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: Joshua, ILS Class of 2021
1. How long have you attended ILS?
“Since January 2020.”
2. To what house do you belong, and how have you developed as a person by being involved in it?
“I’m in Irenaeus. It’s definitely helped me a lot with cooperation, teamwork, and communication skills. ”
3. What was your favorite House competition?
“The marshmallow engineering challenge and the Peeps dioramas. I was an influencer in the engineering challenge and in the Peeps diorama, I was a driving force for my group. The diorama was “Animal Farm.” ”
4. What is your favorite ILS memory? (Or, which ILS tradition will you remember the most?)
“I really liked the Ides of March, especially the chariot racing. I got to be the horse. Another thing I really like is 8th grade privileges: We just get to run around and aren’t confined to a specific playground. ”
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?
“Most inspiring is history and English, mostly because I really like the subjects and the teachers. Miss Davis and Mr. Barnett are just really good at teaching and the material is engaging.
Most challenging is definitely English. I feel like the entire class functions as a giant thought experiment. Nothing in Language Arts feels super concrete – in class I have to always make up my own mind about what we’re reading and provide my thoughts on the discussion.”
6. Where have you applied to High School?
“I’m going to Bishop Ireton, Alexandria Virginia. I’m most looking forward to playing football. ”
7. What will you miss the most about ILS?
“The community – it’s really tight knit and I like it a lot. Eyosias, Andrew, Gabriel, Alejandro, Trevor, and Nathan – my boys! ”
8. How has a teacher impacted your life personally in a way you will never forget?
“Miss Davis and Mr. Barnett has impacted me the most. I find them both really down to earth, and smart. ”