The Impact We Can Make

By Aiden Jeong

Over spring break, students will go on impact trips to various places to serve, learn from, and engage with people of diverse cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. These trips provided students with opportunities to make a difference while deepening their understanding of the world.

The first Student went to Indonesia, Yogyakarta. During that time the Group stayed at an orphanage run by a Korean missionary couple. This trip was a collaboration with OBAS. In the orphanage, the kids learn crucial knowledge and skill through homeschooling and outside institutions, which were less like a school and more like a tutoring place.

Throughout their stay, students planned activities such as music, writing/grammar, and games. These activities were rotated so all the children had the chance to experience each one. At night, the boys were all sleeping in one room with some Indonesian kids. The girls got their own room with an aircon.

The group also enjoyed fun outings like camping, hiking, visiting a waterpark, and participating in sports. They even held a talent show where students and the kids could show off their special skills. Through these activities the students were able to see how close-knit, supportive, and wonderful this community was. Students also shared their personal testimonies of their relationship with God.

Juan Moon (12) reflected on the trip: “Impact trips will have moments where it is tiring and hard but, in the end, it will be the most meaningful experience and memory of the whole year.”

Another group of students traveled to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where they worked with the organization OM to help less privileged children. The group spent time with homeschooled Chinese children, singing songs, performing skits, and teaching English in the mornings.

In the afternoons, they toured local villages and participated in activities like making crafts, teaching basic hygiene (such as brushing teeth and washing hands), and worshiping together. The experience allowed students to better understand the struggles of others and serve communities in need.

Stephen Branum (12) shared some of his thoughts: “This impact trip to Cambogia it gave me another chance to see the reality of other people are living in and showed me how some people struggle to get basic needs, so serving to people and kids was a great reminder for me that I am very blessed and I need to be going out of my way to help others who are less privileged.”

“I would definitely encourage anyone who is thinking about an impact trip, to go ahead and pursue going on one as not only does it benefit and grow you personally but you’re also able to get closer with God and give you the opportunity to serve people who would appreciate it all at.”

Both trips provided students with valuable experiences, fostering empathy and a deeper connection to the global community. As they returned home, they carried with them unforgettable memories of service, growth, and connection.

Visa Ate Us Up

By Ellie Park

“It all felt like a dream. Reality hit the moment I was sorting through calculus quizzes, realizing how much I had to catch up after a break that ended way too fast,” said Eleannor, still recovering from the whirlwind of our spring break.

This March, my friends Zoe Yeoh (12), Kiera Nichols (12), Eleannor Tang(12), and I packed our bags and our excitement to spend spring break at my house in Korea—a trip we had been planning for months. It was the first time I had my friends staying over in Korea, and I couldn’t wait for the late-night chats, endless shopping, and group activities I’d always dreamed of having there. 

But our plans hit a bump before we even boarded the plane.

Caught up in excitement, we forgot one important detail: the visa. Since Zoe and Kiera were still minors, they breezed through without issue. But Eleannor, who had just turned 18, needed special visa consent—and hers hadn’t been approved yet. We stood there in disbelief as she was turned away at the check-in counter. With heavy hearts and heavier suitcases, we watched her walk back home, hoping that her visa would be processed in time.

We landed in Korea to a blast of shivering unexpected cold. Spring? Not quite. We shivered under layers of thin jackets, completely unprepared for the snowy landscape that greeted us the next morning. Add jet lag and a missing Eleannor, and you could say our spirits were… a little frosty.

Then, something crazy happened.

My phone rang. It was Eleannor. We hesitated—was it good news or just another update on visa delays? But when we picked up, we saw her bundled up inside a moving vehicle, eyes sparkling with excitement. Before I could ask, she flipped the camera—and there it was. My house. Covered in snow. On her screen.

“Is this your house, Ellie?” 

Her grin said it all.

Within seconds, our screams of joy shattered the silence. She made it. Against all odds, just in time for the real adventure to begin.

That break may not have started how we imagined—but in the end, it gave us a story we'll never forget.

