The Quill: Issue 3

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3rd ISSUE

May 27th, 2013

Int’l Comm unity School

The Quill Waikay’s Corner: Brutal Honesty – Capping the Discussion on Capstone Read on p.8

Soccer: a Battlefield Read on p.3

Your style is Within you “Fashions fade, style is eternal” Read on p.7

Dear Shirley Ask her a question!

Find out more on p.7

Seniors’ Last Wills The Seniors have recently graduated, leaving legacies behind. As most of them would say, time passes by so quickly, and though there had been bumps along the way, they had savored and cherished every moment here at ICS. Before they left, some of them left some keepsakes for us: a few quotes.

Cont. Reading on p.2

A Farewell to the Principal

Mr. Gary, the beloved high school principal is leaving ICS. Join us in remembering the man who helped shape ICS since 2010.

Read on p.4

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Seniors’ Last Wills Continued….

Win Leelamanthep

Starting with Jung ‘The Castle’, Third on the list is Ansh. He who said, “My 12 years at ICS quoted a quote from rapper T.I., “God equals 12 years of joy, tears, friend- will take you through hell, just to get ship, and most importantly, pride.” you to heaven.” His years here at During his years here, he had conICS had been ‘the most amazing tributed much to the community, from years’ of his life. Walking through the being one of the ‘millionaires’ years, he said that he must “This is somein the chair of our MUN club, admit that there are bumps thing that I will Jung commented that leaving never forget” along the way, some harsher ANSH GUPTA ICS is a bit ‘sad’, but he looks than others, but that is what forward to starting a new God planned for us. He also chapter in life. He is going to a uni- mentioned that the years here mean versity in Italy, but he said that he will a lot to him, and that the experiences surely miss everything about our taught him many lessons. He left us school. with a certain promise that, “This is We then have May. She said, something that I will never forget.”

“The past six years at ICS passed by As the Seniors head on to in the blink of an eye. Throughout college whilst the Juniors step up inthese years, I’ve grown to love and to their position, we all must connect with all my teachers and acknowledge how fast time flies. A friends. I still couldn’t imagine how year is nearly gone, and a new one my life would be without them but I is yet to begin. They had recently believe that they will succeed wher- graduated and left the community as ever they go. Looking back, I still feel adults. Some of them came here as like a little 7th grade girl who thinks babies, some of them children, even playing on the swing is the most angst-filled teens, but it is a fact that important thing during lunchtime. ICS all of them left this community as has become my second home, a grown men and women, walking out place that I will forever cherish in my into the world of challenges, preheart.” She had not specified where pared and equipped to face any she will be going for college, but obstacles placed on them. Before from what she said, it is obvious how they left, they had given us their last much ICS means to her. Time really wills. Thank you for an amazing year, flies by and everyone should enjoy Seniors! and cherish all the moments they can as a MS or HS student.

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Soccer: A Battlefield Bethany Groot

It all began in early March of the year 2013. Ten teams of various ages, nationalities, genders, and grades formed what would be the CCSL. The game of soccer is listed amongst the most dangerous sports in the world, but the players’ passion would not be stultified by this mere, insignificant fact. ICS students and teachers have battled through weeks of football competition in this intramural event for 2 months. Every Wednesday, these football matches commenced, and teams would get to test their ability against that of others. This year, we’ve been fortunate to have three fields to cycle teams, and although the games went by quickly, the competitiveness remained the same. In the end, the 13ers finished in first place, the Kings second, and Chai Orh third. Blood, sweat, soccer ball—what more is there to it?

13ers Alisa Sandlin (12)- “It's different than normal soccer season, but I've enjoyed getting to know each individual player on my team better. I'm just glad I got to play with these amazing players and that I now have another "SANDLIN" jersey to add to my collection.”

Kings Marty (12)- “It was an experience for me to have fun with friends on the field and enjoy playing against opponents who provide difficult challenges for my team. I'm really happy to have the chance to be part of this event and hope that this tournament will continue for the years to come.”

Chai Orh Chan Woo (10) – “During CCSL I had lots of fun because I got to play soccer with my friends. Although it was tiring and frustrating sometimes, we played strong until the last second of each game. I am proud of my team for never giving up and giving me a fun time.”

Oreos Sierra (11)- “This year, under the highly-qualified guidance Krish, our CCSL team has been able to compete well.

