The Blue & Gold: Volume XXIV, Issue 1

the

B&G

The Blue & Gold at 800 Chungshan N. Rd. Taipei American School Shilin 11152 Taiwan

volume xxiv, issue i

WELCOME TO HIGH SCHOOL TO TAIPEI

HOME

2 | august 10, 2017 Dear readers,

TABLE OF CONTENTS

We hope you enjoy our first back-to-school edition, something new that we experimented with for the 2017-18 school year. This issue marks the beginning of a newsmagazine-newspaper hybrid for the Blue & Gold, where special themed issues throughout the year will be released in newsmagazine form. With a new set of section editors and editorial board members, we will be testing fresh ideas, hoping to produce high quality issues, create candid journalistic content, and form a recognizable aesthetic. We are excited for the changes that The Blue & Gold will undergo from 2017 to 2018, and to continue serving Taipei American School by breaking down barriers and promoting heartfelt discourse.

2

an introducࢼon to volume xxiv

3

interviews and advice

4-5

tryout/audiࢼon informaࢼon

6-7

ࢼps for the class of 2021

8-9

welcome, new faculty!

10

summer desࢼnaࢼons

11

2017-2018 clubs

12

quarter one calendar COVER BY SHEREEN LEE BACKPAGE BY ANYA LAI

This school year means different things for different people. Perhaps it will be your first year in Asia, or high school. Maybe it is your last year in a place where you have spent your whole life. This school is home to brand-new teachers kicking off their careers, and veteran security guards who have worked here for four decades; it is home to experienced seniors, and the wide-eyed Tiger Tots who will one day take their places. Yet, whether you welcome the school year with open arms or are in denial about the stressful low points you will probably endure, for the next ten months, we are all in the same boat.

It is our honor to document the movements of this remarkable community. We hope that we can continue to tell happy, sad, inspiring, funny, and controversial stories that encourage us all to create a deeper understanding for each other and of our larger communities—Taipei, Taiwan and the world.

Best wishes, The Blue & Gold Editorial Board

the editorial board

2017-2018 BLUE & GOLD STAFF

SHEREEN LEE (‘19)

CHRISTINE LIN (‘19)

ANYA LAI (‘19)

CHARLOTTE LEE (‘20)

editor-in-chief

managing editor, online

managing editor, print

social media editor

DANIEL WANG (‘18)

JULIAN LEE (‘18)

KEVIN LEE (‘18)

news & sports

opinion & verdict

photographer

sec on editors

CALLING ALL DESIGNERS, PHOTOGRAPHERS, & WRITERS Join the Blue & Gold family! Contact us at any of the below platforms with your name and grade to become a member of the B&G Club.

facebook.com/

TASBlueandGold instagram.com/

tasjournalism youtube.com/

BlueandGoldOnline email us at

blueandgold@tas.tw

CATHERINE LIN (‘19) features & culture; copyeditor

staff writers and designers AUDREY KONG (‘18) COCO LEE (‘19) KELLY PHIL (‘20) VANESSA TSAO (‘19) BARRON TSAI (‘19) CAROLYN WANG (‘19)

august 10, 2017 | 3

“MY LIFE IN TAIWAN TAUGHT ME HOW TO STEP OUT OF COMFORT ZONES.” Jenny Lee (‘05) reflects on childhood, her cultural influences, and life after TAS. INTERVIEWED BY SHEREEN LEE

Jenny Lee (‘05) attended TAS from 1993 until graduation, when she attended Wellesley College and received a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and East Asian Studies. After working for five years as an analyst and associate at Deutsche Bank in New York and Hong Kong, Lee found her current position in 2014 as the Head of Growth at Hong Kong corporation WeLab. Under Lee’s direction, the company, which operates online lending programs, has grown from its founding in 2013 to be one of the world’s top financial technology corporations.

For her work, Lee was named one of Forbes’s Asia Finance 30 Under 30 in 2016.

Did any particular courses at school impact decisions for your career later on?

No, not at all, actually; I think when you’re so young, having a really wellrounded curriculum makes you just naturally want to do everything. I was in Journalism, I was in IASAS Dance, I was in jazz band, so I just grew up finding a lot of things interesting across topics. So what I think I really learned from the experience was that there was the possibility of doing anything later on.

