Football Reborn

By Sam Owen

It’s football season. 

Again.

The international kind, not the American kind. At least, I certainly hope so, or else our girls are severely under-padded. Shin guards can only do so much against a linebacker.

The team started the spring season at a disadvantage; many of the original fall semester players could not return, forcing the team to have additional tryouts halfway through the year to find fresh blood.

And find it they did. The active selection of Laura Choi (9), Naomi Weidemann (12), Addie Elliott (9), Sophia Coker (11), and Isabella Coker (9), and return of Marissa Elliott (11) proved favorable as they are forces to be reckoned with and have greatly benefitted the dynamic of the team.

But the provision of new players didn’t mean the transition was easy.

Noella Seevaratnam (12), captain and footballer for over five years, explained that the gap between seasons presented a challenge as it required “learning to work as a team and rely on each other’s strengths in a short manner of time.”

However, she ultimately concluded that the short practice time with a new team “only made us stronger” and left her “excited to see how this team progresses after [she] leaves.”

We, as the supporters of Dalat Athletics, have to agree. All year, both the fall and spring, players have been training devotedly, honing technique, and posting reels regularly at the expense of Uncle Keith.

Alexia Nyul (12), one of the captains, articulated the team’s preparation: “We have been working hard in our daily practices, making sure we have our cardio up and our teamwork solidified.”

ACSC football didn’t start today. Our girls haven’t been fighting their hearts out for this tournament just this week but throughout the ups and downs of multiple seasons. This week is just when their work pays off. 

This is the throwdown. This is the last stand. This is the final countdown.

If the Basketball Court Could Speak

By Noella Seevaratnam

“It’s the end of an era, but I'm excited for what lies ahead,” said Alexia Nyul (12).

Thursday, April 5th, 2024, was Varsity Girls Soccer Senior Night. For many seniors in sports, senior night and ACSC is their last time playing on a team. It marks the end of their 4-day-a-week practices, the end of developing their craft alongside their teammates, and the end of being an Eagle. Sick on the sidelines during my senior game, I watched my team face a combination of Dalat staff, spouses, and boys for their last home game. I took in the beauty of our community, appreciating those who came to play on the opposing team and those on the picnic blankets, and reflected on my years at Dalat.

The outdoor court, gym, and upper field have watched me grow in interest and skill over the course of the last 15 years. They’ve seen me kick my first soccer ball in pre-school, shoot my first hoop in kindergarten, and continuously attempt and fail at racket sports. They’ve seen me do field days in track and run around the court playing dodgeball with fellow staff kids. They’ve seen me fall in love with being on a team, deal with pressures, face losses, and learn how to become more disciplined. They’ve probably seen tears, but I know they've seen a lot of laughter, and soon they will see a lot of “goodbyes.” The outdoor court is where seniors will grieve and hug and send each other off with tear-stained wishes, just like it was a place where many of us found our first friends during recess.

If places could say words, I bet these spots would speak thousands. Mocking students for their overcompetitive spirits, encouraging the underdog who thinks they aren’t good enough, but most importantly, relishing the community that gathers around them, and sharing memories about those who have left. If these places had arms, I bet they’d dominate at dodgeball and prevent soccer balls from leaving the field and entering the upper-field jungle. I also bet they would have flicked us off the court during those Friday nights in middle school, begging us to go home and stop playing basketball at 9 pm. They would have intervened with our elementary four-square, silencing our king of their corrupt rules. They would also unwillingly pick up the trash that has consistently been left behind on the bleachers by our lunch-ballers. Most importantly they would join the group hugs on our final night, feeling a similar and sorrowful loss. 

To these places, to my coaches, and to this community, I personally thank you and will miss you dearly. 

“There’s no community like Dalat; every student is a blessing. May you never let go of your child-like wonder and never give up on your dreams” (court, gym, upper field).

Spring Break Shenanigans

By Noah Brooks

Spring break is a time of rest, pain, and fun. A break many have thought about as it was slowly approaching. People planning with their friends what to do during a two-week holiday, like multiple parties that may have happened, sports, and beach visits with family, friends and co-workers. Besides all the planning of events to do with some kids, plans were already set with an Impact trip. The locations were Chiang Mai, Central Java, Phnom Penh. Each location had a different set of activities. Two teams worked with kids, and the other labored on a farm. 

Out of the many fun trips that Dalat hosts, Impact. One of the trips, Chiang Mai Thailand, was a hot and fun trip. There was lots of physical work like wheelbarrowing, hoeing, removal of a building, painting, and much more fun activities. One of the students who got to go on this trip, Himani Alagan (12) who is known for being outdoorsy, hard working, and constantly enjoying the sun, went on this trip. 

Himani, focusing on the relationships of this trip said, “I really appreciated getting to interact with students outside my grade. It was really nice to forge relationships with them and make an impact on others during my final year in Dalat.”

One of the many sports played by students over spring break was volleyball, if it's with a club or a Dalat open gym, volleyball is one that is enjoyed a lot by many over the years. 

Josh Stevens (10) mentioned, “Over the break I spent time with my friends and family, having fun for the most part. I would play volleyball a few times over the break. On the last day of open gym, I ended up slipping a few discs in my lower back but thank the Lord it’s slowly healing and should be fine in 6 weeks.”

Trips are always fun, and you are able to make lots of memories with your friends. In the future, you can boast about all the fun times you had to your kids.

Flossing in Central Java

By Kathryn Boyd

On March 18, 2024, the Central Java Impact team embarked on a journey they weren’t fully anticipating. Upon landing in Yogyakarta, our team boarded a bus set for Rumah Boas (a home and school for children who have been abandoned by their families). After four hours, the eleven tired students exited the bus and were greeted by thirty-two children aged 3-17, ready to meet and hang out with them. 

