Graduation Day! Seniors Enjoy Prom

Vol. 2, No. 8
June 2012
“The Express here -- your best source for exciting, diverse and bold news about AISA’s multicultural community.”
Graduation Day!
94 students to study in 12 countries, with half staying in the UAE, 1/3 in North America, 1/6 in Europe.
By Mahynoor Mohamed (Grade 12,
What’s Up?!) and Salama AlKhumaisi (Grade 11, Cosmopolitan)
June 6, 2012. The date that seniors
had been anticipating: graduation.
In a dignified ceremony held under
the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hazza
bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan,
graduation included speeches from
Dr. Jones, school director, H.E. Mr.
Al-Hashli, chairman, and Mr.
Abushakra, superintendent.
H.H. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarek,
Minister of Higher Education joined
H.H. Sheikh Hazza on stage for the
awarding of the diplomas.
“The graduation ceremony was a
great success. Impressive and heartwarming at the same time,” wrote
Dr. Jones, who thanked the front of
house, back stage and Ms. Shanti.
“It’s the moment I’ve been waiting
for since I was a little kid,” said
senior Mariam Al Hammadi, who is
planning to major in medicine.
Hamad AlAydaroos recited a section from the Holy Qur'an. Valedictorians Mohamed Shaker and Aisha
AlHajeri gave heartfelt speeches.
AlHajeri had been nervous beforehand. "The greatest yet scariest thing
about being valedictorian isn't the
title,” she said. “It's the responsibility of speaking on behalf of [more
than 90] amazing seniors.”
“I’m not going to say something
stupid like, ‘I love you all,’” Shaker
said in the speech. “But I’ll miss all
of you terribly, and it’s been a real
honor and privilege to have spent the
past five years with everyone.”
Seniors then sang “Here's To Us,”
led by Music teacher Ms. Jana van
Rensburg, with Greg Brown on guitar and Reem Lari on keyboard.
Finally, Mr. Godley, secondary
school principal, presented the Class
of 2012 by announcing the students
who had been at the school from
longest tenure to shortest.
After, students, staff and parents
mingled in the recessional, wishing
good luck and bidding farewell.
The 94 graduates are off to study
in 12 different countries around the
world, with half staying in the UAE,
one-third to North America and onesixth to Europe.
“I love the seniors, and I always
have," said Mrs. Jones. "The unity of
the class as one group that's amazing
and the fabulous birthday cakes. I
think I am leaving on a high note
with an amazing class! We know
they will do well and we wish them
the best."
Secretary Ms. Gail Cruzat agreed.
“I will terribly miss all the seniors,” she said. “I’m so sad that
they’re leaving, yet I’m so excited
for them to start their new life after
high school.”
Khaled Al Mubarak, who is attending King's College in London,
was asked about his current plans.
“Turning off my alarm clock,
spending days on the beach with my
fellow graduates,” he said. “Then
moving on to university, graduating
from there and marrying a beautiful
woman. Then building a house and
being a billionaire.”
Al Mubarak offered this advice for
juniors:
“Work hard on your studies, apply
to many universities and plan your
future ahead,” he said. “With faith,
persistence and determination, you
can achieve whatever it is your mind
believes.”
Meanwhile, Meeneshwer Madhu,
who will be studying fashion design
in San Francisco, said:
“I’m having a mix of different
feelings, excitement, but with sadness for leaving high school
friends.”
Salama AlHarmoodi, who has
been at AISA for six years, is sentimental.
“I never expected this day to come
where we all graduate and move
towards a new chapter in our lives,”
she said. “I just want to thank all
seniors for the best six years of my
life, and I hope you all find what
you’re looking for in life and make
your dreams come true.”
Zain Azfar Ahmed:
University College London, UK
Hamed Al Bloushi: AUS, UAE
Khalifa Al Faheem: Univ. of Tampa, USA
Mohamed Al Jneibi: Univ. of Tampa, USA
Khalid Al Mansoori:
Regents Business School, UK
Saif Al Mazrouei: King’s College, UK
Khaled Al Mubarak: King’s College, UK
Ahmed Al-Ketbi: Zayed University, UAE
Yousef Al-Massry: Iowa State Univ., USA
Hamdan Al-Nehayan: Zayed Univ., UAE
Zayed Al-Nehayan: NYU-AD, UAE
Essa Alawar: Zayed University, UAE
Hamad AlAydaroos: AUS, UAE
Mohammad Albuaijan: AUS, UAE
Khaled AlHashemi: AUS, UAE
Quosain Memon Ali:
University of British Columbia, Canada
Omar AlMarzooqi: Emirates Univ., UAE
Sultan AlSuwaidi: UC-Riverside, USA
Mowafak Alzoebie: NJ Inst. of Tech., USA
Kebure Assefa:
Paris-Sorbonne University-AD, UAE
Taymour Bouran: Univ. of BC, Canada
Gregory Brown:
School of Audio Engineering, UAE
Muhammad ElAmin: AUS, UAE
Ahmad Hamdan: AUD, UAE
Akshaay Hendricks: Manipal Univ., India
Samuel Jovanovic: Monash Univ., Aus.
Ahmed Khalid: Univ. of Victoria, Canada
Omar Khalil: Univ. of Oldenburg, Germany
Meeneshwer Madhu:
Academy of Art University, USA
Mohamed Mohamed: Royal Holloway, UK
Michael Najjar: Dalhousie Univ., Canada
Nick Overkamp: Univ of Tech, Netherlands
Shamil Saeed: McMaster Univ., Canada
Fares Salamah: Ryerson University, Can.
Amin Sarafian:
London School of Business and Finance, UK
Mohamed Shaker: Oregon St. Univ., USA
Saif Sleiman: U. of British Columbia, Can.
William Smith: Trent University, Canada
Norell Tagle: Univ. of Washington, USA
Kevin van Hoogstraten: South Africa
Chef’s Academy, South Africa
Teguh Arian Zulian: IHTTI School of
Hotel Management, Switzerland
Janeeta Abbasi: Brock University, Can.
Bayan Abukiwan: Parsons Paris, France
Nimra Ahmed: Univ. of Manchester, UK
Hanaa Al Ameri: Zayed University, UAE
Shamma Al Khouri: AUS, UAE
Lamees Al Makkawi: NYU-AD, UAE
Maitha Al Mansoori: NYU-AD, UAE
Sheikha Al Qassimi: AUS, UAE
Latifa Al-Khumairi: Zayed Univ., UAE
Aisha AlHajeri: NYU-AD, UAE
Alyaziah AlHamed: Zayed Univ., UAE
Mariam AlHammadi: UAE Univ., UAE
Salama AlHarmoudi: Zayed Univ., UAE
Alya Alhashmi: Zayed University, UAE
Farah AlJaghbeer: AUS, UAE
Rawdha AlMansouri: Zayed Univ., UAE
Shaikha AlMeraikhi: Zayed Univ., UAE
Rana Alsaadi: AUS, UAE
Amira Anthonijsz: Hague Univ., Neth.
Sumaia Aqtash: AUS, UAE
Joumana Asfour: NYU, USA
Afi Baaqi: Univ. of West England, UK
Elena Botella: Florida Inst. of Tech., USA
Tzu-Hsuan Chao: Queen’s Univ., Canada
Danielle Cobrand: Univ of Victoria, Can.
Marcela Cuadra Azucar:
Paris-Sorbonne University-AD, UAE
Mahynoor Dobay: AUS, UAE
Menatallah El Abd: AUS, UAE
Summia El-Awawdeh:
DePaul University, USA
Shahd Elghazali: AUS, UAE
Ameilia Fox: Okangan College, Canada
Sara Humaid: Zayed University, UAE
Samantha Kettle: Emirates Academy of
Hospitality and Management, UAE
Esrah Kousheh:
German-Jordanian University, Jordan
Reem Lari: Franklin College, Switzerland
Zahra Lari: Zayed Universrity, UAE
Kairine Maharajh: Suffolk Univ., Spain
Judy Mallah: AUS, UAE
Sonu Mathew: Univ. of Guelph, Canada
Katie May Maxwell:
University of Wollongong, Australia
Nahil Memon: NYU-AD, UAE
Jordan Leigh Murray:
Grant McEwan, Canada
Mariam Nabulsi: AUS, UAE
Farida Nassar: AUS, UAE
Claudia Oswald: Queensland Univ., Aus.