We originally entered our team for fun, but after realizing our potential we started taking things seriously. With an attacking force led by Siddhu, and a defensive line headed by Jonny and Sam, our team wasn’t too bad. And don't forget Jerrica's mad cheerleading skills, which never ceased to motivate us!”

Viral Isaac Porter (11)- “There's nothing like playing soccer with a bunch of people you love. To be honest, even though we didn’t win a whole lot lately, I've still had so much fun losing with such an amazing team. I absolutely love seeing people who don't usually play soccer, play soccer well. And that's the kind of team I have.”

Freshies FC Sierra SP (9)- “It’s always fun playing soccer with your friends. I like how it is competitive yet friendly at the same time.”

YOLO Paan (11)- “This year the students got to play against the teachers which I thought was a great chance to improve the student-teacher relationship. CCSL also gives us opportunities to know other people outside the classroom.”

Kaak Sood Sood Nick S (12)- “CCSL was the main after school event that made my second semester in Senior year an interesting and fun year. I believe that no matter what your decision, if it makes you happy and relax, I think it worth it. Seeing the smiles from my friends and happiness from their faces made me happy to have friends and to be in this community.”

Jackalopes Mr. Stephen- “It was a great time of fellowship as I played a game I love. I was most impressed with the students and their sportsmanship throughout the games, never once arguing or complaining, just enjoying playing a great game like soccer. My team overall did well and my favorite game was against the senior team with Angel and Zach. That was a very fun because the game was very much unpredictable.”

Jorgelitos Mr. George- “It has been a lot of fun for me as a teacher to be able to play intramurals again. For me it has been fun to just get out and play again in a more competitive atmosphere. The highlight for me was most likely in the very first game I had a bicycle kick shot that unfortunately was saved but it felt good to be able to do that even as an old man!”

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Pearl Tang

There are five people. One of them shot and killed one of the other five. Which man is the murderer?

1. Dan ran in the NY City marathon yesterday with one of the innocent men.

2. Mike considered being a farmer before he moved to the city.

3. Jeff is a pro computer consultant and wants to install Ben's new computer next week.

4. The murderer had his leg amputated last month.

5. Ben met Jack for the first time six months ago.

6. Jack has been in seclusion since the crime.

7. Dan used to drink heavily.

8. Ben and Jeff built their last computers together.

9. The murderer is Jack's brother. They grew up together in Seattle.

A Farewell to the Principal

Suntiparp Somsak (Khem)

Mr. Gary Opfer embodies so much of what makes ICS the International Community School—definitely the 'international' part. He had previously worked in six countries during his administration career, returned briefly to the US, and immediately started looking for work overseas. “I came to really enjoy these cross-cultural experiences,” he said, “I wanted to go out of America, again.”

Eventually he became aware of ICS through his daughter-in-law Mrs. Jamie, also an ICS teacher, and landed for an administrative post. Thus began Mr. Gary's tenure as head of the high school he fondly called “the best I'd ever been part of” in his entire career.

“There's an air of respect and enthusiasm from the students that I had never seen anywhere else, not to mention all the wonderful teachers and staff.” And the

feeling is reciprocal among most of the ICS community. Looking back at the last few years, we see a new building being constructed, the student body growing, and the school in general maturing in ways it never had before – all in part thanks to Mr. Gary's effort, hard work, and attention.

When asked whether he might someday come back for a visit, Mr. Gary said, “Honestly, after twenty years abroad, I'd be very happy if I never get on a plane again.” And by all accounts, he sure was serious.

With three married children, a granddaughter, and more charges yet to come, Mr. Gary is set for a charming retirement, raising and cuddling the family's newest members.

Even in the denouncement of his tenure, he seems robust as ever. But for now, Gary Opfer is leaving the school, imparting a part of his legacy and identity to ICS.

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Ms Jessica Charlton: Goodbye Amanda DeWit

It’s always sad to say goodbye to those we love the most. Ms. Jessica Charlton, ICS guidance counselor, will be leaving to go back to the West Coast.

Even though she won’t be here physically, she will be in our hearts spiritually. We were so grateful to have you as our counselor. You have guided us in the right direction, put up with changing schedules, and spread your love with your smile and your passion for God. Every time we would enter your office, you’d always greet us with a warm and genuine smile.

You made everything easier for us, so we didn’t have to struggle. You left your door and your ears open to our problems. You always listened patiently to our problems and offered the best advice. You never failed to remind us about our responsibilities and never got tired of your students.