With a schedule pinned to the bulletin board, the students from Boas and Dalat awaited an exciting and busy week. The first full day was Sunday, which included church, games, and camping. Michaela Parsley (11) and I were asked to lead worship with some Boas kids. As we entered the room, we were met with some awkwardness and confusion as we didn't really know the children and some of the songs we were to lead. We were asked to help lead an Indonesian worship song, One Way, and Goodness of God. However, despite confusion and awkwardness initially, leading worship allowed us to connect with the older children through a shared love for music. 

Michaela Parsley (11) stated, “I liked leading worship with the Boas kids because I got to experience their kindness and generosity. Even though they were much more musically skilled than me, they still wanted to include me. They made room for me to try something new.” 

That evening, Boas and Dalat set out for the foothills of Bukit Tengtung, where we were to camp for the night. From nestling in tents to stay out of the rain to building, eating, and singing around a bonfire, the evening allowed Dalat and Boas to bond with each other. 

Douglas Koay (12) says his favorite part of the camping trip was “learning guitar chords in the tent with the kids and teaching them how to do a Rubix cube.” 

One of the older students from Boas, Zeva, stated, “I liked hanging out and camping with the Dalat students because we got to work together and have fun preparing the campfire.” 

By spending a lot of time and helping one another outdoors, we broke some of the awkwardness we felt at the beginning of the trip. 

The next few days didn’t follow the schedule pinned to the bulletin board, allowing our Impact team to demonstrate F.L.O.S.S (Flexibility, Learner, Observer, Servant & Sacrificial). This F.L.O.S.S acronym is taught to Impact teams before trips to prepare us for uncertainties we may encounter. On this trip, our team had to facilitate different stations (music, drama, art, & games) three times, and we were often told a few hours in advance that the next round of stations was to be done. Strategic and fast planning allowed our team to facilitate the stations to the kids and have fun in the planning and executing stages. 

On the fourth night, Teacher Kang (Rumah Boas) asked if the Dalat team could perform in the Talent Show, which our team had not anticipated participating in because it was not scheduled. However, we agreed and met to organize who was going to perform. We combined our talents and performed “The Cup Song,” solving a Rubix cube while being timed, a timed drawing, rapping, worship, and finally, a dance by our whole team to “Cupid” by FIFTY FIFTY. 

Towards the end of the trip, lifelong friendships and connections were made. During the evenings, before dinner, students played soccer, played on the playground, did parkour, and played group games. At dinner, conversations about life in Malaysia and Indonesia were exchanged, as well as laughter and jokes. 

Yohanes, one of the older kids at Boas, exclaimed, “I really enjoyed the stations and playing soccer with Dalat because it allowed us to get closer to one another and have fun.” 

On the last day, the Dalat and Boas kids exchanged prayers, tears, hugs, gifts, and notes. This week created an unforgettable bond between two groups of students from two different nations. We left with our hearts full of love for these children, and despite the exhaustion, we would miss these children deeply.

White Stripped Shirts

By Caleb Jun

Some dreaded coming back to school, others were excited to come back to a routine they were familiar with, but whatever we senior boys felt coming back, we all looked forward to one thing. DBA. The Dalat Basketball Association hails from the long traditional 3 on 3 lunch ball that we seniors have played since we wore those white and blue uniforms of our middle school days. Playing every lunch, even during the 10-minute middle school break times, was a time for our competitive spirits to clash with one another to bring the gold out of that furnace. Yet, after the academic challenges we faced during our high-school years, it slowly diminished as time could not be spared, and COVID disabled our talents.

Yet what we thought was lost was saved at last by Adam Silver, aka Aidan Leong, reigniting the spirit of our middle school hearts.

“At first, I wasn’t sure that people wanted it back, but when I released the DBA trailer, people got hyped and excited about it, which kickstarted the league," said Aidan Leong.

Complete tournament brackets were made, stats, shooting percentages, video services, and referees; we all gave everything we had for our one last run for the gold. On the first day back from spring break, we continued our tournament with the Bomberz vs the Black Sheeps, going into overtime with Bomberz’s Captain, Ezra, shooting the game-winning 3. 

“Our team might not be the best, but we want it more than others,” says the Bomberz’s Captain Ezra Latham.

We continue to enjoy these joyful moments we get to have as the year comes to an end, and we cherish them with memories that go all the way back to those white-striped uniforms. It is times like these we will look back to, and although it fills our hearts with sorrow that these moments will end, it brings us to enjoy and savor every moment.

Emphasizing the Mission

By Himani Alagan

At last, the year has rolled around to the counterpart of Spiritual Emphasis Week, known as Mission Emphasis Week, or more lovingly titled MEW. The many different student teams and classes, such as Leadership Development (LD) and Worship Band, are working around the clock to ensure a smooth week of chapel sessions and night sessions revolving around the “mission” for the week ahead. 

Savanna Choi (12), a drummer in the worship band, says, “The early morning practices have been incredibly useful for preparation with chapel worship.” 

Their excitement and readiness to praise the Lord through song most certainly shows in their performance. It fires the students up and gets them on their feet to praise Christ. 

Students from LD also contribute immensely to the MEW process. Kathryn Boyd (12) shares, “We’ve held lots of meetings to prepare for the upcoming week, as well as lots of prayers. We have crafted lots of material to use for the discussion of topics that we feel we want our student body to know more about as it relates to the missions and the calling that of has placed on each of our lives.” 

As shown, many students have been working around the clock to ensure the cohesive operation of the MEW chapel sessions to fit the elementary, middle school and high school. 

The night sessions also include many tailored talks from speakers outside our school and country, as well as the parents of a senior student. 

“There is so much insight to be gained from the talks in the night session. It definitely brings you closer to God,” says Noella Seevaratnam (12). 

So, if you’re looking for a spiritual gathering in which many valuable insights and words of wisdom are passed around, then the MEW night sessions are most definitely for you. In all, there is so much to be gained from hearing the plans and missions in both the chapel and night sessions.

