The Morrison SharkPost kaohsiung.mca.org.tw Volume IV, Issue 1: October 2016 “House” the School? By: Anna Huang rom behind the closed doors of A new form of student govern- Nini Lee. Nini, the president of the the houses to their own device,” Elisa FHS5 came the high school ban- ment was introduced by the teachers house council and a former Student Cheng, a senior, had elaborated. quet, carnival, spirit week, and tal- this year, replacing the Student Coun- Council officer, is highly satisfied Nevertheless, the House ent show. Few dared to venture into cil with the House Council (common- with the new cabinet. “There are a lot Council sets its goals high with the the secured headquarters of the High ly referred to as “House Co”). Such a of new faces this year, which brings yet-to-be ratified preamble proposed School House Council, especially af- change hopes to prompt vertical inte- a [sic] new dynamics to the council,” by Nini Lee: ter a failed stick-bombing attempt gration in the school by placing more she says. “We, the Sharks of MAK, in order to with its suspect still on the loose. attention on the newly birthed House To promote vertical integra- form a better high school… ensure tion in school, the House Council an environment of safety and fellow- program. plans to change Spirit Week into a ship, provide for the common growth, The House house-based competition instead of promote anti-bullying, and secure Council is made a class-based one. In addition, the the blessings of bubble tea liberty...” up of nine mem- House Council is also planning for (please consult Nini for the full, un- bers and facilitat- two house competitions. censored version). ed by Ms. Brabon. Many students, however, were One thing is for certain, how- The nine officers concerned about the practicality of ever: the House Council this year is consist of two rep- House Co’s grand makeover plan. ready to hear your voice and make resentatives from Some lament the sacrifice of bonding your life at school a better experience, Meet your 2016-17 HouseCo members: Nini Lee, Car- each of the four time within a class, while others find whether through negotiating dress men Clemente, Katherine Ma, Jerry Chou, Emirlyn Yang, houses and a rep- House Co’s presence in promoting code or shooting Mr. Torgerson with Anson Shyu, Dennis Huang, Bill Scott, and Esther Yao // resentative from house unity distant, “largely leaving water guns. photo taken by MAK Yearbook the senior class, Pre-Tournament Sports Exchange By: Katherine Ma t around 6:00 am on September in a victory for Varsity. the Varsity team faced the MAC JV A17, 2016, many people were still Even though some JV girls felt team. Perhaps already exhausted from in their sweet dreams while a bus fully like they did not reach their full poten- the eventful day, the team did not loaded with Shark athletes headed to tial as a team when they played against perform as amazingly as they had the Taichung, the home of the Mustangs. ICA, they successfully won two sets of previous game. They took one set from Apart from the ordinary JV the match. Following that game, the the JV Mustangs, but gave away the soccer and volleyball games, the Sports MAK JV team played against MAC JV other two. Exchange this year featured a Varsity and won one of the three sets. The JV men soccer team com- girls volleyball match. The schools that The Varsity team defeated the peted against ICA and MCA. The first were expected to compete in this mi- ICA JV team with a score of 25-to-7 in match with ICA resulted in a loss of ni-tournament included MAC, MAT, the first set and 25-to-9 in the second. five-to-six. One of the starting players, ICA, and of course, MAK. After a short lunch break, the Varsity Parker Shen, injured his hip quite seri- Rosalyn Huang, a Varsity volleyball The Varsity volleyball team girls faced their greatest enemy in the ously. player prepares to ace her serve. // originally only had one game sched- mini-tournament: the MAC Varsity For the second game against photo taken by Phebe Huang uled, but because of the savage ty- team. As they were playing, fans and the MCA JV team, the Mustangs Clemente, a Varsity volleyball player, phoon sweeping across northern Tai- supporters on both side cheered pas- scored nine goals while the Sharks said, “I gained a lot from this experi- wan, MAT was not able to participate. sionately. Some moments were simply scored five. MAK men’s soccer team ence individually, and I believe our The Sharks Varsity team replaced so intense that you could not hear any- captain Daniel Lee broke his glasses team learned a lot of valuable lessons MAT in the JV schedule and gained one breathing. during this intense game with MCA. as well.” three extra scrimmages. MAK Varsity team captain After the game, he stated, “The The MAK athletes will un- The tournament began with Nini Lee, was particularly noticed for team did well on offense but still has doubtedly continue to improve as it the Sharks JV team playing against the first legitimate block of the season room for improvement on playing de- gets further into the season. People are the Sharks Varsity team. Both teams against a Mustang hitter. Unfortunate- fense.” already making bets on who will win showed great effort, especially the JV ly, MAK lost both sets of the game, 19- Overall, most athletes ex- the final tournaments. Will the Sharks players who dove for the ball whenever to-25 and 15-to-25. pressed that it was a great opportunity be able