Tuesday 5 December 2023

It's Already that Time of Year

By Ryan Choi 

I say this almost every year, but this year went by so, so fast. It feels like yesterday when we seniors were still getting used to wearing the blue senior shirts and not seeing any pink ones around.  

Christmas came early with less than a full week left in the semester, and students were blessed with a long, relaxing, five-day weekend, and they took full advantage of it. Some slept in and relaxed, some indulged in outdoor activities, and others traveled. The dorms also made full use of the long weekend and traveled to Ipoh. Dorm students had the opportunity to go white water rafting, swimming in a cold waterfall, and sing worship songs with marshmallows and chocolate. I fell off four times during rafting, and it was genuinely the most fun I had in months.  

When students came back from their extended rest, a new month – the month of red, green, and white -- had settled in, and we saw decorations everywhere. Josh Morrison (12) says, “Christmas is the best part of the year; I can’t wait to go back to see my family.” 

It would be nice if all students could simply relax until winter break comes, but high school students still have one last fight remaining: final exams. Depending on your grade and the classes you take, the number of final exams you write can range anywhere from two all the way to six or even seven! I only have two exams this semester and boy, let me tell you, teasing the freshmen, telling them that I only have two final exams, is one of the most entertaining things out there.  

School is almost over and so is the year. Like every other year, this one was a wild one. Before everything ends, try to look back in gratitude at all the things that happened. Gratefulness is never mandatory but always strongly recommended.  

A Passing Moment

By Yun Kil

The school year started with a bang--we’re finally seniors! With Sneak, hoodies, and privileges all on the way, the year seemed like something we could truly look forward to. However, as the novelty wore off during the first couple weeks of school, being a senior didn’t seem to be as glamorous as I had initially thought. From college applications to AP courses, school has been nothing short of stressful, and as we trudged onto the last week of semester one, the vast majority found ourselves scrambling to get all our work done. 

“I haven’t slept in days and I have to do a TED talk, I have to do a whole bunch of other work, and I feel as if I’m a racoon stuck in a cage and its eyes are like glued open and I CAN'T SHUT THEM!”  Noella Seevaratnam (12) exclaims, exasperated.

Other students, like Brendan Loke (12), realized early on how busy this year would be and with careful planning, avoided being bombarded with work during the final week, “You know you gotta plan out your year properly, plan out your time, and then you’ll have a relaxing final week of school.”

So what about me? Well, I wasn’t as diligent as Brendan--that’s for sure. I’m two weeks behind on my AP Psychology course that’s due next Monday, an essay due for my final project for Bible, a book for AP Lit, DAB practice, and on top of all that, a choir concert on Wednesday. Although stressful, I know that this is going to be my last time doing all of this, and I should take some time to breathe and appreciate what’s around me. 

As the year progressed, I realized that everything that stresses me out and excites me about high school is all fleeting- and I should take more time to appreciate it. My heart is filled with bittersweet feelings as I face this week’s work, and the idea of living in the moment to the fullest gives me the little nudge of motivation I need to march through this final week. Whenever I’m feeling lazy or overwhelmed with work, I remember that this too is a passing moment.

A Month in the Food Science Club

By Marcus Ang

In November, the Food Science Club embarked on a series of engaging activities and projects. The diverse range of initiatives included constructing gingerbread houses, crafting homemade mac and cheese, and planting lettuce in anticipation of an upcoming project.

Most recently, the Food Science Club faced the creative challenge of constructing their own gingerbread houses. Divided into three groups, club members were tasked with unleashing their imaginations. Equipped with materials such as whipping cream, gummy bears, pocky sticks, chocolate, and square crackers provided by the club, members embarked on the construction process. 

"It's unfortunate we couldn't use real gingerbread to make the houses, but the crackers were a lot of fun to use," stated Tia Moore (12). Overall, the experience was enjoyable, fostering creativity even in the absence of ideal materials.

Earlier in the month, the club explored into the culinary realm by preparing homemade mac and cheese. With essential ingredients like cheese, macaroni, and heavy cream provided, participants navigated using the stove, stirring cheese and cooking macaroni. 

Cullno Mah’s (12) surprised remark, "I didn't know it took this many calories to make mac and cheese," captured the essence of the learning experience. Ending with happy club members and a lot of leftovers, the activity was deemed a success.

Also earlier in the month, the club strayed away from the usual one-day activities and took on a longer project by planting lettuce for an upcoming activity next semester. The process involved filling pots with soil, adding seeds, and covering them with soil. Over the next two months, club leader Heeeun Bang (12) will water the plants. She stated, “I am excited to see the little sprouts grow into strong stems and roots and eventually big chunky lettuces.”

In essence, the Food Science Club offers a dynamic and enjoyable environment for individuals passionate about cooking and savoring delicious food. Operating throughout the year, the club promises numerous opportunities for members to explore culinary skills.

Swish, Cramps, and Cheers

By Pranjal Malik

The court, once again, came alive with competitive spirit as Dalat International School hosted the annual Island Shootout basketball tournament. Teams from Kuala Lumpur descended upon Penang, setting the stage for thrilling matchups. Dalat faced challenges in the boys' division, showcasing resilience and learning valuable lessons.

Island Shootout, a basketball tournament hosted by Dalat International School, took place from the 1st to the 2nd of December. Bringing together four boys' teams—Dalat International School, Oasis International School, Garden International School, and TLC—the event unfolded on campus. With the strong support of the home crowd, the Dalat boys’ team was ready to face the competition.

The journey of the Dalat Varsity Boys kicked off with a closely contested match against TLC. Despite a valiant effort, Dalat found themselves on the losing end. The absence of some key players due to the SAT added an extra layer of challenge, setting the stage for a comeback in the subsequent games.

In the second and third games against Garden International School, Dalat displayed resilience, securing victories by significant margins. Despite challenges like cramping players and unfavorable referee calls, the team stayed motivated and determined to secure the wins.

The showdown with TLC brought a rollercoaster of emotions, setting the stage for a potential comeback story after TLC's victory over Dalat the previous day. The first half hinted at a slipping grip on the game for Dalat's boys, trailing by 17 points at one point. Nevertheless, an inspiring speech from the coach ignited a turnaround. Dalat mounted a spirited comeback, narrowing the gap to just three points. The game concluded with Dalat falling just short, but the grit, leadership, and determination displayed left an indelible mark.

One of the team captains, Ezra Latham (12), reflected, "Although we didn't get the result we wanted, I am proud of our team giving 100% until the end. Being the season's first tournament, it was a great experience for our team's first tournament. We learned a lot about how to improve and perform even better at ACSC."

The Island Shootout provided a valuable learning experience for the Dalat Varsity Boys, where victories and defeats became stepping stones for growth. Although marked by challenges, the tournament was a practical preseason experience, setting the tone for future competitions. The Dalat team's resilience and commitment to improvement ensure their journey in the basketball season has just begun, promising an exciting trajectory ahead as ACSC approaches.

Dribble, Pass, Score!

By Arielle McIver

School ended, and it was time for the players to get their game on. It was the first tournament of the basketball season for both the girls' and guys' varsity teams- Island Shootout. Teams from around KL and Penang came to the school to compete in a two-day tournament full of games. 

Having lost the first game Friday against ISKL by one point, the girls' team came back the next day, more determined to win. That determination and wit put them in the finals, where they fell short but still got 2nd place. 

When asked what their favorite part about the tournament was, one of the varsity girls' team captains, Alexia Nyul (12), said, “What I really enjoyed about Island Shootout was not just the opportunity to get to play basketball, but to grow as a team and learn more about how we move as a team. I really enjoy playing with this group of girls. We lost, we grew, and we won!” 

Besides practice, basketball games and tournaments give further opportunities to grow and learn as a team. The boys' team also faced challenges, but they rose to the championships as well and also got 2nd place. 

Drew Worten (12), a senior on the guys' team, said, “Island Shootout was a very fruitful time for our team. We got to grow in many ways against decent competition. We got to figure out the things we were doing wrong as a team, and the things we were doing good as a team. And this was our first tournament of the season, so it showed us how well we can do in tournaments.”  

Both teams faced lots of challenges, but they also found ways to grow together as a team. 

To the Mountains

By Caleb Jun 

The bumpy roads took me out of my sleep, and as my eyes slowly adjusted to the light, I realized we had arrived at our Annual Dorm Retreat to Ipoh. 

Everyone's stomachs growled as we smelled the delicious fried rice, spring rolls, and many more cuisines before us. 

"This is bussin," said Mary Grace Guffy (11).

"I wish I had a stomach big enough to eat all the food," said JD Guffy (10) as he gobbled down his food. 

Strength renewed; some dorm kids were impatient to get on the white water raft, while others, feeling drowsy from so much food, proceeded to the housings for a relaxing long nap. Suffering from a back injury, I could not participate in the white water rafting, yet the housing area had a beautiful hill overlooking the mountains of Ipoh. As I looked over the mountains, it was a lovely time to slow down and reflect on the semester.

As the truck returned from white water rafting, drenched in water, everybody waddled their way back to the houses. It had rained the day before, so the currents were extra rough that afternoon. 

