Back to School 2017

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VOLUME 5

I S S UE 1 VOLU ME 5 ISSUE 1

S E P TE M B ER SEPTEMBER 2017

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DEAR READERS

We would first like to start off and say that it is an incredible honor to be serving in the role of Co-Editors-in-Chief this year. In this issue, we bring to you, along with our enthusiastic and diligent team, the first publication of The Quill for the 2017-2018 ICS academic year. This could not have been possible without the unceasing support from the ICS faculties, alumni, students, and you—the readers.

This Back to School issue features articles ranging from an introduction of six new teachers and two returning teachers, to opinion editorials, poetry, short stories, and more! In light of the hard work put in by our writers, photographers, and layout designers, we hope you will take to heart this snapshot of the world we have bestowed upon you.

All the best, PUNPUN & AMY

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TA B LE OF CONTENTS

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Letter from the PRINCIPAL

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Student Council President MO SRIPITAK

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Mr. JOHNNY PYON

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Mrs. EUNICE PYON

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Ms. ISABEL KULP

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Mr. GERSOM DE KONING

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Mrs. DIANE BONNER

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Mrs. JEN LEMBRIGHT

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Mrs. DENISE CROSS

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Mr. JACK BARR

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CHERRY CHAINANPIPOB & JAJA TETANONSAKUL

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Class Representatives

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Donald Trump’s Lesson to Leaders Worldwide

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Freeze

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Under Plain Sight Part 1

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TEAM Mark Cooprider Advisor

Amy Limtrajiti

Co-Editor-in-Chief

Pawan Wirawarn Art Director

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PunPun Leelamanthep Co-Editor-in-Chief

Allan Rubio Amy Jain Arjav Sanghavi Daniel Shin David Bang Ferdinand Edward Gene Boonpienpol

WRITERS Hayoung You Hyunwoo Koh Isaiah Xumsai na Ayudhaya Joseph Ha Jessica Shah Jedi Kanchanabogin Jooyoung Kim

EDITORS Alex Tam Arjav Sanghavi Erica Kim Karuna Khatri Pumpanchat Suthisamphat LAYOUT DESIGNERS Kantapat Jungpaibul Napatsorn Chadanuntakul Pawan Wirawarn Ruchipat Kumpusiri Yunkyoung Kim

McKenna Sanchez Naran Suvarnpradip Pam Rangchaikul Serumi Yoon Tachpol Posaphiwat Thanapeam Sirisereewattana Vichida Phisitkul

PHOTOGRAPHERS Apichaya Sethaudom Artch Dechpokked Chayut Srirungrojana Joanna Pinsuvana Napassorn Wongakkarakhun Nattee Soorapanthu Nutthun Tulayathun Ouki Nishioka Pawat Wirawan Thaam Limwattananon Thapakorn Yongphiphatwong Werawut Withayarukson Gene Boonpienpol

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FROM THE PRINCIPAL Dear ICS HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, Welcome back to the greatest school on earth! I hope you all had a wonderful summer break and I pray the start to this new school year has been fantastic. I have to say that I was thrilled for the school year to start as this place is very lonely and boring with no students here! I have missed you all and it makes me happy to see and interact with you every day!

As we begin this school year, I would like to encourage you to take advantage of the opportunities you have at ICS! Every day, you have the opportunity to be a better version of yourself and make a difference in your life and the lives of others! Seize the opportunity you have to learn in the high quality academic environment at ICS. Make the most of the extra-curricular opportunities available and get involved! Capitalize on an opportunity to encourage a friend, engage in conversation, show kindness and invest in relationships! You, students, are an integral part of this amazing community, take the opportunities you have and do something awesome!

Freshmen, welcome to high school! You made it, you’ve arrived and the craziness that was middle school is over! I hope that you find the high school to be a place where you can continue to find yourself and be confident in who you are. Sophomores and Juniors, you keep us all sane and stable. Keep it up. Seniors, this is your last year at ICS! This year will fly by faster than you can imagine. Enjoy your last days inside these walls and savor every minute of being with each other, it will be a time that you remember forever.

I am honored to serve you all again this year! May this be the best year ICS has seen yet!

God bless, MR. LUC

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Student Council President

MO SRIPITAK Interview by Tachpol Posaphiwat Photos by Ouki Nishioka

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HOW WAS YOUR SUMMER BREAK? Frankly, my summer break was extremely busy.

school students with the teachers. We will also do minor events on special days to promote school spirit.

HAS SENIORITIS HIT YOU? Not so much yet. I feel like I still have a lot to accomplish during the first semester. I still have to keep up with my grades, go through the application process, and fulfill my duties as the President of the Student Council.

Because there are so many things going on, I cannot afford to slack off yet.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE STUDENT COUNCIL TEAM SO FAR? The Student Council team is great! In our discussions, all the class representatives and officers have given insightful comments and opinions, thus lessening the burden on the Executive team.

Everyone does their job in an exemplary fashion, and I’m really grateful for such a responsible team!

COULD YOU PLEASE BRIEFLY INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND YOUR TITLE TO STUDENTS WHO DO NOT KNOW YOU ALREADY? I am a senior, and as I have previously mentioned, I serve as the president of Student Council this year. I have been at ICS since second grade, and I really love the community here!

WHAT DOES BEING “PRESIDENT” MEAN TO YOU? By serving as President, I am able to give something back to the community I hold dear. It gives me the opportunity to unite the high school student body through school events and activities, as well as to encourage the talents of students in their own ways.

