Finals week is passing by in a blur. We spent our Wednesday morning in research final oral assessment. In the beginning of the semester my research advisors Aaron and Alicia would play the daunting question game. I would often get frustrated when it seemed that just about every question I asked them was turned right around and it was required that I work through it in pieces. Although this tactic left me often impatient and boiling over time I could see a new development in my way of thinking. I had no Google, no effortless way out. Now it seems that nothing is more rewarding than answering my own puzzling questions, to know that I withhold the knowledge I never knew was present. When our final oral assessment rolled around I knew that the hard work that I have put into molding my intellectual approach to think critically had prepared me for this day. Continue reading
Monthly Archives: May 2012
Maxey in the Classroom at DCMS
Chris Maxey has been teaching grade 9 math at DCMS for the past 6 weeks. He is balancing the needs of preparing for a government exam with the best practices of using math as a language to analyze and communicate about interesting questions in our world. Here he is pictured working through statistics problems about a mango farmer under the mango tree.
[slideshow]
Skylar Miller (S’03) Leads Lionfish Education and Outreach in The Bahamas
When Island School alum Skylar Miller (S’03) returned to Eleuthera in the summer of 
2010, she was looking for an opportunity that bridged her passion for teaching concepts of marine biology with field-based research. “When I heard the Cape Eleuthera Institute’s mission of ‘Research, Education, and Outreach’ I thought: That’s perfect. That’s exactly what I want to do,” Miller reflected. She has since become a pioneer for that mission. Her collaborative work has resulted in the creation of CEI’s Lionfish Research and Education Program, in partnership with the Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) and Simon Fraser University (SFU).
The scope of her work is expanding into the future, with many exciting opportunities to forge new partnerships and extend lionfish programming throughout the Caribbean. “Lionfish invasion is a regional issue,” she described. “There are lots of countries similar to The Bahamas’ situation, politically, economically, socially. We need to consider how we can learn from one another. Looking at communication and how we can share ideas is going to be important as we move forward, as we figure out a solution to the lionfish problem.”
This fall, Miller will begin graduate work at the University of the West Indies, Barbados. Continue reading
Daily Update May 29, 2012
Monday was our final day of a few of our courses for the semester. In literature class we shared our Hero’s Journey Poems, based on an IslandSchoolpersonal journey in the style of the poetic voice of Derek Walcott author of Omeros. Each student seemed hesitant to stand up at the podium, but someone had to go. When it came to my turn my heart started to race and my voice became us easy, but I got up there. I spoke of whole new world filled with guidance, consumed with challenges overwhelmed with goals, and facing the brink of return. It was my Island School, my passion about the transformation and confidence I have gained here guided my poetic voice. It seemed that each student that wearily waddled up to that podium left with passion and closure. Verbally you can share you vision, emotions, and passion truthfully and clearly. This realization will give me the confidence I need to embrace my future with faith that I can succeed come transitioning home.
“Grains” by Mattie McAlpin
It was silent. Nerves were racing in every limb.
No one spoke; perhaps they didn’t know what to say.
We dove in as one and now just a knee high swim. Continue reading
Community Outreach Event on Haitian Bahamian Relations A Great Success!
[slideshow]
Over the course of the semester we have worked closely with Deep Creek Middle School to help improve problems facing the community here on Eleuthera. Our group assisted Moesha Leary’s project on Haitian Bahamian relations in attempts to combat the discrimination of Haitians in The Bahamas. Moesha, her DCMS peers, and their Island School Community Outreach buddies planned an event to educate the community about Haitians’ culture and to celebrate the similarities and differences between Haiti and The Bahamas. The event was a success and had a great turn out. Many people were inspired by what they saw and heard there. They left with a new perspective of the Haitian community in The Bahamas. The documentary “Can You See Us?” which chronicles the struggles of young Haitian Bahamians and the discussion that followed the film were among the highlights of the night. The evening had a fiery ending as both the Bahamian and the Haitians gave performances specific to their cultures including a fire show. It united the beauty of the two cultures and brought people together. You can read more about the event in an article in The Eleutheran newspaper here.
