Our countdown to Graduation continues, and we hope you are enjoying our “Meet Us Monday” series profiling the members of the ILS Class of 2019! Our delightful 8th grade students have been reflecting and sharing a bit about their time at ILS and where they will be headed next year as they enter high school. We hope that you enjoy getting to better know the members of the ILS Class of 2019!
Meet Us Monday: Marie B., ILS Class of 2019
1. How long have you attended ILS? .5 years. This is the best school I’ve been to, and I’ve been to lots. So we’re a military family and I had no idea what to expect here, but I was greeted warmly by all the girls in my class.
2. To what house do you belong, and how have you developed as a person by being involved in it? Augustine, the best house ever! I’ve been able to exercise leadership skills. Even though I’m not a captain, I help our captains prepare the house for competitions, which was really enjoyable. I’ve never had a role like that before, taking charge of so many people, and I sort of became a role model for them right away. It also helped me integrate friendships outside of my class.
3. What was your favorite House competition? Making our house play was a lot of fun. I love to write. I learned not to undervalue myself. People ended up liking the play even though I was afraid they wouldn’t, and my house was really encouraging.
The purpose of the house play is kind of like a passion play, in which we’re basically trying to venerate the saint. Well, not pray to them, but we’re trying think of them and honor them. It’s really cool for others to learn about their lives too and celebrate them. Augustine’s father actually discouraged him from the faith, but by the prayer of his mother and the teaching of Ambrose, he became one of the greatest church fathers and his works are still commonly quoted and read today. That’s amazing!
4. What is your favorite ILS memory? (Or, which ILS tradition will you remember the most?) My favorite memories are hanging out with all of the 8th grade girls. I didn’t know if I’d make friends here, but the very first time I stepped into this school, Elbethel ran up to meet me, and everyone has been friendly right away. Getting to know them more and more, and become better and better friends, has been the best thing about this school.
My favorite tradition has to be the houses. What a cool thing to continue; ILS should always do them. When Anna, my sister, realized we’d be a house, she said “Oh my gosh, it’s like we’re in Harry Potter!”
5. What was your favorite class at ILS, and why? I like literature. Actually, I love it. Not only is my teacher amazing, but it’s a subject I can think deeply about and do well in. It’s sort of a cool way of exploring WHY our society is the way it is. For example, we were reading Animal Farm earlier this year – and books like that shape the way we think even today. Think of communism; Animal Farm can help rally people against it.
The students almost conduct the classes themselves because it’s like a seminar. Well, it feels like that because we can discuss issues that come up or that we’re wondering about as long as it’s important in the book. We can have discussions without raising hands even if it’s not always what Miss Davis planned. It’s really helping us mature as a class and I really enjoy the discussions.The reading isn’t too challenging but we talk about it very carefully. I’m a sort of excessive note-taker and that helps me in classes too.
6. What was your favorite ILS field trip? Well, I don’t have much history here so that’s hard to say, but I think I’m most looking forward to Adventure Camp. Everyone is talking about it already and planning what we’re going to do.
7. Where are you attending High School? I’m not sure yet, but hopefully I’ll attend Trinity at Meadowview with my older sister Sophia. I’m excited because Sophia tells me so much about the family spirit there. It’s such a community. Also, I’d love to join some of the athletics like cross country. Also, the books that they read sound really good.
8. What will you miss the most about ILS? I’ll miss the teachers a lot and the people I was in class with this year. A lot of us are going to different schools. I’ll even miss the building, which is really nice.
9. What is something a teacher told you that you will never forget? Miss Davis always leaves room for us to improve in literature, but she’s really encouraging to us as well. Actually all the teachers are positive to us about our efforts.
10. Do you have advice for anyone else that’s new to the school? I would tell them that this is the school to go to if you want to learn more about yourself and other people. This school really promotes a community life. You will NOT regret it at all and study such wonderful subjects.