Growth 鈥� as much as we had valued the small, tight-knit learning community we had been for the first five years in operation, this year we needed to face the inevitable. It is this growth spurt, just as a teenager emerging out of adolescence, that most defines the 2011-2012 school year. This year鈥檚 graduating class will be able to look back at their senior year with pride. From Washington State to Boston U, from NYU to University of Nebraska, this class more than doubled the number of universities around the world on the list of schools accepting Wells graduates. More than any class before them, these seniors helped Wells to truly make the transition from an up-and-coming 鈥渟mall school鈥� into an established and well-respected, mid-sized academic institution. With the memories of our first graduated class already tucked away in our school archives, this year proved to us that no matter how many classes walk through our halls, we will always strive to provide something as new, as memorable, and as special as the previous year, that will allow our current seniors to look back at and say, 鈥淵es! That was my senior year 鈥� the BEST year Wells has ever had!鈥�

The graduating class of 2011 will be able to look back at a year when their school truly began to assert itself as a force to contend with in virtually all aspects of academia. Though still a relatively small, tight-knit learning community, this year has been marked by several notable accomplishments that would typically be associated with the much larger institutions. Our students dominated over other international schools at the Asia Books Readers鈥� Theatre, TISAC “So You Think You Can Dance?” and TISAC “Battle of the Bands” competitions, capturing top prizes in both junior and senior divisions. In sports, our trophy case continues to fill with championships in basketball, badminton, and soccer, and even athletes from even the largest international schools in Bangkok have a growing respect for the Seahawk sports program. Most impressively, our students became the national champions at the most recent World Scholar’s Cup tournament in Thailand.

So, to our graduating seniors, I do hope that no matter where your future takes you, you will be able to look back fondly at your senior year in high school. You will most certainly be missed. On behalf of the entire Wells Leadership Team, our teachers, staff, and the underclassmen that look up to you, I wish you the best of luck for a life of success and happiness.

Aloha,

Mr. Ray

Congratulations to our departing seniors for their acceptances to the following universities (Wells students received scholarship offers to the italicized institutions):

• United States: Boston University, Columbia College, Dean College, Drexel University, Florida Institute of Technology, Goucher College, Idaho State University, Loyola Marymount University, Missouri State University, New York Institute of Technology, New York University, State University of New York, University of Nebraska – Lincoln, University of Pacific, Washington State University, Westminster College, Widener University
• Thailand: Chulalongkorn University, Mahidol University, Thammasat University, Webster University
• Australia: Deakin University, Monash University
• China: Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Sun Yat Sen University
• United Kingdom: London College of Fashion

Visit our to see photos of the departing 2012 seniors and the graduation ceremony.

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That was way back in the fall of 2005.

Since then, we have gone through the WASC Initial Visit, have been granted Candidacy for Accreditation, have submitted ourselves to a rigorous Self-Study Process and, finally, experienced the WASC Full Accreditation Visit to get to where we are right now 鈥� as a fully accredited educational institution adhering to, and in many cases exceeding, international standards of quality and excellence.

I am proud to say that the majority of our graduates have already made solid plans to continue their education in fields ranging from International Business to Dentistry, Advertising & Design to Ag-Economics. In fact, our graduates were accepted into universities across the globe, including:

• Australia 鈥� ,
• Japan 鈥�
• Singapore 鈥�
• South Korea –
• Thailand 鈥� , , , , , ,
• United States 鈥� ,
• United Kingdom 鈥� ,

The prospects are looking even better for our future graduates, as we already are preparing application packages for several students for early decisions to some of the top schools in the United States, including Stanford University, UC Berkeley, UCLA, USC, Northwestern, and even MIT.

So, to our graduating seniors 鈥� As you gaze toward new horizons, you will undoubtedly wonder, perhaps nervously, what your future holds for you. However, we hope you will be able to take the time to stop and take a look proudly back at your alma mater, reflecting on the myriad of invaluable lessons and experiences that your Wells education had provided you. Rest assured that in the coming years, no matter how many new floors we add, no matter how many new buildings we construct, and no matter how many new, innovative programs we launch, you will always be welcome here 鈥� as the first graduating class of this school. You, and only you, are now and forever will be the original 扣扣传媒 Seahawks.