to bring home the medals? We possible. However, the match resulted Right after the game ended, to have this Sports Exchange. Carmen will have to wait and see. In This Issue: New Teacher Features On Lockers with Thrice the Advice part 1...pg. 3-4 Chargers...pg. 5 column...pg. 8 8 THRICE THE ADVICE Do you have questions about high school, relationships, religion, or just about life in general? Thrice The Advice is here to pro- vide guidance as you go through the school year. Any questions –genuine, funny, or serious– are welcome. Please go to thrice- theadvice.typeform.com/to/GI39Az or scan the QR code. By: Anna Laytham, Gabrielle Liu, and Jasmin Kong I have a very serious question that I homeroom teacher about starting a have been asking myself ever since class food store or start making plans high school started: How do I sur- for a new student store by talking to vive Mrs. Griffin’s math class? Help!! Mr. Torgerson, Mrs. Griffin, or other teachers who might be interested in A: To survive Mrs. Griffin’s math class, starting a student store. In the mean- I would recommend that you take ad- time, if you are desperate for food, go vantage of the homework checks that to Mr. Newkirk’s office with 35 NT she does. Keep your binder organized, and support MUN! thoroughly study for tests & quizzes, and take notes & pay attention in G: Human trafficking sounds terrible. class. ALSO, pay close attention to her *special* signal for what is going J: ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT to be on the tests. Besides that, Mrs. FOOD?! Because I don’t know– but I Griffin justs want you to love math as do know that we need food to survive. much as she does and do well in the So, to get the student store back, try to class, so breathe. just bring food to school AND give it to ME. Any questions (genuine, funny, or serious) are welcome and will be answered G: Avoid bleeding to death and wear a by the Thrice the Advice crew, Gabrielle Liu, Anna Laytham, and Jasmin helmet. Also, avoid paper cuts because Our high schoolers are all taking the Kong. they hurt a lot and distract you from same Bible class this year. What are want to know them better and aren’t in each other) one of you can ask the being thoroughly productive in math. some suggestions for ways to make judging them. other out, and you’ll be in a relation- Mrs. Griffin will do homework checks it a meaningful and engaging class? ship. Just remember, sometimes be- which should be like a free A+ except What types of discussions do you J: To have a meaningful and engaging ing in a relationship isn’t as fun as it that it’s not, so you should bring a loaf want to have more of? Any other ad- and snacking class you have to first get seems--there’s a lot of work too. of bread as company to comfort you vice? everyone excited, snacking, and fo- in times of trouble. cused on what we are going to do. Try G: You must first peel the potato, and A: Like any class, sitting for about an bringing in snacks and have everyone then chop it into quarters. Then, take J: Taking any math class without brain hour and a half is somewhat monoto- eat a plate of snacks while discussing. the quarters to the bank and have it power would be TERRIBLE. I can’t nous and tiring. Ways to make Bible converted to NT dollars so you can imagine it! I would never advise you class more engaging would be to let How do you get into a relationship? actually do something because anoth- to even attempt it! Bring Nerds, but students get up and move around er person will never be the answer to not the people. I establish a daily rou- more. Also, class activities and dis- A: I am assuming you are referring to your life except JESUS whoo hoo!!!! tine of taking people’s lunches. Maybe cussions make the class more mean- a romantic relationship. If you are, I you can try that one out or just bring ingful. Keep in mind the people who would recommend talking to the per- J: Giving the guy/girl food always your own snacks. Also don’t for- might not be extremely interested in son you are interested in (IN PER- works for me :) and if they don’t ac- get to share it with your classmates. the class, and adapt the content you SON). cept your food, at least you have food. put in to be relatable to all. However, if you are just look- Editor’s note: “Do your homework ing to be in a relationship because you How much do you charge for advice? and ACTUALLY do the corrections.” G: Promote the free flowing of ideas want to be in a relationship, I wouldn’t –Mrs. G in order to gain understanding, espe- recommend that. You should want to A: We don’t charge anything, but cially since much of the content in the be in relationship because you are in- thank you for taking what we want You’ll be able to keep your grades up first several sections concerns world- terested or like the person, not simply into consideration. with good homework check scores! views. When hard boiled eggs show because you WANT to be in a rela- they value fried eggs, then they both tionship. J: Teas or any food will be appreciated Will we ever in forever ever get stu- acknowledge each other as eggs and To answer your question, I :) (*Do not take her advice ^) dent store back? not pieces of scum. Only then might would say talk to the person, get to eggs really like classes because they know them, and then (if the time is G: I charge like a bull. A: Maybe you should talk to your realize eggs cooked in different ways right and both of you are interested

