At NIS, students are encouraged to explore their passions while finding meaningful ways to contribute to their community. This is found daily in the classroom, and especially for Secondary students, under the guidance of Secondary Principal Lisa Nnadozie, students have been challenged to take on CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) projects that not only reflect their interests, but also give back to the school in purposeful ways.
As a core component of the IB Diploma Program, CAS requires students to engage in experiences that promote creative thinking, personal growth, collaboration, and active citizenship. Grade 11 student Yejin embraced this challenge wholeheartedly, channeling her love for sports and leadership skills into organizing the 2025 NIS Sports Banquet, a celebration that honored student athletes and the spirit of school pride.
The event was held on May 27 in the MPH and welcomed student athletes, coaches, teachers, and families to an evening of celebration and reflection. Though the dinner was delicious and the atmosphere was celebratory, the event was more than just a great party - it was a heartfelt tribute to the spirit of sportsmanship, teamwork, and growth.
Yejin’s motivation came from a place of deep respect for the role sports play in shaping the NIS experience.“I wanted to celebrate the dedication and achievement of our student athletes,” she explained. “Sports are such an essential part of our school culture. This banquet was a way to give back - to recognize how much students grow from the start of the season to the end, not just in skills, but also in leadership, commitment, and collaboration.”
Her CAS project provided her with an opportunity to lead in a meaningful way, both personally and for her classmates and teammates, while honoring the very values that sports cultivate: perseverance, teamwork, and pride.
Coordinating an event of this scale came with its share of challenges, especially when considering the needs of a diverse community. Yejin and her team made sure the food catered to everyone, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and halal options. She also managed logistics, wrote and delivered speeches, and collaborated with peers to produce a highlight video that combined some of the most memorable middle and high school sports moments.
The event kicked off with a welcome speech, followed by the dinner. After that, they presented their video showcasing the year’s unforgettable moments. This was followed by tributes to coaches leaving NIS at the end of the school year, and finally, award presentations and a final slideshow with a thank-you message to everyone involved.
“It wasn’t easy,” Yejin admitted. “But it also wasn’t too hard. It was just the right level of challenge to help me grow. I enhanced my time management and communication skills, and learned how to work with a team. So many students and teachers helped me—this event wouldn’t have been possible without them.”
Every year, the banquet features awards that highlight student excellence on and off the field, including the MVP Awards, the Dolphin Pride Awards given for excellence in leadership, and the two Athletes of the Year. What was made clear, however, was that these awards are about more than talent - they celebrate growth, resilience, and the role models among us.
Yejin is a dedicated athlete herself, playing on the soccer team that won the EAISAC Championship this year. She understands firsthand how sports complement academics.
“Events like this aren’t just about recognizing top athletes. They’re about showing the journey - how students have improved, what they’ve learned, how they’ve worked together. It also inspires younger students to join and be part of something meaningful.”
In many ways, her project highlighted what research continues to show: that co-curricular activities like sports don’t compete with academics; they enhance them. Students who engage in athletics often demonstrate stronger time management, deeper social connections, and increased resilience - all skills that benefit them far beyond the classroom.
Through her CAS project, Yejin not only brought the school’s sports community together, but she also continued the tradition of recognition, celebration, and highlighting the importance of teamwork. The Sports Banquet was more than an end-of-season event; it was a reflection of the school’s values in action.
And perhaps most importantly, it reminded us all that behind every goal scored or game played, there are stories worth celebrating!