"I fell out of the boat four times. It was genuinely the most fun I had in months," Ryan Choi (12).

Dinner came soon after everyone showered, and during the evenings, we had a speaker who spoke about living with family members as a young adult, which touched many hearts. Additionally, we had a beautiful time of worship, singing hymns and songs praising God. 

Laughter and games filled the rest of the night, and a hint of melancholy brought tears to some seniors as this would be their last Dorm Retreat. I savored every moment during these brief two days. 

"Good times," Josh Morrson (12). It was a beautiful time to slow down and meditate on the semester which had gone by so fast.  

A Week of Colorful Posters

By Anna Ruble

Hiding behind a pole, your eyes darting around. You are trying to find the person who is supposed to be walking down the library stairs at this exact moment. “What if he left study hall early?” “What if he’s not at school today?” Finally, you see him walking down the stairs, and a rush of excitement washes over you. You watch as he walks through an organized line of 6 people, all throwing flower petals at him. His friend standing at the end of the line with a large and decorated poster clutched in her hands. Everyone stands around and watches with you. You can sense the smiles on every single person’s face as they wait to see if he says yes. A mix of fear, anxiety, excitement, and happiness all occurs just between your C and D block classes. A time when you would typically walk down the hall while thinking about what homework you have to finish before your F block. 

I just walked you through a typical high schooler's experience during CB asking week. CB askings: this sounds familiar because it is a tradition that Dalat has held for many years. A tradition where friends or couples take the time to plan an “asking.” A tradition that sparks new conversations, brings a motivation to come to school during the last stressful weeks, and overall creates a different culture and community. Daniel Pham (12) says, “It is really exciting to walk around school and see askings, honestly it's nice to have just a break from the stress of school and to just watch CB askings.” There are about two weeks set aside by the sophomores where people are allowed to “ask” someone to the Christmas Banquet. During these two weeks, typical things you may hear while walking around campus are, 

“Who are you asking?”

“How are you asking?”

“When are you asking? I want to watch.”

Although CB is only one night and ends rather quickly, CB “askings” are a huge factor in the fun and excitement leading up to the banquet. Whether being the person behind the pole watching or being the person behind the poster waiting, each and every student plays a special role in making those two weeks so entertaining. Maddy Abrams (11) was one of the people behind a poster as she burst into Mr. Riffey’s classroom to ask her boyfriend, Romeo Kontsas (11). She says, “It was scary but really fun coming up with the idea and a plan, and I loved watching all of the people’s reactions.” 

CB askings not only can be fun for individuals who are planning an asking or are being asked by someone, it also provides a break from the stress and workload leading up to Christmas break. This is a tradition that offers the students an opportunity to interact, get out of their comfort zones, experience healthy stress, and overall have fun with their friends.

Senior Service

By Danny Pham 

November 20th, 2023, marked the day when the Dalat senior class began to host an elementary service week during high school A and B blocks in which seniors went to hang out with the elementary students through duck-duck-goose, freeze tag, talking with them while they ate freezies, and playing around with bubbles with the preschoolers.

Anna Ruble (12), a senior who participated in the service week, described hanging out with the elementary students as “a great opportunity to bond with the little ones and to get to know them as well as it was a great way to give back to my community before the end of high school.”

The children were absolutely ecstatic about being able to have extra time to stretch their legs with exciting games and time to hang out and talk with the big high school students in the morning. Noah Brooks (12), a senior who spent time with the fourth graders while they ate their freezies, said, “I loved being able to spend time with elementary kids, and it was amazing to see how much energy the kids had, so it was good for them to be able to go outside to spend it all. I remember being that little and looking up to the older students, so it is good that we were able to show them that seniors really aren’t that scary to be around and that we enjoy being around them.”

Sadly, all good things must come to an end, so on November 23rd, 2023, the elementary service week came to an end with the seniors having to give goodbye hugs and goodbye waves as the last group of elementary students left to go back to their classes as their extra recess had come to an end.

Looking toward the future, however, Aidan Leong (12), our service coordinator, stated, “We hopefully will continue to do more service for our community and plan on continuing to do service for the elementary school in the future.”

Navigating the Labyrinth of College Admissions

By Tia Moore

As the semester draws to a close, the curtain falls on the various stages of college applications. Many have hit the submit button on their applications, while others are still in the process. The college application process, once a rite of passage, has transformed into a high-stakes journey filled with anxiety and sleepless nights.

The countless requirements for transcripts, LORs, and other essential documents leave seniors running to the guidance office. You'll find a parade of seniors making a beeline for Mr. Looi's desk in the guidance office every day, all sporting that "I need help with my life" look. "These kids, man," sighed Mr. Looi, having to answer the same exact questions daily. 

"Applying to college is like having a second job for real," Aurelia Bernier (12) remarks, capturing the essence of the seniors' collective experience. The process has transcended the status of a mere obligation, becoming an all-encompassing commitment that demands time, dedication, and resilience.

Most seniors share the same sentiment regarding applications, and it is not one of optimism. Joseph Lee (12), huddled over his laptop, grumbles, "I hate CommonApp." His frustration echoes the sentiments of countless peers grappling with the confusing essay prompts and the seemingly endless forms standing between them and their dreams.

While the application process is undeniably grueling, a shared relief exists among seniors when they finally hit the "submit" button. "I honestly couldn't believe I just applied to college as I was on my ATSA shift in the gym when I submitted it. It felt like a fever dream," confesses Caleb Jun (12), encapsulating the surreal and almost dreamlike moment of completing this monumental task amidst the chaos of daily life.

Savanna Choi (12) summarized the whole experience, saying, "It was so stressful, but at the end of the day, seeing the 'application submitted' screen felt worth it." Late nights turned into early mornings, but each 'submit' click felt like a victory in the war against stress and uncertainty.

Now, armed with essays, transcripts, and an abundance of determination, the seniors stand on the brink of closing this chapter. Uncertain about the next one, they face the unknown with anticipation, ready to turn the page on this transformative journey.

Tuesday 21 November 2023

Afraid of the Dark: Beyond the Stage

By Limey Chhor

At the beginning of the semester, pages were laid neatly into tiny piles on the wooden table near the Singapore Room. Dalat students, ranging from freshmen to seniors, auditioned for a play they would later come to know as Afraid of the Dark by James Reach. 

Throughout the three performances, the audience witnessed the sweet love of the newly-wed Chauncey, played by Michael Silverstein (11) and Lilum, played by Olive Berends (9). The romantic and quiet honeymoon that Lilum expects comes crashing down with the thundering voice of General Lee, played by Gabriel Roylance (11) and his sidekick, Gridley, played by Jun Sheng Leow (12). Despite the craziness of the tenants, Lilum insisted on staying, only to regret her decision when the big reveal that they had been caught in the middle of an extensive espionage unfolded in the Third Act. Each performance keeps the audience on the edge of their seat and ends with roaring applause from the audience. 

Dalat Drama Production extends beyond the three performances offered near the end of each semester. For over four months, Miss Geiman and Mrs. Ho directed the drama kids to project their voices, practice significant expressions and gestures, and pull everyone together to put on amazing shows for the Dalat Community. Even though a few cast members were sick, the Lord put His hand on them and gave them the strength to finish strong. 

Although Afraid of the Dark ended, the friendships formed during short and long rehearsals persisted. Jun Sheng Leow (12) noted that his favorite part of tech week was “the fact that all of us (drama actors and crew) worked together to make the production a success from scratch multiple times.”

Many drama kids decided to join Dalat Drama Production again next semester. They may not know what the next play will be, but they are sure they will have more fun together.

Never Miss Drama

 By Aidan Leong

“One hundred and fifty billion dollars!” exclaimed Mata Hari (Limey Chhor, 12). 

Exactly how much I thought this production was worth.

Dalat Drama production once again delivered with a great play called Afraid of the Dark

The play boasted a diverse range of real-life characters, from Mata Hari to Queen Elizabeth the First to even General Robert E. Lee. Moreover, the actors brought these characters to life with phenomenal acting and voice projection. 

Jun Sheng Leow (12), a vibrant and enthusiastic actor who played the role of Admiral Gridley, describes acting on stage as “a chance to make me feel… …alive in some odd ways I can’t describe. I just like to act different from my character contrary to what people would expect about me.”

The show went on for two days, one show on Friday and two on Saturday. At first, Michael Silverstein (11), one of the main leads, said they were very nervous and tense before performing. But by the third showing, he told me they were elated and joyful—singing together even seconds before the show started. 

Like the actors, the audience had great joy and laughter from the humorous moments in the show. Not only was it funny, but the story had me at the edge of my seat with multiple plot twists at the end—finally revealing the true antagonist. It had also gone smoothly, even from the tech team. A crew member, Emma Yeap (12), said, “I finally got to program the light myself. Thank goodness I didn't mess up.” 

Overall, the hard work showed in their final product. The play was a blast, but it also provided something more than entertainment. In the audience, there were people from elementary to high school and many parents who all came together to watch. This show brought the community together. This is what Dalat is about. 