The Morrison To advertise in the SharkPost or to send inquiries, please contact: [email protected] SharkPost 42 Chia-Cheng Rd., Dashe District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, 81546 (07) 356-1190 Adviser Draft Editors Staff Writers Kate Shaffner Grace Hsu Illona Chen Gabrielle Liu Anna Huang Anna Huang Katherine Ma Editor-in-Chief Christine Lee Evan Hsu Nini Lee Sabrina Tsai Nathan Lee Jasmin Kong Bill Scott Anna Laytham Halona Stephenson Business Manager Artist Yosub Lim Sunny Wang Vivian Lu Gabrielle Liu Mission Statement: To establish a medium for school news and to create an outlet for expressing student ideas. 2 NEWS Volume IV, Issue 1: Oct 2016 The Annual Spiritual Catalyst Micro-fiction by the Sophomores By: Grace Hsu Written for English II: Short pieces of creative nonfiction total- atalyst,” you ask, “doesn’t that dark. ing no more than twenty words that incorporate elements of “Chave to do with chemical reac- In Underground Church tions?” there are two main groups: the “po- both nature and social behaviour. Not this Catalyst. The annual lice” and the “Christians.” The goal of Catalyst Conference is an event that the “Christians” is to form a church is meant to help engender spiritual of 25 members. The goal of the “po- growth in students through a variety lice” is to catch all the “Christians” Original prompt: of activities. This year’s Catalyst was and throw them in jail. That night the “Spring Spleen” held at Morrison Taichung from Au- students played the game twice with by Lydia Davis gust 26th to 27th and, for the first time the Christians unprecedentedly win- ever, involved high school students ning both times. Emma, a freshman I am happy the leaves are growing large so quickly. from all three Morrison campuses at MAK, said, “Underground Church Soon they will hide the neighbor and her screaming child. (Kaohsiung, Taichung, and Taipei). was amazing! I’ve always loved play- After arriving at Morrison ing games with a lot of people in the Taichung and dropping off their bags, dark.” Phebe Hung students went down to the Commons Waking up from a peaceful (or The whirling wind took my thoughts away, wandering between dreams. to eat dinner, mingling and reunit- was it?) night of rest on campus, stu- ing with old friends from the differ- dents headed down to the Commons Katherine Ma ent campuses. Shortly after dinner for breakfast Saturday morning. The flowers he placed for her withered within days. was worship time, led by the missions The speaker that morning was Soon, his body will start to decay. team from Canada visiting MAK. Mr. McDillon, who shared his per- The Friday night speaker was sonal testimony about how he came Esther Yao Lee Yih, the president of Layman’s to know God amidst a challenging pe- LIttle sparks in the darkened sky, shone with blinding light. Foundation, a Christian ministry or- riod in his life. The second highlight Smiling down upon the sleeping child, who slumbers till daylight. ganization located in the States. of the morning was the student-led He shared an “I am Second” workshops. Students had the option Daniel Lee video of his testimony. Then, he elabo- of attending two workshops of their Left Korea for Taiwan, but Taiwanese weather is insane. It is raining cats rated further on his testimony, which own choice. Topics included listening and dogs, but on my cheeks. led to some controversy. Citing vari- to God, making tough decisions, and ous Bible verses, he explained that our standing for your faith in the midst of Sunny Wang “rank” in heaven will be determined peer pressure. The children pray the heavy rain will pour. So it can wash away the mem- by the good works that we do in this Lunchtime was a bit differ- ory of their homes. life. ent from the previous meals in the This led to a lively discussion conference so far. The guys and girls Henry Ho between Yih and students within the split up into separate Q & A sessions, Adrenaline pumping and sweat trickling, with dunk after dunk. audience. Yih concluded the discus- which answered questions students The remains, strapped tightly on a solid little chair. sion by challenging students to dig wrote down earlier that day. The sen- into Scripture to find out for them- iors, who organized the whole event, selves what the Bible says about Heav- led younger students in discussions Brian Hsieh en and good works. Although there about academics, relationships, and As he ran onto the beach, was much disagreement over that part other issues that high school students he thought it would have been beautiful if bodies weren’t dropping all of his speech, everybody in the room will face. around him. certainly left with something to think Much of the afternoon con- about. sisted of free time, but at the end, After small groups, it was time students gathered together one last for a Catalyst tradition -- the much time to worship and dance (but Submissions to SharkPost anticipated Underground Church. mostly dance) to music. After a time This game involves lots of chasing (as of prayer and reflection, a crowded well as being chased) and was played group picture concluded this year’s on the entire Taichung campus in the Catalyst Conference. Through photography or through writing, please respond to the following prompt:

The typhoon came and left, and you are in charge of clean- ing up. You come upon this forgotten item in your attic, base- ment, or storage room. What is the item, and what meaning does it hold to you?