COULD YOU PLEASE BRIEFLY INTRODUCE YOUR TEAM AND YOUR DUTIES? The Student Council includes two class representatives from each grade, and four members from the executive team— the president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer. The Student Council hosts events that we believe will unite the high

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WHAT CAN THE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT BODY EXPECT FROM YOU AND YOUR TEAM THIS SCHOOL YEAR? The Student Council plans to have three main events this year: ICS Got Talent, HS Banquet, and a sports day. I guarantee that the upcoming school year will be awesome! We will not disappoint you!

WHAT DO YOU PERSONALLY LOOK FORWARD TO THE MOST THIS YEAR? A high school sports day is something I have dreamt of since I was a freshman.

So now that I have the opportunity to do so, I would like to make it happen. If the event is approved, it will certainly be what I look forward to the most.

BEING A SENIOR YOURSELF, DO YOU HAVE ANY WORDS OF ADVICE FOR THE UNDERCLASSMEN? I think it is imperative to set goals and priorities. This way, given the overwhelming things you have to do, you will be able to manage your time well.

Also, as long as you work hard, you’ll definitely do well!

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MR JOHNNY

PYON

Interview by Pam Rangchaikul Photos by Napassorn Wongakkarakhun

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WHERE DID YOU WORK PREVIOUSLY? I was teaching at North Shore High School in New York.

WHAT DID YOU MAJOR IN? I’m a chemistry teacher here, of course, but my major is actually biology.

WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO THAILAND? I’m a missionary. My family was sent here by my church in New York to do ministry here in Thailand, and to help start a church. We’ve been here for two and a half years. Since we know that we’ll be staying here for a long time, so together with my wife, we decided to work part-time here at ICS. We both work part-time, so together, it’s like one full-time

WHAT ARE YOUR FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF ICS AND ITS STUDENTS? Okay. Well, my first impression, when I came here a long time ago, was very good. As a parent, I thought it was great since my children came in and started learning in the middle of the school year, but everything went smoothly. And as a teacher, I don’t know about my students.

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WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD ABOUT ICS? Hmm, I’m not sure. Right now, I’m just thinking about how to survive this week. But if I have to choose, it’d be seeing my first batch of students graduate. That’d be fun.

WHAT WAS YOUR MOTIVATION TO STUDY HARD DURING HIGHSCHOOL? I didn’t study hard in high school.

But I study hard on the subjects that I like because I enjoy them. Oh, and the other motivations are I want to help my friends and make people see that I’m smart. For example, there was a math test and my friends needed my help, so I studied so that I could explain it to them later. But I was being selfish though since I wanted other people to think I was smart and nice, but really, I was just expecting something in return.

WHAT’S YOUR ADVICE TO STUDENTS THAT ARE STRIVING FOR GOOD GRADES? I’d say do the best you can to get the highest grade you can get. But don’t think that the grade defines or determines who you are. For example, if you get a C, it doesn’t mean that you’re a bad person. And if you can seperate it a little bit, I think you will be less stressed. But that’s also hard because you worked hard for it, so it’s difficult to not be disappointed.

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MRS EUNICE

PYON

Interview by Jooyoung Kim Photos by Nattee Soorapanthu

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CAN YOU PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF? Sure! My name is Eunice Pyon, I was born in South Korea, but when I was three I moved to the United States, I grew up in California, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

That’s where I received most of my education. Right after we got married, (my husband and I) we moved out to New York City, and that’s where we lived the second half of our lives.

YOU WERE IN ICS FOR TWO YEARS AS A PARENT. WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO BECOME A TEACHER? You know, we really didn’t have any plans to become teachers here, but we really think that it was God who lead us to become teachers here. We both have backgrounds in chemistry; he [Mr. Johnny] is a biology and a chemistry teacher. I was a chemistry major, and an undergrad at both in education.

Over the past two years we have been studying Thai, and we started a church here last November. We really didn’t have plans to work as

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teachers, but at the same time that we started our third year in Thailand, ICS had a need for chemistry teachers. So, the administration approached us and asked, especially Johnny because he is a certified high school teacher, if we would consider teaching. Neither of us could do full-time. We prayed and talked a lot about it with our church and thought that maybe if we both did part-time that would work well because we plan to live here for many many years to come. We believe this may be a way for God to allow us to sustain our long-term life here.

AS YOU PROGRESS INTO THE YEARS, WHAT WOULD YOU THINK TO BE A CHALLENGE THAT YOU MUST OVERCOME? I think the challenge for us is that we want to be in a Thai environment because we want to function in the Thai society. But since ICS is an international community, we hear more English now than we did before working at ICS, so that’s a challenge as we have to try and keep our lives infused with Thai as much as possible.

WHAT ARE THE TWO GOOD THINGS ABOUT WORKING IN ICS? I love interacting with the students because they are just so much fun. Two, the community and the support within ICS from like the teachers and the administration. So, overall I would say it’s the people, but the commute is also great because it takes me about five minutes to get here. That’s wonderful too!

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MS ISABEL

KULP

Interview by Gene Boonpienpol Photos by Gene Boonpienpol

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CAN YOU GIVE A BRIEF INTRODUCTION ABOUT YOURSELF? I’m Miss Isabel Kulp. I am from the United States and I have lived in six different states throughout my life. I majored in education at Covenant College, and I’ve just finished my masters at Covenant. I also taught at a public middle school last year before coming to Thailand. I also did internships in Mexico and Indonesia.