– Headmaster Ray de la Pe帽a

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Honolulu, Hawaii, USA 鈥� The final leg of their journey brought Wells Seniors to the island of Oahu. Nicknamed 鈥淭he Gathering Place鈥�, Oahu is home to the most populated county, Honolulu, with a population of about 900,000.

In addition to a visit to the University of Hawaii鈥檚 main campus at Manoa, some of the students also were treated to a visit to the Hawaii Pacific University system which includes the HPU Oceanic Institute, HPU鈥檚 Hawaii Loa Campus, and HPU鈥檚 Downtown Campus.

On Thursday, a daylong tour began with visit to Pearl Harbor, the site of the famous surprise attack by Japan that signaled the U.S. entrance into World War II. The group then took a scenic drive through the Koolau Mountain Range to Oahu鈥檚 North Shore, ending up at the Polynesian Cultural Center. Here they spent the rest of the day and much of the evening immersing themselves in the various cultures that inhabit Polynesia, the largest Pacific island group. Such cultures include Samoa, Aotearoa (aka New Zealand), French Polynesia (Tahiti), Tonga, Fiji, Rapa Nui (Easter Island) and, of course, Hawaii.

The group鈥檚 last day included an afternoon at Hanauma Bay, an ocean wildlife sanctuary home to some of the best snorkeling available in the state. Prior to entering the refuge, all visitors are required to go through an orientation program with information on how to properly view the reef and its inhabitants.

Finally, after 11 days and over 14,000 miles (22,500 km) of traveling, the seniors returned home with memories that will last a lifetime.

The 扣扣传媒 Senior Class of 2010 would like to thank the following people and organizations that made this trip possible:

• 扣扣传媒 Chairman Yao-Lang Chang
• Dr. & Mrs. Ramon S. de la Pe帽a
• University of Hawaii at Hilo, Center for Global Education & Exchange
• Imiloa Astronomy Center
• University of Hawaii at Manoa
• Hawaii Pacific University

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Hilo, Hawaii, USA 鈥� Just a hop, skip, and a jump from Lihue, Kauai lies the city of Hilo on the Big Island where the Wells Seniors began the second stage of their Hawaiian adventure this past Saturday evening.

At the crack of dawn Sunday morning, the group headed up to Hawaii鈥檚 highest point 鈥� the summit of Mauna Kea. A stop at the Ellison Onizuka Visitor Center at the 3,000 meter elevation was required to acclimate to the high altitude where the air is thinner and oxygen intake is significantly reduced to the much lower atmospheric pressure. 聽After about an hour, the journey to the top continued. Rising far above the clouds to over 4,200 meters, the summit is home to some of the world鈥檚 most technologically advanced astronomy observatories such as the Keck, the Gemini, the Subaru Telescope, and the Submillimeter Array.

Later in the afternoon and through the evening, the seniors drove to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park where the longest current volcanic eruption on Earth is taking place. After an informative stroll through the Jaggar Museum, a short walk to the edge of the Kilauea Caldera led to unobstructed views of the Halema鈥檜ma鈥檜 Crater billowing smoke and ash and, as dark fell, glowing pinkish-orange as the hot, molten lava churned within.

On Monday, the University of Hawaii 鈥� Hilo Campus welcomed the group with a day of campus presentations, tours, and activities. Showing the meaning of Hawaiian hospitality, the student guides gave their visitors a taste of college life, complete with lunch at the student center. The seniors were even treated to a special tour at UH-Hilo鈥檚 Imiloa Astronomy Center, which is normally closed on Mondays, including dozens of interactive learning centers and a 3D presentation in the dome planetarium.

Exhausted, the group finally headed back to the Hilo International Airport for the final chapter of their journey.

Next stop 鈥� Honolulu on the Island of Oahu.

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Diligently preparing for graduation and the selection of universities, students from grades 11 and 12 attended the Thai University Fair, hosted at Ruamrudee International School, on September聽 22nd. Accompanied by Mr. Dan, the Grade 12 homeroom instructor, and Ms. Nicki, the School Counselor, the students met with university representatives and participated in information sessions that allowed them to gain a better understanding of the possibilities of higher education.