If you have an opinion on the lockers, or would like to re- spond to one of the articles, let us know!

Email [email protected] The students jam out to worship songs on Saturday afternoon as Catalyst with the subject: Letter to the Editor came to an end. //photo by MAK Yearbook

Volume IV, Issue 1: Oct 2016 FEATURES 3 Get In The Club, Get In The Game Officially Meeting Yang Lao Shr By: Nini Lee By: Illona Chen ow awesome would it if MAK ciation, and bring mathematic closer n previous years, you may Hhad its own “breakfast club”? to life by designing and hosting intra- Ihave seen her walking down Instead of washing the dirty coffee mural events such as the MAK Math the hallway, talking mysteri- machine in the staff room for being Olympiad. Members share a common ously with MAK teachers. You tardy, you could have the choice to interest of the advancing and spread- may have even had her as a sub- write about who you think you are, ing of mathematical knowledge. stitute teacher for your Chi- meet new friends, and have fun dur- Red Cross Service Team nese class. She is Joanna Yang, ing detention! Just kidding. This club partners with Red Cross, also known as “Yang Lao Shr”. This year, we had thirteen the world’s largest humanitarian or- Before the semester even clubs present at the club fair, from ganization. It is not only involved in began, she had already been sports to service and to seemingly community service but also training teaching Chinese to the teachers boring academic subjects (which is in disaster relief and health services. at MAK. Sounds cool, right? This rather fascinating). Each club was Projects done in the past include Eng- year, she will be formally teaching uniquely created and is led by our lish Winter Camps for low-income the students at MAK too! So, let’s high schoolers, most based on their family kids, nursing home visits, and get to our real point: who really is personal interests in those areas. special needs/orphanage activities. this ‘Yang Lao Shr’? Clubs are a great place to meet new Engineering Club Although she’s currently friends who have similar hobbies, Seek solutions through collaborative teaching at a Christian school Yang Lao Shr helped MAK teachers and also one where you can investi- and individual hands-on projects. and is a Christian herself, Yang with their Chinese before officially gate a specific subject with creativity From experimenting with Arduino Lao Shr was not born in a Chris- becoming one of the staff members and fun. It is an excellent stress re- boards to making an app, Engineer- tian family. Instead, she was born at MAK. //photo taken from MAK liever, and can enhance your college ing Club strives to be a community and raised in “a traditional Tai- website application. Now ask yourself, on an that innovates and cooperates to find wanese family, whose belief is exhausting Tuesday or Thursday af- solutions and build ideas. a mixture of Taoism and Bud- worked at the church) at the age ternoon, what is better than having SharkPost dhism,” she explained to me. of 29. They married soon after- a marvelous time participating in a Establish a medium for school news During her childhood, her wards and now have two boys. club? and create an outlet for expressing parents held high expectations for Later on, Liu Lao Shr introduced In case you missed them in student ideas. her. As a result, she often stayed MAK to her and invited her to the club fair, here is a list of clubs of- Singing Club at home helping her mother do teach there. At first, Yang Lao Shr fered at MAK high school this year: Spread joy and learn about unity chores or playing around by her- was only teaching the teachers at Gardening Club through singing, and expand the self, with rare occasions of being MAK, like mentioned earlier, but Learn and discuss the best way to members’ knowledge of different allowed to go outside to play with this year, she is also teaching stu- grow plants. Club members will also genres. the other kids. When dents. Because of her transition be harvesting and cooking the the Model United Nations (MUN) I asked her what she was like dur- from teaching teachers to teach- vegetables after successful planting. Increase students’ awareness of world ing her childhood, I was expect- ing students, I had the opportuni- Music Service Club events and political situations, help ing an answer like: “Oh, I was a ty to ask the question: Do you like Show compassion and serve special students learn to speak well and with straight A student, nice and qui- teaching the teachers at MAK or needs children and patients by pro- confidence, and promote a future cul- et”. However, what I encountered the students more? She explained viding emotional support and play- ture of MUN within MAK. Members was a bright laugh: “I was an aver- by laughing and saying, ing music. Members will be traveling come together to represent countries age student, who liked to play but “Well, teaching the teach- to children’s centers and hospitals to and learn about world events. sometimes would remind myself ers is more of a victorious feel- share their gifts and talents. Graphic Design to study, just average. Pu-pu ton- ing than teaching the students, Sports & Health Club Improve the school through 2D digi- ton.” because they have the motivation Encourage and develop students’ tal media and help foster interest in When she had graduated and some impetus to learn. Teach- interest in playing sports by provid- graphic design. Members will have as