Dalat International School: Senior Scribble

By Renee Tay The Easter long weekend provided the Dalat community with a meaningful pause. Offering time to rest, reconnect, and reflect on the deeper purpose of the season. As spring unfolded on campus, students, families, and staff embraced the opportunity to slow down and participate in both personal and spiritual renewal. One of the most memorable events of the weekend was a beachside baptism ceremony held by the school. Several students chose to publicly declare their faith through baptism, surrounded by the support of friends, family, and staff. The event included worship music, testimonies, and a quiet sense of reverence as the waves became part of the celebration. It was a powerful reminder of growth, transformation, and hope. Jing Xuan Leow (12) was one of the students who got baptised, and she commented on her experience: “I was nervous and excited at the thought of getting baptised, but at the same time, I get to publicly declare my faith in God and be renewed. What better d...

By Zeke Croft  “Complacency is the bane of progress,” Captain Hudson Brooks told the track team at the beginning of the season.  He wanted to motivate us to improve, and improve we did. The Track team arrived back from winning ACSC on Sunday. Not all of us were feeling great, but we were all elated with our placement in the tournament. We had not been complacent, and our hard work had paid off. Now we only had one more practice, Senior night.  Our coaches had planned a night of fun to celebrate our dedication. On Tuesday, at 6pm, our team gathered for games and food. The parents of various team members brought delicious food for us to feast on. The event started out with the coaches separating us into six teams. The losing team revived the joy of dropping into cold water and waiting there for three minutes. The first event was a relay with whatever random item we could come up with. One team used a bean bag, and another used a caution sign. After that, the teams raced acr...

By Josiah Blacklock “Treagles on Two. One, two, TREAGLES!” Our battle cry echoed across the flat land of the track stadium, causing all the other teams to immediately snap their heads in our direction. We had come to Taiwan ready, with the training already done and our hopes high, and we were going to leave with what we had come for: Dalat’s first ACSC Track and Field win.   Track and Field is the most popular Varsity sport at Dalat, with over 50 people trying out this year. Part of what makes Track different is the team dynamic. In other Varsity sports like soccer or basketball, everybody is on one team and although they might have different positions, all compete in the same game.  Track and Field, however, lets you specialize in what you’re good at. If you’ve been going to the gym or doing CrossFit after school often, you could try throwing. If you participated in other Varsity sports and feel that your cardio is your strong suit, you could try distance running. All th...

 By Rebecca Wong As the starting whistle blew for the first matches of ACSC, excitement and tension ran high in the air. Teams from all over Asia had come after weeks of training to try for one of the top three places. As the early morning sun beamed down on Faith Academy, players moved about the fields, calling their teammates’ names and creating different plays in hopes of a shot on goal. Dribbling, tackling, and sprinting, everyone was working harder than ever before. The week was full of excitement as the team gave their all on the pitch, formed comfortable bonds in our cramped little guesthouse and consumed copious amounts of food together every meal. Despite the physical intensity of the week, all of us thoroughly enjoyed our time in Manila.  Soniya Peters (11) commented, “So many new memories I’ll cherish forever, so many bananas, so much laughter, and too many tears. This trip gave me moments I’ll hold onto forever. From inside jokes to deep conversations, every seco...

by Jadyn Bui All I felt was fire in my legs and burning in my lungs as they pumped harder and harder but somehow refused to stop. Meter by meter the last straightaway melted into the white line, my teammates’ triumphant cheers, and finally the staggering in search of water. Only after seeing the official results did I let myself believe that my first and last competitive 5 kilometer race had earned a bronze medal. Between my own events at the Track and Field ACSC in Taiwan, I cheered teammates on for hours, which I realized was also vital to the team’s success. Watching Eliza Setzfand (10) earn gold in multiple events in a row was exhilarating, but so was celebrating often overlooked victories like beating personal records or passing someone at the last minute.  Having done both in the 3k race, Anna Kilgo (12) remarked: “I learned just how much encouragement works. When you know you have people on your side, it feels so much easier to accomplish.” Even with maximum physical effort ...

