Back to School Issue 2018

QUILL

THE

VOLUME 6

ISSUE 1

AUGUST-SEPTEMBER

August-September 2018

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THE TEAM 2

THE QUILL

Mr. MARK COOPRIDER Advisor

punpun leelamanthep & AMY Limtrajiti editor-in-chiefs

pawan wirawarn art director

Editors

Arjav Sanghavi Erica Kim Pumpanchat Suthisamphat Serumi Yoon Karuna Khatri Kharis Fullington

writers

Allan Rubio Amy Jain Arjav Sanghavi Charlotte Muehleck Daniel Shin David Bang Emily Rubio Hayoung You Hyunwoo Koh Joseph Ha Jessica Shah

Jooyoung Kim Matthew Muehleck Mckenna Sanchez Minki Kwon Nate Ronnakiat Pam Rangchaikul Pollisa Tien-iam-arnan Tawan Petpaiboon Tayida Chaiyakiturajai Vichida Phisitkul Yeji Park

photographers

Ruchipat Kumpusiri Apichaya Sethaudom Artch Dechpokked Chayut Srirungrojana Joanna Pinsuvana Nutthun Tulayathun Thaam Limwattananon

Werawut Withayarukson Cherry Choi Beam Yongphiphatwong Apitta Thaveeprungsiporn Sanata Wangpattanamongkol Thapakorn Yongphiphatwong Pawan Wirawarn

layout designers

Ruchipat Kumpusiri Kantapat Jungpaibul Napatsorn Chadanuntakul Natuchkamon Ngammuang Sirinda Vongsrirungruang Beam Yongphiphatwong Nikunta Piyaket Plaifon Ruengarak Sanya Mehta

Krishma Gandhi Thananun Kanchanachayphoom Teerach Songwatana Prakhun Wongmahapaul Burapon Wasusopon Haeun You Hannah Kim Clara Park Pawan Wirawarn

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letter from the Principal letter from the student council president Ms SARAH

SECKLER

Ms marybeth

khamis

Ms deborah

ward

Ms Julia

biasi

Senior Class Representatives

Minki & Mimi

Junior Class Representatives

peam & Aim

44 50 56 62 68 74 88

Sophomore Class Representatives david & ruby

Design Based Solutions

Ap french

Ap mandarin

Ap spanish alumni interviews Will Leelamanthep PunPun Chaiyakiturajai Keshav Garg

Student interviews Val, Saran, Sherry

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FROM THE PRINCIPAL Dear ICS HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, Welcome back to another school year at the best high school on the planet! After a long, boring and lonely summer, I was eager to get back to normal, seeing and talking to you in the hallways every day! What makes ICS special is not the buildings, the classes, the activities or the sports teams, it’s the people. The students, teachers, staff and parents that are part of this community are what elevate us above other great schools out there. I am thankful to be here and I hope you are too!

It’s hard to believe we’re already past the midpoint of the 1st quarter! I hope the start to this new school year has been fantastic. I would like to encourage you to make the most out of your time in high school. Get involved and take advantages of the opportunities found at ICS! Go out and join a sports team or one of the over 30 clubs at ICS, play intramurals, tryout for the musicals and plays, take challenging courses, go to Friday night events and Eagles Camp, talk to teachers and staff, talk to each other! These are all ways to connect with, contribute to and be enriched by the ICS community.

Freshmen, welcome to high school! You survived what many call the toughest social years of your life in middle school! Congrats on that! I hope you find the high school to be an environment in which you can continue to grow in confidence, knowledge and wisdom. Sophomores and Juniors, keep working hard and stay focused! Often times, what happens in the “middle” of your high school time is difficult, but, can also be the most important! Seniors, this is your last year at ICS! This year will fly by faster than you can imagine. Enjoy your last days here and 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 your best year ever at ICS! God bless, MR. LUC

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FROM THE President Dear ICS STUDENT BODY, It’s me, McKenna, your Student Council president. Firstly, I don’t want you guys to think of me as some distant, tyrannical figure that can’t relate to you and won’t understand what you’re going through. I’m still a student; I still have tests and deadlines, and of course, capstone! I want to be able to hear your grievances, and take the time to get know as many of you as time permits. That being said, some of you may remember my campaign slogan last year was “A President for the People.” I promise to try my best to be just that.

To the freshmen, I know how daunting high school can be. You went from being the ones on top of the food chain in middle school, to being the youngest in high school.