We thank you so much. We will surely miss your voice that served as our wakeup call for all these years you’ve been here.

We respect you greatly because we all know you are a lifelong learner and your every intention had us students at heart. You were always positive, upbeat, and supportive with your work. It is universally known among students that Ms. Jessica has a very likable air about her. She is very amiable amongst the teachers, staff, and students of this school. Whenever she passes by anyone, she would be the first person to express her greetings while smiling ear to ear. That is why she is seen as one of the most humble and cheerful people ICS has ever met. Her kindness and care for students as a whole is one of the many reasons the school

has seen students blossom into leaders.

You taught us to be willing to take risks and that some things may not work out exactly the way we want, but trying and not achieving total success is better than not trying at all.

“Goodbye may seem forever. Farewell is like the end, but in my heart is the memory and there you will always be.”

She said that she will miss the students and the quirky, sweet, and fun times she had with them. She also said that, “no matter where I go in the future, the students of ICS will always be in my heart and in my prayers.” Wherever your future leads her, we will be watching and cheering for her. Ms. Jes will always have a spot in our hearts. She wasn’t just another member of the ICS faculty. She were a friend when we were in need, an educationist who saw to our needs in studies, and a firm disciplinarian when we were wrong. We appreciate all that she has done for us and we wish her the best for her future. ICS will truly miss her and all the memories you’ve made here will forever be cherished in our hearts.

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Ms Lindsay: Goodbye Leah Robinson

One of ICS’s favourite teachers, Ms Lindsay will be leaving ICS to go back to California at the end of this school year. From student clubs, to senior events or even break times, Ms Lindsay has been there for the student body in their weaknesses and strengths. Encouragement is always overwhelmingly present in her transparency with students who have been greatly impacted by her positivity and hope. Teaching many juniors in American Literature, she never fails to leave a smile on her students’ faces with her lovable persona and personal teaching style, in which relating to each student individually is her forte.

Unsurprisingly, Ms Lindsay’s favourite memories of ICS are times when she is around her students.

Readily available to chat and help with homework or life’s battles, she has never failed to help her students and has been incredibly transparent with

her own life struggles in order to empower girls to stay away from their own demons. When asked if she will return, Ms Lindsay answered ‘if at all possible’; although students at ICS and our recent graduates will miss her bubbly presence at school, she will never be forgotten.

‘Some people come into our lives and quickly go, some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never ever the same.’ Ms Lindsay embodies the last part of this quote for every pupil she has taught and known at ICS and will always remain in the hearts of the student body. Thanking Ms Lindsay for her contributions to our school would seem feeble, so instead we thank God for her impact and we salute her with a final ‘we heart you’ Ms Lindsay and thank you for teaching us all to believe in ourselves.

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How many AP's should each person take?

It really truly depends on the study habits and the dedication the student has to school. For some, one AP course would be enough, or even prove to be too much. An AP Exam is not something you can excel at without any effort. If you’re a student who has little difficulty with reading and writing, two or three AP courses should suffice. If you’re a over achieving maniac with a knack for speed reading and actually retaining information, and have no problem with an immense workload, then by all means, take three to four APs. Just stay away from methamphetamines.

What should I do during summer?

READ. Reading is an immensely underrated activity that is immeasurably valuable for any student. I don’t mean you need to buy a textbook and study over the summer; just simply picking up a more advanced novel is enough. If you have a lower reading level (for example if ‘The Host’ is a difficult read for you) then challenge yourself by finishing the Percy Jackson series during your break (the first book is ‘The Lightning Thief’). If you have a high reading level, I strongly suggest you try ‘Game of Thrones’. If you’re more into romance novels, Nicolas Sparks novels vary in difficulty, and are for the most part interesting to peruse. Also to remain healthy, one should exercise daily, but who are we kidding. We’re teenagers. We’re not going to go running.

Your Style is Within you

by: Alisha Phichitsingh

Yves Saint Laurent once said, “Fashions fade, style is eternal” We all have style, which makes us different from one another. To me, style is your personality shown through what you wear and how you feel at that moment or a period of time. To have style is to truly be you and express yourself, not caring about what other people think. Being original is what style is. A great aspect about style is that you can still follow trends from the runway but add a distinct persona flavor. That flavor can incorporate bright extravagant colors or dark bleak colors. It could even be a mixture of both. You could wear shoes that define yourself, such as Dr. Marten boots, or crazy studded Jeffrey Campbell's. Your deepest desires and most striking traits can be expressed with the whole body, mastering the trends of times and becoming attuned to its unique vibes, allowing you to confidently traverse in vogue.

