February 2011

Vol. 1, No. 4

“Where the lions roar!”

Was Emirates Palace’s Xmas Tree Offensive? P2

Student Delegates Debate Refugees at MUN P3

Students see sights, help orphans in Nepal P4

Get Down with the Junior Dance Crew P5

Who’s AISA’s prize-win-ning equestrian? P6• • • •

by Aria Pavlic (Grade 11)AISA Sports Cheered on by the home crowd, the AISA Boys Varsity Soccer team clinched the nearly-canceled ISAC Cup, an annual round-robin tournament held at AISA on January 13-14. The AISA Girls Varsity Soccer team finished with a respectable 2-1 record. The tournament was scheduled

to have five teams, but the two Omani teams, the American-British Academy (ABA) and The American International School in Muscat (TASIM), had difficulty getting a visa to travel to Abu Dhabi, according to AISA Athletic Director Mr. Synoground. However, he was able to invite Dubai's Universal American School (UAS), Qatar Academy

in Doha, and Abu Dhabi's Raha International School as replace-ments. AISA Boys opened the tourna-ment by beating Qatar Academy 2-0, and finished the rugged tournament with three wins and one red card. Left-Midfielder Karim Abu Eicha (Grade 12) said, “It was rough, but we still won every game and kept our home field

clean from defeat.” Though some players were disappointed they did not play the scheduled teams, Coach Mangan said, “I'm proud of the boys coming out undefeated and looking forward to seeing them play in the ECC.” Girls (including this reporter) won both games against Qatar Academy, but lost to UAS. Cap-tain Danielle Cobrand (Grade

11) said, "It was good practice for our team, but we didn’t meet the high expectations.” Hundreds of AISA students cheered on the teams during a pep rally and throughout the day. “The games were really excit-ing and intense,” said onlooker Samantha Kettle (Grade 11). Both varsity teams qualify for the ECC, to be held at UAS-Dubai on February 12.

Dozens of talented middle school and high school students have had or will have the op-portunity to sing, play music and dance at the Tunes, Lyrics and Choirs (TLC) night on January 19 and the upcoming AISA's Got Talent showcase on Febru-ary 22. Standing-room-only TLC performances in the afternoon

and evening in the Drama Room ranged from piano solos to vo-cal solos to guitar solos. High school performers included the middle school and high school choirs, junior Gregory Brown on guitar, and seniors Peter Boulos on piano and Philippe Trottier on electric guitar. Middle school performers included Maya Yang (Grade 8), Michelle Pyo (Grade

6), Melinda Knowling (Grade 7) & Mathilde Bienseant (Grade 7). “TLC is suppose to be a play on 'tender loving care' -- if your soul needs some TLC come to an AISA TLC concert,” said Ms. Van Rensburg. She added that she hopes “to provide a platform for students to gain performing experience and teachers and par-ents to get some 'soul food.'”

Senior Serene Harb, in her second year of high school choir, was excited to participate in Music Night. "There are many talented students and this was an opportunity for us to show it,” she said. Following last year's success-ful Coffee House performance night, this year's Talent Show is is scheduled to include a variety

of performances ranging from dance, to music to comedy, ac-cording to Ms. Van Rensburg. Since many students have signed up to be in it, there may be auditions, she said. “The win-ner of the talent show will get the title 'AISA’s Most Talented Student' and maybe some other mystery goodies,” she said.

by Shamma Al Khouri(Grade 11), Cosmopolitan Different nationalities celebrat-ed New Year' in different ways. In Bali, people bang gongs while marching a papier-mâché demon through town, to drive away evil spirits, according to the Suite101 writers' network. In Nigeria children run into their homes, because if they are still outside when the clock strikes midnight, they might be carried away by spirits! Chinese New Year, based on the lunar calendar, recently hap-pened on February 3. The festi-val focuses on family gatherings to honor ancestors, and watching parades, which feature a huge paper dragon.

Chinese student Xin Yu (Grade 11) usually marks has a fam-ily dinner. “I look forward to Chinese New Year but it’s during exams this year,” she said. The UAE celebrated New Year with the world's highest fireworks on the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, while Abu Dhabi had smaller fireworks and special dinners. Two Emirati freshman shared their wishes for 2011. Meera Al-Shamsi said, “This year I would like to be more focused on school and get better grades.” Reem Al Ameri said, “I hope this year will be as memorable as last year, and will be full of amazing memories that will never be forgotten.”

