Wednesday 31 October 2018

It’s Show Time

Jackson Miller

Last week saw a momentous occasion for the Dalat drama department. The student written three act murder mystery, To Kill a Murderer, premiered on the 17th and 18th of October; the first production to be performed in Harbor Hall. A full cast of student actors, some longstanding drama enthusiasts, others newly interested in acting, spent two busy months rehearsing and practicing under the direction of Mrs. Horton and Miss Geiman. This is by far the shortest time that any drama team has had to pull off a full-scale production here at Dalat.
As the big night quickly approached, the cast spent a busy week of school during the day and dress rehearsals at night. The tech crew worked tirelessly to design set pieces and procure costumes. Posters and announcements popped up all over school, advertising the upcoming production. The final rehearsal came and went, and the realization suddenly dawned that we were near the end. Opening night arrived with the set finished just in time.
As we put on makeup and costumes, the conversation was about memories made and new friendships. The crowd started to gather, and we all took our places backstage. The hall was full of an audience waiting with eager anticipation for what was to come. Backstage, we smothered our coughs and talk died down to whispers as the lights came down and the (metaphorical) curtain began to open….
Dalat seniors Suji Lim and Kristi Philips spent their summer weaving the glorious script for To Kill A Murderer. In an exclusive interview with Philips, she remarked about having her writing produced: “It was a huge privilege to be so involved in the actual performance and production of the script. I am aware that most playwrights have almost no control whatsoever over the play after they've sent their script off; so, to actually be a part of the cast and give input on the production was really special.”
And this play was certainly very special. Intrigue and mystery fill the story, so much so that we gasped and marveled during the first read-through. The play contains unique characters, many with extensive backstories. Kristi portrayed Iridium on stage, a logical chemist with a soft spot for family. When asked what it was like to act as a character she created, Kristi replied that “as the writer, I knew exactly what each line meant and how I wanted to say it; but as the actor, the challenge became doing my own character justice and helping the audience to see [her] as I did.”
The cast steadily developed and learned about their characters throughout the month of rehearsals. Everyone agrees the cast represented their characters extremely well.
The final performance wowed audiences as the layers of intrigue were slowly revealed, and the story fell into place: the audience gasped when Rylance came back to life, they were shocked at the revelation of Octavian Ballester, and they laughed as Jade and Bianca met their favorite Juggernaut Agency Members. When the last scene came, and the curtain would have closed, the hall was filled with loud applause.
Backstage, we congratulated each other on a job well done with hugs and high-fives all around. The first season of drama had concluded, and we all felt a bit sad that our cast was disbanding. Many of the actors will again participate in drama for the Christmas season, while others are moving on to other things.
Overall, To Kill a Murderer was a huge success. Kristi concludes by saying, “we were essentially making Dalat history and blazing the trail for all dramas to come.”



The Ball In Our Court

Ashlynn Ruble

The week before fall break, Dalat’s soccer and volleyball teams had their biggest  tournament of the season, ACSC. The volleyball girls had ACSC at home, where we hosted the rest of the teams.

The week consisted of many activities, such as the opening ceremony, the cultural night, volleyball games, and the closing banquet on the last night. After a week of playing hard and getting to know other teams, it was great to have a night where we ate dinner together and released floating lanterns over the ocean. A common highlight from ACSC is often spending time with other people and getting to know other teams, while also playing them in intense competition. Often, the tournament is a learning and growing experience for every individual both on and off the court.

During the ACSC tournament, our team was pushed very hard, but still managed to show incredible perseverance and focus on the court. There were times where positions were switched from what our players had practiced, but everyone stepped up to the challenge and did their best. Even with obstacles like soreness, sickness, and injuries, we were able to play our game and do our best. One example is that one of our outside hitters switched to middle hitter and completely showed her dominance in that position, especially considering that the middle was often a target for the other teams.

Having ACSC at home was a fun experience because we had supporters at every game cheering us on, and we were able to share some of our lives and culture with the other teams. It was an emotional tournament because most of our team is seniors, but that also made the experience even more special. One of our seniors, Carissa Hoffmeyer said “Most people were sad that our last year of ACSC was home, but for me I loved the opportunity to show the other teams around Penang and play for the last time on our court, in our gym.”

Although our goal was to be top four in the tournament and we ended in fifth, we fought hard and it was a great end to a season of hard work and investment of both time and effort into volleyball and every individual on the team.

