Dalat International School: Senior Scribble

It’s the time of the year when the end of the school year and summer break are approaching. Everyone’s minds seem to numb as time passes, and seniors have already tumbled down the deep hole of senioritis. However, there was one obstacle left before it was all over: the finals and AP exams.  Teachers might have noticed a number of missing students from your classroom over the past two weeks. They might have overslept or left early for the break, but most likely, they were doing an AP exam down in Heritage Chapel. AP exams were held in two separate sessions during the day: the morning session, from 8 am to 12 pm, and the afternoon session, from 12:30 pm to the end of school. Occasionally, if you arrived at school early or passed by classrooms at lunch, you would spot a group of students scrambling over notes right outside Heritage Chapel. Once the exam was finished and students were dismissed, there were plenty of reactions on display for exhibition, from the debutant, frantic sophom...

 Most would call this the most stressful few weeks of the year. This is where all studying finally has to pay off. As APs finally come around, you can feel the tension rising as students start to cram for their exams.  Some students decided to study in groups, hoping that their friends with higher knowledge would be able to help them get through this, while others decided that the best way to study would be to lock in alone. Of course there are some exceptions to these two options. In every grade there are always a couple students who decide to not study for their exams, thinking that their natural intelligence would be enough for them to pass. These are the students who walk into the exam hall with no stress and zero worries on their mind, and after finishing their exam, walk out laughing and making jokes with their friends. Russell Lee (12) stated, “It don’t matter anymore, it’s all done now,” as he walked out of his AB calculus exam. The take away from this is that ever...

  As the year goes by there is one thing on almost every student's mind—AP Exams. The dreadful thought of exams linger in every student's head, but ironically enough, preparation is only done a few weeks out, or more commonly than expected—a few days out. The time you’d usually spend scrolling on your phone, the time you spend hanging out with friends, or, with family, is replaced by a measly laptop, notebook, and pen—it prompts one to rethink their ideals and connotations associated with exams. It almost seems like I’m making an astute criticism of students, but unfortunately I am also subject to the very same issues that most students face during this overwhelming season. This season in particular is essentially a test to see if one is ready for the real world, when one’s passions and responsibilities conflict with one another, leading to a stark reevaluation of one’s day.  Fortunately, by adopting a carefree mentality, exams did not disperse much stress upon myself in contr...

During chapel two weeks ago (April 30), we had a panel of neurodiverse voices, prepared to share their perspectives and answer questions about neurodiversity! It was very interesting to see how each person’s journey through their neurodivergence was uniquely different, yet relatable to each other. Ms. Lee, who has ADHD, didn’t learn about her diagnosis until well into her adulthood, while the children on the panel learned about their diagnoses early on thanks to the growing research and education about neurodivergent disorders. This panel wasn’t done just for show, but to encourage everyone to develop empathy and understanding for neurodivergent people. Having the opportunity to listen to how varied the responses and experiences of the panel were, despite having the same neurodevelopmental disorder, was a great learning experience that Neurodiversity Awareness Week helps support.  Reflecting on my previous Senior Scribble, I want to reinforce how important it is to celebrate and em...

  This past week, here at Dalat International School, students from every grade had the opportunity to witness panels featuring neurodivergent students and staff from every walk of life. These panels, held during Wednesday and Friday chapels, allowed individuals diagnosed with various forms of neurodivergence, including ADHD, OCD, dyslexia, autism, and others, to share their personal experiences with their conditions.   The panels provided the students and staff with an outlet to share both the perks and struggles of being neurodivergent, as well as to address any misconceptions or harmful stigmas they’ve encountered. The panel members unanimously encouraged the student body not to generalize people with neurodivergence, as everyone has unique experiences and navigates the world differently. Furthermore, they reminded us that being neurodivergent has nothing to do with effort and intelligence and everything to do with experiencing the world through a different lens. Ms. Cari...

  The hype for JSB started way before the actual night. For the whole year, I’ve been watching the juniors working in silence, planning every little detail for us. Seeing people get asked, and the creative ways they did it, really set the vibe. But as a senior, walking into Harbor Hall hits differently. It wasn't just another dinner; it was the realization that this was my last prom here. The night started with the usual chaos of getting ready; it was a half-day of school, so we had just enough time to glam up. My girls and I made sure the “fit” was perfect, minimal, and elegant. To be honest, we were there for the main three: the food, the aesthetics, and the pictures. Seeing all the stuff the juniors prepared made me realize how much work they actually put into making us feel special.  I spent almost the entire night with my girls. Sitting at our table with my friend group felt like we were in our own worlds. We were constantly taking pictures, trying to capture every angle ...