HS & MS Performers Bring ‘TLC’ to Standing-Room Only Crowd

Happy New Year from Around the World!

by Shaika Al Qassimi(Grade 11), AISA’s Voice Valentine's Day is very special for students. "It is a day were we are able to show our love to our friends," said Latifa Mo-hammed Al Khamairi. Valentine's Day will be slightly different than last year. Last year during Valentine's Day the whole school had free dress day and the color that they had to wear was red, since red is the theme for Valentine's Day. Two weeks before the actual Valentine's Day two girls went around Advisory and asked students if they wanted to send chocolates from Patchi or poems to other students. There

was also a Valentine's dinner. This year, Valentine's Day is scheduled for Tuesday, Febru-ary 15, as there is no school on February 13-14 due to Prophet's Birthday. Student Council is planning to change the exchange of gifts: students can only send gifts from girl to girl and boy to boy. Boys are not allowed to send gifts to girls, and girls are not allowed to send gifts to the boys. Instead of chocolates and poems, girls can send girls can-dygrams, while boys can send Shakespearean insults, accord-ing to Mr. Thomas, one of the leaders of Student Council.

Show VDay Love with Candygrams, Shakespeare

New Year’s fireworks on Dubai’s Burj Khalifa.

Boys Varisty Soccer Team Wins Nearly-Canceled ISAC CupCheered on by Home Crowd; Varsity Girls Finish 2-1

The High School Choir (far left) sang Coldplay’s “Fix You” and the Middle School choirs sang “This Little Light of Mine” at TLC. / Photos cour-tesy Mr. Baron.

Left: Junior Khalid Mansoori in a recent match.Photo courtesyPaula Fronda (Grade 12)

Right: Girls Varsity Soccer team poses at the ISAC Cup.Photo courtesy Mr. SYnoground.

by Hana Al-Ameri (Grade 11)Arts & Culture

A I S A ’ s V O i C E2 The ExpressFeb. 2011

“The Express” MastheadOur Mission:

The Express produces an up-to-date, fun, fresh, fierce newspaper that will be liked by many, cussed by some, read by all!

Staff AdvisorsMr. Baron, Mr. Kandil

AISA VoicesEditor: Fatma Al Khazraji

Sheikha Al MeraikhiShaika Al Qassimi

Mona NasserArts and Culture

Editor: Maitha Al MansooriHana Al Ameri

Rawdha Al MansouriMenat El AbdCosmopolitan

Editor: Farah Al Suwaidi Hanna Al Hassen

Shamma Al KhouriOshba Al Murar

News!Editor: Rana AlsaadiAlyazia Al Hamed

Farida NassarTanya Tarazi

Sports:Editor: Jessica van der Walt

Ameilia FoxPaula FrondaAria Pavlic

Copyright © 2011 AISANo portion of this newspaper or related online content may be reproduced for public or comercial purposes without prior written permission.

Clarification:In the December 2010 issue, in the article “Students: ‘I Miss the Shout!’” an anonymous source who said she missed the previous student newspaper was actually former Shout staff member senior Shaima al Mar-zouqi. In the future, The Express will strive to avoid anonymous sources and improve accuracy.

by Mr. Godley, Secondary School Principal Growing up in Canada, I spent many summers “riding the fence.” This was a tough job that involved riding a horse out over hundreds of miles of fence and making sure that it was in good repair. Long, hard days were spent working far away from the house and there were times when it felt like the fence work would never be finished. Sometimes we would stay out for days, camping along the fence line and working during the long, seemingly endless, daylight hours. On our way home, it always seemed that our horses longed to get back more than we did. We would hold them back as best as we could, buat once they saw the barn, they would break in to a sprint and not stop until we arrived back. The trick was to take a path back that would keep them from seeing the barn too early and running back with abandon. As I think about this experience, I draw some similarities to school work. Academically, it is important for students to work hard and keep focused. At times, just like on that fence line, it might feel like there is no end to the work that has to be done. However, this is when we learn to keep working, be disciplined and stay the path. While our school year is now half done, and some of us may feel like we can “see the barn” it is criti-cal for us to focus and concentrate on staying committed to our studies and to finish strong. We have all worked hard this year, and we owe it to ourselves to continue doing the best that we can. I wish you all a fantastic second semester, and I challenge you to do the very best that you can. After all, the fence never really is finished.

by Mona Nasser (Grade 12) Each year, Student Council plans a variety of events. This year, Mr. Thomas and Ms. Levi are the heads. Student lead-ers of the Student council are seniors Hamad Al Fahim, Evan Carstens, Paula Fronda and Nour Chehabeddine. Junior’s student leaders are Kebur As-sefa, Quosain Memon, Delia Smith, Kevin Van Hoogstraten, and Nimra Parveen Ahmed. So far they are planning AISA's Got Talent, AISA Fest and the AISA Bazaar. For the talent show on Febru-ary 22, since so many students signed up to participate, music

teacher Ms. Van Rensburg is likely to hold tryouts. The best five from middle school and the best five from high school will be chosen. “There should be a variety of talents like stand-up comedy because most of it is music and dancing!” said Ms. Van Rensburg.“People underestimate the talents in this school, you’ll be surprised by how much stu-dents are talented!” Student Council is also plan-ning the AISA Bazaar, tenta-tively scheduled for March 10, and the 3rd Annual AISA Fest, which does not yet have a date.

by Sheikha Al Meraikhi(Grade 11) AISA Bazaar is a new Student Council-sponsored event that would give students the oppor-tunity to run a small business, which would help them learn more about marketing and adver-tising. Tentatively scheduled for March 10, an individual or group of students would pay an amount of money to set up a table. Each table can promote games and sell products such as baked goods. The money each table collects belongs to them.