The internships were great and they encourage me to teach in foreign countries.

WHAT ABOUT YOUR FAMILY? I have two older sisters , an older brother, two younger sisters, and one younger

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brother. So, I have 6 brothers and sisters (7 kids in the family including me). I also have two nieces and nephews.

Yeah! My family is pretty big and they are absolutely wonderful to be with!

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO JOIN ICS? I was impressed by the way Mr. Darren presented the vision, mission, and core values of ICS. That is why I decided to come teach here.

WHAT’S YOUR JOB/ POSITION HERE AT ICS? I am a high school science teacher and I teach Chemistry and AP Environmental Science.

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WHAT IS YOUR FIRST MPRESSION ABOUT ICS? I really appreciate the diversity of the students in this school and the amount of involvement that the teachers and students have with each other.

ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO ANYTHING AT ICS? I’m looking forward to be involved with my Life Group that I’m co-leading with Mr. Mark.

I’m also looking forward to know more about the members in my lifegroup. I’m stoked to talk to them and meet them every Tuesday! I’m also looking forward to lifeguarding, and coaching the swim team!

WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES? WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO? When I have free time, I really like to cook. I’ve been learning and trying to cook Thai food since I came here. I also like to knit and explore new places that I’ve never seen. My favorite country that I’ve been to is Mexico.

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WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF A SMART PERSON? I consider myself an “intelligent” person, but I never like academics and the idea of being in school. I consider myself an “experiential learner” because I learn things better by doing it in action.

WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO WORK HARD IN SCHOOL? I always want to do a great job in anything I do. In Colossians 3:23, it says “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters”. This verse reminds me that they are more important things to accomplish than just making people happy.

God has given me the ability to work hard, and I want to use my ability to honor God.

WHAT’S YOUR ADVICE OR WISE WORDS FOR THE STUDENTS WHO ARE STRESSING ABOUT GRADES? Focus on the things that are going to last. When you get grades or scores in school, those grades won’t follow you for the rest of your lives.

The experiences that you have and the relationships that you build will affect you permanently. Enjoy your high school life while it lasts!

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MR

GERSOM DE KONING

Words by Jessica Shah

Photos by Joanna Pinsuvana

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Are our drama teachers changing each year like the Defense against the Dark Arts teachers at Hogwarts? Mr. Gersom or Mr. G, as he likes to call himself, is our new high school drama teacher!

WHERE ARE YOU FROM? I am originally from the Netherlands, I am born in Loei, Thailand, a village with about forty

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people. I’ve been doing quite a lot of traveling; first to England. I also went to the Netherlands and remained in Malaysia for two years, where I attended a boarding school.

After that, I transferred to ICS and graduated as a member of the Class of 2008. Most of my college years were spent in the Netherlands and England for my master’s degree along with some freelancing work.

DID YOU ALWAYS WANT TO BE A DRAMA TEACHER? Despite my affection towards drama and theatre, becoming a drama teacher wasn’t my first option. I first wanted to be a Spanish teacher, or a history teacher—but then, I didn’t like it.

Then in 11th and 12th grade, I was in a lot of the school productions such as It’s a Wonderful Life, Seussical, Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Scrooge. I also acted numerous roles during college, some of them paid for, but the rest were unpaid. Being an actor isn’t a tremendously lucrative job.

Additionally, I’ve composed and recorded music for some films as well.

WHEN DID YOU GET MARRIED? I actually had a high school sweetheart, and, eventually, we got married. We were both pretty young then, but now we have our first baby on the way in a month.

This is one of the things I’m looking forward to, along with the High School Musical production and my other plays for next year.

WHAT IS AN EARNEST ADVICE YOU HAVE FOR ALL STUDENTS? Take drama, it is the one class that you will, for sure, use in your adult life.

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MRS DIANE

BONNER Interview by David Bang Photos by Nutthun Tulayathun

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CAN YOU GIVE US A BRIEF INTRODUCTION OF YOURSELF? I’m Mrs. Diane, and this is my first time being a teacher. I got a bachelor’s degree in Beijing, and I worked for many companies before coming here. I used to run my own business.

WHAT IS YOUR FIRST IMPRESSION OF ICS? I really liked the students. They are fun, and I really enjoy teaching them. I am so happy that they understand what I teach. People also seem to love each other and focus on their missions.

WHY DID YOU JOIN ICS? I didn’t want to be a teacher at first because I thought it would be a very difficult job. Mr. Bryan, my husband, told me that this position was available.

And after extensive praying, I found myself here.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO CHANGE ABOUT HOW YOU DID IN SCHOOL? I would like to improve my English. I think it would be crucial to be able to explain and communicate my thoughts clearly.

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WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO BE A MAJOR IN CHINESE? My grandfather moved from China when he was 19, so I wanted to know more about China and the language that my cousins speak.

HOW CAN SOMEONE DO WELL IN YOUR CLASS? Hard work, passion, and attentiveness are the three keys to success. Chinese is hard, so having effort is vital.

WE LEARNED IN CHAPEL THAT YOU HAVE A TWIN. WHAT MAKES YOU DIFFERENT COMPARED TO HER? We are so different. She’s pretty tough, and I can be very whiny.

We also have different bonds.