Behind the Curtains: Tech Week Uncovered

By Dora Liu

It’s time to take a peek behind the curtains. 

Last Friday, November 17th, Dalat Drama Production returned with another showpiece, Afraid of the Dark. The premiere night was an immediate success, packed with an excited audience. Tech Week, usually the most busy time of year for cast members, was especially significant to the show's success. 

What is Tech Week? Tech Week is the first time most of the “tech”—lighting, sound, etc, become part of the rehearsal, which usually takes place in the week leading up to the actual show. 

Due to the tight schedule, all actors and backstage crew must stay in Harbor Hall and rehearse every night of Tech Week until the premiere night. Nightly rehearsals can run from 4 until 8 or 9 pm, with at least one full-dress rehearsal that simulates an actual performance to ensure everything goes smoothly. 

Wonhoo Shin (9), one of the backstage crew, discloses his schedule for Tech Week. “I would have to do everything from 3 to 4 before drama, or go home and stay up until 12 to finish,” he says, “but sometimes when I’m really tired or didn’t have any homework, I would just go home and sleep. It’s hectic but also fun.”

Luckily, Ms. Geiman’s cooking came to the rescue when the cast needed strength. Emma Yeap (12), also a backstage crew, remarks, “Every day she cooked, apart from Thursday because it was Thanksgiving, so we had a lot of leftover food from PTO. On Saturday we had breakfast for dinner, waffles, sausages, things like that.”

In the months before the performance, drama members attend rehearsals every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday for around 5 hours of rehearsal per week. Apart from weekly rehearsals, every cast member must attend two workday sessions on Saturdays before production night. All the work amounts to the impressive stage set to accompany the play. Eric Shyu (11), who played Joe the Telephone Man, says, “The walls, the doors, basically everything were painted by us.” It’s easy to see how much effort was put in to ensure the stage looked perfect for the scenes. 

Every impressive performance takes hard work. Despite the long hours during Tech Week, the cast members gained experience and had fun working on the production. With delicious meals as a bonus, wouldn’t you want to sign up next time?

Sugar Rush

By Packia Alagu Nagarajan

The Senior class of 2024 invites all elementary school students to bond over freezies and a fun game of duck-duck-goose. As a senior, I remember in my elementary days, I used to be intimidated by the seniors. I would genuinely think they were going to bully me and be mean to me on purpose, so, as the five-year-old that I was, I used to avoid them at all costs. However, as a senior, I realize what the elementary students think when we walk past them. Most of them look up to us, wonder what it’s like to be the oldest in the school, and wish to grow up just like us.  

The senior class planned this event as an opportunity to let the elementary students know that we’re really not that scary. In fact, this is the first step taken to bond with them over a freezie and some games they enjoy playing. We decided it would work best to split the elementary school grade-wise to be more organized. During their morning recess, a group of seniors volunteered to cut up freezies, engage in meaningful conversations, and play fun games with the kids. I was thrilled that their recess was during my study hall and online class block, so I got to participate and engage with all the elementary students.  

They were mostly shy, but once they slurped away at all the freezie juice, they were in the mood to chat and play games with us. Popi Grous (12), who played games with the kids said, “It was gratifying playing with the kids and seeing them have fun.” It was such a fun way to start the morning for both the seniors and the elementary students. 

However, the only people who were concerned about the aftermath were the teachers of the students who had an incredible amount of sugar so early in the morning. Luckily, the games drained most of their sugar rush. We also had a few of the seniors documenting these precious memories. 

Aileen Kim (12), a Journ student said, “It was a healing process to take photos of elementary children as I don’t get the chance to do it frequently. I felt glad to be able to serve the children in a different way.”  

Bonding with the elementary students made me realize one thing. Like these kids, our parents still view us as their precious children. My mum always told me that whenever she saw me now, she could only see the three-year-old me wearing two ponytails on either side with a big smile on my face. As I move on to the next phase of my life, going to college and living independently, I know that my parents are incredibly proud of the young adult I’ve become, and they’ve played a crucial role in who I am today. So, to all the parents reading this, we appreciate your efforts and everything you’ve done for us.  

Wednesday 15 November 2023

Don’t Forget Your Flashlight

By Sam Owen

It’s time to face our fears. 

At least for those of us Afraid of the Dark.

Opening night is finally upon us. After months of preparation, our drama department is ready to present its production. Crowds will make their way to Harbor Hall to be seated tonight at seven p.m. as the pride and joys of our upcoming play realize the fruit of their efforts.

Elizabeth Silverstein (12), one of the tech students responsible for the sound effects that hold the power to make or break a performance, embodied the emotions of many of her crewmates, expressing, “I feel like we are almost there and, although it is stressful, everyone is filled with anticipation and excitement to share what we have worked so hard on.”

Returning veteran Emma Yeap (12) is also a devoted crew member. She opened up about tonight’s performance, explaining, “I am feeling excited and nervous for the play. I am glad that it is coming up and really proud of the cast, the props, and the programming that everyone worked really hard to put together. Hope that everyone enjoys the show as much as we enjoyed putting it together for all of us.”

Three long-awaited showtimes have been prepared as students have poured their time, energy, and passion into doing James Reach’s Afraid of the Dark justice. This adaptation has intertwined mystery and comedy in an experience you won’t want to miss.

All’s not lost if Friday’s not for you. Tickets are available for two p.m. and seven p.m. the next night for any of the Dalat community excited to come out and support their own. All you have to do is head on down to the front office or contact a student involved in putting on the production. Just that and bring ten ringgit for the transaction.

Tickets are available. Show times are abundant. What’s stopping you from enjoying your weekend with a little extra laughter?

Freaky Turn of Events

By Drew Worten

On November 10th, 2023, there was an event called Freaky Friday hosted by the Dalat senior class for grades 5th through 8th. They did many events that day, including Capture the Flag, Knockout, Cat & Mouse, Just Dance, Min to Win It, Tic Tac Toe, Trivia, and water balloon fights. 

This event is a time where seniors can be role models and leave lasting memories on the Dalat community. Cullno Mah (12) was a leader for one of the middle school grades; he said, “For some reason, I really bonded with the sixth-grade middle schoolers on Friday till they even said hi when I’m around. I had a deep talk with one of them about growing up and maturing, and he said he was too mature and apologized for his grade when they kept shouting at me. They also decided to throw their one water balloon at me, and I even banter with three sixth-grade girls who were shouting and complaining about Freaky Friday and we laughed about it. Their core memory was probably me, not gonna lie, and my voice now is destroyed, screaming over 60 kids to pay attention.” Cullno got to bond with the middle schoolers and give insightful information to these kids about growing up and life. He got to connect with the middle schoolers and left an impact on these kids they will probably never forget.

They organized this event in such a way that the seniors got to interact directly with the middle schoolers in these games. This event was organized with multiple seniors at each station, facilitating the fun in a way that they are interacting with them, and it was also organized with one senior leading each grade to the different stations and games. An example of the seniors interacting with the middle schoolers through the game is the water balloon fights; even the seniors got to join in and play with the middle schoolers. 

Elizabeth Silverstein (12), the senior class president, said this about the event,  “Over all, I felt like both seniors and middle schoolers had a fantastic time having fun together. My favorite part was watching the middle schoolers run around laughing and throwing water balloons at each other. I would plan another day like it in a heartbeat.” 

Not only did the middle schoolers have fun, but the seniors also had fun together with them. And they wish they could plan another day like this.


Freaky What?

By Douglas Koay

Freaky Friday is a long-standing tradition in Dalat, where seniors run games, provide food, and have fun with the middle schoolers. This year, it allowed seniors to give back to the Dalat community by providing a night filled with various activities, including Capture the Flag, Cup Pong, Just Dance, Knockout, and many others for the kids in school. 

With so many activities needing to be set up, the senior class had to prepare the stations before the wave of kids flooded in. Stations of games were set up in Harbor Hall, Just Dance was projected onto the screen behind the stage, and 600 water balloons being filled in anticipation of the kids led to more water on the seniors than in the balloons. 

Senior ExCom Service Coordinator Aidan Leong (12) said, “Many seniors came together to help out in Freaky Friday to bond with the middle schoolers, which made the process smooth and enjoyable.” The middle schoolers were bursting with excitement and glee, participating in the games and jumping from one station to the next. 

Joseph Lee (12), who was in charge of the knockout station that night, says, “It felt sentimental to be able to help out with Freaky Friday because I did it in middle school and had a lot of fun doing it, and now having the opportunity to serve back made me kind of emotional.” 

After a whole day of activities, the middle schoolers were split into their respective grades, armed with water balloons, and engaged in a war-like battle, ending the night in a blur of chaos, laughter, and so much screaming. This experience with the kids gave us a new understanding and gratitude to the seniors when we were middle schoolers who spent their time with us in our Freaky Friday. With this tradition continuing, we hope the kids we serve will one day be filled with the same nostalgia and gratitude as we were when they become seniors.

