We are in our final countdown 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 are 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: Newman, ILS Class of 2022
1. How long have you attended ILS?
“I have attended ILS since Jr. Kindergarten, so 10 years.”
2. To what house do you belong, and how have you developed as a person by being involved in it?
“I am the Captain of House August. Being the Captain has helped me being a leader. Compromise is essential in leading. It is important to be authoritative but not strict. It has been great being a House Captain.
The process for learning how to lead was trial and error. When I started as a Captain, I tried to impose my will on everyone and that wasn’t working. I eventually figured out that if one wants to lead well, compromise and being gracious with those who you lead is essential.
House Augustine is special because we have a unique blend of intellectuals and athletic abilities in competitions. We do well with the Bible Bee and Spelling Bee, but our frisbee is no joke. We can play well. We also have the best House Father – Augustine of Hippo. ”
3. What was your favorite House competition?
“I think Lutheran Schools Week every year has a special place in my heart. It’s hectic and hard to get everyone to cooperate when everything is happening so fast, but it is very satisfying to get through LSW week – Bible Bee, Peeps Diorama, penny wars. So definitely Lutheran Schools Week is my favorite.
We won penny wars this year. I did not expect us to win, but we did!”
4. What is your favorite ILS memory? (Or, which ILS tradition will you remember the most?)
“I am sure most people will say Science Camp, but it is also my favorite tradition. My 7th grade Science Camp trip was probably my best ILS memory. Everything came together.
Also, the friends I have made here will stick with me. ”
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?
“A subject that has inspired me is definitely English. We don’t just read books - we look at the deeper meaning. We analyze every chapter and understand the metaphors. English has inspired me to think deeper about everyday events and books I read in my free time. I have to think more.
I think Theology has challenged me. I always have so many questions. It’s so hard to understand the Trinity – three persons but one God. Jesus’ resurrection is also hard to understand. Pr. Rogness and Pr. Esget have taught me about faith, how to be a better Christian, and that we don’t know everything but can still have faith in Jesus. Inspired? Hmmm, I know this sounds weird, but Math. I never thought of myself as someone who was good at math, but ever since I learning math from Miss D. Davis I have learned so much and discovered how amazing math is. I just love the idea that anything in the world can be explained in a rational way. Everything makes senses and lines up with Math. It’s logical. Life can be crazy and things don’t always add up. But with Math things are beautiful and logical and rational.
I think Art has challenged me. I never thought of myself to be good at drawing, but taking art classes I realized there are many aspects to art – Art history, the behind-the-scenes things in the art world, and I think I’ve grown as an artist by learning more technique throughout the time in the Upper School art classes. ”
6. Where will you attend High School?
“I will most likely attend Bishop Ireton. I think it will be interesting to be part of such a large study body. I love that ILS is small, but it will be interesting to be in an environment with so many more people. ”
7. What will you miss the most about ILS?
“I think the learning atmosphere here can’t be recreated at any other school. I have learned and learned to learning here so much. I just don’t think you can find that other places.
I think ILS has great staff and a really small class size so it’s easy to have personal connections with the teachers and this has helped me learn so much more. The opportunities for one-on-one talks and deeper learning are more present here.
The teachers here are very invested in teaching what they know. They care about their subjects and want to give students the best experience with the subject. The teachers here are also really gracious. I think they are really good at teaching. ”
8. How has a teacher impacted your life personally in a way you will never forget?
“I think English is still my favorite subject. Miss C. Davis really helped me invigorate the fire and get me interested in English. I have been introduced to so much great Literature though her class and the Lord of the Rings. When I came to the Upper School, I thought Lord of the Rings was inferior to the Hobbit, but through her teaching I have come to appreciate how great Tolkien’s work is. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy is my favorite.
I am grateful that I could come to ILS and have this great experience. ”