Monday, August 4

What a jam packed day! Today’s events truly showcased the diversity of activities offered throughout each year’s ISLC. While the day was exhausting, it was truly enjoyable from sunrise to sundown. The morning began with the fierce Aztec Games, a series of field competitions during which the students compete in their groups (which all have Aztec warrior names). Games included a water balloon toss, a water cup relay, and a pie eating contest to find riddles hidden in certain pies. In addition, the banners and chants prepared by the groups yesterday, which are themed around their Aztec warrior, were presented after the games. Performance in the games as well as the banners and chants will determine the winning team, which will be announced tonight at the final dinner!!

After cleaning off warrior paint and hydrating (yesterday was the hottest day so far, which is still nothing compared to the humidity back home in Virginia!), the students heard from two very candid and very memorable speakers. First, Lisa Nichols, powerful speaker and best-selling author (she contributed to The Secret!) addressed the group. Her sincere message, which left tears in my eyes, encouraged students to believe that they deserve to have the life they love “no matter what” (which is also the title of her book coming out in April). Also, she reminded students many times throughout her speech that “you are not alone” and that life is full of second chances.

Next, Dan Clark, internationally renown speaker, writer, and Operation Smile Board of Governors member offered worthwhile life advice to the group through stories, songs, and a few jokes. Dan congratulated the students for “choosing to be a part of something larger than yourself” and largely based his talk around the mindset that “we cannot let the things we cannot do interfere with the things we can do.” While Lisa Nichols and Dan Clark pulled at the heart strings of each and every listener, I think I can safely say that students, sponsors, and staff were left feeling empowered and eager to live life to the fullest.

Later in the afternoon, the entire group, nearly 400 of us, loaded school buses and headed to SEA WORLD!! Between the field games in the morning, the speakers in the afternoon, and water-coasters, sea animal shows (of course I had to see Shamu) and acrobatic performances at Sea World in the evening, today was certainly a fun-filled and unforgettable day!

- Molly Rubin

Lisa Nichols offers a student life advice after he asks an emotional and personal question. Photo by Molly Rubin.



A team dispalys its banner at the Aztec Games. Photo by Molly Rubin.