Tuesday 30 October 2018

Beaches, Bags, & Bronze

Yi Yao Tan

Six boys position themselves on court, waiting for the whistle. Sweat dripping. Crowds cheering. This is it. Boom!! A finishing blow by Albert Jeong (12), as he settles the score 15-12 once and for all. Dalat is in the semis.

With a season full of ups and downs, some wins and many losses, Dalat’s varsity boys volleyball finally lifted their heads and saw victory in a 2-1 playoff upset of the original third seed, Faith Academy. Having lost to Faith in round-robin earlier in the week, the team was undeterred; with meticulous planning and strategizing, the Eagles gained their foothold to shut down their dangerous competitors. In the semis, Dalat fought valiantly, however, losing to the defending champions YISS in a hard fought 1-3 loss resulting in a bronze medal for Dalat.

A week earlier, the team had arrived fresh on the island of Guam after more than a day of traveling, ready to take on their opponents. The first few days before the tournament, however, were calm and filled with hours of beach time, exploring, shopping, and snorkeling.

“The best part about snorkeling is being able to refresh your mind in the nice, cold water, and in the end, you forget about your homework,” said Karl Chan (12).

Guam is not only known for its beaches but is filled with malls and outlets full of American goods and tourists looking for souvenirs to bring back. Almost every day, the boys had dinner and spent hours after games walking around malls looking for something “special” to bring back.

The tournament, ACSC Boys Volleyball, began with an opening ceremony on a Tuesday evening. There were many new faces, along with quite a few old ones of experienced players. For the next four days, six teams, Dalat, Faith Academy, Saint Paul Christian School, SPCS JV, International Community School of Hong Kong, and Yongsan International School of Seoul, competed to prove themselves as the best ACSC volleyball team.
The intense competition not only grew the individual players and different teams but also the relationships between players of different teams, as they also worked together in community service: teaching local children and mixed around scrimmaging on empty courts.

At the end of the week, the Dalat boys volleyball team returned with well-deserved medals, memories, shopping bags, and many new friendships.

A Devastating but a Memorable Week

Seong-Min Kim
           
“All for one, seize the moment! All for one, seize the moment! All for one, seize the moment!” Captain Seong-Min Kim (12) and Jeremy Worten (12) led the Dalat varsity boys’ soccer team with a chant that spread across Hong Kong and made a fierce presence on the field.

Wednesday, October 17th, 2018 was the start of the journey to become “Champions of Asia.” The boys’ varsity soccer went up against Morrison Academy in their first game of ACSC Tournament. Throughout the match, the intensity level was high with lots of physical contact against the thick team of Morrison. The match concluded with a 2-1 loss but the boys played an “enormous game,” according to Coach Dustin Roberts, who wanted the team to carry on this momentum to the next game.

The second and third day decided which playoff spot they would be placed in. Their second game of the tournament was against Grace International School. The boys were hyped and ready to compete. The boys struck first with a goal by Ruben Nyul (12) which then escalated towards full time when Seong-Min Kim (12) hit a 25-yard banger to give a commanding 2-0 lead against the opponent. With poor field conditions, the team came out with their first win in the tournament, still having hopes for the finals on the last day.
On the same day, the boys posted another win against Faith Academy, winning 3-2. The boys were up 3-0 at the half, but Faith didn’t back down and gave everything, scoring two goals in the second half.

Dalat was on the pace to reaching the finals but had to either collect a win or a draw against ICS Hong Kong, the last year’s champions. The boys fought hard, maintaining their focus to the game and pouring everything they had into the match against ICS. The boys held tight until the remaining ten minutes of the match where an aerial ball blew by Dalat’s defense line, allowing the ICS striker to put it in the net. The result pushed the boys down to the 3rd/4th place game against Morrison, earning the chance to redeem themselves from the loss against Morrison on day 1.

But things would not go as the boys had planned. The last game of their tournament ended with a 1-0 loss against Morrison and secured them in the 4th place spot in the tournament. The boys learned that they either win as a team or lose as a team and give everything out there during the next game.

The one week for the boys was incredible. Learning new things, having fun with jokes, celebrating as a team. Results don’t matter; it’s the effort that defines the team.

Monday 15 October 2018

Couch Derby

Esther Ko
           
The weeks of strategizing has finally ended. The troops circle around their prized chariot, and the four kingdoms prepare for war. With half the army having deserted their posts, the remaining soldiers now depend on one another to win a battle that will leave its mark in history.

