May Husky Herald 2025 by ismhuskies

THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF MINNESOTA

THE HUSKY HERALD

FROM THE DIRECTOR

It’s hard to believe that the last full month of the 2024-25 school year is already upon us. We have accomplished so much already, but the month of May is filled with field trips, end-of-year activities and celebrations. Spring is in full swing as ISM students have planted seeds and are watching them grow. In science, we eagerly await the arrival of butterflies in some of our classrooms. May 5 through 9, we officially celebrate our amazing ISM staff for Teacher Appreciation Week. Stay tuned to learn all the events planned by the ISM students and school community!

As we welcome our athletes back from the SABIS® Global Sports Tournament, next week our students will sit for the Advance Placement tests beginning May 5 and concluding May 16. During these weeks, all students are asked to use the main office entry.

End-of-year revision is an important time of year for students to have the opportunity to review and practice for their final exams. We look forward to the month of May with warmer weather and more opportunity to be outdoors. We are excited for what the month ahead holds as we close in on the final weeks of learning for the year!

Jeana Carrasco

Jeana Carrasco ISM School Director

ISM HUSKIES TAKE ON ABU DHABI

ISM STUDENTS AND STAFF TRAVEL TO 14 SABIS® GST TH

This year marked an exciting milestone for the International School of Minnesota (ISM) as students and staff participated for the first time in the 14th SABIS® Global Sports Tournament (GST), a global competition that brings together student-athletes from across the SABIS® Network. The tournament took place in the vibrant city of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, hosted at the state-of-the-art Yas Island SABIS® International School campus.

Our ISM Huskies proudly joined over 1,200 athletes from 30 SABIS® schools around the world in 15 different countries, competing in four main sporting events: swimming, track and field, basketball, and soccer (football). Each ISM athlete trained with dedication in the months leading up to the tournament, and their determination was clear as they went head-to-head with seasoned teams from across the globe. Whether it was sprinting down the track, defending on the field, diving into the pool, or shooting threepointers, our students brought their A-game and represented ISM with pride, sportsmanship, and tenacity.

Beyond the competition, the tournament was an unforgettable cultural and community experience. Students forged friendships with peers from dozens of countries, shared stories and laughter, and created memories that will last a lifetime. The energy, unity, and excitement of being part of a truly global event were palpable throughout the week.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the families, coaches, teachers, and staff who supported our athletes every step of the way—your encouragement made this journey possible. With sights now set on the 15th SABIS® GST in 2027, our Huskies are more motivated than ever to continue training, improving, and aiming for the podium. Until then—Go Huskies!

HONORING AAPI HERITAGE MONTH

THE LEGACY OF ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER CONTRIBUTIONS

Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, celebrated every May in the United States, is a time to honor and recognize the rich history, culture, and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. This month-long celebration encompasses a wide range of communities from East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and the Pacific Islands—each with its own unique traditions, languages, and stories. It is a time to reflect on a deep and dynamic history—a history marked by struggle, but also by incredible strength, resilience, creativity, and achievement. AAPI Heritage Month is not only a tribute to the past but also a celebration of the future of communities that continue to enrich the cultural fabric of the nation.

The origins of AAPI Heritage Month date back to 1978, when Congress passed a resolution establishing a week in May for the observance. In 1992, the celebration was expanded to a full month. May was chosen for its historical significance: it marks both the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the U.S. in May 1843 and the completion of the transcontinental railroad in May 1869—a project made possible largely through the labor of Chinese immigrants. At its core, AAPI Heritage Month is about visibility, appreciation, and understanding. It invites all Americans to learn more about the diverse experiences under the AAPI umbrella and to celebrate the strength, resilience, and beauty of these communities.

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have made lasting contributions across every field—shaping American society in countless ways. In science and technology, Dr. Chien-Shiung Wu, a Chinese-American physicist, made groundbreaking advancements in nuclear physics and contributed to the Manhattan Project. In politics, Patsy Mink broke barriers as the first woman of color and the first Asian American elected to Congress. She was a passionate advocate for civil rights and worked tirelessly to support legislation for women, children, immigrants, and communities of color. In the arts, Bruce Lee redefined action cinema and martial arts around the world—not just as an actor and filmmaker, but also as a philosopher and cultural icon. In 1999, Time magazine named him one of the 100 most important people of the 20th century.

As we observe AAPI Heritage Month, we are reminded of the extraordinary contributions and enduring legacy of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. It is an opportunity to honor those who paved the way, to amplify the voices of those making change today, and to inspire future generations to continue building a more inclusive and vibrant society. By celebrating AAPI Heritage Month, we not only acknowledge the past but also embrace a shared future strengthened by the diversity and richness of all cultures.