WHAT OTHER HOBBIES DO YOU HAVE? I love making soap. I also like watching movies.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE WORD OR PHRASE IN MANDARIN? “I think my favorite word is ren(忍). It means patience.

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MRS JENNIFER

LEMBRIGHT Interview by Thanapeam Sirisereewattana Photos by Thapakorn Yongphiphatwong

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WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE YOU CAME TO ICS? I went to college and graduate school for business and high school teaching, but I spent the early part of my career working in College Admissions and the business sector. For the last 10 years, we have lived abroad from India to Malaysia and now, to Thailand. I spent most of that time as a full-time mom.

WHAT BROUGHT YOU THAILAND? My husband’s job with the Institution of International Education (IIE) brought us to Bangkok, and we absolutely love it!

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WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT JOB AND POSITION IN ICS? I work as a part-time High School College and Career Counselor here at ICS. ARE THERE ANY ACTUAL REASONS ON WHY YOU DECIDED TO JOIN ICS? I have always wanted to return to education and because our family loves ICS so much (our children are in 6th, 4th and K4), it was the perfect fit!

HOW DID YOU KNOW ABOUT ICS? Believe it or not, some of our good friends in Kuala Lumpur happened to be good friends of

Mike and Lyn Holden. When they learned that we were moving to Bangkok, they told us to check ICS out!

WHAT ARE YOUR CURRENT IMPRESSIONS OF ICS, ITS STUDENTS, AND STAFF? My first impressions of a close-knit and caring community still hold true after three or more years—and even more so, now that I’m on staff.

Staff and students place a high value on learning and relationships, and that is such a formidable combination.

WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO STUDY HARD IN SCHOOL? I knew from an early age that I wanted to attend college, so I worked hard to prepare well. I also had three sisters, and we were all quite competitive against one another. That definitely helped in my path of hard and dedicated work.

ANY WORDS OF ADVICE? The wonderful thing about working in the college process, is we get to see students from all types of backgrounds and academic levels succeeding and developing a future that fits well with their gifts, regardless of past struggles. My advice for students who struggle academically is to not only find the academic support needed, but try to find a personal mentor that can help you identify and support your unique strengths and contributions. An excellent place to start is within your HS Counseling Department!

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MRS DENISE

CROSS Interview by Amy Jain Photos by Artch Dechpokked

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CAN YOU GIVE US A BRIEF INTRODUCTION ABOUT YOURSELF? Ah, of course! So, I’m originally from Queensland, Australia, which is up north. I have been an art teacher for 15 years now, and right now, I am a practicing artist.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO BE AN ART TEACHER AND TEACH ART? It’s just a wonderful expression, and so many people can be creative. It’s just a whole different world compared to other subjects.

AS YOU’RE A RETURNING TEACHER, WHAT BRINGS YOU BACK TO ICS? In a nutshell, we just believed that the Lord prompted us to return. We were actually emailed and asked if we were interested. Then, my husband and I simply had to pray about it, and we had an absolute peace over time that it was the right choice for our family.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST IMPRESSION OF MODERN-DAY ICS ?

Absolutely beautiful! I sincerely mean that because I know it sounds cliché, but the students are incredibly respectful and appear to really enjoy the work any teacher gives them to do. It really does make a huge difference.

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HAVE YOU NOTICED ANY CHANGES AT ICS SINCE YOU WERE HERE AND NOW THAT YOU’RE BACK? Well, it’s absolutely just grown so much more—and not just in size. It has really developed in the aspects of education, resources, and facilities, so I think it has grown in a big way.

WE HEARD IN CHAPEL THAT YOU USED TO BE A BODYBUILDER -- SO HOW DID YOU GET INTO TEACHING ART? Before I taught art, I was an aerobic instructor and gym supervisor.

And after a while, I thought, “I can’t do this all my life, jumping around from job to job. I definitely can’t see myself doing this when I’m 80!” So I decided to come teach instead. I wasn’t a Christian at the time, so it wasn’t a God-thing. But I can see how God used that as my stepping stone into teaching art.’

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR THOSE STUDENTS OUT THERE WHO’RE SUPER STRESSED AND TRYING TO GET THE PERFECT GRADE? You just have to focus on doing your best, and seriously, the best is what matters. It isn’t about being perfect, because guess what?

None of us is!

WHAT WAS YOUR MOTIVTION FOR STUDYING WHEN YOU WERE BACK IN SCHOOL? Well, it’s really interesting how you said that because I remember myself around high school, thinking about how if I don’t work hard, who else is going to?

WHAT IS A PIECE OF ADVICE TO YOUR STUDENTS TO HELP THEM SUCCEED IN YOUR CLASS? Don’t live your life choosing not to do something out of fear of failing. Instead, see those things as opportunities to learn, live, and grow!

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MR

JACK BARR Interview by McKenna Sanchez

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YOU WERE PREVIOUSLY HERE AT ICS, BUT YOU MOVED BACK TO THE U.S. WHERE DID YOU GO IN THE U.S. AND WHY? Well, we moved back to the U.S. because my daughter, Marley, needed speech therapy. She was diagnosed with dyspraxia, and the type of therapy that she needed was not available in Bangkok. So, we moved back to Tennessee, and I worked in a dorm as a dorm director. I also coached Varsity soccer.