The jitters you feel when you walk into the high school side, past all the upperclassmen, will wash away within the first weeks of school. You’ll find your routine soon enough, and school will go back to being normal. Also, we upperclassmen are not as scary and cruel as we may seem. That is just what a few too many unforgiving years of staying up late writing essays, studying for tests, and the never-ending amount of AP homework can do to you! Freshmen, enjoy your year as much as you can, and do not take your light workload for granted.

To the sophomores, you are just getting started. This is the year in which most of you will take at least one AP. It’s the year of Lord of the Flies, Animal Farm, and many other books which I miss reading in Mr. Will’s room. This is the time in your high school career to focus and study hard, of course, but also to have fun—at least before all the chaos of college and capstone flood in. Treasure it while you can, it goes by quicker than you think.

To the juniors, this will be an important year. Your grades are more important now than ever before, and you will feel swamped by APs, the looming presence of capstone, college decisions, and SATs. Don’t forget to give yourself a break every once in a while.

This year is also a time to really figure out what you want to study post secondary, so explore your passions. A word of advice for every junior class following mine, START FUNDRAISING EARLY for your senior trip. It will make your senior year much easier.

To my seniors, let’s make this our best year yet! with love, MCKENNA SANCHEZ 8

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MS SARAH

Interview by Taw Photos by Nutt

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H SECKLER

wan Petpaiboon thun Tulayathun

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Why did you choose to become a math teacher and how did you come to know of ICS? I was inspired to become a math teacher by my math teacher in high school. He made me enjoy mathematics and taught me not to be afraid of making mistakes. I came to meet ICS through interactions with several ICS alumnus at my college. I met Joseph, Esther’s sister, and Tim. Can you tell us a bit about your family?

I have one sister. We’re a small family. We moved to Cambodia when I was a baby, where I grew up.

I stayed there until I finished high school.

Where did you work before you came to ICS? What did you teach?

I taught Algebra 2 and Geometry at another school. I think teaching at the previous school was more difficult because some of the students there made it clear that they didn’t want to be there. The students at ICS are a lot more eager for learning and ready to contribute.

Have you ever visited Thailand before or is this your first time here? Do you like Thailand so far?

The first time I came to Thailand, I was about a year old. When we lived in Cambodia, we would come here once in a while for holiday.

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We would go to Chiangmai, Pattaya, or Bangkok for shopping. Adjusting to life here has been quite challenging so far.

From your first few weeks of school, what do you like about ICS and what are some differences you’ve noticed between ICS and the school you used to teach at?

I like how ICS is a family. It’s pretty big, but it still feels like a family. When I was in a public school in the U.S., people don’t care about each other as much. It’s good to see how students care for each other here. I really enjoy when the staff gets to know each other and have meaningful relationships with students.

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What do you think will make your class a successful class?

I would say that in my class you’re allowed to make mistakes, which I personally think is the best way to learn. A lot of questions also help build a successful class.

Do you have any studying tips for high school?

I would say sleep. Sleep, sleep, sleep, sleep!

Sleep before a test instead of pulling an all-nighter!

What are your favorite hobbies?

How would you describe yourself?

I like to run. I also love nature. I enjoy hiking and kayaking. I’m an adventurer.

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MS

MARYBETH Khamis

Words by Hayoung You Photos by Joanna Pinsuvana

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DO YOU HAVE TWO FIRST NAMES? My legal name is Mary, but I never liked that name very much. I always insisted that people call me by my middle name as well, so I’ve been going

by MaryBeth for a while now.

PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF! My name is Ms. MaryBeth, and I’m the new strings teacher. I used to live in Ohio, but my hometown is Kentucky. Initially I wasn’t planning on being a teacher. I majored in music performance, but I was more interested in archaeology and studying the Bible. I eventually moved to master in theological study, and I was convinced I was going to be a history professor. In the midst of all this, I taught at a small Christian school and realized I was well-equipped for teaching music.

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WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE YOU CAME TO ICS? I taught an orchestra and AP Music Theory at a school in Ohio for 13 years, so I had a job pretty similar to what I’m doing right now. This will be my 20th year teaching music, and I’ve specifically taught strings for the past 16-17 years.

WHAT ARE SOME HOPES YOU HAVE FOR THIS YEAR? First off, I hope to expand the strings program. Right now I would like to make it more ensemble-focused, and increase the overall balance of the orchestra. I hope to get to the point of really fine orchestra literature with all the students. I also hope to see more students in the HS orchestra, since I know many students know how to play strings instruments but aren’t taking the class. Finally, I also hope that we’ll eventually be able to build one big “orchestra family,” where we can all play music and enjoy each other’s company.

