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IC NEWSLETTER -
SPRING 2009 19
Alumni News
As I sat this afternoon thinking about
what an event like this really meant-
aside from being an annual gathering
that brought a fortunate few of us who
attended IC together for a few laughs-
the thought led me to Mishka, whose
company we are honored to have
among us this evening; and I could
not let the opportunity pass.
You see, Mishka has a place in many
hearts, but a BIG place in mine. Yes, Yes,
I admit I had a crush on her during High
School... and I admit it with fond pride!
But I guess adolescence over the years
gives way to reflection ... and perhaps
that crush long ago found itself
converted to admiration and love.
Mishka was both my sister Hala’s and
my teacher. And while there are a few
teachers I recall from my days at IC-
and if I do I seem to remember them
for some tragically comical trait or
another - Mishka was different. For she
did something that up to that point no
other teacher had ever really done. She
taughtme the truemeaningof learning.
Now, after so many years, I may not
remember which poem she may have
taught me, but I do remember that she
taught me how to seek the meaning of
the poem and in the process transcend
any distance with its creator.
And so we would find ourselves in
class arguing poems or passages from
The Catcher in the Rye with a spirit not
accepting of any pre-imposed literary
mathematical formula or answer of
sorts. Rather seeking meaning and
inspiration from our own thoughts
and ideas. This was spiritually lifting,
and revived hope at a time when so
many other elements of our lives had
lost it. Throughout, Mishka would be
there as our teacher giving guidance
but not answers, livening the
discussion with intuitive questions,
but never determining the path. And
so to Hala and I, Mishka was always
the One Teacher who exceeded all
expectations, etching a place in our
minds and in our hearts.With this, I
would like to ask all of you to raise a
toast. On behalf of all those you have
taught who are with this us and those
who aren’t, we would like to say“Thank
You Miss Mishka” our true teacher.
Cheers!
Washington DC
alumni dinner
When Wissam Yafi ’87 and Hind Soufi
Ahdab ‘87 found out their high school
teacherwouldbe in town inDecember,
they got together and organized a
reunion dinner that brought together
generations of former students - and
their parents, spouses and even their
children - former teachers, and even
Matt Reynolds, sonof the latepresident
Alton Reynolds, who is now a member
of the board of trustees! Senior Vice
President Mishhka Mojabber Mourani
- better known to all as Miss Mishka
- was in Washington DC to attend a
conference, and was thrilled to hear
of Wissam and Hind’s plan to bring
together the IC community. In spite of
the freezing weather, people gathered
at the Lebanese Taverna to reminisce
about old times, to hear about IC
today, and to revive the wonderful
sense of community that never fails to
bring former students together from
all over the world.
A Toast to Ou r Beloved Teacher: Mishka,
as delivered by Wissam Y af i’ 87 i n Washi ngton
Matt Reynolds and
Mishka Mourani
Hind Ahdab ‘87,
Mishka Mourani,Wissam
Yafi ‘87, Rula Haddad ‘84