A Familiar Place, a Different Place

By Yong Xi Yan

This final spring break was a wild stretch for its unique activities. Throughout the past seven years, I have been to Kuala Lumpur seven times, almost as regularly as if it were a neighboring city. These trips encompass some of my incredible memories, with examples including a meetup with fellow cousins and creating collaborative YouTube videos, constructions of solo travel plans around the city, utilization of weekends for open campus events, and other errands. Just a day ago, on March 24, I embarked on yet another trip to the city, but this time with my friends: Daniel Willoughby, Hudson Brooks, and Iyan Sandahl. (12)

Outside school grounds, I have only been on vacation with my parents or relatives. I have never traveled with friends on this scale. After some hastened planning, we organized train tickets and an Airbnb, mitigating tons of costs otherwise presented by hotel booking and other factors. Plans for tourist attractions and other locations emerged over days of rigorous thinking. All that remained was the boarding and enjoyment.

Boarding the ETS Gold train at Butterworth, bound for KL Sentral, we found ourselves talking non-stop, taking dumb photos, enjoying the view outside, and more. Upon reaching, we were engulfed in a huge station incomparable to the tiny station at Butterworth, with a huge mall and elevated LRT trains. As a train enthusiast, I found in awe that KL, despite major shortcomings such as the presence of one central station and the lack of rapid service trains, still developed a system incomparable to Penang, which lingers with sickening traffic and slow cars.

Going to numerous towers and taking pictures, touring our large Airbnb with the perfect view outside, and checking out massive, four-times-bigger malls, were among our events. Particularly stunning were our photographs of the Merdeka 118 tower, where we got to take a ground shot of ourselves and the tower and some infrastructure-themed photos, and our lunch at one of the fantastic tens of Japanese restaurants surrounding the final floor at the Lot 10 and Isetan department store. Spending our time in various malls and towers meant an utterly distinct experience from what we had in Penang.

One trip organizer and great friend, Hudson reflects on our trip opportunity: “The most fun part of the trip for me was being able to spend time with my friends. We've been friends for a very long time, but we never really had the opportunity to do something like this.” 

Daniel also reflects on skills he practiced, “I was able to practice my planning and budgeting skills, since it was fully up to us where we went, and how much we spent on food and transport.”

As we headed back to Penang, we realized the opportunities we had taken to sharpen our management and cooperation skills and, most importantly, our strong friendship over these seven years. It wasn’t just about the break that allowed us to rest easy, but this fun trip that brought us to new places.

Picture of us at the Merdeka 118 Tower

Porkchops in Vietnam

By Darnell Dwumfour

March 18th is a special day for pork chops. It is the day the Porkchops travel to Vietnam, a group trip with eight handsome men who made it out of the group chat. 

They didn't know what to think of the trip. Would it be good, or would it be a flop? They were hoping it was worth the time they spent planning. Micah Pickett (12) said, "I thought it wasn't going to be as good because not all of our friends were coming." Little did he know that it was the opposite of that. 

As the Porkchops arrived in Vietnam and the Airbnb, everyone thanked Romeo Kontsas (12) for picking the most luxurious Airbnb. Then, the first thing they did after that was go outside and explore. Everyone was excited, so nobody thought about searching for good restaurants nearby to eat or go to a mall. Instead, they made it seem like they were stranded without money and the internet (even though everyone had data and money besides Jason Choi (12). 

Darnell Dwumfour (12), the navigator, searched for the nearest beach on Google Maps and led the pork chops along a dangerous 30-minute walk downtown. Of course, when Darnell led the Porkchops along this journey, everyone started to doubt him, mainly because they were walking along sketchy streets and pathways that looked like a dead end. Thankfully, Darnell was a good navigator, and he led everyone to the beach, and some of the Porkchops found food. 

However, everyone began to realize that there were no good food options near the beach. The beach was also not a recommended beach to go to because there are better beaches elsewhere. Therefore, everyone walked home in a joyful yet annoyed mood as they walked for 30 minutes to find food, not to find food but happy because the journey there made memories that will be cherished. 

The Porkchops returned to their Airbnb and ordered delicious Texas Chicken on grab food. 

And that's a wrap of the first day in Vietnam with the Porkchops. 

Legendary Grab driver gives students secret directions to “the best fishing stop in Penang.”

