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: Rory, ILS Class of 2021
1. How long have you attended ILS?
“This is my 6th year going to ILS. It’s been great – I’ve seen ILS grow and change in that time but it’s still totally ILS. The curriculum is so consistent; all the teachers are on the same track. It’s the same energy even though the school is bigger now. ”
2. To what house do you belong, and how have you developed as a person by being involved in it?
“I belong to the best house. If you don’t know which one that is, it’s Athanasius, of course. I was the first 5th grader to be voted a house captain, which has meant a lot to me personally. I just felt respected and it’s been really nice to be a part of helping people so much. It’s helped me develop a lot of public speaking skills because I have to speak and direct my housemates. It’s also helped me to develop teamwork skills. I’m super competitive, so houses teach me to be competitive but also to have fun and enjoy the camaraderie. At the start of each year, house captains get together and plan and work on developing our bonds so that we can better help our houses. So there are various kinds of teamwork in the house system: each house has to work together and competes for itself, but the captains from every house work together overall to guide the houses for better sportsmanship and friendship. My fellow captains have taught me a lot about that. ”
3. What was your favorite House competition?
“A few years ago, our house captains got “kidnapped” and hidden in Del Ray. There were a bunch of tasks and each house had to race to find their captain and bring them back to campus. That was really fun because it was unexpected and it surprised all of us – it was just sprung on us. It was thrilling – at the time we felt like it was so, so real – we were so young! I’d have loved to plan something similar, but Covid has changed our opportunities for events this year. ”
4. What is your favorite ILS memory? (Or, which ILS tradition will you remember the most?)
“I have a lot of favorite memories. There have been some really great Mr. Barnett moments I’ll cherish forever. I’ll never forget the Latin class conga line, or the time Mr. Barnett was doing jumping jacks with us and drew on his face accidentally with marker. 4th grade was really fun too – we have a lot of great memories from that year. Major tied a zip tie around Oliver’s finger and we were all convinced Oliver was going to lose his finger. Camps are always so fun – what a good end of the year event. ”
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?\
“I think English inspires me the most. I remember reading Anne of Green Gables in 6th grade and was super dramatic about it all, just like Anne. Literature helps me try to be the kind of person I want to be – or NOT to be, depending on the character. You can learn a lot about life from the characters. I want to be like Anne in so many ways for example, but to a point – I don’t want to get in trouble for being too impulsive but I want to see the beauty in the world. I don’t know, I just love discussing and reading such great books. It’s not all about the answers, it’s also about asking questions in class. We really dig into trying to understand the author’s intent. After each book, we complete a special project for each book, which is always fun to look forward to.
History probably challenges me the most to grow or change. It’s challenging for me to unpack primary sources and be able to do well on tests at the same time. I’m trying to understand the perspectives of historical figures and learn more about today. When you actually study what they themselves said and try to look at the world around them in context and through their eyes, what else was happening and so on, you can see how and why people made the decisions they have. For example, we’ve been studying communism. Communism seems like an obviously terrible way to set up your society, but when you start studying Karl Marx you can understand how he might have thought it would work. It makes me want to be careful about the choices I make – things can seem obviously good in the moment, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be careful about how your actions will impact your future and the people around you.
Logic has also helped me a lot – I’m learning to not use as many fallacies, which is something I apparently do a lot. If you listen to the world around you, and watch the news, people are always trying to convince you to believe things. But they’re using fallacies all the time to try to persuade you! I’m trying to not use fallacies when convincing people of things. My siblings and friends and I all use logic against each other – the other day my brother Brody and I were arguing and he said I committed a tu quoque, so then I said “YOU’RE a tu quoque” and lost the whole argument. Maybe study logic for yourself but try not to let your siblings learn too much of it. ”
6. Where have you applied to High School?
“I am going to Bishop O’Connell High School, where my older brother goes. I’m looking forward to the bigger environment – I love small schools, but I’m excited, and a bit nervous, to try a bigger place. I am really excited for the sports and clubs, but a little nervous about everything. ”
7. What will you miss the most about ILS?
“I think each teacher each year has impacted my life. Mr. Barnett used to drive my siblings and I to school when I was in 5th grade, so I feel like we’ve really gotten to know him well. He’s just so fun to be around and has great stories. We knew him before he got married and had children so it’s just fun to watch his life develop. I remember when Ione and I tried to help Mr. Barnett date Miss Leithart, and then they got married, and now Mr. and Mrs. Barnett have two children!
Miss Davis the First (Mis Carissa Davis) has really helped me develop a true love of English and literature. I know it’s not the same thing at every school, but I always know my teachers genuinely like what they study and love us. It really shows. ”
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. ”