11/02/04

For students in DoDDS-Pacific/DDESS-Guam learning doesn't only take place within a classroom. This school year twenty Far East activities are scheduled throughout Japan, Okinawa, and Korea. Six of these events will occur this week with over 800 students and nearly 100 coaches and sponsors participating. DODDS-Pacific/DDESS-Guam students will be meeting for volleyball, tennis, and cross country tournaments as well as the journalism festival and a cheerleading clinic. These events provide an opportunity not only to determine individual and team champions but also for our students to interact with students from other bases and countries. For some students there will be hard fought victories or devastating defeats. Some will be learning new skills. Some will experience the camaraderie of gathering with fellow students who share a common love for their sport or activity.

Activities traditionally held during the winter include the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) competition, wrestling, girls and boys basketball, and the speech arts and drama festival. Spring activities include the Model United Nations, the Junior Science and Humanities Symposium, closely followed by our finest DoDDS-Pacific/DDESS-Guam musicians gathering for their April concert. The final event on our calendar brings together our student athletes for a week long soccer competition in mid May.

DoDDS-Pacific/DDESS-Guam students who compete in these Far East activities are held to high academic standards, are responsible for completing their missed school assignments, and must learn to manage their academic workloads with their extracurricular requirements. For many of our students the travel aspects are routine; however, for some it marks their initial international travel experience and provides many lasting memories of the friendships made at these events. Teachers who serve as coaches and activity sponsors accompany our students on their adventures. These teachers provide experience and security to the students while they are away from home.

Over 2,600 DoDDS-Pacific/DDESS-Guam high school students participate in one or more of these events. Our Far East schedule affords students adequate time to prepare for and take the Advanced Placement tests, the SATs and ACTs, semester examinations, and to enjoy school proms and graduation exercises.

Far East Activities are similar to events and competitions at the state level in public schools across the United States where students come from various districts across the state to compete. However, our Far East Activities Program provides an added benefit because our students have the unique opportunity to come together with each other as well as various international and host nation schools, enriching their athletic, academic and cultural experiences while living overseas. I wish to thank the coaches, teachers, and parents for making these experiences possible for our students. Best of luck to all our participating students and schools!

Nancy C. Bresell
Director, DoDDS-Pacific/DDESS-Guam