By Nate Johnson

Over spring break, a small group of my friends—including Abraham Latham, Kyra Brewster, Sabrina Boyd, and I—decided to take a fishing trip to Batu Ferringhi for the day.

Our day began at the Tanjong Bungah morning market, where we bought bait and fueled up for the adventure. We chose fresh prawns for bait, though we sometimes use chicken or squid. For breakfast, we had roti canai and wonton mee, accompanied by drinks like Milo, teh ice, and kopi ping. As we ate, we cheerfully discussed the kinds of fish we hoped to catch and our plans for the day.

Not long after, we booked a Grab, loaded up our fishing gear, and hopped in. The drive along the ocean road toward Batu was scenic. Our Grab driver noticed our fishing poles and asked if we were heading out to fish. Smiling, he shared his own love for fishing, and we asked if he could point out the best spots along the way. Little did we know, he wouldn’t just point them out—he would take us to an entirely different destination.

"If you want to catch kerapu (grouper), you have to go to this spot," he said, suddenly making a sharp right to turn off the main road. We found ourselves on an overgrown path leading toward the ocean, with no signs indicating beach access.

“I promise I won’t kidnap you,” he joked, sensing our hesitation at the secluded road.

When we reached the end, we thanked him and got out, only to realize he wasn’t just dropping us off—he actually walked us to the fishing spot. As we arrived at the shoreline, we saw massive boulders lining the edge of the land and sea.

The Grab driver stoically pointed to the area with the best fishing and left without another word.

Abraham had this to say about our new friend and his fishing tips: “It was interesting to see where the local fisherman choose to fish and how open and friendly our driver was.”

Little did we know, the real challenge was just beginning. The boulders were large, slippery, and difficult to climb. With our fishing gear in hand, we carefully made our way across the rocks, ready for the day ahead.

With our hopes high we carefully made our first casts into the crashing waves. We hooked things that day that were too large to reel in and too heavy to pull out of the water. Our fishing poles couldn’t stand a chance against their weight and their immovability. We mostly just hooked rocks… but we did have one good catch that day. 

PC: Sabrina Boyd

Seoulmates Forever

By Zoe Yeoh

“Hey, Ellie…didn’t you say it was spring in Korea?” I asked, glancing outside.

“Yeah, why?”

“Then what’s this?” 

A thick white blanket covered the once-green park, hiding the ground beneath it and stealing away the warmth of the sun. Kiera Nichols (12), Eleannor Tang (12), Ellie Park (12), and I put on our jackets and rushed outside, unable to contain our excitement. 

“I need to collect some snow for my sister,” Eleannor remembered “Someone get me a cup.”

Over the course of a week in Korea, we made a pact to wake up early and stay out late to experience as much as possible. Our first stop was the biggest Olive Young in the area—a massive three-story store. We spent hours inside, filling our baskets to the brim with makeup and skincare, completely starstruck by the variety of products. After that, we wandered down the road to store after store—Fwee, Gentle Monster, Brandy Melville, and countless other small boutiques. Each shop had something different to offer, and it felt like we were in a never-ending fantasy. 

Of course, all of this walking and shopping made us hungry. For breakfast, lunch, and dinner, we committed to only authentic Korean foods. Eleannor was especially adamant about this rule and made sure we didn’t eat any other cuisine. We also tried all kinds of Korean street food, from crunchy tanghulu to hotteok filled with sweet syrup. Every bite was mouth-watering, and we quickly realized that no matter how full we were, there was always room for more food. 

Each of us was given a “role” when it came to eating. Kiera was the meat eater, I was the rice eater, Eleannor was the equal portion eater, and Ellie was the money eater. Everyday when we came home, a new package was waiting—with Ellie’s name on it. 

In Korea, fashion was like a 1930s television. But Kiera Nichols made sure she would never get lost. She engulfed herself in a luxurious, furry, brown jacket paired with a skirt that was a pink version of Van Gogh’s Starry Night. The embarrassment of standing out was worth it, especially for the laughter we shared.

