Hello! My name is Willis Zetter, and I am a sophomore down here at The Island School. I will be taking care of the student updates for the next week. On that note, Friday the 29^th was a great day. Students started off with a relaxed morning exercise of either yoga or Ultimate Frisbee, their choice. Yoga with Brady and Emma was a great way to stretch and unwind, and Ultimate Frisbee was a lot of fun. Some previously unseen talent was unleashed on both sides. After breakfast, we had our weekly community meeting, in which the Caciques led an activity called “Four Faces.” We split up into groups, and shared four experiences that have shaped us into the people we are today, as well as moments that have shaped our Island School community. One that stuck out for me was the students’ singing around the bonfire the weekend before. It was a great activity that brought the whole school together. The following afternoon was filled with research and classes, but the days highlight had to be dinner and the movie.

For Good Friday, Chef Emory and the kitchen staff cooked a wonderful dinner of whole fried fish, head and all! While I can’t say I tried one, Michael Mahacek says their eyeballs were delicious. Dinner was followed by a Human Ecology night class, in which we watched the eye-opening documentary Food Inc. After learning about the sustainably and organically grown food that The Island School purchases, produces, and gives to the community, I found it appalling to learn what the American food industry feels the need to hide from us. While I can’t speak for other students, it was an incredible movie that personally changed my view on the food industry. It was a great day, and I am looking forward to tomorrow’s trip to the Rock Sound homecoming.

If someone had told me a month ago that In one day I would be running five miles, eating sugar cane on a farm, and joining team japan for a world cup soccer game all in one day, I would have told them they were insane. But, believe it or not, that has exact scenario has become a reality for me. Thursday morning, we were woken up to the always delightful anticipation for our five mile run. We had the option of running five or three miles; I chose five. After finishing our morning workout, I hopped in a van with the rest of my Human Ecology class and followed Joseph, our on and off campus farmer, to his farm in Deep Creek. There, he taught us all about agriculture on the island and how it has changed in the last few decades. We also got to sample some of his delicious produce right there off the vine. I tried sugar cane, tomatoes, corn, green beans, and so much more I can’t even remember.

Then, we broke into our different Community Outreach groups Continue reading →

Hello all. I, Taylor Fasolo, am now taking over the position of Blog Writer for the next couple of posts!

The magic continues here at Island School as we students work our way through our fourth week. On Tuesday, every student either ran towards the nearest settlement, Deep Creek, or swam a mile towards the Cape. Then many prepared for a Marine Ecology class, where we would be diving to our specific patch reef that we choose the previous week, studying invertebrates and biodiversity. This amazing form of research, for me, is not only more in-depth, but is also much more fun because you are down in the water, learning about the things you are studying face to face with them. After drying off from the dive, many students went to their afternoon Art class, in which we are creating our “Art for Advocacy” pieces. After having attended a few plastics lectures and participating in beach cleanups, the Art classes are taking plastic that we found on the beach and turning it into a piece that gives the message of sustainability. Continue reading →

Friday morning we had our first timed run-swim. There was a sense of anxiousness around the girl’s dorm for the feeling that this morning exercise would feel like a “race”. But as we began the track of plunging in and out of the water, hopping over branches while running through the woods, and climbing up and leaping off rock walls, it turned out to be an adventure. It was one of the most fun and exciting morning exercises we have had yet. Some finishers completed the exercise in the top of the pack, and I think I finished somewhere in the middle. The incredible thing about finishing later is how many cheering fans you will have within your peers. When I was running to the flagpole, my run quickly flipped into a sprint because I heard Isabel and Ann Gray telling me that I could do it. Therefore no matter where you finish, it feels really good! John Schatz’s explained that it wasn’t a race against each other; it was a race against ourselves. Knowing that I will improve only leaves me excited to attack the next timed run-swim.