To increase the competition between the booths, two trophies will be given out: the first trophy for the group that collects most money, and the second is for the booth that is best designed. A DJ would be present in the event to keep the spirit and the fun alive. Entrance tickets will be sold ahead of time, and students could bring two guests.

by Fatma Al Khazraji (Grade 12)AISA’s Voice Editor It was the night before Christmas in Abu Dhabi, and all through the town, the only stirring was the debate over the extravagant Christmas tree on display in Emirates Palace. In an attempt to host the world's most expensive Christ-mas tree, Emirates Palace made its lobby centerpiece a $10,000 Christmas tree, decorated with AED 40 million (USD 11 mil-lion) worth of jewelery, General Manager Hans Olbertz told the AFP. Businessman Khalifa Khouri, who owns the Style Gallery jewelery store in Abu Dhabi, provided the 131 sets of of gold and precious stones. Many people around the world did not support the Christmas tree, with arguments ranging from the extravagance of the UAE to why a tree should be displayed in a Muslim country. “When Muslims spend $11 million on a Christmas tree to at-

tract foreigners, while there is so much desperation among people in our own Muslim family/com-munity, it means priorities have shifted in a negative way,” wrote a Canadian commenter named Stardust on the online Afghan Forum. But setting up a Christmas tree in a Muslim country has noth-ing to do with religion – it was a marketing strategy to attract media attention, and shows tol-erance and acceptance of others. A Christmas tree does not alter the fact that the UAE is offi-cially a Muslim country. But we are also a country where more than half the population is not Muslim. Our country with its di-versity is welcoming of different nationalities and religions. When Olbertz was asked if Muslims would be offended by the tree, he said, “The UAE is a liberal country.” Many ex-pats, including AISA teachers, share this opinion as well. Mr. Godley said, “As a di-

verse country, the UAE citi-zens are try-ing to make everyone feel welcome by reconizing as many celebra-tions as they can.” Setting up a Christmas tree is a way of embracing the festive season that is important to many foreign-

ers. Besides, a Christmas tree is not a symbol of the spiritual Christmas, Mr. Ball said. Furthermore, Abu Dhabi had many secular Christmas decora-tions, such as the winter wonder-land and Santa’s Isloo in the Abu Dhabi Mall, the Swiss Christmas Market at the Beach Rotana Hotel and the Christmas Bazaar at the One to One Hotel. Emirates Palace knew that during the holiday season, many people travel and there would undoubtedly be more visitors to this oil-rich nation. Khouri's idea was a marketing strategy from a business perspective, and based on the media attention the tree certainly brought more name-recognition to Emirates Palce. Though Khouri might have gone too far in decorating the tree, the wealth of Abu Dhabi does not imply that its citizens do not help the poor; in fact the UAE is one of the top 10 donors of foreign aid, according to a recent report by Global Humani-tarian Assistance. This also ties in with the concept of “zakat,” or giving 2.5 percent of a Mus-lim's possessions to charity. It is tragic that people are critical of Khouri's display and have misinterpreted what he had set out to do. Since setting up a Christmas tree is not necessar-ily a religious tradition, there is nothing wrong with displaying a Christmas tree in the UAE. Many locals were proud of Khouri's porject and his willing-ness to share his success with the world.

Photo courtesy AFP.

Picture illustration by Sheikha Al Meraikhi (Grade 11).

Emirates Palace’s Christmas Tree Shows UAE’s Tolerance, Business Savvy

Talent Show, AISA Fest Bazaar Hightlight 2011

Admin Corner: Keep ‘Riding the Fence’

Notes:Cosmopolitan now has a rotating editor. Sports has a new editor with Jessica van der Walt.

AISA Bazaar Lets StudentsRun a Small Business

Last year’s AISA Fest. / Photo courtesy Mr. Godley.

Fun Facts• There are about 30 million Christmas trees sold every year in the United States.

• Last year’s AISA Fest carni-val -- with a rodeo bull, sumo wrestling and bungee jumping -- raised nearly AED 100,000 for UNICEF.