WHAT BROUGHT YOU BACK TO ICS? We really missed the community at ICS and the students, and when I found out that the previous A.D. [Athletics Director] was leaving, I contacted ICS. We also found a speech

therapist in the Philippines that was willing to come to Thailand and work with our daughter and address her needs.

HOW DOES YOUR FIRST TIME JOINING ICS COMPARE TO THIS TIME? Oh, way different! The first time we came, we didn’t know anything about living in Asia; we didn’t know where anything was. Now, we’re familiar with the Bangna areas and how to get different items here. It’s definitely been an easier transition than last time.

WHEN YOU WERE IN HIGH SCHOOL, WOULD YOU HAVE CONSIDERED YOURSELF STUDIOUS? No, not at all! I basically did enough to get by and be eligible to play sports. To play sports, we had to have a 2.0 GPA, and I had like a 2.4 GPA. I didn’t start taking studying seriously until I began working on my master’s degree.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR STUDENTS FEELING STRESSED ABOUT SCHOOL? I think one of the best things students can do is to participate in a variety of different activities. If I get stressed studying all time, it helps me to do something else— like running or reading.

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DO YOU HAVE ANY GOALS FOR THIS YEAR, PERSONAL OR IN GENERAL? Personally, I’m trying to focus more on my prayer life.

For professional goals, I really want to see the athletic program improve and become more integrated in the community.

WHAT GRADE LEVEL OR AGE GROUP DO YOU MOST ENJOY TEACHING? The high school body! Not only do they learn the activity or sport, but I can

also go deeper with them and talk about their plans after high school, their values, beliefs, and so on. I feel like with elementary, it’s hard to get that connection.

ANYTHING YOU’D LIKE TO ADD? We’ve really missed ICS and the community here, and I’m really looking forward to this upcoming year what with being the Athletic Director and also trying to continue what’s been going on for the past couple years.

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Senior Council President and Vice President

CHERRY CHAINANPIPOB & JAJA TETANONSAKUL Interview by Naran Suvarnpradip Photos by Pawat Wirawarn

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WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED FOR THIS YEAR? Jaja: I am most excited for making everything the best it can be, every single event, like selling the notebooks and agendas, the carnival, and then the senior trip.

Cherry: For me, at the beginning of the year, I looked forward to every event, just like Jaja. Since the beginning of summer, we’ve really worked hard on the notebooks and the agendas, and it really paid off.

Now we’re waiting for carnival to happen, and most of all, the senior trip in February.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST NERVOUS ABOUT THIS YEAR? J: For me, it is the regrets I might have later on—after everything’s done. So now, my goal is give my best attempt at everything, so I don’t have to regret anything later on.

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C: I am also nervous about carnival and with everything that might go wrong. However, I’m more nervous about choosing the hotel for the senior trip because everyone has different preferences, and not everyone may like our decisions.

WHAT IS THE HARDEST PART OF PREPARING FOR THE CARNIVAL? J: I would say it’s buying the right amount of prizes and supplies for everyone because we don’t even know how many things we need until the day before the carnival.

With that said, we still need to prepare it a week ahead.

C: I would say that the preparation process, itself, is the hardest because our treasurer worked really hard to fund our carnival, and our secretary also worked super hard to design all of the posters and ads.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO RUN FOR THE POSITION YOU ARE CURRENTLY IN? J: I am the vice president, and so when I heard that the vice president is all about carnival—or mostly about carnival—I just felt like I wanted to join this Senior Council to make our carnival the best one yet. Also, because I like my president [Cherry], I wanted to support her by running for vice president.

C: I really feel like I’m connected to our whole class, and I feel like I have the potential to make our class united to do amazing things, so that, by the end, we would have the best senior trip we could have!

THIS IS YOUR LAST YEAR HERE AT ICS. HOW WILL YOU MAKE THE MOST OF IT? J: Love everyone no matter what!

C: No ragrets!

DO YOU FEEL ANY DIFFERENT AS YOU TRANSCEND INTO SENIOR YEAR? J: I miss the class of 2017, and I would like to thank them too!

Now, we’ve replaced their position as seniors, and a lot of things have changed for us.

Cherry: We were used to looking up to the seniors and thinking, “Oh, they’re so old,” but now we don’t have anyone to look up to.

Now, we’re the seniors, and we have no more “roonpees” [upperclassmen]. I feel like

everything we do now influences all the underclassmen, so you can consider us as your role models.

HAVING MADE IT THIS FAR, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO UNDERCLASSMEN IN TERMS OF DEALING WITH STRESS AND RESPONSIBILITIES? J: Stress and responsibility is something big, but I feel like, sometimes, you just have to be responsible yourself. I think the important part of school is actually your friends and your classes because they are the only things that you’ll remember your whole life, not the workload. So, make good friends and love your classes!

C: For me, just be happy, love your friends, and love Jesus!

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Seniors Class Representatives

HAPPY NISHIOKA &

PLENG SRIMONGKOL Interview by Hyunwoo Koh Photos by Werawut Withayarukson

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HOW IS IT LIKE BEING A SENIOR? Happy: It feels amazing. I feel like I’m on the top of the food chain.

Pleng: Scary!

IS BEING A SENIOR EASYGOING AS YOU EXPECTED? H: Being a senior is very chill—I’ve been living every moment as if it’s my last.

P: Nope! There are so many things

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that are going on right now!

Capstone and college applications are what is hard.

