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 →