dish duty makes a great study break!

This week was the much anticipated, highly dreaded midterm week.   Students from years past have all said that this week, out of our fourteen-week semester, was the worst of them all.   They were most definitely right.   Thursday and Friday included both science and math midterm exams; the final drafts of our Omeros papers and the introductions to our research papers were also due.   The mood on campus was one of pure panic. Students were constantly running around tracking down teachers, trying but failing to get extensions or answers to the tests.   All study hours, free times, and little breaks between meals were devoted to trying to finish an assignment or cram one more piece of information into our heads before an exam.   The only thought that students could draw hope from was that of the Wemyss’s Bight Homecoming celebration, and the chance to stuff our faces with tasty delicacies.   On the whole, students somehow managed to get through everything, and most are happy that they pushed themselves to do all the work that they did. Although satisfied with themselves, the students are really looking forward to the eight day kayak rotation, and the possible chance to get a rest from the workload.

Olivia gives an "okay" in the deep

On Wednesday and Sunday we headed out on the Cobia for our seventh open water dive.   The second SCUBA rotation dove on Sunday instead of Saturday because we took the PSATS Saturday morning and had research in the afternoon.   We dove to the cobia cage, which used to be used in an Island School research project.   We dove to a maximum depth of 100 feet.   It was our deepest dive so far.   There was an amazing array of different fish species surrounding the 70-foot cage including yellowtail snappers, tuna, one huge grouper, and a massive blue parrotfish that was munching on some coral.   After we swam around the cage, we went to the drop off.   It is always an impressive site.   Some of us even experienced a little nitrogen narcosis because of the depth.   On this dive a lot of us were hoping we would get to see a shark, because they usually hang around the Cobia cage but we never did.   Overall, it was another fantastic dive.  

Saturday morning came quickly, everyone smiling, no exercise.   Everyone was in uniform, looking very cute, and ready to rock the PSAT.   We ate cold cereal and jumped on Friendly Bob’s big yellow school bus.   We drove to Windermere High, the school our fellow student Jesse went to for high school.   They welcomed us graciously and we each took a seat at a small desk, in a colder room than any of us had been in for over a month.   It was a little uncomfortable and weird to be in a normal school setting.   The test began and everyone jumped in and began working, calculators clicking and pencils scratching.   This hard work continued for three hours, until finally we were told to “close our test books.”   We frolicked outside and had a picnic lunch.   Everyone was chattering about the test, and chowing down on the junk food from the snack bar.   With our stomachs full we hopped back on Friendly Bob’s school bus and headed back to the good ole’ Island School for some high quality research.

On Saturday afternoon the entire school headed off to Homecoming in Wemyss’ Bight. Everyone was excited to eat as much as they could of all the different foods. The conch fritters were excellent. After a while the dancing started up and everybody joined in its awesomeness. Dan Shea was having so much fun he did a front flip off the stage during the dancing at homecoming. There was a dance off between Jake Cerf, Pat Long, Justin Drazin, Nate Wellin, Danny Waldmen, Luke Cherrington and a local Bahamian on stage later in the night, which our very own Pat Long won. The runner-up was a Bahamian busting out the crab walk. Towards the end of the night a group of us started up an ultimate frisbee game in the dark. It was the funniest game yet. It was very intense, and one person was even tackled.

Monday (10/24) marks the beginning of the three-week kayak rotation. Each of 4 kayak groups will go on an 8-day kayak trip and a 3-day cultural “down-island” trip, and will also have 8 days of normal academics. These groups are as follows:

Kayak 1 (K1): Students: Katie, Kara, Kylie, Brittany, Hanna, Leah, Chris, Drew M., Colton, Dave M., and Ben. Dates: Departs for kayak Oct. 24, returns Oct. 31; Day off Nov. 1; Departs for Down Island Trip Nov. 2, returns Nov. 4; Academics Nov. 5 through Nov. 12.

K2: Students: Olivia, Carley, Kimmy, Lizzie, Jackie, Delia, Henry, Dave S., David B., Mike, Jake, and Dan S. Dates: Departs for Down Island Trip Oct. 24, returns Oct. 26; Departs for kayak Oct. 27, returns Nov.3; Day off Nov. 4; Academics Nov. 5 through Nov. 12

K3: Students: Maggie, Eleanor, Eliza, Kat, Steff, Jaclyn, Henry, Chris, Justin, Jesse, and Nate. Dates: Academics Oct. 24 through Oct. 31; Day off Nov. 1; Depart for kayak Nov. 2, return Nov. 9; Depart for Down Island Trip Nov. 10, return Nov. 12

K4: Students: Amelia, Caroline, Cassidy, Annie, Toni, Nick, Duriko, Drew F., Pat, Danny W., and Luke. Dates: Academics Oct. 24 through Oct. 31; Day off Nov. 1; Depart for Down Island Trip Nov. 2, return Nov. 4; Depart for kayak Nov. 5, return Nov. 1

All-school day off Nov. 13

SHOUTOUTS:

Hanna:  Hey Mom and Dad! How are things at home?   Everything is fabulous here.   I am having the time of my life and I love every moment.   I can’t wait to see you guys when you come down in a few weeks.   Every night I look at the moon and think of you both.   I miss you and love you! MAL: I know I haven’t really gotten to talk to you much while I am down here, but I think of you all the time.   I hope things at Purdue are going well.   Tell Bri I say hi and that I loved his card!   Much love! OOP: O man where to start?   Things just aren’t the same without you.   I love and miss you tons!   Your letters are awesome!   Good job on keeping me updated with everything going on back at school.   Tell your family that I miss them.   I can’t wait to see you. EVERYONE:   Hey to all my friends and fam back at L’Ville and all you others across the country.   I miss you all and love hearing from you in all of your letters.   Keep them coming!   I’ll be home before you know it!

IS girls bring fierce competition to ultimate

Dan S: hey everybody back in MA. How’s everybody doing?   Mom and dad I miss you and ill see you soon.   Gramps how’s it going, keeping the dog in line?   Auntie Lisa Marcia, Uncle Shawsh and girls: keep sending stuff it’s greatly appreciated I miss all of you.   BHBs: what’s up I’m chilling down in the Bahamas if u didn’t notice by now.   OP peeps: missing the summer right about now, hope everybody is liking college and not getting in too much trouble. For everyone I would just like to say that I am having a blast, working my tail off, and being sweet of course. I miss you all and I’ll see you soon.   Write letters, I probably won’t be able to write back but I like getting mail anyway.

Nick Z: Hope everything is going well at home. I am having a blast. Miss you all. Hi mom, dad, bros, misty. Everybody in my hometowns I hope you all are having fun without me. Shoutout to my brothers from other mothers, you keep it real BOOYAKASHA!

Leah: What’ up Ashe-Vegas!?!?   I miss all of you SOOO much.   Mom and Dad, I miss you and I can’t wait until you come and visit, it’s going to be a blast.   Jessica, I love you and your letters, it is great to get a piece of home every once in awhile.   Tyler, if you read this, I miss you sooo much, and I hope college is treating you well. If you are studying as much as I am, I bet you are rocking it!   I miss everyone, and I will see you soon.   However, I am having the best time down here.   Everyone is amazing, and the excitement never stops.   I LOVE each and every one of you!   -Leah