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INTERVIEW WITH YOUNG KWANG

SHINBY KESHAV GARG

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ATHLETICSOUROPINION

FinaleThink Different

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Books for the Bored Summer Reading

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEFWill Leelamanthep

ADVISORMs. Lissa Scott

LAYOUT DESIGNERPann SermchaiwongSurawut Withayarukson

PHOTOGRAPHERSPann SermchaiwongSurawut WithayaruksonTime Chaiteerath

EDITORSYoung Kwang ShinPoom SethabutrPrim ThientanakijKhem Somsak

A Final Round of Honors

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WRITERSKeshav GargWin Leelamanthep

Volume 2 Issue 1May 2014

What We’re Waiting For

12 Executing Yourself Insight into North Korea

AROUNDtheWORLD

LIFESTYLE14 The Spectacularity

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C o n t e n t s

Senior SessionYoung Kwang Shin

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Eagle EyeMark

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Bring Home Gold

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Fayfay PrasutchaiPoom ChiarawongsePoon VorapanyaskulKitty RodchareonGrace HsiehTom ChoiPoom SethabutrKhem Somsak Young Kwang ShinGid JiranuntaratJohn KimPunPun Chaiyakiturajai

SECRETARYPoom Sethabutr

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ARTWORK

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As the year is coming to end and everybody is getting ready for the summer, the students in AP Studio Art opened an exhibition for all students to see one of their pieces of artwork. The artists involved were Mickey P. (The Age of Information), Grace H. (Lover), Asia W. (Baby Girl), Pasiri A. (A New Stranger), Alisha P. (Aftershock), Mild P. (Hear Me Roar), and Jebra W. (Little Red). The exhibition was held at a teahouse called Elysain Tea House from May 14 to May 19, and it

ways to display love, the picture displays a girl with her arms open as if allowing somebody to hug her. Also, the main focus is on the face since love is often expressed through emotion, which can clearly be seen from her face. Asia’s artwork was reflective of her being a senior. Her piece presented a little girl waking up into a new day. This is symbolic of the seniors graduating from what is like a dream land and seeing the real world.Following this theme of graduating from high school,

was a huge success. Pieces of artwork that were presented at the exhibition were diverse in style, media, and meanings. Mickey’s 3D artwork resembled a person that was required to memorize a large amount of information, much like a CD, and gears turning in our heads as we collect information as the world turns our heads into information gatherers. In contrast to Mickey’s artwork, Grace made her piece about love. According to her, since giving somebody a hug is one of the strongest

by Anvi Mehta

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Jebra’s artwork was based on the story of Little Red Riding Hood. The scene presented was Little Red starting her journey towards grandma’s house. It does not include the wolf in the scene to portray the peaceful beginning that we start in with youthful energy and innocent naiveté before we embark on the dangerous journey ahead of us, much like the seniors are starting a new journey. A New Stranger by Pasiri portrayed an asylum seeker. It was reflective of her story of when she met

an asylum seeker that was extremely shy when he first met Pasiri. However, as she got to know him, he wasn’t as shy as she had originally thought. Alisha’s piece showed negative impacts of the world. In the words of Alisha, “They are dipping their soul in the destructiveness of the world… This picture is the aftermath of the impacts.” People become egotistical and the world is falling apart for them, but they don’t care or have any shame. The aggressive nature of tigers was seen in Mild’s

artwork. Her careful strokes showed a closeup of a tiger roaring. Apart from engaging themselves in the artwork that was showcased, people helped themselves to the free snacks that were provided on the opening of the exhibition. They have discovered their skills and succeeded in using it in a way that enhanced their artwork. The joy and pride that was seen on their faces at the end of the event made it truly amazing.

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SENIORSESSION

with Young Kwang Sh in

What would you say was the greatest experience for you at ICS?Young Kwang I don’t have a moment that stands out. All of them kind of bleed into a steady stream that has been my time here. But if I had to pick my favorite droplet, I’d choose several, all of which would involve conversations in the cafeteria.

Where are you headed now, that is after you attain your high school diploma?Young Kwang Hard to say. I’m still waiting for Our Lords Who Art in America to decide whether they need candidates from the waitlist this year. If luck smiles, I’ll be off somewhere pursuing a degree in the humanities.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?Young Kwang Even harder to say. But my guess is eating a porterhouse steak while contemplating exactly how I got into this mess.