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WHAT ARE SOME THINGS YOU LOVE ABOUT TEACHING AT ICS? I feel like the entire school has such a welcoming atmosphere, with a close and supportive faculty and an admin that really cares for my well-being. The students I teach are amazing, and they’re respectful to an entirely different level. Also, all the students have the spirit of pursuing excellence, which I think is an extremely beneficial quality.

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MS

DEBORAH WARD

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THE QUILL

Words by Allan Rubio Photos by Pawan Wirawarn

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Can you give us a brief introduction of yourself?

I came to ICS from Hong Kong via the United States. I have two kids, and I’ve been teaching for a very long time. I’m a Texan, but I spent my childhood in the Florida Keys.

How did you come to know ICS and why did you decide to come and teach here?

I did not choose it. God chose it. I really loved Hong Kong, but I think God was saying that it was time for change and that prompted me to come teach here.

What has been your greatest challenge as a teacher?

Oh my gosh, there are so many I couldn’t possibly name them all. For one, when you taught in a public school, you couldn’t mention God, so for a while that was something I really struggled with.

To be a Christian and a scientist is much harder in the States than it is here.

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Can you name some positive experiences from your first month of teaching here at ICS? I think that the students here are great and that they’re really respectful. There’s a sense of community and involvement which was really present during Spirit Day. It’s pretty positive for a teacher to see students involved in promoting school spirit. The students are also involved in their classes even though they may just be taking them because they are required to.

What are you looking forward to being in Bangkok?

Hopefully I’m gonna be alive next year! I don’t know. I’m looking

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forward to spending time with my grandkids and I’m looking forward to exploring the culture here in Thailand. I don’t just enjoy teaching at ICS, I love being part of the community and the people who live around me as well. The food is also amazing. It’s so much better than the food in Hong Kong!

Are there any interesting facts you want students to know about you?

I don’t know. I consider myself to be very weird and I figure if I’m gonna do weird, I’m gonna do it well. I’m gonna be the best weird person I know. So that when kids look back they can say, “Her science class was weird, but it was fun.”

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Ms Julia

Biasi Interview by Matthew Muehleck Photos by Pawan Wirawarn

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Could you give us a brief introduction of yourself?

Hi, I’m Ms Julia and I teach in MS106!

Ms Julia, what did you study in college?

Well, in college I studied Elementary and Special Education, then I pursued my masters in Applied Behavior Analysis.

What activities do you enjoy outside of school?

I really enjoy rock climbing, baking, and travel. I rock climb at least once a week at the Rock Domain on the other side of Bangna road. As for travel, I’m going to explore Nepal this October.

Where did you teach before coming to ICS? Before coming to ICS I taught English at an international school in Shanghai. The thing is that in Shanghai they separated the kids into Chinese native classes and non-native classes, so I taught English to Chinese students.

Why did you decide to come to ICS? Well, I had lived in Thailand before, so I had friends here and knew the area. I also heard really great things about the staff, students, the ICS community, and I felt that it was the best way to serve God.

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What similarities and differences are there between ICS and your old school?

Well, I feel that the students have many of the same plans, such as studying abroad and wanting to learn English. However, in Shanghai I was a lot more restricted in what I could talk about, especially religion, whereas at ICS we have chapel and activities such as Life Groups, and I am much more free to speak about what I truly believe.

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Any advice for high schoolers?

One piece of advice I feel may be very useful to students is to talk to your teachers. Your teachers are there for you, and if you don’t understand anything in class or are struggling, talk to your teachers.

The earlier you go to see your teacher the earlier you can receive help and fix your problems before they get out of hand.

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senior Class Representatives

Minki & mimi Interview by Maria Kim Photos by Thapakorn Yongphiphatwong

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First of all congratulations for being elected as class representatives. What was it like when Mr. Mike first announced you are senior class representatives?

Minki: Honestly it was pretty exciting. I actually ran for last year's class representative position, but didn't get voted in, so I didn't actually expect too much for this year. But when Mr. Mike made the announcement I have to say that it felt pretty good.

Mimi: I was not aware that I was one of the nominees for senior class representatives because initially, I was running for vice president. I’m still excited to be the senior class representative and can’t wait to spend my second year in Student Council.

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What can the student body expect from this year’s Student Council?

Minki: The student body can expect creative and innovative renditions of traditional events, as seen with Spirit week already. We're starting to plan a crazy ICS Got Talent, along with the first lock-in in two years, not to mention the classiest banquet this school has ever seen.