How did growing up in Taiwan at TAS affect your life and the way you see the world?

I think it’s probably because in

ADVICE

Form lasting school friendships after school

By Andrew Xu (‘20)

school, it’s pretty Westernized, but at home I was still surrounded by, and embedded in Chinese culture.

When you’re there, you feel like it’s a normal experience, but when you leave, you realize that you’ve actually had a really unique one. In America, in Hong Kong, I’ve always had some specific skills or mindsets that surprised people because of the way I was raised, like being very fluent in both English and Chinese. In that way, you start to appreciate the mix of these two cultures and how special it is to have these different viewpoints in conversation with each other.

What experiences or lessons from your time at TAS have affected you most?

Everyone in life is presented with a lot of opportunities, and I learned that being able to stay open about which of these opportunities to pursue helped me a lot as I grew older and was presented with some more unconventional paths. Being open to challenges, too, was something I learned at TAS: the environment there always pushed students to be better. I was always encouraging myself to work harder, and I think that this carried across to my life now.

In general, TAS has so many events to be a part of. The teachers were always willing to help us learn at any stage. I joined the jazz band without knowing anything about Extracurricular activities are a maninstay at our school, to the point that they can no longer be considered “extra”: instead, they are what shapes high school. They form the memories that make each year special. Activities at TAS give access to a new range of emotions that are unlike anything else in our academic lives. They are the triumph of success on the sports pitch

jazz, and auditioned for drama without any acting experience: that helped me learn a lot more about everything around me than I would have if I just stuck to what I thought I was already good at.

I remember a service trip I went to in Cambodia, which I thought was just going to be about building houses, but which turned into lessons about the broader history of Cambodia and how historical events and culture influenced the people we were helping. It made so much of an unexpected impact on me that I ended up writing about it for my college essay. So I think that life in Taiwan and throughout life has mostly taught me how to step out of comfort zones.

Where do these lessons appear now in your work or personal life?

Throughout my life, being intellectually curious became a very important theme in my life and my work. At my current job as a Head of Growth, my role encompasses lot of things. When I joined this company, we didn’t have a marketing person, so I was put into marketing. We didn’t have someone to go over our legal documents—and I’m not a lawyer, at all—but just because I was fluent in both Chinese and English, I ended up reviewing contracts.

And because of my background in under bright stadium lights. They are the curiosity and apprehension of joining a random, interesting club with your best friends, not knowing what will happen.

Cross country has given me all of these emotions. Though challenging, I am never alone in my struggle. Every run, cooldown, and race is another get-together with my teammates.

These new friendships, forged through

investment banking, even though it wasn’t directly related to to what we were doing at WeLab, I was able to jump right into raising capital with investors. I think that I’ve been learning this skill of being fluid and always being willing to learn something new is what fits me to this role, and it’s a mindset I’ve been raised with since a young age.

What’s something that you wish you had known when you were younger?

It’s okay sometimes to be spontaneous! I remember when I was in high school I was such a planner. In some ways, I still am, but I was much more serious in high school than I am now. I remember that when I got my college catalog in the spring of my senior year, I had immediately mapped out how I would spend all four years; and I pretty much completely followed that plan. I don’t regret doing so much preparation: I probably would have been a lot more stressed out if I didn’t plan, because planning was my way of relaxing myself at the time. But I enjoy having the room to be flexible now. If a friend came up to me and said, “Let’s go to Japan tomorrow,” I would be ready to pack and go.

Read a full transcript of this interview at blueandgoldonline.org. struggle and victory, are what I cherish most from the sport. Simply listening to the bizzare banter of my teammates bring me laughter in the aftermath of even the toughest race.

