The Coastal group responds to a question during research presentations

It is hard to believe that it's been 14 weeks since we've been here, and now we are all heading our separate ways. The time has flown, and the experience has been amazing. We are all reluctant to leave this beautiful piece of paradise, but realize the time has come when we have to renter the real world! Of course, the students did not sit around moping for their last week; instead, we went out with a bang! Our week was full of research presentations (and cramming!), the Monster Mash, our Community Outreach Fair and sadly, graduation.

Chris Maxey and the Honorable Veronica Owens, MP

Friday was the big day of the semester. The day we had all been waiting for. Research presentations. The lecture hall was filled with government officials and other dignitaries, including the Honorable Veronica Owens, a Member of Parliament who is also the second ranking official in the Ministry of Education. We were all really nervous, but the presentations went off without a hitch! For the last three months, we have been researching and writing, polishing and practicing. All our hard work definitely paid off as we impressed each other with all that we knew.

Sam Benton and her community outreach buddy

Last Saturday, December 7, 2002, was our last day with our buddies from community outreach. Although it was the last time that we were with the children, our time was filled with fun, smiles and laughter. On that bright and sunny day, all of the students that we have been working with for a semester came to The Island School around 10 o'clock in the morning. Some of their parents and family came out with them to see the awesome work that we had been doing.

When our buddies arrived, we went to different places on campus to look at the cool projects from each grade. For example, Ashton's buddy's project was a book of fish that he had colored and labeled. Judges came around attempting to find the best project in each grade, which was a hard decision. Our favorite memories include when the kids all invaded the boys' common room and decided to make their own junkanoo with the drums, conchs, and cowbells that were lying around. We were surprised at how good they all sounded! For about half an hour, we danced around in the common room making loud music.

Last Monday, all of the students participated in an Island School style quadrathalon consisting of biking, running, kayaking and swimming. It was a culmination of all the outdoor programs we have focused on this semester. We split up by North and South dorms, and figured out our plans of attack ahead of time. They gave each team, consisting of 20 people, only 5 bikes, 5 pairs of fins, and 6 double kayaks and 8 singles. We had to figure out who excelled in what areas and planned accordingly with gear distribution. Although South ended up winning, there were no sore losers from the North side. After all, 2nd place isn't that bad! It was both tiring and fun for all of us, and an exciting way to end our rigorous morning exercise program.

Last sing along at the Coffee House

Yesterday, Tuesday, was graduation day. After a morning of packing and cleaning, we headed off the Lighthouse Beach, where we had spent our 48-hour solos. We spent the afternoon playing Frisbee, Football, and a game John came up with called spuds. The morning was a little rainy, but by the afternoon it was beautiful. We ate dinner on the beach and enjoyed each other's company for the last time.

Back at school, it was graduation time. Unlike traditional graduations, our Island School ceremony did not consist of long, boring speeches. Instead, it was an informal event where our names were called and we received a pin and got a change to keep each faculty member a big hug. The night's scheduled events closed with Molly's slide show covering the whole semester. It was funny and touching to see us all at the beginning of the semester, when our hair was short, our skin lighter, and we almost looked afraid of each other! Although the formal events were completed, we spent the remainder of the night getting in some last hanging out time. Parents, get ready for some tired kids!

The red truck (1 of 4!) loaded with bags

This morning, Wednesday, we gathered a circle one last time. After singing the Bahamian National Anthem, which we all know now so well, we rekindled an event from our first day at the Island School. Passing around a tray of Banana Bread, no one could take a piece without first saying why they deserved one. With that, we began to say good-bye to our Bahamian family as the first van left for the airport. We say farewell sad that our semester is over, but excited to go forth with the confidence this experience has given us. We'll see you all soon!