More Than Trophies: A Year of Growth, Friendship, and Dragon Pride
As the school year winds down and the final whistle blows on another CEESA season, it’s time to reflect, not just on wins and championships, but on everything our students gained by being part of a CEESA team.
Let’s start with some standout achievements. Our Middle School boys swept the CEESA year, taking first place in football, basketball, and volleyball, a testament to their resilience, teamwork, and talent. Our High School boys capped off their season with a championship win in football, the result of months of dedication and grit. These results speak volumes, and we couldn’t be prouder.
But CEESA at ISB is about more than just athletics.
It’s also a platform for academic challenge and collaboration, through competitions like Knowledge Bowl or the experiential learning activity like Model United Nations (MUN). These experiences push students to think critically, communicate clearly, and engage with global issues, all while building lasting friendships with peers across the region.
Whether on the court or in a conference room, CEESA empowers students to grow, lead, and connect. They train together, travel together, win, lose, learn, and support one another. These aren’t just extracurriculars, they’re essential to the ISB experience and deeply tied to how students develop.
We talk often about the importance of social-emotional learning at ISB. CEESA brings that learning to life. Through competition, students gain confidence and resilience. Through travel, they learn empathy and adaptability. They face challenges, rise to meet them, and do it all with integrity, representing themselves and their school with pride.
Sometimes, it’s the quiet moments that leave the biggest impact: a shared laugh during lunch at a host school, a pregame warm-up filled with nervous energy, or the thoughtful words of a student explaining their country’s position at MUN. These are the memories that last, the ones that shape who students become.
And there’s more. CEESA trips give students the chance to explore new cities and cultures, walking the streets of Skopje, touring a museum in Sofia, or admiring Budapest’s skyline by night. These moments expand their worldview and deepen their understanding of others, and of themselves.
This is the true power of CEESA. It doesn’t just create competitors. It creates memories, friendships, and life-shaping experiences.
Throughout the year, ISB students wore the Dragon jersey with pride. They played with heart, and represented our school with respect. On the pitch, on the court, or around a debate table, they gave their best and brought each other along for the journey.
To every student, coach, and family member who supported them, thank you. You’ve done more than bring home trophies. You’ve embodied ISB’s core values: Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, and Excellence.
The trophies are great. The memories are greater. But friendships? They’re what make for lasting memories.
Go Dragons!