For all of the new students joining us this year, go out there and experience the opportunities offered to us. Don’t be afraid to explore! I hope you have a wonderful year.

august 10, 2017 | 3

“MY LIFE IN TAIWAN TAUGHT ME HOW TO STEP OUT OF COMFORT ZONES.” Jenny Lee (‘05) reflects on childhood, her cultural influences, and life after TAS. INTERVIEWED BY SHEREEN LEE

Jenny Lee (‘05) attended TAS from 1993 until graduation, when she attended Wellesley College and received a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and East Asian Studies. After working for five years as an analyst and associate at Deutsche Bank in New York and Hong Kong, Lee found her current position in 2014 as the Head of Growth at Hong Kong corporation WeLab. Under Lee’s direction, the company, which operates online lending programs, has grown from its founding in 2013 to be one of the world’s top financial technology corporations.

For her work, Lee was named one of Forbes’s Asia Finance 30 Under 30 in 2016.

Did any particular courses at school impact decisions for your career later on?

No, not at all, actually; I think when you’re so young, having a really wellrounded curriculum makes you just naturally want to do everything. I was in Journalism, I was in IASAS Dance, I was in jazz band, so I just grew up finding a lot of things interesting across topics. So what I think I really learned from the experience was that there was the possibility of doing anything later on.

How did growing up in Taiwan at TAS affect your life and the way you see the world?

I think it’s probably because in

ADVICE

Form lasting school friendships after school

By Andrew Xu

school, it’s pretty Westernized, but at home I was still surrounded by, and embedded in Chinese culture.

When you’re there, you feel like it’s a normal experience, but when you leave, you realize that you’ve actually had a really unique one. In America, in Hong Kong, I’ve always had some specific skills or mindsets that surprised people because of the way I was raised, like being very fluent in both English and Chinese. In that way, you start to appreciate the mix of these two cultures and how special it is to have these different viewpoints in conversation with each other.

What experiences or lessons from your time at TAS have affected you most?

Everyone in life is presented with a lot of opportunities, and I learned that being able to stay open about which of these opportunities to pursue helped me a lot as I grew older and was presented with some more unconventional paths. Being open to challenges, too, was something I learned at TAS: the environment there always pushed students to be better. I was always encouraging myself to work harder, and I think that this carried across to my life now.

In general, TAS has so many events to be a part of. The teachers were always willing to help us learn at any stage. I joined the jazz band without knowing anything about Extracurricular activities are a maninstay at our school, to the point that they can no longer be considered “extra”: instead, they are what shapes high school. They form the memories that make each year special. Activities at TAS give access to a new range of emotions that are unlike anything else in our academic lives. They are the triumph of success on the sports pitch

jazz, and auditioned for drama without any acting experience: that helped me learn a lot more about everything around me than I would have if I just stuck to what I thought I was already good at.

I remember a service trip I went to in Cambodia, which I thought was just going to be about building houses, but which turned into lessons about the broader history of Cambodia and how historical events and culture influenced the people we were helping. It made so much of an unexpected impact on me that I ended up writing about it for my college essay. So I think that life in Taiwan and throughout life has mostly taught me how to step out of comfort zones.

Where do these lessons appear now in your work or personal life?

Throughout my life, being intellectually curious became a very important theme in my life and my work. At my current job as a Head of Growth, my role encompasses lot of things. When I joined this company, we didn’t have a marketing person, so I was put into marketing. We didn’t have someone to go over our legal documents—and I’m not a lawyer, at all—but just because I was fluent in both Chinese and English, I ended up reviewing contracts.

And because of my background in under bright stadium lights. They are the curiosity and apprehension of joining a random, interesting club with your best friends, not knowing what will happen.

Cross country has given me all of these emotions. Though challenging, I am never alone in my struggle. Every run, cooldown, and race is another get-together with my teammates.

These new friendships, forged through

investment banking, even though it wasn’t directly related to to what we were doing at WeLab, I was able to jump right into raising capital with investors. I think that I’ve been learning this skill of being fluid and always being willing to learn something new is what fits me to this role, and it’s a mindset I’ve been raised with since a young age.

What’s something that you wish you had known when you were younger?

It’s okay sometimes to be spontaneous! I remember when I was in high school I was such a planner. In some ways, I still am, but I was much more serious in high school than I am now. I remember that when I got my college catalog in the spring of my senior year, I had immediately mapped out how I would spend all four years; and I pretty much completely followed that plan. I don’t regret doing so much preparation: I probably would have been a lot more stressed out if I didn’t plan, because planning was my way of relaxing myself at the time. But I enjoy having the room to be flexible now. If a friend came up to me and said, “Let’s go to Japan tomorrow,” I would be ready to pack and go.

