Nairobi Trip

The class trips are always a fun time of year but this year unfortunately I didn't get selected for my initial top choice of trip, but in the end I'm glad I didn't. The Nairobi Trip was not only fun and rewarding, but it made me feel connected to my community. I haven't done an extensive amount of community service this year but this was the most rewarding one of all. On the Nairobi Trip our task was to paint a mural on the wall of the waiting room in Wangigi Clinic. Our mural had obstacles, our projector didn't work, but we did the best we could and because of our obstacle our mural turned out more personal to us and more unique. Not only did we paint the mural on the hospital wall, but we interviewed some of the people who worked at the hospital and they informed us of what their jobs were and their contribution to society. It was very enlightening to hear what they had to say and compare it to that of a person with the same job in somewhere like the USA. It was interesting how similar their tasks were despite their completely different surroundings and the resources available to them. I am in IB HL Art and this trip not only stimulated my creative self but also the humanitarian in me. I enjoyed knowing that something I created could perhaps put a smile on someones face, or take someones mind off of a sick loved one. Even though we didn't build a bridge like those who went to Marich I still feel as though we contributed to our society and I am proud of fellow Nairobi Trip attendees.

Varsity Basketball

This was my second and last year on the Varsity Basketball team. I have never been very good at basketball but have been playing for a few years now. I have tried to keep up with the best but unfortunately my best just doesn't measure up. This years basketball season for me was about learning to honorably quit something and give others a chance. There are many girls playing on the JV team that could have taken my place, done a better job, learned more, and enjoyed it more. That is why I have made the decision to discontinue my basketball career. I am not usually one to quit something but seeing other people that deserve something I have more than me made me want to quit. However I did benefit from this basketball season. I learned discipline, respect and perseverance under the strict watch of Coach Quinette. He is stern and relentless in his pursuit to have the best possible team he can have and in many ways I think he succeeded with the players he had this season. We worked hard and eventually the rest of the team went on to win first at ISSEA. Although I wish I could have been involved in that win, I'm glad another girl who wanted it more got to participate.

ISSEA Volleyball

This year was my second year playing volleyball at ISK and my first year making the ISSEA team. Along with making the team, I was co-captain along with Yanyan. Our possessions as leaders on the team put a lot of pressure on us as others on the team looked up to us and seeked our advice and wisdom about the sport. It was my first time ever being captain of a team but I thoroughly enjoyed it. The coached looked upon us to aid them in bettering the team as a whole and I embraced the opportunity. The tournament took place at IST in Tanzania and it was my first time in the country. We got to travel around a little bit but not as much as i would have liked to. On the first day of the tournament we were playing our A game and ended up at the top. Unfortunately the second day our spirits weren't as high and we ended up getting 4th place.  However the team took it gracefully and tried not to be too sad about it. I tried to keep the teams spirit up however sometimes I had to control my urges to scream at people and tried to do everything with encouragement. From this season, I learned leadership skills and patience which have helped me in other sports and other life situations.

Class Co-Chair/Prom Comittee

Bersabel and I were elected co-chairs of 11th grade at the end of 10th grade and were ready to take on new responsibility as 11th grade co-chairs are in charge of raising all the money to fund the Prom. I had been involved with student government in previous years but never one which involved such commitment and responsibility. Our main source of funds was selling soft drinks at every event we possibly could including the International Day food fair, Goals to Go (where we donated the profits to GIN), music concerts, the PTO pic-nick, middle school dances, and many more. These funds all went towards prom where Bersabel and I were both also heads of the prom committee. We spent countless hours raising the money for decorations, music, performances and much more at the ISK 2011 Prom. I learned many things from my experience as co-chair and head of prom committee including dedication, time management, organization and I have used the skills i have learned from this experience in organizing many other out-of-school events. I believe we did a very efficient job in our positions and organized a truly breath taking prom that everyone who attended enjoyed.