Tuesday 31 October 2017

Elynn Tan: Future Olympian?

Natalie Ryan

Dalat’s very own Elynn Tan (12) first started swimming because of inheriting asthma. It was one of the many cures without actually taking medicine; her parents supported her and thought it was a great idea. She fell in love with it because it was something unique, rather than land sports. “Water sports seem cooler,” said Elynn.

She usually practices six times a week for 2.5 hours daily. She doesn’t train when she has too much work to do for school, or if she doesn’t feel well. School takes priority. Though balance is not easy, minimizing procrastination makes things easier to manage; time-management is key. Swimming is not a school sport because Dalat lacks the resources to make a team. This makes things much harder for Elynn; she feels as if the school does not fully recognise her accomplishments and dedication because it is not “a part of the school.” Making up work and tests is hard as there is little to no leniency, but it is worth it. She is following her passion and she says, “...it is definitely rewarding.”

Constant training can be very time consuming and tiring; Tan says, “I always complain about how tough training is, and it is, but it is what makes the brighter days brighter.”

Swimming is both her passion and her outlet; it helps her de-stress after a long day at school.

She hopes to go to Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh for architecture; swimming is a big part of her life, but she wants to do other things in her future. Elynn hopes to be a part of NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) and the college swim team.

“It’s a chance for me to see my fellow Malaysia friends that study in the States,” she hopes.

She doesn’t want to give up on something she has trained so hard for, and it would be good to take advantage of another opportunity.

Being able to represent Malaysia on different levels has given her so many incredible opportunities. Her most significant event so far was the recent SEA games, as she said,“It was really eye-opening getting to swim alongside Olympians and race with them…my favourite part was doing relays and playing swimming games...it was really fun getting to know and bond with people all over the world, from Singapore to the Philippines. It’s cool to get to know many people around the world with the same interest in swimming as me."

If Elynn wasn’t doing swimming, she would do different types of sports (especially those part of the school). It would also give her a chance to hang out more with her friends and have more free time.




Torrential Try-Outs

Doris Koay

As the 3:50pm bell rang on October 30th, most of the elementary and secondary school students were heading home while the KICs club teachers were organizing the various sports equipment before the high school girls gradually entered the gym with beating hearts and sweaty palms—it was the day for varsity basketball tryouts.

“Unlike how it was two years ago, the girls who came for the tryout increased from 18 to 36 in just two years!” said Mr. Steinkamp, the coach for the girls’ varsity basketball team.

As all of the girls gathered around Mr. Steinkamp, he blew the whistle and the boys were sent out of the gym to avoid adding more stress for the girls. It started raining so heavily that we could barely hear what Mr. Steinkamp was saying.

Most of the girls tried their best although they had not played before. Well, at least I did. The players from the basketball team last year showed their skills and led the other girls who had no idea what to do.

The sound of the basketballs thumping on the wooden floor lasted for the next hour and a half as the papers in Mr. Steinkamp’s and Mr. Brewster’s hands were filled with observations of us. We tried shooting, dribbling, sprinting, and even playing 3-on-3.

As the final whistle blew, the girls gathered again in the middle of the gym with red and sweaty faces. It all ended on Monday 5:30pm, on a rainy evening.

“The tryout was both fun and tiring. 3-on-3 was really fun,” said Shannen Leong (12).

“I think that it was pretty tiring. Overall, I liked the tryout itself, but I didn't like how it started with shooting. The sprinting was really tiring, and left hand shooting was difficult for me,” Jiah Choi (9) said.

The results were out that night for both the varsity and JV basketball teams. Congratulations to those who made it onto the team, and good effort to those who didn't. Let's go, Eagles! 

Monday 23 October 2017

October “Holy Days”

Zachary Kok

‘What should I do during the fall break?’ This was the question all Dalat students were thinking when the final bell rang on Friday, October 13 before the long-anticipated fall break. Some students were clueless as to what they would do, while others had plans arranged since the beginning of the school year.

Fall break is a one-week holiday where classes are put on hold and all activities cease. The break is meant for students, as well as staff members, to relax and enjoy a week without the worry of schoolwork.

The most popular activity students planned is travelling. Most students have families who are living overseas, so this one-week holiday is the perfect opportunity to be reunited with their loved ones.

Rainbow Chan (12) said, “I went to China to visit my parents. They are missionaries and I went there to spend some time. I also helped babysit some kids.”

Alicia Chin (11) commented, “I went to Canada to visit my brother, Anson (Class of 2017). Even though it’s only been two months of him being away, my whole family misses him a lot.”