APRIL Husky Howls

THE HEART OF FAIRNESS

APRIL HUSKY HOWL

RECIPIENTS

This student shows fairness in everything they do. They follow the rules, take turns, and share with others, making sure everyone has a chance to participate. They are open-minded and take time to really listen to what others have to say, even when opinions are different from their own. They never take advantage of others and always try to do what’s right, using facts and reason to guide their choices instead of acting out of emotion. Most importantly, they treat everyone equally, no matter their background, beliefs, or status. Their actions help build trust and respect among their peers, making the classroom a more positive place for learning. By being fair and thoughtful, this student sets a strong example for others to follow.

Elizabeth Mark

Rebecca Rodriguez

Rasheed Sonbol

Onnie Geilman

ISM’S YEVHEN L. TO ADVOCATE FOR STUDENTS STATEWIDE

ISM SOPHOMORE YEVHEN L. ’27 SELECTED FOR MINNESOTA STATE HIGH

The International School of Minnesota is thrilled to share that Yevhen L. (Class of 2027) has been selected to serve on the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) Student Advisory and Leadership Team (SALT). He is one of only 11 high school sophomores across the state chosen for this distinguished two-year leadership opportunity.

SALT serves as a student advisory body to the MSHSL staff and Board of Directors, offering critical insight into the student experience within athletics and fine arts. Through this role, Yevhen and his peers will help plan and facilitate events such as the Together 4.0 Regional Student Leadership Conferences in Bemidji, Willmar, Mankato, and the Twin Cities. These conferences unite student leaders from diverse regions to develop leadership skills, forge meaningful connections, and advocate for positive change within their school communities.

Yevhen’s journey to SALT began when he attended the Together 3.0 conference in Brooklyn Center. “That experience really opened my eyes,” he shared. “I learned the importance of creating safe spaces, making people

feel like they belong, and listening before reacting. That event inspired me to apply for SALT so I could help other students the way I’ve been helped.”

As a SALT member, Yevhen will also support planning sessions, assist with state tournaments, collaborate with other student leadership organizations, and contribute to the MSHSL’s Behavior Expectations initiative, which promotes respectful and positive conduct at school events. The program is highly selective and open only to students actively participating in MSHSL-sanctioned activities. Reflecting on the moment he received his acceptance, Yevhen recalled: “It was on a Wednesday, late afternoon, when I opened my email. I felt a burst of energy and excitement—it was such a joyful moment.”

Yevhen brings a deep passion for inclusive leadership. “I want to focus on creating opportunities for all students, especially in underrepresented areas, by advocating for more accessible funding and scholarships,” he said. “Everyone deserves the chance to experience the best quality and biggest opportunities possible.”

He also expressed gratitude to those who’ve supported him: “I want to thank my parents, siblings, uncle, aunt, and the ISM staff, teachers, and administration. When we first came to the U.S., it was hard. But thanks to their support, I’ve grown into the person I am today—and I want to pay it forward.”

Yevhen and the new SALT members will meet current team members during orientation on April 30 to begin planning the year ahead. Please join us in congratulating Yevhen on this incredible achievement and wishing him success as he represents ISM on a statewide platform of student leaders. We are so proud of you, Yevhen!

ISM STUDENTS RECOGNIZED FOR LITERARY TALENT

WRITERS TAKE THE SPOTLIGHT IN ISM’S FIRST CREATIVE WRITING CONTEST

The International School of Minnesota held its first-ever Writing Contest celebration last week, culminating in a lively awards event and student reading in the school library. The contest, which welcomed entries from students in grades 6 through 12, recognized outstanding work in three categories: Poetry, Flash Fiction, and Fiction.

Winners received certificates and prizes before taking the stage to share excerpts from their original work with an audience of peers, teachers, and proud family members. The event marked a strong start to what ISM hopes will become a cherished tradition celebrating student creativity and literary talent. Plans are already underway for next year’s Creative Writing Contest and preparing strong applications for the SABIS® Stars event to be held in Spring 2026.

Congratulations to our winners:

Amara Agunwamba, Grade 6

Sophie Yunfei Zhang, Grade 9

Lenore Roddy, Grade 10

Saher Iqbal, Grade 11

Tyler Lafferty, Grade 11

FROM ISM TO THE WORLD: ISM CLASS OF 2025 SOARS

As the class of 2025 prepares for their final few weeks at ISM, seniors took a moment to look ahead and share with the ISM community their plans for after college. This year our twelve seniors were admitted to over seventy colleges across the United States and the world.