Read a full transcript of this interview at blueandgoldonline.org. struggle and victory, are what I cherish most from the sport. Simply listening to the bizzare banter of my teammates bring me laughter in the aftermath of even the toughest race.

For all of the new students joining us this year, go out there and experience the opportunities offered to us. Don’t be afraid to explore! I hope you have a wonderful year.

4 | august 10, 2017

Arts veterans share audition hacks JONA HUANG Class of 2018 Dance

Every year during the fall, TAS holds a big dance production that requires about three months of prepping, over 100 dancers, and countless of amazing staff. Such a big production may discourage many of the students from auditioning, but do not be afraid! The dance production does not actually require the students to have actual dance experience. As long as you enjoy moving your body to the music, you will find yourself right where you belong in the production!

I joined the dance production in sophomore year, and it was honestly the best decision I’ve ever made. I made so many new friends and unforgettable memories.

However, since I also play rugby, there were some scheduling conflicts. I had to personally visit my coaches and the dance instructors to figure it out. Since the dance production has been pushed forward this year, the practices WILL conflict with 1st season sports, so, make sure you go talk to your coaches and the dance instructors (Ms. Flemming & Ms. Q) before you audition for the production. The audition dates are Aug. 14 to Aug. 16. With such a big production, many hours are put into planning and executing the actual show, so commitment from every dancer is a very important thing to keep in mind. If you have any questions regarding more info on the auditions or anything dance related you can contact the DHS via email (dancehonorsociety@tas.tw) or just come up to any of the DHS officers. Their names are Jona Huang (‘18), Claire Moy (‘18), Candice Lee (‘18), Christine Lin (‘19), and Holly Chen (‘19).

Here are some tips before auditions: drink lots of water, keep stretching, and eat LOTS of bananas. Try not to worry about Hey friends, what happens after the audition. Instead try to enjoy I’m Max and I’m writing this letter to dancing because dance is supposed to be hopefuly share some valuable advice to drama fun! newcomers who would like to know more about fall productions in high school. The drama audition process in high school is rather simple. You sign up for the audition, and you show up on the day of the audition with a monologue prepared. When your name is called, you go to the Black Box where all the directors are, and you perform your material.

A couple of days later the directors will announce a callback. This is when they give specific character monologues from the script to certain people and have them audition again. If you get a callback, you become a possible candidate for being a main character in the production. Acknowledge this callback, and be proud even if you don’t end up getting your ideal role.

Some reminders: 1. Don’t worry about messing up a line or a movement you have rehearsed for hours. Here is why: when you audition, the directors judge you on how well you can portray a certain character in the show, not how well you can memorizing lines. So, messing up a line or two is not going to ruin the whole audition.

2. If you don’t get a lead role in the play or musical, you are not a bad actor. Trust me. It simply means that you’re not the person the directors were looking for to portray that character on stage.

3. NEVER pass up an opportunity to audition just because you think you won’t get a lead role. Likewise, don’t drop out of a production because you didn’t get a lead role. The more auditions and productions you do, the more likely you will get a lead role. I’m not kidding.

If you audition in your freshman year, then the chance of you landing a lead role in your sophomore year increase by 50%. Consequently, if you audition again in your sophomore year, the chance of you getting a lead role in your junior year increases by 75%. If you won’t believe me, believe the numbers.

4. Have fun. Theater is fun. In this community, you make amazing friends and memories. So enjoy it.

MAX WANG Class of 2019 Drama

august 10, 2017 | 5

FIRST SEASON SPORTS Kick off the new school year by joining the Tiger athletics family!

By Charlotte Lee

cross country

soccer

volleyball

Cross country has a reputation for being a sport that takes real courage to join. The fitness, commitment, and mental discipline required to endure practices and meets are among the most taxing of all sports.

However, the training does pay off: last year, the girls’ cross country team came through IASAS in Taipei with a gold medal, their first in twenty years.