a Spanish major student, she ing the students is more difficult, ing opportunities outside of regular the opportunity to play around with worked in a company for two because, you know, there are many practice times, especially for those software such as Photoshop and Ado- years. Her mother had told her levels between students. Some- who disfavor the competitiveness of be Illustrator. to get a teacher’s certificate and times those levels are combined in school teams. Members will be edu- DIY Club become a teacher in Taiwan, but, one class, and sometimes I’m not cated with the knowledge and skills Turn old items into things that can surprisingly again, she said be- sure how to teach you guys.” to be able to prevent injuries, which once again be useful. Members will coming a teacher was on the bot- Towards the end of our is just as important as being able to learn about group work as well as tom of her wish list. “I wanted to interview, we headed on to some play a sport. starting a business with their own become a lawyer,” (gasps from Liu “lighter” questions, one of them Math Club abilities. Lao Shr and Chang Lao Shr) “be- being what her hobbies are when Stimulate curiosity, interest, appre- Art Club cause my mom said I’m good at she isn’t working. She chuckled in Help elementary kids arguing,” she added, laughing. response and said, “I like to watch (K-3) learn about art She soon felt that she didn’t Korean drama,” then also noted through crafts or paint- fit in, so she quit her job and went that she likes “to read books and ings. Members will form to work in a church. While work- listen to music.” partnership with el- ing in the church, her main role I also asked her if she had ementary kids through was to assist the disadvantaged any encouraging words she want- activities and interac- children there, and that’s when ed to say to the students and/or tions. she set off on the road to become teachers. She thought about this Shark Show Club a teacher. for a while and replied, “Do not Spread happiness In her role as a teacher in change your impetus for why you through filming and ed- the church, she met many par- want to learn something-- always iting, and introduce an ents coming from Southeast Asia keeps the same ‘heart’.” I left her additional segment to and felt determined to help them. office feeling refreshed and light- MAK’s Red Cross Club hosts English camps for lo- the MAK Shark show. She met her husband (who also hearted. I hope that you now cal kids annually. //photo by Red Cross know Yang Lao Shr better. 6 SPORTS Volume IV, Issue 1: Oct 2016 Kicking Up A Storm By: Bill Scott aohsiung has always been rather to come (with plenty of rain to keep ning drills, giving orders, Kwet, with an average annual rain- the soil damp and flowers blooming and making sure everyone fall ranking at about 1,885 millitres. in the future). gives everything their all. In However, this year it has rained a little This year Coach Owen and essence, they are showing the more than that. In fact this summer MacDonald have selflessly devoted world what MAK sports are alone, it was so enormously wet that countless hours of their lives to the really about. the weather bureau closed up shop soccer team, from analysing plays and The MAK attitude is and stormed away in a thunder of coming up with new drills, to (most all about work ethic and the frustration, saying, “Taiwan is just too importantly) leading practises and commitment, with more em- darn rainy” with an official precipita- working on an individual basis with phasis put on practice than tion measure of “a lot of water.” the soccer community. They have tak- the outcome of the games The team starts off their season with a draw But with this drizzly turn of en time that they could be spending that they work towards. As against KAS //photo by MAK Yearbook events came a downpour of good for- on work or with their families to lead Austin Wang puts it: “Per- tune for the MAK sports program, the boys in what will hopefully devel- formances in practice determine how far, the MAK soccer team has high allowing the athletics program to op into a lifetime habit of athleticism. long you play in a match.” hopes for this year’s JV tournament, stream into many new exciting op- As Coach Owen often says, This attitude has led to the with a spirit and a drive like no other portunities. Initially apprehensive, the ‘Excellence is a habit’: a habit which is boys soccer team forming a close-knit and the skills that have come through soccer team has failed to let the less slowly being built through hard work, bond both on and off the field, help- their hard work to make victory a very than desirable weather dampen their sportsmanship and a good dollop of ing each other through more than real possibility. spirits, diving into the challenge and Shark pride. just drills -- sharing water, strategies, Regardless of whether they emerging with flying colours. Following closely behind in advice, and even assisting each other win or not, one thing is certain: the Although it has been a little the shark hierarchy of soccer author- academically. This is because to be a MAK Men’s soccer team is a force to unclear at times whether one would ity, Daniel Lee (the Korean Machine) Shark is to do more than just win, but be reckoned with. more effectively traverse the soccer and Samuel Tsai (the Point Factory) to always seek personal and commu- “And though a man might field through the means of breast- are co-captaining the team this