By Hudson Brooks The anticipation in the air was palpable. Silence filled the room as Mr. Upchurch read the words: “The Eagles of Dalat.” In an instant the room was filled with the loud cheers and celebration of our entire team. This was it, we had done it. Dalat is your 2025 ACSC Track and Field Champions. After a long and hard year where many of us had struggled with injuries and a season that was filled with questions, we had overcome the doubts and risen above. Winning the combined division trophy is nothing to scoff at. We were only here at the top because of the hard work each and every one of my fellow team members had put in.  While it may not seem like it, Track and Field is a very team-oriented sport. Yes, you compete individually, but your team's performance is directly determined by how each member of the team performs. Furthermore, it takes great focus to be able to work constantly at something that hurts as much as running does. To be able to maintain such a focused v...

By Marissa Elliott Dalat Varsity Girls Soccer vs. The Dream Team took place live at Soccer Experience on Wednesday, April 2nd, a competitive game between the girls and the senior guys and staff was a highlight for those of us who are seniors as we played our last game in Penang.  As Mr. Wong said,  “For me, it was great to play and compete against girls I know from a variety of contexts. I had a lot of fun going toe to toe with some of Dalat's best girl soccer players.” We started the night off by honoring our seniors this year: Rebecca Wong, Marissa Elliott, Yuan Tee, Sophia Coker, and Kiera Nichols, with speeches from the coaches revealing funny stories from our years together, growth in the players, and goodbyes. It was a sweet and memorable moment for us as we reflected on our years of soccer. Some of us have been playing since we were little kids so lacing our boots, blasting the ball, and yelling at the refs once more in Penang meant everything from laughing to tears....

By Caitlyn Chan When it comes to ACSC, the hot topic is always where it’s held this year. Everyone wants to go to Korea, Hong Kong, or places with great weather and spots to spend all their money. Shockingly, Track and Field was held this year at Morisson Academy Taichung, Taiwan, again.  Why is this significant? To many, it’s just another place, and there’s nothing special about it except maybe bubble tea. But to me and some of the “OG’s” (originals), it was very special. Three years ago, during my sophomore year, Track and Field ACSC was also held in Taichung. It was my first time ever representing Dalat in sprints and jumps. I never understood the point system because all I had in mind was to aim for the medals and just have a great time. In short, we placed third, which was technically last in the ACSC conference. Fueled with fury and desire to win, the underclassmen and I were determined to win Gold the next year. I wouldn’t say I enjoyed that trip particularly, but this trip ...

 By Hyorim Ahn “What time do you guys want the curfew to be?” Time clicked 11:28 PM when the service ended and the event MC came up to ask the crowd.  “3 AM!!!” the students shouted in unison.  “12 AM!!!” the staff and pastors eagerly requested, wanting to rest to save up energy for the next conference day.  “We’ll make it 1:30 AM, a middle ground for the two sides. If you guys do anything stupid, our security guards will come and beat you up! Now pick up your ramen for a night snack from your church staff and go–” as soon as the MC declared the curfew and snacks, the kids went crazy trying to go back to their rooms and eat their ramen after spending their whole day on worship service.  Attending the Malaysia Youth KOSTA(KOrea STudents All nations), a Korean Christian conference camp, brought a multitude of blessings and growth to my spirituality and helped me to take another step towards my faith. The pastors addressed topics not easily talked about, such as de...

By Michaela Parsley After the amazing Arabian Night at JSB on April 4th, the senior class didn’t sleep the day away—instead, they got up early to pull off a second party in one weekend. After a late night consisting of McDonald's ice cream trips, after-parties, and sleepovers following this year's Aladdin-themed Junior-Senior Banquet, the senior class woke up bright and early the next morning to begin preparing for the “After-JSB Dinner”. This long-standing tradition is a way for the senior class to treat the juniors to a fun, lighthearted evening and thank them for the months of hard work they invested in the previous night’s JSB.  Starting at 9:00am, the class of 2025 met and began hashing out the logistics of the dinner. The juniors would arrive starting at 5:45pm; that meant every second was needed to pull something together by the evening. Utilizing every spare moment, but more importantly, everyone’s unique talents, was crucial to their success.  The class began by picki...

By Annabelle Fan Pretty dresses, tailored suits, and excitement poured into Harbor Hall at 6:15 pm; students buzzed about the photos they had just taken outside and their curiosity about what the night held. A huge camel stood at the entrance, greeting students with its goofy smile as they were directed to their tables. The hall was dim; flowers, gems, and candles were scattered across tables, giving the room a warm ambiance; silhouettes of “Agrabah” were lined across the walls. Slowly, students settled into their respective seats, and then the lights dimmed. Aladdin appeared, starting a performance that will be remembered in the years to come.  JSB was a significant moment for everyone who attended. For the seniors, it was their last. For the juniors, it was the fruit of their hard work. For the sophomores, it was an inspiration.  This year’s JSB holds a special place in the hearts of those who attend for many different reasons. Among the seniors, it was a night to re...

