Monday 26 October 2015

Senior Night Smack Down

Sabrina Ly

On Thursday night, 22 October, at approximately 6pm, loud cheering emanated from the gym as parents, students, and teachers could be found watching the much anticipated volleyball event, Senior Night. 

Volleyball Senior Night shone a spotlight on the seniors of both the girls’ and guys’ team. The eight seniors, consisting of six girls and two guys, would face the combined might of the both the volleyball teams.  The senior’s team consisted of Angelene Woo, Tayah Lee, Charlotte Combrink, Mary-Claire McIntyre, Karissa Steinkamp, Sarah Tan, Harrison Taylor, and Joseph Leech; they played three sets against their younger teammates with only two subs throughout the entire match. With seven out of the eight players having several years of experience under their belts, the match clearly featured a quality versus quantity aspect.

The first match started off with the combined team leading the scoreboard; however, within a short amount of time, the seniors quickly got into their groove and led the set until they claimed victory. With strong hitters such as Karissa Steinkamp and Charlotte Combrink, and experienced setters such as Tayah Lee and Joseph Leech, the game quickly picked up intensity as the seniors worked together to showcase their abilities. After the seniors won both sets by a comfortable margin, the coaches decided to play another set to fifteen points, with the seniors winning that set also. Neither team had coaches as the players coached themselves and organized their own line-up, ensuring that every player had an equal chance to play. Mr. Roylance, the boys’ volleyball coach, offered his services to ref the game, and Ms. Munson, the girls’ volleyball coach, acted as scorekeeper. The night ended with a flourish as all the volleyball players stood side-by-side and bowed to the crowd while the audience applauded.

When asked about her view of how Senior Night went, Karissa Steinkamp (12) said, “It was really enjoyable because we could just play freely without having any pressure of what our positions were and who won the game.”

Sarah Tan (12), when asked the same, responded, "It was really great to be able to finish off the season together in a fun, no-pressure game." 

Many players thought the night offered a way to honor the seniors and allowed the players to have one last fun game before they headed off to their season-end tournament the following week. The relaxing game provided entertainment for everyone in attendance and allowed good-natured rivalry between the seniors and the younger players.

The Blind Date Scandal

Peter Lee

On October 16, 2015, the day before the students and staff embarked on a one-week break from school, the seniors finally met their eighth grade buddies for the first time.
            Every year, the seniors and the eighth graders spend time together for the sole purpose to bond as a community. The inevitable segregation between high school and middle school undeniably separates both physical and verbal communication amongst these students. Thus, the seniors take some time of their own to interact with the eighth graders. In the midst of all the fun time they share, the seniors also offer some advice for the eighth graders when they make the daunting transition to high school.
“I don’t even know what he looks like!” cried Yang Sheng-Ting (12), who was eagerly curious to find out who his buddy was.
The seniors choose their buddies from a list of names, and some seniors may know their buddies while others have no clue. In other words, some of them have a “blind date” (only males were allowed to pair with males; females with females).
Before these blind dates this year, the seniors had to first search for their buddies on the basketball court during X-block. After discovering the new faces, the seniors got together with their buddies, grabbed some paper and pencils, and patiently waited for Charlotte Combrink, a Senior Excomm member, to give instructions.
The first game they played was “Two Truths and a Lie” as the buddies pondered and scribbled down the craziest lies and truths they could think of. Next, Combrink instructed everyone to flip their papers and draw out the costumes the paired buddies were going to wear the day before Halloween. While everyone creatively drew out costumes and inane mascots, the Senior Class Sponsors distributed chocolate ice cream for such a sunny day.
Unfortunately, the bell rang to everyone’s surprise as they all wished time could have stopped in evanescent times like these.
“I think it was a good opportunity to bond with people not in the same age group as me,” stated Jong-min Park (8).
Noel Teng (12) concluded, “It was a very nostalgic experience because I remembered when I had a senior buddy who became a very good friend of me. It made me feel like I have a little lion cub to train into a mighty king of the jungle.”

Although the paired buddies sadly departed to their separate ways, they soon realized that school break was just around the corner; and soon enough, the court was inundated with furtive smiles and juvenile anticipation.

