Seminar Week at BIA By Jacob Boutté        The year had paddled furiously upriver, on and on, into what seemed an endless river of hectic meaninglessness, and students at Bridgeport International Academy became desperate for some type of relief.  The BIA faculty and staff had planned for a week of intensive study upon certain electives.  During this week there was to be no regular class work or schedule; there were only student groups participating in week-long seminars focusing upon a certain curriculum such as “film-making” or “horseback riding.”  This issue of the tri-monthly newsletter will report to you just what happened during “seminar week,” as well as several other fascinating school events.     New Hope Farms By Jillian Littlejohn        For Seminar Week a group of BIA students trekked their way up to Port Jervis, New York to visit New Hope Farms. I was lucky to be one of the nine students to participate, along with Abby Asamoah, Aya Yasuda, Asuka Ohagi, Francesca Battilocchi, Hannah Boyd, Ross Littlejohn, Chris Vargas, and New Hope resident, Josh Ellanson. We all had a wonderful experience learning more about horses and each other.          Even though we started off a little nervous sitting on a horse by the end of the week we were longing to ride more. By the last riding lesson we were all confident enough on our horses that we were able to trot by ourselves. Even though she was thrown off by Sugar, an old pony with a very sore eye, Abby didn’t think twice about getting right back on a horse.      We learned about the different parts of the horse as well as a bit of the history of the species.      We cleaned the horses’ stalls daily, and fed and groomed them. When we weren’t working with the horses we were hiking on the mountain behind the farm and visiting the veterinarian’s barn to see the baby horses.      Overall it was an amazing experience that we won’t forget soon. Because of this experience we all feel we have made lasting bonds with each other and have grown to be better friends. The horsemanship skills we learned will always be remembered whenever we are in the presence of horses.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inside This Issue
1	Seminar Week at BIA
1	A Tour of Seaview House
2	College Application Fever
4	New Students Thrill BIA
4	Red Cross and BIA: Hand in Hand