ARE YOU DISAPPOINTED OR SCARED THAT YOU HAVE TO BE SEPARATED FROM YOUR FRIENDS? H: I am extremely devastated that I’ll have to be separated from my loved ones after high school. But no matter which continent I’m in,

ANY REGRETS OR THINGS YOU WISH TO DO AGAIN BEFORE YOU GRADUATE? H: I’d probably try to date everyone in my grade before being a senior again.

P: I wish to see the class of 2018 bonding again.

WHAT WAS AN ADVANTAGE AND DISADVANTAGE OF ICS? H: ICS is a great community filled with love and joy; the teachers and students here are like family to you. However, the disadvantage of ICS is forcing students to take subjects they do not enjoy, like JCHL and choir.

WHAT SUBJECT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND TO THE YOUNGER CLASSMEN, AND WHAT SUBJECT WOULD YOU NOT RECOMMEND? P: AP Psychology! It is a must! Mr. Todd provides every single detail!

What I don’t recommend is following your friends. If you aren’t interested in the subject, then don’t go for it.

I know my friends will always be there for me.

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS IN ICS TO ACCOMPLISH AS A SENIOR? H: I’d love to end my last soccer season with 100 goals and 50 assists.

P: Not to fail any classes and to spend a much time as I can with my friends for the last year.

DO YOU RECOMMEND CAMPUS DATING (DATING PEOPLE AT ICS)?

H: I’d recommend campus dating because there’s nothing better than the ability to see your girlfriend/boyfriend’s beautiful face everyday. “If you like someone, tell them. If you miss someone, tell them. If you love someone, show it. Life is too short to keep your feelings inside.”

P: Well, if you find a good person then why not? Everything is an experience, so go for it!

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Juniors Class Representatives

ALLAN RUBIO

&

MCKENNA SANCHEZ Interview by Daniel Shin Photos by Werawut Withayarukson

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WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CLASS OR SUBJECT? McKenna: Sociology, though I really like AP English.

Allan: My favorite classes are AP Language and Composition and AP Chemistry. They’re my two favorite subjects, and I’m always having fun—even if it’s hard.

enjoy pushing myself both mentally and physically; both of these clubs do that. Also, I really like the people in those clubs.

A: I’m involved in a number of clubs, but I’m mostly looking forward to the academic competitions next year. I’m especially optimistic MUN and World Scholar’s Cup.

WHAT ENCOURAGED YOU TO RUN FOR CLASS REPRESENTATIVE? M: I’d like to think I’m a good leader, and I thought I’d start with something to really test that. I would also like to do something similar to this when I’m older, so it’s a good learning experience.

A: My friends told me to run, and I thought it was a good idea too!

Mostly, though, I wanted to test and improve my abilities in leadership. The other runners were all great people that could’ve fulfilled the role just as well, if not better than me.

ACCORDING TO A LOT OF ICS STUDENTS, 11TH GRADE IS SUPPOSEDLY THE HARDEST YEAR. HAVING HAD A PEEK INTO THE YEAR, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE AWAITING THE SAME FATE AS YOURS? M: I would say, you only have two years left at ICS—you should make the most of it. Yes, it may be hard, but you’ll come out better for it.

So, try your best on your next tests, get involved in school activities, do what makes you happy, and it should turn out okay.

A: My key advice is to never be lazy. If there is time to do something, do it right away, otherwise you’ll end up sleeping at 3. I’m speaking from a lot of experience. If you’re taking APs, then make sure you stay focused on the themes.

BESIDES BEING A PART OF STUDENT COUNCIL, WHAT OTHER EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES ARE YOU INVOLVED IN? WHICH ONE IS YOUR FAVORITE AND WHY? M: Varsity volleyball, varsity basketball, MUN, World Scholar’s Cup club, Disaster Relief club, and the Quill. I think my favorite ones are World Scholar’s Cup club and the varsity sports because I really

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE HIGHSCHOOL USING THREE WORDS? M: Stressful, crucial, and reflective.

A: It’s a secret.

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Sophomore Class Representatives

GUNN JUNGPAIBUL & URIEL PALMOS Interview by Vichida Phisitkul Photos by Apichaya Sethaudom

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HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN STUDYING IN ICS? Uriel: I came to ICS in 2008 as a first grader.

Gunn: I came to ICS in 2013 as a sixth grader.

IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WANT TO TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF? U: I like to watch movies and TV series, travel, add to my collection of keychains, and, of course, sleep.

G: I guess I’ll start out with my favorite games, which are “Counter-Strike” and “Overwatch”. I really like the Harry Potter series. My favorite grade in ICS is, of course, 8th

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grade because even though I feel more mature, I still get the privilege of being in middle school.

HOW HAS YOUR HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE BEEN SO FAR? U: I started out feeling uncomfortable,since I wasn’t used to having other grades in my class; however, as time went on, I made new friends and settled in.

G: High school’s actually fun, but there’s just so much homework and so many tests. I feel like I’m sleeping really late each day, and it’s getting really tiring.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO DO AS CLASS REPS? U: I’m looking forward to leading the class through a good year and making good memories together!

G: Same here. In addition, I’d like to help out as much as I can with our grade’s carnival booth, Banquet, and most importantly, I’d like to help my class earn money so our Senior trip won’t have to be at Mega Bangna.

WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO BECOME CLASS REPS? U: I wanted to experience what it was like and how the Student Council works. I also wanted to help my class and the school as much as I could. It takes a lot to help plan school events and if I could contribute to that, then great.

