class that same semester.

StuCo held a Friday Night Live activity which included interviewing special guest teachers about their past. The hosts for the night, Chi Yuan Lo (12) and Juliet DeVette (12), interviewed Mrs. Girling, Mr. Tom Miller, Mr. Brandon Orr, Mr. Karl Steinkamp, and Mr. Doug Yost. This took place in the revamped chapel with dimmed lights, a plethora of decorations, and a catwalk running down the center.

The star-studded night began with an interview with Mr.

more joviality as Lo and DeVette carefully laid out questions for the guests to answer. They asked Mr. Orr about the meaning behind his tattoo. He then told the embarrassing story of how he had fainted while getting a spider tattoo and how I couldn’t he regretted it later because he didn’t even like spiders. He remedied his problem by covering up the spider with a tattoo of a cross.

Afterwards, Sam Eckman (11) pronounced enthusiastically, “I couldn’t stop laughing once the show started!”

This remark applied to most of the audience who filled the chapel with giggles and guffaws as the interviews continued with Mrs. Girling, Mr. Yost, and Mr. Miller.

Mrs. Girling gave an exhibition of all the different fashion

Steinkamp, who sat on a plush couch sipping coffee. The audience listened intently as he discussed his childhood and high school years. During this interview a slide show appeared on the screen with pictures from his past. The crowd responded with a torrent of “awwwww’s” when a picture of his elementary days came out.

At the end of his interview he and Mr. Orr competed in an air guitar contest. The wild gyrations and “dancing” that ensued sparked fits of laughter.

Nathan Peace (12) exclaimed afterwards, “It was hilarious to watch Mr. Steinkamp try to play the air guitar!” Both Mr. Orr and Mr. Steinkamp held nothing back in the dramatic battle to decide the champion, and the dashing director finally came up on top.

The night continued with

Cheerful Smiles, Thoughtful Hearts, and Scrumptious Biscuits

By David Tse

Tins of biscuits and many smiling faces loaded the school van on Friday after school. Ten exuberant high school students

chatted gleefully on their trip to The Penang Home for the Infirm and Aged as Mrs. AnneMarie Pagee, the adviser for

Care and Share, drove. Only one of the numerous activities that Care and Share planned, this trip to the old folk’s home

After-sneak Dinner...

all present. David Toh (12) commented, “The music accentuated the theme of the night, and it blended in harmoniously with the rest of the background chatter.”

Before the seniors dug into dessert, Bruno Bond took the stage under the captivity of the evil one, Sam Eckman (11) and his psycho sidekick, Wesley Lee (11); it seemed as though all hope for Sim was lost! But with his training in the agency, Sim broke free of the ropes that had bound him and emerged ready to take his nemesis down.

The stage lights dimmed, and the scene bustled into chatter once again.

Juniors came to every table holding the night’s delectable dessert, Crème Brulee. Seniors all around the room “mmm’ed”

and “ahhh’ed” over the delicious pudding. Roc Wu (12) said, “The crème brulee was perfectly soft and sweet, and I would love to eat more if I had the chance!”

The dinner lights dimmed once again, and the stage lights shone bright for the final battle scene. Bruno Bond with great skill and efficiency triumphantly defeated Eckman and saved the after-sneak dinner from the evil menace, drawing a close to the exciting evening.

Exiting to smooth jazz, smiling junior waiters, and bags full of chocolate coins, the seniors left “Casino Uno” happy and thoroughly satisfied with the night and with the impressive conclusion to the adventure of Bruno Bond: secret agent extraordinaire. •

(Continued from page 3, col. 4) array of delicious nibbles and bites. Mini-burgers, chicken wings, potato wedges, and exotic kebabs had the seniors “mmm’ing” as they ate. Photos from senior sneak played in a slide show as the seniors and juniors roared in laughter at the funny pictures taken, and smiled at the memorable moments. Fabulous finger food and mouth-watering mocktails of exotic flavors floated around the room on trays to the delight of the flavor-craving seniors.

Sarah Lim (12) said, “I thought it was really cool. I really enjoyed the decorations, and the pineapple drink was AMAZING!” The Keanu Lee trio, dressed in slick suits and button shirts, jazzed up the night with their funky, laid-back, bluesy tunes, providing auditory pleasure to Eagle’s Eye

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trends that occurred during her college years. She tightly rolled up her jeans and did up her hair the “cool way.” During an intermission StuCo also provided ice-cold Milo and cookies for the students to snack on.

The tasty refreshments didn’t resonate long in the minds of the students as they rushed back inside to see what else the show had in store. The enrapt audience heard stories from their teachers that normally they do not get the

stop laughing... chance to hear in a classroom setting. Sam McIntyre (10) summed up the night, stating, “It was great that we were able to learn about the teachers’ lives because it helps us connect with them more in and outside the class.”

Everyone enjoyed the evening, full of riotous laughter and bean-spilling stories – and no one more so than Mrs. Girling, who will not likely forget the stunned silence of her spellbound listeners as she told the rest of her story. •

let students serve the community in Penang.

The group originally planned to sing to the elderly while handing out biscuits to them.

“So who’s singing?” asked Joseph Kim (12).

“No one. We don’t have enough singers,” answered Ji Hun Moon (12).

So the students decided that they would spend time talking with the elderly instead.

When they arrived at the home, the manager greeted them with a warm welcome, taking them through the dormitories explaining, “If you see that a blanket is covering the whole bed, it means that there’s no one there. If it’s folded up, it means that they’re outside or someplace else.”