Senior and Sophomore Bonding

By Sammy Jung

Last Friday the Seniors set up a party to bond with the sophomores at the Dalat campus. The senior ExCom came up with this idea in order for seniors and sophomores to bond and also get to know each other as well. The party consisted of dodgeball, color wars, and many more activities and fun. This was truly a night to remember and for both classes and with that came the opportunity to get to know each other better as well.

They played knockout and charades first where the classes were able to bond through competing but also working together as a team. 

After knockout and charades, the two classes went into the main gym and played dodgeball. They played free for all dodgeball first where it was every man for themselves, but there were alliances that consisted of three groups which were the senior boys, sophomore boys, and girls. The entire gym was chaotic and loud with students running around and throwing dodgeballs at each other. After the free for all dodgeball the two classes played normal dodgeball with just two teams going against each other. First it was the seniors against the sophomores where the game ended in a draw. Then it went onto girls against the boys where the boys won. Finally, the last game was against two teams that were mixed, consisting of both classes. The game had to include a doctor and a general where the doctor was able to revive the players while if the general got out it meant that the team immediately lost. 

After dodgeball the students went out to enjoy ice cream and drinks. There the students were able to bond with each other through talking and mingling with each other. 

Finally, the last part of the night was the most chaotic and fun, as Drew Worten said: “It was a fun time bonding with the sophomores by throwing color at their faces.” At first the sophomores were forced to sit in a circle and the seniors surrounded them and threw colors at them which gave the seniors a head start, but after that the entire place was chaotic with students just throwing colors at each other no matter what class they were in. This caused students from both classes to look like clowns and jesters. 

All in all, the sophomore and senior party was an unforgettable night with many students from both classes bonding together while also having a lot of fun and excitement. Through this event students from both the senior and sophomore class were able to bond and get to know each other better. This event was a true blessing for both classes and students from both classes hope to this again one day.

Leap!

By Joyce Wan

February 29 saw students pouring into campus dressed to the nines as all manner of things that leap– from frogs to astronauts and fleas. Dressing up in accordance with “Leap Day” could mean anything from green, frog-eyed headbands to the full-body, furry gear of animals that leap. The influx of creative costuming was a vibrant end to the month’s Spirit Days, days where the whole school was invited to dress to a theme in the spirit of school unity and fun. Unique clothing and brilliant colors have always helped to drive away the monotony of constant classes, and this year was no exception. 

One noticeable absence from the school, however, was the senior class. As the rest of the student body flooded onto campus, the seniors gathered in the lobby of the hotel next door, preparing for the first day of their Senior Transition Retreat. While some of the seniors took to making Cheerios leap the farthest in a competition determining the most powerful sneeze, the one “leap” that was on everyone’s minds was the one between graduation and the impending stage of “growing up.” Just as a leap day once every four years keeps calendars from spinning out of control, the Senior Transition Retreat aimed to provide the senior class with the tools necessary to keep their soon-to-be futures screwed on straight. As Alexia Nyul (12) said, the retreat “was very informative and assuring to have some of my questions answered.” 

Back on campus, a variety of transitions were also incoming. Course registrations for rising high schoolers would set the tone for their next academic year. Jumpa Lagi and Selamat Tinggal shirts, a long-lasting tradition to say goodbye, were on sale. The new addition to the seaside front of Dalat finally had a roof, promising the eventual removal of navy construction fences and installation of a new building to harbor students. No matter the location and type of event, Leap Day, in a manner, marked a season of change and transition. 

College Transitions and Koi Fish

By Abbi Rinkenberger

Thursday morning, armed with a Zeus Spanish latte, I entered the Flamingo Hotel’s ballroom and eyed the metallic markers stocking the tables. An array of mind games and colorful maps decked the tables, items to maintain our attention spans during the sessions, but I focused on the pens and markers. During the sessions, while I doodled snails on a sheet of paper and sketched symbols on my binder, I listened to Mr. Dobson discuss transitions and how they affect TCKs immediately and in the future. The Senior Transition Retreat presentations opened my eyes to all the subtle ways my life would change through my transition to college and the importance of processing it now. 

During the break times, the ballroom hummed with energy. Students gathered in a circle to play Secret Hitler, a board game that elicited several instances of abrupt jumping and shouting. Others gathered in a reflective circle to pen their life stories on sheets of paper (I attempted to, but went off on a tangent on overthinking). A few played card games on the ground, the pleasant (though heated) banter radiating from the slap of cards. Card games that confirmed my snail-like reflexes. 

Regarding the retreat, Isaac Beaman (12) said, “I really appreciate getting to spend time with my classmates and playing board games.” 

In the evening and morning, I cherished the ocean breeze floating through the hotel, rustling the palm trees near the beach. The grounds of the hotel reminded me of the little details of Malaysia I would miss, from the view of the ocean to the vibrancy of the hidden garden. And it showed me new things I could appreciate, like the koi fish and red guppies dancing in the ponds. We were encouraged to appreciate our current home in the sessions – and I did. 

The final day of sessions carried a bittersweet atmosphere as we discussed grief and departure. Some seniors have an idea of where they are headed next, and others are waiting to hear back this month. Regardless, we were unified in our reminder to value the people around us and say goodbye well. 

Angel Lee (12) said, “I appreciated that the Senior Transition retreat actually made me realize that my senior year is almost over, and there was a session which introduced the grieving process. It's good to take it in, because I'm really gonna need it soon.” 

While I was mentally weary by the last session, I left the retreat with a commitment to enjoy my final months, process my emotions, and look forward to the next period of my life.

Senior Retreat: The First Day

By Jia Ru Sim

Seniors gathered on Thursday, February 29 to attend Senior Retreat, the last outing for them as a class.

On Thursday, February 29, the whole Senior class arrived at Flamingo Hotel at 8:25 am. Although they brought smiles at the beginning of the day, they knew it was going to be a long day. As they entered the ballroom, papers, folders, pencils, and pens were all over big, round tables- it felt like a formal meeting. And soon, Mr. Dobson started the first session. After that one long hour, snacks like noodles were provided to fill the hungry kids. Then, the next session came and proceeded with slides and games that kept us awake. 