N E W S ! 3The ExpressFeb. 2011

by Rana Alsaadi (Grade 11)News! Editor Middle school students and teachers enjoyed a variety of outdoor activities at the annual Middle School Camp, a trip to the Sharjah desert, in mid-December. Mr. McGrady, a middle school art teacher, organized the camp with Ecoventure, a Dubai-based company that runs outdoor activities for students. “I went to a camping trip growing up as a kid and I wanted to share the experience with the students,” he said. Two camping trips were held, one for the girls and one for the boys, according to Ms. Spegele, the girls’ assistant principal. The girls went on December

14 and came back on Decem-ber 16, while the boys went on December 16 and came back on December 18. The trip did not run in the previous school year but has run for at least two years at the school. Mr. McGrady said about half the middle school (more than 100 students) paid AED 1,425 to attend. “The purpose of the camp was to expose every-one to outdoor challenges and to build leadership and community spirit,” Ms. Spegele said. On the first day of the camp, students took part in rock climb-ing, sand boarding, an obstacle course, and created a fire to roast marshmallows. On the second day of the trip, students kayaked, canoed, and raft built.

“I loved it,” said Ms. Spegele. “I participated in almost every activity I could and all of the teachers did as well.” Ms. Schwartz supervised the girls’ camp. “I enjoyed the experience and the girls’ had fun,” she said. Dina Hammoud (Grade 8) was one of those girls. “My favorite part of the camp-ing trip was kayaking!” she said. “At first, it was challenging but I after I did it, I felt confident. The instructors were really good. They taught me how to kayak and were always there for me.” Mr. McGrady is hoping for more students to attend the camping trip next year. In the meantime, he is planning a kayaking trip to Abu Dhabi's Mangroves in mid-February.

Grade 7 student Ali Baranbo rapelling down a wall.Photo courtesy Mr. McGrady.

‘AISA Assassin’ Strikes Again!‘Double-Murder’ Shocks Middle School

MS: Roughing It and Loving It at Camp

Delegates pose after the conference. / Photo courtesy Mr. Baron

Money Raised for Pakistan Helps People in Need

StudentDelegates

Debate Refugees at AISA MUN

Pakistani childrenwait for food.PhotocourtesyMr. Mirza

by Alyazia Al Hamed (Grade 11) During the AISA Model Unit-ed Nations (MUN) conference on December 14, more than 20 students representing countries from around the world, debated the advantages and disadvan-tages of refugees moving in and out of a country. In the Model UN club, run by four teachers Ms. Fleming, Ms. Levi, Ms. Schwartz and Mr. Baron, students are assigned a country and they must work with fellow students to find a solution for a global issue. Model UN clubs have been around since the 1920s, and AISA's was founded six years ago by previous principal Mr. Bolster. Meetings are held after school, usually once a week.

During the AISA MUN con-ference, students debated for an hour-and-a-half, and developed resolutions that nations should take responsibilities for their refugees, help aid them, improve their living conditions, help regulate government policies and develop a worldwide net-work that would be able to assist refugees from all over the globe, according to Lamees Al Mak-kawy, a junior who represented Colombia. They also proposed that countries should take advan-tage of their refugees and benefit from them. “Overall, the conference was an excellent way to inform stu-dents, parents and even teachers of the importance of the issues of the world today, and why it is

necessary make a difference as it is an international community!” said Al Makkawy, who par-ticipated in AISA MUN for the second time. (Last year's AISA MUN was on child soldiers.) Many students are doing MUN for the first time this year, like junior Dorien Van Heerden. “MUN is an excellent way to learn public speaking, and get in touch with global issues,” she said. Ms. Fleming added, “The students are improving, they are asking many questions and are gaining self-confidence.” About 15 students have signed up for the Abu Dhabi MUN, which is tentatively scheduled for March.

by Tanya Tarazi (Grade 11) Eighth grade students mourned the “death” of two more teachers after the “AISA Assassin” struck for the third year in a row in early January. However; students had fun investigating the “double-mur-der” for this science project called “Murder in Our Midst.” Mr. Mirza and Ms. Holloway were “murdered” on January 9-10, with crime scenes in the music room closet and old gym. To find evidence left behind by the “killers,” students used analytical skills by interview-ing with teachers and forming

forensic labs by comparing evi-dence such as hair, footprints, finger prints and mysterious powder. “The event engages students in an interactive unit that is fun and interesting,” said Ms. Rasmussen The killer first struck on Sunday, February 9, when Ms. Holloway, the middle school secretary, found Mr. Mirza hanged from his scarf beside a chair in the old gym. The next day at 7:05 am, Ms. Van Rensburg found Ms. Holloway – the only witness to Mr. Mirza's “death” – lying on

the floor, eyes open with brown foam coming from her mouth. The “victims” said they enjoyed seeing the reaction of the students towards their “deaths.” Both Ms. Holloway and Mr. Mirza, apparently resurrected, claimed students were in tears and shocked. “I always wanted to be the star of a show,” Mr. Mirza said later. “So what better way to be center of attention than to be the murder victim?” Students said they enjoyed examining the crime. Yara Hashim said, “It was a fun

project that left us responsible for figuring everything out on our own and it was fun investi-gating the teacher’s deaths.” Students concluded that Mr. McGrady was the alleged “murderer.” When The Express pressed Mr. McGrady for a comment, he admitted to “em-bezzling” school money to start a rival middle school camp. “If you've got to knock two people off, you've got to knock two people off,” he said with-out remorse.