The old ladies smiled at the cheerful students, who took out packs of biscuits from the tins to hand to them. One man in the male dormitory excitedly discussed football: “Man U [Manchester United] is getting worse, lah. All their good players, all gone,” he said.

When Nicole Cheah (12) told an elderly lady Mary about her passion for ballroom dancing, the lady suddenly grabbed her by the hands and started (Continued on page 4, col. 1) October 2010

Enter PJ and the Band

narrow door and a wide door to illustrate PJ’s message.

The chapel staff also brought the sessions to a whole new level by arranging the chairs in a circle around the band.

Katie Stevens (12) commented on the new formation, “I like the way the set-up feels as though the people and the chapel itself are one.”

The closeness of the band also encouraged students in worship. “I love how we sing more worship songs for the glory of God,” said Hung Ching Song (12).

After the band filed off, the

a new take on Chapel

By Emily Brokaw A crowd of high school students rushed into the chapel talking loudly about the first week of school. As the noise simmered down, Mr. Jason Selvanayagam took the stage; and suddenly, the curtains swooped open to reveal a band made up of Jackson Dorm’s Uncle Jonas Hawk, Ziemer Dorm’s Uncle Joe Young, and Mr. Brandon Orr. But the upbeat band did not cause the greatest surprise. Just after the first song, the sound of a motorcycle revving its engine echoed through the chapel, and Pastor Jon Bollback roared down the aisle and onto stage. Pastor Jon, best known as PJ, slid off the leather seat and began telling “his story.”

“I had lived a pretty bad life. I had just gotten out of jail and was living on the streets,” he began and immediately stopped to let the band play the next song leaving a room full of students bewildered and confused.

PJ, school chaplain from 1998-2000, returned with a

great number of changes in mind for the chapel sessions and set-up. Along with the help of Mr. Selva and Mr. Orr, PJ transformed chapel into a new experience for staff and students alike.

“I like the order of chapel,” said Sarah Hwang (12), “where we sing first then PJ talks for a few minutes and then we sing again. [I also like] how Brandon tries to get all of the high schoolers involved.”

In one chapel, Mr. Orr isolated every grade in high school, giving each class the chance to outsing the others in the chorus of the song “You’re Beautiful.”

The sessions had numerous opportunities for all students to get involved. Each week came with a new theme and a new idea—one even incorporating a

Care ’n’ Share...

years, remarking proudly about how the nuns had taught her how to be a proper lady. “This place is very peaceful, but sometimes it’s very lonely,” she said as she shared that she often misses her friends and wishes to have someone to talk to on quiet days. She also showed off her dentures saying, “I have nice teeth, but they can’t grind food. I only have a few grinders at the back.

It’s hard to eat with them.”

As the clock struck six, Ben Weidemann (11) notified everyone that they had to head back to school.

The students reluctantly said good-bye and walked towards the van. Mrs. Phang stood at the entrance and told the students, “Bye. Don’t forget to come back again.” The van drove swiftly back to school, loaded with empty tins and still smiling faces. •

(Continued from page 3, col. 1) teaching her how to waltz. The dancing couple stepped swiftly and gracefully in the front lobby.

The lady even showed Cheah her collection of music from the ’70s and ’80s.

As soon as Chan Yang Kim (11) arrived on the third floor, she squealed, “Where’s my aunty?” and ran to look for the lady that she regularly visited when she went to the home. Her elderly friend recognized her instantly and invited her to sit by the side of her bed to talk.

The students giggled as another elderly lady, Mrs. Johanna Phang, repeated the same story more than three times to them.

Johanna’s mother had given her to nuns to be raised in a convent.

She recounted her childhood Eagle’s Eye

student body leaned forward in anticipation as PJ once again stepped on stage. “I always wanted to have an exciting story. But we all have an exciting story when Jesus changes our hearts.”

As the bell rang at 10:35, calling the students to their next classes, their voices echoed opinions and thoughts about Chapel, about the band, and about PJ’s “story” as some wondered in confusion whether or not PJ had actually done time in jail. Most looked forward to the next chapel and the echo of the band and words to come. •

Taking the Road Less Travelled 12 September: a day many had marked on their calendars.

This day marked the beginning of liberation from homework, the beginning of relaxation and fun, and a great opportunity to strengthen their faith. SEW 2011! Many had anticipated the arrival of this year’s speaker Mr. Tom Burton, who announced his arrival with a loud cheerful greeting. SEW music and stage organizers Mr. Jason Selvanayagam and Mr. Brandon Orr ironed out the final touches to the chapel in preparation for the flood of students on their way, and soon enough the chapel filled with chattering students, excited and curious for the opening of SEW 2011. Mr. Selva exclaimed in a rather serious tone, “This year, we decided to have a quiet SEW. Is that okay?” to which the crowd responded with an array of strange noises and exclamations of confusion.

Suddenly, the sound of guitar feedback and a low bass note burst the atmosphere. Cymbals crashed and counted into the kickoff song of SEW, “Get Up” by the “Planetshakers.” The curtains pulled back to reveal an elaborate light show, and a full band ready for action. The entire room rose, excited to worship; and the first three or four rows of people jumped with the music. After an exciting time of worship, Mr. Burton took to the stage with great confidence and enthusiasm. His stage presence brought smiles to everyone in the audience, and when he spoke his first words at the event, the audience realized the true confidence in this man.

Coming from a background of a party-hard lifestyle, Burton 4

By Joel Kirk

had taken his life on a path that led him away from God. Soon he came to a turning point where he chose to leave that life behind and pursue God. He chose a life that followed the “Road Less Travelled,” and it made “all the difference.” Burton shared a video about G.O.S.P.E.L.: a man who goes by the name of “Propaganda” brought it down to this: “God. Our. Sins. Paying.