Soon, the most anticipated time came: Lunch. Unlike the 45-minute lunch on a regular school day, they had a 3-hour lunch break and free time. Everyone fled to different places and restaurants around the area in no time. Since they couldn’t check in to the room yet, many people played games such as Monopoly, poker, and other interactive games. One could describe the ballroom as a playground as craziness and excitement filled the room, yet everyone hoped this moment would last. As Alicia Lim (12) said, “I enjoyed talking with my friends and playing at the playground (at the hotel).”

But as they say, good things don’t stay forever. Another session interrupted the fun times until dinner time came. The dinner was provided by the hotel; it had a few sections- a section with local fruits and desserts, a section with some main dishes like rice and potatoes, and a section with BBQ on the other side. Everyone eventually filled their stomachs, preparing for another 3 hours of long sessions. The first of the three sessions included alumni sharing their experiences as TCKs in the first hour. Next, seniors were separated into two different rooms with respect to their gender; female and male teachers took turns answering various deep and quirky questions submitted by the seniors earlier in the day.

The sessions finally ended at 9:00 pm, and the tired seniors were met with snacks. The fruitful yet tiring day finally ended. 

Relaxing or Tiring or Entertaining

By Alicia Lim

On the day of Thursday last week, we seniors got to go on a senior transition retreat for two days. It was a day full of seminars about our upcoming university life, with time to bond with our friends. Most of us seniors were already drowning with senioritis, and we couldn't wait to just take a break from school. Since it was our first transition retreat, we didn't know what to expect. Most of the days were filled with seminars, which was like another class that led us to be mentally drained a little. 

But there's a good side, according to Packia Alagu Nagarajan, "I liked that they gave us markers and let us doodle while listening to the panels. I really enjoyed spending time with my classmates and friends." 

Looking back, I see that the markers were a real savior, as going through hours with nothing to do would be less of a retreat and more like a classroom. Hanging out with our friends really helped us reconnect with each other as we will graduate soon and miss these moments together.

Now, the juiciest part of the night was the relationship panel. It was full of hilarious and useful questions that made our day. Their answers were engraved in our minds because they were interesting and partly surprising. According to Heeeun Bang, she said, "Senior Retreat was fun but painful at the same time. It was fun to hang out with friends like little children, but it did ache my body to sit for a long period of time. But I gotta say, the highlight of the retreat was when we got to ask the panels about relationships." 

Since we got to participate in writing the questions it made it much more funnier to know that it was coming from one of us but at the same time more relatable. All in all I would summarize the emotions I felt during the trip was relaxing, tiring, and entertaining.

International Ballers!

By Alexia Nyul

Last week, both the girls’ and boys’ varsity basketball teams traveled to different countries to compete in ACSC. The girls traveled to Hong Kong to play against other schools in ICS Hong Kong, and the boys traveled to Jakarta to compete in SPH.

Aside from playing basketball, eating, and sleeping, players were also given the opportunity to serve the communities in which they stayed and even tour the city at night. For their service project, the girls’ team packed “shine bags” filled with first aid supplies and bread vouchers and later walked Hong Kong in groups and handed them out to the cardboard collectors who work for hours at a time on the streets of Hong Kong. This service project gave the girls a deeper appreciation for the people who do hard manual jobs and gave us a space to grow friendships with people outside of Dalat. 

For the seniors on the team, ACSC week was an emotionally charged week with wild rollercoasters of the joys of winning their games and mourning the end of their season. 

Kyra Brewster, a junior on the team, said “I really enjoyed having the opportunity to have such a great bonding experience with my team and to have the opportunity to tour around Hong Kong and play against other amazing girls.” 

Although the girls had a great start to the tournament, placing at the top of their pool, they had a hard time in eliminations, placing fifth overall. 

Drew Worten, a senior on the boys team, said, “ACSC was a really fun time hanging out with friends and other schools. We had a rough start, but we persevered, and we never gave up, making it all the way to third place.” After placing second to last in their pool, the boys were able to quickly pull it together and keep their heads up to make their climb in eliminations to third place.

A Way to Celebrate Our Uniqueness

By Julia Jang

On February 10th, a calm weekend with a nice cool breeze, I couldn’t beat the constant boredom, so I started to look for something that would attract my attention on the internet. 

What I coincidentally found through the algorithm of YouTube was a video of a man whose lower part of his body was paralyzed due to a fall accident, sitting in a wheelchair and doing social experiments in Austria. One point that I was impressed with was when the man tried to take a public transportation bus. Once the bus driver noticed the man sitting in a wheelchair, he came out from the bus to put the ramps down for the man to get on the bus. Plus, even though it took a few minutes for the man to ride the bus, the passengers didn’t show any irritation or be mad at the man for taking too long. Moreover, some passengers would voluntarily help the man lift the wheelchair so that the man doesn’t have to struggle to get off the bus. 

Angel Lee (12) said, “People should be more open-minded about those who are differently abled, and we should implement more services for those people. Also, we should try our best to help them as much as possible and treat them as if they’re one of us because they are.”

Throughout the video, I obviously thought that Austria had a particular education system or any input to Austrians about disability or the ways to treat people with disabilities at school. However, most Austrian schools do not deal with the topic of disability in school, and it’s just that they are used to seeing people often helping someone with disabilities in their daily lives. These kinds of repeated situations allow Austrians to accept people with disabilities as typical, which already has been culturally imprinted on their perspectives. For Austrians, the fact that someone has a disability wasn’t a reason for them to change the way they treat people. Instead, just like how children are not educated to eat, someone with a disability is just part of their society; it was something they learned naturally. At that point, I realized I had been forgetting one thing that is highly critical to our lives: we learn how to understand people through caring and helping people around us. 

As I watched a 20-minute-ish video paid off, it has provided meaningful insights to me for a trivial change. I think we are still in the process of treating people with disabilities as members of a community, trying to think away from seeing them differently. In short, I want not to position our perspectives stereotypically but to see them as individuals. 

