The countdown continues to our 2018 graduation, and we have asked each of the members of the ILS Class of 2018 to reflect on their time at Immanuel for our "Meet Us Monday" blog series. Each week, we're introducing you to another member of our 8th grade class, letting them share in their own words some of their favorite memories, highlights from their years at ILS, as well as their plans for high school. We appreciate them taking the time to reflect and share these memories with us, and we hope you enjoy the series!
Meet Us Monday: Matthew G., ILS Class of 2018
1. How long have you attended ILS? 9 years, which has been more than half of my life.
2. To what house do you belong, and how have you developed as a person by being involved in it? I’m captain of House Irenaeus, and we’ve won for the past three years, just to get that out there in case you didn’t know. I have improved my leadership skills; I have learned to work better in a team; I have made new friends I probably wouldn’t have otherwise; I have become more competitive in a good way. Competition can be harmful and aggressive, or it can be positive and build people up. I have learned how hard it is to get a lot of kids to listen to you. As captain, you have to have to show them that you’re being serious so they’ll pay attention; it’s still a challenge!
3. What was your favorite House competition? My favorite competition was the huge capture the flag game we had across the campus. It was really fun and competitive. One team was on the blacktop and one team was on the playground and the street in between was blocked off for a safe area. We had to sneak around and be quiet. Someone actually ran behind the school building to sneak attack the other side and everyone on the other team got frustrated but it was pretty funny in the end.
4. What is your favorite ILS memory? (Or, which ILS tradition will you remember the most?) Can I say a few things? My favorite memory was the campfire at Adventure Camp last year. Mr. Thompson was so fun. That whole trip was awesome. Everyone got along maturely and we went rafting for a whole day. It wasn’t too scheduled but we spent the whole time playing games and relaxing. The 7th and 8th graders all took turns cooking and had to choose recipes and everything. We had a competition to choose the best meal. We slept in tents and that was a new experience for me.
I’ll also never forget the prayers we say. I say them at home now for myself; they are short and sweet and meaningful. Another of my favorite memories was the time in 2nd grade when there was a spider in the floor and Ms. Kramer stood on a chair and made Henry kill it. Oh! And also the time she swallowed a fly in her coffee and spit it out. We thought it was hilarious.
5. Which event did you most look forward to during your 8th grade year? Well, I’m still looking forward to Adventure Camp. I am not looking forward to graduation.
6. What was your favorite class at ILS, and why? History and Latin with Mr. Thompson last year was really fun. When we started talking about modern history, it was great. My parents and I talk about current events, so it was really connected. Debates and talking in history class is just interesting. Also, Mr. Thompson understood me and would joke around with us sometimes but knew when to be serious too. His man bun kind of had to do with too- he was just different!
7. What was your favorite ILS field trip? One year when we were little we went to Cox Farms – I was so little compared to the huge slides we rode down. We rode on tractors and saw a bunch of animals. It was really fun because a lot of things felt larger than life.
8. Where are you attending High School? I’m still deciding between Trinity Meadowview, BI, and Veritas Collegiate. At ILS, there are a lot of good families and our families get close together, so I want to find a high school with the same community. It’s actually been stressful to think about where to go next year, but it will be worth it. Can I make a recommendation? I wish we had started looking at high schools when I was in 7th grade.
9. What will you miss the most about ILS? Probably the people here and our teachers. You can go to school anywhere, but I’m going to miss the people here. I’ve been here 9 years, so ILS is like home to me now. I guess it’s time to move on, but I’m going to miss the community.
10. What is something a teacher told you that you will never forget? In 4th grade, Sam said “Ah, the sound of mucus” because everyone was sniffling, and Miss Leithart was laughing so hard her face got red, and then another student said “Your face is as red as a baboon’s rear.” He got sent to the hallway, but all of us, even Miss Leithart, were dying it was all so funny.
Also, I used to see myself as a victim sometimes and thought that people were just picking on me. But Mr. Thompson said he felt the same way when he was growing up and told me: “You’re kind of just tricking yourself into being a victim if you see yourself as a victim constantly. But it’s not true – you’re not a victim. So don’t think that way anymore.”