As 2024 flew by, ISB’s class of 2025 is preparing to depart for new journeys, including the athletes who have created unforgettable memories with their teams. For seniors, the upcoming graduation will be bittersweet, but beyond their time at school, what are some of the moments they cherish the most?

“It has definitely been an interesting one!”

Julianna Mourot has been a part of ISB’s track and field team for two seasons and has made an unforgettable impact in that short time. One of her proudest moments came at last year’s IASAS when she broke her hurdling record by two seconds. This was an achievement so overwhelming that it brought her to tears. “I vividly remember crying as well, and I don’t think I’ve ever cried about something sports-related, so that moment definitely left an impression on me,” she says. It was a defining milestone that showcased her growth and dedication to the sport.

Julianna’s track journey has been anything but ordinary. She first started running at Meridian High in Virginia, USA, before transferring to ISB, where she found herself on a team with a history of gold medals and success. The transition was drastic, but it only fueled her drive to improve. “I couldn’t be more grateful to be able to support my teammates,” she says, acknowledging the contrast between her previous and current experiences. Despite the shift in competitiveness, what remained the same were the friendships and bonds she made along the way. “The friends I made on the track team are friends that I will have forever.”

As Julianna prepares to leave the team, the reality of saying goodbye is bittersweet. “I honestly am really going to miss them (track teammates), but I hope that I can stay in touch with them and maybe even pursue track in college.” She cherishes the bonds she has built over the past two years and hopes to see her teammates continue pushing themselves to greater heights.

To the rest of the team, Julianna leaves a message to encourage her teammates: “Work hard to push yourselves this season and let’s make it count. IASAS is not home this year, so let’s win with an even bigger gap than in previous years.” Her confidence in the team is unwavering, and she believes no other school is more capable of winning gold. Now, as she moves on, she leaves behind a legacy of resilience, hard work, and a competitive spirit in track and field.

“I will probably only remember the people I went through the process with and not the times and results I got…”

Run Jongsuebchoke’s decade-long journey with the swim team has been filled with dedication, camaraderie, and unforgettable moments. Since third grade, swimming has become a defining part of his life, making it hard to imagine stepping away. “I still don’t think I have processed it yet,” he admits, reflecting on the emotions of leaving behind a sport and a team that has been his home for 10 years. The practices, the daily grind, the shared struggle of tough sets, and the pre-workout conversations with teammates are what he will miss the most. “The unique teammates that you see every day and get to catch up with before practice, as well as the shared bond over the pain of hard sets, are unique to the sport of swimming and something I will take with me,” he says.

For Run, IASAS has been the highlight of his swimming career, a competition unlike any other, where rivalry and camaraderie blend seamlessly. “It is just a different swim meet from everything else,” he explains, emphasizing how IASAS strikes a rare balance between competition and fun. This year’s IASAS 4×100 freestyle relay stands out as a moment he will never forget: they earned a bronze medal for the team. The outstanding moment is not just the race itself but the following celebration. “It was something unique that embodies the IASAS spirit,” he recalls. But beyond the medals and results, it’s the people he shared the journey with that matter most. “I will probably only remember the people I went through the process with and not the times and results I got,” he reflects, recognizing that the true measure of his experience is the friendships and memories made along the way.

Leaving the team after 10 years brings a mix of emotions, from nostalgia to uncertainty. “There is a feeling of angst about leaving the swim team, leaving a comfort zone I have built,” Run says. However, he embraces the inevitable transition, acknowledging that time will bring perspective. Looking back, Run describes his swimming journey as “hectic and chaotic, but fun.” From balancing sickness and school to the ups and downs of competition, it has been a wild ride, an experience that he wouldn’t trade for anything.

As he moves on, Run leaves his teammates with this message: “I had an amazing time swimming with all of you. Apes together strong.” (Only Run and his teammates know what this means!)

“Tennis is tied with the people I’ve been surrounded with.”

For Mena Sumetanon, the tennis court has been a second home since ninth grade, shaping some of her most unforgettable experiences. Among them, one moment stands out: when the ISB girls’ tennis team won IASAS last year after a 19-year drought. “There were definitely tears that day,” she recalls, emphasizing how much that victory meant to her and her teammates. Mena remembered the excitement and all the impatient waiting to ensure the team’s victory—from feeling anxious into excitement, then to tears.

Leaving the team is not easy for Mena, as many of her teammates have been by her side since elementary school. “Tennis is tied with the people I’ve been surrounded with,” she says, reflecting on the deep connections she has built over the years. The sport was not just about competition. Tennis for Mena was about the friendships, the shared struggles, and the joy of playing alongside those who understood her best. However, Mena knows that it is not the end of their bond. “When I visit, I’ll always find my way back to them and reunite with my girls.”, Mena proudly remarked.

Describing her journey as “exciting, passionate, and exhausting,” Mena acknowledges the efforts she has put into becoming part of Varsity tennis. The long practices, the tough matches, and the balancing act between academics and sports pushed her limits, but she wouldn’t trade the experience for anything. As she prepares to step away, she leaves her teammates with a simple yet heartfelt message: “I love you all. Keep training hard without your seniors!”