If you could go back and change 1 thing about your life, what would it be?Young Kwang Finally, an easy one: nothing. Sure,

BY Keshav Garg

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Freshman Me was a bit of a jerk and Junior Me was an undisciplined cannonball, but they were valuable stepping stones for Senior Me, armed with his evolved worldview to overcome and appreciate over a cup of overpriced cappuccino.

What advice would you give to current students at ICS (not seniors)?Young Kwang Take it easy. Like, seriously. Four years is too valuable to waste doing anything other than finding what and whom you love. I’m in no way being original here, but it just goes to show how many seniors have come to understand this.

What is 1 important lesson you learned attending ICS?Young Kwang Other than the answer to #5? Hm. Take some time to pore over the so called Big Questions of Life. You’ve got a lifetime, but you don’t know how long that is. And don’t settle for Jesus da Way da Truth and da Life so easily. Take it easy, but take it seriously.

Who/What is your inspiration (if you have one)? To elaborate, who or what inspires you the most?Young Kwang Oof. Too many writers, movie directors, and thinkers come to mind.

But can’t beat Mom, I suppose.

What’s your favourite thing to do in your free time. Essentially your hobby?Young Kwang I enjoy a metric butt-ton of novels, movies, TV shows, anime, comic books, video games...basically any form of storytelling. The rest of my free time I spend finding the recommended ones.

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EAGLES EYE BY Keshav Garg

with Mark Lertmankha

Most people, aside from freshmen (I assume), don’t know much about you. Could you tell us about yourself in 2-3 sentences?Mark I love to learn, but on the other hand, I am really bad at sports. My favorite thing to do is read and play board games.

I’ve heard that you have been called “Little Einstein.” Because of such a reputation and your previous answer, what do you enjoy learning the most (subject/topic)?Mark Science is my favorite subject because I like to experiment around a lot.

Interesting. What are your aspirations after graduating from ICS? Any idea of a college/university you plan to attend or your future occupation?Mark I am hoping to study in America, but I have not yet decided where to study. I would like to become either a pharmacist or a biochemist and try to improve our world’s medicine.

Great, it’s always good to have a general idea of your future path. What/Who is your inspiration? Or perhaps, better worded, a role model for your life?

Mark My role models aren’t famous people, but they are my parents. They inspire me to work harder, encourage me to be a good person, and tell me to follow my dreams.

That must be so valuable for your parents, especially to see how you are excelling in academics and becoming a positive community member! Lastly, what does ICS mean to you?Mark Since I have been here at ICS since Kindergarten, it holds a special place in my heart. ICS is a warm and loving community that encourages me to try new things.

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As the school year heads to an end, the last round of medals were designated to deserving players at the final Sports Chapel. Held in the PAC, various sports including swimming, volleyball, and badminton saw their most important and most improving players step up to take their respectful honors. Players ranging from the lower elementary school age groups to high school veterans took medals home. The round of honors started out with Mr. Jack Barr, the Athletic Director of ICS, announcing each sport and the time (s) which they had to line up.

“It really means to me to win the MIP award. The award encourages me to work harder for my team and my school!” quotes AJ Busabok, 9th grader, who received the MIP Award for his stellar performances in the Varsity Boys Badminton team. AJ shared this award with Trevor Robertson, 10th grader. The MVP award went to Print Kositthanakorn, a graduating Senior. “If ICS could give more than one MVP award, I am very certain that each of the players would get it. This is because if the team were missing a player, we wouldn’t get our first gold!” claims Ploy

Pholpipattanaphong, receiver of the JV Girls Badminton MVP award. (9th grader)Other notable members of the ICS Sports teams include Pond Veerasarn (9th grader; U15 Boys Volleyball MVP), Patrick Atthakorn (8th grader; U15 Boys Volleyball MIP), Ivy Oupapan (9th grader; U15 Girls Volleyball MVP), Jennifer Conrad (9th grader; U15 Girls Volleyball MIP), and the swimmers. As the final sports season of the 2014-15 Academic Year closes off, many members of the ICS student body are preparing themselves for the upcoming year with off-season practices.

A Final Round of Honors by Koch Kasemsantitham

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Bringing Gold HomeAs the school year finally winds down in preparation for summer break, the season for the JV Girls Badminton has also come to an end. Coach Byrd takes a look back at the accomplishments his team has garnered throughout the season.Coach Byrd said, “I think we did pretty well according to the goals and expectations we had for both boys and girls.”When asked what distinguished his team from the girls from the other schools, Coach Byrd simply asserted that he had trust in his girls and believed that they would do well. Most importantly, he believed that the factors that boosted the girls the most were their attitudes and fighting spirit.