Grade Eight and Twelve Delve Deeper

Rachel Halbedl

On October 16, 2015, the seniors (the class of 2016) and the eighth graders (class of 2022) gathered for their first meeting together on the outdoor court. Chatter and conversation filled the court as everyone met their new buddy. Some pairs had known each other for years, but others were meeting for the very first time. “Two Lies and a Truth” was the first game everyone played.

Suddenly, all ears on the court perked up as the words “ice cream,” resounded. Mr. Steinkamp announced the arrival and distribution of ice cream. Practically everyone went towards the ice cream that was being distributed. As eighth graders and seniors were consuming all the ice cream, they went on to discuss the upcoming costume party.

The costume event would be held on October 30th. The buddies would make plans to coordinate their future costumes to encourage team spirit.


As the first buddy event rounded to a close, both the eighth and twelfth graders walked off satisfied and closer to their partners. Personally, I felt this was a fantastic way to get to know my younger classmates.

Tuesday 13 October 2015

Senior Focus: The Fun of Spirit Week

Robert Kilgo and Keegan Oppenheim

Ushering in the second quarter, Spirit Week (6 October-9 October) provided both students and teachers alike the chance to relax and show school pride. Seniors especially embraced this pride.
It was good week, especially because of the blessing that Monday was. Thanks to the haze, the school was closed for students, but the staff still had to come in—sorry, guys. It was no loss to students, as Spirit Week was originally scheduled to start on Tuesday anyways.
Tuesday was class Color Day, with some seniors taking it very seriously by dressing completely in the class color (good job, Abby Bengs), while others were not so serious and  hardly showed any class pride (looking at you, Joseph Leech). Needless to say, the entire senior class looked like they were attending a funeral, as their color was black. But one look at the sophomores burned the eyes a bit, as they were dressed in pink!
 On to Wednesday, which was the Swap Day. Teachers dressed up like students or young people, and students dressed up as the profession they would like to enter into someday. Some went all out, like Lexi Zimbulis who dressed up as a surgeon and “not a nurse,” as she said, while others, like Joseph Leech, want to dedicate their lives to remaining Dalat students, as the mandatory uniform served as their ‘amazing costume.’
Thursday was Crazy Day, and it was probably the most exciting day. Most everyone participated on this day, because the only real requirement was to clash. And clash they did for sure. In fact, there were so many good outfits, that it’s hard to remember who had the best; it’s all just a blur of color. But if a best costume had to be pulled out of the memory, it would go to none other than Joseph Leech who wore his school uniform to school yet again. It was crazy!
 Finishing the week off, Friday was Spirit Day, where blue and gold wore worn as the ultimate show of school spirit. It was really fun to see everyone do different things with those colors, even going so far as dying their hair blue and gold, like Mary-Claire McIntyre. Others used blue and gold face paint to top it all off. Joseph Leech showed extra school spirit that day by wearing a navy blue shirt with gold stripes and khaki shorts. For some reason, it looked exactly like Dalat’s regular uniform—go figure!

Spirit Week was loved. (And we love you, Joseph Leech.)   

Photo Credit: Gloria Kim

The Disappearance of Six Hundred Students

Amanda Goh 

On Wednesday, 7 October, dreams came true in Dalat. Students became doctors, astronauts, princesses, ballerinas, and engineers, while teachers relived their experience as students again, as the roles were switched.
            During Spirit Week, one of the days was themed Teacher-Student Swap. This year all the teachers and students from Pre-K to the seniors were included; the oldest and the youngest of the community came together to dress up for this fun event. Throughout the day, students asked each other what they wanted to be when they grow up and giggled at their teachers’ school outfits.
            During recess, little kids—dressed in lavish costumes—pretended to act out the daily duties of their career. Doctors started treating their patients on the playground and giving injections to their “sick” friends. Chefs cooked for a busy restaurant, making sure the orders were organized. Pilots flew planes safely towards the airport, while artists painted on the trees. The imagination that flowed from the kids was incredible; Dalat was filled with magic as big dreams were finally accomplished.
            The older kids also showed their passion by dressing up creatively.
“It was wonderful to see the teacher-student spirit in participating during the swap day,” Samuel Tan (12) expressed, showing his happiness in seeing the unity of the Dalat community. A lot of students participated which also made it fun.
Some, sadly, realized they had no hope. Kai Fraser (12), who dressed as a hobo, said cheekily, “Teacher-student swap day was an interesting experience and I finally got to know what it’s like to become my future self for a day.”
            During lunch, seniors left school in their career attire, gaining the attention of the local people at the food stalls. An unusual combination of a chef, businesswoman, engineer, and mom were seen sitting together at a table, perplexing the people surrounding them.
            When the bell rang, signaling for the students to return to their classes, loud chatter started to quiet down. Although students entered the classrooms again, they still continued to act like their aspirations.
 “Send me the lab results once you’re done,” whispered scientist Sidharta Selvaraja (2) to his lab assistant. This craze-filled day gave the Dalat community a chance to be who they want to be; instead of limitations, students and teachers could finally explore the wonders and magic of their imagination and dreams.