by Farida Nassar (Grade 11) In August, a terrible flood struck Pakistan, causing a lot of damage and affecting nearly 20 million people. People had no homes and no food or aid. AISA has been do-ing so much effort such as the 30-Hour Famine and assemblies to raise more than AED 80,000 for Pakistan relief. Mr. Mirza who has been lead-ing AISA’s fundraising efforts, traveled to Pakistan over winter break to see how the situation was going at Pakistan and how AISA’s donations were being used. According to Mr. Mirza, “The situation is very bad in Pakistan, there’s a slow pace in improve-ment and there’s hardly any food or aid for the people,” said Mr. Mirza. “Many are still home-less. There are even places still underwater!” Mr. Mirza worked with three different charities: Khushal

Pakistan, Imran Khan Founda-tion and Red Crescent. Mr. Mirza donated AED 27,000 to Khushal Pakistan and specified that it invest in food and aid, schools, and sewer and sanitation. After midterms, Mr Mirza and Ms. Fleming will decide what to do with the rest of the more than AED 50,000 that is in a safe. “I’m very happy that AISA raised so much money and con-tributed so much and made a big difference,” said Mr. Mirza. He was also happy to see his family, whom he has not seen in a long time. His parents trav-elled from England. Although Mr. Mirza said it was difficult seeing people suffer – not only from rebuild-ing, but also from bombing and shootings – he is expecting AISA’s continued efforts to con-tinue helping Pakistanis. “Our school made a difference [and will continue].”

Fun Facts• Pakistan is the world’s second-largest Muslim country.• More than 400,000 students worldwide participate in Model UN every year.

• 2011 is the 150th anniversary of the first summer camp.• CSI is the most popular dramatic tv se-ries worldwide, with more than 70 million viewers.

Left: “Mr. Mirza” found “hanged” in the old gym.Photo courtesy Ms. Meunier.

by Hanna Al Hassen (Grade 12) For the past three years, Mr. LeBlanc has taken a group of juniors and seniors on Close Up, a six-day civic education trip to Washington D.C. In December, Mr. LeBlanc and Ms. Fleming led nearly 20 students on tours of the U.S. Capitol, the Lincoln and Jef-ferson Memorials and several museums; watched Senate bills pass and met government of-ficials. “It’s a good organization and trip especially because we’re in an American school and curricu-lum, so the students can learn a lot about the U.S.,” said Mr. LeBlanc. Founded in 1971, Close Up provides programs for students and teachers to participate si-multaneously. Mr. LeBlanc also went on the Close Up trip when he was in high school in 1985, and saw President Reagan’s inauguration. “Using the nation’s capital as a living classroom, this renowned program far transcends the physical boundaries that schools with walls face as students get a 'close up' experience with democracy in action,” according to the organization's website. AISA students also met and learned with students from all around the United States,

including Washington, New Jersey, Texas, Ohio and Oregon, according to junior Aisha Al-Hajeri. According to Close Up sur-veys, nearly all teachers reported that they returned to school re-energized with new ways to inspire their students, and nearly all students better understand their roles as citizens. Mr. LeBlanc said, “It's really gratifying when I get to see the students learn and get a lot out of it.” One of these students was senior Ayesha Al-Braiki. “It was a life-changing experience,” she said. “I loved meeting new people and learning about a new place. It was a trip full of awesome-ness and I would so do I again!” Students also met Moon Yousif Sulfab, a government official who works for Sen-ate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and a member of the Congressional Muslim Staff Association. “I was really happy and hon-ored to have met you and met with your students,” he wrote to Mr. Blanc in an e-mail after the trip. “They are the future of the Arab world, and one would hope that they will succeed where previous generations had failed.”

by Oshba Al Murar (Grade 12) In November, six students and a teacher went on a two-week community service trip to Nepal to learn about a different culture, hike the Annapurna Mountains and volunteer with a boarding school for orphans. Mr. Deschamps led juniors Janeeta Abbasi, Joumana Asfour, Claudia Oswald, Delia Smith, Dorien Van Heerden and Kevin Van Hoogstraten on the trip, co-sponsored by World Challenge, a school expeditions company. World Challenge offers “an unrivaled range of expedition programmers focused 100 per-cent on the education of young people, stretching comfort zones and expanding minds outside the classroom,” according to their website.