The programs being promoted by the universities ensured that students were exposed to a wide variety of possible fields of study and eventual careers. Though many focused on technical areas such as chemistry, engineering and architecture, several other programs comprised an extensive range of the arts. Many such offerings extended from communication arts, language and culture and economics to fashion and design, hotel management and British and American studies.

Additionally, by interacting directly with the school representatives, students had the opportunity to learn about admission requirements, curricula, career planning, financial assistance, sports and activities, scholarships, work study programs, ESL programs and tuition costs.

Of the students who attended the fair, 55% are interested in attaining their undergraduate degrees in Thailand. Students wanting to study abroad were asked to collect data on possible majors in order help understand their needs and facilitate the process of individual vocational sessions. An awareness of the different programs and available educational opportunities will assist students in making important decisions for the future and the best possible choices for tertiary education.

Universities participating in the fair included the Chulalongkorn University International Program Thammasat University International Program, Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology, Mahidol University International College, King Mongkut鈥檚 University of Technology Thonburi, Kasetsart University International Studies Center, Silapakorn University International Program, Srinakarinwirot University (offering a joint program with Nottingham University in the United Kingdom), Assumption University, Bangkok University International College, Rangsit University International Program, Dusit Thani College, Le Cordon Bleu Thailand, Webster University, Stamford International University, Academia Italiana and Raffles Institute.

(An additional thank you to Mr. Dan鈥�)

By Ms. Nicki Sehgal

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Awareness…

Exploration…

Decision Making…

Preparation…

On September 17th Grade 10, 11 and selected 12 students received a visit from prestigious New York University. Mr. Steven Houghton, a NYU Abu Dhabi representative, inspired Wells students by providing information on one of the foremost private, global research institutions in the United States鈥攐ne that has expanded its global network with a satellite campus in Abu Dhabi and through international academic centers.

The new NYU Abu Dhabi campus is a highly selective liberal arts and science college that provides semesters abroad at various locations in NYU鈥檚 global network, as well as generous financial aid packages for qualified students. Students enrolled in NYU are able to make progress toward gaining degrees on five continents鈥擜frica, Asia, Europe, North America, and South America鈥攁nd in cities such as Accra, Berlin, Buenos Aires, Florence, London, Madrid and Paris.

The purpose of ongoing college visits is for high school students to begin thinking about their future interests and education, and also give them a taste of college life. Such visits provide an overview of the colleges, the admissions processes and career programs. Students are able to have discussions that answer their need to plan for their future education.

Post-secondary plans should be a joint decision between parents and students; our role as educators at Wells is to provide the best education possible to help students achieve these goals and to provide career data to allow for informed decisions that will best benefit the students.

鈥淲e should all be concerned about the future, because we will have to spend the rest of our lives there.鈥�
Charles F. Kettering

by Ms. Nicki Sehgal, Guidance Counselor

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Last Wednesday, the ninth of September, was my first time visiting the Thai Royal Barge Museum. I couldn’t believe that I would get to see the real royal barge that the king had been using. It was astounding to discover that all the royal barges were handmade; it takes two years to finish one barge! The golden colors are made from real gold used in Thai temples, and approximately one hundred thousand pieces of gold are used to finish decorating one barge. The cost for a single barge is about ten million baht. The Thai royal barge is so sacred that only those who possess certain accreditation can serve as the punter. If the king wants to use the barges for certain festivals, notice must be given a year in advance so that workers can repair and redecorate the barges. There was one antique that gave a strong impression for me; I was told that it was what the first king of Thailand used. I was amazed, because it means that it had been there for hundreds of years. I really enjoyed this trip, learned a lot and discovered more about Thai culture.

– Alice, Grade 12

Going on Thai field trips has expanded my knowledge of Thai culture every time. The most recent Thai field trip was to Thailand’s National Royal Barge Museum. In the museum are real royal barges, or boats, that were used and are still used by Thai kings throughout history. It was impressive to see those shiny, golden, massive barges at such a close distance. With the explanations translated by my friends and video provided by the museum, I gained new knowledge about how and why the Thai barges were made, the different types of barges, their formations and their importance to the Thai people. I enjoyed my time on this field trip and felt closer to the culture of which I’ve become part.

– Kieren, Grade 12

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