Beyond shopping and eating, we made sure to capture as many memories as we could. Our camera rolls were full of pictures and videos of each other. We also made sure to stop by every photo booth to bring back as many printed recollections as possible. We made customized keychains and clothes and got matching rings that two of us may or may not have lost already. 

Every night on the trip, we stayed up and had a debate session, preparing us to be future lawyers. We debated on the most diabolical topics imaginable, and somehow, it just became an ongoing thing. However, on the last night, Ellie educated us on all her favorite K-pop groups, and we stayed up watching fan cams of New Jeans for at least 7 hours. 

When we had to leave Korea, we were exhausted but incredibly thankful. Are we running it back?

Back from Spring Break

By Sophia Teoh

The first day of “Back to School from Spring Break” was filled with hugs, friendly hellos, and the usual questions “How was your break? Did you do anything interesting over the break?” And of course, the chatter and rhythm of a normal school day at Dalat.  

As the all-too-familiar C minor tune of the school bell ushered Dalat’s high school students to their classes, be it AP Calculus BC, choir, and whatever else, Mr. Scott Uzzle stood tall with a congenial smile, calling our names and saying his usual loud, confident “GOOD MORNING.” Some students would smile, and some students would wish him good morning back with a friendly salute.  

Many people wish for a slow easing back into the normal routine of school following a break. I would say that it would be a mix of slow and fast. In Calculus BC class with Mrs. Sara Kearney, the 20 or so students were given a practice check-in quiz to prepare them well for an upcoming test that struck terror in the hearts of many, but there was also the beloved supply of cookies, named after the German mathematician Leibniz, that eased the tension a little.  

It is truly great to be back, even if it meant our break needed to come to an end. I enjoyed hearing what my friends had to share about their breaks. Marissa Elliott (Grade 12) animatedly shared about her Langkawi adventures; Jadyn Bui (Grade 12) recalled her unforgettable trip with her family to Cambodia and the happiness of the local kids despite them living in poverty without access to basic necessities (this description was enriched by Naomi Neiger (Grade 10) who remembered her Cambodia Impact Trip and how the locals at one of the Cambodian slums would always make the most out of the little supplies they had such as building playgrounds with PVC tubes and simple equipment); and my mom and I went to Kuala Lumpur to celebrate my belated birthday.

There is just something bittersweet about the end of a holiday and the transition back to school.  You get to see your companions again and hear all the exciting stories from your friends even if it means going back to the usual pattern of homework and assessments here and there. People get new looks such as by perming hair, re-dyeing hair, getting a haircut, buying new shoes, you name it. It’s safe to say that all of us high school students greatly appreciated this spring break Dalat had to offer and it allowed us to unwind from the pressures of our upcoming final exams (for some of us, these exams will play a significant role in the next chapter of our lives). Not only that, but it lets us cut down the time we spend using our screens to complete our tasks and invites us to slow down. I hope Dalat School will continue to maintain this much-loved practice of providing its students with a well-deserved break during the spring for everyone’s happiness and wellbeing.

Welcome back, everyone.  I hope you have rested well.  

ACSC Choir Trip

By Ian Dobson

The ACSC Choir trip was a great opportunity for Dalat students to grow in their singing abilities and interact with people from different schools. This year, it was hosted at Faith Academy, in Manila. The Dalat guys stayed at a student's house, which was also a dorm, and the girls stayed at a complex called The YMC. 

Most of the trip involved singing and eating; the singing was hard for some people as we had to continue singing for longer than we regularly do. But we did things other than singing as well. We started the week with a boodle fight, which is a Filipino style of eating where all the food is on banana leaves, and you use gloves to eat the food. Everyone eats the same food, and there aren’t separate plates or anything. Later on in the week, they also had an interesting Filipino festival where there were lots of Filipino foods and activities. They had belut, ice cream, taho, chicken and pig intestines, all kinds of noodles, and much more. The activities they had included karaoke, a dancing game with two long bamboo sticks, and a game with an elastic band where they had to get their leg over the band held up by two other people. It was interesting to see the culture in the Philippines through the cultural activities we participated in. We concluded the time there with a concert, and after the concert, the Dalat group went with some of the Faith students to a mall. 