Feeding the Fire for God

By Elizabeth Silverstein

Last Monday evening from 6-7pm in the choir room, high school students and staff members met for a time of worship, scripture study, and prayer where they fellowshipped together.

“One way! (clap, clap, clap) Jesus! You’re the only one that I could live for!” Led by Nate Johnson (11) and his guitar skills, students sing along to lyrics and sway to the rhythm of the song. With the lights dimmed, it is a place where students can feel closer to God by using the space to leave behind the distractions of the day. There is something powerful about being surrounded by other students and simply praising God together as believers. 

Put together by the Leadership Class, passages are submitted by students, for students, making the discussion relatable and more meaningful. This time of fellowshipping with peers is very impactful for many teens as it is a time to talk with friends and others of the same age about their lives and faith. 

Splitting into small circles to discuss the passage encourages a safe place to be vulnerable and let down walls that would normally be up during the school day. Students are able to be encouraged and strengthened by hearing the testimonies of others in their circle. Daniel Pham (12) says, “It is comforting knowing that some of the things I have been struggling with are also felt by others.”

To end the evening, some students go to eat at either the Hillside or Permai stalls where they have time to hang out. This time it is meaningful to just grow friendships with other believers, especially after a time of worship. Like they discussed in Monday's passage, it is important to make bonds and build trust so that students can keep each other accountable. 

Having this time with other believers fans the passion students have for God, bringing light and joy throughout the whole campus. It gives them courage to step up as leaders and a peace knowing that there are other students who they can lean on for prayer and fellowship.

Warm Ups are over

By Isaac Lee

On the fifth of February, Zestyfeatherbois, the Dalat varsity boys' basketball team, came back to Dalat with bronze medals. The journey to third was a rollercoaster ride. Coming in second last in the pool play and getting knocked into the loser's bracket on the first day of elimination plays, the boys had to overcome many hardships, but beating Morrison in the fist looser's bracket game gave the guys the push they needed to win three games in a row to get third, a job well done indeed. 

With Basketball ACSC ending, the rise of DBA shall take over Dalat. DBA, also known as Dalat Basketball Association, was created by Adian Leong, Pranjal Malik, and Isaac Lee in 10th grade. Having nothing to do during lunch, the trio made the DBA league to spice up lunchtime for everyone in the grade. After going through many changes, DBA is going through its final season. Each senior varsity player is assigned their team, and with Basketball ACSC over, many of them are excited to try and get first place in the DBA. 

Josia De Jagar, a varsity basketball team captain, states, "Warm-ups are over; let the real games begin." 

Showing the value of the DBA in the culture of the class of 2024. Although many players are excited, some have to face harsh reality and miss the final season of DBA. Amos Koay suffered a knee injury during ACSC, not allowing him to run at all; with terrible news also comes exciting news. Due to a missing captain, the DBA will try to sign an international, a player from a different grade, to try and replace our precious captain. With the potential new singing, the DBA culture could be passed down in Dalat's history. It can also be an exciting opportunity for seniors to bond with underclassmen or allow underclassmen to learn from seniors to further improve their skills. 

With the DBA season starting, come watch and support your favorite team during lunchtime; there are games daily. Come find out who the best team in DBA is.

Xīn Nián Kuài Lè (Happy Chinese New Year)

By Douglas Koay

Last week, Dalat students celebrated Chinese New Year over the 4-day weekend. Chinese New Year is an annual celebration for the beginning of the new year based on the lunar calendar. Traditionally, the celebrations span over 15 days, when people enjoy time with family, set off loud fireworks as the Chinese believe that the loud noises that fireworks create scare off evil spirits, and eat hot pot for many consecutive days. 

Among all traditions, there is no doubt that our favorite part of Chinese New Year is the hong bao. A hong bao is a gift of money in a red packet given by those married to the younger generation as a symbol of luck, life, and happiness. When red packets are given out, it represents the spreading of good luck and fortune for the new year ahead so that it will be prosperous. “I spent time with my families that came to visit from different countries, and the best part was the food and the hong baos I received,” said Kate Lee (12). 

But this festivity is not only about the money: “What I look forward to the most during Chinese New Year is getting to see my cousins that I haven’t seen all year and catching up with them,” said Aidan Leong, 12. Time with family is the most significant focus of the celebration of the Lunar New Year. Every year, families return to their hometown to pay respects to their grandparents and reconnect with families they have not seen all year. 

This year, Chinese New Year felt a bit slow, even with all my family members coming back and spending most of the 4-day weekend with them. The thought that this would be my last year at home with them was a little sad as I looked back on all the years I have spent celebrating right here in Penang with them. Despite that, I look forward to the rest of the Chinese New Year and enjoying good food and time with my family.

Eagles VS. Chameleons

By Josia de Jager

On Monday, February 5, the varsity boys basketball team played a club team called The Chameleons. 

Just like a Chameleon, this unfamiliar team’s disguise worked very effectively. After a couple of great threes and sneaky shots, the Chameleons started off with a nine-point lead after only the first three minutes of the game. 

The Dalat boys were not happy about either their clumsiness or their situation. After a timeout, still many points behind, they started playing like starving eagles about to hunt. As the king eagle said, “You guys got punched early on but kept on fighting” (Mr. Uzzle). 

The only problem was that the Chameleons were hard to see, including their way of always getting in front of their man and boxing out. 

Nonetheless, by the end of the first quarter, the varsity boys were up by two points with a score of 18 to 16. The fight didn’t end there, though. The Dalat varsity team had to step up and keep the lead. 

The fiercest opponent for the Dalat team was number 0, who could shoot threes with his eyes closed. He was the Chameleon's main weapon, a long-range machine that could quickly hit a small target. Or, in other words, The Chameleon’s tongue. 

The Dalat boys neutralized this weapon of mass destruction by driving in and giving him a stack of fouls. Because he was so close to fouling out, he could not defend aggressively for the rest of the game. Neutralized. 