Everyone. Life.” He spoke of humanity’s flawed nature, how every religion agrees that something’s wrong with us, and how Jesus provided a way out of sin.

Nathan Guthrie (12) said, “The G.O.S.P.E.L. video really spoke to me; it really helped me better understand how God works.”

For some, it was not a matter of new ideas, but rather reassurance and reinforcement of the ideas they already knew. Abbie Brake (12) said, “Although Mr. Burton’s message was not necessarily ‘new,’ he revealed truths in scripture that I had not realized before. His genuine passion shone through his words.”

Throughout the week, Burton shared his testimony and message to all. SEW night sessions held deeper, richer messages, more time to worship, sing, and dance, and even more opportunities for people to grow in their faith. The night sessions also gave the chance to play more music of different varieties.

From heavier energetic tunes, the worship band also played quiet, reflective worship music, pouring their hearts out into the songs. Mr. Selva said, “I guess when we worship, I’d rather my heart be without words than my words without heart…and that’s (Continued on page 5, col. 1) October 2010

The Winds Came Down and the Roof Went Up

By Nathan Danneker The rain fell. The winds howled.

The roof flew. On Sunday 4 September, a violent storm hit campus during the afternoon, so violent, in fact, that the winds managed to pick up the blue roof that covered the tables outside the cafeteria and put it down in between the cafeteria and chapel steps.

Ooychai Yuthiwattana (11) happened to be outside when this occurred, “It was very rainy and

in for school the next day, they noticed a jumbled mess of blue tarp and metal that used to be the roof. When Susan Oh (6) saw the destroyed roof, she said, “I was surprised that the wind could blow the roof off of lower campus.”

“How are they going to fix this?” Yeepei P’ng (12) wondered after she saw the broken roof and holes in the cafeteria building. Work began first to patch the holes the flying roof had made and remove pieces of the old, broken roof from the tree on which it had landed.

Then, the school decided to make a new, sturdy, and stable roof to replace the old one.

windy then I noticed a big blue object flying in the air,” said he. “Justin Strong [10], Aaron Banks [9] and I were shocked and horrified. Then the wind stopped, and it dropped on a tree near the chapel stairs. We realized it was the roof, and we looked down at the cafeteria and it was a mess.”

The roof managed to tear several holes in the cafeteria building’s roof and damage several trees on lower campus along with destroying itself.

When the student body came

This took about three weeks during which students had to eat inside during their lunch period. Some students missed eating outside but others, like Josiah Brake (7), “…didn’t really miss it.”

In three weeks’ time, the work on the new roof had finished. Instead of a tarp roof, the workers put on a metal one, and they bolted down the supports to prevent it from flying away like its predecessor. Sam McIntyre (10) said the new roof “…seems better and it does not leak like the old one.” Mr. Doug Yost also thinks the new roof is an improvement but it “still needs fans.”

The power of nature soon tested the sturdiness of the new roof. The rains fell. The winds howled. But as the winds came down, the roof did not budge one inch. •

RLT?...new year, new theme, new...drama troupe?

By Joel Shafer

On Monday, 29 August, Mr. Mark Sasse began the first meeting of the newly created drama troupe as the “players” trickled into the room at the appointed time. Looking around at the group, he thanked them for coming. He then transitioned into an explanation of his reason for calling the gathering by defining what he meant by entitling the troupe “The RLT Players”: it referred to the theme of “The Road Less Traveled.”

Introducing the skits produced as “sketches”, he showed how each one, though varying in topic, related back to the theme.

He explained how each sketch would require only two or three actors, and that each member would be expected to act in at least one of the skits. After the

group explored the skits to a reasonable depth, each member chose a part. Mr. Sasse then handed out scripts, having a few practice the lines to gain a feel for their particular sketch. He then dismissed the “RLT players” with plans to reconvene the following Monday.

The troupe includes students from diverse grade levels: Ciera Nash (10), Jacqueline Ashkin (10), Julie DeVette (12), Joel Shafer (12), Joshua Wiesner (9) Sarah Uzzle (12), Teresa Sasse (9) and Shion Beak (11).

These members intend to perform seven sketches at various opportunities throughout the semester.

They have continued to meet on Mondays at 4:00 in Mr. Sasse’s room. His purpose for

the group has been to incorporate those who have shown interest in drama but did not get involved with the school production. Asked about the source of his inspiration, he answered, “I attended a drama by the ‘Footstool Players’ and it inspired me to create the ‘RLT players’.”

Mr. Sasse recently announced to the drama group that he discovered an opportunity for the RLT players at the newly established “Performing Arts Center of Penang,” located at the Straits Quay. He stated that the troupe would perform two shows at the center on 9 December at 6:00 and 8:00, when they will present seven of their sketches. “It will be an awesome night of meaningful drama! Don’t miss it!” exhorted Mr. Sasse; “It’s free.”

Members have set their focus for this event and have begun practicing their sketches at various instances within the school week. Nash expressed her hope for this new outlet of school drama with her comment, “I’d like to think that the ‘RLT Players’ will continue for many years.” •

Spiritual Emphasis Week...

whole thing together. I can’t wait for MEW!” The week came to a close with the after SEW party, a night of fun and friendship. SEW had provided not only liberation from homework and a time for relaxing, but also a great opportunity for students, staff, and

parents to reinforce their faith and grow in it. Jake Smith (11) commented, “SEW was so much fun. I was able to listen to amazing music and hear an awesome speaker. It really helped me, and others, to take a break from school and focus on what really matters.”