Mr. Deschamps said the two favorite things he liked about Nepal were the “amazing food and the most amazing, selfless people.” Each student had a duty, such as transportation, ac-commodation, food and budget. During the trip, they hiked to the Buddhist Swayambhunath Temple, better known as the “Monkey Temple,” because monkeys overran the trees around the temple. They also visited Kathmandu's Durbar Square, a collection of ancient temples and palaces from the 12th-18th centuries. “It’s like stepping back in time a 1000 years,” said Mr. Des-champs. At the Nagajuna Modern Boarding School, AISA students did numerous programs with the

more than 100 school students, such as helping to teach, make arts and crafts and buying basic materials the school needed including sports equipment, medical care and musical instru-ments. “The experience was motivat-ing and very influential, espe-cially when we saw the way they lived and how happy they were with a simple soccer ball,” Asfour said. The IB1-CAS students are planning to raise awareness and money to help the school build a new building on the outskirts of Pokhara, Nepal. Van Heerden is planning a photo essay-exhibi-tion and may have a table at the International Night. For more information, visit www.thenagajunatrust.org.

by Farah Al Suwaidi(Grade 12)Cosmopolitan Editor Maitha M. is an 18-year-old Emirati freshman studying Architecture at the American University of Sharjah (AUS) after graduating from AISA last year. While Maitha who has de-clined to share her full name had hoped to go to a university in the UK, she wound up at AUS since it had a later deadline. AUS has more than 5,000 stu-dents, and was founded in 1997 by Sheikh Sultan bin Moham-mad Al Qassimi, the ruler of Sharjah. It is very diverse with

82 nationalities – more than AISA – and 46 nationalities for the Class of ’10, according to its website. For undergraduates, it offers 25 majors and 48 minors, and all classes are taught in English. Ms. Merrell, the high school guidance counselor, recommends this school, which also had the most-attended university visit at AISA in October 2010. “AUS is probably one of the top schools available in the UAE,” she said. For Maitha, she has had to adjust to living independently – doing laundry, cooking meals and cleaning her room. But she

likes the academic changes too. “University is more diverse and is based on independence and how you take care of your-self and your own studies. I like how everyone is treated equally and as independent young adults.” Still, Maitha said that she misses AISA. “I miss AISA’s family environment, the coop-eration, of course my teachers and friends.” Her advice to seniors: “Enjoy every minute spent in school, because school is one thing that you’ll always miss, study hard, stick to each other, help each other, always be happy and have

an amazing spirit at school, never let anything get in your way.” Note: AUS application

deadlines are April 14, 2011 for early decision and July 14, 2011 for regular decision.

American University of Sharjah’s entrance.Photo courtesy Airmaster Equipments Emirates.

More than 20 students on the Close Up: Washington D.C. trip visited several government buildings in the U.S. capital. Photo courtesy Mr. LeBlanc.

Students and their Nepalese guides .Back row: Janeeta Abbasi, Delia Smith, Kevin Van Hoogstraten. Front row: Joumana Asfour, Dorien Van Heerden, Claudia Oswald. / Photo courtesy Dorien Van Heerden.

Alumna Adjusting to American University of Sharjah

Juniors and Seniors Get ‘Close Up’ Civics Education on D.C. Trip

Students Help Orphan Children in Nepal on World Challenge TripC O S M O4 The Express

Feb. 2011

Fun Facts• The top three nationalities at AUS are UAE, Jordan and Egypt.• The U.S. Capitol has 540 rooms divided among five levels.• There are more than 100 languages spoken in Nepal.• More than 1 billion people worldwide watch the Times Square New Year’s celebrations

A r t s & C u l t u r e 5The ExpressFeb. 2011

by Maitha Al Mansoori (Grade 11)Arts and Culture Editor When the British Council announced its poetry com-petition to commemorate Queen Elizabeth's return to the UAE in November for the first time in more than 30 years, Arabic teacher Mr. Hafez searched throughout the school for a candidate. One student stood up to the challenge: Faisal Al Hosany (Grade 8). The competition was looking for aspiring poets to show their writing skills and their feelings about the part-

nership between the UAE and the U.K., according to Gulf News. One Emirati and one Brit-ish student between the ages of 12 and 16 were chosen from thousands of submis-sions. Though Al Hosany, 13, did not win the competition, he did finish third with his Arabic poem, “A Poem to Sheikh Khalifa Bin Sul-tan Al Nahyan and Queen Elizabeth.” In the poem, he wrote: “I am positive and sure that with Allah’s guidance and Abu Sultan’s leadership

