Grade 6 Island School team

On Wednesday, half of us participated in our second open-water training dive. We only have one more open-water dive before we’re all certified! This dive was an off-shore dive, meaning that we simply walked into the water off Sunset beach with our gear on. Fun! Later that afternoon, we got to spend time with our Deep Creek partners again, getting to know them even better.

Thursday morning, half of us woke to a “psycho” morning exercise, while the other half had a soccer game down at the marina. (This included lots of jumping in the water to retrieve balls!) Our psycho led us through the ruins of the old resort, something we hadn’t done before, as well as an intense game of DUCK, DUCK, GOOSE on the old golf course! That evening, our fun “Bloomers” activity was an impromptu “dance-off”, in which the girls were brutally beaten by Chandler and Zach’s superior skills. We went back to studying with a refreshed state of mind, especially after Vlad and Emery closed the activity with a guitar and vocal freestyle

Patrick during Science class

The next morning, we did the flip of the flop of morning exercise the previous day. Later that day, we spent our science class learning about coral and snorkeling off of Fourth Hole beach. We got to see what we had just been learning about out in real life, observing the polyps of the corals up close, and even interacting with fish in the area. It was a super sunny day, so the visibility was awesome! Unfortunately, Stephanie had to leave for a wedding back in the States, so we all missed her! However, the girls’ dorm made the best of their time while boys had “mandatory fun” at the marina by brilliantly and stealthily stealing the boys’ dorm much-prided flag (only to have it stolen back the next morning when the girls hung it victoriously outside their dorm…).

Laura N diving  in Science class

Saturday morning, the run-marathoners ran 4.5 miles – the longest yet – and did a great job with it, while the swimmers did hardcore drills in the cut. That night, we all took a big yellow SCHOOL BUS (something we don’t see too often around here…) to Weymss Bight for the local homecoming celebration party. We got to eat lots of conch fritters and macaroni and cheese. Soda was also a big hit! Apart from the delicious Bahamian food, we tore up the dance floor, inspiring the local Bahamians present to join us. Chris, in particular, showed off some mad skills. By the end of the night, we were all exhilarated and hyped up on energy (not to mention hot and sweaty). When 9:30 rolled around, we piled back on the bus, returned to school, and were surprised with a great night-float down the cut, with stars, bioluminescence and all! It was beautiful, especially with the copious amounts of shooting stars. We got back to school around 11:15 – just enough time for us to crash in bed, exhausted and satisfied. It was a big night!

Sunday was filled with fun and relaxation, including an optional trip out to the ooid sandbar for a game of football. Everyone had a great time! Meanwhile, Jenn O.’s advisees baked an awesome surprise batch of cookies for us that we gratefully devoured during “feed” around 9 that night. (Thank you!) There were no leftovers.

Monday was a day of adjusting back to classes, but we were all glad to see Stephanie return, despite airline troubles, having arrived in North Eleuthera, rather than Rock Sound! Her arrival gave us a great break during intense study hours, and were excited that she was back! Overall, it was a very eventful week and we’re looking forward to another one!

This weekly update was written by Hannah, Annalisa, Emily, and Ally.

SHOUT-OUTS:

Ally: Hey you guys! First of all, I miss you so much, and am super sorry I haven’t written (if you can’t tell, we’re all a little busy here!) But I do love hearing from you, so keep sending mail! I’m having a great experience, and hope you’re all having fun at home too. Briana and Toomey, happy birthday(s) girls. I love you! I miss you all – Mommy, Daddy, Amy, Jess, Kara, and everyone else back home! Keep smiling!

Annalisa: Hey everyone. Mom, dad dave- I miss you guys so much. Thanks for the great packages and mail!  Its great to talk to you everyweek love you guys! Mariel- Miss you tons, hope your year is going great.  Everyone- Hope your keeping yarmouth fun, and having a great fall.   Good luck soccer team this season! I miss you all so much, this place is awesome. Keep writing! I love mail. Bye Love you all!

Hannah: Hey guys! Hope everything is going well back in Boston… What up Nobles?  I hope everybody is having an awesome year so far, I miss you guys tons and can’t wait to see you all in December! Krys!! I miss you tons and hope you’re having fun at home! This place is so cool, I am having such an amazing time so far! Mom, dad, and Henry I miss you guys so much but can’t wait to see you in a few weeks! Love everybody back home so much, keep up the letters! Love, Hannah…go sox

Emily: Hey you! Mom, Dad, Greg…miss you guys tons-thinking of you always. Hope all is well in the new home and glad you love college and NC! Jessica! get better! I miss you so much and I wish you the best (you better not have cut your hair!) And to the rest of y’all-Kevin:-).babe.james.kathy.simmonds.ann.stad.jenn.beezer! Miss you too! It’s awesome down here, I love it, and I can’t wait to see you guys-(but not too soon) ;-) Love you all! Keep the letters coming please!