Mimi: As you can tell from Spirit Week, this year’s Student Council is putting a lot of time and effort into planning and organizing our events. We have some great ideas for ics got talent this year, which is the upcoming event.

Is there any plan for this year’s ICS Got Talent and Banquet?

Mimi: As I mentioned, we have ICS GOT TALENT next on our schedule sometime in November I believe.

We’ve discussed some great ideas for it and I can’t wait to bring them into action. Got Talent this year will be lit.

Will there be anything different or special about the events Student Council are preparing for this year?

Minki: Every event takes an enormous amount of work, from coming up with the original ideas to all the logistical details that have to be

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addressed. What will make the events special? All the hard work that the Student Council will put in.

Mimi: Definitely. I think the officers and class representatives are putting a lot of work into making sure that the events we have for students are as engaging and fun as possible. At the same time, we want organize the events to maximize student participation and strengthen our school spirit.

Minki, this is your first time.

How is it like being on the Student Council?

Minki: It's been a little more work than I first thought, but honestly I think I have it the easiest. I'm not an officer so I don't have that many specified responsibility, but I'm not like the underclassmen representatives, who are the only ones representing their grade. All that said, 38

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I'm hoping to be able to contribute more to the Student Council, and create a sense of class unity, frail as that may be.

Mimi, this is your second time being a class representative. How is it different being a class representative in your freshman year and your senior year?

Mimi: Clearly, being in Student council as a freshmen was different from being in it as a senior. Back then, I was a newbie to highschool, and had trouble voicing my opinion in front of the whole Student Council committee. I was very intimidated back then. Now, it’s harder to not give my opinion. I guess it’s also about the environment of our meeting the officers provide. Everyone is so open-minded and encouraging.

Do you have any goal for being on the Student Council?

Minki: Make ICS great again.

Mimi: I want to hear students say that each student council event this year is better than the events from previous years.

Do you have any personal goals for your senior year?

Minki: I'm hoping to be able to

invest in my existing friendships to really create lifelong bonds, as well as develop my own skills and interests in preparation for the harsh realities of the outside world.

Mimi: Finish capstone on time and hopefully graduate.

A Word to the student body?

Minki: Foliage.

Mimi: Have fun to the max.

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junior Class Representatives

Peam & Aim Interview by Minki Kwon Photos by Apichaya Sethaudom

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What is your favorite class this year?

Peam: My favorite class is AP Psychology because it brings together the different areas of sciences, like chemistry and biology, with fields of social-studies.

Aim: My favorite class this year is Mr. Tyler’s new class Honors Design Based Solution, because I’ve always liked art since I was little, but I’m not that into fine arts. I also love science, so this course actually combines my two favorite areas by using some scientific knowledge along with practical designs to solve real-life problems.

Junior year is notorious for its hard classes and stressful workload. How is it going so far? Do you have any regrets?

Peam: I’d say that, at least for me, the workload is comparable to that of last year’s, but there seems to be a significant increase in the number of assessments. A regret of mine is not enrolling in P.E. (a somewhat relaxing class) to take this year to weigh out all the stress and workload of the other challenging subjects.

Aim: It’s been tolerable so far I guess, since I’m already used to the enormous amount of work from last year. However, the main struggle for me is the significant increase in difficulty in most classes, and some of them are also self-study. I actually have no regrets, and I will not give up easily!

How would you describe your class with three words?

Peam: Ecstatic. Avid. Tireless.

Aim: Arduous. Stressful. Exhausting.

Why did you choose to run for class representative?

Peam: I chose to run for class representative because I wanted to try something new and out of my comfort zone this year. Seeing the class representatives from previous years was also inspired me to run.

Aim: I chose to run for class representative because I’ve always liked to join various school activities and this seems like an excellent opportunity to help our grade. I will also learn to become a better and more responsible person.

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sophomore Class Representatives

DAVID & RUBY Interview by Vichida Phisitkul Photos by Beam Yongphiphatwong

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Hello! Could you please introduce yourselves?

Ruby: Hi, I’m Ruby and I’m currently in 10th grade. My favorite hobbies include singing and dancing. I feel that dancing is like my stress reliever. I also love hanging out with my weird yet extremely funny friends.

Although I constantly find myself feeling overwhelmed by the many extracurricular activities I participate in, along with the amount of school work, at the end of the day, I always turn to God. David: Hi, I’m David Bang and I’m in 10th grade as well. I’d say I’m a pretty outgoing person since 46

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I’m always going around school, partaking in the planning of many things. I like to help out as much as I can. I also have 3 younger sisters, so I guess I’m pretty busy.