Others travelled so that they can plan for the near future. Sophia Ong (12) mentioned, “I went to Melbourne, Australia. I am planning to attend a university there and so I visited the place to check out the colleges.”

And others travelled for sport events. Daniel Kim (12) said, “I went to Manila for a volleyball tournament. I slept in a guesthouse with my team, so I had to share a bed with Simon Jeong (12). At the end of the week, I realized that fighting for the blanket and trying to not get hugged like a pillow was more challenging than competing in the tournament itself.”

As fun as overseas travelling might be, some students find joy in travel that does not require an aeroplane. Rosie Shin (12) said, “My favourite part of the break is travelling to KL in a car. I shopped and ate lots of Korean food. I also had the privilege to tour around the Pavilion Mall.”

To the rest of the students who had no plans made prior, home is truly where the heart is. As Yusoof Monavwil (11) said, “Fall break is the perfect time to stay at home and relax. I enjoyed the time off from school, and I managed to catch up with sleep.”

No matter how each student spent fall break, there is one thing that is for sure: one week of break is not long enough.

Future - Blood, Sweat, Tears (ft. commonapp.org)

Chan Woong Won

Don’t ask the seniors where they are applying for university. Don’t ask them what work they want to do in the future, either. Most likely, they won’t know the answer to either question; I don’t, at least.

The good years of high school have passed, and now the forty-seven members of Dalat’s Class of 2018 are furiously squeezing their brains to polish their college applications--or so hopes Mr. Dobson.

In starting their application process, the seniors are queried on their career of interest and the highest degree they intend to earn; it is a mandatory section, and the choice “undecided” is at the bottom of a long list.

For many in high school, “what do you want to do in college?” is an unexpected question. Freshmen, like Sumin Lim (9), who have all the time and leisure in the world, can easily say, “no idea fam.”

Sophomores think similarly;  Joseph Chandra (10) comments on the same query, “I don’t know, but I don’t care.”

Clearly, this lack of seriousness is carried onto the junior year, for Amanda Low (11) answers without much hesitation, “go party!”

On the other hand, there are others who have it figured out. When asked about his passion, Daniel Go (12), who owns $4,000 worth of bitcoin,  identified it as “cryptocurrency” and zealously continued, calling it the “beginning of a new era.”

 Likewise, Maverick Kirby (12), an ex-Dalat student who recently started his own clothing line hER, called it a “joy” to “see people rep out the gang” and to “be able to deliver his unique personality to the world.”

If I could choose, I would be the latter; but unfortunately, I am the former. As a result, I am paying the price for it. I spend my time worrying, what if I don’t like what I choose to study? What if I never find the job I want?

Nevertheless, it is comforting to know that Dalat sends out this message: that there is a purpose for everyone, a unique future designed and destined by the ultimate tailor. Maybe we shouldn’t worry too much; after all, we don’t have a choice--it’s just part of the once-in-a-lifetime senior experience.

As Peter Kim (12) puts it, “...[the whole process of college applications] is in one way suffocating but necessary - it's just a part of life that we have to go through and realize that it's the truth.”

So I take this opportunity to wish the Class of 2018 good luck. Good luck with juggling school work, grades, activities, college essays, sports, social life, and just about everything else you do, and most importantly, good luck with discovering your passion. We are all in this together. Juniors, you are next.

Tuesday 10 October 2017

A Narrow Loss

Jonathon Chinn

One crucial match against Uplands A would decide the fate of two tournaments – PSAC and Spike and Strike. The game was a close one, but in the end, Dalat lost on penalties.

It was two tournaments packed into one day for the boys in blue and white. The Spike and Strike football tournament had been scheduled that week, but because of an earlier draw against Uplands A they were forced to play for the PSAC trophy in that same game. The pressure was mounting in the buildup to the match. Everyone was tense and nervous.

As time came for the Dalat boys to step out onto the pitch and battle their opponents in an all or nothing match, viewers could sense that it was going to be special. Both teams went at it all the way, from the first minute to the last, in a dirty brawl. There were crunching tackles and thumping headers, and there was a lot of time wasting that some considered to be unsportsman-like. Dalat had some great chances, but they flew just over the goal. Extra time loomed, and by then the whole team knew that Uplands were waiting out the minutes, hoping for a penalty shootout.

Courtesy of some solid defensive work and sluggish attacking play, they did just that. A nerve-wracking penalty shootout ensued with both teams scoring and missing penalties, and it was not to be. By the time both sides had taken their standard five penalties, Dalat had missed two and Uplands only one. The team was heartbroken watching their opponents run around in jubilee. Everyone knew that they had missed a big, big chance to win something this year, and the disappointment showed on everyone’s face.

