It’s May, so we are counting down to the end of the 2021-2022 school year! 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 2022, 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: Caroline, ILS Class of 2022
1. How long have you attended ILS?
“I have attended ILS for three years. 6th grade was an easier transition than I thought it would be because Immanuel was so inviting. 7th grade was good, and had some challenges too. 8th grade has been the best year yet that’s brought a lot of fun and helped me connect with my classmates more. ”
2. To what house do you belong, and how have you developed as a person by being involved in it?
“I belong to House Athanasius, the best house. It helps me work better in a team setting because I have to learn to hear other people’s ideas even as I’m trying to put forth my own views. My house is a great group and not stressful. We’re all working together, which is a cool feeling. ”
3. What was your favorite House competition?
“My favorite competition was probably ultimate frisbee. Field Day last year ended with Capture the Flag which was really fun. We were just running around across the campus and goofing off. ”
4. What is your favorite ILS memory? (Or, which ILS tradition will you remember the most?)
“My favorite memory, well one of them, is probably science camp. It’s so fun. Playing beach volleyball at science camp was the best part – my whole class spent an hour or two playing together in the sandpit. House competitions are probably my favorite traditions. ”
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?
“Latin has inspired me! I didn’t realize I could study languages and pick up on it as fast as we are. History is also really interesting to me – you learn about these amazing people in the past, for good and bad sometimes- and these massive experiments people have undertaken for the common good, like communism, that ultimately fail. Sometimes great people put forth their ideas that no one agrees with, and yet it’s worth it. Like Galileo! There are just so many stories of people who wanted to accomplish great things, went for it, and achieved a lot. I want to build off of what I’ve learned in my history classes about these great people. Dwight Eisenhower for example, was a great leader who used his presidency to build peace even thought he was a general who realized war was necessary sometimes. I want to be a part of these kind of things! I want to push myself academically or athletically toward my goals without taking no for an answer or giving up.
Math has challenged me the most. I don’t dislike it actually, because it’s satisfying to solve a problem. Working with all the letters and variables makes each problem more complicated to solve. You have to learn to think outside of the box to find your one answer. Sometimes there are different ways to find the answer. ”
6. Where will you attend High School?
“I will attend Bishop Ireton. I’m really excited. I’ll meet more people and see old friends who are headed there as well. I’m going to join the softball team and am looking forward to that team feel and being a part of something good in my high school years. I’m excited for French class and study halls. ”
7. What will you miss the most about ILS?
“I’ll miss the community and the tight-knit group of teachers and students working together. I know that will be different in high school and in the bigger environment, where teachers may not get to know you as much. Shout out to my parents for supporting me, always wanting the best for me, pushing me, and always making sure the goals I’m working on are the ones I want. Shout out to Kate for being a fun friend; she is so supportive and fun.
These three years at ILS have changed me for the better! Because of Immanuel, I am more confident and less quiet. Before Immanuel, I didn’t want to say anything. Now I am just more able to be myself academically and socially. ”
8. How has a teacher impacted your life personally in a way you will never forget?
“Miss Davis the First (Miss C. Davis). She pushes us to dig deeper. In literature classes she teaches us by asking questions and trying to help us understand more of what the author is saying and saying in their own particular time period too. She helps me think more deeply and has taught me to ask my own questions. ”