G: At first, I never considered of joining the Student Council; however, my friends encouraged me to try it, and so, it was kind of an impulsive decision.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO NEW HIGH SCHOOLERS? U: My advice would be to enjoy high school. Sure, it seems pretty intimidating at first, but once you settle in, you’ll find it fun and quite cozy. Don’t shy away and shut yourself in from other high schoolers. Instead, go out there and socialize and make new friends.

G: Don’t procrastinate or get stressed, but just have fun! You don’t always have to follow what others want or expect you to do.

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Freshmen Class Representatives

PANN SRIPITAK & AMY JAIN Interview by Hayoung You Photos by Chayut Srirungrojana

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HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN AT ICS? Pann: I have been at ICS for nine years.

Amy: I’ve been here since first grade, so that makes it nine years now.

HOW HAS HIGHSCHOOL BEEN SO FAR? P: High school is not what I expected. The teachers are much more easy-going than I thought, and they treat you like adults. It’s awesome!

A: I think it’s different—a good kind of different—in comparison to middle school, which I’m looking forward to.

WHY DID YOU VOLUNTEER TO BE CLASS REP OF THE FRESHMEN CLASS? P: I volunteered as a class representative because I wanted to step up

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and try new things. I also like to interact with my friends and help with events, so I thought it would be perfect option for me.

A: One of the main reasons would definitely be because I wanted to serve and help organize the freshmen class and contribute to the community that I’ve been a part of and have grown to love in all these years.

WHAT IS SOME WORK THAT YOU’RE DOING AS CLASS REP? P: As a class representative, I have to meet with the Student Council every week and plan upcoming events. We also have the responsibility to tell our classmates about these events.

A: Well, as a class representative, I have to discuss and elaborate on new ideas, events, and inform our grade of what is going on and ask them about their opinions.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT BEING THE FRESHMEN CLASS REPRESENTATIVE? P: I love being involved in special things, so I just like the idea of being a class representative in general.

A: I think it’s just the idea of being involved in the Student Council and doing something special.

IS THERE A GOAL YOU HAVE THIS YEAR FOR THE CLASS OF 2021 AS A WHOLE? P: My goal is to involve the class of 2021 in events such as Spirit Week or Sports Day. A: I want to cooperate with the students and the Student Council to help unite the high school body through the events we [Student Council] have been planning.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACHIEVE THIS YEAR THROUGH YOUR POSITION? P: I really hope to represent a voice for the class of 2021!

A: I hope that, in the following year, I can use the position I’ve been given as a medium to represent our class and express the ideas of our grade.

ANY ADVICE FOR FUTURE CLASS REPS? P: Well, being class representative isn’t that challenging. It is, rather, tons of fun! You will have to give up some of your time, but other than that, being a class representative is awesome!

A: I think the key is to be willing to listen to other people and what they have to say. Plus, being a class representative isn’t as intimidating as it may sound. On the contrary, it’s actually really fun!

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Donald Trump’s

Lesson to Leaders Worldwide Written by Allan Rubio

T

he United States of America is a bastion of development, a global symbol of freedom, and a melting pot of cosmopolitan ideas. It is often looked to as an ‘ideal’ nation. In spite of that, if you have been paying any attention to the news lately, it is painstakingly obvious that that is not the case. Violence brought on by conflicting ideals has radically changed this once ‘ideal’ nation.

The situation being referenced here is the series of hate crimes and protests that took place in Charlottesville, Virginia. Alongside the negativity that stemmed from bitter protesting, people were injured and killed - all from problems that have supposedly been eradicated in the last century: racism, prejudice, and white supremacy. This is pretty ironic considering America’s title as one of the most developed countries.

As any great power comes with great responsibility, America’s decision to emphasize and encourage free speech as a nation has allowed negative ideas to become a weed - forever embedding itself within the great garden of the United States. The seeds planted by brave individuals like Rosa Park and Martin Luther King Jr. will be all for naught if this continues.

This should not be the case. America has overcome countless strifes, ones that are even greater than this in past times.

How can a nation that has passed through British colonialism and a massive civil war be so scared of such a miniscule protest? The difference this time around lies among the ideology of the the current president of the United States of America. The era of George Washington’s and Abraham Lincoln’s is over; it is the time of Donald J. Trump.

As stated multiple times, the actions that happened in Charlottesville are barbaric and should be condemned immediately by executives that

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have been voted in to represent the masses. Unfortunately, that was not the case. Trump angered many by taking a very vague stance in the first few days before finally, after severe media pressure, citing specific members of the KKK, neo-Nazis, and white supremacists, and calling such groups “repugnant to everything we hold dear as Americans.”

A leader by many’s definition is one who addresses the problems immediately as they appear. All it could’ve taken was one tweet - something he seems to very well - to criticize the wrongdoers in Charlottesville, but he decided to abstain.

What if all our leaders were like Trump, waiting to anger half the nation before finally taking action? Whatever the case may be for the United States, this example has brought up a thing or two for everyone to learn around the world.

Firstly and obviously, the only place racism should ever exist in the modern world is in history books. But secondly and less obviously, all leaders faced with a problem should never act in a way that would cause uncertainty in the population.

A leader is someone that people look up to.

