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 are again launching 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: Ione E., ILS Class of 2021
1. How long have you attended ILS?
“Since 4th grade, so five years! We live across the street, so that helped us learn about the school! ”
2. To what house do you belong, and how have you developed as a person by being involved in it?
“I’m in Augustine. I started out as just a member of the house, and always looked up to my captains. I aspired to be cool like they were. Being a member of my house taught me to work as a teammate. Now that I’m a house captain, I’m learning how to support my team and take care of the people in my house. I feed them treats, I help them with strategy for different events. Sometimes younger kids in my house come up and ask me random questions they need help with, and I try to help them. I guess I hope that I can be a guide to them, and just a friend too when they need someone to look out for them. ”
3. What was your favorite House competition?
“That would probably be the Peeps Diorama competition, and particularly the one we did in 4th grade. I did one with Oliver, Major, and Claire – and it was called “Jesus is the Rock.” It was our first house competition, and we just had so much fun. Lutheran Schools Week was super fun – a whole week off of regular classes (basically) to do fun activities. We won “Judge’s Choice” that year. ”
4. What is your favorite ILS memory? (Or, which ILS tradition will you remember the most?)
“My favorite tradition is Lutheran Schools Week! I also really love Science Camp.
My favorite memories are sometimes the disasters – this one time Major got a zip tie stuck on Oliver’s finger, which caused major drama. Another time Mr. Barnett was trying to wake us up in class, and we were all doing jumping jacks with him. We didn’t realize the marker he was holding was uncapped, and he got it all over his face. It was hilarious. ”
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?
“Definitely English inspires me! I used to not enjoy reading and never read if I could help it. It hit me this year that the books we read in school have really impacted me, and now I read all the time, like maybe 6 books every few months outside of school. When my class read Lord of the Flies – well, I always wanted to read it. The symbols and motifs are so interesting to explore as a class. Outside of school, I recently read The Great Gatsby. It’s beautifully written and I love the way Fitzgerald writes. Along with that, writing inspires me. This year we’ve really been working on different writing tools to improve and expand our writing. I really enjoy it and now am thinking about possibly writing as a profession.
Math is the subject that challenges me. I didn’t really learn much math until 4th grade. In 4th grade, I had to do a lot of re-learning in math. Miss D. Davis has helped me so much, and given me lots of materials to help me practice and relearn things. Miss Davis is very proactive about helping me and never waits for things to get bad before stepping in. Even when she’s taking time outside of class to help me, she’s kind and encouraging. She’s pretty great.”
6. Where have you applied to High School?
“I applied to Bishop Ireton, Bishop O’Connell, and TC Williams is another option. I got accepted to both. Right now, we’re learning towards TC – they just offer so much. They have a vast art program, lots of clubs, and lots of programs. I’m very excited to expand my artistic abilities in high school. ”
7. What will you miss the most about ILS?
“Definitely the community at ILS. I’ve never had such nice people to be around constantly. The faculty are just happy to be here, and I can tell. They are so encouraging to us. I’m going to miss everything and low-key don’t want to go to high school. Of course I’m going to miss my friend Rory – thanks for always being there for me and going above and beyond. Eyosias has helped me branch out so much – I was starting this year feeling really shy, but he helps me talk to so many people.
So much is on my mind. This school is so perfect and I don’t think I’ll ever find it again. The fact that I can just knock on your door and come talk with you, Ms. Kramer – that’s a great example of how welcoming things are. I’ve never had a connection with school before and just felt connected to my friends. Now I feel connected to my friends but I also generally just love this school and feel connected to it. Being around everyone all the time is so great. I feel like I belong here – I don’t have to pretend and can just be myself.”
8. How has a teacher impacted your life personally in a way you will never forget?
“Miss Davis the First (Miss Carissa Davis). Where do I begin? She’s impacted me academically a lot in English. Personally, she’s just so fun to talk to and always notices when people have issues. When I was feeling down in 7th grade, she noticed right away and asked me about it. Before I got to the school, I needed Latin tutoring and she was my tutor. I remember thinking “Wow, she is a good teacher.” You just never have a bad experience with her. I don’t know how to describe it… if the sun was a person, that would be Miss Davis. Just lovely. It’s hard to unpack. ”