- Kira, Kyle, Will, Moesha, & Dana
Daily Update May 28, 2012
It was an eventful weekend across campus, it was time for our final athletic events! I spent the evening before the half marathon staring up at the girls dorm ceiling and downing as much water as my body could take, questioning if I could make it all the way. We were up and awake, well kind of awake, at5:10Saturday morning it was pitch black except a few van headlights and lights from the classrooms peering out into the darkness. I was feeling awfully nervous, wondering if I could even see the road ahead of me. Before I knew it we were off, there was no going back now I just had to go for it. There was help along the way every few miles I had cheerful, beaming, encouraging friends of mine with kind words and a Gatorade in hand. I felt my confidence rise as I traveled along the winding route. It was their support and my running partner Annie that kept me going. I refused to walk, I refused to stop, I ran and I ran.
[slideshow]
With three miles to go I doubted my abilities, Continue reading
Jack Burnham (F08) Receives Grant to Write About Asteroid Mining
IS alumnus, Jack Burnham (F08) was recently featured on 60 Minutes for the interesting work he has been doing throughout this past year. Right after completing his senior year at Northfield Mount Hermon, Jack received a Peter Thiel Fellowship, which is a grant that has allowed him to write about mining asteroids, in place of pursuing the traditional college route. You can watch the entire clip on Jack, and other Peter Thiel fellows, here! Congratulations, Jack!
Daily Update May 25, 2012
It has been a dreary few days, days that are best for our cisterns. The rain doesn’t stop us from filling the whole day through though. Yesterday morning was an anticipated one. All 49 of us were dressed, somewhat awake, and hopefully ready for what was to come. It was the morning of the pig slaughter an experience that entailed a range of emotions. Some of us had welling tears, some were on deck for support, and for some this wasn’t the first time. The setting met to mood well with a raging fire and an ominous dismal gray morning. Although it was a sensitive morning I am always confident that there is plenty of support within our community to leave any experience knowing there are people around to comfort and encourage me and my peers in a time of need.
[slideshow]
Then yesterday afternoon was my last dive in Marine Ecology class; we dove CEI’s aquaculture cage. Continue reading
Daily Update May 22, 2012
Monday afternoon was our final Community outreach with our Deep Creak Middle School buddies. A day filled with both friendly competition among students and staff and a sad departure from a fulfilling and memorable semester with our bright buddies. We started the afternoon with our final CO class, having little on the agenda we were given the block to exchange giggles and I choose to capture as many beaming faces on camera as it would take. After the students finished homeroom it was time for the basketball jamboree! The teams were jumbled with Island School students, DCMS students, and staff, with games lasting only 10 minutes. 
I was put in the first round of fierce competition and quite honestly feeling nervous that I would end up using my feet accidentally. But the moment the whistle blew I was in the zone and having a blast. I forgot how silly I must have looked out on court and just shared smirks and sweaty high fives with my teammates. When my game came to an end I was exhausted and dripping in sweat but still grinning from ear to ear as I watched my faithful teammates shuffle off the court in similar states. There was hot macaroni, conch fritters, bake goods, and frozen drinks welcoming us as we search for our water bottles. In my time at DCMS it has been a pleasure to see such a bright group of determined and thoughtful young students excel and grow before my eyes. I hope to keep in touch with my buddy Zach as I am confident that he will do great things in the years to come.
Alumni in Action: Horatio Smith (F02) Gives Back–to the IS Kitchen!
Island School alumnus and Alumni Advisory Board member, Horatio Smith (F02) has returned to The Island School on a number of occasions. Currently, Horatio is providing professional development to the kitchen team to celebrate it as a classroom where students can become more involved with healthy menu choices. Horatio owns Nelly’s Deli, a restaurant and catering business in Nassau and has been helping the kitchen become a place of learning for Island School students and visiting Educational Programs by stressing the importance of using local foods in The Bahamas. In addition, the kitchen has recently begun to cater more and more special events and Horatio is coaching the kitchen team to take these events to the next level by inventing new and creative dishes and menus. Horatio says “The school has done so much for me. And that fact that I even have an opportunity to share my passion speaks volumes to the commitment the school has to its alumni. The passion that I have for life and Culinary Arts is largely part to the experiences of cooking in the kitchen with Mooch and Becca and caramelizing nuts over a camp fire on my 8 day kayak trip. Being able to give back in this way ensures that the veal lives on.”
Thank you, Horatio, for your hard work and dedication to The Island School and especially to the kitchen and its staff!