One Month Left

By Josiah Andrews

One month. One month away until the final bell of the semester. A day that is hard to imagine that will come on the first day of school. Having said that, that specific bell is starting to loom over the heads at Dalat.

That bell will be a relief for some freshman who survived the first of eight semesters in their high school years. That bell also will mean that there is only one last semester for the Class of 2024 until their high school journey ends. Many seniors have started to feel some signs and symptoms of Senioritis. Even so, the excitement to graduate and be done grows. In contrast, the motivation and want to attend school dissipates quickly amongst the Co24. 

Holding us students back from that freedom is the dreaded final exams. Preparation for exams is about to get underway if it hasn’t already. This period of time before the exams and after the mid-semester break is what I like to call “the quiet before the storm.” The phrase often describes a peaceful point for someone before a significant event occurs just over the horizon. Finals are definitely anything but peaceful. 

Often, one can make out the distant frustration of a sophomore struggling to study Geometry or Algebra or the sound of two seniors arguing whether AP Chemistry’s or AP Biology’s final will be more brutal. One bright side to the first semester is the lack of AP finals. Since the AP finals aren’t until the next semester, students find themselves up against the tests of their teachers and not of CollegeBoard. A task that seems much more familiar and a good warm-up for the pinnacle in less than six months' time. 

Overall, however, there is excitement around the air as students and staff fantasize about their newfound freedoms that the final bell will sound for them. Dreams of Christmas breaks in home countries, get-togethers with friends and family, and, of course, the much-needed extra sleep. The break will allow those to recharge themselves for the second half of an already eventful year for Dalat. 

DJ Yost (12) highlighted his excitement by saying, “I’m most excited to see my sister who is coming back; I am also excited to have the free time to train for a half marathon.”

The end of Christmas will mark the start of the end for all of us. While it may seem improbable, even impossible, the beginning of the end for seniors all over has begun. Even though there is a quiet period they are in now, that bell in December will mark the warning call to enjoy the last months of childhood before life outside high school starts—a proper storm in itself. 

Tuesday 7 November 2023

Big Things Coming

By Savanna Choi

The last volleyball net descended, cleats gave way to high-top sneakers, and the balls were finally allowed to touch the ground again. The echoes of cheers and claps that filled the gym just a few weeks ago faded away with the sounds of dribbling on the hardwood floor and concentrated breaths. The new season surfaced among high school students in the form of basketball players. 

You heard it right: it's basketball season. 

Players who eagerly counted the days to this moment gathered in the gym last Thursday and Friday to kick off the season. Dozens of students, freshmen and seniors alike, exchanged glances filled with purpose and anticipation. As the whistle blew and tryouts began, the once-nervous expressions on their teenage faces transformed into the determined looks of professional athletes. 

Caitlyn Chan (11), a returning Varsity Girls Basketball player, shared her experience, saying, "I was so nervous before tryouts, but being back on the court with these familiar faces and playing the sport we all love made it all worthwhile." 

Meanwhile, Wei Ee Goh (12), a returning Varsity Boys Basketball player, admitted, "[I] wasn't nervous before the tryouts, but the tryouts were harder than I thought—it was hard to perform as good as [I] wanted to," emphasizing once again the competitiveness and significance of making the basketball team in Dalat. 

Among all the talented players who tried out for our basketball teams, the 23-24 Varsity and JV Basketball teams met for their first practice this week. The courts once again buzzed with the enthusiasm of our basketball players eager to perform to their full potential for the upcoming season. However, as good as we are at it, sports in Dalat aren't all about the scores; it's also about the teammates the players get to know and grow together along the way. 

Both Alexia Nyul (12), a returning senior on the Varsity Girls' team, and Lora Choi (9), a new freshman on the JV Girls' team, expressed that they're "excited about the amazing group of girls [they] have the opportunity to bond and work with this season" as much as playing basketball itself. 

As we begin this thrilling basketball season, we're reminded that the path ahead leads in only one direction: onward and upward. With the season set to conclude in February after the highly-anticipated ACSC tournament and the Island Shootout just three weeks away, our student athletes—as much athletes as they are students—are gearing up to start the season as strong as ever. 

You can hear it in every dribble, every pass, and every shot. 

Big things are coming. 

A Humble “Hallelujah”: Notes from Spiritual Emphasis Week

By Abbi Rinkenberger

Darkness cloaked the room. I stood with my eyes fixed on the lyrics on the screen. My hands were lifted, open. The soft strum of the guitar and the quivering of the piano and violin died out, but the voices of the students continued. In unison, we filled the air with worship, whispering words from Brandon Lake’s song Gratitude: “I've nothing else fit for a King / Except for a heart singing hallelujah.” I experienced a sense of unity and faith in that moment. While this experience occurred during the last night of SEW, the humility palpable in Brandon Lake’s lyrics mirrored the atmosphere of Spiritual Emphasis Week as students and speakers offered their voices, talents, and hearts to Christ. 

During chapels and night sessions, we had the honor of listening to speakers from Avant Life Church in Canada. In alignment with the theme of Pursuit, Ps. Sarah Graston guided us through the parables of the lost sheep, lost coin, and prodigal son. She touched the audience with her vulnerability by relating the stories to her career and focusing on the purpose God has for us. 

Aidan Leong (12) conveys, “Pastor Sarah paralleled the parable of the prodigal son with her own life, which made the story feel very personal and meaningful to me as a listener.” 

Further, Limey Chhor (12) remarks, “My favorite part of SEW was the reminder that Jesus hasn't given up on me. Her quote says, “The moment you take a step toward Jesus, He'll come running toward you. You have a choice to go home or not.” 

In the evenings, Pastor Ben spoke about the kindness of God in reaching out to us and how we can reach our hands out to him in a posture of worship. 

Arielle McIver (12), an attendant at the evening sessions, comments, “One thing Pastor Ben said that stood out to me is that ‘God desires for the return of all His sons and daughters.’” The messages of the speakers carried truths that touched the students in different ways. 

On the final day of SEW, the evening session was senior-led. Seniors employed various forms of art to worship God that night. Through words, seniors shared their testimonies, reaching the audience with their vulnerability. Through an original song, Caleb Jun moved individuals with his raw lyrics and euphonious voice. Through movement, a small group of dancers led by Joyce Wan radiated grace as they danced to worship music. Humility pervaded these performances. 

At the close of the night, attendants stood in circles and prayed for one another. I appreciated the opportunity to receive and offer prayer for others. God’s presence pervaded Spiritual Emphasis Week, and I pray that, when the memory of SEW vanishes, we students will continue to offer Christ a humble hallelujah. 


Pursued. Repentance. Transformation.

By Kathryn Boyd

Pursued was the phrase that came into the minds of the Leadership Development Class of Dalat International School when deciding the theme for the Spiritual Emphasis Week this year.  Anna Ruble (12) explained her thoughts behind the theme this year, “I think that the theme ‘Pursued’ accurately depicts God's love and desire for a relationship with us. We are His creation, and He desires so strongly for us to accept what He did for us on the cross. I really enjoyed the theme this year and the sermons that came with it.”

Three days, three nights. The sound of praises unto the King of Kings echoes from the Harbor Hall. A team from Avant Church in Vancouver, Canada, joined the students and parents for an amazing three days of grasping the truth of the Gospel and God’s love for us. The Avant Church team spoke to the Elementary, Middle, and High schools. They shared stories from Luke 15 about the Parable of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Prodigal Son. Through these stories, the students gained a deeper understanding of God’s pursuit of each of them through His Son, Jesus.  Many students attended morning and evening sessions to hear about and experience God’s love for them.

SEW is a week that many students look forward to, not just for the no-homework rule, but also to grow closer to God. The second night, Pastor Ben Narayanan spoke about the pursuit of God, the importance of repentance, and how through repentance, God transforms us as our eyes are fixed on Him and His plan for our lives. This impacted many students that night to draw closer to God and understand His grace and forgiveness. 

The third night was student-led worship. There were three powerful testimonies from the senior class about how Jesus transformed Isaac Beaman, Arielle McIver, and LiMey Chhor’s lives. There was also a beautiful dance choreographed by Joyce Wan (12) and a beautiful song written by Caleb Jun (12) that talked about Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross and the grace He has given each and every one of us. Students were given the opportunity to receive prayer and go to two different stations that would allow students to meditate on the messages shared over the past three days. It was clear that God was breaking the chains of sin in many students that night. 

Isaac Beaman (12) shared his testimony that night and explained his feelings, “I just felt God was totally behind me, and I saw his presence in the crowd. It was just joy. As I saw the clock in the back ticking up to 8, I couldn't stop crying.”

At the night's end, Pastor Bob called forth the parents to pray for the students, individually or in groups. This promoted unity between the older generation and the younger generation over God’s pursuit of them. Throughout the week, God showed His heart for the students through the people, worship, prayer, and speakers. Overall, many students felt the pursuit of God for them this SEW week.  