Finally, the game ended with the Eagles winning by a whole continent, scoring 86 to 66. The eagle had dropped the Chameleon from sky-high, and now it had a long way to fall. The game ended lightheartedly because both teams had played with integrity, each using their skills, whether long-range, sight, tactics, or pure willpower. But thankfully, the eagle ended up on top.

Final Preparations

By Josiah Andrews

As the second sports season ends, both varsity basketball teams are in preparation for traveling to their respective countries for ACSC. The girls will travel to ICS-HK in Hong Kong on Tuesday, February 20. The guys will travel to Sekolah Pelita Harapan in Jarkata, Indonesia. Both teams are looking to improve from their already stellar performances last year. The girls traveled to ICS-BK in Bangkok, where they fought to an impressive second place. The boys achieved the same milestone in Taiwan at Morrison Academy. Both of those results were huge catalysts in Dalat becoming the ACSC program of the year in 2023. An achievement helped by amazing performances in track, volleyball, and soccer.

The teams now look forward to the tournament in two weeks. In talking about how they are preparing, Popi Grous (12) said, “Practice. We have been practicing hard to compete in the tournament. Mr. Wong is doing a great job of preparing us and maintaining the chemistry between us.” 

Chemistry is extremely important; wins from both teams in the coming weeks will help cement a good sense of togetherness. The boys beat the Chameleons 86-66 earlier in the week. A commanding win which has helped to build confidence as the boys look towards Indonesia. 

ACSC will end the season for both teams when it is over. With successful seasons for both boys and girls so far, each team has a chance to write history for Dalat. With Dalat not winning a basketball ACSC before, each team will fight to become the first basketball team to bring it back to Penang. The girls have the opportunity to become the first female team in Dalat history to win an ACSC tournament. Everyone at Dalat is looking forward to the tournaments and watching the livestreams of our teams. Go Eagles!

The Stool

By Joseph Lee

ZING! QING! CLANG! RING! DING? BING!

Discordant sounds are roaring through the air in the industrial arts workshop. Machines make sounds that break the sound barrier, shirts are covered in sawdust, and there is the occasional sneeze. The Industrial Arts class is hard at work creating our first project.

Our first project was to create something for our loved ones. So, I asked around in my class about what they were doing for their project.

“I’m making a jewelry box for my mom,” said Michelle Morrow.

“I’m making a chair for my parents!” announced Caleb Jun.

“I’m making a cutting board for my mom,” said Daniel Pham.

For my project, I decided to make a stool for my mom. I may not be the tallest at school, but I am the tallest in my family. That means whenever my mom needs something from the top shelf, I have to help. But since I am going to university soon, I know that she will have a hard time getting things from the top shelf, so I wanted to make a stool so she can reach the items on the shelves without me and so I can be at peace knowing that she can get her items from the top shelf when I'm not around. 

The design of my stool is heavily inspired by Scandinavian design—a simplistic and minimalistic tone with a modern twist. The stool consists of two wood types. The seat of my stool is a dark wood that gives off a sleek and clean vibe, while the light wood of my legs contrasts with the color of the seat. The stool only consists of two legs that have a unique and uncanny design that doesn’t do too much to look like an eyesore but just enough to captivate someone’s attention when looked upon. 

The industrial arts project gives us not only a chance to showcase our creativity but also an opportunity to express our love and gratitude towards loved ones. I hope that my stool can act as a symbol of appreciation and love towards my mom. 

Founder’s Message

By Cullno Mah

January 26, Friday was the birth of a new era in Dalat history: the birth of the long-awaited Marine Biology Club and its debut. Ms. Goh, Elizabeth, and I founded the Marine Biology Club with the goal of exploring a whole other world before us with a family-like community passionate about marine life and a drive towards a better world. Focused on the ocean’s unexplainable beauty and supernatural design, we created this club to nurture true love and values of marine bio capable enough to be passed on to future generations to come.

Although the club members had met once before, Jan 26 was the true debut where we ventured beyond land, to the beaches beating against the school walls. As the founder of the club, a heavy load of responsibilities lingered throughout the week, counting towards the inevitable debut. The introduction of the syllabus and the “World in Glass Bottle” project were among the list of objectives at this meeting. The top of that list was to create an environment where bonding and comfortability may thrive.

I remember being overjoyed as smiles began to light up when I finally revealed the fun and possibilities that were to come. Fishing, fish dissecting, boat sunset trips, and special guests brought a little excitement towards the foreseeable future. Next, the “World in Glass Bottle” project, where we hope to manifest a living environment within a glass bottle by capturing microorganisms as well as the opportunity to provide nutrients and habitat through one's own creativity-sparked passion emitted through their radiant eyes. Finally, moments where we marched toward the vast sea holding each other’s hands and got footage of us running around the sand were definitely moments that brought us closer to one another. The additional time given to begin gathering specimens within glass bottles also gave our members the chance to take a closer look and explore the beach where this very school is built. 

Sadly, this beautiful moment also came with terrifying consequences. Amidst the beauty of the club session and the extreme bonding, I found myself shoved into the salty water with a complete set of school uniform on without a single towel in sight. The bonding has led to a comfortability to bully the club’s founder and left me with an impossible confrontation. 

My mom had this to say, “Cullno, What happened?! Oh my Gosh! Now I have to clean the car already! What happened?” As I explained the situation, my mother added, “I’m so proud of you, Cullno, good job Mr. Founder.” 

I would say Friday was a success, wouldn't you?

Home of the Eagles

By Popi Grous

Over the weekend of January 26, the Middle School Island Shootout was held at Dalat. Basketball teams around the island and Kuala Lumpur competed in hopes of securing the win.

In basketball, where every pass and shot is vital to their wins or losses, playing Friday and Saturday, battling it out, Dalat came through at the end, winning it all. With eight teams in the tournament, both the boys and girls teams were smiling brightly after earning gold medals.

The crowd was electric, chanting and cheering, pushing both teams to do their best. The players were gaining momentum and motivation, allowing for an intense game. Both the boys' and girls' finals were against ISKL, creating an intense atmosphere. 