SEW 2011

served as a spiritual boost, and as a time to truly identify what roads we have chosen in our lives. It gave us the chance to question “have we conformed to the most travelled road? Or have we truly chosen to take the road less travelled: Jesus Christ.” After a week of relaxing fun, liberation from homework, and spiritual strengthening students returned to work with a renewed spirit and an open heart for change. •

(Continued from page 4, col. 4) what I saw in the worship team; heart without words.” Jonathan Bollback, also known as “PJ”, commented, “I thought that all the people involved in the SEW worship organization such as Brandon, Jason, and the high school and middle school musicians were the focal point of SEW and really brought the Eagle’s Eye

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October 2010

Point/Counterpoint Two Pieces Only

Scrape No More

Even though the cafeteria set up has had a complete make over, the students saw the biggest change on the sign in front of the western meal that said in big bold block letters, “Two Pieces Only.”

In previous years, only those unfortunate enough to get F block lunch complained about the lack of sufficient food to feed them or of the lack of choices. This year, however, with the newly implemented cafeteria rules stating that “each student may go through the lunch line once limited to two pieces of the main entrées per person” the complaints didn’t just stop at F block lunch. Even those with D and E lunches had something to say about the new rules.

In a recent edition of Dalat International School News, the cafeteria staff attempted to explain their case. “Due to the rising cost of food supplies and our desire to keep our lunch program fees as low as possible, we announced at the beginning of this semester to all students that the lunch program will offer a one-tray option rather than an all-you-can-eat buffet as was offered in the past.

This new plan also helps students learn reasonable portion control which promotes good health.” Their definition of a “reasonable portion,” however, doesn’t coincide with some students’ definition of “reasonable.”

“Two pieces?” Peter Tan (9) exclaimed. “How do they expect me to be full with just two pieces of grilled cheese?”

But some had concerns not restricted to fulfilling their hunger; rather they wanted their fair share of food having paid a large sum of money for the semester meal plan.

“If we paid for the food, we should have the right to get as much as we want,” Hung Jie Song (9) said.

Although some simply complained, others acted on their complaints with some rather creative tactics. “When they only gave me two pieces of chicken, I just stood there pointing to my plate until they gave me a third,” Nicole Mauger (12) said.

A few even resorted to “stealing” food, especially on grill-cheese day. “I just pile them up in one of the smaller parts of the tray; they don’t even notice that I took a third.”

The smaller portions, however, don’t concern some students; it’s their inability to go for a second round. “Sometimes, you don’t know if the food is good or not, so you might want to try it first and take a little bit. But then the problem with that is, if you find out that it’s good, you can’t go for seconds which really sucks; but then you don’t want to get a lot at first because if you find out it’s disgusting, you will be chucking a lot of food into the trash which is a waste,” Yu Ting Lin (12) stated as Roc Wu (12) nodded vigorously in agreement.

The hard work of the cafeteria staff to set up the cafeteria to lessen the congestion went unnoticed because of the unnecessary

By Winnie Tan new rules. •

Famished and hungry, students in F-block lunch walked down to the cafeteria. As they reached the food, trays ready, they discovered, to their horror, that the cafeteria didn’t have all the food it should have had; people in the blocks before had already taken most of the XYZ dish and all the ZYX cookies. Just one block before, students had made a small line in front of the trash cans, scraping excess food into the open bins, XYZ going straight into the bin. Some people couldn’t eat that much or maybe they just didn’t like the food served a particular day, but the situation needed improvement when people start scraping edible food off their trays when others still hadn’t eaten.

Prices for food have gone up, too, just compounding the problem.

What can you do when you need to serve several hundred students, in multiple lunch blocks, with rising prices, and with waste?

You need to change the model, as the Dalat administration in charge of food concluded. The old model led to excessive waste because people didn’t understand portion control, ate more food than they needed, or took food they couldn’t eat. Students needed to learn “reasonable portion control which promotes good health” according to the Dalat News on Friday, 30 Sept. in its official statement about the new model. The administration put into effect rules to promote this end goal of portion control—a limitation to two entrees and a one-tray-only policy. The one-tray-only policy tries to teach students to take as much as they’ll eat the first time around and avoid possible eating contests, a poor, unhealthy, and wasteful practice. The limitation to two entrees attempts to keep food available throughout all the lunch blocks and to help students learn to balance their meals with salads and other sides—as opposed to large portions of the entrees with no balance whatsoever.

Students reacted differently to this policy; some took it in stride, but others resented the changes. Some couldn’t properly execute a single, fulfilling trip through the cafeteria line and didn’t eat their fill, others took too much because of the limitation of a single trip, and still others managed to take just what they needed. As they face a system that forces them to learn life-long eating habits like portion control and proper evaluation of their hunger, many have yet to rise to the challenge the system imposes. The food doesn’t cause the problem. As Ben Unruh (12) said, “I don’t go down to the cafeteria much [he eats off campus], but when I do the food’s not bad.” The cafeteria allows students to take as much as they need in a mixture of sides, entrees, and sandwiches; students make the problem.

The cafeteria authorities admit the system needs improvement, but the fundamental problem lies with the student’s inability to take enough food or failure of taking too much on a single trip. The cafeteria now forces students to learn good eating habits like taking portions that reflect a good understanding of one’s limits and needs; its new system tries to implement Dalat’s motto, “Education for Life,” in a hitherto unreached area of life, the stomach.

