We are counting down to the end of the 2020-2021 school year, and it is a particularly bittersweet time for our 8th grade students as they prepare to graduate. To help celebrate and recognize our ILS Class of 2021, we have again launched our “Meet Us Monday” blog series to introduce you to the members of this year’s graduating class.
Each week, we will be sharing interviews that we have done with each of our 8th grade students, in which they share more about their favorite ILS memories and traditions, words of wisdom they’ve received over the years, and other reflections from their years here with us at ILS. We hope that you will enjoy these reflections, and join with us in congratulating and celebrating these students!
Meet Us Monday: Eyosias, ILS Class of 2021
1. How long have you attended ILS?
“Nearing 4 years, since 5th grade. There have been ups and downs and horizontals. Definitely each year gets harder in terms of the work, and you get to know everyone better too, so it’s rewarding. In 5th grade, we were just buddies and there were little groups and cliques, but now that we’re in 8th grade, we’re just one core group. ”
2. To what house do you belong, and how have you developed as a person by being involved in it?
“I’m in House Ambrose. They help me. You relate to everyone in your house. Each house has its own spirit and personality. I feel like everyone in Ambrose has something in common somehow – everyone brings something to the table. We don’t win much but we definitely have team spirit. I grew as a person in Ambrose – Tyreke was in the same house and he helped me grow as a person too. He helped me think about all the properties of life and how to have all things in moderation – you can’t just focus in on one thing and forget about other important aspects of life. ”
3. What was your favorite House competition?
“In 6th grade: Ultimate Frisbee! Everyone on our team was involved and working. I was on defense, and it just felt like the weight of the world was on our shoulders. We were battling Augustine and then I was on defense and we got mucho praise after the game. Good memories, you know? ”
4. What is your favorite ILS memory? (Or, which ILS tradition will you remember the most?)
“So far, even though I’ve only been to Science Camp once, it’s definitely my favorite memory. At school you have a specific mindset: “How do I get the best grades? How do I focus?” You focus on all your responsibilities. Then when you go to camp, you leave all of those pressures behind and just get to bond with your classmates and goof off.
I really like our evening services. We haven’t had them this year due to COVID. The last Advent service was great and I thought the Magnificat was really fun to play. I don’t know what makes those events so great exactly, but the atmosphere is awesome and it’s at night and you just all fellowship afterwards and run around playing tag on campus. The services are just the most beautiful thing in the world. ”
5. What subject have you studied that has most inspired you, and how? What subject have you studied that most challenged you to grow or change?
“My passion right now is to be a journalist or investigator, something about what happens in the world. So, English is probably my favorite subject right now. I’m trying to see how I can expand my knowledge of writing well in classes with Miss Davis. And she’s great at that – she can help you in any way you want in your writing. My last passions were: Anatomy and Physiology in 5th grade – and then from 5th-7th grade I wanted to be a neurologist. Now I think it sounds like a crazy amount of school to be a neurologist and I’d only be making money by the time I’m old, like 40, so I’ve moved on to other passions.
Math is challenging. Actually, I don’t know. I can DO math work, but this year, Math has been the most challenging subject. All of the concepts are so intertwined in math that if you miss one, by the time you’re climbing the tower and you have an unsteady block under you, you’re going to fall down. So you can’t miss any one concept in math – you have to be sure you understand everything. I encourage you to ask Miss D. Davis if you don’t understand something. It may feel embarrassing to ask, but you should get over it and get help anyway. If you, for example, forgot how to factor variables, well you’re just done, I’m sorry. You have to know that. So ask Miss Davis to help you and she will.”
6. Where have you applied to High School?
“I’m going to TC Williams. Choosing my classes will be fun – I’m looking forward to it. I’ll definitely be continuing Latin and doing AP coursework as soon as possible. I’m also looking forward to the freedoms and responsibilities that will come. It’s not like the teachers will be there to guide you so much and get on your case about grades and I think that will help me be more proactive overall. ”
7. What will you miss the most about ILS?
“The supportive community. I mean, you can talk to anyone about anything, especially the teachers. They’re not just about academics, but they’re like your guide to life. They’re definitely role models and great at all sorts of things outside of school. ”
8. How has a teacher impacted your life personally in a way you will never forget?
“Miss Malcolm and Mr. Barnett and Miss Davis the First. They have all helped me grow as people. In 5th grade, I wasn’t very nice and wanted to show my dominance to people by being rude. Miss Malcolm helped me understand that was not the best way to battle my shyness and helped me learn to be good to people. Mr. Barnett kind of showed me how to be a man and respect people, and just helped me become closer to God. All the teachers bring us closer to God. Everything is amazing about Miss Davis the First – she’s straightforward. If you mess up, she’ll tell you and tell you to apologize and make it right. Miss Davis the Second always helps us stay in check and be respectful to others, and gives us privileges to manage. ”