When asked about his favorite part of the trip, Andrew Mattson, a tenth-grader who sings bass, answered, “My favorite thing about the trip was getting to hang out with friends and meet new people. I also enjoyed the concert, the swimming pool, and the service trip.” He also said, “I think I learned better technique for how to sing more beautifully as Dr. Hopper taught as when to breathe or not breathe and also when to sing quietly or what type of voice to use.” He had a lot of fun and also learned a lot more about singing from the director, Dr. Hopper, who used to work at Wheaton College.

As a whole, all the Dalat students who went on the trip both made new connections with other students from international schools and learned a lot about singing.

Sing Out My Soul

By Stephen Branum

On March 8th, at Faith Academy, singers representing ACSC schools stood line by line on the risers. The crowd was silent, with anticipation hanging in the air. The director motioned the piano to play, and the choir burst out loudly, calling to “sing out.” The bass came in first, and the tenors bounced off them a second after. The harmonies and syncopated rhythms echoed through the performance hall. ACSC choir was off with a bang, and the energy never stopped. Forty minutes later, the choir finished their final song, “Alleluia”, a common favorite, as the audience stood clapping. While the concert was performed well, there was a lot of work that occurred behind the scenes. 

The choir on stage went through serious amounts of training and work together. The students were able to get familiar with each other through icebreaker games, a service opportunity, and hours upon hours of practicing the 10 songs they performed. With around 15 hours of practice leading up to the concert, the nerves and the weariness was present for the majority of the students. The singing was broken up with a break time containing snacks and socializing, then right back into singing. Whether it was through shaping their vowels, enunciating words, or knowing the correct singing posture, guided by the director, Dr. Hopper, the students learned a lot and developed themselves as singers. 

The students grew in many ways but also were able to have fun in the midst of it all as they were singing for the Lord and with each other. Dalat singer Rebecca Seo (10) said her favorite part of the trip was, “not only seeing my progress within a short time but also having the opportunity to experience volunteer work with some new people from our choir team. Spending time in ministry made me realize how precious our lives are. The best part was being part of that new group and meeting several new friends which helped me notice the honesty that filled my interactions.” 

The students not only felt the impact of the community they developed, but also saw its effect on others around them. Singing with all their souls for the glory of God resonated and developed a passion seen through performance. Despite the travel schedule, all the students saw the trip as a highlight in their school year. 

Drums in the (Deep) Lobby

By Josh Conklin

 Dalat’s Concert Band Percussion section boasts a plethora of fun, wacky, loud, and entertaining instruments for every occasion, but one thing it lacks is a drumline. However, on the Honor Band trip to Raffles American School (RAS) in Johor, Dalat percussionists had the opportunity to play in one. 

In many schools, drumline is a percussion-only music style often played at sports events. The drums, consisting of bass, snare, and tenor pitches, are worn by the percussionists by special harnesses and played while standing in line or in formations. Drumline is an exciting and intense genre of music and a delightful challenge to percussionists who sometimes only play once or twice in a one-hundred-measure-long piece. 

On the first day of the Band Trip, all nine percussionists gathered in a lobby just outside RAS’s auditorium with the drums before us, excited anticipation building. Like our other pieces, we had the drumline sheet music with us. Unlike the other pieces, no parts had been pre-assigned. Even so, those present who did not play drumline could not have practiced them. 

As there were so many of us, we split into two groups. At first, we all tried to learn our parts in the lobby. But it was much too loud. With a sound like hundreds of fireworks going off simultaneously in a massive room with terrible acoustics, any semblance of rhythm or order left the room faster than our hearing as all nine drummers sound compounded on each other into one thunderous, echoing, muti-pitched drone. 

Barely able to hear ourselves, we certainly couldn’t hear each other’s parts. The most crucial aspect of drumline is togetherness; each note must be in sync, each stroke perfect, each stick in unison. The echoing noise soon proved detrimental, and the groups separated to practice individually. 