Aria Claire Pavlic: Blue Mountains International Hotel School, Australia
Steffanie Sanders: BYU, USA
Tanya Tarazi:
Ontario College of Arts & Design, Canada
Jessica van der Walt:
Curtin University, Australia
Dorien van Heerden:
University of Pretoria, Australia
Xin Yu: University of Toronto, Canada
Laughter and Tears at
Capping Ceremony / P. 5
Do you have a summer
beach body? / P. 6
Seniors Enjoy Prom
By Kairine Maharajh (Grade 12)
AISA’s Voice Co-Editor
"What colour dress are you
wearing?" "What style?" "Do you
have your suit yet?" "Who is your
date?" are the questions that seniors were echoing throughout the
hallways, as they anticipated the
upcoming Senior Prom in late
May.
The Senior Prom - not sponsored or affiliated with the school–
was held at Yas Island Rotana on
the 31st of May 31 - the last day
of final exams - from 8 pm-12 am.
There was also a separate prom,
for mostly Emirati girls, also not
sponsored by school.
Prom Committee members –
including Saif Sleiman, Sami Kettle, Lamees Al Makkawy, Ameilia
Fox, Steffanie Sanders and Fares
Salamah -- who all worked hard to
make this year's prom a success.
The committee finalized the
design for tickets, organized the
dinner menu, found a photographer and other essential aspects
that tied the night together.
6 MONTHS
"We got together one evening
and spent hours looking for hotels
around Abu Dhabi that would
facilitate our budget," said Kettle.
"Luckily, we were able to find
Rotana in Yas Island, it is really
beautiful and is within a suitable
price range.
"The most stressful part was
trying to please everyone and that
was our job, but I think it's going
to be a really successful event,"
said Sleiman. "We worked really
hard, were very organized and had
good communication skills."
Although there was no theme for
the evening, the senior committee
organized beautiful lighting and
decorations to embellish the ballroom.
Many senior girls refused to
reveal the designs and styles of
their dresses, as they wish to keep
them a surprise.
Several juniors are also attending as dates and guests and are
equally excited about the event.
"I know the Prom Committee
has worked very hard and hopefully all the effort will pay off,"
said Sarah Zaabi (Grade 11)
before Prom. "I cannot wait to
see everyone dressed up!"
since support staff were supposed
to move to new housing.
Sophomores Selected for
NYU AD Program / P. 2
What’s New at AISA Next
Year? / P. 3
Middle School’s Stunning
Shakespeare Play / P. 4
AISA’s Voice
2
Seniors Sorry for ‘Pranks’
By Ahmed Al-Ketbi (Grade 12)
AISA’s Voice Co-Editor
Seniors have apologized for
their “pranks” with a lunch for the
cleaning staff and surprising the
Admin with a party.
On Saturday, May 12, the
school organized a “prank day” in
which seniors came to school to
do some silly pranks like throwing
toilet paper in the rotunda and
duct-taping doors.
But several students snuck in
during the nighttime and went
way over the limit, and really
messed up the school.
These seniors hid dead fish and
threw eggs throughout the departments, coated door handles in
vaseline, and used a Nutella jar in
an unexpected way.
"I'm very devastated and disappointed with the seniors," said
secondary school principal Mr.
Godley .
Afterwards, the mess was left
for the cleaning company and the
school staff to clean.
Secondary school assistant principal Mr. Morley said, "It took
ages to clean."
The Express
Managing Editor: Mr. Baron
AISA’s Voice (Editorial)
Ahmed Al-Ketbi (Co-Editor)
Lamees Al-Makkawy
Hamdan Al-Nahyan
Kairine Maharajh (Co-Editor)
What’s Up?! (News)
Rana Alsaadi (Editor)
Shahd Elghazali
Mahynoor Mohamed
Tanya Tarazi
The Scene (Arts & Culture)
Greg Brown (Co-Editor)
Steffanie Sanders (Co-Editor)
Teguh Zulian
Cosmopolitan (Beyond AISA)
Khalifa Al-Fahim (Co-Editor)
Salama Al-Khumaisi
Noor Al-Mehairbi
Alia Youssef (Co-Editor)
We Are the Lions! (Sports)
Sakhr Abdullah
Aisha AlHajeri (Co-Editor)
Khalid Al-Mansoori
Zayed Al-Nahyan (Co-Editor)
Marcela Cuadra
Muhammad El-Amin
In response, the school gave the
seniors very severe punishments.
After a few days of angry and
disappointed staff members, the
senior students organized a surprise apology party for the school
faculty, bringing flowers, chocolate, fruit baskets, cake and balloons.
"But that wasn't enough,” said
Mrs. Jones, secondary school
assistant principal. “They had to
apologize to the cleaning company staff who stayed hours cleaning after the mess.”
So the students organized another event to feed the cleaning company staff for cleaning up after
them.
After redeeming themselves and
apologizing, the school was satisfied with the efforts of the students and accepted their apology.
“I would like to thank the school
for accepting our apology, and we
all regret what we've done I hope
this would be a lesson for the up
coming years," said senior Khalid
Al Hashemi.
"I hope that they (next year's
seniors) don't do anything worse
next year.”
Staff Photographers:
Aisha AlHajeri, Teguh Zulian
AISA Director: Dr. Jones
Secondary School Principal:
Mr. Godley
Assistant Principals:
Mrs. Jones, Mr. Morley
The Express is produced by students
in the Publications elective for
Grades 11 and 12.
It is published eight times/year, with
additional content in print and
online. Read past issues online:
bit.ly/aisaexpress
Every issue is approved by Admin
before being sent to the printer.
The Express by American International School in Abu Dhabi is licensed under a Creative Commons
Attribution-NonCommercialShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
Letters to the Editor
The Express encourages letters, send them to [email protected].
Students, include full name and grade. Teachers, include grade and
subject. Letters may be shortened for space requirements.
Summer Birthdays!
June 2012
NYU AD Summer Program
By Lamees Al-Makkawy
(Grade 12)
A group of highly motivated
Emirati sophomores will be packing
their bags this summer and heading
to Italy and the United States for
educational sessions sponsored by
New York University-Abu Dhabi
(NYU AD).
These eight students received the
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Scholarship. They will study for about five
weeks at NYU-AD from late June to
early July, and at NYU campuses in
Florence, Italy, and New York City,
U.S. from mid-July to late July.
The selected students are Abdul
Jalil Al Faheem, Al Anoud Al
Shamry, Fahkra Al Foulathi,
Mansour Al Sawaleh, Mohamed Al
Nahyan, Mohamed Eraiqat, Meera Al
Shamsi, and Reem Al Ameri.
Students went through a rigorous
selection process.
“First, you get nominated by the
high school official,” said Al
Shamsi. “Then you send a personal
statement, resume, etc. to NYU itself.
If they accept you, you go to the
campus to have interviews. And that
is the final step. If you get accepted,
you're in.”
High school secretary Ms. Gail
Cruzat added that the selection was
reviewed three times, and 10 of the
school's 12 candidates were accepted.
Now students are working on their
visas. Al Ameri is looking forward to
the Summer Academy.
“It will be a very different experience that will hopefully turn me into
an independent woman,” said Al
Ameri. “It will be the first time I ever
travel alone, without my family. Also, it will challenge me more outside
my comfort zone and will help me
discover what I am capable of doing
Last year’s group visited the Leaning
Tower of Pisa in Italy. / Photo courtesy
Noor Al-Mehairbi.
on my own.”
Al Shamry is also excited for the
Summer Academy.
“I feel like it’s going to be a memorable experience, and I’ll get to meet
people my age from other schools
and other countries,” she said. “I’ve
heard so many great things about it,
and it is going to help me prepare for
university.”