Do you participate in any other activities besides Student Council?

R: Yes, I am in cross country and track and field. I do some other activities outside of school as well such as singing, dancing, and creating Youtube videos.

D: Yes, I participate in too many activities actually, some of which include SMLiT, school musicals/ plays, as well as cross country. I recently started a literature club last semester along with a few friends, and I help lead several other clubs as well.

As Student Council representatives, what events are you looking forward to hosting?

R: Carnival!

D: I am looking forward to a possible Lock-In and ICS Got Talent.

Does it feel tiring to be involved in both school and the Student Council?

R: No, it is actually really fun. I am able to experience things I’ve never done before!

D: I guess it is pretty tiring if you, like me, want to help out with everything. Perhaps this is because I have trouble saying no when people ask me to take up certain jobs.

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What improvements do you think you could help bring to ICS? R: We are trying to hype up environmental issues more, because sometimes it gets really boring. We hope to increase school spirit! I also hope to bring positivity and to be a person that is open for anyone to talk to.

D: I hope that I can help make Student Council events run smoother and get things moving more quickly at ICS. What would you say your strengths and weaknesses are?

R: I think I’m pretty good at suggesting ideas. I also like presenting. My weakness is probably time management.

D: My strengths would include doing things to the best of my ability as well as making sure things are organized, or seemingly organized. I also have trouble with time management and getting people to listen to me when I am supposed to lead something.

Do you have anything you would like to say to the student body?

R: We hope you enjoyed Carnival!

D: Make sure you get involved with the things that Student Council offers, as we take a lot of time to run these events. We also hope it is something you can enjoy!

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Design based solutions Interview by Hayoung You Photos by Cherry Choi

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Can you tell us about Design Based Solutions for those who might not be familiar with the class?

Design Based Solutions is a new class launched this year, and we evaluate the question of “How can design solve real-world problems?� Students are encouraged to utilize their skills of research, develop empathy, and learn more about prototyping.

What makes Design Based Solutions different from other classes?

I feel like most classes focus on knowledge and skill. For example, in a chemistry class setting, the knowledge learned would be about basic chemicals, molecules, and elements. Students may learn skills like balancing equations and such. In this class, we tend to focus more directly on problem solving. Though we do take time to learn in detail about certain areas of service, we spend more time on more hands-on design challenges.

What are some goals you have for this class?

My goal is that by taking this class, students will become more accustomed in service

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and ultimately feel prepared for Capstone. Also, I hope that students will learn how to leverage creative capital. This focuses on the idea that every bit of a project is important, not just the financial aspect of things. So many well-funded projects have flopped due to an absence of innovative solutions. My goal for this class is that by taking it, students will learn how to apply creative solutions to solve important problems in life.

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What do you enjoy about teaching Design Based Solutions?

Design Based Solutions is a class that makes me think a lot. First I need to accustom my brain to certain ideas, then break those ideas down into steps that students can easily follow. Later in the year we will also have two field trips to help us think of a way we can provide service for those living near us. The first trip will be a kick-off filled with research and data gathering, and I hope that students will be able to gain an increased level of empathy for those in difficult situations, thus designing a strong project. The second trip will consist mostly of implementation, where we will take that research and data and put all the pieces together. I enjoy this class because it provides a setting for students to directly apply art into real-world situations, which prepares them so much more than just learning it.

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AP french Interview by Hyunwoo Koh Photos by Ruchipat Kumpusiri

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Please introduce yourself!

Je m’appelle Mademoiselle AimÊe, et je suis professeur de francais a ICS depuis 7 ans maintenant. Translation: My name is Ms. Aimee, and I have been a French teacher at ICS for seven years.

Why did you choose to study French?

My mom gave me a French first name. Also, because my parents took French in school, I grew up listening to it. When I was in school, I had other options to choose from, like German and Spanish. To me, German was boring, and everyone was taking Spanish, so I decided to go with French. French was simply basic, and I thought the language is very beautiful.

Why did you come to ICS? Well, I came to ICS to become a French teacher. There was a job opportunity, and I felt it was part of God's plan. When I realized that I wanted to be a teacher, the only subject I thought I will not be bored of and will be happy with was French!

When I went back to college to become a teacher, I knew for sure that I wanted to teach French!

What are some difficulties being a teacher?