First, the freshmen with their glorious Disney chariot.

Second, the sophomores with their dark and enigmatic Halloween chariot.

Third, the juniors and their chariot glittering just like its name — 2020 Bling Bling.

And last, but not least, the seniors with their… Christmas couch?

The most ancient of all kingdoms, the seniors thrust their way through the raging competition, pumping with 2-months-prior anticipation for the holiday; and, as if enchanted by some mysterious magic, they transform a once torn and tattered, old couch into a mesmerizing thing of beauty. The judges give their votes, and the first victory—of most aesthetic couch— falls into the hands of the seniors.

But the war is now beginning.

The four teams line up their embellished couch at the starting line. The tension cloyingly hangs in the air as the three brave souls from each team take their positions on the couch. The seniors pump with anticipation, not for Christmas, but for the second victorythe fastest couchthey are about to bring home. As the teams eagerly await the starting signal, the seniors suddenly sense a foreboding chill run down their spine.

But before anyone has the time to question it, the race begins. Everyone strains to push the couch and its riders forward — everyone except the seniors. They all peek under the couch in horror, realizing something is terribly wrong with it: the wheels are broken.

“Uh oh,” says Lauren Lee (12). “There’s no way we can win.”

But there is.

Amid the dire situation, everything seems to be falling apart; but the seniors refuse to give up their victory. The wise class of 2019 lift the Christmas couch up together and begin running across the racetrack, passing by one team after another. To everyone’s surprise, the seniors cross the finish line first, taking home yet another victory.

“The Couch Derby was something StuCo has never done before, but personally, I thought it was a lot of fun,” comments Shannon Frohlich (12). “Although it didn't go as expected, I feel like it helped bond the different classes together as we struggled to carry our heavy couches around campus."

The battle ends with a single victor, but the four teams appear more united than ever as they gather together with a movie showing on the projector and snacks snuggled in their palms. With a sense of peace and accomplishment, they celebrate the night away.

Soda & Shawarma by the Shore

En Min Saw

The PSAT, probably the most dreaded acronym (after SAT) for high school students, took place on the Wednesday of October 10th. Juniors and sophomores were required to take the test, but they were dismissed as soon as it ended. As for the fellow freshmen and seniors, since they weren’t in the PSAT examination, it was still a typical day of school.

To elevate the sunken mood of being stuck in school, the Senior EXCOM decided to organize a picnic lunch for the class at the grassy area by the ocean. When the bell rang at 12:15 p.m., seniors swarmed out of classrooms toward the picnic spot, chattering away nonchalantly. The high sunlit clouds drifted across the blue sky; the seniors laid out their picnic blankets and gathered under the shade.

Everyone was ready to replenish their growling stomachs. Half-patiently waiting for lunch to arrive, they munched on the chips and chatted about how their week was going. To kill time, Seong-Min Kim (12) picked up a soccer ball and started showing off his juggling skills. Intrigued, Uncle Scott, Nathan Chand (12), and Jeremy Worten (12) couldn’t resist joining in.

A few moments later, a middle-eastern man, carrying four large plastic bags of food, arrived and received a warm welcome from the hungry seniors. They then lined up to collect their lunch, including a Shawarma chicken wrap, coleslaw, and fries. As a supportive gesture to the Junior Class Store, the senior class purchased a can of soda for every senior from them. Light-hearted conversations filled the atmosphere as seniors indulged in the luscious wrap and sipped on their refreshing drinks.

It was then time for a corn-hole faceoff between Trevor Ronning (12), Mikaela Steinkamp (12), Albert Jeong (12), and Ruben Nyul (12). A few others circled to enjoy the banter of both the physical and verbal aspect of the game. Although Mikaela and Albert attempted their best, they were still no match for Trevor and Ruben, who were exceptional at distracting their opponents.

The picnic lunch was short but sweet. As the end-of-lunch bell rang, seniors swiftly tidied up their mess, leaving the area spotless before heading to class.

"Despite the short time duration, it was a nice change from the norm for the entire senior class to have lunch together, appreciating each other's company. It was even better with Mr. Shawarma's chicken wraps!" Class President Nicholas Khor (12) expressed.


Tuesday 9 October 2018

The Singing Never Ends

Ryna Mayekar

Hi da hi da hi dee dee hi da hi da, hi da hi da!

These words will never leave our heads. The choir kids went over to Bangkok over the weekend and learned a lot. We worked together to make a beautiful sound that echoed through the auditorium. Not all of the class could go due to SATs, which was truly heartbreaking.