Single or Taken

By Noella Seevaratnam

The heart of mankind indulges in two distinctive desires. To pursue and to be pursued. Often, the word “pursued” demonstrates a state of wantedness and being sought after. It’s what translates a soul from a place of individualism and singleness to a partnership of sorts, being “taken.” Unsurprisingly, that desire stems from a deeper longing of the heart to be pursued and to pursue God. During our annual Spiritual Emphasis Week, our speakers from Avant Life Church in Canada spoke about how God pursues mankind. 

Upon the arrival of the speakers, the Leadership Development Class was given the opportunity to choose the theme for S.E.W., and the choice was formulated based on what the Leadership Development (L.D.) class thought the school needed the most: to know the pursuit of God. Being a part of the L.D. class myself, the motive behind choosing the theme was to see our campus aware of the radical love of God, a move from mere legalism and religion into a genuine relationship. All the sermons were surrounded by the parables in Luke chapter 15: The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin, and The Lost Boy. The similarity in all these parables was something of value being lost and the withholder demonstrating an active pursuit in retrieving them. From a state of solitude to responding to the pursuit, all these parables ended with a permanent union. In the parable of the Lost Boy, Pastor Sarah highlighted how the father let the son go, but when the son realized what his life looked like outside the protection of his father, he ran back home to find his father waiting with open arms. Likewise, as a school, we were called into a similar response, not just to notice the pursuit but to respond. Pastor Ben, during the night services, emphasized the importance of repentance and how God’s kindness, God’s pursuit, leads us to repentance. Pastor Ben talked about how repentance isn’t just a heart posture but a direction, and that direction is our pursuit of God. 

God’s movement was indisputable during those days, and His heart for our hearts was notable. After each night service, the L.D. class and speakers prayed for students, and it was powerful to see how much God had touched our communities’ hearts. On the last night, a couple of seniors shared their personal stories and encounters with the love of God. There was also a beautiful dance performance and song presentation. 

Himani Alagan (12) shared some of her experience by saying that “there was something so powerful and magical about the prayer session on the third night, you could really feel the presence of God. The senior testimonies as well were so brave and moving, and it felt like God was really speaking to me through my classmates.” 

All week, we were shown how God pursues us. The question that remains now is, do we respond to the pursuit by repentance and union, or do we remain single?

Thursday 2 November 2023

Evaluating PSATs: Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test

By Ha-Eun Jeon

Tuesday, October 24, 2023. While the rest of the highschoolers get a day off, the sophomores and juniors faced another day in school. The reason? The PSAT. 

The PSAT is an exam the sophomores and juniors take every year. This year, the exam was taken digitally. This exam helps students prepare for the upcoming SATs, letting them experience how the exam works. The PSAT is also known as the NMSQT (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test), if a high score is achieved in one’s junior year, a merit scholarship is rewarded to the individual. However, this scholarship only applies to United States citizens. Unlike the SAT, which is out of 1600, the PSAT is out of 1520. 

This year, most of the students found the math module more challenging (36.2%), than the reading and writing module (30.4%). 14.5% of the students found it both equally challenging and 18.8% of them did not find the modules challenging at all. 

With data collected form 34 juniors and 35 sophomores, 31.9% said that they felt fully prepared for the PSAT, 43.5% felt a little prepared, and 24.6% weren’t so prepared for the PSAT. Even though there were different preparation levels, surprisingly, the majority of the students did not find the PSAT as stressful. 53.6% of the students found it mildly stressful to not stressful at all, 21.7% of the students found the exam to be neutrally stressful, and 24.7% of the students found it very stressful. A junior, taking the exam for the second time stated, “It eased my nerves since I knew what was coming this time. Also, because it’s online, it felt a lot more ‘go at your own pace.’” 

The Digital PSAT is slightly shorter than the paper PSAT. The digital one takes around 2 hours and 14 minutes to complete, while the paper one took 2 hours and 45 minutes. The digital exam consists of 98 questions. 32 minutes for reading and writing module 1, 32 minutes for reading and writing module 2, 35 minutes for math module 1, and 35 minutes for math module 2. The paper exam consists of 129 questions. 60 minutes for evidence-based reading, 35 minutes for writing and language, 45 minutes for math with the calculator, and 25 minutes for math without the calculator. 

Warmest congratulations to the sophomores for completing their first PSAT and to the juniors for their last PSAT! 

Gruelling Games

By Wei Ee Goh

Through ankle sprains, bruises, blood, sweat, and pain, the Varsity Soccer Boys team gave ACSC everything they had.

On Tuesday, October 17th, at 5 AM, the Varsity Boys Soccer team arrived at Dalat to leave for Chiang Mai. The first flight was to KL, then a 4-hour layover before taking another flight to Chiang Mai. After reaching Chiang Mai, the boys had an hour ride in a red truck, which is a leading form of transportation of the people in Chiang Mai. The day of travel ended by reaching the Alpine Golf Resort and with a team meeting to get everyone in the right mindset for the many gruelling games ahead.

The first game started with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Morrison. Although the team got the win, the team felt that it shouldn’t have been that close as they were better technically than the other team but struggled to score easy goals. In the second game against ICS Hong Kong felt more or less the same. The Dalat players were much better technically but could not gain a more comfortable lead as they won 3-1. In the last game of the round-robin, the Dalat boys played against YISS. The game was even throughout the first 50 minutes, but the tide shifted after Dalat team captain Romeo Kontsas (11) managed to get a goal after attacking high into the YISS defense, causing the them to make a mistake. 

Starting the official tournament bracket to determine placing was a wake-up call, as any games lost at this point would result in placing fourth or below. The boys faced SPH in the quarter-finals, and the game was a hard-fought but comfortable 2-0 win for the Dalat boys.

In the semi-finals, the Dalat boys had to play Grace, who were the hosts for the tournament. Grace played passively without pressing much of the Dalat defenders but counter-attacked fast and aggressively. The game was at a standstill, neither team having clear chances for 60 minutes. At the end, the Dalat defense accidentally made a mistake, causing a Grace striker to be able to score. Losing this game meant the team could only make it to 3rd place at best.

The next day, the boys woke up with hunger and thirst to win after the heartbreaking loss the day before. The weather was unfavorable for all teams as it rained heavily. Despite this, the Dalat captain, Josiah Andrews (12), told the team, “Guys, this is the last game for you seniors. Leave everything you have on the pitch, and don’t regret anything. Underclassmen, play your heart out for your seniors and yourselves. Give this game all you have, and let’s get this win!” The boys played their best game, getting a 4-0 win over ICS Hong Kong to get the third-place spot. Although this wasn’t the result the boys wanted, they celebrated together, knowing they all played their hearts out for one another.


Photo by: Joyce Tang


 

Soccer at a Golf Resort

By Joseph Lee

Ten weeks of hard and gritty work of practices and games all amount to a week of soccer. A week at a Golf Resort in Chiang Mai where eight teams compete against each other for the ACSC Soccer champion crown. Last year, Dalat saw a lot of success by easing through the tournament with a comfortable 6-0 record, making ACSC history by not losing a single game. But this year, we knew the stakes were different since we were the team to beat. 

We started our first game off against Morrison, where we would see victory with a 2-1 win. Our second game was against ICS-HK, which we won 3-1. Our last group game against YISS was a hard-fought and intense match where we saw victory by scoring in the last five minutes, winning 1-0. These three group games placed us as the first seed, facing the other group’s last seed for the first bracket game.

We started our bracket journey against SPH, a tough and physical game that we won 3-0, which set us against Grace, the host team, in the semi-finals. Grace was a very physically strong and well-built team, and since this was the game to go through the finals, we knew that it would be a battle. It was a very even match, but Grace got the slight edge over us in the last minute, ending the match in a 0-1 loss, Dalat’s first soccer loss in two years of ACSC soccer.

It was a very disappointing loss, but we still had one more game to go through to make sure we brought some silverware back home. It was the third-place match against ICS-HK. Though we won them in the group stages with a comfortable 3-1 victory, we still wanted to ensure that third place was ours. We did this by winning the game 4-0, finishing our season with a third-place finish at ACSC. 

Wei Ee Goh (12) said, “Although it was very disappointing that we couldn’t play in the finals, I am still happy that the boys were able to push through and place third.”  

It was not the placement we wanted, but we are still happy that we could bring back silverware home. And seeing how the team rebounded from the unfortunate semi-final loss gives us hope for the years to come for the Dalat Varsity Boys soccer team. 

Tuesday 24 October 2023

Underdog

 By Isaac Lee

Tuesday, 7 a.m., October 17, the Varsity boys volleyball arrived in Korea. After a defeated 5th place finish out of 6 teams last year, few had hope for the volleyball team. Some even mocked them for spending so much money to go to Korea to lose. They didn't know that the volleyball team was in business this year.

Volleyball ACSC started with a round-robin where all teams can play each other once. The number of wins and losses determines the seed for the official double elimination, which determines the placement for ACSC. The first three days were round-robin games where the guys won against Morrison, Faith, ICS-Bangkok, and ICS-Hong Kong. 

With a 4:3 record, the guys were placed on the fourth seed. In the first double-elimination game, the guys went up against SPH, a team they had lost to previously. They played and won against them. The guys were feeling good and went straight to the next game against Faith, where they faced their first official defeat. The guys, not wanting to go home early, held their heads high and went to bed.