year, nity growth, overcome obstacles, and prevail against one who is alone, two stroke, as opposed to more traditional assisted by their vice captains: Logan mow through walls like an enraged will withstand him—a threefold cord movement of the legs, the soccer team Muir and Shoichi Miyazono. These bull. is not quickly broken.” has improved in leaps and bounds, MAK superstars not only dominate Despite the team’s less than -Ecclesiastes 4:12 not only creating high hopes for the on the field but are facilitating the perfect record in its scrimmages so coming JV tournament, but also sow- growth of student leader- ing the seeds for the program in years ship within the team, run- Bonding Through Volleyball By: Halona Stephenson s a couple months have already out, whether from learning Apassed since school started, the the positions and rotations high school girls volleyball team, both (which are pretty complex) Junior Varsity (JV) and Varsity, are al- or just from playing. Volley- ready taking action! As each day goes ball practice isn’t any easier by, each team faces a new challenge. for the varsity team either. They’ve already played many games, According to Esther Yao, especially during the volleyball ex- a sophomore on the team, change up in Taichung on September “[Practice] is really fun, and 17th, and both teams did a phenom- you get to know a lot of the enal job competing. other the younger and older The JV team won one match classmates.” During scrim- against Ivy Collegiate Academy (ICA) mages, Varsity members make sure to come togeth- er in a huddle after each play to yell, “Team!” to en- courage each other and to bring up their energy level. Volleyball a sport that each team plays for competition, but it is also a good way to bond and make friends. Even during tough Varsity practices setting against a wall. times, both teams are still //photo by MAK Yearbook able to keep their chins up and encourage each other and lost two other matches against to try their best. With weeks Morrison Academy Central (MAC) left before the teams’ respec- and the MAK varsity team. tive tournaments, both JV Even after having to wake up and Varsity will continue to super early and play with every ounce practice hard, become more of energy, each team still managed to familiar with each other, and have cheerful attitudes and smiles on improve. their faces during the whole day. Sometimes during practices 1,2,3 SHARKS! the JV team got very tired and stressed 4 FEATURES Volume IV, Issue 1: Oct 2016 Interview with Mrs. Mrs. Henwood: From McDillon Thailand to Taiwan By: Vivian Lu By: Nathan Lee he start of a new school year rs. Henwood was born in Tbrings many new teachers and MOakland, New Zealand, and students to MAK, and we are all ea- attended high school at Epsom Girls ger to get to know the new faces in Grammar School in Auckland. She the MAK hallways. One of the new BLANK BLANK BLANK CAPTION has two sisters, one of whom cur- teachers at MAK is Mrs. McDil- rently lives in Canada, and one who lon, the new 6th grade Bible, 7th sadly passed away from adrenal grade LA, acting quarter course gland cancer nine years ago. teacher, and high school “Girls Before coming to MAK, in Fellowship Together” CYOA. she taught in Thailand at Grace In- Mrs. McDillon came from ternational School (GIS) for four Indiana, where she taught 7th and years. (If that name sounds famil- 8th grade LA at a local public school. iar to some of you, it’s because GIS Although she enjoyed teaching at is located in Chiang Mai, Thailand, a public school, Mrs. McDillon felt Meet the beautiful and kind Mrs. where last year’s basketball trip was, that the content she taught was emp- McDillon. //photo taken from MAK and was one of the schools present ty because it was taught from a non- website at the tournament.) biblical worldview, one that differed Coincidentally, our athletic interesting stories is about her hon- Mrs. Henwood has loved her time from her own beliefs. director, Mr. Owen, used to teach in eymoon. On her honeymoon, she here at MAK, and enjoys working After much prayer, the Mc- Chiang Mai as well, but Mrs. Hen- and Mr. McDillon were hiking up a with MAK students. //photo taken Dillons decided to come teach at waterfall, jumping from rock to rock. wood states that they had never met from MAK website. MAK. Since coming to Taiwan, Mrs. Mr. McDillon was ahead of her and prior to her arrival at MAK, despite McDillon has enjoyed being at MAK jumped onto the rock in front. How- their close proximity in Thailand. back to her in an instant. and hanging out with her fellow col- ever, the distance was a bit far for her She currently teaches 12th Her two favorite foods are leagues and students. and just as Mrs. McDillon got one grade British Literature and 9th chicken with cashew nuts and co- However, she also misses her foot on the next rock, she fell back. grade Bible at MAK. She is also the conut chicken soup, both dishes she friends and family, and finds that When the incident happened, they Professional Learning Coach, which discovered in Thailand. Although some Taiwanese food, like stinky were at the edge of a waterfall, and means that she works with the staff she misses Thailand, she is excited tofu, aren’t to her liking. if Mr. McDillon had not reached his to teach them how to better teach about her time in Taiwan. She’s al- Some of Mrs. McDillon’s hob- hand out to save Mrs. McDillon, we us. ready off to a better start than some bies include reading, playing frisbee, would not