By Jonathan Tragash

My favorite part about working in the GICprogram in Huamei International Middle School is the strong team cultureevident in all our staff and students. On Friday, I was excited to be includedin the GIC House competition.  The GIChouse system is a program from primary school to high school that links ourstudents to the global values of dignity, honor, respect and integrity. Thesevalues are what help the students on their journey to excellence in our program,and in life.

       Theday kicked off with a chant from each house: “For Gold, For Glory, For Honor!”;“R-E-S-P-E-C-T find out what it means to me!”; “Integrity! Win the championshipeasily!” “Can you dig it? Yes, we can! Dignity!”

The students then put on dances and musicalperformances to ramp up their energy in the early morning. 

Following the artistic competition, thestudents competed in a dictionary competition and “Battle of the Books”—the studentshave been feverishly reading Fever by Mary Beth Keane, among othernovels in preparation.  The day was notover, as the students proceeded to the finals of their house basketballcompetition, science, and math activities.

       Thiswas a day filled with fun activities pushing the houses together.  Our staff and students always make me proudto be part of our strong GIC team.  TheGIC House System binds our students around the program values.  Competing together while supporting eachother is what sets our GIC students apart and helps them develop as trueSeekers, Affirmers and Changers on their path to global citizenship.