Many athletes were new to the team, but progressed and performed astonishingly well at the end of the season. For instance, Sarahi Zuniga (‘20) and Evelyn Lai (‘20) were two notable freshman IASAS runners who placed in the top 15 for the five-kilometer race. Next year, however, the team will have to overcome the loss of Patricia Pi (‘17), Victoria Pi (‘17), Nancy Zuniga (‘17), and April Chu (‘17), who graduated with Hall of Fame recognition in both cross country and track and field. The boys’ cross country team concluded last season in fourth place. According to Timothy Fuh (‘18), they are “looking forward to redeeming [themselves]”after coming very close to third place but unfortunately falling short. Timothy also mentions, “with the addition of many new talents, our team is capable of accomplishing many things. For someone who’s trying out, [know that] the roster for varsity and IASAS is never set. Anyone is able to make the team as long as they work hard and put 100% into practice.” The boys’ team will be training under Mr. Edward Hillmann, a newly arrived coach from the International School of Beijing.

Mr. Julian Thornbury, a seasoned coach with extensive experience leading a range of varsity teams, will be taking over as the new coach for girls’ varsity soccer. For the past several years, the girls’ soccer team have come extremely close to winning the IASAS tournament, missing out on gold through a heartbreaking penalty shootout loss to Singapore American School in last year’s championship match. In the upcoming season, the girls’ team will be aiming to bring back their first ever gold medal from the International School of Bangkok. The team will be losing a slew of vital players next year, including two senior Hall of Fame athletes in Kirsten Long (’17) and Lauryn Van Dooren (’17); however, several underclassmen have already began to assume leadership roles and earn respect from their fellow teammates.

The boys’ soccer team is “looking to bounce back from a subpar season,” according to Justin Wu (‘18), as they earned sixth place in last year’s IASAS tournament, held at Jakarta Intercultural School.

Justin says that this season brings “big shoes to fill after last year’s graduating class,” which included Hong Kong national team player Oliver Gerbig (‘17) and Chinese Taipei representative Nathan Chang (‘17). Regardless, Justin is excited to see how much returning athletes have improved over a year, and claims that new players should “never underestimate themselves” and what they can bring to the pitch.”

This year, the girls’ varsity volleyball team will be welcoming Mr. William Fillbach, former coach of the Middle School and freshman teams, as their new assistant coach. Four-year varsity athlete Catherine Yeh (‘18) says, “volleyball thrives on teamwork. It’s often tempting for hitters to take complete credit for an amazing point scored, and forget about the receive and set that made it happen. It’s not about how brightly one star player shines on the court. Instead, the synergy, chemistry and memories that I’ve created with my teammates are what make each of my four years on the team truly special.” Catherine explains that the team’s offseason practice has focused on “defensive skills, consistency and agility” because the Taipei team is much shorter than their opposition at IASAS. Her twin and fellow four-year varsity player Cynthia Yeh (‘18) insists that “trainings can get hard, but they will definitely be rewarding.” They will most likely be welcoming many new players for the new season, having graduated a whopping six seniors.

Similarly, the boys will enter the 2017 season attempting to fill the gaps left by three IASAS AllTournament athletes: Jesse Kao (‘17) and Hall of Famers Andrew Hu (‘17) and Jack Tobey (‘17).

Although these three co-captains stood out during the IASAS tournament, they have since departed to university, and the team’s returning players will have to work hard to earn boys’ volleyball’s third successive gold medal.

The B&G’s guide to surviving freshman year your back pack e

ver

By Anya Lai

locker , carry

ts i m i l – f of e r a s e Senior couch

Don’t u se you r

[CHIKAGE YOSHIDA]

d

ve perio a h u o y four lunch–o if x e l f r you will s t Eat a tarv

e

d

Try not to procrastinate

s sse

Don ’t fe el p res sur e

[NATALIE KUEHN]

{ASMAKAR]

cla

o dt

take advance

ere h w

[ANGIE JONES]

[PROCRASTINAUT.TUMBLR]

The transition to high school may seem overwhelming, exhilirating, or intimidating to many freshman students. To help you adapt to a new atmosphere, The B&G came up with a list of “unwritten rules” and advice they wish they had heard in 9th grade!