Saturday, the final day of ACSC, the guys played against Morrison and won, officially eliminating them from the tournament. Starting the day with a win was great, but the guys had a big problem ahead of them: YISS. YISS is a school known for its volleyball skills and was one of the favorites for winning the entire ACSC tournament due to their second-place finish the previous year. Dalat had never beaten YISS, which made the guys nervous and excited. 

"I really just wanted to play more games that day. YISS were in our way and we knew they were one of the favorites. Despite all that, the struggles and hardships that we've been through have come down to this. Lose and go home empty, or win and come back with a guardian", says Sam Yeoh (9th grade setter). 

It was a grueling match to the third set, which ended when Aaron Andrews (10) spiked the final ball, securing the victory and officially eliminating YISS from the competition. Dalat was in the semi-finals. Right after the YISS game, Dalat had to face Faith once more. Faith, recently being sent to the losers bracket by Grace, was bloodthirsty for the win. The guys fought but could not pull off the fantastic underdog story everyone wanted. With a 1-4 score, Dalat was eliminated from the tournament. 

With volleyball ACSC ending, Dalat came out third. Aaron Andrews (10) and Captain Isaac Lee (12) earned the all-tournament, best blocker, and best server awards. The volleyball team also set some new Dalat records, beating YISS and acquiring the most recognition for volleyball in one season. Dalat's volleyball team has a bright future ahead of them. With many young and hardworking players, Dalat will become a place full of outstanding volleyball players. 


Photo Credit: Douglas Koay


You Just Got Served!

By Alexia Nyul

Last week, our school hosted the girl’s volleyball ACSC and had eight teams compete for first place. 

After a long week of games and competing against other schools, our girls unfortunately came in fifth place. Anna Ruble (12), a senior on the varsity volleyball team, said, “Although we lost two players and ended in 5th place, this has been my favourite team to play with. This ACSC was an amazing way to end the season. I’m so proud of my team and how we didn’t give up. We cried together, encouraged each other, and won so many games together. I will forever remember this team.” 

Although our girls placed lower than they wanted to, they did play very well and had the full support of the crowd that watched them play. Some of these watchers even skipped class to support them during their games. The gym was always full of posters, cheers, and both positive and nervous energy that had us on the edge of our seats. 

ACSC was not just an excuse to skip class but also a way to show school spirit, bond with the community, and meet new people from different schools. ACSC is not only a competition but also involves learning about the host country’s culture and performing an act of service. Because of the cultural aspect of ACSC, there was an opportunity to act as a tour guide to the guest teams and to take them around Georgetown.  

Noella Seevaratnam (12) served as one of the tour guides for the girls. She said, “It was a cool experience to meet a whole group of girls who come from similar backgrounds as me in terms of being a TCK, and it was also really fun to just talk about our plans about grad. Some of the girls really enjoyed getting to see a bit of Georgetown.”

We are sad that this exciting week is over but super proud of how our girls played this year!

Thrilling Triumphs

By Yuna Lee

It is with immense pleasure and excitement that we bring you the latest updates from the highly anticipated ACSC (Asian Christian Schools Conference) sports tournaments, where Dalat International School (DIS) proudly participated, displaying immense talent, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

Our Varsity Boys Volleyball team set the stage at Yongsan International School of Seoul (YISS) in South Korea, while the Varsity Boys Soccer squad demonstrated their skill and passion at Grace International School (GIS) in the picturesque city of Chiang Mai. In the meantime, our Varsity Girls Volleyball team captivated and thrilled the crowd on our home campus with their spectacular performance throughout the tournament.   

Incredible was the palpable excitement that swept through our campus last week as students eagerly anticipated the opportunity to witness an ACSC (Asian Christian Schools Conference) event live and cheer passionately for our beloved Varsity Girls' Volleyball team. Indeed, it was an incredible experience, with countless moments filled with immense pride, bringing together students, parents, teachers, and friends, all of whom came to show their unwavering support for our team at home base. In the midst of the electrifying atmosphere, our school's well-earned reputation for enthusiastic crowds lived up to expectations, with stomping feet and resounding cheers echoing from every corner of the stadium, creating an unforgettable and truly spirited experience.

Invigorated by the thrilling sports action, last Saturday became a day to remember as it marked the grand culmination of the ACSC (Asian Christian Schools Conference) tournaments. In the Varsity Girls Volleyball tournament, our remarkable team made a lasting impression by securing a resounding victory in the fifth-place game, displaying remarkable determination and high spirits. 

Yeonsoo Kim (12), the dedicated Varsity Girls Volleyball team manager, expressed her admiration for the team, stating, "In this journey, our girls have exemplified unwavering determination and unparalleled resilience, making it nothing short of extraordinary. I am genuinely overflowing with pride for our team, and this experience will forever be etched in the hallowed halls of our memories."

In addition, the Varsity Boys Volleyball team embarked on an impressive journey, displaying their resilience and determination throughout the tournament, ultimately securing a well-deserved third place.

In the final Varsity Boys Soccer match, the boys delivered a spectacular performance, ending the tournament on a high note by clinching a magnificent victory and securing third place. Josiah Andrews (12), a valuable contributor to the Varsity Boys Soccer team, offered a profound reflection, stating, "Infused with a dynamic energy catalyzed by the tournament's electric atmosphere, our gameplay enhanced our teamwork and rhythm, making it an incredibly enjoyable experience, and I am immensely proud of our collective performance."

In closing, the ACSC (Asian Christian Schools Conference) tournaments have not only showcased our school's talent but also the unifying spirit and camaraderie that define our community at its core. In recognizing the outstanding performances of all our teams, congratulations are extended throughout the campus, and we eagerly anticipate witnessing their continued success and growth in all of their future endeavors.

Wednesday 18 October 2023

Let’s Go Eagles Let’s Go! 

By Ezra Latham 

After a week of Fall Break, Dalat students are jumping back into action, not only with academics but also with the yearly ACSC (Asian Christian Schools Conference) sports tournaments. Even on break, players and teams were still dedicated to their sport and were focused on final preparations and getting locked in for the week of games that were coming.  

In this first season of sports, Dalat has three teams competing: the Varsity Boys Volleyball at the Korean school YISS, the Varsity Boys Soccer team at GIS in Chiang Mai, and the Varsity Girls Volleyball here on our campus.  

In the midst of an intense week of competition, all the teams will come together for a day of service towards a local community in their city. It’s a great chance for athletes not only to serve but also to get to know students from other schools through working together. 

“ACSC is a great opportunity for student-athletes to connect with people from other schools around Asia,” says Samuel Jung (12), a member of the boy's soccer team.  

Students on campus are also excited that they get to watch an ACSC live as they root for the girls' volleyball team. Students also hope for live streams from other schools to watch their friends perform on the court and pitch in different countries. 

Even though they are still on campus, our volleyball team gets to skip school for the week, much to the jealousy of their classmates. However, teachers are allowing students to take a break from class and make their way towards the gym to cheer on our team. Judging from last year when Dalat hosted an ACSC, many students, parents, teachers, and friends will show up to support our team as they go for gold. You can always count on the Dalat crowd to stomp their feet and make some noise. Maybe our mascot will even make an appearance… 

Anyway, let’s get ready for an exciting week of sports, LET’S GO EAGLES!!! 

Diving into the Culture

By Amy Park

Waking up early in the morning and meeting with a group of people you don’t usually hang out with at 7:30 a.m. is quite unusual. But there I was, doing the “unusual” every Tuesday and Friday to prepare for the Impact trip, a service/mission trip outside Penang. 

This year, there were three options for the trip: Bandung, Johor Bahru, and Perak. I chose Bandung because flying overseas appealed to me. After weeks of preparation, my team could finally head out to Bandung, Indonesia, on Friday, the 6th of October, for the Impact trip. Despite waking up at 4 a.m. because of the early flight, everyone seemed excited about the upcoming service projects and activities we had planned for weeks.

However, two hours of flying and four hours of bus ride with cockroaches everywhere were enough to exhaust our tensions. 

Thankfully, though, we only had one activity on the first day, the prayer walk. During this time, we had the opportunity to walk around the neighborhood and literally pray while walking. The atmosphere was highly different from the Penang streets; the streets were very narrow and congested with motorbikes and houses (I couldn’t see any apartments or condos). Although it was only for a short time, walking around the neighborhood helped me understand the background of the people I would be meeting.  

From the second day on, we had several activities each day. We had something as simple and fun as talking with the English study group (NGOBAR), a talent show, archery, and watching cultural shows. But we also had intense activities like farming, playing futsal under the sun for four hours, going to the after school daycare, and so much more. My highlight out of all these events was talking with the people in NGOBAR. Talking with the NGOBAR people helped me to understand Indonesian culture and embrace them better. On top of that, people there were mostly around my age or a bit older so it was really interesting that we had similar interests, stuff related to college. Talking with the strangers from different culture, background, age, and religion was so much more meaningful than I thought, and interestingly, I was impacted and motivated through them. 