[Sheikh Khalifa], our [UK and UAE] relationship will last and prosper over time.” Mr. Hafez was very proud of his student's achieve-ment. “Out of thousands of submissions, Faisal was chosen to be in the top three and that is a major achieve-ment,” he said. Al Hosany started writing poetry in fourth grade, but this competition was his first experience writing a full poem. He had the support of his family, and especially his mother, he said. When he received the e-mail saying

he won third place, he was very nervous and happy at the same time. “I had hopes of meeting the Queen, expressing my feelings and receiving a gift,” he said. Despite his achievement, Al Hosany said he aspires to be an engineer.

by Menat El Abd (Grade 11) Philippe Trottier is a 17-year-old senior who has been playing the electric guitar since he was 12 years old and has recently rocked out the school's two music arts nights with his heavy metal performances. At the War and Pieces and Tundes, Lyrics and Choirs per-forming arts nights, he played original compositions. “He is a stunning guitarist and a natural performer,” said Ms. Van Rens-burg, his music teacher. “I hope he is the first of a large amount of superstars that AISA is going to deliver.” Trottier remembers a child-hood heavily influenced by heavy metal stars. “As a kid I spent my days day dreaming at school about my idols such as Ozzy Osbourne, Metallica and Slayer,” he said. However, he wants to make his own path. “One day I hope I will be touring the world in a band,” he said. Currently, Trottier plays in a band called Osprey which plays

gigs “every now and then,” mostly on weekends. “It’s a great experience per-forming live,” he said. “I can’t stress enough how important it is to play in a band and to jam with other people. Music is something that has to be shared. The more people you’re with, the higher the creativity will soar!” Trottier has applied to the Mu-sician’s Institute in Hollywood, California, a city where many musicians go to become famous. The Institute has immersion curriculum of workshops and performances, according to its website. It was recommended to Trot-tier by rock guitarist Paul Gil-bert, who teaches at the Institute and who has played for Mr. Big and Racer X. While Trottier dreams of tour-ing the world, before he leaves you can catch him at the upcom-ing AISA's Got Talent showcase on February 22.

by Rawdha Al Mansouri(Grade 11) Ten juniors have formed a new, international co-ed dance group as an IB1-CAS project, and they are training to win the upcoming Talent Show. The Junior Dance Crew is led by Dorien Van Heerden, Amira Anthonijz and Kebur Asefa, and supervised by Ms. Van Rensburg. Additional members are Nimra Ahmed, Lamees Al Makkawy, Menat El Abd, Farida Nassar, Steffanie Sand-ers, Tanya Tarazi, Yu Xin and Teguh Zulian. "We're going to perform in the Talent Show, International Night and any other events," said Van Heerden. "I really love

dancing, and find that our grade has a lot of potential.” Following their first prac-tice on January 11, the group practices for one or two hours once or twice a week after school in the music room. Ms. Van Rensburg helps choose the music and gives advice on the dancing, Asefa said. The Junior Dance Crew combines a variety of dances: bellydancing, Tecktonick, hip hop and salsa. "Members of the group teach each other dance styles, and add international dances to every-thing," said Al Makkawy. The dance group is co-ed so they can keep our moves appropriate and show the school they are

responsible, Van Heerden said. Asefa, one of only two boys in the group, danced with a group in his home country of Ethiopia. His favorite dances are the street styles of jerkin', Tecktonik and pop-and-lock. Though he intends to study civil engineering in university, he likes to dance as a hobby. “Dancing in front of large groups can get you nervous at first,” Asefa said. “But then you get used to it and become more comfortable.” Al Makkawy for one is not nervous for the upcoming AISA's Got Talent showcase. "We have many capabilities and the chance to win,” she said.

Senior Philippe Trottier rocking out with his guitar hero Paul Gilbert at a recording studio in Paris,

France. Photo courtesy Philippe Trottier.

Junior Dance Crew members (left to right:) Nimra Ahmed, Amira Anthonijz, Teguh Zulian, Kebur Asefa, Yu Xin, Lamees Al Makkawy, Tanya Tarazi. Lying down is Steffanie Sanders, while in front is Farida Nassar. / Photo courtesy Dorien Van Heerden.

Philippe Trottier:Rockstar in the Making

MS Student Places 3rd in UAE Poetry Contest

International Dance Group Hopes toPop and Lock to the Top at Talent Show

Left: “A Poem to Sheikh Khalifa Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Queen Eliza-beth.” Text courtesy Faisal Al Hosany (Grade 8).

Fun Facts• The world record for most tap dancers for a single routine is 6,952 in Stuttgart, Germany in 1998.• In the 1950s, you could buy fake side-burns to look like Elvis Presley.• Written Arabic poetry dates from the 6th century.• 40 countries have an “Idol” TV series.