Even though the JV girls seem to have had a smooth season, there was a plethora of obstacles throughout their journey as well. During the JV Girls Badminton BISAC, a sports conference where international schools come together to compete, two of the team’s starters were unfortunately injured. Nevertheless, Coach Byrd still had high hopes for the girls.“Honestly, I was kind of worried, but I knew that we had to trust each other and do our best,” Coach Byrd said. “Even though they couldn’t play in 100% condition, I truly believe that they had enough courage to carry on their mission in the tournament and finish what they dreamed of!”

Despite the various hardships the girls had to go through, they did manage to bring gold home from the BISAC tournament. The coach personally enjoyed the season overall and is hoping for another successful season next term. Coach Byrd said, “As a coach, I am truly happy and enjoy seeing the smiles and joy on each of their face[s]. They deserved what they were training for. “[As of next year] things can turn upside down if we are overconfident. I believe that every school will try to work harder next year to get the gold back for sure, and we will make sure to do the same!”

by Kitty Rodchareon

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Executing Yourself Insight into North KoreaAR

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While the late Kim Jong Il imprisoned his enemies, his son and current North Korean leader simply executes them, says one of the highest-level officials to escape the isolated country in years. A man we are referring to simply as Park to protect his identity tells, in his first-ever interview, that Kim Jong Un’s cruelty is shocking those around him. He says, while his father and grandfather Kim Il Sung were both considered cruel by many around the world, Kim Jong Un is taking ruling by fear to a new level.“During his first three years in power, hundreds of the elite have been executed,” Park says, adding this brutality is shaking an already weak support base. Much of what Park tells us cannot be independently

confirmed, as North Korea is one of the most closed and repressive countries on Earth.However, Park says, within three months of taking over from his power, seven of Kim’s closest aides were killed, along with their entire families, he claims, including the children.South Korean intelligence believes Kim has already executed 15 senior officials so far this year. “A lot of top officials in North Korea are not sure which direction Kim Jong Un is taking them in,” says Park. “He doesn’t know how to be a leader. He doesn’t know politics, economy, culture or diplomacy.” Initial plans for a more open market economy modeled on China was soon dumped, says Park, once it became clear opening up could jeopardize Kim’s iron grip on power.

“People are struggling to survive and are trading on the black market so the official economy is barely functioning.” Park adds “a lot of people are trading foreign currency and running small businesses but the power of the state to control that money is weakening.” On a rare visit to North Korea, CNN put the claims of high-level executions to Park Yong Chol, the deputy director of the DPRK Institute for Research into National Reunification -- a think tank with links to the highest levels of North Korea’s government. He dismissed the claims as “baseless and groundless,” but did not deny executions had occurred in North Korea. “It is very normal for any country to go after hostile elements and punish them and execute them.”

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The Spectacularity of Adventure Summer destinations

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by Yi Hyun Kwon

As a thriving embodiment of proud traditions and architecture, the past capital of the Inca Empire is nothing but impressive. Perhaps less relaxing than a beach trip, but being surrounded by mountains that hold the art of a once formidable empire will bring you a sense of respect.

If you’re looking for someplace with a touch of exoticism and spice, then this city is exactly the place for you. The colors, designs and commotion make the perfect ingredients for life-long snapshots and intimate memories for dryer days. A definite recommendation for those who enjoy the thrill of spontaneous afternoon adventures.

Summer break is waving from just around the corner, and you just can’t help but feel the heat of it all. So with that in mind, what is a meaningful summer suppose to look like? Stalking instagram accounts, reading Couch Potato 101, a little SAT studying? Vacation is meant to be a time for real-world experiences. So pick up your courage and learn something new- whether it be about yourself, a passerby, or a little street in a big city. Here are five destinations to kickstart your summer bucket list- make the dream a reality.

Marrakech Morocco

Cusco Peru

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The Spectacularity of Adventure Summer destinations

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While there are more than a few well known vacation hotspots all over the Philippines, don’t underestimate the beauty of it’s smaller paradises- Apo Island being just one of the thousands. And as one of the Philippine’s finest marine reserve, the view will not disappoint. With incredible snorkeling and diving opportunities, the view is likely to brush school stress right off your back

Cobbled streets and powdered mountains. Could you resist? Not to mention that the notable fresh air, verdant alpine and lake view make the ideal exercise spot. Biking to glimpses of cool colors and drinking hot chocolate on a summer ski trip can be the nice change you want from tropical weather.