Staff Used Book Sale Coming Up!
By Hamdan Al-Nahyan
AISA’s Voice (Grade 12)
Staff and parents are excited for
the annual AISA Used Book Sale in
the Library in mid-June, with proceeds donated to the support staff.
The sale will take place between
June 10-12, and allows adults to
stock up on reading materials for the
summer, according to Mrs. Morley,
librarian. At the same time, it is a
wonderful opportunity for them to
do some cleaning and get rid of
those books that have just been lying
around in their homes.
All books are sold for only AED
5, and last year's sale raised AED
3,005 for the support staff from
selling 600 books and some small
donations.
“It is fabulous, as teachers can
browse during their breaks,” said
Mrs. Morley. “They don’t have to
drive to a mall or to a bookstore far
away. Here I can purchase twice as
many books for a few dirhams, and
really, that is a steal.”
Staff have the first pick of the
books, then parents can purchase
books on June 12.
“Every year there are more and
more books brought in to be sold,”
said Ms. Shanti, community affairs
coordinator. “Everyone gets excited!”
Proceeds from the upcoming
AISA Boutique, from June 11-14,
will also go to the support staff.
Letter: HS Students — Stop Smoking!
Dear High School Students,
For our Exhibition topic we picked
Smoking. Some of you high school
students smoke in the bathrooms.
Smoking in the bathrooms affects
you and your body. Also there are
ashes everywhere and the smell is
bad.
It doesn’t only affect you it affects
us; it affects the people who enter
the bathroom.
That’s called second hand smoking. Second hand smoking is when a
smoker smokes near a non smoker
and the non smoker inhales the
smoke and the chemicals from the
cigarette.
Did you know about 1.1 billion
people in the world smoke? About 5
million people died from smoking.
Did you know 53,800 people die
from second hand smoking each
year? Each day about 3,000 children
smoke their first cigarette.
Second-hand smoke has twice as
Please stop smoking in the bathmuch nicotine and tar compared to
room it is dangerous for everyone.
the smoke that the smoker inhales.
Sincerely,
Second hand smoking is really unMohamad Sholi, Hamza Hashem,
healthy. Smoking is also against our Marwan Luqman (Grade 5)
school rules.
Gr8 Students See Green Acres of Emirati Farms
By Adib Khonker (Grade 8)
Grade 8 students enjoyed going on
a field trip to two farms in Abu Dhabi in mid-May, as part of their challenging sustainability unit.
On May 16, students first went to a
high-tech farm that used hydroponic
technological to grow plants of vari-
Admin Corner:
What are your
life plans?
By Mr. Godley, Secondary School Principal
July: 7/2: Dalia Al Hashmi (17); 7/3: Haidy Nabawy
(15); 7/7: Oratile Mphofu (12); 7/8: Alia Youssef (17);
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do
7/10: Reem, (12); 7/12: Rhoda Al Zarouni (12); 7/15:
with your one wild and precious life?”
Mr. Pike (31), Farah Al Jaghbeer (18); 7/16: Nayab Z.
― Mary Oliver
Qureshi (16); 7/19: Safiya (12); 7/28: Dana Aghabi
(16).
Three years ago, my family moved to Abu Dhabi and
joined AISA. Our time here has been an education in so
August: 8/6: Justine Abcede (13); 8/6: Oorja
Majgaonkar (13); 8/7: Hussain Abou Sayed (13); 8/9: many ways. We have made wonderful friends, grown as a
family and become a part of life in this exciting city.
Noor Al Mehairbi (18); 8/10: Reem Lari (17); 8/14:
As we tend to do more regularly than others, we will
Madi Brandes (16); 8/15: Veronique Cossette-Sharkey
move on at the end of this school year because you see, the
(12); 8/16: Ms. Moloney, Adam Sarafian (15); 8/17:
Hadeel Al Mubarak (12); 8/18: Daeun Lee (14); 8/21: world is a fascinating place and our next adventure awaits
us.
Sumayah Fadil (13); 8/21: Mohammad Anas (16);
Each time we “up and move” we have some friends who
8/23: Mouza Al Neami (14); 8/30: Mr. Stewart (29),
have
trouble understanding why we are leaving. SomeLamya Al Midfi (15); 8/31: Fares Salamah (18).
times I wonder this myself. We have made such very solid
friendships here with people from the UAE and around the
Sept.: 9/2: Razan Bolbol (16); 9/9: Sherif Halawa ;
world.
9/11: Ahmed Al Romaithi (17), Meera Roumanos
However, I always land on this favorite piece of text
(17); 9/12: Eduardo Cuadra Azucar (16); 9/18: Atiqah
from Mary Oliver when I reflect on our choice to be global
Mohd Azhar (14); 9/18: Elli Repo (15); 9/21: Megan
Jackson (14); 9/23: Carol A. Samad (17); 9/29: Sheren nomads: “Listen…are you breathing just a little, and calling it a life?”
Abou-ouf (18).
ous species without soil. There was
row after row of beautiful greenery
and the farm manager gave a tour.
Then they went to a traditional,
Emirate-style farm, which had a
beautiful variety of animals such as
majestic peacocks, muscular horses
and even an hilarious monkey that
expertly drank from water bottles
and stole someone's ghitra!
At the end of the informational
trip, students enjoyed drinks at the
recreation room and, tired due to the
blazing sun, departed back to school.
Overall, it was a knowledgeinspiring and interesting trip.
Farewell from Mr. Baron
This is my last issue editing The Express,
and it has been a pleasure building community at the school through Publications,
CAS, Geography, MUN, Drama and Track.
In Publications, students wrote articles,
made audio slideshows, and designed and
promoted the yearbook, with posters and
“viral videos.”
None of this would’ve been possible without the support from the Admin, thank you
for your help!
Newsrooms are only as good as their staff,
and this year’s was special. Be proud of the
legacy you’ve left behind, and you all have
potentially bright futures in the exciting
field of communications.
As Steve Jobs said in his Stanford commencement speech, you cannot connect the
dots looking forward, only in hindsight.
“Stay hungry, stay foolish.”
Note: Throughout the issue are profiles of
the Publications students in ABC order. -30-
Profile: Khalifa Al-Fahim
Two days before the big
showjumping event, senior
Khalifa Al Fahim spends a
lot of time with his French
breed horse Noble, training
on “flat work.”
“We have to train so the
horse doesn't get overworked,” said Al Fahim,
an 18-year-old Emirati, has
traveled around the world
competing among the top
showjumpers. “It’s an honor to meet and compete with
Olympic riders and do what
I love ,” he said.
When not showjumping,
Al Fahim is a thrill-seeker –
he jetskis and watertubes,
and when the weather cools
down he goes to the desert
to ride ATVs, motorbikes
and dune buggies.
“Life is too short so you
have to make the best out of
it,” he said.
-Muhammad El-Amin
What’s Up?!
June 2012
What’s New at AISA Next Year?
Students Raise AED 2,000
for Children’s Charity
Student Ambassador Kathrin Harb helped the efforts. / Photo by Mr. Baron.
By Shahd Elghazali
What’s Up?! (Grade 12)
Student Ambassadors and Student
Council have raised nearly AED
2,000 for humanitarian organization
Operation Smile.
Founded in 1982, Operation Smile
is an international children's medical
charity that heals children with cleft
lip. Volunteer doctors from the organization travel across the world to
operate on children with this condition.
“I think it is a really sweet and
admirable association!” said Reem
Lari, a student ambassador and senior. “I’d love to see kids get their
beautiful smiles back!”
Mrs. Huner, the secondary school
girls counselor who coordinates Student Ambassador activities, was
inspired after a recent trip to Jordan.
“In my tour group there was a man
who was a volunteer doctor for Operation Smile,” she said. “He told me
about the organization, and that really inspired me.”
To spread the spirit, students raised
awareness and AED 1,852 by having
bake sales and selling bracelets.
“It’s a lot of fun making the bracelets, and raising awareness for such
an honorable cause,” said Kathrin
Harb, a student ambassador and junior.