Waking up excited on Thursday for our departure later that day made it hard to focus in class. We sang our way over to the airport in three vans, making sure we know our notes. After reaching the airport, checking in our luggage, and grabbing a quick bite, we decided on doing a flash mob. We picked “Amavolovolo,” an African Folk song, to sing, since we had a dance to go along with it. We circled up as Ms. Goh set our beat for us.

3, 2, 1… Nge-ke si ye le la-Kwa-Ma-shu…

Ms. Goh and a few other parents filmed us as we took the strangers by surprise. The video was posted on the Dalat Fine Arts Highlights Facebook page and managed to get 1700+ views so far! The musicians who were taking a break even joined us in with their cajón and guitars.

After having a little bit of a bumpy flight, we made it to Bangkok! We were tired from the travel and passed out shortly after reaching our hotel. The next morning, we had breakfast and made our way to ISB. We were a little early, so we had free time to roam around and explore the campus, respectfully. We received our festival shirts that were too small for many students, which resulted in lots of trading around. Group photos were then taken with all the schools together on stage. We then rehearsed for an hour straight for the first time.

Hearing the sound a school choir makes can be so pretty, but is nothing compared to hearing that many schools all together. The sound we made together was truly beautiful, ignoring the wrong notes due it being our first time all together. We then had a 15-minute break to have snacks and mingle with the other schools. Matthew managed to meet Grace students that he hadn’t seen in years. Football girls recognized each other and chatted for a while. Lots of socializing was done during that break.

Our next rehearsal went on for an hour and 25 minutes. Everyone complained about how much their legs were hurting since we had to stand for all of it. We had lunch and then our third rehearsal of the day.

All the other schools were free to go except for a few. Grace, ISKL, and Dalat were scheduled to have a “special clinic” with Henry Leck. We played a few choir related games and learned that “Hi Da” song that will forever be imprinted in our minds.

This was just one of our days there. Our schedules were very packed. On Saturday, we rehearsed the music twice, once without the middle school choir and once with them. We then figured out the logistics of the order and ran through it all. We were then dismissed to have lunch and get ready for the concert.

Finally, it was showtime.

The concert went smoothly. We got to perform for many parents, as well as the cameras set up by ISB. They had us livestreamed too! The high school and middle school choirs first sang a song together, then the high schoolers had a seat. After 15 minutes of the middle school choir, it was the high schoolers turn.

After all the stress of the concert was done with, we went to the mall and did another flash mob, singing in the kid’s train around one of the floors. The next day, we went to the Chatuchak market where we got to split up and shop till we dropped. After the market, we headed straight to the airport, where suddenly the realization that we were students from Dalat truly hit us. We recalled how much homework was left for us to complete, and as we waited, some began working on it. Matthew Strong (12) even managed to finish his essay in the air.

We were greeted back by our friends sweetly. Many said they could tell how much fun we had from what we had posted on social media. “School felt empty without all my friends,” said Ruben Nyul (12).

Even though we dreaded all the work we had to catch up on, I think we’re pretty happy to be back home, especially since we know all our notes for sure, which we will show off in our concert on Thursday that you should definitely attend!

Monday 8 October 2018

Choir Can’t Stop Singing

Kristiana Phillips

From the Penang airport to the Thailand marketplace, all through the October 2018 choir trip, Dalat high schoolers sang their hearts out before, during, and after the choir festival.

Beginning the trip after school on Thursday, October 4th, the high school choir spent all of Friday and most of Saturday preparing and performing seven pieces of music in a mass choir for the Bangkok International Choir Festival. But the singing didn’t stop there.

They sang in the mall. They sang in the vans. They sang outside and inside the 24@Home Hotel where they stayed. On the Sunday they left, the Dalat choir pranced up and down the Thailand market, singing and dancing to a traditional African song. The entire trip was a bonding experience in which fine arts students experienced the unifying power of music. In the words of choir conductor and educator Joyce Goh, “Music brings us all together and fills our hearts with such joy.”

Joining a chorus of nearly four hundred other fine arts students, singers from the Dalat choir were able to connect with people from all different schools and backgrounds. As Ms. Goh explains, “When we all come together from different walks of life and sing together as one chorus, that is awesome.”

The choir students themselves certainly seemed to pick up on the joy of singing together, as they carried their choir songs into every part of Thailand they visited, singing and dancing unashamedly, whether in a crowded street or a Thomas the Tank Engine train.

