Underdog

 By Isaac Lee

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photo Credit: Douglas Koay

You Just Got Served!

By Alexia Nyul

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thrilling Triumphs

By Yuna Lee

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Let’s Go Eagles Let’s Go!

By Ezra Latham 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Diving into the Culture

By Amy Park

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Exploring a New Culture

By Julia Jang

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

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

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

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

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

Here Comes the Sun: Senior Sunrise

By Himani Alagan

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Exploring the World of Choir

By Amos Koay

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Singing Abroad

By Samuel Jung

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Prepare for Impact!

By Jason Cho 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Seniors, Stronger Together

By Cullno Mah

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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