They also spread balloons in classrooms, which had short notes meant
to bring a smile. Mrs. Huner, who is
known for her wide smile, thought
that the balloon idea would be a nice
way to make people smile.
“It’s always nice to brighten up
someone’s day,” said Mrs. Huner.
Advisories also decorated smiley
faces by writing in what makes them
smile and hung them around school.
They also showed a powerful video
about the organization.
“I think the balloons and the videos
we saw during advisory are a fun and
thoughtful way to spread awareness,”
said senior Tzu-Hsuan “Queenie”
Chao.
The largest event was a pizza sale
during the student-faculty basketball
game on May 24, with proceeds
going to Operation Smile.
Juniors Present
‘Bad Auditions for Bad Actors’
Profile: Aisha AlHajeri
2011 ISAC Finals: AISA down
to ABA with five seconds on the
clock. Senior Aisha AlHajeri passes the ball to a teammate, who
nails a jumper from the wing. The
buzzer sounds, and the team mobs
her as -- they won the tournament!
“It was a mixture of excitement
and relief,” said the Emirati senior.
“Our team became a family and
we all balanced each other out.”
Besides being a straight A student, AlHajeri, 17, is also committed to basketball. For the past six
years, four times a week, the asthmatic practices layups, passing and
running suicide drills.
“I didn’t really like volleyball,
and I wasn’t good at soccer, but I
started to really like basketball,”
she said. “But it was difficult at
times, [especially] for an asthmatic. I've had to work extra hard.”
After a long season, the team
finished in second place in ISAC.
In university, AlHajeri plans on
studying social research and public
policy. –Steffanie Sanders
Profile: Mariam Al-Hammadi
Some students study medicine to become wealthy. But for Al Hammadi, she
wants to help people who cannot afford
medication.
"My dream is to make a positive
change to my society with what am
passionate about," said the EmiratiPalestinian 18-year-old.
She has the determination to succeed –
this year she was the president of the
school's Eco Club.
“This will help me develop my public
speaking and organizational skills," she
said in the beginning of the year.
Senior Rana Alsaadi, last year's Eco
Club president, said Al Hammadi, can
handle the challenge.
"Mariam is a smart beautiful young
lady who has big dreams and is highly
determined she puts 100 percent in everything she does."
Last year Al-Hammadi was the MVP
of the badminton team, and is a member
of the volleyball team.
Al-Hammadi is inspired by three people: her father, Prophet Mohammed, and
late Emirati President His Highness
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
"She is an amazing friend,” said Alsaadi. “I know she is there for me whenever I am in need of support."
-Mahy Mohamed
3
By Tanya Tarazi
What’s Up?! (Grade 12)
Besides the co-ed craze and hiring
new faculty, the school is planning
on making improvements for the
following academic year.
Last year, the school focused on
new projects to improve our education and facilities -- the pools were
built, more SmartBoards were added
and a strong Wi-Fi system was installed.
But for next year, the focus is being
put on improving what the school
already has, while accommodating
for the secondary school's new segregated and co-ed sections.
“This summer will be spent on
improving what we have rather then
carrying out new projects,” said Dr.
Jones, school director.
Construction will be done to the
second floor girl’s side, enclosing it
for segregated education. There are
not yet figures on how many students
will remain in the segregated education next year.
“AISA will be better off as co-ed, it
will be easier for students and staff,”
said senior Menat El Abd.
Many rooms will be re-painted, the
outdoor section of the school will be
cleaned up, and there will be more
playground space and shading.
Senior Jordan Murray agreed with
the school's mindet. “I think that
AISA should just improve and renew
what they already have, not plan on
making big changes,” she said.
More than 20 new faculty are joining the school, including secondary
school principal Mr. Ravesi, secondary school girls assistant principal,
Ms. Hansen.
In the elementary school, Mrs.
Pittman-Jones will be taking over as
the principal, while Grade 4 teacher
Mr. Lewis will be elevated to assistant principal.
Senior Wins Int’l Award for Nepal Charity Project
By Rana Alsaadi (Gr. 12)
said Mr. Baron. “Her dediWhat’s Up?! Editor
cation and commitment, in
Following a community
addition to her passion for
service trip to Nepal last
social justice, is incredibly
year, senior Dorien van
admirable.”
Heerden has won an interThe girls’ assistant prinnational education award
cipal, Mrs. Jones, is also
after raising nearly AED
proud of Dorien and her
10,000 for a school for poor,
projects.
orphan and refugee children
“I am so impressed with
with a photo exhibition and
everything that Dorien has
publishing a booklet.
done for the Nagajuna
In November 2011, van
Modern Boarding School,”
Heerden and five classmates
she said. “Her accomplishwent on a community serDorien van Heerden’s booklet “Prayer Flags for Pokhara.” ments are a reminder that it
vice trip sponsored by
only takes one person to
World Challenge and accompanied
International Understanding.
make a difference in the lives of
by former science teacher Mr. DesHer two biggest projects have been many. I hope she continues with her
champs. On the trip, students hiked
a photo essay shown at last year's
efforts for years to come.”
through the Himalayas, attended
AISA Art Show, and the accompanyCurrently, booklets are available
cultural events and volunteered at the ing travelogue that was recently pub- from van Heerden for a donation of
Nagajuna Modern Boarding School
lished. She has also raised money
AED 20, and are also available
in Pokhara, Nepal.
from the AISA Admin, the AISA vs online on Amazon.com.
“After visiting Nepal, I saw the
ACS staff basketball game, and a
Before she goes to university, van
hardships children faced in the
booth at International Night 2011.
Heerden is hoping to display the
mountains and saw the good work of
“The children at the school were
photo essay and tell the story of the
[principal] Mr. Yeshi at the Nagajuna eager to learn, well behaved and
Nepalese children at a local cultural
Modern Boarding School,” she said. grateful,” she said. “They inspired
organization.
“It made me want to help them, to
me tremendously.”
“I hope that I inspire others
help more children by raising money
The booklet was written and dethrough my work to support the Nato build a school for them.”
signed by van Heerden, while Publi- gajuna Modern Boarding School,”
Over the past year-and-a-half, van cations teacher Mr. Baron, was her
said van Heerden. “I will be pleased
Heerden has donated more than AED project supervisor.
if my goal to raise awareness is
8,000 -- more than double her origiHe helped in choosing the photos, achieved.”
nal goal -- to the British charity The edited the several drafts of the perNote: View her book trailer on the
Nagajuna Trust to help construct a
sonal essays on the trip and the
AISA YouTube channel
new school building that would dou- books’ video trailer, and secured a
bit.ly/nepal_video and the book at
ble enrollment to 200 children.
publisher and printer.
amzn.to/ltDHLD.
At the graduation ceremony, she
“Dorien has worked extremely
was awarded the ECIS Award for
hard on this project for over a year,”
Profile: Ahmed Al-Ketbi
When summer ends and
winter arrives, Emirati
senior Ahmed Al Ketbi
gets ready for the Liwa
Festival of all-terrain vehicles (ATV's) and dune
bashing.
At the Festival, he barbecues, tell stories about the
extreme stuff he did that
day. On regular weekends, Al Ketbi rides ATVs
and goes dunebashing every weekend with his friends
and family. “I go dune
bashing from the morning
until the next morning
without sleeping,” he said.
“I feel that I’m free and I
can do anything and no one
will stop me,” he said.
Al Ketbi, 18, is the
youngest of three brothers.
He said he wants to study
finance. “I don’t want to go
aboard because I want to
stay with my family and
continue to dunebash in the
desert,” he said.
–Hamdan Al-Nahyan
Profile: Salama Al-Khumaisi
At school, every junior knows
one thing: Salama-planned parties
are the best. Great decorations,
music and catering – and all from
one student: Salama Al Khumaisi.
“I love to cheer people up,” said,
Al Khumaisi, a soft-spoken 16-year
-old Emirati junior who is great
with numbers. Not only are her
parties well-planned, they are also
well-budgeted.
“I find it so easy,” she said. She
plans on majoring in business/
finance or communications, while
staying in the UAE.