Now, after the implementation of this system, students in F-block lunch have some choices; students in the preceding lunch blocks left food for their later-eating peers. The system still needs refinement, but it makes its way, slowly and steady, down the right road.

Students in F-block now can have the XYZ dish or the ZYX cookie and the trash cans don’t have mountains of edible food. •

By Keegan Ladner

Good Food, Good Times

By Nathan Danneker “To kick-start the semester, bring your family for an afternoon of fun and food,” the 26 August edition of the Dalat News stated, promoting the PTO Barbecue on 3 September. The event offered an all-you-can-eat BBQ buffet made and served by the junior class for rm10, a great atmosphere for family-friendly fun, and the movie “Meet the Robinsons” starting at 7 p.m.

The juniors started serving Eagle’s Eye

the food at 4 p . m . The tasty aromas of grilled chicken, lamb, steak, and hot dogs soon filled the air. “We should have the food they served for every lunch and dinner,” exclaimed Rick Brake (10).

Others echoed Brake, including Daniel Munson (7), who “liked the variety and quality of the food.”

People continued to fill their stomachs with the food until

about 6 p.m., when the grills stopped cooking. As the lines slowly disappeared, the juniors began to clean up from one of their first events of their year. “It was the first time I served in junior class activities,” Jiwon Park (11) said, describing her experience at the PTO Barbecue “and it was nice serving and talking to 6

people I did not know.”

Before the movie began, Mr. Kerry Mahoney, a junior sponsor, thanked everyone for coming. “Did you like the food?”

Mr. Mahoney asked. “Yes!” his audience replied, confirming that the good times and good food at the PTO Barbecue had fulfilled their expectations. • October 2010

Hope for the Nations A group of students filed up the gangplank of a cruise ship anchored in Penang’s harbor, nervously glancing down at the green water far beneath their feet. They slowly stepped through the doors of the ship and walked down a short flight of stairs to a small meeting area that resembled a row boat where a crew member greeted them. There, the crew member introduced, in a slight French accent, the ship as the Logos Hope and invited them to enjoy their time on board.

The Logos Hope, one of several missions-oriented ships seeking to bring knowledge,

help, and hope to the people of the world, docked in Penang from 25 August to 30 September. The ship contains the largest floating bookstore and a crew of 400 people from over 45 countries. Dorm students, day students, and the entire elementary took the opportunity to tour the renovated cruise ship and visit its bookstore.

Ms. Jasmane Frans noted, “The Grade 2 students were amazed to see all the different nationalities that love God and think that it would be fun to work on a boat like [the Logos] when they grow up.”

By Jordan Strong “We are the Eagles!”

“We are the Eagles!”

“Mighty, mighty Eagles!”

“Mighty, mighty Eagles,” chanted Ben Weidemann (11) from the sidelines of the girls’ first football match against Uplands. On 24 September the Dalat Girls’ Football team played in a tournament against Uplands and Tenby. Clouds as white as Gandalf’s beard covered the sun, but the humidity still created a hot and dank atmosphere.

The girls stepped on to the field against Uplands, several playing their first game ever.

“Having never played a soccer game before, it was so nervewracking with my team, my coaches, and all the fans watching me as I had to apply all that we learned in soccer into one game,” stated Sophie Ly (11) as

she recounted her debut. These inexperienced players overcame their nerves and helped the team win 2-1, with goals coming from Korean sensation Ina Park (10) and battle-hardened veteran Danae Frentz (12).

After this close match against Dalat’s fiercest rivals, the girls went on to conquer Tenby 5-0.

Charlotte Scherf (9), Frentz, and Emma Chinn (10) all found themselves on the score sheet.

This match left them in first place, and they claimed their first gold medal of the semester.

Nicole Mauger (12), one of the team’s three captains, stood on the sidelines during this tournament with an injury but left with optimism, saying, “It was hard not being able to play, but I was glad I could still be there for my team. I was amazed at how

By Abbie Brake A motley crew of freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors, and even a solitary eighth grader crowded into a waiting van already half-full of boxes containing an assortment of books, Eagle’s Eye

snacks, and materials normally not seen outside the classroom.

Mr. Chance Edman, adviser, helper, and designated driver, turned around to tell the occupants clambering in the bad 7

After a visit to the ship, Abbie Brake (12) said, “I was impressed by the incredible efficiency of the entire set-up—from the precise navigation system to the order of the cafeteria. I was also surprised at the diversity on board and how their community seemed genuine and tangible.”

The crew members not only made up an incredible community on board the Logos Hope, but they also reached out into the local community. Several members visited local churches and shared openly about their experiences in the many other countries the ship had visited before coming to Penang.

Many who visited the ship felt encouraged by the crew even to the point of wanting to travel on the ship someday.

“The people welcomed us with smiles on their faces. They were really friendly, and the moment I walked onto the ship it was like a lifelong dream come true,” Yu Ting Lin (12) said.

“OK, that’s exaggeration. But I was really impressed by the books available. I would like to travel with the crew and experience the life they go through each day on the vast ocean.”

As the visit to the ship drew to an end, students made their final purchases at the bookstore, concluded their conversations with their tour guides, and ordered one last ice cream from the International Café. Then, with books tucked into bags and memories ingrained in their heads, they filed back down the gangplank. Walking away from the cruise ship with one last glance at its floating shape, they wondered if they, too, might someday sail the world to spread hope to all nations. •

much they improved. If I could I don’t think I would take back my injury. We wouldn’t have been able to see some people shine like they did. I was happy that I could be part of such an amazing team.”