		replied a number of things: “It’s clean, spacious, and comfortable. There’s good food, and the people who live there are nice. As for discipline, Bobby eloquently put it – the house has “…enough freedom, but also has rules.” Of course, not everything about this house was praised. One particular issue liable for concern has arisen: the walls are not soundproof. The two residents appeared to be especially bothered by the fact that they can hear the conversations that their next-door and even next-floor neighbors are having. However, there is not much to be done about it, as it would cost a fortune to soundproof every room in the house. So I proposed that perhaps they should use this minor inconvenience to their advantage. Regrettably, they didn’t take to the suggestion as well as I had hoped, so it was dropped. I gasped in awe as we rounded the corner and I spied it in all its grandeur: the abode of nearly ten students and the extended Zambon family who serve as house-parents, the Seaview House. As I tiptoed through the rear entrance into the foyer (in a reverent hush), I was told (rather rudely, I might add) to please remove my footwear before entering the main house. We then obtained permission for me to wander aimlessly in the halls on the clever ruse that I was writing an article for the school newsletter. It was in this manner that I acquired the OK to enter the prohibited boys’ floor. (In all actuality, I was, in fact, there to write a certain expose for our esteemed newsletter. I just assumed that it would be more intriguing story if  I added in miniscule adjustments to the truth.) My gracious guide and I traversed through the tree floors of the house, bursting into people’s rooms and startling them as they hastily tried to make their beds, clean up the floor, etc., for such an unexpected visitor. To my surprise, the males appeared to be more orderly and tidy than their charming next floor neighbors, the girls. But the girls made up for it by exhibiting an acute sense of fashion and décor on their floor, compared to the boys’. I chanced to meet Aya Yasuda and I asked her what she liked about her new house. She replied with a smile and a laugh, “I like it because I get my own room…and it has a nice view.” I then thanked Aya, bid adieu to Nao and Glori who were also present at the time, and traipsed down the three flights of stairs. I snuck a quick glance at the big table on the first floor where I envisioned every one of those lucky students eating their breakfasts and dinners. I crept in, in order to get a complete, unobstructed view of the dining room and kitchen. It was marvelous. It had a peaceful, homey feel to it that reminded me of my own home.      I slowly walked out of the room, quietly closing the door behind me. I picked up my shoes. Sighing, I turned for one last look, waved goodbye, and with a bittersweet smile headed home.
					Filmmaking Class By Hyangmi Cotter        Although I did not have the good fortune to attend the Filmmaking Class for BIA’s Seminar Week, I did, however; hear only good reports from those who did. In fact, each of the seven participants has declared that Filmmaking was by far the best class offered for the week, and all have announced that they would readily do it again.      The class learned useful filmmaking techniques such as lighting, hard act breaks, movie editing, and effective positioning of sets. A number of teachers came in to show our students how to execute these various filmmaking skills: Bow and Cara Jones, Chris Spurgin and our very own Mr. Sohn. Of the filmmaking instructors, Toby Yasutake had this to say, “Nice, competent, and prepared, that was the winning combination.”      All students supported the idea that this should be offered again, in the same manner, and that others should join next year and the years to come. Mitsuhiro Kono expresses his enthusiasm as follows: “If I liked it, I’m sure other people would like it because I’m not an easy guy to convince that it’s good or bad.” And Guktae An similarly affirms that, “This whole week was exciting. I think I learned and experienced a lot. I would definitely recommend it for next year students…”     College Application Fever By Gukwon An        All students look forward to memorable times as they welcome a new year, and BIA’s seniors are particularly creating once-in-a-lifetime memories of their college application process. Once preoccupied with readings, homework, and projects, the seniors are further burdened in this trying time with sending SAT scores, application papers, and recommendation letters to their desired colleges.              Fortunately, even with upcoming deadlines, our principal, Mrs. Spurgin, and student council secretary, Jacob Boutte, happily give feedback and aid to the most dreaded component—essays. The “yearbook class” asks the freshmen, sophomores, and juniors to support our seniors as we take a peek at their challenging college list: Drexel, Fairfield, Johns Hopkins, Kenyon, U Penn, Rutgers, and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
	A Week of Sports for Those With a Physique for Courts By Gukwon An        Of the classes available for the seminar week was “Sports.” In a period of five days, the students were exposed to various athletic experiences, many of which were novel yet enthralling. Each day, a different faculty member led the students in a single sport oriented activity.      Day one started off with familiar sports—such as basketball, soccer, and volleyball—which prepared the students for the intensive week ahead. Mrs. Jones helped the students adjust to the sporting mood and the new experience of a coed atmosphere.      Day two may well be termed the official start of the sporting week. Mrs. Boyd led the students on a seven-mile hike in Kent, Connecticut. Mrs. Jones and Ms. Vyazikina joined the students on the healthy exercise “up and down” the mountain trail. Taking at least four hours, the endeavor proved to be a challenge to all of BIA’s international legs, yet students very much enjoyed the experience. Andy commented, “At first it was, needless to say, difficult. However, at the peak of our trail, I felt an unfamiliar stimulation. And I came to understand the joy in hiking.” Clearly, the day was a highlight to many of the participating students and staff.      Day three was a rare chance for many to spend a day with our school nurse, Mrs. Betsy Jones. The students were driven to Milford, Connecticut, where they enjoyed the numerous tennis courts and a lesson from a professional tennis coach. Picking up the game with game phrases such as “love” and “deuce,” the students played on with new athletic confidence.      Day four was a day for golfing and was quite memorable just in being able to witness the “other side” of that day’s teacher, Dr. Spurgin. Students were taken to the golf practice center in Shelton, Connecticut to enjoy the putting green and long-shot practices. Dr. Spurgin kept his professionalism in teaching the know-how’s and rules of golf, but nevertheless shocked many students by abandoning his usual lectures on government and history to portray his athleticism. Some students humorously hinted at their wish to quickly earn money and continue playing this “rich” sport.      Day five, the last day, was reserved for the softball and soccer activities led by Mr. Olorunmaiye at the Marina Circle. Students enjoyed seeing their stern mathematics teacher finally reveal his young playfulness. Even as students tired from their intensive sports week, their still remain active and eager for the upcoming end of the school year.      The week successfully ended with memorable incidents and friendships. Surely, this is what sports ought to be about.

 

	New Students Thrill BIA By Jacob Boutté        Kohei:  BIA’s most recent acquisition, Kohei Shibata came directly from Japan.  His portly and friendly features speak of his amiability and sincerity.  He loves video games and is a master masseuse; he gave me an incredible massage that I won’t forget soon.      Eun-Hwa:  Eun-Hwa arrived to a hail of greetings from friends past.  She was quickly recruited for the WAIT team that is blessed by her dancing, athletic, and instrumental skills.  Eun-Hwa is exceptionally skilled at all manner of sports and we are constantly surprised by what she does next.  Keep your eyes on this one.      Manu:  Manu’s origins are as mysterious as his persona, often profound but always recondite.  He came to BIA and astounded with his phenomenal basketball talent and likable character.  Christinya Standburry reports, “I like being around him he’s cool and funny to come from Kobe.”  Hmmm…something going on there, Christinya?      Sung Yup: At age fifteen, he arrived in Bridgeport from Seoul, South Korea. Although he attends BIA to study English, he has already befriended the colorful students and faculty. He notes how considerate and interesting the people are. He is undecided in his dream, but aspires for at least an undergraduate degree. Sung-Yup advises his fellow students, “Let’s study hard.”     SATs at BIA By Jillian Littlejohn        All throughout high school our teachers have been preparing us for the dreaded SATs. This year we were taught how to prepare and what to expect when we go to take the test in both Leadership/Career class and The Novel class through practice tests and an informative video created for high school students who are taking the SATs.      Many seniors at BIA have already taken the SATs and have received exceptional scores. Gukwon did fabulously and received a score of 2310 on the new SAT. Everyone at BIA is very proud of him. Altogether though everyone’s scores were something to be proud of.