“Salama can be the sweetest person you could ever meet, however
in the beginning she is a bit shy,”
said one friend. “But when you get
to know her there are always laughs
and smiles she offers.”
“I love AISA and everything
about it, is the best school,” AlKhumaisi said.
In her free time, Al Khumaisi
love to swim and ride horses and
also plays soccer and baseball. She
also loves shopping, hanging out
and going to see movies.
–Marcela Cuadra
Profile: Lamees Al-Makkawy
Senior Lamees Al Makkawy is a student by day
and a superwoman by night.
During the day, she researches current events –
especially poverty and revolutions and contributes
extensively towards the school's Model United
Nations.
Of Emirati and Egyptian origins, Al Makkawy,
17, a middle child, has lived all her life in Abu
Dhabi.. But she keeps a close relationship with her
family in Egypt, especially during the revolution in
January of this year.
She finds inspiration from her grandpa because
during his lifetime he was perseverant and contributed heavily to his work and to the people around
him. “People expected a lot from him so he did
what he was told and he did it well,” she said.
Al Makkawy is an intelligent student. who enjoys Economics and English. She hopes to study
Mass Communication and Media at NYU- Abu
Dhabi, and minor in Economics.
“When I grow older, I’ll figure out what my job
is as I am still undetermined,” she said. “But I
know that I’m going to do something that will
change the world.”
A member of the school's soccer and badminton
teams, she enjoys going to restaurants and playings tennis.
Her friends agree that she's talented. “Lamees is
smart and a great listener,” said fellow senior Farida Nassar. “I know that she has a bright future
ahead of her.” -Rana Alsaadi
The Scene
4
June 2012
Middle School ‘Musez’ Presents
Stunning Shakespeare Play
By Greg Brown
The Scene Co-Editor
Hundreds of people attended the
third annual middle school MusezDrama production of Shakespeare’s
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” in
late May.
Directed by Drama teacher Mr.
Gallichan, the 21 middle school students performed the play — adventures of four lovers and six amateur
actors in an enchanted forest — in a
round in the TimGym on May 30.
“Congratulations to [Mr. Gallichan] for pulling off what I believe
was AISA’s second Shakespeare
production,” said Dr. Jones, school
director. “The students did a wonderful job. The sets, costumes and make
up were fantastic. Thank you and
congratulations to all responsible.”
The main roles were Grade 8 students Dean Carstens as the Fairy
King Oberon, Melinda Knowling as
Fairy Queen Titania, Joel Nasrallah
as the Bottom and Mathilde
Bienseant as Puck, Oberon’s fairy
servant, and PJ van Heerden as Lysander.
Carstens said, “I like fantasy story
that has twist in it, also there are part
of comedic scenes in it.”
The Shakespearean theater group
from the Globe Theater in London
gave lessons in March to help them
learn more about Shakespeare, and
students also saw the production.
Photos by Mr. Baron.
Art Students Learn About World’s Cultures on Trip
By Steffanie Sanders (Grade 12)
The Scene Co-Editor
IBP and IB-1 Art girls ventured to
discover cultural treasures at the
newest exhibition at Manarat Al
Saadiyat on Saadiyat Island in early
May.
On May 6, students visited the
exhibition “Treasures of the World’s
Cultures,” which was designed in
collaboration with the British Museum and has over more than 250 pieces ranging from African to European
to even Local Emirati artists, according to the Arts Abu Dhabi website.
“A lot of pieces in the show have
never been on tour,” said Ms.
Ramirez, IB-1 Art teacher. “It was a
highly selective collection. God
knows what they would’ve had to
pay to get them there!”
Students also enjoyed the wide
range of pieces.
“My favorite piece was the Woman’s Cloth by a Ghanaian artist
which represented the decay of society,” said Salam Oubeid, IBP student. “It made me feel sorrow, but it
was beautiful and symbolic.”
Besides international treasures, the
exhibition also held Emirati pieces
that told of the history of the unification of the Emirates and Sheikh
Zayed’s life.
Students and teachers alike enjoyed the exhibition. “It was beautifully curated, it was a fabulous,” Ms.
Ramirez exclaimed. “The exhibit
was just gorgeous.”
Oubeid agreed, “The overall experience was amazing, the exhibition is
something I’ll definitely think about
coming back to with my friends or
family.”
Lights, Camera, Action for New HS Film Club
By Sheren Abou-Ouf (Grade 11)
Calling all actors and filmmakers for next
year’s first-ever high school film production
club!
The club is led by nearly a dozen current juniors, with staff advisors Ms. Levi and Mr.
Luukkonen.
Already, the club has started some awesome
film projects. Over the summer, the club’s director, Sheren Abou-Ouf, will start writing a script
and storyboard for the club.
Mr. Luukkonen, who has experience with
mixing, said, “I am excited to see what people
are going to create.”
Kathrin Harb said: “I have always enjoyed
acting and makeup and this is a great opportunity to practice what I love.”
However we need actors, directors, script writers, cinematographers, actors and editors.
For more info, contact Nadia Jacobson, club
manager, at [email protected] or
see Ms. Levi in Room 208.
You could be the school’s next Angelina Jolie
or Tom Cruise! Hope to see you soon on the
sliver screen!
Khalid Al-Mansoori is an Emirati
17-year-old who is planning to study
business management. In his free
time, he goes out to the desert with
his friends and does sketches and
drawings. “Most of my drawings are
about war and sights that people
aren’t familiar with and don’t expect
to see,” he wrote in a profile of conflict photographer Tim Hetherington. –Mr. Baron
Profile: Hamdan Al-Nahyan
On a sunny Friday, Emirati senior
Hamdan Al-Nahyan enjoys going to
the desert with his two younger
brothers and friends, dune bashing
and hunting with falcons.
Starting from a young age AlNahyan, 17, learned about the Emirati
traditions like hunting from his uncle.
As he grew his love for motor sports
grew with him.
Al-Nahyan has been at AISA since
the sixth grade. Now he is enjoying
his last year as a senior. For university, he hopes to get a degree in international relations, but is also considering engineering.
“I want to to design the first Emiatimanufactured off road vehicle,” he
said. –Ahmed Al-Ketbi
ComicCon Craziness
By Teguh Zulian (Grade 12)
Students were excited to attend
the inaugural Middle East Film and
Comic Con in Dubai in late April,
where they met famous artists, writers and directors.
From April 20-21, thousands of
visitors attended the event at the
Dubai International Marine Club.
Comic Con was sponsored by Her
Highness Sheikha Wafa bint Hasher
Al Maktoum, and is the only consumer event for fans of cult entertainment and popular culture in the
Middle East, according to its website.
Attendees watched exclusive
previews, purchased limited edition
merchandise, took part in exciting
competitions, and made new friends
and fans from across the region.
“It was an interesting experience
since we got to meet directors,
screenwriters, actors, and artists,”
said Mohamed Abbas Mohamed,
who met up with fellow seniors
Kevin van Hoogstraten and Taymour Bouran. “We got to see what
went into making a movie or comic
book.”
Comic conventions started in the
late 1960's. Just as spaceships, aliens and superheroes have become a
part of mainstream entertainment
and pop culture, Comic Cons have
also spread to cities around world.
Many fans dressed up as their
favorite characters, known as
“cosplayers,” though none of our
students said they did.
“I did show my support with my
Star Wars shirt I had!” said Mohamed. “Plus I got to take pictures
with some cosplayer, even with the
cosplay Queen herself!”
“It was one of the greatest moments in my life,” said senior Kevin
van Hoogstraten. “I loved it there.”
My Point of View
Back Row: Sheren Abou-Ouf, Kathrin Harb, Lars Sattanathan, Ahmed
Yacout Saleh, Shubhankar Misri.
Front Row: Deema El-Dasher, Ralph Young, Nadia Jacobson, Sallie
Hildebrand. / Photo courtesy Sheren About-Ouf.
Profile: Noor Al-Mehairbi
Junior Noor Al Mehairbi is not
your typical teenage girl – she has
her own vintage-retro style and is
not a drama queen.