The hardest thing about being a teacher is not the teaching part although my students would say otherwise. I do not find it difficult to teach because teaching actually gives me energy. The paperwork is the hardest part. I LOVE sharing information and being with students, but I do not love grading papers.

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How can you become a good student in French class?

For any language, the factor that makes you a good student is your willingness to want to become a good student. It is definitely not easy; it is not about getting the right answers, but it is about communicating. The only way to do that is to have a desire to! “There is a will, there's a way.” If they want it, they will work for it, care about it, and be interested in it.

Language is about work. It is more than just learning information since it is taking everything you have learned and combining the phrases in order to express yourself. All of those things are not just like one plus one equals two. Learning a language requires a lot of effort. If you are interested in French, and if you want to learn it, it will be okay.

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Tips to learn a language?

There is no shortcut to learning a language. One thing that will be important is to not be afraid of making mistakes. Mistakes do not mean failure in language. If you think of children, when they are learning to speak in any language, they make a lot of mistakes. But the more you practice and the more you make mistakes, the more you have the opportunity to fix them. The first tip is to not be afraid – it is not embarrassing! Or if you cannot, try to reframe it. Mistakes are unavoidable; even native speakers make mistakes!

Second, it is to practice every day. A few minutes every day with reading, writing, speaking, or listening will do more for you than spending threes hours cramming before the test. “A little bit at a time, the bird makes a nest.” Do a little bit at a time, but consistently.

How do you feel about the new AP French class?

AP French is a dream for me.

We did not have AP French back then, so I have been waiting for this class for seven years. AP French is finally happening!

It is a huge dream come for me!!!

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AP MANDAriN Interview by Charlotte Muehleck Photos by Pam Rangchaikul

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Please introduce yourself!

My name is Mrs. Diane; I minored in Chinese at Chiang Mai University. After I graduated, I got a scholarship to study at Beijing Normal University for 4 years. My grandfather is Hakka Chinese and speaks Mandarin, Hakka, and Thai. My dad’s side of the family is Chinese, so I thought it would be a good idea to continue learning about Chinese culture and language. I love talking to my grandfather about his life when he used to live in China. He told me many fascinating stories that motivated me to learn more about Chinese culture and Mandarin.

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Why did you want to become a teacher, specifically a Mandarin teacher?

I wanted to become a teacher because I believe that being a teacher is an honorable job. You help students learn and grow. I worked in a variety of fields, and so far teaching is the most challenging one, but seeing students learning from their mistakes is very precious to me. I wanted to become a Mandarin teacher because despite people claiming that Mandarin is hard, it’s actually

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not that difficult to learn. Every language has its challenges, but no language is insurmountable.

Why did you decide to teach this AP class?

I wanted our students to have a clear and concrete goal for high school.

When they start Mandarin 1, if they have the motivation to continue through high school, they can aim to do well on the AP test someday.

Having a goal from the beginning is important, but at any point in their learning their motivation can change to something bigger and more exciting than a test.

What are your expectations for this class?

I want students to be able to use Chinese in their lives. There are opportunities to use Chinese all over the world. My expectation is that they’ll begin to use Chinese in real and practical ways, starting in the classroom.

What are you currently teaching?

Students are learning to communicate in three communicative modes: the

interpersonal, the interpretive, and presentational modes.

Improving in these three modes of communication helps them to approach various language challenges with confidence. I also have them practice completing tasks similar to the ones seen on the AP exam.

Any final words to the readers?

Every language is challenging, so the critical factor that determines success in learning a language is learning to love the language!

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AP SPANISH Interview by Daniel Shin Photos by Thaam Limwattananon

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HOW COULD THIS CLASS BE USEFUL IN LIFE? Languages, and more specifically Spanish, can be useful in a wide variety of ways. You can develop a greater understanding of the world and its various cultures, connect better in relationships with people from other linguistic and cultural backgrounds, and allow exposure to new ways of thinking.

What makes it a hard or easy class?

AP Spanish is definitely a challenging class, not in the least because it is held almost entirely in Spanish at a university level. Students are expected to communicate orally and write about advanced topics addressed by the course arising from themes such as science and technology, personal and public identities, families and communities, beauty and aesthetics, global challenges, and contemporary life.

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Name one important component of AP Spanish that you encourage.

AP Spanish will not only prepare students for high level Spanish studies in university and possibly jobs involving Spanish in the future; if students rigorously apply themselves in the course, they will also find themselves much more prepared to take on their university studies. Many alumni have contacted me saying that they have done exceptionally well in Spanish in college, which is a testimony to their persistent efforts and great attitude towards learning.