have her here teaching us At GIS she worked with of MAK’s other new arrivals, (read: hiking, and playing the banjo, which today. “both ends of the spectrum,” she ex- Mr. Miller, his inability to cope with she is learning. She also enjoys acting, “It’s just so cool, to think that plained, from the academically gift- heat, and his infamous icebox-like and although she has never received Mr. McDillon saved my life,” says ed to the academically challenged. classroom) saying that the excruci- any formal training, she was part of a Mrs. McDillon. Mrs. Henwood also taught in India ating heat in Taiwan doesn’t both- number of plays in high school and While at MAK, Mrs. McDil- and China while working for the er her that much, as “it was much has even directed two herself. lon hopes to be faithful to God’s call- organization “Teaching English worse in Thailand.” One of Mrs. McDillon’s most to Speakers of Other Languages” So far she has loved every- ing and plant (TESOL). thing about Taiwan. She loves her seeds for One of her favorite things to view of the mountains and beauti- God’s work. do, she says, is “meet up one on one ful sunsets up on the hill. She loves “We can’t with people over a cup of coffee or the fact that MAK is not in the mid- accomplish tea and just talk about life.” At Chi- dle of the city, where it is crowded, anything or ang Mai she put this into practice noisy, and constantly busy. She loves impact stu- every Saturday with a different per- the Morrison Community, which dents’ lives son, and absolutely loved it. She en- has done nothing but “welcome and based on joys listening to others share about care for [my husband and me] ever own efforts. their highs and lows in life and val- since we stepped foot off the plane.” We need God ues the bonds that develop through And of course, she loves Taiwan’s tea to help us,” the process. shops, because who wouldn’t? Mrs. McDil- Another one of her big hob- To the students of MAK she lon explains. bies is reading, in particular biog- has just one message: “I really enjoy W e raphies, autobiographies, suspense working with you guys. I love when are happy to stories, and novels about mission- you all think creatively about what have Mrs. aries and their experiences. “If I see you’re learning. I love when you guys McDillon words written down, even on a table, question what you are learning and here with us I am drawn to them,” she explained are able to think more deeply about and we look with a light-hearted chuckle. it. When it gets challenging, don’t forward to Interestingly, Mrs. Henwood give up, but embrace the challenge, getting to used to be fluent in French. “I sim- and when you’ve come through the know her ply adore the French language. I fell other side, you’ll know the special even more as in love with it when I was twelve- satisfaction of having accomplished the year goes years-old.” Right now she says something extremely difficult. on! that she can’t just start speaking in French, but if she were to live in “May God bless you all on your France for two weeks, it would come learning journey.” Volume IV, Issue 1: Oct 2016 OPINIONS 5 New Lockers with Chargers: Good or Bad? By: Yosub Lim f you were a middle schooler in students. When asked whether question of whether high school get lockers with chargers as well. MAK last year, you might have high school students should also students should have lockers with Personally, as a freshman, Inoticed that there are chargers in have lockers with chargers, he an- chargers or not, Elizabeth agrees I think it is a great idea to install the middle school lockers now. swered no, since high school stu- with many high schoolers that they chargers in the middle school It all started last year, when dents bring their own devices to should, but that students should lockers. I also think that it’s a the school decided that every school; they should be responsible install the chargers themselves. good idea to have chargers in high middle schooler should have ac- enough to charge their own de- Daniel Lee, in 8th grade, school lockers. However, I know cess to a Chromebook in class. vices at home before school starts. has just one small problem with that high schoolers bring their Last year, middle schoolers Following the same rea- the new lockers. He wishes there own personal devices to school. had to leave their Chromebooks soning, Graeme Muir, also part of was a divider or a box to separate Every device is different and re- in their classrooms to charge the freshman class, felt that mid- textbooks from the Chromebook. quires a different charger, so I overnight. However, this year, dle schoolers aren’t responsible As for high school, he believes think it’s a good idea to just install the school has installed chargers enough to charge their Chrome- that if the high school students outlets in high school lockers. in the middle school lockers so books at home and remember to want it enough, they will probably the middle schoolers don’t have bring it back to school the next day. to go to homeroom every morn- Elizabeth Brandt, another ing and and at the end of every 8th grader, thinks it’s a great idea day to get their Chromebook. to have lockers with chargers, but Conor Grimes, an 8th grad- she also points out that her velcro er, believes that MAK has taken a fell off, and the cord is kind of tan- big step in trusting middle school gled into her books. Regarding the Should High School Stu- dents Get Not-Very-Locker- Like-Lockers with Chargers?