Whether it’s an extra bow in her
hair, or green high-waist pants ,
something in her style stands out.
“I don’t like 'new,' 'modern' or
'up to date' trends,” said the halfSpanish half-Emirati 17-year-old.
“I don't judge things by their
brand. If I like it, I’ll buy it.”
Al Mehairbi's style, which she
has had since seventh grade, is
inspired by classic rock bands like
The Beatles, Queen and Metallica,
and by her mixed heritage.
“I am some kind of mixed
breed,” she joked.
Al-Mehairbi easily cheers her
friends up with her energetic personality and humorous wisdom,
though she is shy and quiet in
front of adults and strangers.
A positive trait about Noor, that
isn’t seen often in teenage girls
nowadays, is how laid back, or “un
-drama queen” like she is.
-Alia Youssef
Zayed Al-Nahyan will be studying
political science. In his free time,
the 18-year-old natural leader goes
to the desert with his friends.
By Señora Aida
Teaching at AISA for nearly two
academic years makes me stop a
second and evaluate our work
through the point of view of my first
IB class, from 2010-2012.
How clearly they phrased what I
was trying to teach with Spanish
immersion. “In the beginning, we
were confused never speaking in
English. But now I know why.” To
prove his point, he handed me a
thank you letter in nearly perfect
Spanish.
Another student happily wrote,
also in Spanish: “Now I speak Spanish with my family and I would like
to continue.”
Profile: Greg Brown
As a member of rock band
Daisy Grim senior Greg
Profile: Rana Alsaadi
Brown is a vocalist and
Last year, senior Rana Alsaadi,
student body president, was on assign- rhythm guitarist. His talented
skills earned the band gigs
ment in Publications: to cover the
and radio performances.
school's charity sleepover called the
Brown, 17, is one of the
“30-Hour Famine,” whose proceeds
original members of Daisy
would support rebuilding in Pakistan
Grim. Born in England, he is
after deadly floods.
half English and half South
One problem: she had broken torn
African.
ankle tendons. But that did not stop
Brown said he aspires to be
her, as she went in a wheelchair and
well-known in the music
interviewed teachers and students.
Alsaadi, 17, is like the future white industry, and has already
Oprah – debating the social issues of performed in Dubai, Abu
Dhabi and the U.K., where he
the world.
performed with other wellInspired by her Psychology and
known bands.
Publications classes, she plans to
“I'm inspired by people I
study journalism in university.
Though she's ethnically Syrian, she see, people I meet and meeting other artists,” he said.
grew up in the U.S., and has been in
Brown is planning to go to
Abu Dhabi for several years.
Alsaadi is also inspired by her hard- the School Of Audio Engiworking parents. In her rare free time, neering, with two years in
Dubai and two years in EngAlsaadi swims, shops and writes.
land. -Khalid Al-Mansoori
-Lamees Al-Makkawy
and Teguh Zulian
I do believe that education is simultaneous and works in both ways:
We share our values, opinions and
cultures learning about each other. I
learned so much in these two years
with my students, for which I am
glad. Thank you IB Spanish class y
buen viaje!
Profile: Marcela Cuadra
Senior Marcela Cuadra loves languages
and traveling. Originally from the Central
American country of El Salvador, she has
been at AISA for the past two years.
Cuadra , 19, and the second-oldest of her
three siblings, is used to traveling because
her father is a pilot.
She can also speak three languages fluently: Spanish, French and English, and can
understand and read Arabic and Portuguese.
Naturally, in university, she plans on
studying media communications and languages.
Cuadra also loves to play many sports,
especially basketball, swimming and soccer. -Salama Al-Khumaisi
Profile: Shahd Elghazali
Senior Shahd Elghazali is originally from
Sudan but was born in Sweden.
Elghazali, 17, has one yougner sister and
one older brother. She loves swimming and
volleyball, and her favorite color is purple.
“My favorite subject in school, surprisingly, is math” she said. Elghazali will
study medicine at University of Sharjah.
–Salama Al-Khumaisi
Cosmopolitan
June 2012
Students Impressed by Yearbook
Sales Brisk — Order Yours Today!
By Alia Youssef (Grade 11)
Cosmopolitan Co-Editor
Students and staff praised the yearbook, designed for the second straight
year by the Publications class, released in early June.
This year's yearbook, “Live Like
It's 2012,” is a happy way to think
about the Mayan's allegedly predicting the end of the world happening in
2012. They went on sale exclusively
for seniors at the Capping Ceremony
on June 3, then for everyone on June
5, at the new low price AED 225.
“I think the new yearbook is awesome!” said Heidi Pavlic (Grade 9).
“It seems more creative, and they put
my picture in it a lot more. The covers are original, most of the books
just have a school logo, I think it
looks really cool.”
The yearbook has the most content
ever – including 40 pages for seniors;
each elementary school class with its
own page; every event, club, trip and
sport through March -- and more
middle school content, including U14
Sports and Clubs for the first time
ever.
“This is easily the best yearbook the
school has ever had, I'm really proud
of the Publications students' hard
work and excellent design-sense, and
I think the whole school is going to
be excited to see the results,” said Mr.
Baron, the yearbook adviser and editor-in-chief.
“The design process is the most
collaborative it's ever been, with both
boys and girls classes brainstorming
and designing the theme and covers.
We also have much more thorough
proofreading this year.”
Publications students also spearheaded the “Famous” campaign,
where they designed posters highlighting unique students and their
yearbook pages, and created “viral
videos” to promote the yearbook.
Yearbook production started in
September, as the two classes brainstormed the theme, and designed the
front and back covers. In November,
Mr. Baron started contacting elementary school teachers and seniors for
their content. Layout for the 168 pages began in February and lasted two
straight months.
“The yearbook is an incredibly
complex and time-consuming yearlong project,” said Mr. Baron, who
took, edited or uploaded more than
5,000 pictures, and tracked down
captions and rosters for clubs and
teams, and coordinated the senior
content.
Students enjoyed designing the
pages, following templates designed
by student editors.
“I loved changing the font around
and making everything match up,”
said junior Noor Al Mehairbi. “I had
lots of fun designing my own junior
page, because I made it unique and
different.”
Still, it was a time-consuming process to perfect the pages, with thousands of different pictures, fonts and
backgrounds from which to choose.
“It was really hard having to perfect
my pages, and still manage to stay
stress free,” said senior Shahd
Elghazali. “I wanted to make sure
everything was perfect and errorless.”
Once each page was completed, it
was triple-checked by the relevant
teacher, an Admin and Mr. Baron.
“This would be a great way for
parents to start their own yearbook
collection for their child or children,
and for seniors this is the most important object they'll take away from
high school,” said Mr. Baron.
“It's a more limited-edition print run
this year, so I'd highly recommend
everyone buy their yearbooks as soon
as possible, and not wait until the last
day of school.”
Gr6 Students Solve Problems at Annual Exhibition
By Khalifa Al-Fahim (Grade 12)
Cosmopolitan Co-Editor
Grade 5 teachers are proud of their
students for presenting their end-ofyear projects to hundreds of visitors
at the annual Exhibition in mid-May.
As part of the Primary Years Program (PYP), Grade 5 students
worked in groups with a staff advisor
to research and present on important
issues. The Exhibition was held in
the Tim Gym on May 16.
“They (students) spend six weeks
finding out and preparing a way to
share their information with the
school and community, at the end,
they take action to make the commuProfile: Tanya Tarazi
This star studded girl can't be
held back. Senior Tanya Tarazi, 17, dreams of being a fashion
designer in the global market. Her
passion for fashion emerged from
a young age, when she started
dressing her Barbie dolls, and in
the future hopes to dress celebrities and models.
“If I am associated with the
right people and have the right
connections, I will make it happen!" Tarazi said. She wishes to
open a clothing line called
"Baybeh" by her mid twenties.
In summer 2009, this soon-to-be
fashion icon began drawing fashion sketches. Last summer she
nity better,” said Mrs. Pittman
-Jones, PYP coordinator, and
elementary school assistant
principal.