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What would you say to students who are uncertain as to whether they should take the class?

Two primary factors that more or less determine success in AP Spanish and other wwwwwAP language courses are attitude and perseverance. Students with a great attitude towards learning and who persevere through the challenges of the subject, are usually very successful. It should be stated though, that the first three years of language form an indispensable foundation for the AP. What does speaking Spanish in general mean to you? What opportunities does it open up?

In addition to what I said about how languages can be useful in life, I appreciate the fact that I have the potential to use Spanish in 20 countries where it is an official language, plus other territories and commonwealths. Notably, Spanish is a hugely important language in my home country, the U.S. - and the cool part is that you never know when you’re going to get to use it, even here! One time, I met another MBA student when I was on a study trip in Qinhuangdao, China, and he was from Equatorial Guinea, the only Spanish-speaking country in Africa. We exchanged emails and now we’re pen-pals!

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ALUMNI I

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INTERVIEWS

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WILL LEELAMaNTHEP ICS class of 2015 Carnegie mellon university class of 2019 76

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Tell us a little about yourself!

I graduated from ICS in 2015, and I was the founder of the Quill. Right now, I’m a senior at Carnegie Mellon University, studying Finance and Business Technology, with a minor in Human Computer Interaction.

This past summer I worked in Sales and Trading (Finance) in NY. What motivated you to start the Quill?

I attended a service conference for international school students.

I thought there were so many opportunities that ICS students didn’t know about. However, there was no channel for students to communicate to other students, especially in the form of publications. I wanted to start a channel for students to communicate school news, global news, and opinions to the ICS community.

Any memories from ICS? I remember lunch and some conversations I had with my close friends. I was joking with my friends, and we were talking about what instruments to pick in Elementary school, to talking about taxes, apartments, and careers. Some of my close friends now were friends with me since elementary school. It’s amazing how we have all grown in our own ways but still remain friends.

You have friends from ICS that, even now, you still hang out with.

What do you have for your underclassmen to continue their friendships after graduation?

Always make an effort to keep in touch and meet up. I meet my with my close friends in the US over Thanksgiving or Spring Break every year.

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“Life isn’t about finding yourself. It’s about creating yourself” - George Bernard Shaw

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What have you learned from ICS? Don’t be afraid to try new things, to fail, or to challenge yourself. It doesn’t hurt to try or to step out of your comfort zone. In contrast, it makes you more well-rounded as an individual. If you want to run for student government, start a new organization, or take a class because you are curious about the subject, just do it.

How would you describe yourself as a high schooler and how would you describe yourself now?

I was and am still entrepreneurial and committed. I learned to work much harder and to prioritize more in college. But, I’m still learning every single day.

How has attending college changed you?

I meet so many smart and passionate individuals at Carnegie Mellon. I’m much more grounded. I work much harder in college to not only do well but also to find a way to add value to the CMU community academically and socially.

Any advice for high school students about college life?

Be open minded, work hard, but enjoy yourself. High school students often focus heavily on GPA and intelligence. Intelligence and grades only bring you so far in the real world. Grit (passion and perseverance) is what determines how successful you are.

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Punpun Chaiyakiturajai ICS class of 2017 Tufts University class of 2021 What motivated you to join the Quill in the first place?

Cluelessness! I remember a friend asking if I was going to the general meeting during lunch at the beginning of my sophomore year. I didn’t know about the meeting prior to that, so I checked it out.

From Elementary school to where you stand now, how would you describe yourself back then and how would you describe yourself now.

Oh boy, I was an absolute mess in elementary. I moved to ICS in 4th grade from a Thai school, so my English (reading, writing, and speaking) was very substandard.

I couldn’t converse fluently, nor could I sufficiently comprehend what was being communicated to me. I was inadequate to the point where I couldn’t understand when or what homework was being assigned. Consequently, 4th grade me decided to copy a friend’s homework, which got me a ticket to Mrs. Elsie’s office. I saw red letters on my report card in both 4th and 5th grade--ones I deserved. I think I’ve come a long way since then.

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Describe your senior year in 3 words.

Carefree, honest, and homey.

What do you wish you would have known your first day of college?

That it’s important to not be too hard on myself, and knowing it’s okay to struggle at the beginning trying to fit in and find good friends. That feeling of insignificance may be overpowering, but remember that most of us are on the same page, so give yourself time. But all in all, I think it’s one thing to know, but another thing to experience it yourself.

