Skip to main content

Seniors, Stronger Together

By

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. 



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

DINGBAT DALAT STUDENT SPENDS PRECIOUS TIME CONJURING UP SELF-REFERENTIAL SENIOR SCRIBBLE RATHER THAN GATHERING LEGITIMATE WORK

By Anonymous
Yusoof Monawvil PENANG, MA - As the deadline drew near and the stars aligned in the night sky above the majestic waters of the Strait of Malacca, one particular Dalat student—Yusoof Monawvil (12), despite a plethora of school events to select and report on—opted instead to spend a remarkably well-wasted 24 minutes staring at a blank Google Docs page, fruitlessly drawing up and shooting down brainstormed ideas.  In a moment of sheer and undeniable epiphany, Monawvil deemed it only fitting to self-referentially satirize his own ingrained incompetence and dingbattery. Commenting on the flash of insight, Monawvil quoted himself, saying: “It all just kinda made sense. I went on DISCourse to look at the little rubric thing Ms. Grad and Mr. Hieber posted, and I checked if I was following all of the guidelines... And I technically am/was; [N]ot like there’s any specific direktive [sic] prohibiting self-quoting.”  In a turn of events, Monawvil did come to find his self-quoting en...
6 comments
Read more

“I Miss Her” by Nikhil Pillay

By
While most people had a fun week for mid-semester break, whether it was spent with family, or with friends on impact trips, no one had a more emotionally confusing week than Judson Kenneth Robert Nosker (12).  In the light of recent events, Judson, despite all odds, had gotten in a relationship with one of his classmates, and as the break started, he had started to spend a lot of time with her. While with her, he started to experience a new level of joy and completeness that he had never felt before. In the words of Judson Nosker, “The first half of the break was good, but the rest of it was horrible.”  The reason for such a quote and the roller coaster of emotion was because half way through the break, disaster had struck. Judson’s girlfriend had gone on a trip with her family to Thailand, leaving Judson all alone. For the rest of the week, Judson was in a state of longing for her presence.  His friends have reported numerous occasions when Judson would be sitting with t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Varsity Sports Award Ceremony

By
By Amos Koay On April 22, the Varsity Sports Awards was held in Harbor Hall. This was when people who had joined a Varsity sport would get acknowledgment for all the blood, sweat, and tears they sacrificed to fight for Dalat.  Many amazing athletes got the recognition they deserved. Some notable people are Romeo Kontsas (11), Isaac Lee (12), Naomi Weidemann (12), Josia DeJager (12), Joshua Morrison (12), DJ Yost (12), Caitlin Chan (11), and Alexia Nyul (12), who all got awarded MVP in their respective sports.   Although many people got different awards, one athlete stood above the rest of the players. One exceptional athlete who was in soccer, basketball, and track, where he broke multiple ACSC and school records for his sprints—the Male Athlete of the Year, Kyle Tang.  The following quote is what Kyle Tang (12) had to say about his achievements: "Winning athlete of the year is an incredible honor, especially with the amount of sacrifices I've spent improving myself ...
Post a Comment
Read more