After six days of rest, the girls played another tournament, this time at the Soccer Experience Astro-Turf field. After school on Friday, 1 October, the team jumped in the vans and drove off to their first three games. The smaller field did not allow for the usual eleven on eleven matches; instead they played seven-a-side.

Their first game against Uplands ended 1-0. Then they played Tenby and won 4-0. Their last opponent on Friday night, Garden B, put up a fight; but the Dalat girls pulled through and won 2-1.

Saturday morning 2 October

brought more drama when the Dalat girls tied with Garden A 1-1. This minor setback didn’t faze the team as they went on to beat Uplands again 1-0 to reach the finals. The final match against Garden A took a considerable amount of will and determination but it finally paid off when they came out 2-1 winners. Captain Rebekah Wiesner (12) scored an unusual first goal with her stomach, and Frentz, the prolific scorer, added the other.

Wiesner reflected on the tournament and said, “I think that the biggest challenge in the tournament was not to fight back against the Garden players.

Some of them were vicious, but we had to try to remain calm and not lose our composure. Also just adjusting to a smaller field—it’s harder with just seven-a-side.”

After once again claiming their gold medals, the girls hopped in the vans and drove home singing songs of victory. •

news: they would have to suffer through an hour and a half long trip in the sweltering heat without air conditioning. Only a favored few, those riding in Mr. Jonathan Steffen’s car, would have the privilege of a cool journey.

With these conditions, elbowto-elbow and breathing stifled air —you might expect the students to complain. But they knew

better—for they had volunteered to come and spend Saturday afternoons and evenings, despite any and all inconveniences, at Gertak Sanggul, the fishing village. Students along with staff Mr. Steffen, Mr. Edman, Mrs. Valerie Edman, and Mrs. Tibbett Merusi, went for five Saturdays from 3 September to 8 October (Continued on page 8, col. 1)

By Emily Brokaw

October 2010

By Keegan Ladner “It’s coming” said Mr. Karl Steinkamp, creating unprecedented levels of anticipation for the Dalat Open House.

“What’s coming?” asked the students, including Karsten Ladner (8), falling into the “trap” of suspense over the Open House.

Ladner, like every other student, had heard for weeks that “it’s” coming—on DIScourse, during chapel announcements, and on banners. Students speculated for weeks about the nature of “it”; everyone felt the suspense and planned on going to Dalat’s Open House on 19 August for the announcement.

Unlike previous years, the Open House had an air of mystery and fantasy. “I couldn’t wait till I found out what the announcement was about. I was

dying to know what ‘it’ was,” Ladner said.

Ladner, like other students, arrived in the much-too-small chapel the day of Open House, the day of “it.” People packed themselves in close together, ignoring traditional distances; latecomers filled the vacant spaces in the back. Ladner managed to find a seat in the back—barely able to see the stage.

The administrators placed a countdown timer on the screens knocking off the seconds until “it” would arrive. Ladner, along with other students, counted with anticipation “. . . 5 . . . 4 . . . 3 [by 3 everyone counted out loud] . . . 2 . . . 1 . . . 0! . . .”

But nothing happened. Ladner thought it funny that the timer didn’t correspond to the announcement.

A couple of minutes later

the announcement began for real—after a less anticipated announcement: Dalat changed “P-period’s” name to “X-block.”

“It” came—Dalat’s “One-to-One Program,” a new policy for iPads for every student (to be piloted by the senior class in the spring semester).

Ladner just couldn’t believe it at first. The excited seniors filed out of the chapel before the less happy underclassmen, middle school students, and parents (who had to pay for it).

The excitement from the iPad announcement set the pace for the rest of the evening.

After “it” happened, Ladner went with his parents to his classes in periods arranged just like a Dalat school day; he walked them through his schedule. “I enjoyed showing my parents my classes,” he said.

Gertak Sanggul Outreach...

songs to aid in teaching English.

Although, as Mr. Steffen explained, because of cultural and religious sensitivity teachers could not mention God in their lessons or conversation, he stressed the importance of letting God’s love shine through action.

And, according to Sarah Hwang (12), that happened. Said she, “I felt like what I did made a difference in the children’s lives.”

But not everything always

went smoothly. Difficulties and hovering tension between the Chinese and Malaysian children, even among the younger groups, sometimes interfered with lessons, although, as Hwang noted, “They weren’t particularly nice to one another, but they got alone fine.”

At times when the children’s attention seemed to wander and they became rowdy, the volunteer teachers had to remind themselves of their ultimate purpose.

Joy Kim (10) admitted that she

(Continued from page 7, col. 4) to teach English.

In teams of two and three people, students had the opportunity to practice their own teaching skills on children ranging from kindergarten to sixth grade. Each group prepared a lesson a few days in advance, and then one of the four advisers looked it over and offered advice.

Some teams made posters —others flashcards—still others had practice memory games and simple visual cues or interactive

Looking to God for Acceptance After a morning of pouring rain, the clouds finally faded away as the voted student leaders of Dalat International School boarded a single bus for the Student Leadership Retreat at the Cinta Sayang Resort in Sungai Petani on 25 August.

Each year the high school student leaders go on a two-day retreat to learn how to lead their respective grades or the whole high school effectively, and this year was no exception.

Eagle’s Eye

By Winnie Tan

Sayang, the 26 student leaders participated in a number of team-building activities including a game of “garbage,” where each group—Student Council, Senior Class Executive Committee, and Junior Class Excom— had a number of paper balls and they had to get rid of so their third of the room would have the fewest when the music stopped.