The parts were technical but manageable, with each group spending several hours over the two days of the festival practicing together, slowly increasing the tempo to ensure they got the rhythms precisely right. Soon, what was once a cacophony became a symphony. One challenging yet enjoyable aspect of drumline is the reliance on every other person in the section to play their part precisely, every complimentary rhythm overlapping into a beautiful percussive harmony. As a group, we all learned together, struggled together, and performed together, both teaching newcomers and being taught by those with more experience. The very nature of drumline forced unity in a way percussionists, who often only embellish the Band’s music, don’t usually experience. 

Dalat percussionist Ethan Khor (8) reflects on the experience: “I’ve always wanted to be a part of a marching band/drum line performance, and I didn’t expect that at honour band I’d get to experience it. So being able to be a part of it was amazing!” 

Despite the temporary deafness, mistakes, and technical challenges, students from many schools, especially Dalat, appreciated the opportunity to play on a drumline.  

Ms. Vossler is the Best

By Anya Shanmugabalan

The last band trip of the year was unforgettable. With lost passports, exploding chargers, and misplaced instruments, our chaperones were kept on their toes from beginning to end. 

Last Thursday, Dalat students from Middle and High School traveled to Johor Bahru to attend the Raffles American School Arts Festival 2025 (RASAF). Raffles American School, or RAS, invited around ten schools from Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia to collaborate in art, dance, and band. Although Dalat only participated in the band portion, our students experienced and thoroughly enjoyed this unique opportunity.

Thursday night, disaster struck: I lost my passport. After eating dinner at the RAS dormitories we were staying in, I realized my passport and wallet were missing. I assumed this would be the mishap of the trip and would eventually turn up, but this was just the beginning.

The start of the festival on Friday marked the beginning of 8 long hours of rehearsal. Hours of practice as a full band and in sectionals were exhausting. Friday night, I filed my first police report, officially informing the government of my missing passport. Ms. Sara Vossler was the best, waiting at the police station as I made my report. Jing Xuan Leow (12) enjoyed herself, too, vlogging the whole experience.

Saturday was concert day, and while there were only 4 hours of rehearsal, we had a long day ahead of us with our journey home after. Before the concert started, the RASAF 2025 team gave out Section Chair Awards to recognize leadership and excellence in their musicianship. Of the 9 sections with this award, Dalat represented 5 of the winners, with Haesol Park (8), Shon Kang (8), Iyan Sandahl (12), Daniel Willoughby (12), and Joshua Conklin (12) all receiving a Section Chair pin. 

When the time of the concert finally arrived, we were ready and excited to play, knowing many of our family and friends were watching online. After the concert, our excitement was dimmed after realizing there had been no audio available on the stream. Nevertheless, RASAF 2025 was a wonderful educational experience. 

Jing Xuan Leow (12) reflected, “It's a little sad knowing that this would be my last trip of the year, but it's one filled with a lot of special memories, such as Anya Shanmugabalan’s (12) lost passport, Joseph Yim’s (11) forgotten clarinet, Evelyn Stevens’s (9) exploding charger, and my misplaced IC.”

Since I didn’t have a passport, I needed to take a 10-hour bus back to Penang. Ms. Vossler, the best teacher ever, stayed with me throughout our long journey. It is without a doubt I will never, ever forget this trip.

A Symphony of Challenges and Triumphs: Dalat’s Band Trip to RAS Johor

By Sophia Tan

Three days, four songs, and twelve hours of intense rehearsals—Dalat’s band trip to Johor was nothing short of an adventure. What was meant to be a simple trip to perform in an orchestra concert at Raffles American School quickly turned into a whirlwind of unexpected challenges, new friendships, and unforgettable moments.

The journey began on Thursday afternoon, filled with excitement and anticipation. After a smooth flight, the band arrived in Johor late at night, too tired to do anything but check into the school dorm and rest for the long days ahead. The real work began the next morning when rehearsals kicked off. With only two days to prepare for the big concert, the band spent hours perfecting their music, fine-tuning every note and dynamic. It was exhausting, but the shared experience brought everyone closer together. Laughter filled the rehearsal halls during breaks and team bonding activities, and the time spent playing snooker and ping pong with the students from different schools made the long hours feel more bearable, if not worth it.