Don’t s ch

o mu

n

tryo uts

[INSLEE.NET]

ne to

i y l l a i c e p d e s . . . e scar

fi e th

s center and dur s e ing tn

{CAR CANYON]

Use the silent room–star

Don’t u se yo ur ph o

D on ’t b e

{STEPHANIE SIPP]

uccum b

to pe

er p res su

No screaming and running here– unless you want to annoy the seniors

o YOU d – re

[MAKAR]

t wo thi hard rking

d n a un f e Hav

r u o y e r o expl

interests

s ye

ar

[123RF.COM]

[KNIT FREEDOM]

8 | august 10, 2017

welcome HOME! KAO

Ms. MATHEMATICS From the age of 22, Ms. Jen-Ching Kao spent years away from her home in Taipei. She pursued a Masters’ degree in education at Johns Hopkins University and worked as a finance expert in San Francisco, until finally returning to Taiwan to teach in 2012.

For her, this abrupt change across continents and careers was a return “home” in more ways than one: Ms. Kao had been a teacher and tutor for members of her community since she was 17 years old.

“Over the years I have explored several career paths,” says Ms. Kao. “But eventually I’ve come to realize that nothing feels more rewarding than watching my students learn and grow as a result of the support I provide them.”

In fact, one of Ms. Kao’s favorite memories from

Taiwan was when a group of her former students surprised her last year with a handmade thank-you card. “While I was talking to them, I realized that inspiration and compassion motivates students more than any other kind of instruction.

I was happy to help them grow as students and people.”

For Ms. Kao, Math is a subject that is especially important for students to engage in. “These skills are needed everywhere in our lives, from everyday finances and accounting to careers in business, economics, technology, and science,” she says. “And math uniquely gives a thrill and confidence to every student every time they solve a math problem entirely on their own.”

For the next academic year, Ms. Kao will be teaching Algebra I and II.

CIAMBARELLA

MR.

HISTORY

When Mr. Christopher Ciambarella took up a research position at Hualien’sTzu Chi Buddhist University, he quickly grew roots in Taiwan that he could have never anticipated.

“I was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, so it will always be my hometown,” says Mr. Ciambarella. “But now I consider myself as having two homes: the U.S., and also Hualien where I lived many years, got married, and started my family.”

After 10 years of living in Taiwan in an idyllic mountainside home, Mr. Ciambarella and his partner, TAS Mandarin instructor Ms. Li Chen Tsai, decided to move back to the U.S. This school year marks the family’s return to Taiwan after seven years abroad.

Mr. Ciambarella will be teaching U.S. History and AP U.S. History. “I equally love and am fascinated by both U.S. and Taiwanese history and culture,” he says.

“It’s funny: when I am in U.S. schools, I most enjoy teaching World History and World Religions courses so I can teach American kids about Taiwan and Asian culture. But when I am in Taiwan I most enjoy teaching U.S. History and culture. I enjoy showing students how U.S. History really is a great experiment unique in human history, where different peoples and cultures from all over the world are trying to come to together in the USA to create a true democracy of, by, and for all peoples.”

Ultimately, Mr. Ciambarella hopes that through this instruction, he will be able to help students use this knowledge for political awareness and advocacy.

“I love to show students that we are part of this wonderful experiment ourselves,” he says. “We can help make it a truer reality.”

august 10, 2017 | 9

After pursuing educational and work opportunities abroad, these former Taiwan residents are returning to work at TAS.

BY SHEREEN LEE

GABRIEL

DR. ENGLISH From early on in life, Dr. David Gabriel nurtured a fascination with languages and cultures which surpassed the limitations of his access. While he had already begun to pursue a Medieval Literature and History degree at the University of Cambridge, some areas of the world remained closed off to him.

“Growing up in a small town on the far edge of Europe in the 1970s and 80s,” he says, “it was rare to hear even a few phrases of Chinese language. If a book on Chinese art or literature appeared in the library I treated it as a great treasure.” So when the Taiwanese government offered him a chance to study Chinese for a year, Dr. Gabriel jumped at the chance. “I simply had to. And havingg myy spent p time here in Taiwan, myy initial

interest in Chinese things naturally extended to an interest in specifically Taiwanese aspects of culture.”