Topics, which students
chose, included improving the
environment, saving endangered animals, recycling, reducing water use, preventing
bullying, stopping racism and
stopping smoking.
Photo courtesy Mrs. Pittman-Jones.
The students were excited to
show off their hard work and what
and teasing or rudeness can ruin their
they had learned. Bullying was a
big day.
topic addressed by several groups,
"I am glad that we will do a
and advisors stressed that respect and change," said Mohamed Elencouragement will go a long way
Theeb (Grade 5). -30-
took an internship in fashion and
was accepted to a model agency
in Dubai to be exposed to the
fashion industry, and worked behind the scenes.
One of Tarazi’s friends, junior
Steffanie Sanders said, “Tanya has
been working towards her goal
since she was a kid, and now that
she’s applying to competitive art
schools around the world, she’s
really amping up her game.”
Tarazi plans on studying design
in university in Toronto, Canada.
“I want to meet designers and
have a shot at Fashion Week!" she
said. -Kairine Maharajh
Profile: Alia Youssef
Junior Alia Youssef is the type
of girl who is not afraid to give her
opinion.
“If I don’t agree with something,
I’ll say it alright,” she said.
Youssef, 16, was born in Saudi
Arabia to Egyptian parents, but
lived in Canada for seven years
before her family moved to Abu
Dhabi.
Youssef speaks Arabic and English fluently, is opinionated on any
topic, and is a member of Student
Council. Still, it takes time to understand her humorous personality. When not debating, Youssef is
a makeup guru.
–Noor Al-Mehairbi
5
Laughter and Tears at Capping
By Noor Al-Mehairbi (Grade 11)
Seniors and staff said their emotional goodbyes at the third annual
Senior Capping Ceremony on June 3,
when seniors passed on their year to
the juniors.
At the Capping Ceremony, the 94
seniors chose teachers and Admin to
put their graduation cap in the gymnasium. Staff gave students gifts, and
students gave flowers or a token of
appreciation in return.
Salutatorians Nahil Memon and
Mike Alzoebie gave speeches, and
there were humorous “Most Likely”
speeches delivered by secondary
school assistant principals Mrs. Jones
and Mr. Morley, plus a video made
by senior Aisha AlHajeri.
Seniors then ceremonially passed
on their year to the juniors in attendance. They exchanged handshakes
and said their goodbyes.
“It was a great feeling to finally
have the senior title passed down to
us,” said junior Reem Luqman. “Yet
we were all sad to see them leaving
high school for good.”
Yearbooks were also on sale for the
first time – exclusively for seniors -and students were impressed by the
work.
“Being capped is symbolic,” said
senior Latifa Al-Khumairi, who chose
Science teacher Mr. Mangan.
“It’s like a bucket of wisdom is
being placed on our heads. Although
he’s only taught me for one year, I
Profile: Muhammad El-Amin
Waking up every morning at 5:30
am, senior Muhammad El-Amin prepares a healthy breakfast, jogs for 20
minutes and then goes to school to
shoot hoops with Athletic Director
Mr. Hornblower before school starts.
”I believe it’s what you do when no
one is watching that makes a difference in the basketball season,” ElAmin, 18, said. “I like to stay humble, work hard, focus and do what I
can to be the best.”
Ethnically Sudanese and Turkish,
he grew up in Portland, Oregon in the
United States.
“I was upset when I first left the
[S]tates, but then 'manned up' and
stayed positive,” he said.
It didn’t take him a long time to
meet people and make friends including myself. El-Amin is easygoing,
and quickly made friends at school.
–Khalifa Al-Fahim
Seniors Farah AlJaghbeer and Ameilia
Fox after the ceremony. / Photo courtesy
Noor Al-Mehairbi
grew very fond of him,” she said.
“He’s a great teacher and he always
smells good!”
Additional teachers who capped
many students included English
teachers Mrs. Robinson and Ms. Levi, Arabic teacher Mrs. Babikir, Humanities teacher Mr. Waldman, and
Admin Mr. Morley and Mrs. Jones.
Mr. Mangan appreciated all the
students who chose him.
“Capping a student is a way to say
thank you to teachers for all their
hard support and most importantly for
making students count, believe in
their potential,” he said .
“I will definitely miss them. But as
we all know, it is time for them to
discover another life, undergraduate,
which also means being more responsible and independent.”
Profile: Kairine Maharajh
Senior Kairine Maharajh is used to
partying to American pop music in
Abu Dhabi's clubs.
But modeling to Arabic music
back in her home country of Trinidad?
There she was in a purple carnival
costume, with jewels and sequins
and a huge peacock-styled head
piece, being carried on a bed down
the isle for everyone to see .
“I always look forward to summer
because of all the fun I have!” Maharajh, 18, said. “I can’t wait to
move back next year, my life will be
a party!”
However, Kairine is set on becoming a lawyer. Despite her extroverted personality, the only thing she
will be partying with is her books.
“I WILL find time!” she said anxiously. –Tanya Tarazi
Profile: Mahy Mohamed
Senior Mahy Mohammad is a huge fashion fan –working on designing and
creating her own clothing collection of clothing for women who wear hijabs.
“I believe that every girl has the right to look gorgeous,” she said. “There
are many designers out there who design revealing clothes. My dream is to
provide respectful and elegant wear for ladies who deserve it.”
Mohammad, 18, is ethnically Egyptian but has lived her whole life in Abu
Dhabi. She has played volleyball, badminton and in her free time bellydances. In university, she is planning to major in finance.
–Mariam Al-Hammadi
Profile: Steffanie Sanders
Senior Steffanie Sanders is a triple threat – she sings, dances, and acts.
And her talents are at an all-time high.
From dancing in the Paranoize dance crew last year, to singing the American national anthem at last year's International Night while dressed in red,
white and blue, to acting in the “Cinderella” play -- this girl has a wide
range.
“Whenever an opportunity comes up for me to sing on stage, I take it,” she
said proudly.
Still, Sanders, 18, is more than just a performer – she also is passionate
about international issues, and is planning on studying Middle Eastern Studies and Arabic in university. –Aisha AlHajeri
Profile: Teguh Zulian
Senior Teguh Zulian, 18, is from Indonesia but has lived most of his
life in the UAE. “It feels like home,” he said..
At first he attended Al-Yasat Sschool, but has been in AISA for the
past six years. While at school, he has danced in the hip-hop dance
group Paranoize, which had a stunning performance at last year’s Talent
Show and International Night.
“Music moves me,” said Zulian.
In his free time plays tennis, basketball and badminton.
For university, his wants to study hotel management so that he can be
a manager of hotel franchises. "I can't wait until I leave and see the
world, but I will truly miss my friends and family in Abu Dhabi."
–Khalid Al-Mansoori and Greg Brown
June 2012
We Are the Lions!
6
Summer Watersports
Staff Beat Students in Annual Basketball Match
Seniors Nick Overkamp, Dorien van Heerden and Claudia Oswald all
enjoy swimming. / Photos courtesy Dana Aghabi.
By Marcela Cuadra (Grade 12)
Though the school sports season is
over, many students continue to be
athletic by doing summer watersports like sailing, surfing, swimming, water ski and scuba diving.
Claudia Oswald (Grade 12) has
been surfing since she grew up in
Australia and New Zealand, and
occasionally goes to Dubai to catch
waves.
"It's fun, I love it,” she said. “And
its refreshing, I love the ocean."
Oswald was also a member of the
varsity swimming team this year,
along with seniors Dorien van
Heerden, Nick Overkamp and Yu
Xin.
Water sports are good for the
whole body, because you work all of
the muscles while it feels like you're
doing less work compared to land
sports.
"I enjoy water,” said van Heerden,
who was the girls' MVP of the swim
team. “I swim on my free time."
Overkamp added: "My whole family swims and therefore I also wanted to try, and I don't regret it, it is
very fun.” He also sails in Abu Dhabi. "Sailing can be so relaxing but
also very exiting depending on the
wind," he said.
Water sports are very exciting,but
can also be tiring. Most importantly
don't forget to put on sun screen!
