In one month, the Class of 2017 will conclude their student careers at ISB when they receive their school diplomas at graduation. In a school that by its very nature has a transient population, it is noteworthy that six members of the graduating class actually started here Maternelle.
Éva Sénéchal entered in Petite Section/Pre-K and was just three years old when she started at ISB. That means that she spent 15 years at our School! Félicie Jungels also started in Pre-K, left our School for a few years, and chose to come back. Ramsey Harrison, Emma Hubert and Sophie Lee all started in Moyenne Section/Mid-K and Kevin Elkhoury came along in Grande Section/Kindergarten. And except for one student, the group have all been here straight through. They are what American schools often affectionately term "lifers."
For the second year in a row, we asked each of them if they had any particular reflections to share as they look back on their experience. Please click here to read their full comments and have a look at the individual photos of these seniors holding photos of their younger selves.
To these six, and to the whole Class of 2017, we extend our best wishes for their last days at ISB, for their graduation ceremony, and for all their future endeavors!
Testimonials:
Through my long years at ISB, I received daily opportunities that I would have never gotten at other schools such as learning different perspectives on events in the world, and experiencing bits of culture from other countries as I interact with everyone around me. It is an experience like no other and one I will miss as I move on to college. Kevin Elkhoury
There's no doubt ISB had a huge influence on who I am today. It's very rare to be taught by a group of teachers all determined to shape students into responsible and successful citizens. ISB's mission is ultimately to create curious and open-minded individuals, who are taught how to think and analyze. Whether you attend ISB for a year, or for your entire education, you will end up a better person, more ready to begin your life's journey. Ramsey Harrison
I started off delicate and passive, drudged through the challenges and losses and became fierce and unstoppable. Emma Hubert
I started my education at the Maternelle at ISB, and although I have moved and discovered other schools during middle school, I came back to ISB as I knew I would get the well-rounded education I needed to make my mark in this world. In tumultuous times such as these, I am incredibly grateful to be bilingual and bicultural, and to have received an education that has allowed me to be more open-minded and understanding of what is happening around the world! I have also aquired amazing friendships with people from all different backgrounds and have met teachers that have genuinely changed my life! Félicie Jungels
Educating yourself about the world is more important than memorizing facts. Sophie Lee
During the many years I have spent at ISB I have made friends from all over the world I know I will keep for life. When I graduate I know that wherever I do go I will always have someone I can count on not too far from me. Living in this open and diverse environment has taught me to be open-minded and accepting of the world around me, and how to celebrate the differences that make us unique as well as recognize the similarities that bring us together. I hope to take on the many challenges in life with the determination, motivation and dedication that my years of ISB have taught me. Éva Sénéchal
Click to view the group and individual photos.
From left to right: Noémie Cerrina, Aliénor Rice, Agathe Martel and Julian Marmier. Missing from the picture: Luna Damiani, Timo Damiani and Tiernan Leschner.