Tony Boyd, assistant coach to the Middle School Boys' basketball team, says, “My favourite was winning in double overtime the first time we played ISKL! The boys played hard and better than I have ever seen up to this point, all of them from the 7th graders up to the starters. So proud of how each one has improved and how they work together.  The environment for both ISKL games was electric. I appreciate having our fans going nuts, cheering, and supporting the home team.  One thing about sports is that the team with the momentum almost always wins, and the power of cheering your team on cannot be underestimated!” Being there with his team from the sidelines, he supported them throughout the weekend.

Both teams are excited at the prospect of future games, eager to learn from their mistakes and grow stronger together. They are ready to use all of their skill in their next tournament on February 16 in KL.

Rugby Girls in Bukit Mertajam: Our First Penang Tournament!

By Michelle Morrow

This past Saturday, while middle school basketball had their Island Shootout, the rugby girls headed to Bukit Mertajam on the mainland for our first Penang tournament this season. Twelve teams were competing in our division, and after 13 long hours of both playing and waiting for the pouring rain to stop, we finished first in the silver bracket. 

We dominated in pool play, winning our first two games 3-0 and 2-0. We fell to the eventual tournament champions in the next game, sending us to the silver bracket. Commenting on the team’s resilience after this upsetting loss, Tia Emmanuel (10) said, “I really liked how after we lost our match and were all really sad and down, we prayed as a group about the next one and came back stronger.” 

Although we faced challenging opposition in our third game, we persevered and learned from our mistakes as we won our final two HSBM National Touch 3.0 Tournament games by scores of 3-0 and 1-0. 

After everyone’s games were over and the awards had been distributed, we met the other girls not as competitors but as fellow rugby players who, despite various cultural and religious backgrounds, shared a love for the sport. Besides the games themselves, meeting and interacting with those Malay girls was my favorite part of the tournament. Some were even players I had connected with last year, so it was fantastic to see them again. 

My co-captain Kathryn Boyd (12) also shared these sentiments, and as she reviewed our season thus far, she said, “I’m going to miss this team, the coaches, the game, and also all the relationships we made with local Malay girls through rugby. This sport helped us connect, and it was so cool to see the girls interact with one another.” 

Reflecting on the trip and tournament, Emma Emis (11) said, “I loved how well we were all able to bond over the trip. From screaming Megan Trainor to winning gold medals, it was awesome. During trips like these, we can spend good quality time with our teammates and get to know them better.” 

I couldn’t agree more. We eagerly anticipate the following games and tournaments as a team and can’t wait to expand our rugby skillsets. 

Home of the Panthers

By Wei Ee Goh

This basketball trip was the last and long-awaited ISKL tournament for the seniors. On the way to our trip, the bus was filled with initial excitement, quickly followed by everyone falling asleep. 

Once we got to the school, our Varsity Boys team played a local KL team called Hatchers. It was an intense game, with the lead consistently changing by two points, but sadly, due to minor mistakes, we lost by two points. 

Thankfully, we bounced back during our second game against Davidson with an easy win of 58-29. After the long day of traveling and playing games, we ended it by going to the same mall we go to for every trip, Intermark Mall. The Varsity girls and guys' teams scavenged around the mall to find their favorite foods, varying from Nandos, Chinese food, McDonald’s, and baguettes. The night ended with heading to the hotel, waiting for our room keys, and getting ready for the next day.

Breakfast was at 7 am, and soon after, we boarded the bus, ready to play our first team of the day. The skill difference between Sonic's team and ours became evident almost immediately, with our boys jumping to a ten-point lead in the first quarter. The final game score was 58-29, with Dalat getting a comfortable victory. 

After this win, our primary focus became ISKL, our rival school, which was the school we were most excited to play since it was our last chance to compete against them. Both teams desperately wanted the win, and the tension was felt in the air. The game started with both teams making offensive mistakes, leading to low scores in the first quarter. However, both teams eventually picked up their offense, and the lead constantly shifted back and forth. Sadly, our team made some careless mistakes during the third quarter, which allowed ISKL to jump to a ten-point lead. The boys attempted to cut this lead short, but fatigue and mistakes made this comeback impossible. Our team ended up placing third in the tournament with our heads held low. 

On the ride back, our team captain, Josia De Jager (12), told the team, "This tournament shows us that we just aren't ready for ACSC. We need to learn from these mistakes and losses and be better." 

With a month left in the season, our team began practicing harder than before, looking ahead with hopes of winning ACSC in February.

Hard Fought Island Shootout

By Aidan Leong

Silas Latham (9) throws the ball up into the air over the heads of multiple Oasis players. As the ball seems to fall, two hands suddenly grip its leathery surface. It's Matthias Seevaratnam (10) floating in the air! He catches the ball and puts a shot into the basket before landing on the ground. 

Cheers and shouts echo throughout the court as the JV boys get back on defense. The spirit of the Dalat community comes alive with parents, middle schoolers, high schoolers, and teachers all cheering on the bleachers. 

Last week, the junior varsity boys and girls played in a two-day basketball tournament on Friday and Saturday. Multiple teams, such as ISKL, Oasis, Han Chiang, and Chung Ling, came to play. The JV (Junior Varsity) boys fought hard and experienced high and low moments. They had a massive victory over Oasis with a score of 66-8. They also fought ISKL at the start and had a good lead on them, but unfortunately, ISKL caught up and beat them by a few points. Then, in the finals, the JV boys fought against ISKL, only to miss the championship by a small margin. 

When asked how the game went, Timothy Hollon (11) says, "I think the game went really well; in the short time that our team's been together, we've really grown as a group, and it showed over the tournament. Also, I thought that the team took the loss well. There were definitely emotions and the loss wasn't easy, but the team took it like men and instead of complaining, turned their focus to winning next week." Fortunately, this is not the last of ISKL the JV boys will see; this Friday, they will rematch ISKL on their home court. 