Finals Nutrition Tips
By Sakhr Abdullah (Grade 12)
As finals approach, it's important
for students to have good nutrition
in order to improve their study
habits and feel fresh for exams.
“It’s important for our psychological function and for our mental
health for the cognitive function to
be at the most intelligent,” said Mr.
Thomas, who teaches Pyschology.
“Students need to have proper
nutrients to have proper hormone
function, to continue at a high level, and have good sleep, so they
could function properly.”
While many students tend to eat
fast food and sweets, those do not
help the body.
Like many staff and students, Mr.
Thomas tries to eat healthy food,
but sometimes busy schedules get
in the way.
“I eat salad every day, but I eat
lots of carbs,” he said. “My cholesterol is good although I have too
many fatty foods.”
Saif Sleiman (Grade 12), who
was Male Athlete of the Year, suggested eating a wide variety of
fruits and vegetables, along with
lean meats and other protein
sources , while cutting out chocolate.
“A healthy diet is a lifestyle,” he
said. “We need a healthy diet to
maintain good health and prevent
diseases such as cancer and diabetes.”
Students Mixed on Man U. Losing
By Zayed Al-Nahyan (Grade 12)
We Are the Lions! Co-Editor
Students have mixed reactions to
Manchester City football team winning the English Premier League
title, while longtime powerhouse
Manchester United placed second.
Manchester City's great improvement is by getting better experienced player who have played in
championships, thanks to investment from the Abu Dhabi United
Group, which bought the team in
2008.
"Manchester City deserved the
title after all that hard work," said
Hamed Al Blushi (Grade 12). Fellow senior Essa Alawar said that
Sergio Aguero, the Argentinian
national team striker , had made
Manchester City a more efficient
team in attacking.
Ahmed Al Rumaithy (Grade 10)
was disappointed. “Manchester
[United] has fallen from what they
were, and gave Manchester city the
chance.”
Still, United supporters are optimistic for next season. Ahmed
Hamdan (Grade 12) said: "I will
always love Manchester United."
Left to Right: Basma Kanawati shoots over Ms.
Dickman, Menat El Abd with the ball, Mito Owino
shoots, Mr. Hansard drives to the hoop, Dorien van
Heerden leads a team huddle. / Photos by Mr. Baron.
By Muhammad El-Amin
We Are the Lions! (Gr 12)
Hundreds of students and staff were
excited to attend the annual Staff vs
Students basketball games held in
late May.
At the games, on May 24, staff
handily beat the varsity basketball
teams. Still, hundreds of students —
and especially seniors on their last
day of school – jampacked the
TimGym, cheering on the teams and
holding up signs.
“I think that this should be a lot of
fun,” Mr. Hornblower, the athletic
director who also was the game's
referee, said before the game.“Every
year this is an event everyone looks
forward and many students enjoy it.”
In previous years, the staff usually
won, including last year when teachers won by six points. The staff have
already had some practice on the
year, playing a nail-bitingly close
game against the American Community School staff in November, and
previously beat the varsity team in a
scrimmage earlier in the year.
This year's varsity players had been
wanting to get redemption on the
teachers. Moayad Zawahra (Grade
11) said: “The boys want to get this
win real badly and show these old
guys up.”
Before the game, Mr. Hornblower
had predicted that the male staff
would beat the varsity boys basketball team, while the varsity girls basketball team would beat the female
staff.
But in both games, the staff dominated the students, who had not
played in three months since the
ISAC tournament. In the opening
game, Humanities teacher Mr. Hansard put on a clinic, driving to the
hoop, knocking down three-pointers
and even showing off a reverse hook
shot.
At the end of the 20-minute half,
staff were up 26-11, and despite a late
rally of three's by seniors Quosain
Memon and Mike Najjar, the staff
won 48-25.
Female staff similarly dominated,
with staff up 10-3, 16-5 and finished
24-9 in the hockey-style three 10minute periods. Staff were paced by
eight points from Grade 5 teacher
Ms. Kroeger and seven points from
Grade 6 teacher Ms. Rear. Students
showed strong inside game from
senior Menat El Abd and junior Basma Kanawati.
Still, players on previous varsity
basketball teams, such as Fares Salamah (Grade 12) have always enjoyed
this game a lot.
“The staff game last year had better
attendance than in any of the regular
season basketball games,” said Salamah.
Fitness Tips for a Summer Beach Body
By Aisha AlHajeri (Grade 12)
We Are the Lions! Co-Editor
A few weeks before summer vacation, millions of teenagers around the
world hit the gym, hoping to score
that fit summer body. But once summer starts, many fall off track, and
the heaviest thing they're lifting is a
McDonald's Quarter Pounder and the
remote control.
So what's the secret to staying on
track? It's all a matter of finding a
sport or workout plan that best fits
into your busy schedule, according to
Shape magazine.
"Regular exercise has still been
proven to help reduce stress, boost
self-esteem, and improve sleep,"
according to Shape magazine.
"When your heart rate goes up
during a workout, your body releases
endorphins, which are your body's
stress-relieving hormones."
Senior Will Smith hits the gym
every day to build muscle, improve
his stamina, and reduce stress. "One
day I'll use the punching bag to practice punches and kicks," he said, "and
the day after that I'd do weightlifting
or maybe some intense cardio."
For students wanted to shed some
pounds, Smith recommends doing
cardio exercises- like jogging or
jump-roping.
"But for those wanting to put on
muscle, eating lean meat or eggs are
ways to get the right amount of protein," he said.
Senior Ameilia Fox also stays in
shape, and enjoys playing outdoor
sports- like beach volleyball and
swimming.
“Sometimes I go to the gym with my
friends for motivation because when
we work out together, we're more
likely to stay on track," said Fox.
"I recommend eating healthy and
getting some type of exercise at least
two to three times a week, whether
it's swimming or rollerblading on the
Corniche."
Can Field be Replaced by AstroTurf to Save Water?
By Khalid Al-Mansoori (Grade 12)
As the school tries to be more
sustainable, could the soccer field –
which uses a lot of water – be replaced with AstroTurf?
The school uses nearly 125,000
litres of water/day to water the soccer field, according to the recent
Environmental Science class audit.
“The amount of water used to
water the football pitch is truly
shocking,” said Ms. Moloney, Environmental Science teacher. “It’s
amazing to think the amount of
water used on the pitch is significantly more than all the other uses
of water in the school combined.”
Changing the field to AstroTurf
would save a lot of water and
would be more environmentally
friendly. AstroTurf is already being
used by some of the top soccer
teams in the world, including Real
Madrid and Manchester United,
according to AstroTurf's website.
“This is a question that only the
management can answer,” said Ms.
Moloney. “I would imagine that the
initial cost of an AstroTurf pitch
would be substantial, but I think in
the long run it would save a lot of
money for the school.”
But as she pointed out, the cost
could be an issue. According to an
article in Pennsylvania's The Patriot News, replacing a high school
athletic field with AstroTurf could
cost AED 2.4 million.
Meanwhile, AISA pays only AED
200 for every 25,000 gallons (1.1
million litres) of water used, according to Mr. Sayed Ahmed,
maintenance supervisor.
Would the school want to switch?
Mr. Hornblower, athletic director,
referred questions to Mr. Ah-
med. But Saif Sleiman (Grade 12),
who is a senior and a member of the
varsity soccer team, said he would
not want to change to AstroTurf.
“It isn’t very nice to play on because from one slide your leg
would be all scratched up,” he said.
“While running and moving in your
soccer shoes; they would stick once
you stop suddenly sometimes making you to trip. I prefer playing on
the naturally grown grass, because
that’s what football's supposed to be
played on.”
Though AstroTurf would cost a
lot, and would occasionally require
maintenance, saving all that water
would be more effective and environmentally friendly. It would also
help the school save a lot of water
and help prevent the water shortages which officials have been talking
about recently.
Seniors Ameilia Fox ( File Photo)and Will Smith
(by Aisha AlHajeri) recommend exercise and
eating well to get into good physical shape.