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The ExpressFeb. 2011

by Jessica van der Walt(Grade 11) AISA Sports Editor Junior Samantha Kettle is an experienced, well-known show jumper who recently placed fourth out of 30 competitors in Dubai Juniors and Young Riders Grand Prix, the top equestrian showcase in the UAE. Though Kettle was born in Abu Dhabi, she is ethnically Eng-lish and grew up in Spain. Her passion for horses started with the inspiration of her parents Michael and Caroline, who are former jockeys and currently race horse trainers. They came to Abu Dhabi in 1990 as horse trainers for Sheikh Rashid bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, and her mom is currently work-ing in the breeding section. “School and horses is hard work,” said Kettle, who trains six days a week. “I’m not the aver-age teenager who gets time for friends every weekend. But AISA has been really flexible with me going here and there so I appreci-ate that.” Kettle is also sponsored by Sheikh Rashid bin Hamdan Al Nahyan and competes throughout

the Emirates and in the summer within Europe. She has three horses: Konig de Bonde, Indian Gift and Ivoire Bai Rio. For the past two years, Kettle has qualified for the juniors Grand Prix in Dubai. “I want to thank Sheikh Rashid for being a great sponsor, and never giving up faith on me,” said Kettle. “He’s one person who has brought my dreams to reality.” Last year she placed second out of 13 riders, but this year was disappointing – she was in the lead and but knocked down the last fence, costing her first place. For the past six years, she has been training with Colombian showjumper Luis Espinosa. “Sami can be a very challeng-ing person to train because she always has high goals,” Espinosa said of Kettle. She plans to stay in the UAE for university and continue her show jumping career, and Espinosa has high expectations for her: “In the future with the right horse, time, and mindset, Samantha is going to be compet-ing in the Olympics!”

by Ameilia Fox (Grade 11) Juniors Claudia Oswald and Arian Teguh are two of AISA's top tennis players. They play ten-nis at Zayed Sports City several times a week, and are trained by Belgian coach Sigi Meeuws. Oswald, who has been playing tennis since she was six years old, admires Rodger Federer and Rafael Nadal – and got to meet Nadal when she was a ball girl at the recent Mubadala World Ten-nis Championship. “Tennis is such a mind game,” said Oswald, who refused to be interviewed without Teguh.

Oswald added: “You have to learn to keep a positive attitude and a calm composure in a game situation.” Teguh, who has been playing for the past eight years, practices three times a week. “The best thing about tennis is the inten-sity,” he said. “The worst thing is the backhand stroke.” Though neither plans on play-ing tennis professionally, only for fun, they still love the thrill and skill of the game. “Tennis is a great sport to keep fit, and is really enjoyable,” she said.

by Paula Fronda (Grade 12) Charles Oswald, former striker of the JV soccer team and former rugby player for the Abu Dhabi Harlequins Rugby Club, has recently accepted a rugby scholarship to play at a top school in New Zealand. “I believe this is a great op-portunity for me and I am very excited to start,” he said. Oswald started playing football when he was five years old, and he started play-ing rugby at seven. “Football has always been a secondary sport to rugby,” he said. Oswald prefers rugby over football because he’s had more successes in rugby. “I enjoy the mental and physical side of it,” he said.

Oswald is now in his fourth year of playing for the JV soccer team. This was his first year playing under coach Mr. Mirza and Oswald said they have “good mateship.” Oswald added: “He is a really nice guy and we always have a good laugh.” While Oswald is excited to move to a different country, Abu Dhabi and AISA will always be in his heart. “AISA has a great sports program and my best memories of AISA have been on sports trips,” he said. “AISA has always been dominant in JV sports and that’s why I have enjoyed it. I have made some good mates through sports.”

Charles Oswald (right) out-runs a defender in a recent match. Photo courtesy Mathieu Brignønen.

Two of AISA’s top tennis players are auniors Arian Teguh (left, play-ing at Zayed Sports City) and Claudia Oswald (right, with tennis star Rafaed Nadal in the background).Photos courtesy Arian Teguh and Claudia Oswald.

Kettle at the recent Dubai Juniors and Young Riders Grand Prix, the UAE’s top eques-trian showcase. Photo courtesy Smantha Kettle.

“School and horses is hard work. I’m not the average teenager who gets time for friends every

weekend.” -Samantha Kettle (Grade 11)

Tennis for TwoArian Teguh and Claudia Oswald

Play for Thrill of the Game

Extraordinary EquestrianJunior Samantha Kettle One of Top Young Show Jumpers

Is an Olympic Medal in Her Future?

Top Rugby Player to Leave Abu Dhabi for New Zealand

Charles Oswald Plays for AD Harlequins

Fun Facts:• Each year, Wimbledon uses 52,200 tennis balls.• The biggest margin of victory in a rugby game was when Hong Kong beat Singapore 164-13.• The top speed of a horse is about 70 kph (40 mph).• Soccer is the most popular sport in the world.