Here is what Sam Yeoh (9) had to say about the tournament as a whole: "It was a great experience to play in a tournament with players who were mostly older and bigger than I am. It was tough to take a L against ISKL twice but it was a fun nonetheless to be able to play in 2 really close games." 

Even though they may not have won, this tournament pitched them against tough competition. It helped them continue to develop individually in their skills and as a team in their chemistry.

Timothy Hollon (11) says one thing that could improve would be "our team being healthy. By the end of the tournament, only 2 of our original 5 starters weren't injured or sick." 

During the games, many of their starters and players had fallen to injury and had to sit out the tournament. Despite this, the JV boys did their best and pushed through every game. But most of all, they always seemed to be having fun on the court. That's where the memories are made. That's the beauty of the game. 

Christmas Break Shenanigans

By Isaac Beaman 

After finals, students set out in an attempt to unwind from the semester. Traveling far and wide, seniors enjoy their last Christmas break and take the opportunity to grow closer to the people they will soon have to leave behind.

Over the hustle and bustle of getting back to school, the best stories of break often go untold. 

Reporting on the best stories was a burden that someone had to undertake. 

In the calm, quiet waters of the straights of Melaka, the Silverstein's band of buccaneers set sail early one morning. With the wind in their sails and break on their calendars, they headed off to Phuket for their family vacation. Despite all the thrill and adventure of their trip, they found that their favorite moments were a bit closer to home. Elizabeth Silverstein (12) said, “I really enjoyed working out with my dad each morning on the beach and having that time with him because I am really going to miss him when I go off to college.”

Elizabeth wasn’t the only one who had adventures over their break. Many students gathered their own terrific tales just a ten-minute drive away. 

Hiking in Penang always provides a good time, and the break was the perfect opportunity for students to hit the trails with their friends for the last few times. Noah Brooks (12) said, “My favorite thing I did this break was traveling around the forest with my friends.”

Rumor has it a multi-day cross-Penang hike was being planned. The route was picked, and gear was packed. Until the very same Noah Brooks got “sick.” the plans were called off, and the rest of his break was spent coughing. 

Students were able to reconnect with their peers on these hikes. Creating new memories. Savoring the time they have left before the great exodus of uni. 

Seniors & Ex-Seniors

By Lee Yee Tan

The start of the second semester always gives off a weird feeling: it feels like a new school year with the appearance of a dozen new faces, but at the same time, it also repeats a familiar cycle that students have progressed through in semester one. However, returning to school as a senior this semester felt especially sentimental.

The sensation of being a senior is more than just wearing light blue shirts now that it is officially the second semester of the 23-24 school year. “Coming back from break, it feels different as the realization that the start of semester two now means we are much closer to our graduation,” exclaims Jonathan Park, Class of 2024, a current senior. In the midst of juggling school and college applications, the class also has approximately five more months until having to part ways, moving into another milestone in our lives.

It felt as if we were still in middle school yesterday, admiring the upperclassmen, hoping that we could be like them one day. The term ‘graduation’ had never felt so near, yet so far. Fighting off senioritis, we often yearn for that day to arrive faster; however, we also struggle with the goodbyes of our dearest peers. 

Do we really have to say goodbye as if we will never see each other again? I don’t believe so. For the past Christmas break and the first few days of school, a resurgence of ‘Dalat faces’ have been summoned to the Dalat campus. 

Yebeen Kil, Class of 2021, remarks that visiting campus “felt very nostalgic and peaceful and it was nice meeting all my friends and catching up with them after so long.” 

Seeing the familiar faces and our ‘seniors’  we used to look up to felt like we time-traveled a few years back when they were still easily seen on campus.

The visits back were significant even for the alumni. “It’s good to be back, to see the new construction and to see some of the impacts our class made that has carried on. It’s nice to see familiar faces but also nice to see some changes too,” commented Adam Lim, Class of 2023. 

I believe these recurrences had culminated the hard goodbyes in our minds into anticipation that we, as seniors, can and will have a chance to meet again in the future. 

Although the beginning of the semester has just arrived, it will be in the blink of an eye that time will fly by. By then, it would be time for us to put on a graduation cap, ready to progress into another phase of our lives.

The Happiest Days Of Our Lives

By Josh Morrison

The show goes on! Welcome to semester two! All of us are returning for another semester of school, but for some of us this will be our last…

Getting back into old classes and starting new ones always takes a second to get used to. The first week of semester two often feels like the in-between state of sleepy awareness you get after hitting the snooze on the alarm clock: the teachers don’t give out a ton of homework, everyone’s still talking about what they did over break, and the coaches aren’t going hard on their athletes. It’s a good ease back into routine.

Despite the goodwill of teachers and coaches, the second semester naturally is when motivation amongst seniors is at an all time low. It’s like our attention spans have just snapped. So as a senior who often feels burned out with school, I decided to ask a couple seniors how they stay motivated to wake up every morning.

 “I think it’s about intentionality,” Caleb Jun said, “I try to be intentional with the people I spend time with because I know this will be the last time I see a lot of them,” 

“I just look forward to the Friday at the end of the week,” said Ryan Choi.

“It’s about making memories with friends, you’re only young once, so we might as well make it meaningful,” said Naomi Weidemann.

“Knowing it will all be over soon,” concluded Tia Moore.

I encourage all students reading this scribble to finish strong! A lot of us seniors have grown up and made a home out of the community here at Dalat. This is the place where we've spent our most formative years, we’ve built character at Dalat and made relationships to cherish forever. Dalat is our childhood memories and our high school experience and its ending soon. Dalat has given us so much and it’s important us seniors leave something for Dalat to remember us by. Second semester is about leaving a legacy.

So if you are a senior reading this, I implore you to go to school not for the sake of routine,  studying, or mindlessly busy work, but to leave your mark where it counts, whether that’s being intentional with who you spend time with, looking forward to a weekend, or making the best possible memories with your friends, because at the end of the day this is our last semester and it will all be over soon.