After several intense games of competition between the three groups, an out-of-breath Joseph

But just 40 minutes into the trip, the students met disappointment. What had seemed the highlight of the trip, shooting paint balls at each other, didn’t happen because the staff of Pisa Paintball never showed up. But a stop at Burger King instead of the planned Queensbay managed to restore their faith in the trip a little bit and slowly as time went on thoughts of paint ball completely left their minds.

After arriving in Cinta 8

Dinner followed, and Ladner stood in line for the chicken rice as the sky began to darken; everyone was hungry, satisfied, and animated.

The buzz of conversations filled the air along with the sound of children playing, games taking place, and friends hanging out. Parents conversed, children trooped around together, seniors talked about the iPad they would receive next semester, and the underclassmen talked about the iPad they would get next year.

Ladner blended in with the rest of the evening, enjoying the dinner with friends. When he finished, he joined in some of the games: football and basketball.

After his long and exciting day, he headed home along with a stream of other tired parents and students; he felt sleepy, but content.

“My favorite part of the whole night was the “it” announcement,” Ladner later reminisced. “It was a lot of fun hanging out with friends and sharing in the excitement.”•

“was challenged to be patient” and called it “a big commitment.”

Despite the necessary commitment, the hard work, and the few tangible rewards, the students reaped a greater harvest in having, if only for five weeks, the opportunity to reach out to children by sharing vocabulary and communicating love. And, at the end of every week, that thought kept every student—even in the heat of a van, even feeling spent and a little tired—smiling and cheerful all the same. •

Kim (12) exclaimed, “These games really brought our class patriotism!”

With the team-building games wrapped up the adults— Pastor Jonathan Bollback, Mr. Brian Brewster, and Mr. Karl Steinkamp—shared their wisdom with the young leaders.

Mr. Brewster hooked his iPad up to the screen and went around the room with its camera on; when he shut it off, he asked “Who did you see?”

“He then told us that we had all looked for photos of ourselves—that as people, we naturally want to be significant, (Continued on page 9, col. 1) October 2010

By Karl Reeves With the legacy of last year’s achievement still fresh in everyone’s mind; a pressured Dalat football team stood waiting in the sickly heat at Penang Free School on the 23rd of September. The blistering sun showed no mercy as a thirsty Joseph Kim (12) guzzled his water and hordes of spectators ran to the shade. Nobody knew what to expect from the day’s matches, least of all the Dalat players themselves! Although the team had high expectations, they hoped to aim high rather than shoot high. Dalat football veteran Jordan Strong (12) admitted, “We lost a lot of key players when [last year’s] seniors graduated.” Would Dalat fare well without these star players?

A sloppy performance against

a local vocational school in the first match left Dalat bewildered and shocked as they suffered a crushing 3-0 defeat; Strong argued, “Our team is in a transitional year.” Nevertheless, a quick talk from Coach David Thomas and a chorus of encouragement from supporting students helped lift dampened spirits and prepare the guys for their next match against the formidable Chung Ling High School.

Nathan Peace (12), exemplifying his presidential position in StuCo, scored the first goal of the day for Dalat with a well- placed shot into the bottom corner of the goal. Fellow senior Joseph Kim managed to blast a shot past the keeper a few minutes later to finish the

Student Leadership Retreat...

(Continued from page 8, col. 4) to do something important, to make a change; and as leaders we have that opportunity. But we also are held to a higher standard as the effects of our choices are maximized,” Juliet DeVette (12) said summarizing the principal’s lesson.

After listening to Mr. Brewster explain to students that they should look to God for acceptance rather than their peers, Hung Ching Song (12) high school yearbook editor and last year’s Eagle’s Eye

(11), Sam Eckman (11) and Justin Strong (10) helped secure a comfortable win as Dalat went on to finish with a 5-0 victory.

A bellowing cheer surged from the fans as they realized that the team had won silver. Mr. Thomas, now beaming, congratulated the boys on their performance; and fans arrived to offer words of praise.

The 23rd of September had certainly proved itself a day well spent as, sweaty players, ignoring each other’s stench, boarded the vans to travel back to campus. Fellow schools and fans left the pitch, retiring to their homes after a hard day in the sun.

A delighted Dalat team bantered on the way back, arguing as to whose goal had been the best. A now-grinning Jordan Strong, reflecting back on the day, said, “After changing our formation to a 4-3-3 our team started playing better and subsequently won the rest of our games to achieve a deserved silver medal.”

It appeared as if the absence of key Dalat players did little to hamper the team as they added one more trophy to their collection. •

made up of mostly underclassman, managed to work together and prevailed against their stiff competition. “The girls’ level of play really improved after going against a good team,” Head Coach Mrs. Lisa Munson said.

“I was very pleased.”

By David Tse The varsity team faced off with ISKL in Kuala Lumpur.

Despite losing their first game, they pulled themselves together and beat ISKL twice in the second and third games. They lost their last contest 13-25, however, as the team started to show fatigue from three days of training and tournaments.

Overall, the volleyball team,

Before the junior varsity team headed to the capital to play against ISKL, they had a game against Phor Tay. The play started slowly as the girls had trouble communicating with one another on

the court. Several miscues gave Phor Tay a huge advantage over them, but the team continued to improve throughout the match.

By the end of the game, the girls delivered accurate passes and sets as well as lightning-speed spikes. Their unwavering sportsmanship helped them win three sets against Phor Tay, 25-23, 25-22, 25-21.

Besides winning against other schools, the girls learned how to work together and grow stronger physically in the process. Volleyball requires speed, (Continued on page 10, col. 1)

junior class president decided give a impromptu sharing of his wisdom as a student leader.