Dr. Gabriel continued the rest of his studies across several U.S. institutions. He returns to Taiwan as a TAS teacher in Honors American Literature, Honors Contemporary Literature, and Honors English for the first time in over twenty years. As he transitions between working as a university professor and a high school teacher, Dr. Gabriel hopes to find many commonalities between his teaching approaches. “Ultimately, the experience centers on the same basic relationship,” he says. “I want you as students to develop your intellectual and emotional autonomy, and if you’re willing to let me I will do whatever I can to help you achieve that. All the rest is details.”

Haynes

Mr. Mr. Ryan Haynes combined his love of travel and teaching when he began a teaching journey internationally across Asia and the Middle East.

Mr. Haynes’s life in Taiwan and at TAS was a beginning point in his career, and now he returns as a director of Academic and Personal Counseling.

Earlier on, he had been a counselor for the International School of Bangkok and The American International School of Muscat, among others.

“I decided to work at TAS because it’s a great school with a great reputation,” he says. “It has wonderful teachers and students, and great facilities and resources. TAS is a place where I will grow as an educator.”

COUNSELING

TAS has wonderful teachers and students. [It] is a place where I will grow as an educator.

“I love the people, the scenery, the easy access to outdoors,” says Mr. Haynes.

“I’m excited to re-join the community.”

For online-exclusive profiles of new teachers and students in the community, visit blueandgoldonline.org.

By Anya Lai and Julian Lee

NICOLE HANG (‘18)

CANDICE LEE (‘18) What made your summer travels unique?

I went to Germany this summer to train and compete with my horses! I think Germany is a unique summer destination among TAS students because people would rather be in the States, or somewhere where the sun is always shining.

Most memorable experience?

I was getting ready for a night out when a friend of mine asked me if Taiwan was next to Africa. I went on to explain in depth (I pulled out a map and showed him where all the countries were) that Taiwan is as far east as he could go away from Africa.

The night was great but I’ll never forget the moment he asked that.

What made your summer travels unique?

I went to the Harvard Pre-College Program, enrolling in the Fundamentals of Epidemiology course to learn about disease control. Although I spent most of my free time doing homework, we were allowed to travel wherever we wanted before the 11pm curfew, which gave me the full experience of college freedom. In just 2 weeks, I was able to learn so much and meet so many amazing people.

Most memorable experience?

Hanging out with my friends at night in front of the famous Harvard Widener Library. It was really nice to be able to chill with a group of friends that you can both act crazy and talk intellectually with.

ELLEN CHEN (‘20)

DHIRPAL SHAH (‘20) HENRICK KOO (‘19) What made your summer travels unique?

My mom found a camp in Granada where I could experience Spanish culture while studying abroad.

We were completely immersed in the Spanish language; we either had to speak their language or not speak at all. My skills really improved a lot.

Most memorable experience?

The most memorable experience in Spain was when I played soccer with the local kids. They didn’t speak any English, so it was interesting for me to communicate with them in Spanish during the soccer game. We ended up becoming really good friends, and after that day, they would regularly visit the camp again to play soccer with us.

What made your summer travels unique?

My family and I went to Greece this summer, to enjoy the great food and beaches (I learned that many people in Greece are not ashamed of public nudity on the beach). I really loved Greece because I not only got to see lots of rich ancient culture such as the Parthenon, I was also able to try modern day entertainment like jet skiing and wakeboarding.

Most memorable experience?

My favorite memory of this trip was when I went jet skiing because it made me feel like I was Dom from the Fast and Furious series. When I was in Santorini, I also rode a donkey which was a very interesting experience.

ANDREW WANG (‘21)

What made your summer travels unique?

My family carries Australian passports, so we went to Brisbane to visit relatives and friends. The weather was also very nice-— it was the warmest winter I’ve experienced. My house is near the Gold Coast, which is not a busy area, so unlike Taiwan, people aren’t rushing everywhere and you can only see a few cars.

Most memorable experience?

The best part of summer was seeing Ray Chen, a really famous Taiwanese-Australian violinist. He gave an amazing concert, and afterwards I got to actually meet him and we took photos together.