By Sandy Choi “3, 2, 1, Cheese!” Beautiful dresses, fancy suits, and traditional clothing. The students are almost unrecognizable with their uniforms off, all dressed nicely. Everyone’s busy taking pictures as they hold this special memory in their phones and cameras, posing with the best smile on their faces. The day everyone looked forward to is finally here: JSB. Sophomores and Seniors are excited to step into Harbor Hall, not knowing what this year’s theme will be. Juniors, on the other hand, are excited but also nervous as the event's hosts. As students start heading in and finding their tables, they look around, trying to figure out what tonight's theme is. People start whispering and telling their friends their guesses, when the Juniors finally head up stage and reveal the theme: Aladdin. The silhouettes of castles on the side walls, a genie at the front of the stage, and everything else were set to make all the students at night feel like they were in a Whole New World....

By Vennie Wong The dazzling night began with cameras clicking and pearly white smiles. Students arrived around 5:30 camera ready to survive the night. Parents, with smiles on their faces, took out their trusty iphones (and androids) to take as many pictures of their kids as possible while dates exchanged gifts and took prom transition tiktoks to remember the night. As 6:00 struck, students made their way into the harbor hall.  With the Arabian scenery and the blue colored genie pointing to a mirror at the front corner, the theme slowly revealed itself, and everyone knew it was Aladdin. Students got to their tables which were filled with gems and other Aladdin theme decor. However, the seniors had a little special something since it was their last JSB, they were gifted with little genie lamp keychains with their names on it and a scroll with a tribute to honor each and every one of the seniors.  At every table, there were the thirsty people, who socialized a little too much whe...

By Sophia Coker You can spot Uncle Keith on Dalat’s campus from a mile away. The sun reflecting off his bald head can be blinding at first, but once you’ve recovered, he always meets you with one of his contagious smiles and a wave. Then he may make a joke, or comment on how “monkeys never cramp” or, worst of all, tells you to drink lots of water. Walking off with a look like he’s up to something, you know you’ll be doing lots of sprints and conditioning that day.  “Uncle Keith, while scary on the outside and loud on the sidelines, is one of my favorite people, and I couldn’t be happier to have had three years on this team to learn so so much about soccer and life," said Marissa Elliott (12). This may be surprising because Uncle Keith doesn’t look a day older than twenty five, but Uncle Keith’s sixtieth birthday was coming up and everyone was determined to make this birthday extra special. With two posters and notes in hand, the girls soccer team marched into the Ziemer Dorm, wher...

By Juan Moon During a two day event (March 27-28), Senior Transition Retreat, seniors got to skip school and learn valuable information that will help them as they step into adulthood. While there were some concerns about the trip, most seniors found it to be a worthwhile experience in preparing for life beyond high school. Many students initially complained about the event being held on campus rather than at a hotel, but was it really that bad? In reality, this change turned out to be a blessing in disguise. According to Peter Hsu (12) “Honestly, hosting the Senior Transition Retreat at Dalat actually went better than expected.” One of the benefits of staying on campus was the activities made possible by the cost savings. On the first day, seniors enjoyed an off-campus lunch at Gurney Plaza, followed by a bowling outing, which turned out to be a highlight. Additionally, staying in a familiar location, school, provided a sense of comfort. Being in a well-known environment allowed stude...

By Anju Takikawa March 27 may have been just another usual school day for the juniors, sophomores, and freshmen. However, it wasn’t just another usual school day for us seniors. March 27th marked the first day of the Senior Transition Retreat!  The seniors gathered in the first-floor hallways of Harbor Hall. Some students were excited about the upcoming event, which would be a gateway from the usual school routines. Some dreaded it, as they would have to sit through long hours of the sessions ahead. The door of the Heritage Chapel soon opened at 8:30 a.m., welcoming all seniors.  Mr. Dobson soon started the first session, introducing us to the Retreat theme: Leave Well to Enter Well! Throughout the sessions, hungry seniors were met with delightful snacks: curry puffs and fruits. With their stomachs full, the next session began.   The occasional erupt of laughter and the clattering sound were heard throughout the room. The seniors entertained themselves with the many ...