Why did you choose Tufts University?

When I was researching schools, I came across an Inside Admissions blog saying students at Tufts are those “who take their work very seriously, but don’t take themselves too seriously.” The description illustrates me and those I want to surround myself with, so that was one of my deciding factors.

What is your favorite or maybe not so favorite part about living away from home?

Favorite: There’s very little sense of time on campus. 3 or 4am? Not an ungodly hour to be up at all.

Not so favorite: Losing socks almost every time I do laundry.

What is your favorite thing about Tufts University?

Knowing that one day I’ll get to clum the big Jumbo (our mascot) statue!

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Keshav garg

ICS class of 2017 university of michigan class of 2021 Can you give us a brief introduction of yourself?

Hi, I’m Keshav. I think the remaining portion of this interview kind of renders this question obsolete.

What subject are you majoring in? Why did you choose it?

I’m currently majoring in Electrical Engineering and minoring in Physics. Since the discovery of Maxwell’s Equations, humanity has progressed exponentially in so many areas. It just seemed important to me to study this area of lex naturalis in depth while at the same time assure my family members that I wouldn’t become an unemployed hobo who understood convoluted formulas.

How was ICS for you? Do you have any meaningful memories that stand out to you?

ICS was alright. It gave me a chance to examine life in a sort of “panoramic” view.

Rather than obsessing over minute details in science, I learned to see how science is merely a method of examining the grandeur of the universe, or for all I know, one heck of a simulation. Some memories that stick out include playing chess with friends during lunch breaks and having discussions about geopolitics and economics with certain teachers.

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What subjects and activities did you enjoy as a student in ICS? I really enjoyed math classes with Mr.Jim. Aside from his occasional digressions about OJ Simpson, I learned a good amount about number theory, algorithmic financial trading, circuitry, and investing in trees. One of the activities that I fondly recall was being an alumni interviewer for the Quill. It gave me the opportunity to learn about life after high-school and how fellow ICS Eagles prepared for it. It also gave me an early head start into learning about the importance of networking.

You are currently studying at the University of Michigan, a highly-ranked school in the US. Can you tell us how you got in?

Advice or “words of wisdom” for college admissions is such rubbish. It’s like asking how to climb up a flight of stairs. It’s completely logical and straightforward and yet subjective enough for everyone to take their own path. Some prefer to go step by step.

Others prefer to skip a few steps. Certain people, typically in the upper echelon of society, manage to take the elevator instead.

What goals do you have for your life after graduation?

I’m not entirely sure. I’m currently planning on focusing on either optics, plasma physics, or applied quantum physics. This may involve pursuing a PhD, working in an R&D lab, or transforming into a mad scientist who funds himself through volatile cryptocurrency behaviour.

Do you have anything you would like to share for current ICS students?

Learn to be a rebel and an independent thinker. Just because you’ve been brought up in a certain environment doesn’t mean you shouldn’t deviate. Based on the second law of thermodynamics, entropy always increases. No reason why human beings, a large collection of cells, should defy nature due to societal norms.

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student

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INTERVIEWS

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Hello Val! You are a new studenta freshman-in ICS, right?

Yep! Where were you before you came to ICS? I was at a Montessori school called Bay Area Montessori House in Houston, Texas.

How would you say your experience is right now for the first month of being at ICS? It’s very fun. Everybody is really nice to me, so I’m really enjoying it, If you had one sentence to describe how your ICS school life is going, what would it be?

Fantastically fun.

- Val (9)

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August-September 2018

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Hey Saran, so you are a returning student?

Yep. How long have you been at ICS? I’ve been at ICS for 3 years, since sophomore year.

So as a returning senior, how is your experience with the first month of school going?

Senior year is already getting really crazy, I guess.

There’s so many things going on, but it is kind of fun because we are kind of on like a timer together- we all know that it is going to end eventually, but we are all just doing our best to make the most of it.

If you had to describe all this in one sentence, what would it be?

Organized Chaos.

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- saran (12)

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Hello Sherry! So you are a new student, and you are a senior!

Yep. What school did you attend before coming to ICS? I went to a school in Ramkhamhaeng. And now I’m here and it is really crazy, but it is really fun.

How is your experience like at ICS? How’s it going?

I would say so far that it has definitely been positive, but there is also like a lot of stuff to deal with, especially it being my first year and also my last year at this school. Really crazy.

If you had one sentence to describe your first month of being at ICS, what would it be?

Busy but really fun.

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- Sherry (12)

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