 Jesse Lohman (12) summed the up the thoughts of the whole team in two words, “Highly disappointing.”

And it was. Dalat’s rival school, Uplands ended up winning both tournaments because though we drew on points, Spike and Strike was lost to Uplands on goal difference.

Tuesday 3 October 2017

Spike and Strike: The Three Mitochondria

Chia Hoong Ewe
 It was the week of Spike and Strike, twelve volleyball teams filled the gymnasium, along with a spirited crowd, pondering the question, “which team is the best?”

Deafening spikes and squeaky shoes echoed throughout the gym. Sweat raced down each player's face as they desperately shuffled around the court to keep the ball in play. Despite it being the third Friday in a row for volleyball events, our varsity volleyball team still had the drive to win. And even though Penang State wasn't in the tournament, the competition was just as fierce.

Three teams stood out above the rest. If Spike and Strike was a cell, there were three mitochondria. The cohesively coordinated Chun Ling, the intensely quick Heng Ee, and the tenaciously sturdy SMK Perai. Though I supported Dalat wholeheartedly, the difference between those three times and the rest were as clear as night and day.

Dalat stood tall amongst Han Chiang and ICS Singapore. Against both teams, Dalat took the first set by a convincing lead. However, the second set appeared to go either way in both cases. As Daniel Kim (12) put it, “we've got to leave room to throw, or else it won't be a challenge.”

Dalat triumphed over them but unfortunately suffered their fair share of losses. Chun Ling steamrolled them with leads as far as 17 points. SMK Perai too proved to be difficult as Number 5 controlled the court. Dalat, however, managed a tight nail-biting game against Heng Ee, but alas were defeated.

Number 5 on Perai seemed like he single-handedly carried his team throughout the tournament. With his seemingly ambidextrous command of the ball and frightening strength, the crowd could only cheer in awe as he let a spike loose. His omnipresence on the court proved irritating to challengers as he covered for his teammates and dove for clutch receives.

Heng Ee also had an outstanding talent on their team. Number 7 conveyed the difference in experience between him and the rest.  He made decisions confidently and without hesitation. Number 7 and Number 5 exhibited dumbfounding spiking prowess.

Both Perai and Heng Ee had their star players showcased. Not to take anything away from the rest of their teams but when these two schools faced off (arguably one of the best matches of the tournament), it seemed like a one-on-one between Titans. Even other teams cheered as their alluring plays drew more and more attention.

In all of this, however, Chun Ling was the one to take home the gold. Though Number 7 (Heng Ee) and Number 5 (SMK Perai) had the aptitude and potential to carry their teams, Chun Ling's balanced skillset and exceptional teamwork proved too much of a challenge.

All players on Chun Ling could hit hard, bump well, and think on the fly. Whenever the three teams played against each other, the competition resembled that of a semi-professional game. All three of these teams performed extraordinarily and produced some unforgettable matches as a result.

Spike and Strike: My Mom Said So

Aaron Tan

Locking his eyes on the volleyball in the air, Daniel Kim (12) braces himself to make an accurate set to Simon Jeong (12). The ball falls into his hands for less than a second before it's sent flying directly above the spiker. Launching himself into the air, Jeong swings his arm down on the volleyball as the spectators watched in suspense.

Spike and Strike started on September 29th and ended the next day. The school’s volleyball teams challenged many teams from other schools. For the tournament, the varsity boys volleyball team challenged players with calibers as high as state level. The team fought hard, even though some of the other teams played with higher skill levels.

“It was a real hassle to deal with the top three teams (Chung Ling, Perai, and Heng Ee) because there were Penang State players spread throughout those teams,” said Yigal Ang (12). “They had really good fakes, quirks, and spikes. The matches made me realize how far I was from being a good player and that I needed to work much harder than I did.”

The girls had a similar experience. They challenged strong schools and got fourth place. The girls beat ICS Singapore and VPM and had a close game with Chung Ling. They fought hard against Heng Ee, which consisted of multiple state players.

“Even though we didn't get a medal, everyone improved their skills and I know this because the coach, my mom, said so,” said Julia Munson (12). “We had a great time, but I wish my fellow senior, Ke-erh, didn’t leave me.”

The ball left Simon’s hand and made and flew like a bullet towards the opposing court. He watched his opponents dive for the ball, but he did so with a smile forming on his face. The ball landed on the court, inches away from the fingers of his adversaries. He returned to the ground and was met by the excited cheers of his teammates.