IB News

While a new class may seem daunting, especially one with a confusing title like 'Theory of Knowledge", don't sweat it. It's just a part of the diploma and could even be a little fun. Hear from students about their experiences with TOK and their advice to this year's juniors.

"Don't be afraid to speak in class. TOK was the first and only class I have taken at Lubbock High where there was no definitive correct answer and I initially struggled with that a lot. However, over time what I hated about TOK actually became my favorite part of the class. Be yourself and be creative, there is never really one right answer." (Silas Washington IB Senior)

"TOK taught me a lot about writing and a lot about how to how approach school as a whole. Even if you do not necessarily enjoy philosophy, the class still has a lot of value." (Tianbo Zhang IB Senior)

With college acceptances approaching quickly and many of our students already accepted into colleges via early decision or early action programs, the following section highlights some IB seniors and the colleges they plan to go to.

The three strands of CAS, which are often interwoven with particular activities, are characterized as follows:

• Creativity – arts, and other experiences that involve creative thinking.
• Activity – physical exertion contributing to a healthy lifestyle, complementing academic work elsewhere in the DP.
• Service – an unpaid and voluntary exchange that has a learning benefit for the student. The rights, dignity and autonomy of all those involved are respected.

In order to demonstrate these concepts, students are required to undertake a CAS project. The project challenges students to:

• show initiative
• demonstrate perseverance
• develop skills such as collaboration, problem solving and decision making.

CAS enables students to enhance their personal and interpersonal development by learning through experience.

It provides opportunities for self-determination and collaboration with others, fostering a sense of accomplishment and enjoyment from their work.

At the same time, CAS is an important counterbalance to the academic pressures of the DP.

Below, we are celebrating notable CAS projects.

Westerner Peer Mediation Program

The new peer mediation organization at Lubbock high trains students in the process of peer mediation, which is a student led initiative designed to help students resolve conflict in a non-violent and collaborative manner. Students trained in the process receive their titles as mediators and proceed to mediate the referrals that come in. This organization aims to promote a positive school environment. The organization is still growing, but currently includes Akhil Gorparthi, Nick Lafon, Zaid Kharrat, Maia Freeman, Mona Sabouni, Emma Hail, Noah Herrera (pictured: back row from left), Aarya Patel, Zoe Reich, Anna Carothers, Sarah Rose, and Jana Shabaneh.

Each month, students send in pieces of their personal writing they wish to be published in the IB Newsletter. Submissions can be done anonymously, or with a name included if the student so chooses. Writing pieces can be submitted using the following form: https://forms.gle/L6n5YeTMuZpY5Acs7

I remember the second semester of my sophomore year as I made my schedule, I wasn't really sure what I wanted to do. I knew my siblings did IB and that they lived to tell the tale, but that was the extent of what I knew in regards to the International Baccalaureate program. So, I naively put IB on my schedule and didn't think much of it, ignoring the information meetings and other resources teachers were offering about the differences between IB and AP Capstone.

The first semester of IB my junior year of High School was nothing like I expected. Classes went from being basically study halls to pretty difficult. However, I was able to manage, making friends and learning the value of discipline and work simultaneously. As the first semester came to an end, I grappled with consequences for the first time in my academic career. The effort and work I put into IA's and studying would directly impact my future diploma. This stressed me out to no end, leaving me to spend long nights studying and procrastinating as I stumbled over difficult assignments and what felt like impossible deadlines.

While I know I am not in the clear with IB yet, as I come closer to the end of my journey I have come to find value in all the stress and long nights associated with the program. I will encounter consequences whether I want to or not, forever in my life. It's a part of growing up. So, I am glad I have had IB to teach me that among many things.

-IB Senior