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: Sam, ILS Class of 2022
1. How long have you attended ILS?
“I came halfway through 5th grade when my family moved here. It was actually easy to jump in because everyone was so welcoming, Miss Malcolm helped me a lot with Latin, and it was just a better transition than I knew it would be. ”
2. To what house do you belong, and how have you developed as a person by being involved in it?
“I am the house captain of Athanasius. I’ve grown in leadership as I govern the house, and have for awhile now. I try to inspire them and help them feel really excited and ready to go compete for the win. Sometimes kids aren’t excited, but I pump them up. And that’s why we have the most fun in Athanasius of all the houses. Thanks to Miss C. Davis, our sponsor, for always keeping us on track, because we often go off the rails, and thanks to Kate and Erika for being co-captains. Thanks to George Dyck for being my assistant in the houses and for backing me up. ”
3. What was your favorite House competition?
“I like Field Day the best. It’s so fun. No classes all day, running around outside, water games. My favorite event was the relay race when we were running around the church building and handing off the batons. I also love House Spirit Day competitions, which are always unpredictable. They could be amazing or they could fall apart, but it’s fun to see what people think up. ”
4. What is your favorite ILS memory? (Or, which ILS tradition will you remember the most?)
“My favorite memory was when Ian broke the clock in our classroom. Mr. Hageman asked, “Can you get the football off the ledge?” to Ian, and Ian flicked the football up once he got it, and it flicked up and backwards behind him and hit the clock and it fell to the floor and broke. It was hilarious because he asked Ian to take the football down so nothing would get damaged. And THEN, the Abeggs broke the new clock almost as soon as we got it, totally accidentally. Also, another favorite memory was the Chariot Race. We were doing the Ides of March and had built chariots to actually do a chariot race. Shout out to Mr. Amendt, Mr. Veprek, and my dad for building them. Due to a mid-race breakdown, we haven’t done another chariot race yet.
My favorite tradition is Science Camp. You spend 3 days with your classmates doing all sorts of fun activities. I like going in the creek most of all. One of my favorite moments was playing volleyball in the sand with just our classmates. We played for hours.
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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 like writing, mostly because I’m good at it. I know I’m a good writer (shout out to my mom for telling me!), but sometimes you can’t tell from what I read. Lots of room for growth is what you might say. In the future, I will continue to grow in my abilities through using Miss C. Davis’s advice (shout out to Miss Davis!). My film review recently was a good assignment.
Math challenges me. It’s gotten pretty difficult as we’ve been advancing through algebra, especially polynomials. Miss D. Davis helps me keep up and we’re always welcome to go talk to her with our questions. My dad also helps me on homework. ”
6. Where will you attend High School?
“I’ll be going to Trinity at Meadowview, where my older sister Ellie goes. ”
7. What will you miss the most about ILS?
“Everybody, all the teachers, the community, and having a sense of belonging. Thanks Mom and Dad, for helping me through these years at Immanuel. Thank you for welcoming me to 5th grade, Miss Malcolm. Thank you, Miss Davii, for helping me so much. I’ll miss the house competitions and hanging out in Ms. Kramer’s office. Shout out to Ms. Curcio and her PE classes: she’s a good teacher. All my friends: thank you for still being friends with me. ”
8. How has a teacher impacted your life personally in a way you will never forget?
“I will never forget Pastor Rogness, who helped me grow as a Lutheran and as a catechumen. He’s always serious but jokes around with us a lot too. He likes to have fun but he gets stuff done. He pushes us to think hard in theology classes but still finds time to play games with us, take us to his office, and even feed us. He’s a good man, P.Rog, a good man. ”