However, the trip wasn’t without its complications. Before even arriving at the school, one student realized their passport and wallet were missing, sending the group into panic mode. Despite frantic searching, the missing items were nowhere to be found, creating an underlying stress that lingered throughout the trip. On the day of the concert, another setback struck when one of the musicians fell sick, forcing last-minute adjustments. And as if that wasn’t enough, on the flight home, another student accidentally left their clarinet on the plane, leading to a desperate dash back to retrieve it.

Despite the hurdles, the trip ended on a high note. Dalat students stood out not just for their musical skills, but for their leadership and dedication, earning recognition and pin awards for their efforts. More than just a performance, the trip was a test of resilience and teamwork—a reminder that the best memories often come from the unexpected moments.

As the bus drove back onto campus that Saturday night, the hardworking students let out sighs of exhaustion and pride. The music had ended, but the friendships, the lessons, and the memories? Those would last far beyond the final note.

Starting Season 3 with AI and Cows

By Yuan Tee

With season 2 sports drawn to a close, the time came for 3rd season track and field and the return of girls soccer.   

For some of the seniors, 3rd trimester meant the last season representing their beloved school in sports as they shortly end their time as a Dalat eagle. Last week marked the first full week of practices for the varsity girls soccer team. With tryouts complete, the team of girls from 8th-12th grade began work at once, preparing for the upcoming ACSC tournament that will be held in Faith Academy, Manila. The schedule involves practices 4 days a week at either upper field, the field by Adventist, at the Soccer Experience nearby, or in Georgetown. Last Thursday, our Adventist session involved a pleasant visit from a herd of adorable cows.  

Though many of the girls had come back from season 2 sports such as basketball and rugby, the 1st week of practice involved an abnormally large amount of conditioning to ensure that we were in peak shape. Much lap-running, sprinting, hopping, and even squats and ab exercises were newly implemented to the usual routine. 

As we lay on our backs doing leg-lifts, our coach Uncle Keith assured us that “We’re going to be the fittest team out there!”  

As weird as it may sound, this unprecedented level of exercise is the product of AI. Before the season had started, Uncle Keith had asked Chat GPT to develop a training program for a girls soccer team in preparation for an upcoming tournament. Consequently, our practices are now enhanced with the various ideas the AI has fed our coach. 

In the words of Sophia Coker (12), “Uncle Keith’s gonna work us to death with his ChatGPT!” 

Time will tell if the AI clearly knew what it was talking about. As for now, the team continues to train hard and improve as they get ready for the big tournament in Manila. 

Flickering but Not Extinguished

By Natalia Nosker

John 12:46 “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.”

The days, weeks, and even months following events such as MEW inspire great pursuit after God. Messages from speakers and classmates, direct enough to strike a chord in the hearts of any listening, fan into flame the students, parents, and teachers’ relationships with Jesus. This MEW - Alight - was no different in impacting the Dalat community. Hearts were lit for Jesus whether it be for the first time, or the catching on fire of branches that had burned out. 

Nate Johnson (12) shared the following message God placed on his heart this past Saturday at the worship night that regularly occurs at his house:

“While we were worshipping, a picture came to mind of this wet, thick black blanket covering the    people of God in Penang. The blanket was laid over them; over the blanket was God shining like the sun over his people. Evil and darkness covered the people and they were cut off from the feeling of "sunshine on their skin". They still had God within them, yet the feeling of being in the sun - or the presence of God - had dramatically changed. 

"Coming out of MEW, the enemy’s plan was to snuff out the people who were alight for God by covering them in a heaviness. But despite being out of the sun, the people of God persevered and continued to strengthen themselves with worship and prayer. As they did this, the fire within them was reignited and they began to burn in such a way that the blanket became dry, eventually burning up completely. Holes formed in the blanket, and the people began to feel the sun on them again as more and more people were reignited. 

"Heaviness and sorrows make it feel like God is far away. But we need to strengthen ourselves in God by reminding ourselves of truth (scripture) and worshiping and praying regardless of how it makes us feel. This is how we overcome the enemy.”

The world is a place of need - people need food, they need healthcare, they need education. But there is something greater about their need for a community, and their need for a Saviour.

In this past week, the Dalat community has seen this need met in light of heavy hearts sharing one another’s burdens and helping the community.