Abby Owen (10), a new member to choir who went on the trip, recalls the most memorable moment for her, “We all piled into this train meant for people way younger than us and sang as we drove around the mall. It was right after the concert...We all enjoyed singing just for the fun of it after all our hard work for the concert.”

 As Ms. Goh noted, “The enthusiasm that they showed just for the art itself inspires me and the joy on their faces when they sang on the streets and malls were amazing!” 

Reflecting on the trip, Hannah Lawrence (12) also noted the unusual amount of “random singing” that happened outside of the actual choir festival. She then went on to explain, however, that what she most enjoyed about the trip was the opportunity to get to know the girls in other grades better.

Abby, too, stated that the trip was “a really positive experience because I became closer to people inside and outside of our choir. It helped me see how fun it can be to sing with others and how it helps make friendships between people who might never have met otherwise.”

Through talking, shared experiences, and, of course, endless singing, everyone grew tremendously—both in their appreciation of music and their relationships with each other. This trip embodied the value of community, the joy of singing, and the power of music.

Those Left Behind

By Su-Ji Lim

Laughter and chatter filled the air as choir students settled into the bus that would take them to the Penang International Airport. There, they would fly to Bangkok and attend the Massed Choir festival at ISB (International School of Bangkok). While the sun shone above the choir students in the bus, a gray cloud loomed over four other choir students, including myself. They were destined for something else. These four choir students, who all happened to be seniors, had to sacrifice the choir trip to take the SAT.

Some people jokingly criticized them for being overly studious, but in the perspective of these students, their future was more important than a one-time trip. According to Lydia Kim (12),
"The decision to stay wasn't very difficult to make. I think that learning to prioritize what is important for my near future and not dwelling on the initial disappointment is important."

Jackson Miller (12) adds on to this idea of prioritizing by saying, "It's unfortunate that the trip fell on a testing weekend, but there is just so much going on at Dalat that it is impossible to do everything." 

With their futures in mind, these choir students decided to stay. Whereas during B-block on Friday, October 5th, the choir students at Bangkok were warming up their vocal cords, the ones in Penang were in the library, furiously scribbling down answers on practice SAT tests or completing homework to make time for SAT preparation in the evening.

That night, some students went to bed early, others late, but nervousness was etched alike on every face. As seniors, this would be their last, or second to last for some, chance to take the SAT before the hectic schedule of college application deadlines set in. Falling asleep was no easy task, but eventually everyone dropped off to a troubled sleep.

The next morning, the students woke up at an unfamiliar hour of 6 a.m. After hastily gulping down some food to power up their brains for the grueling task ahead and making sure they had enough 2B pencils, snacks, their passport, and other documents, the students rushed out the door toward school.

Upon arrival, they were greeted with the faces of their fellow seniors and a couple of juniors. After hearing instructions from Mr. Dobson, the school counselor, the choir students, heart racing, palms sweating, filed into line to enter the testing rooms.

Let’s hope our sacrifice was worth it.


Swish Swish Swish

By Suzanne Liew

“Swish, Swish, Swish.” Brush strokes were applied quickly as Tien Min (11) concentrated hard to complete his Chinese ink art piece. It was another stressful day in art class. “Does this look like a building?” Tien Min asked for advice.

Like many art students, he usually came in during study halls and after school to complete art pieces on time. “This needs more depth,” said Mrs. Nichols, as she was also walking towards my table and eying my watercolor art piece. I was working on a portrait, the 3rd piece of my AP Art concentration. AP Art students have to submit twenty-four pieces, twelve breadth (different art pieces in a variety of mediums) and twelve concentration pieces (with a central theme). Taking in Mrs. Nichols advice, I shifted my focus back to my artwork when

“YAAAAY!!!” shouted Grace Moon (11), jumping with joy. “I finally figured out my theme for my AP Art concentration!”

 But her excitement slightly faded when she realized her next art piece was due in two days – on Thursday morning… But with determination, Grace assured herself that she would be done on time. The other AP Art students, Alicia Chin (12), Phillip Yeoh (11), Gloria Kim (11) and myself were scrambling to finish our art pieces on time too. Art students, especially those in Master Studio and AP Art, always have to pay careful attention to deadlines, or we will end up on the dreaded NFL…

If you haven’t been on the NFL at least ONCE, then you’re not an art student. Is it not uncommon for art students to end up on the NFL, and when they do, it’s the majority of the people in Master Studio and AP Art. Poor Mr. Maurin has to suddenly deal with twenty art students on the NFL almost every week…

But as tight as the schedule may be, the art students always manage to complete their pieces in the end, creating beautiful artwork for all to enjoy during the fine arts festival in May. 

