Senior Appreciation & Recognition

By Michelle Wang

October 2021

High school is merely 4 years, a small fraction in a long life. Short but significant, high school is a turning point from adolescence to adulthood. Here are how some seniors used 1 word to describe their ISB experience:

- Expansive

- Roller coaster

- Unparalleled

The word roller coaster was used the most times to describe time spent at ISB. Although the global pandemic added even more twists and turns to an already turbulent high school experience, the seniors not only survived but found new opportunities and meaning in their less than ideal situation. Here are how some seniors believe the pandemic affected their ISB experience:

• Created a more isolated space.

• Online learning has made it impossible to feel like a senior with responsibilities. The communal feel of just being in a regular classroom made it easier to be on top of things and engaged. Considering ISB offers what I'd call a pretty challenging curriculum as far as high-school is concerned, the pandemic has hit us especially hard.

• The pandemic has been rough, I'll definitely mourn the fact that my senior year wasn't filled with lunches with friends. But I think in the end it all worked out okay, my friendships survived and the whole experience makes this last month of hybrid learning even more special.

• The pandemic significantly reduced my motivation in all aspects. But it made me realize the importance of social interactions. I realize now how important face-to-face contact and being at school is to a student's overall success at school and in extracurricular activities.

• It has made it harder to experience high school and engage with those people. But the close knit community of ISB with the students and teachers and faculty have made it a comforting experience and have made many positive effects on my experience

• Although I’m sad that I haven’t been able to see my classmates in person for most of the year, I actually made some new friends. At times, I also enjoyed being able to learn at home because it’s more flexible.

ISB is known for its small class size and academic rigor. However, students and faculty alike know that ISB is much more than just a high stress environment. Here is how some seniors responded to the question: How has ISB impacted you personally?

• ISB provided me with an extremely supportive community that has enabled me to prosper. ISB's guidance of students through the IB curriculum has really been helpful for me. I have been able to make great relationships with all of my teachers because I know they are always ready to help me and that my success means as much to them as it does to me.

• I think my writing ability is better than it would be if I didn't attend ISB.

• I complain about ISB a lot, it's hard and so much work, but I'm not sure who'd I be without my seven years at this school. I'll definitely be walking away from ISB more conscientious and aware, part of that might be the fact that I'm no longer 12, but I'm pretty sure ISB had something to do with it as well.

• It has given me really vital skills that I know I will use for the rest of my life, whether it is managing schedules or taking time to relax and enjoy my own life, ISB above all has taught when and how to balance

• Many students at ISB have become my best friends that I hope to stay in touch with for a long time. Teachers and staff have inspired me to continue to work toward my goals.

• Pushed me to reevaluate priorities, and to reach higher academic and personal goals.

When seniors were asked what they would miss most about ISB, it became clear that it was the community that defined ISB and made highschool special. It is the students and staff that will remain as a testament to these stressful, but amazing 4 years.

• I will most miss the people at ISB, both students and staff. They are kind and supportive. The students at ISB have the kind of community that can only come from understanding the stress and work that has to be put in to succeed.

• The one thing I will miss most about ISB is its close-knit community. Being part of this resilient community has pushed me to explore and achieve goals in my high school career that were out of my comfort zone.

• The fact that I knew almost everyone, it was easy to get a hand of someone when needed

• The small school environment

• The close community of people and the support that you will have throughout your time at ISB because it really helped be that much more successful in everything I did.

• Definitely the people. Everyone here, teachers and students are fantastic and I'll definitely miss them once I've graduated.

As high school ends, a new chapter begins. Freedom of new opportunities, experiences ad relationships await Class of 2021. Here are some of what seniors are most excited about:

• Immediately after graduation? The release of the film In The Heights. Comes out June 11th and I'm extremely excited. Further in the future, I'm really excited to rebuild my foundational understanding of art and see my work improve as a result.

• I am most excited about going to college and gaining more freedom to explore interests that I did not have time to do in High School. I am also looking forward to a fresh start.

• I’m excited to begin a new chapter of my life and start meeting new people in college! And I’m looking forward to seeing who my classmates and I become.

• Studying an academic field that is my choice and doing so to a greater degree than high school provided.

• Some independence (at college)

• The freedom of college life

• Excited to meet new people and start a new chapter of my life and career.

• The fact that some people would have known me since 6th grade really well

Senior Class Features

Elijah Singleton:

Elijah was soccer captain his senior year while also being named to the First-Team all metro League. He won the Links scholarship and will be playing soccer at Pacific Lutheran University. He started a giving wall at ISB in which many donations came in.

Annabelle Hauss:

For her CAS Project Annablle volunteered in a 2nd grade classroom and taught the students an art project. The cards they made were sent to Bring Smiles to Seniors which sends cards to seniors in senior centers.

Vrishank Shivaprakash:

Vrishank received two Gold Presidential Service Awards for over 600 hours in volunteer service. He is also part of the local band AGNI that performs for fundraising events to provide low-income students in India. He has also developed an active Cure Roadmap for Clear Cell Sarcoma, officially in use by the Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute.