The Beginning of the End

 

By Ryan Chan

January has arrived, and it’s the beginning of the second semester of the 2021-22 school year in Dalat International school, but for some, it feels like it's almost the end.

Though recent announcements of the return of intramurals and extracurriculars will return after the CNY break have been made, there are still feelings of fear and frustration amongst the senior class. The senior class of 2022 went into lockdown more than halfway through their sophomore year and spent the majority of the remainder of high school online. A countless number of events and opportunities like sports, Junior Class activities, CBs and JSBs, and other activities were canceled. In addition, thanks to the emergence of the Omicron variant, there are still fears that another lockdown could prevent a Senior Sneak. Feelings of sorrow, regret, and fear are natural in these circumstances, and many seniors feel that too much time has been lost and that there isn’t enough time left as this chapter of their lives draws to a close. Jason Kim (12), has shared his sentiments: “Though I’m happy things are going back to normal, I still feel disappointed that I didn’t have a lot of things that me and my class normally would have experienced if it wasn’t for the pandemic.”

Alas, despite these laments, I want to encourage those who share these sentiments to embrace the power of gratefulness and moving forward. I’ve included some verses that I feel really touches on these two encouragements and that have helped me as well.

For those that struggle with the past and lament on what could’ve been: “Forget what happened in the past, and do not dwell on events from long ago” (Isaiah 43:18) and "Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you." (Proverbs 4:25).

For those who fear what the future has in store for us: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4: 6-7)

In my last semester here at a school of which I have spent nine years of my life learning and making memories, I refuse to let the past dictate what God has in store for me for the future. I encourage the rest of the senior class and all those who have shared my sorrow, to share my aforementioned defiance as well. Though January 2022 may feel like the beginning of the end of high school, the end has not yet arrived. There are still plenty of friendships to forge, opportunities to take and memories to be made. Let’s be grateful for the time that we have left, and keep our eyes forward to what will hopefully be a better year!

A Brief Glimpse of Life at Jackson Dorm

 By Haeon Park

Every morning, Jackson, the top floor of Dalat’s dormitory, greets the new day with silence. Only one or two students are up, and the rest usually decide to take full advantage of the privilege of living on campus by sleeping in. Around 7:45 A.M., however, giggles and laughter fill the dining area as students exchange jokes while helping themselves to breakfast. In the midst of the chaos, some decide to munch on their food quietly, wake up from sleep, or even catch up on work that they could not finish the night before. Then, the dorm returns to its silent state as each student packs their bags and leaves for school.

The silence in Jackson dorm is then retained until it is disrupted again around 3:15 P.M., after the bell that indicates the conclusion of the day’s lessons. A stream of students come rushing into the door with the pleasure of knowing that school is finally over.

Some, worn out from all the heavy learning, drag past the living room area, straight into their beds. Others, still wide awake and quite thrilled from their classes, choose to persist in their studies and finish homework early. Some gather around the kitchen counter, where snacks like fruits, crackers, and sweets are provided. Still others flop on the couches with their phones fixed in front of their eyes, scrolling through the social media, or catching up with the K-drama that they missed the other day.

“I love after school when Caleb turns to me and asks if I want to play Mario Kart. We go to the living room, turn on the Switch, and sit in the bean bags with the controllers. It can get a little competitive sometimes,” commented Yannick Theriault (12).

Every day, at 5:30 P.M., the students walk to the Galley, the school cafeteria, to have dinner. Then, until 7:30 P.M., which marks the start of study hall, students are encouraged to take a break from their screens and spend time together. Many people, during these hours, choose to work out in the weight room or play sports such as basketball, ultimate frisbee, and more. Others walk laps around campus or swing at the playground.

From 7:30 P.M. to 9:00 P.M., the dorm becomes silent again as students strive to complete their school assignments and prepare for the next day of lessons.

“Study hall is a great time where everyone studies together and helps to be a motivation to each other,” said Saidah Ly (11).

Since the school night bedtime is 10:00 P.M. for dorm students, the remaining hour after study hall can get a little crazy sometimes. Many rush out of their rooms with packets of instant noodles in their hands to cook a late-night snack. The kitchen gets crowded as students, having smelled the ramen, all hurry to grab something from the fridge before being sent to their rooms. Then, once again, Jackson becomes the quietest place on earth.

Is Life Really a Play?

By Benjamin Hollon

Last Friday, students laughed and cheered from their seats as Taylor Johnson (12) showed off his “magnificent” hair. The event? The school year’s first meeting of the Dalat Drama Club.

A student-organized group, currently led by Benjamin Hollon (12) under the guidance of Ms. Geiman, Drama Club is a collection of thespians meeting weekly to build their dramatic skills, learn new theatrical techniques, and have a healthy dose of fun. Due to COVID-related restrictions, last Friday was the group’s first meeting, but it formed a solid start to the 2022 Drama Season.

After a brief activity to help students get to know each other, the main event began: a game. Affectionately dubbed “tap tap” by Drama Club veterans, it featured three volunteers who started an improvised skit, each assigned a random personality trait to include.

At any point, a student in the audience could call, “Freeze!” The student would choose an actor to replace onstage, taking the same pose but beginning a separate plot. Students were remarkably engaged, with most attendees participating at least once.

“There was so much energy in the room,” Keiryn Sandahl (11) commented. Favorite scenes included magnificent hairdos, conspiracy theorists claiming to be in a play, and extroverts forced to communicate through pantomime alone.

After twenty minutes of frenzied hilarity, the game drew to a close for announcements and a question-and-answer session. Attendees left chattering about the fun-filled half-hour and the many weeks of Drama Club to come.

As first-time member Josh Conklin (9) described the event, “It was crazy. It was fun. I think it’s going to be even more fun as it goes on. It’ll take getting used to, but it’s a great program.”

Drama Club will continue to meet during X-Block every Friday in Auckland, open to anyone, no matter the skill level, who wants to learn to act while having fun.