Tuesday 2 October 2018

Servathon: Paint, Tools, and Banana Bread

Isabel Smith
 Despite the seniors always teasing the juniors for working in the store, the 12th grade had to serve there last year. This year, the junior class’ Servathon came faster, since the start of school was pushed ahead. But the juniors were ready to make it productive, and the seniors were ready to make them feel appreciated.

Seeing the juniors off at to the buses on the morning of Friday, the 28th of September, 11th graders walking with tools and supplies in hand, reminded the seniors of their own Servathon. Adorning work clothes, the juniors anticipated a day of sweating and working hard, fulfilling their promise to the community and the school.

Every year, it’s a tradition for the seniors to take over the store while the juniors are away at the Servathon. The seniors then throw the juniors a welcome back party in congratulations of the funds they raised and the hard work they put in. Last year, the seniors had Coke floats to give out, as well as a welcome back entourage, complete with a walkway of cheering people as each junior entered the doors of the Student Center, tired, hot, and touched.

The juniors this year went to the mainland for their service project, increasing their travel time. Traffic got in the way of all the buses returning at the same time, but as the juniors slowly trickled in, the seniors clapped and cheered. Seniors mingled about the Student Center, as juniors finally had the time to sit and chat, snacks in hand. Banana bread, Ribena, and cold towels were given out as the 11th graders relaxed in the air con. Even more impressive, despite working all day and coming back wanting only to take a shower and a nap, the juniors stayed on campus and helped sell junior class items in front of the gym for the Spike ‘n’ Strike spectators. While the juniors were out, the seniors worked in the store once again and had fun for nostalgia’s sake.

Vivien Chang (12) said, “They came at almost 6. Most of the stuff we prepared had to be in the fridge, so we kind of stole their store. When they came, it was a few people in the beginning, and a bunch of people came way later. We had to put the snacks in the fridge again. After the first group of juniors left [to help sell items at Spike ‘n’ Strike], us seniors had some fun in the Student Center. They [the juniors] seemed very tired, they had paint all over themselves. Mr. Jens was pretty much dead. After preparing and handing out food, I was able to talk to them.”

The juniors stayed on campus that night, supporting the school teams and helping sell things. Even though the juniors and seniors didn’t see the work the other class put into the day, there was appreciation and encouragement enough for all.

Senior Scribble: Go for Gold

Alicia Chin
 Every year, Dalat hosts its annual Spike and Strike tournament. ISKL, local school teams, and even clubs are invited to compete against each other. The varsity girls’ volleyball team came up with a few goals for their season; one of the goals was to win the Spike and Strike tournament.

The team’s first game was against ISKL. The weekend before, they beat ISKL in their home tournament, twice. Now, they had to defend their home ground. After shaking hands and saying their good lucks, the first tournament game for the girls’ began. The Dalat team started with serve-receive—they earned the point. Sara Septon (11) went up to serve next. With a light toss, the ball was suspended in the air and shot forward in the blink of an eye; it was an ace. The six starters crowded in a circle to celebrate with a cheer. The game continued.

Mikaela Steinkamp (12), the team’s captain, ran towards every ball received from the opponent to set it up for one of the hitters. Bump, set, spike. That was the continuous rhythm to the game from both sides. Unfortunately, after one of the bumps, it was a bump—*slip*. Mikaela and her butterfingers couldn’t compete against the shiny sweat-covered volleyball. The ball slipped down her outstretched fingers, fell in between her arms, and landed on her face. It only happened in a matter of seconds. Ruben Nyul (12), a good friend of Mikaela’s, could not contain his laughter. “It was so hard,” he said, “Mr. Steinkamp was sitting right next to me.”

She hid her embarrassment behind a grin as she wiped her hands with a small towel. Mikaela’s performance throughout the rest of the game did not disappoint, along with the other players. As Coach Munson says to the team, “We have different weapons, let’s use them.”

Sara has killer serves, Esther Kim (12) and Elizabeth Horton (11) have deadly hits, Carissa Hoffmeyer (12) and Hannah Lawrence (12) sacrifice their knees for digs in the back row. All of the players’ individual strengths, along with teamwork and chemistry and clear communication, brought them a victory in their first game.