We also had a community meeting yesterday morning, a time for all of the students and faculty to be together and discuss one common theme. First, we divided into small groups to discuss qualities of leadership and how influential leaders would fit those adjectives. It was interesting to discuss with my group, especially because I ended up in a group with students who I don’t have a lot of classes with. Then, we all grouped up again. The caciques led a self-reflective game where we had to identify what type of leader we were. For example, you could be “a driver”, who is a natural leader and loves control or a “relationship master” who is very good at working with people. Again, we were jumbled up so I was discussing with a great mix of a group. We all got to share what leadership meant to us and how we thought we did or didn’t fulfill that role. Many of my peers spoke eloquently about the topic. For example, members of our group spoke on how being a very emotionally invested leader can have both its pros and cons. It was really cool to hear fellow students and teachers explain their definition of leadership, because not a single one was similar. It just shows that there is no specific mold to being a leader, and it is a position that every student can fulfill in their own unique way.

Yesterday was a huge day for the island school community and for all of us students! We went to Deep Creek Middle School, which is one of the three parts of the Island School, to meet our little buddies. Each student has a buddy from the 7^th-9^th grade. I met my buddy, Kesyla. Although shy at first, she really opened up by the end of the day. Each buddy pair is working on a bigger project which focuses on issues in the local communities: cancer, diabetes, shadism, plastics, or building a new community center. My buddy and I are working on the Diabetes project. Although she is only 12, Kesyla presented to the entire group why this issue was important globally and locally. One thing that particularly struck me was how high the rates of Diabetes were in The Bahamas. She described was a typical Eleutheran dinner was, and eloquently spoke about how the island needed to start making more healthy choices. Later, she told me that some of her family members are diabetics, making this project for important for her. I am excited that I get to work on a community outreach project with my buddy, because working towards one common goal will help us bond throughout this semester. I love that we can both teach each other throughout this community outreach experience.

At Deep Creek Middle School, we got to know many other kids besides our buddies. We played basketball games and had arts and crafts time to do so. Continue reading →

Hi, I am Noelle and a student here at The Island School this semester. I will be writing this week’s blogs! Yesterday we woke up, all very excited for our first “psycho”, which is an intense and rapidly changing workout regiment. Although a little nervous about a workout given the name “psycho,” I ended up having a lot of fun. Not only did we run, but we also had piggyback and leapfrog races, did hopscotch over other students holding plank, and played blob tag. Not only was I getting really energized for the day, but I was laughing and watching a beautiful Bahamian sunrise the whole time. It was a perfect start to the morning.

Then we had out first lengthy research class. I am in the Queen Conch class and have to admit I was not excited about the project until yesterday morning. Hearing my advisors so passionately illustrate why this issue is so relevant and important made me realize that I am so lucky to have the opportunity to make an impact on the marine ecosystem. I could already feel my research group getting closer, with a shared feeling of excitement. Almost every other student felt the same way. Continue reading →

Yesterday at The Island School, we students were able to start our academic classes. We all went into our Research groups first this morning and they seemed fun, but are going to be intense! I am in the lionfish vs lobster research group with Jocelyn, Rachel, and Liz as our CEI Research Advisors. We were able to discuss what we already knew about lionfish and how they are harmful to their invaded environments since they are invasive. We also watched a video about the relationship between lobster and lionfish and if they might feed on each other. It seems like it is going to be a lot of work, but it is going to be so rewarding in the end. My Marine Ecology and Human Ecology class that I had in the afternoon seems like it is going to be a lot of fun. Peter and Becky teach Marine Ecology and since I plan on being a marine biologist when I get older, this class is going to be really beneficial to me. Our small group of twelve students also had to opportunity to capture an upside-down jellyfish called Cassiopia. Becky spoke to us about how they produce their own food as well as capturing it, which is fascinating. What a great start to our academic week.

Hello everyone, this is Liz and I’ll be on blog duties for the next week or so. Yesterday was a day of transition for the students here at Island School. Our academic classes are finally starting today, so the faculty decided it would be a good idea for us to be introduced to this unique activity called Querencia time. With Querencia time we are able to go off on our own anywhere on the cape around the school as long as we stay within our set boundaries. I was really excited for this time because it is a time of reflection on one’s self and honestly is the only time where I was finally and utterly, just by myself. I wanted to make this time really special so I searched for about an hour on my bike trying to find and discover just the right spot. I found some really neat places, but none of them really spoke to me or felt all that special. I discovered this really beautiful spot near sunset beach, a couple in the inner loop, but finally after an hour of biking I realized I was just happy to be on a small section of the beach on Fourth Hole. Continue reading →