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17
It took a year and a half of thinking, reflecting and creating. But
it was all worth it for the eight International Baccalaureate (IB)
students as they proudly showed off their work during April.
In one corner, Cynthia Merhej had found an old abandoned
water fountain. Colored juice boxes and glitter decorated the
front. But upon closer look, the attractions are just a cover up
for a disintegrating water fountain just as the bright colors of
the juice boxes are an appeal for the unsuspecting child.
“I used to drink these things when I was a child and loved it,”
she explained. “But now I see they are all poison.”
It wasn’t easy creating these works. There was of lot of inner
reflection, much introvert research and quick growing up to
do. Their teacher had merely become a facilitator. It was up to
them to find the answers. At 18, each had to find the multimil-
lion dollar question which perplexes many adults: who am I?
Nearby, a set of pictures shows everyday household items. One
shows a pair of slippers and another displays a small dining table
with chairs. These belonged to Cynthia’s grandmother. “She died
a few months ago,” said Cynthia. “All these things meant a lot to
her. Now they are just clutter. I understood while doing this proj-
ect that it’s the memories of people that stay with us. Not things.”
In another area, Amanda Halabi, chose to produce her art
work using digital technology. She had created a series of
images depicting the seven sins. She photographed her class-
mates in various positions and digitally reproduced the pictures
in different shades of colors.
Eleena Korban had created a game. A spindle turned to various
pots of paint. “It’s a political game,” she explained. “This is what
our politicians have degraded themselves to.”
At first glance the small sculpture looked like an angel trying to
fly away. But it’s actually Timi Hayek’s reproduction of herself.
With wings on her back, she was trying to break out of her
cocoon and find her way to adulthood.
Each project is accompanied by a workbook where every
thought and creation was duly noted. An IB moderator arrived
in Lebanon in early April and met with each student for half an
hour. The results will be out in July.
IC students shone during the Lebanese winter swimming
championships held at the Jamhour Club in April with eight of
its Ain Aar students walking away with medals.
Over twenty-two swimmers from eight different clubs partici-
pated in the two-day event. IC winners were:
Tara Sabri
(4eme): 3 gold – broke four new records
Lynn Bitar
: (5eme) silver club.
Nour Yachoui
(CM1): 1 gold, 2 silvers, one bronze
Hiba Abi Rached
: (CM2): 1 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze
Nayla Tohme
(CM2): 1 gold,
1 bronze
Marina Azar
(CM2): 1 gold
John Geahchan
(CM2): 1
bronze
Rita Yachoui
(4eme): 2
bronze
This is not the first competi-
tion for these young swim-
mers.
Tara Sabri, for one, has been
competing since she was six
years old and has won more
than 100 medals! In fact, she
stopped counting!
Like the rest, Tara practices
several times a week for
an hour and half. It’s a lot
of work and can be “tiring” she admits.
Another swimming competition is scheduled in August.
Good luck to all!
SWIM CHAMPS
IB ART EXHIBIT
Tara Sabri and friend
Nour Yachoui, Mirna Azar, Hiba Abou Rached
and Nayla Tohme