Even having to arrive as early as 7:00am on campus on the second day, the girls pulled themselves together and played to the fullest of their abilities. After 2-0 victories against Heng Ee, Perai, and ISKL again in the final, they sealed the gold. They were all smiles as the girls held their medals up for the photo. They went for the gold, and they got the gold.

One Spike, One Point, One Game at a Time

Albert Jeong
            
On Friday, September 28th, Dalat hosted its renowned Spike and Strike tournament, which involves the soccer and volleyball teams competing against other international schools around the country.

It wasn’t surprising that a lot of supporters and spectators watched the games; every Friday, lots of students stay on campus until 10pm to hang out, especially on game days. The first volleyball game started at 4pm, but the gym was packed even before the match started.  The first team Dalat played was ISKL.

To start the first set, Daniel Kang (12) was placed as setter, Albert Jeong (12), Yao Tan (12), and Trevor Ronning (12) as outside hitters, Karl Chan (12) and Zhi Yong Lee (11) as the middle blockers, and Seunghwan Kim (10) as Libero. At the beginning of the match, Dalat picked up the pace, head-to-head against ISKL. The tension during the game rose as the whole crowd cheered, wondering which team would break their rhythm first. Unfortunately, for Dalat, the serve error had led to receiving difficulty, which led to the loss of the first set.

These mistakes in the first set, however, visibly carried into the second as Dalat continued to make mistakes in service. When the score was 16-20 with ISKL in the lead, one of the ISKL athletes made two aces in a row against the home team. The audience saw the defeated look upon the Dalat athletes’ faces, and the game soon ended with the score of 18 – 25.

Dalat’s next game at 6pm that day was against the Floaters. Once again, the crowd was filled with supporters. Team captain Daniel Kang (12) stated, “Play every round like it’s a game point.”

Dalat fought intensely, winning the first set and losing the second. The audience noticed the looks of concentration on Dalat’s athletes, as even one mistake could cost the team a lot. Towards the end of the third set, the score was 15-14 with Dalat in the lead, as a tiny error from the opponent led the Dalat Eagles to victory.

Despite all the bittersweet moments that day, Dalat’s varsity boys got their happy ending. Meanwhile, varsity girls dominated the tournament and even got first place!  Mikaela Steinkamp (12) stated, “It was an awesome time to bond with the team as well as play some good volleyball.”

This tournament was full of intensity and excitement, and through it all, Dalat’s varsity teams worked hard to achieve their victories.

Varsity Girls Soccer Grab the Gold

By Joy Kiehl

Varsity girls soccer won 1st place in the Spike and Strike Tournament last weekend against a mixed Varsity/JV ISKL team and Uplands.

After a long Friday at school, our varsity soccer girls team was ready to show ISKL that we could beat them. We took vans to College General at 4pm to watch part of the varsity boys soccer game and then warm-up.

Kick-off started a few minutes after 5pm. We dominated the first half by being able to string together passes and keep possession of the ball. We managed to get an early goal. Later in the first half, Lauren Worten (8) scored a goal bringing the score to 2-0 for Dalat. In the second half, we experienced more defensive pressures as ISKL started to gain more possession. We, however, were able to keep a clean sheet against ISKL.

As the sun rose over the College General field the next morning, we waited for the referees to arrive so that we could begin our game against Uplands. In the first half of the game, we dominated the play. Our first goal was scored off a corner, and the second goal was shot by Kalia Brewster (10). In the second half, we once again had more defensive pressures; but we were able to score two more goals, which were both shot by Annabelle Teoh (12), giving us a 4-0 win.

In the last game of the tournament for the girls, we played against ISKL. It was a tough game since we only had three substitutes due to injuries. The first half of the game was mainly controlled by ISKL and their athleticism and experience, which allowed them to score a goal. However, a direct kick scored by Kalia Brewster (10) put us in a tie with ISKL. In the second half of the game, a shot was taken against ISKL but was deflected by a handball, which gave us a penalty kick. Kalia Brewster (10) scored, giving us a 2-1 lead. As the final whistle blew, the soccer girls were delighted that their hard work had paid off.

Dalat varsity player Dael Kim (11) said, “I think it was cool to see the improvement we made by winning against the team (ISKL) we lost to a week ago (during the ISKL trip). We worked hard, and I think it is a great way to end off our last 11 aside game of our first season.”