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.