As Julia Jang (12), one of the seniors who also went to Bandung said, “Being different doesn’t mean you are wrong.” The Impact trip was a valuable lesson for each individual where it helped us to dive deeper into people’s culture and learn how to coexist within the different cultures. 

And as Jason Cho (12), another senior, who went to Johor Bahru said, “It was a significant and fun trip, and through this, I think all of our members got to see different cultures and backgrounds of the refugees and how blessed we are.” 

It was also an awakening experience for people to realize how privileged we are, and how we should find gratitude from the smallest things.

Tuesday 17 October 2023

Exploring a New Culture

By Julia Jang

October 6th, 2023. It was a tranquil night, and our Bandung Impact team gathered at Dalat Upper Field while carrying suitcases so we could head to the airport together. 

Impact trips are back! This year, they offered several service trip locations: Indonesia (West Java), Johor Bahru, and Perak. I once participated in a Johor Bahru Impact trip during my junior year and enjoyed each moment to the full degree. Therefore, I challenged myself to explore the different cultures and dig deeper into the dynamics of the people around the world. What I like most about the Impact trip is that you’ll learn much about humanity and how it varies worldwide by placing my perspective into others’. One of the main reasons I decided to go to Bandung is because of my sister, a Dalat alumni. She also went on a Bandung Impact trip constantly told me how much the trip was worth. She mentioned the friendliness and peacefulness of Bandung and how she was able to respect people regarding their shared values. I was amazed by how a single trip could drastically change an individual’s perspective on cultural differences, which motivated me to apply for the trip. 

On the first day, our team went for a prayer walk around the neighborhood for about an hour. Even though it was my first time, the prayer allowed my day to start refreshingly and created a space for prayer and reflection. I felt that my prayers extended beyond my concerns and focused directly on the needs of others, opening myself to see them with God’s eyes and heart. The next day, neighborhood kids came to Green Gate (the community center where we stayed during the trip) to play futsal together. They play futsal every Sunday with a coach, and we were suggested to participate in the games. We cheered each other on and shared our stories, mainly talking about K-pop idols. Through that, I learned happiness can come from many trivial things regardless of the background. 

Heeeun Bang (12), one of the Bandung Impact trip members, said, “Impact trip was much more than I expected. I learned how not to judge or pity someone but to respect and embrace their lives just as they are, for being different does not mean being right or wrong. I managed to break out of my comfort zone, openly approach the local people despite the language barrier, and express gratitude for what I have, which I would have never done if I had just casually stayed at my house.” 

This Impact trip has impacted how I view the world, the people around me, and myself. I saw and experienced the qualities of FLOSS (Flexibility, Learner, Observant, Sacrificial, and Servant) during the trip, like how my sister learned the values of the Bandung people. After the trip, I started to appreciate everything I possess and the environment my parents have provided for me. We are living in a beautiful world!

Here Comes the Sun: Senior Sunrise

By Himani Alagan

Since the beginning of Grade 12, it was the senior sunrise that kept the seniors on their toes with excitement.

All were asked to gather at the Galley at 7:00 a.m. sharp to watch the sunrise and eat breakfast together. We had a delicious spread of rotis, curry puffs, Krispy Kream doughnuts, spring rolls, and cinnamon cake, with hot chocolate, milo, coffee, and chai to supplement. 

Our class food coordinator, Packia Alagu Nagarajan (12), said, “It was really hard to find shops that sell roti at that time, but I managed to talk to SAB, and they came through.” 

Overall, the feedback regarding the breakfast was positive; Leyla Lee (12) said, “The roti and doughnuts were so good.”

Alexia Nyul (12), our activity coordinator, stated, “I’m so glad I was able to pull off planning the senior sunrise, as getting to spend time with my classmates is always fun, and I’m so glad I was able to enjoy it.”

Excitement stirred even more when a dead rat was spotted on the ground in front of the Galley during the first few minutes of the sunrise. After being pointed out by one of the seniors, it was flung away heroically by Mr. Van.

Nevertheless, despite the minor disturbance, the senior sunrise was a time to unite as a class and bond. From watching bits of the sunrise to eating breakfast and playing spike ball in the field, the time was well spent getting to know each other better.

Although there wasn’t much of a sunrise, the sky was still quite beautiful, according to many in the grade. We are so incredibly blessed to have such a beautiful campus overlooking the beach. It really makes us count our blessings and give thanks to God for every new day and the beauty of friendship.



Exploring the World of Choir

By Amos Koay

Two weeks ago, from September 28 through October 1, a group of high schoolers in choir were invited to the Bangkok International Choir Festival. 

There were many schools from all around Asia that were invited to this festival. Among many other schools, Dalat had a fantastic opportunity to be conducted by Carrie Tennant. Carrie Tennant, Vancouver Youth Choir's founder and artistic director, helped everyone prepare for the concert in just one and a half days. 

Sammy Jung (12) said, "Her style of conducting was none like anyone has ever seen. She used very useful hand motions to help us get better in tune. As a result, we sang better as a whole choir." 

Carrie Tennant used many different hand motions and tools, like a ball, to help the choir understand more about how singing works. Not only did it help them improve significantly, but it also resulted in a more fun practice. Her unmatched passion and skills inspired every student to get better.  

Not only did the choir trip help everyone improve their singing techniques, but it also helped everyone bond. Anna Ruble (12), said, "It was fun to interact with people that I do not normally see a lot at school." This trip provided an opportunity for students from different grades on the trip to connect with one another. 

Grades from 9-12 were able to bond closely as each room had a diverse distribution. The friendships made on this trip would never have happened on a typical day in school. Not only were the students able to connect with Dalat students, but they could also connect with other schools like Grace International School. 

The Bangkok International Choir Festival trip was a great way to learn more about singing and to bond. Students on the trip were able to create unforgettable memories inside the choir room and outside of it as well. 

Singing Abroad

By Samuel Jung

A couple of weeks ago, members of the Dalat Choir went to the International School Bangkok to have an annual Choir festival.

The Choir festival was called the Bangkok International Choir Festival hosted by the International School Bangkok, and before this huge meeting the students in Dalat worked every morning during A-block to prepare for this event. Ms. Vossler led the choir every morning and her hard work truly helped the students not only sing better individually, but as a whole group as well. As for the event, it was led by Carrie Tenant, who is the choir director and founder of the Vancouver Youth Choir. 

Many schools from all over Southeast Asia came together to create a big choir and perform in front of parents and on a livestream. In just 1 and a half days she was able to lead the choir to perform in front of countless people. 

According to Drew Worten (12), “It was very interesting getting to learn from a professional choir director. She made practices and singing fun with all her random warm ups.” 

Although, learning from Carrie Tenant was a huge honor and great opportunity, there were many other aspects of this trip that were also incredibly enjoyable and fun.

The bonding experience was also a very big part of this trip that made it incredibly memorable. Students from grade 9-12 at Dalat traveled and stayed together for 4 days. In those 4 days they spent time together by playing games, going to the mall, eating together, and most importantly singing together as well. 

According to Amos Koay (12), “I was able to bond with the underclassman and just have a good time in such a short amount of time.” 

In short, the Bangkok trip was truly an amazing experience for the students that went, and has created memories for the students that they will cherish forever.

Tuesday 3 October 2023

Prepare for Impact!

By Jason Cho 

From super early Monday seven a.m. sessions to hungry Thursday lunch meetings, our Impact team is finally ready to create a joyful experience for the kids in Johor Bahru!

Impact trips have only one purpose… To make an impact, of course! This year, students were given the opportunity to sign up for multiple service trips: Johor Bahru, Perak, Indonesia, and North Borneo. I decided to list Johor Bahru as our first choice; soon, I was able to redeem my choice and begin my journey to prepare for the upcoming service trip. Each impact trip was designated to a specific place; in our case of Johor Bahru, we would be traveling to the Rohingya Refugee School & Center to offer education and service through English learning activities. 

Preparing for the Impact trip was not a hard process but more of an exciting experience. Although the early morning pre-trip training sessions were truly excruciating for me as a senior with senioritis, they were still memorable experiences. We spent time planning out the activities and coordinating each so the kids would be given the utmost opportunity to learn English and have fun. I was stationed in the game section for this upcoming trip, and since we had to do activities relating to English words, we chose to do pictionary, charades, and musical chairs. But we also added activities like soccer at the end so that the kids have some extra fun at the end of each service. 

Brendan Loke (12), one of the seniors for the impact trip to Johor, stated, “My hope is to empower and interact with people who do not come from the same privileged background that we are from, and to share the knowledge that I’ve been so lucky to have been given the opportunity to have access to.”

Serving these kids is our main priority for this trip, but also for us as students to learn the qualities of FLOSSing. Oh, not the dance moves! I meant Flexibility, Learner, Observant, Sacrificial, and Servant. As Dalat students, we are blessed to have the environment and atmosphere that this school has given us, but this opportunity is unquestionably excluded from many others worldwide. Through this Impact trip, we hope to grow both as a servant and a learner, being observant of other people’s cultures and being flexible throughout positive and negative situations placed upon us. It is not only a temporary service trip but a treasured memory and lesson we will gain for the rest of our lives. 