“Hung, well, he learned the hard way; and he could tell us what exactly was the right way,” DeVette said.

Apart from playing teambuilding games and listening to the senior leaders, students also had time with their group to plan events for the school year.

Although most groups stayed in their seats brain-storming and talking, the senior excom took this time to finish filming their sneak promotional video,

causing a ruckus to the StuCo meeting as Joseph Merusi (12) swam endlessly across the pavement with Aunt Becky Jenkins pouring water on him from a second floor balcony.

With memories of laughter and bonding etched in their minds, the students boarded the bus—yet again, however, they met a surprise: the canceled paint ball that had once caused them disappointment had reopened! Everyone cheered with joy as each anticipated an afternoon of guns and paint. The students piled off the bus and

into the court only to be met with a rack of army clothing.

“You have to wear these,” the staff of Pisa Paintball explained, pointing to the army clothes. “You also have to wear protective gear which includes a helmet.”

After several minutes of getting ready, they divided into three groups; and the game began.

Lots of sweat and some newfound bruises later, the students returned to the buses in—yet again—the pouring rain to head to their final destination, Dalat International School. •

Sharp Minds, Strong Muscles Teachers set goals for every student; they wanted each to have sharper minds and stronger muscles.

The volleyball girls trained for just that as they practiced arduously for their upcoming tournaments against Phor Tay and ISKL. Determined to do their best, they committed their time to the coaches who strived to prepare them well for their matches.

game with a 2-0 win. The victory seemed enough to put Dalat in the winning mood, and a succession of wins soon followed.

A well-fought battle against Phen Khas ended 1-0 in Dalat’s favour when Strong managed to score in the last few seconds of the game. The next match against Uplands, rivals of Dalat, also ended 1-0 with Peace striking one past the keeper for the second time that day. A quick water break let the team recuperate and they prepared for their next match against another International School, Tenby.

A goal in the first few minutes from the Tenby side proved itself only a minor setback as a furious string of goals came from several Dalat players, earning the team a 4-1 win over their opposition.

A tired, mud-stained, Dalat team prepared themselves for the final match of the day against Sri Palita. If Dalat could win they would most likely take home silver; this thought reflected the faces of each player as he stared, determined and hopeful, at Mr. Thomas as he psyched them up for the final game of the day.

Goals from Reagan Mahoney

9

October 2010

Starting a New Year ...with fun!

By Joel Shafer

Jump starting the new school year with a spark of freedom, the seventh and eighth graders made their annual visit to the island resort of Jerejak as part of middle school’s endeavor to provide an event early in the year from which students could relate to one another. Their departure date, 11 August, found them in high spirits; but confusion and frustration soon arose, however, as they waited for the resort’s ferry.

Despite having established with the ferry to meet them at 6:00, it arrived an hour late. This initial inconvenience soon became inconsequential, however, and the group’s spirits resumed its joviality. Once reaching the resort,

the middle schoolers enjoyed free-time on the beach, thankful to have finally arrived.

The two classes graders spent the night at Jerajak to be joined by the fifth and sixth graders the following morning, a Friday. Kyle Fischer (8) stated his perspective on the overnight portion of the trip with the response, “[I] appreciated some breathing room; with just us seventh and eighth graders.”

Emmett Balzer (7) also expressed his appreciation of the trip by commenting, “Having an overnight trip helped strengthen friendships with my classmates.”

After dinner, the leaders divided the girls and boys for a “spiritual talk.” Mr. David Thomas led the discussion for the boys and Mrs. Melissa Davis led the girls. The seventh and eighth graders spent the rest of Thursday evening playing a large-scale game of “Capturethe-Flag” before heading off to bed.

With the arrival of the younger middle schoolers, the leaders sprang into action to start the full array of events. Dividing the middle schoolers into their SAT groups of fifth–sixth graders and seventh–eighth graders, the students engaged in team building activities. The games challenged them to achieve the goals set before them through teamwork.

A favorite of these challenges involved a bucket, two ropes, and a ring of students. The students would then attempt to remove

the bucket from the center of the ring using only the ropes to help them.

The leaders also created a treasure hunt, which the middle schoolers undertook with equal enthusiasm. In the words of Nicholas Fischer (6), “The treasure hunt helped us to learn how to work as a team.” The groups also made use of the island’s many facilities, such as wall climbing. At the close of the day, the leaders incorporated a large worship service to conclude their adventure.

As Mr. Scott Uzzle recalled the events of the trip, he reflected on its success. He commented on the good organization of the activities and how smoothly the events had run. He also noted how many of the new students had established solid friendships with their peers—a key reason for the jaunt into Jerajak. •

Girls’ Volleyball...

Robinson (10).

Nevertheless, not all of the girls appreciated the amount of muscle they were gaining. “I’ve learned how much I don’t want to have big arms.” said Michelle Chan (10). Even though the girls

don’t like the idea of having bigger biceps, male students in hopes of gaining more muscle don’t have to wait any longer to join the volleyball team as Mr. Chance Edman plans to start a boys’ varsity volleyball

team sometime this October. As many excellent coaches join the school’s faculty every year, the Dalat Eagles continue to breed excellent, sporting athletes with minds sharper than swords and muscles stronger that steel. •

(Continued from page 9, col. 4) power, flexibility, strength, and balance. “I’ve learned from volleyball how important it is to have strong arms,” said Joanna

Dalat International School Tanjung Bunga Penang, MALAYSIA 10

Eagle’s Eye

Eagle’s Eye

October 2010