Hazy Day, Lazy Day

Noel Teng

On October 4, 2015, what seemed like any other Sunday before school, students and parents of Dalat received a surprise e-mail by the headmaster of Dalat International School.

The haze from the fires of Indonesia’s forest had engulfed the island of Penang in a thick cloud of toxic smoke. Along with decreased visibility, it had brought sickness to many students and adults alike. This haze was feared by many students and parents who care for their children’s health. All across Penang, schools were said to close for two days. It was the first time Dalat has closed due to haze.

“Well, it was the first time in my 10 years at Dalat to have a day off for safety reasons,” said Gloria Kim.

Students with plans for Monday were left disappointed and awaiting Tuesday. Many homework assignments due on Monday were postponed to Tuesday. Teachers who expected to also get a day off were very wrong, for they had to come to school and work as usual. The hot and sweltering heat trapped in by the haze only served to remind the students of how nice the headmaster is for allowing them a day off.

Students and their lungs thank the school for an opportunity to rest and recover from previous days of exposure to the toxins in the air. Similarly, the students had an extra day to get caught up on assignments and deadlines.                                                              

As Sam Tan said, “It was such a lovely day off to have, since the haze was terribly bad due to the forest fires in Indonesia. I had a lot of free time to finish and go ahead on some school work.”


Students and parents both had a day to rest and sleep in. Many of them who wake up groggy in the morning had an extra day in their weekend to slumber an extra hour or two. It truly was a hazy and lazy day for most. 

Tuesday 6 October 2015

#SmileGiveThanksServeOthers

Sunny Kim

On Tuesday, 29 September, the anticipated crowd of high  schoolers sat still, waiting for the all-in-one Ted-talk speaker, stand-up comedian, and youth speaker, Javier Sanchez to come up.
            A few seconds after opening his mouth, Sanchez stole the crowd's heart and a roar of laughter erupted. In the midst of all the jokes about feeding his son fire balls to the atomic aftermath of a baby's burp, Sanchez expounded on his formula to happiness.
            Javier Sanchez says, "The formula to happiness is smiling, giving thanks, and serving others." He explained how smiling releases endorphins in the brain that
makes one happier, perform better, and appear more attractive. After hearing this, students and teachers alike began to flash their smiles, testing to see if it was really true and, perhaps, also hoping to look good.
             Sanchez also explained that smiling makes one a good ambassador for Christ. According to the 7-11 Rule, "In the first seven seconds of contact, a person forms eleven impressions about you." Many first impressions are made purely based on one's appearance, so a smile can greatly enhance one's image in those seven seconds. For Christians, a smile reflects a good relationship with God that shows pride and contentment in being followers of Christ.
            Unfortunately, smiles have become a rare thing that only appear in selfies. However, as Sanchez stated, people should constantly smile, not only when something good happens, but also with the hope that something good will happen.
Amanda Goh (12) said, "I especially liked how he said we should not base our happiness on what is happening; as humans, we are always waiting for something good that will make us happy. But only God's love can bring ultimate satisfaction. He reminded us to smile even in times of darkness to set an example for non-Christians."

            With the ring of the bell signaling lunch time, the students filed out of the chapel, practicing their smiles. The spiritually full high schoolers and staff left the chapel and went to their second lunch, ready to be made physically full.  