The burning metropolis of the Nation of Thailand. What better than to wander the city hanging right under our noses? We forget that Bangkok itself is brimming over with all sorts of adventures, nooks and crannies filled with both modern and retro aspects of a place built on years of national history. Spending even just a day wandering the streets with no specific destination in mind can bring a torrent of new perspective into view.

Zermatt Switzerland

Bangkok Thailand

Apo Island Philippines

Cusco Peru

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Books for the BoredSummer Reading by Yi Hyun Kwon

I’m afraid there is no way to explain this book other then that it is made up of a multitude of illustrations and snatches of stories. Andreas paints human emotions so vividly, with the hands of a child and the eyes of a man who’s felt the world.

Once in a while, you stumble upon books make you taste meanings of life in incomprehensible ways- The Book Thief is one of those gems. WWII and Death and a Liesel who hates Hitler: Zusak weaves a message bittersweet and haunting.

Story PeopleBrian Andreas

The Book ThiefMark Zusak

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by Yi Hyun Kwon

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High school resentment and adolescent gawkiness is something everybody can relate to. Andrews takes all of that and more, wrapping it into the story of three unlikely teenagers: Two anti-socialists with love for filmmaking, one dying girl. And unlike many cancer stories, MEDG is straightforward and bluntly realistic, humorous and thoughtful in it’s own way.

“I’ve seen Steelheart bleed.” What happens when average turns elite? The Epics seek to rule men, and David in turn seeks to crush these gifted exclusives. By no means your average dystopian novel, this unique introduction to the series is a no brainer for readers who enjoy revolutionary action.

Story PeopleBrian Andreas

SteelheartBrandon Sanderson

Me and Earl and the Dying GirlJesse AndrewsThe Book Thief

Mark Zusak

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Mix a wealthy prodigy, a poor criminal, and murder in a war-stricken country: Bonds are broken and chaos ensued. Unlike Steelheart, Legend is more geared towards a Romeo-and-Juliet dystopian theme. If you’re a action/romance fan, then this is one you should definitely look out for.

A teenage girl boards a Greyhound filled with eccentric characters and past demons. And somehow, riding in the strangeness of it all, Mim Malone (re)discovers what it means to love and laugh and be a little sane. I think it’s good to understand that we’re all a little bit crazy. So unlike Mim, reading Mosquitoland will allow you to (re)discover what it means to be a little insane.

LegendMarie Lu

MosquitolandDavid Arnold

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As we inch closer to the dreadful portion of the final exams, we also muster our greatest memories of the past year. This year has gone by in a matter of seconds and before we know it the feeling of emptiness has arrived during the period of inactivity-- summer. I feel like most summers are spent avidly travelling and gathering up Instagram snapshots to make us feel like we own a part of the social network. Likes and comments have gathered up on our feeds and before we know it, summer is over. But why would we spend our summers like that? We all know the answer yet, of course, nobody cares. The exhausting feeling of ‘doing something’ grabs me by the throat every morning of the summer to the point where the inability to breath is exactly what makes me NOT do something.

Don’t we all agree? Summers should be spent as times of the break by arguably the most stressful time of the year. It’s a clear side step from all of the paraphernalia that gathers up during the school year. I’m not a huge fan of productivity myself but I have nothing against it. There’s a whole world waiting for us as long as we’re willing to take that miniscule step that will take SO much energy. Maybe I’m wrong. The upcoming Juniors and Seniors of next year are probably spending it productively-- finding ways they can jump and run to get to the ultimate dream of their top universities and colleges. It’s a typical mindset of us students in ICS yet I feel like the stress and energy we place into college applications could be way past

its limits. The contemplation of productivity itself does not place us in a position to better our futures but the present that we live in today. Apart from all the annoying naysayers who decline their interests in their own future unintendedly, there are a certain group of people who have their own passions and do what they can do perfect their grasp on that passion. I respect these people to a grand scale. They don’t give in to what society or their parents what (not 100 percent) but they yield to what THEY want. This summer I hope that the students of ICS will not only treat their summers with instantaneous and recurring euphoria, but they will treat it with their passionate love and humble interests in searching for exactly who they are.

What We’re All Waiting For

LegendMarie Lu

MosquitolandDavid Arnold

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‘Baby Girl” Oil on wood by Asia Weimer

This piece depicts the serenity of a good night’s sleep and the fresh start of a day. The girl (representing Asia herself) is about to step into a future of the unknown and encounter new experiences.

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‘Baby Girl” Oil on wood by Asia Weimer

This piece depicts the serenity of a good night’s sleep and the fresh start of a day. The girl (representing Asia herself) is about to step into a future of the unknown and encounter new experiences.

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