Kicking Off the New Year

[by Sophie E]

The steady drum of runners’ feet was paired with volleyballs slamming against the ground, and tennis balls bouncing, making a satisfying thunk. The first official practices began on August 13, just one day after the first formal day of school. However, this didn’t change the fact that tryouts were exciting and action-packed.

Mark Norton, girls’ volleyball coach said, “[I’m] very excited about the new season. Reasons: It is my second year here at AISG, and I am beginning to see that the players are playing the style that I like to play, and that I am beginning to see players improve their technical skills and execute the skills the way I think they should be done. I am also excited to see a great group of Grade 9’s coming through, and the Junior Varsity team we have up and running, which has lots of skill.”

Yet, athletics are not the only activities beginning. On Wednesday, August 19, the Community Service fair was held. It gave many a chance to learn more about the different kinds of community services that AISG offers and explore their options.

At AISG, there are many groups and organizations that students can be a part of, for example, Roots and Shoots, Habitat for Humanity, Liphy, and Crossroads, just to name a few.  

When asked, “What do you hope students got out of the Community Service fair?” Eric Little, the Global Issues Network leader, said, “I hope that students got a sense of what each CS group is about and how they might be able to contribute to that group and its mission. Hopefully students will develop a real passion for something and not just do CS to put on their college applications.”

Additionally, organizations such as Peer Tutoring are getting off to a great start as the year begins. Peer Tutoring allows students to get help from other people their age. Therefore, students are able to get academic aid from someone else who has an idea of how to explain things on a different level than a teacher, making it easier for students to master concepts and improve their understanding.

Overall, the 2015-2016 school year is off to an exciting and eventful start. Hopefully, this energy will continue to buzz through the high school in the coming months.