Speaking of style, the spring 2013 runway is bursting with chic new looks. Black and White has made its way back into fashion. When you think of spring, you think of Easter egg colors and happy floral prints, but this season, designers have emphasized bold black and white looks with various patterns. The great thing about black and white is you can pull it off all year round! Summer arrives and sunglasses are a must need! Sunglasses could be your statement piece in your outfit; you can storm the streets of Bangkok or wherever you are lounging and looking classy.

Beadings further accentuate the fine points of your fashion at an international level. On the runway, you can see influences everywhere from India to the Middle East to Russia. All of this just makes one hear the summer, hungry for fashion. It’s never too late to serve it your own cuisine.

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Brutal Honesty: Capping the Discussion on Capstone Sometimes, a person needs a burst of appreciation. Take this column, for example. The generous staff here at The Quill bestowed upon me a logo, reminiscent of a product of an adolescent’s imitation of an artist, which makes my opinion all the more significant. Well...not really, but being the emotionally secure writer that I am, I affirm that stereotyping the readership as an unassuming flock of sheep easily swayed by basic word art is imperative to maintain my self-esteem. However, other circumstances place an ethical duty upon the Dweller of the First World to peek outside his walls of affordable pleasure and observe the pernicious workings of corrupt societies or at the very least notice the dust of decay in the contiguous corners of those very walls. Optimistically speaking, that was apparently the intention of the educational committee (or some other legitimate sounding name - ICS administrations aren’t very transparent). Additionally, the High Council of Extracurricular Endeavors apparently did not expect an unfocused semi-protest movement to emerge in response.

Personally, I find no qualms with the Capstone Project. The intentions are noble, and its opponents, understandably as students mandated to carry out Capstone, don’t have a single argument that avoids the resemblance of childish whining. Also, the contention that Capstone appeared with the Class of 2015 is unfair is not a valid argument: change is going to happen sometime or another - to absorb a narrow-minded perspective and expire oxygen decrying the timing of change is quite tragic in its classical sense and also callous, ignoring the sentiments of other classmen who may or may not be fit to adapt to such a change. Purveyors of such infantile behavior must know that they have been subject to substantial fortune in return - just ask the academically impassioned juniors and seniors about Summer Geometry and AP Psychology; their consequent expressions mimic those of the ‘wronged’ interviewers.

Now I’ll dilute the acid in my tone (or redirect it elsewhere). The callousness toward others mentioned above? Yeah, 2015‘s perpetration of such a crime is only hypothetical, but its victimhood is a given. Capstone was delivered at a pivotal moment in any student’s high school career: right before the junior year, the Year which the capitalistic partnership of the almighty titans known to pubescent mortals only as College Board and Affiliated Colleges, whimsically decided to punish said peons with a lethal arsenal ranging from the noxious arrows of each word in the AP free response questions to the mother-of-plagues, the SAT, whose ambiguous acronym have led to a flood of derogatory and thus too-inappropriate-to-publish interpretations. The 11th year in ICS isn’t exactly a period of vacant time, and students understand that full well. Now, as a good member of the society which we are trying to benefit through this, one must just sit back and gawk the sheer magnitude of Capstone and the utter lack of a precedent, being a graduation requirement and all, being imposed on multicultural busybodies who are now required to assign time to at least pretend to care about society. This is probably the strongest argument on the side of Capstone’s detractors.

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Quotes & Factoids

by: Pearl Tang

Have something on your mind? Need someone to consult? Ask Shirley a question! If you would like to submit a question, just visit the newspaper’s Facebook page for more info! Remember, all submissions are anonymous!

Editor-In-Chief: Will Leelamanthep Writers: Arb Kasemsantitham, Win Leelamanthep, Khem Somsak, Young Kwang Shin, Alisha Phichitsingh, Amanda DeWit, Leah Robinson, Bethany Groot, "Shirley" Editors: Young Kwang Shin, Poom Sethabutr, Prim Thientanukij Photographer: Pat Chitnuchtaranon Eagles Extravaganza: Pearl Tang Facebook Manager: Grace Hsieh Advisor: Ms. Lissa Scott Graphics and Layout Designer: Teak Pornyuenyong