This means being decisive, just, and fair for all of his or her followers. In a case like this, where a portion of the population is fighting for something morally incorrect and generally unaccepted, it does not matter what the leader’s personal stance on the problem is; it does not matter if he or she might aggravate the minority; he must do what is right for his population.

As the poet Walt Whitman once wrote, “America … initiates the true use of precedents. Does not repel them or the past or what they have produced under their forms, Takes the lesson with calmness … Any period one nation must lead, One land must be the promise and reliance of the future.”

I hope Donald Trump ‘does not repel...the past’ and learns what this passage has to say so that he may be ‘promise and reliance of the future’. But whatever the case may be, the events surrounding Charlottesville, Virginia, serve as a grim reminder of what is unacceptable in the future from any nation and ruler.

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FREEZE

Written by Jedi Kanchanabogin

Dark and pretty; she walks on by Deep in thoughts, she never stops Her presence, is it a truth or a lie?

When we speak, is it just her job?

Does she smile for me, or is she just sly?

Pick and choose she certainly can All men fall for that raven hair Skin as smooth as fine sand As soft as a day’s first sunray A lie? A woman made of porcelain Porcelain hands, so white, so cool Hand in hand, as coldness spreads Up the heart, the brain of a fool With a heart frozen, now I am dead Dead to the world, dead to time, just stuck with you

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Under Plain Sight - Part 1 Written by Ferdinand Edward & David Bang

Life is hardly ever rose coloured. I knew this from the very start as I first started walking the hallways of this faraway school. I never did expect much to begin with though. Call me a pessimist if you wish, but that was the reality that I was accustomed to. People don’t stand up for others. No one stops to help those in need. They let your guilt build up without a care in the world. If you fall behind, nothing changes. Time still goes on. Everyone moves on without you. And very soon, those who are left behind fade into oblivion, far into the depths of memory where no one cares to remember. We wait here, useless. I know what you are thinking. But no, there is no tragic story in my past that has enforced this worldview upon me; I have yet to experience any enlightenment of that sort. These are just my perspectives, the conclusions I have arrived at after analyzing and examining the story of life and the history that has been bestowed upon us thus far.

I have been studying here for a while now. How long? I forget. I don’t pay much attention to this part of my life. Why? Partly because this is not somewhere I want to be, actually, not partly, it is entirely because of this. I dread the long narrow corridors, the congestion of people, the chattering between friends, the prattle of nothing, and the murmur of gossip. I never understood them. But to be completely honest, a part of me always knew that I was supposed to belong with them. I may have been lying to you. I did understand them. I understood them a bit too much about what they all did than my liking. But that was negligible. It was only a small part of me that knew that.

The overwhelming majority knew that I could never belong, that I could never blend in with them, that I could never dawn the rose-coloured glasses that they saw the world through.

At this point, it may be needless to describe what my peers thought of me at school. In a way, they knew me and I knew them. They avoided me and I avoided them. It was mutual. My perspective of life was pessimistic and cynical for them, while theirs was too optimistic and delusional for my liking.

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A sudden feeling pulls on me, and I, with not much will to resist, follow this ominous sudden attraction. The next thing I know, I am on the roof of the nearby condo parking lot. I look over the edge, not feeling any fear of falling. How hopeless it would be if I fell, but then again, there is not much in this world to hope for anyways. Images run through my head, causing me to lean forward. Trees below loom over others passing by, protecting them from the sun. A pang of hurt hits me, so I turn away, but suddenly I am in direct confrontation of a woman. I do not know who she is, so I feel shock and panic running through my veins. Who can she be? Why is she here in front of me?

What am I going to do?

“May I ask if you are okay?” The stranger questioned, her eye-catching long hair gently flowing in the wind.

“Ah-uh,” is all that comes out of me.

I turn around, look over and see a tea shop across the road. A few kids there are messing around, the youngest one seemingly 8 or 9. I turn back around and see the woman is no longer to be seen.

“Do you know what scars those youngsters would have? It is better for everyone if you just stay up here,” a voice calls from besides me.

“O-okay,” I stutter, trying to not displease the person.

I slowly shuffle away from her, heading in the direction of the stairs to escape this mysterious woman. The gal’s strange white clothes don’t appeal to me. Too bright for my taste. Scooting away more, the woman’s defined face moves with a chuckle. Her mouth is now in a wide grin.

“You don’t have to run from me. I would never hurt you. Anyways, aside from the awkwardness, how are you doing? I heard that you were feeling really down. Why is that? Is it because of the bad dreams?”

More like nightmares. I shudder when I think about the horrors I go through every night. Then when I really think deeply about it, another pang of hurt slaps my stomach. The usual guilt gnaws at me.

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“H-How do you know about that?” I ask stunned.

“Well, I know a lot, but I also know that someone is waving to you.”

I look down to the ground floor and see a girl waving. She has spoken to me before, and I think that she is the only person I remember having ever said anything to me. Her past words are a muddle in my mind. A few of her friends look up and then push her along, scolding her for waving to me. Another turn to look back at the woman, and she’s gone. In replace of her, a pair of sunglasses are left on the floor. They remind me of ones I’ve seen on TV commercials, the more useless the product, the easier it sticks in my head. I pick them up, and in one quick motion, rest them on the bridge of my nose. I don’t know what force drove me to do that, but I again had no reason to fight back. Maybe I wanted to see the world in new eyes, but that’s impossible. And in that one quick motion, the world around me changed.

END OF FIRST ISSUE

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