Not only did they earn spots in some of the most selective colleges, they also were offered a whopping $837,000 per year in scholarships. Even more notable, our 12 seniors ACCEPTED over $232,000 in aid next year, and two seniors will be attending college on full tuition aid packages. Students will be staying close to home, going far off to both coasts, studying engineering, accounting, and some themselves, exploring which academic passion they want to pursue. We are so proud of the amazing class of 2025 and we can’t wait to continue to celebrate them this month. Congratulations class of 2025!

Ruhaan Singh

Mahad Molel

Dmytro Nyzhnyk

Malaika Bajwa Kaia Frazier

Jinsheng Tim Li

Ian Looser

Laura Odeh

Cecilia Lundquist

Sirui Shannon Qiu

Siyuan Steven Wu Zijin Wu

ISM ALUMNI STORIES

CAPORIN ROCK ('23): A PERSONAL JOURNEY OF GROWTH AND LEARNING

Caporin (Cap) Rock, a 2023 ISM graduate, is currently a psychology major at Grinnell College. He reflects on his transformative journey and how his experiences have shaped his academic and personal life. Cap shares how ISM’s academic environment helped shape his interests. “The small class sizes allowed me to really get to know my teachers. I don’t think I had a single teacher I didn’t like. They gave me the support and guidance I needed to excel.” He praises the school for offering an individualized curriculum that encourages students to explore and question ideas. “It wasn’t just about memorizing information—it was about understanding the material and being able to ask questions that made sense to me. ISM taught me how to learn in a way that’s meaningful.”

At ISM, Cap discovered his passion for psychology after taking AP Psychology. “I didn’t know what I wanted to major in at first, but the class was eye-opening. I could easily see myself working in psychology—whether it’s research or industrial psychology. It just clicked for me.” Beyond academics, ISM provided Cap with opportunities to explore his passions and engage in extracurricular activities that enriched his overall experience. "I was involved in ISM’s music programs," he shared. something I still pursue as a hobby, and the performing arts program at ISM played a big role in tha Cap’s family chose ISM after experiencing bullying in a previous school. He found the community at ISM to be a much better fit. “At ISM, everyone gets along. You don’t have to worry about bullying when everyone is part of the same small group. You really learn how to work together, and that’s something you’ll use for the rest of your life.” The diversity at ISM also had a profound impact on Cap. “There are so many students from different countries and cultures. That was probably the most valuable part of my experience there—the exposure to so many different perspectives. We didn’t always agree, but we respected each other and learned to communicate across differences. It was something I’ve carried with me into college.” He believes this experience gave him a unique advantage in understanding and connecting with people from all walks of life.

When asked about how ISM prepared him for college, Cap shared how ISM taught him time management, study skills, and self-confidence. “One thing that ISM really taught me was to stay ahead of my work. I always get things done early—my friends are constantly asking me how I manage to do it. They’re falling behind, and I’m way ahead. ISM prepared me for that. I learned how to study, how to manage my time, and how to take care of business first before I have fun. It’s a game-changer in college.” He credits ISM’s focus on the SABIS® system’s weekly tests as a key reason he’s excelled. “Testing yourself on the material, instead of just reviewing it, makes a huge difference. I saw that even in college —it’s a technique I’ve used to succeed.”

Cap also highlighted the importance of self-advocacy. “I never felt like I couldn’t ask questions at ISM. The smaller environment made it easy to clarify things, and I learned how to advocate for myself. I can’t imagine not being able to raise my hand and ask questions—something that can happen in larger schools where you can get lost in the crowd.”

To current ISM students, Cap offers valuable advice. “Don’t neglect your extracurriculars. Don’t just focus on academics—take the time to savor the little moments. You’ll miss them when you get to college.” He emphasizes that while the academic transition to college may be easier, the emotional and social aspects can be tougher. “It’s the friendships and relationships you build at ISM that you’ll miss the most. The teachers, the students, the community—it’s all part of the experience. Make sure you enjoy it while you can.”

For prospective ISM families, Cap offers this advice: "If you're looking for a place that values academic excellence and personal growth, ISM is the perfect choice. It's a place where you can thrive in a small, supportive environment and discover your true potential." With its personalized learning, fostering environment, and diverse community, ISM helped shape Cap into the person he is today—ready to take on the challenges of college and beyond. His experience underscores the incredible value of an ISM education, which goes beyond academics to cultivate critical life skills, foster global citizenship, and prepare students for success in an interconnected world.