Life in the Fast Lane

A standout in the pool during her days at ICS, Shannon Cheung (class of 2012) has had an enduring love for swimming since a very young age.  She swam competitively at the collegiate level while attending Pasadena City College and was awarded PCC’s “Athlete of the Year” as PCC’s first ever State Champion for Women’s Swimming. This fall Shannon will be taking her swimming to the next level when she  toes the starting block  as a member of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Bruin’s swimming team. Congratulations Shannon on your continued success both in and out of the pool. 

Check out the video of Shannon as she took time this summer to stroll down “memory lane” on her time at ICS. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mjliHoQLOU

Making A Difference with Music



Picture courtesy of  ICS Impromptu

International Christian School’s a cappella group Impromptu started as a “Make A Difference” project by ICS student Natalie Lu, class of 2014, as a way “to share their God-given talents to bring joy to those around them.” Three years ago Impromptu was a group of just four students singing prearranged versions of songs. Today the group has grown to 12 students, fully student-led, singing versions of songs that they arrange themselves. “It’s a great opportunity to hone our student leadership skills,” says Natalie, and it also allows them the autonomy to sing songs of their own choosing.

“Wouldn’t it be cool to…” mused Natalie and her friend, Russell Salazar, a member of the Chinese International School’s Enharmonics (CIS) about forming a combined a Capella choir and staging a concert. With the shared objective to make a difference through their singing talents, Natalie from ICS and Russell from CIS, successfully invited student representatives from HKIS (Hong Kong International School), to create the FIRST ACA Concert - a fully student-led performance by three international school singing groups with a goal to make a difference through singing a Capella songs.  

On April 26, 2014 the A CAppella Concert was launched successfully at the CIS campus to a full house attendance. Over HK $35,000 was raised through ticket sales, and the donations will ultimately benefit a needy school in Tacloban, Philippines.  

Following the success of the ACA concert, ICS Impromptu continues to mature and find their identity in an ever-evolving style of music. As Natalie wraps up her last year at ICS, she is pleased by the global revival and growing popularity of a cappella music and excited to be leaving ICS Impromptu in very capable hands for the years to come, that will continue to bless others through great a cappella music. 

click here to Check out Impromptu's rendition of Pentatonix’s “Run to You”



Photo Credits: Jessica Eu Chinese International School

A message from ICS Alumnus

ICS has been blessed with an incredible community of families, students, faculty, and alumni. 

On this Thanksgiving holiday we praise God for his bountiful blessings. 

Earlier this year we sat down with the Class of 2012 Alumnus and 

current Stanford University Pre-Med student Jason Khoo and 

asked him how his experience at ICS has prepared him for life at Stanford. 

What we got was a heartfelt answer that reminds us all to be thankful for a community that cares.  

Here is what he shared:  

Small Kid, Big Blessing!

Our music teacher Mrs. Wible has recently injured her conducting arm with an broken elbow. As she went to her follow up doctor’s appointment, she was encouraged by talking to the doctor. Here is why…

As I walked into my doctor’s office, he said, “I’m having a hard time telling which your injured arm is.” When I showed him my “bad” arm and all of the mobility I have, he said, “Amazing!!” He just couldn’t get over how quickly my arm healed. I told him that many people were praying for me. Somehow I asked him if his children go to ICS and he said yes – P1 student. Then I asked if he was a Christian, “No”, he said, “but, I believe in God and now we’re starting to go to church. I’m so impressed with my son since he’s gone to ICS. He was lost in the supermarket a couple of months ago and I was frantic to find him. When I found him, I said, ‘Son weren’t you afraid?’ ‘No, Daddy’, he said, ‘God is with me’. “Then he went on to tell me another story about how through his son’s influence he was encouraged during a time of discouragement. This is in his office, in front of two nurses who were also there!

"So, everyone, please be encouraged! God is using YOU as you pray for others and as you work at ICS. I’m sure there are many other stories about how God is working in our students’ lives to bless their families." ~ Juniata Wible

 

Merry Christmas from ICS Headmaster

 

 

A Christmas message from ICS Headmaster, John Nelson, sharing the joy of giving! As a tradition, ICS organizes a shoebox drive to collect items to share with the community.

 

 

 

Click here if you can't see the video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLUh7_Hc2Sg

ICS has given so much to me!

Cindy attended this year Walkathon and Fall Festival

Cindy at her University - Savannah College of Art in USA

I came to ICS in 2006. I chose this school because of the flexible program that allowed me to focus more on art and also because a variety of classes are offered in the curriculum.

ICS has given so much to me - I definitely wouldn't be who I am today without ICS!

I made many good friends at ICS, and the teachers were friendly. The classes were flexible, allowing me to focus on art. Mr. Meyer's intensive art program has taught me so much valuable knowledge that will definitely stay with me for the rest of my life. If I could go back into time and change one thing during my stay at ICS, it would be to take more of Mr. Meyer's amazing art classes! ICS has really encouraged me to use my talents by giving me the opportunity to design the ICS Green logo, the 2010 High School Camp T-Shirt, the 2011 Jazz Cafe Posters, the 2011 Annual Report Cover, and most recently the Red Packet Design and this year Walkathon’s publication.

Please enjoy some of Cindy's works!




Cindy designed this year ICS Walkathon & Fall Festival logo 

Cindy's work was selected to be on a cover artwork of a book

 

Cindy designed a pair of Lai See Packet of ICS



 

ICS offers a nurturing Christian environment

Carmen Kirschke (Class of 2012) with her parents serve as missionary in Hong Kong

When my parents and I moved from the US to Hong Kong in 2009, they wanted a school that was not only international but also offered a nurturing Christian environment. After our family toured various schools, the decision was made for me to attend ICS. 

When I first came to ICS, I found the place to be very positive: I noticed a level of mutual respect among peers. ICS encourages a friendly atmosphere which helps students to come out of their comfort zone and socialize. It provided the meeting place and right climate for my friendships to blossom. Many of my teachers are caring, compassionate, and committed to teaching. Through bible classes and chapels, I learned more about the nature of God and the people who taught me the most about a relationship with Christ are my teachers and classmates. 

ICS challenged me to analyze and think critically about different aspects of life. I always had the opportunity and encouragement to ask questions when I wanted to learn more or was confused about something. Through the diverse clubs and electives ICS offers, it allows everyone an opportunity to discover their talents and interests. I discovered my talent for acting through drama class, and ICS has offered several opportunities for me to perform onstage for performances and public speaking.

To this day, I still enjoy anything related to theater or acting. ICS definitely raised the bar in terms of academic expectations and standards. Now I am equipped with the higher level thinking skills that will help me in college.