I pray that our Impact team can travel and accomplish our service without any troubles, and I wish the other teams the best of luck! 

Seniors, Stronger Together

By Cullno Mah

In a heartbreaking turn of events, a devastating virus swept through Dalat International School during the week of September 25-29, 2023, tragically claiming Aidan and Himani as its first victims among the seniors.

Monday came by like any other Monday, but something felt amiss; there were a couple of missing faces among the seniors that continued to pile up over the next few days at Dalat International School. Classrooms felt emptier, and the absence of fellow seniors left an undoubtedly sad presence among the senior community.

Devastating news dropped in the parent’s WhatsApp group chat on Tuesday, September 26, 2023. Himani’s lovely mother, Auntie Daveena, texted, “Himani got into the car today saying she’s feeling unwell. And also that some friends are feeling unwell. I took her to the clinic and was told lots of international school kids are down with Influenza. I got Himani tested and she’s positive for Influenza A and she’s already started on her antiviral meds.” 

Minutes later, another saddening news was conveyed: Aidan’s mom, Jennifer, texted, “Thanks Daveena for posting to group. Hope the meds help! Aidan’s down with Influenza B instead. Lots of rest, soup, and porridge ahead! Speedy recovery to those who are unwell.” 

The unforeseen tragedy that the virus influenza has mysteriously given us shook the senior community as a whole. Aidan, known for his iconic laughter and boundless enthusiasm for life, and Himani, admired for her kind heart and academic prowess, were taken from the senior family to remain home to recover. 

As the news of this virus spread, the hallways of Dalat were filled with caution, and our instincts, developed from self-isolation from the infamous COVID-19 that turned our world upside down three years ago, switched on. Faces began disappearing day by day, and one of them was the one and only ex-Covid-19 veteran, Alexia. 

In an interview about her experience staying home and her coping mechanism, Alexia (12) said this, “Staying home really helped me get better. I was able to get some very needed sleep and rest. I watched my favorite movies and shows and caught up on some school work. I coped with my sickness by wearing a mask at school to make sure I didn’t get my peers sick and I stayed home.” The words of Alexia highlight the importance of watching out for one another, even for the sake of others. Alexia teaches us that, together, we have the ability to overcome any challenge that comes our way. 

The week of September 25- 29, 2023, will go down in history as one of the most unfortunate weeks of Dalat history. As we move forward, may the seniors continue to stand firm as a community, resilient in the face of misfortune, and always prepared to support one another through life’s unexpected trials. 



Tuesday 26 September 2023

The Eagles Spike Again

By Naomi Weidemann

This past weekend on September 22nd and 23rd, the boys' and girls' volleyball teams headed down to KL to compete in the Twin Towers tournament. 

The teams Dalat faced are a part of the IASIS conference, and they played teams from all over such as ISB, YIS, JIS, SAS, TAS, and ISKL. The girls performed very well and placed 2nd overall. The boys competed hard but fell short and placed 6th overall. Both the girls’ and boys' teams had a fantastic time cheering each other on when they were not playing in their own game. 

Michelle Morrow (12), a captain on the varsity girls' volleyball team said, “I loved the tournament’s atmosphere, and I think the energy it brought reflected in our play as we found our rhythm and worked together. Our hard work paid off too, with our team placing 2nd out of seven teams in the IASIS tournament. I’m really proud of how we performed overall.” Michelle lived up to her role of being selected captain for her senior year by encouraging and leading the team to place well in the tournament. 

Gerald Yang (11), a player on the varsity boys’ volleyball team, said, “The IASIS invitational tournament was a fun string of games that we played which gave us a lot of insight into preparing for ACSC.” After making the varsity team for his junior year playing volleyball at Dalat, Gerald is a great asset and contributes a lot to the team being a right-side hitter. 

The Twin Towers volleyball tournament was a great way for teams to make improvements and grow together as a team. Both of the teams are continuing to work hard so they will be ready to compete in the ACSC tournament happening October 17th through the 21st. 

Still, The Undefeated WAVE!

By Daniel Lim

In a thrilling display of sportsmanship and camaraderie, the annual Eagle Games at Dalat International School brought together high schoolers from 9th to 12th grade to compete fiercely in a day of exciting challenges. Team Wave emerged victorious, claiming the coveted title, while Blaze, Bolt, and Quake gave their all in a day filled with spirited competition. 

Dalat International School, located in the picturesque setting of Penang, Malaysia, has a long-standing tradition of hosting the Eagle Games, an event that unites students from diverse backgrounds in the spirit of healthy competition. The event took place on Thursday, September 14, 2023, and it was nothing short of spectacular. 

The teams, each representing a distinct color, added a vibrant splash to the campus. Blaze donned red, Wave wore blue, Bolt sported yellow, and Quake was a sea of green, with participants clad in their respective team colors. 

The day kicked off with an array of exciting games, including tug of war, pictionary, and the entertaining word-guessing headbands. As the games progressed, the atmosphere was charged with enthusiasm and determination, echoing through the school grounds. 

One of the highlights of the day was the captain ball with a chicken doll. In this quirky twist on a classic game, each team fought valiantly to secure the prized chicken doll while maneuvering through a whirlwind of throws and dodges. 

The relay races kept the adrenaline pumping, with each team relying on teamwork and speed to outpace their rivals. Dodgeball brought a thrilling conclusion to the day, where precision throws and quick reflexes were crucial for victory. 

Cullno Mah, a member of Team Wave, shared his reflections on the day. He mentioned, "We started off with little morale and had a rough start like we lost the first one due to some people in our team not understanding the rules properly, but we kept our heads up and went for the second game. The second game, we also lost, but yet again, it was still too early to give up since it's also my last year after all. Then the third, that's where I was starting to get tested; my soul felt swarmed by a dark cloud. One win was all that I needed, but the fourth game ended with a terrible defeat with not a single dunk from our team. I had already begun to notice that some people were just not in the right eagle mindset. We needed a win. Then comes the fifth game where we worked together as a family to achieve victory. For some reason, that win got me feeling like a WWE wrestler winning a championship. We actually all worked together as a team and celebrated as a team. After that game, we never lost again, securing five consecutive wins and ultimately destroying the very same team that we first beat."  

Naomi Weidemann, who also participated, provided a different perspective, saying, "To be honest, I didn't enjoy the whole thing because we lost basically everything. However, I did enjoy getting to know the people on my team and how our team stayed pretty positive even though we lost most of the games we played. My games included the dunk tank trivia and dodgeball. My favorite moments were when we all encouraged each other during the game, and I especially loved when someone rapped for our team chant."  

The Eagle Games serve as an opportunity for students to foster teamwork, showcase their athletic prowess, and create lasting memories. 

Team Wave's determination secured victory, sparking discussions about their exceptional performance and the unpredictable nature of the games. 

In the spirit of sportsmanship, the school celebrated both teams. The Eagle Games 2023 will be remembered for bonds, laughter, and the school's essence. 

Students eagerly await next year's games, ready for camaraderie and competition as Blaze, Wave, Bolt, and Quake colors return.  



Monday 18 September 2023

Let the Games Begin

 By Kate Lee

September 14th, 2023. It was the day of the Eagle Games, hosted by Dalat on campus for all high school students, to take a short break from school and have some fun. 


What is Eagle Games? It is a day where the entire high school comes together, separated into teams and houses of Wave, Quake, Bolt and Blaze. Each and everyone of us, dressed according to our house; loyal and patriotic and bringing the spirit of competitiveness and just simply having fun. 

Eagle Games gives the opportunity to connect with peers from different grades and also gives the seniors the chance to lead a group with different types of people. The games were designed in different ways to participate intellectually, artistically, athletically, and many more. It teaches us the importance of working together as a team with many sets of skills. It also comes with the perks of getting to know our peers more, thus, creating a bond that will set us closer to each other for the year. 

“It was really fun,” said Wonhoo Shin (9). “It feels as though when you have to work together with people you don’t really know, and winning as a team, as a whole house, it feels like you’re coming together.” Wonhoo expresses how he felt winning his first Eagle Games as a freshman. 

We first started off with our team chants according to our houses, then went off as the games began. To top it off, we wrapped the day up by competing to see who had the best house chant. Though the scores were really close this year, Wave won the house chant, boosting them up as champions of the 2023 Eagle Games. Coming up as runner ups were Bolt, then Quake, lastly, Blaze. 

As Drew Worten (12) said, “It feels great, it feels amazing! Especially if it is our senior year, it’s like an accomplishment. I honestly didn’t think we’re gonna win. I thought we were going to get second, but we got first place.” Drew was one of our senior leaders for the house of Wave. He led not only his team, but his entire house with passion, dedication and commitment. 

Last but not least, we can all agree that one of the biggest highlights of Eagle Games this year, other than just simply participating on this day, was to dunk our friends, and of course, Mr. Uzzle, our high school principal. And with that ends the short week with a great finish with more to come throughout the year. 

*Photos by Jason Knutson