“SCIPping” for Joy

Mackenzie Jordan

The air buzzed with a young energy on Friday, 2 October after school. Second through fifth grade boys and girls gathered Dalat’s upper field for a tournament against SCIPS.
“They all had so much energy,” commented Hannah Buhr (11). “It was refreshing to see so much excitement on the faces of all the little soccer players.”
            The event presented a welcomed opportunity for the Varsity soccer girls to coach and referee the games. Those with thicker skin decided they could face the sometimes terrifying task of making tough calls on the tiny second-graders.
"At times it was difficult to tell what team should have possession but we needed to have confidence in our decisions so that the games could be fair," said Chloe Castro (11).
Others took on the responsibility of keeping their team of mini-eagles as calm and organized as possible. The excited energy bottled within each player was, at times, difficult to handle.
The girls did their best to ensure that each player got time on the field, gave tips and encouragement, and cheered on their team. Parents from both schools turned up to support their miniature athletes and socialize with one another, and juniors also grasped the opportunity to make some extra cash selling drinks and freezies to the tired players.
            The tournament benefited both the students who played, and the older girls who received the chance to pass on some of the skills they had learned throughout their own soccer season.
 "Even though we didn't win any games, it was super fulfilling to coach the 4th and 5th grade girls. They were enthusiastic and had great team spirit and attitude," said Emma Hofer (12). She also reflected on the new appreciation they developed for their coach and others who referee professionally: "It was new for me to be put in a coaching position, so now I understand and appreciate more of what my own soccer coach and other coaches experience," said Hofer.
At the end of the day there were still smiles on their faces, and many of them continued to chase each other and practice their shooting skills, even after the games were done. There is a valuable lesson to learn from these vibrant, young athletes—they possessed such pure joy and excitement, simply because they got to play a few games of soccer. All of the participating students were still full of energy and enthusiasm by the end of the tournament, regardless of whether they had won or lost.



Football Fanatics

Elisabeth Brokaw

With two bags of balls slung over shoulders, a big jug of water lugged by two more arms, and a stool carried by a fifth hand, a group of seventeen cleat-clad girls and an amazing coach prepare for football/soccer practice. Four school days a week, the Dalat Varsity girls’ team loads into PE vans or scale the stairs to Upper Field for practice, and they meet on the fifth day for captain-led conditioning.
Some might just roll their eyes at this dedicated crew, and others might see a bunch of girls who are crazy in the head (after performing too many “headers”); but hopefully all see a loving lot of sweet girls who are devoted and hard-working, because that’s who they really are. The soccer girls might be a batch of silly high schoolers who play a sport that the rest of the island seems to think isn’t a girls’ sport, but does that stop them? Absolutely not.
It takes a lot of brainpower to focus on giving one thing with absolute energy for an hour or two straight, day after day. But these ladies do just that and come away with smiling faces and good attitudes, even if they are drenched in sweat.
A big factor behind this is the companionship built by playing a team sport with peers. Students who participate in sports, and other extracurricular activities, have the opportunity to build friendships that cross the boundaries tacitly set by the grade they are in. It doesn’t have to be football, but football certainly is special in its own way, just like every other extracurricular.
“I love the soccer season,” declares Melynn Kendrick (10) in reflection, “because you get to experience so much with all of your newfound best friends.”
Likewise, Mackenzie Jordan (12) states, “Soccer has been a great experience; I have loved the chance to get to know girls from so many different grades. It's like having sixteen sisters.” Playing on a team helps to diminish division, to forge familial feelings, and to make memories. Jordan continues, saying, “This sport has also taught me to push myself in ways that I never have or thought I could.”
 In this way, football is a chance for players to learn about themselves. In practice and in games, they learn where their physical strengths and weaknesses are; but players also build mental strength when they play games. Actual matches are times to test both their level of skill and their level of heart.
The players have been stretched this season, playing in tournaments at ISKL and POWIIS, along with a few more friendly matches against teams like Uplands and Dalat’s own JV boys’ team. Overall the team has done well, and they have more to look forward to during second semester, when they will travel as a family to the ACSC Girls’ Soccer tournament in Guam.
So—football. It’s more than just a sport in which people get sweaty and kick a spherical object around, hoping to get it past the goalie and into the net. It’s an activity of companionship that builds lasting memories and strong character. What more could anyone ask for?
Danielle Combrink (10) explains, “I didn't play soccer last year, but I definitely do not regret joining it this year.” And her teammates would agree with her reasoning that “soccer practice is a perfect blend of fun, joking around with my friends, and hard work, pushing myself with drills and conditioning. I've gotten to know a lot of girls so much better, which I really think is so important, because for me, sports is one of my main ways to get to know the older girls better.”
Ask any one of those crazy soccer girls how she feels about her sport, and her answer would definitely match Combrink’s: “I've loved every second of it.”