Our ILS Class of 2018 is preparing to graduate, but before they head off to high school, we are asking them to reflect back a bit on their experiences at ILS in our "Meet Us Monday" series. We have asked each members of our 8th grade class a series of questions about their time at ILS, their favorite memories, and about their plans for high school, and how they've grown during their years at ILS. We hope you enjoy this series!
Meet Us Monday: Drew C., ILS Class of 2018
1. How long have you attended ILS? I’ve attended for 9 years. When I was in Kindergarten, there was no Jr. K class and there was only one 8th grader! ILS has grown a lot while I’ve been here.
2. To what house do you belong, and how have you developed as a person by being involved in it? I belong to the best house, House Ambrose. I am captain with my sister Ashley. I’ve developed some leadership while in my house because I try to help them out, make sure they’re not misbehaving, etc. Our house is USUALLY pretty well behaved. Ashley and I have to do a lot to make sure everyone in our house is involved in competitions; I think we do a pretty good job so far with that. Before I was captain, I didn’t really have to lead anyone, but now obviously I do. It’s caused me to develop confidence and maybe even courage to say: “Here’s what we’ll do” and then make everyone do it. It’s a big responsibility.
3. What was your favorite House competition? I’d say it’s a tie between the scatter ball tournament and the “physics” competition. Scatter ball – that was the first competition Ambrose won actually. We worked really hard and everyone worked together well and in the end we conquered. We are still really proud of that. “Physics” – so last year, all the captains were mostly 8th graders. They kept saying all year that there was going to be a physics competition and that we should be preparing for it, so most of us did, but not me because I knew it wasn’t actually going to be about physics. Basically, they designed this huge scavenger hunt. All the captains were “lost” somewhere in Del Ray and we had to find them by solving clues and literally racing around Del Ray. That was really fun. I don’t even remember who won that one.
4. What is your favorite ILS memory? (Or, which ILS tradition will you remember the most?) My favorite memory is from our rafting day at Adventure Camp, when Mr. Thompson climbed up this huge tree and then swung from a vine, Tarzan-yelled, and then jumped into the Shenandoah. It was hilarious and memorable because it was so random and funny. After that, everyone on my raft that day, including Mr. Schultz, dared me to swing from a vine for one minute, but then they paddled off and left me there. I didn’t swim after them – they came back for me. One tradition from my class and the year before us (but not the whole school) is April Fool’s joking. Last year, the 8th grade class pranked us when we were 7th graders and put up HUNDREDS of sticky notes in our classroom. We had to clean it up though and they didn’t have to do anything. This year, there may or may not have been more pranking. Hopefully it will become a true ILS tradition over the years.
5. Which event did you most look forward to during your 8th grade year? Oh, Adventure Camp. It was the best time of the year in 7th grade and I’m really looking forward to it again. You get to eat good food, hang out with your friends, wear whatever you want, and just have fun in nature.
6. What was your favorite class at ILS, and why? I really like both math and history. Mr. Schultz inspires me in math and I just like the way he teaches. Mr. Barnett adds some humor to history so it’s usually always a good time on top of the fact that I just like learning about history in general. One of my favorite projects was from last year, when we made a “Lego Star Wars in Latin” movie. It was a stop motion film with a green screen and everything. It was voiced by my whole grade and I was the director. It took a really long time. I feel like we should have submitted it for awards.
7. What was your favorite ILS field trip? I’d probably say the zoo. One time we spent hours in the reptile house and it was so fun. We had a great day.
8. Where are you attending High School? I’m going to Bishop Ireton. It’s been pretty stressful to think through applying to so many places and trying to make a good choice about where I want to go. I’m pretty glad it’s done and I can just look forward to BI, although I know it will never be like ILS. I think it will be fun to choose classes and have more control over what you study. I’m interested in computer science, programming, so I can join the coding club and take programming classes there.
9. What will you miss the most about ILS? Everything. The teachers, my friends, the house system. ILS is amazing. When I’m at ILS, I just feel happy because of the people and all the fun we have here. The memories will stay with me forever.
10. What is something a teacher told you that you will never forget? When Mr. Schultz told me to always try my hardest. I’ve done my best to do that and kept that quote from him in my heart.