What made your summer travels unique?

I went to Taidong to work with Heart to Heart at a camp where we taught local kids not only English, but also the opportunities that come from learning the language in our world.

Most memorable experience?

There was a kid at the camp who would always speak to his teachers in English, even though he didn’t have the best speaking ability. He got some stick from his friends because they thought he sounded unintelligent, but I told him to never stop speaking English, because that was the only way he could improve.

CLUBS TO JOIN

By Julian Lee

NEW CLUB

[OLIVIA HSIN]

STAFF FAVORITE

ESTABLISHED

[CYNTHIA YEH]

[AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL FACEBOOK]

Makeup Club

Amnesty International

Orphanage Club

The Makeup Club seeks to bring together editorial and creative makeup enthusiasts, giving them a platform to discuss their new ideas and learn from each other. The club will hold biweekly meetings, and is planning a series of special events to spread their members’ passion for makeup to the wider school community. For example, they aim to compile, publish, and sell a magazine featuring members’ makeup designs, with the proceeds from the sale going to charity. “We welcome anyone who is interested, from a first-timer to an expert,” says Harrison Yu (‘20). “This club is for people who want to explore their talents, build themselves as artists, or just have some fun!”

One of TAS’ more established clubs, Amnesty International (AI) advocates for human rights. Its popular AI Cafe charity show raises funds and awareness for human rights issues and provides the perfect stage for music lovers to exhibit their talents while simultaneously helping the world. Amnesty also holds petition-signing campaigns to demand the release of political prisoners, and caps off the year with their Art Auction in March. TAS artists can submit their work to the Auction, which sold over 30 artworks to fundraise for human rights last year. This year, AI will be led by president Alex Huang (‘18), who says to prospective members, “Human rights are increasingly under threat from all over—join our fight!”

Orphanage Club (OC) was founded in 1970 by veteran teacher Mr. Richard Arnold, and has showed no signs of slowing down since, with a whopping 96 members in 2016-17. For students who are serious about service, Orphanage Club offers countless opportunities to directly help the Taipei community, including outings to orphanages and the weekly Friday Impaired Vision English Program (FIVE) program. With US$ 2 million donated to charities throughout its 47year history, the club’s social impact is unparalleled—as co-president Melody Chen (‘18) says, “It’s true that OC asks a little more time from its members, but we can attest to truly changing the world for the better.”

To join Amnesty International, email amnesty@tas.tw

To join Orphanage Club, email

To join Makeup Club, email harrisony20115318@tas.tw or oliviah20114728@tas.tw

tas.orphanageclub@gmail.com.

Keep an eye on our social media for more staff club picks!

S

M

August W

T

F

S

1

2

3

4

5

9

8

10

11 S1 Sports Tryouts

T

12

6

7

13

14

S1 Sports Tryouts

S1 Sports Tryouts

S1 Sports Tryouts Dance Production Audtions

S1 Sports Tryouts Dance Production Audtions

S1 Sports Tryouts Dance Production Audtions

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

29

30

27

28

Yearbook Photos

15

Yearbook Photos

S

M

T

3

4

10

16

Yearbook Photos

First Day of School

17

S1 Sports Tryouts Dance Showcase

31

Yearbook Photos

September W

T

F

S

5

6

7

8

9

11

12

13

14

15

16

18 17 S1 Sports Exchange

19

20

21

22

23

25

26

28

29

30

S7

Teams Return

24

S1

US AMIS Jazz Festival Returns US NOVA

US Progress Reports

M 2

27

1

PD Day S1 Sports Exchange S1 Sports Exchange US Drama Workshop

US AMIS Jazz Festival US AMIS Jazz Festival US AMIS Jazz Festival US Nova US Drama Production US Departure Drama Production

October

3

W 4

PD Day

T5

F6

T

2

Autumn Break

Autumn Break

Autumn Break

9

10

11

12

S1 IASAS

13 S1 IASAS

14

15

16

17 N.H.S Induction

18

19

20

21

25

26

27

28

8

S1 IASAS Arrival

22

23

29

30

Autumn Break

Ceremony End of Quarter 1

24

31

S1 IASAS Departure

S1 IASAS