By: Sabrina Tsai ppearance-wise, the high somehow been leaked two years Aschool lockers went through ago, which meant that the locks the biggest change in the eyes of the were pretty much useless. With the When you walk to your high school locker after seeing the middle school lock- high school students. After all, no installation of the high-tech secu- ers...expetation vs. reality. //comic by Gabrielle Lu new bathroom was installed either rity cameras that ensure an almost homework, post announcements around a classroom and try to find on the second floor or the end of 100% coverage of the hallway, any- and links, or ask questions. Home- the outlets, you’ll see that they’re the wing (where HS5 is located) to one who tries to mess around with work is updated daily (or really all located at very inconvenient accommodate the increasing num- the lockers is bound to get caught. whenever the teacher remembers) places, where charging your lap- ber of high school students or to Therefore, MAK staff decided to on the homework page, grades are top could cause other people to prevent the students from running get rid of the locks, and added mag- accessed through PowerSchool, and trip or break your charger/laptop. from the bathroom up the stairs nets to hold the door close instead. email is crucial to submit home- Perhaps with the lax se- to their classrooms – all in grave The high school students work, ask questions, and communi- curity of the current high school danger of potential injury and col- soon got used to not having to input cate with other peers and teachers. lockers, having students place their lusions. Similarly, there aren’t new their passcodes anymore – whether Beyond just normal aca- laptops in the lockers to charge fire poles or a new staircase in the anyone ever did lock them in the demics, you also have to consider may not be the safest idea. Since middle of the hallway so students first place is another question to be the role of laptops in extracurricu- there are multiple brands of lap- can easily get to their class in the asked another day – but when they lar activities. If you are in the Math tops at school, and some students high school science lab on time. soon found out about the changes Club, you use your laptop to find or use tablets instead, having one set What the students did find, made in the middle school lockers, create math problems. If you are in type of charger would not work. to their dismay, was the absence namely the addition of chargers, musical clubs, perhaps you use your If students need to use their of the essential key to privacy: questions about equality in MAK laptop to record or to search lyrics laptops and charge at the same locks on the lockers. Without these soon arose. (They also quickly died and chords. If you are in Shark- time, chargers in lockers would locks, can we even call these books- down, because students were either Post, you need laptops to write only lead to students pulling out storing space lockers? No, in fact, dying themselves from AP classes your articles and submit them, and chairs to sit before their lockers like they’d really be “cubbies,” as Eric or just from school in general.) the editor needs to use her laptop office workers sit in their cubicles. Kuo, a senior, exclaimed during a However, what the teachers to lay everything out in InDesign. What high school students really heated discussion during lunch one don’t seem to realize is just how im- Really, a typical high school need, besides extra bathrooms and day, followed by a groan of horror portant laptops are in a daily MAK student uses his or her laptop fre- bigger steps on the stairs, are more from Leo Hsieh, another senior. student’s schedule. Around 30 of 73 quently during the day, and it’s outlets in easily accessible locations. Of course, the loss of these high school students are enrolled also very common to hear peo- locks should be of no surprise to the in online classes, where any student ple frantically asking around for (Or at the very least, please invest current seniors. After all, the master without access to laptops will only chargers. Yes, it’s true that maybe in some power strip extension code that allowed access to all the fall behind. Most teachers now rely students should just bring their cords and/or tables with outlets in lockers in the high school wing had on Google Classroom to assign own chargers, but if you look them.)