Filled with custom dresses, suits, accessories, hats, and purses, the Shanghai fabric market is the perfect space for any fancy occasion or person in need of custom designs, and for this homecoming, I knew it was the perfect place.
Coming to Fiona is a unique experience. The old Shanghai fabric market is a historic location that has always focused on foreign customers’ need for suits and other clothing options. As a child, my father would take me to this very same market primarily to order custom Halloween costumes, so when I told him I was searching for a new suit for my senior homecoming, I immediately knew where to bring it up first.
In order to get to the market from my house, we took our separate motorcycles out for over half an hour to reach our destination. The fabric market, like most foreign-focused markets in China, is highly competitive, and it is commonplace to be followed and pleaded at for the minimum amount of time that you’ll just stand in their store. Fiona was the first that stood apart from the rest since the owner wasn’t following us around in an almost desperate move to sell a suit. It is run by a kind pair of sisters who are capable of speaking some English, which my father always appreciates.
After giving a general description of my dream suit, the lady aiding my search quickly put together various colors, styles, and fabrics that matched my requests. As I tried on the suits, my father, always the negotiator, haggled prices from what was already a fairly decent price to an almost unbelievably low cost; all the while, the owners did not disregard us but instead worked to find as fair of a deal as possible which was quickly met at 1808.12 yuan or only 250 dollars.
Once I finalized my decision on the suit I wanted, I carefully checked for my measurements and was informed my suit would arrive at our apartment in a rapid two days’ time. We thanked the sisters for their help, and then headed home. While not just being a good customer experience, that day was also the last time this summer that I was able to go out with just my father and me. The whole experience was pleasant, and I will not soon forget it.
Earning double the points of any other group/individual…The Lorax
Taking place in the school’s parking lot, the homecoming parade and pep rally attracted scholars, teachers, and staff for festivities including music, treats, games, and dancing. Beginning at noon on November 19, 2024, scholars gathered in the parking lot, observing a display of cars that resembled the costumes worn by their designated homecoming court nominees. During the parade, each car distributed a variety of candies, including gummies, chocolate coins, and lollipops. The dance team, cheerleaders, flag football, basketball, and volleyball teams also marched, danced, cheered, and celebrated their school spirit.
The final car of the parade was red Porsche 911 Carrera GTS driven by Josiah Crozier, alumni, that was carrying the Grinch. The scholars spend the rest of the day trying to figure out who had dressed up as the Grinch to no avail. The Grinch came to highlight the upcoming Elementary music showcase happening next week.
Following the parade, the scholars were led into the main building for the pep rally. The rally was full of chants and musical performances which later on led to the promotion of the staff vs scholars volleyball game scheduled later that day. Members of both teams took to the stage for a balloon challenge. In this activity, one person would launch a balloon into the air, then run back to tag the next teammate in line, who would then sprint to retrieve the balloon. In this best of three, the staff team was victorious. There were also performances from the Lions cheer team and the high school dance team. It was a time for the entire school to come together to cheer on our friends in the OS Lions way!
The 2024 3rd annual staff vs scholars volleyball game was the biggest volleyball game in the history of One School volleyball games with cheerleaders, family members, teachers, scholars, and more rooting for their team. The atmosphere was surrounded with noise from the crowds cheering and the teams hyping each other up. The night was busy with the introduction of the homecoming court, cheer routines, and senior night for dance, cheer, and volleyball.
“The atmosphere was light with a lot of people and this game was more entertaining mostly because we didn’t beat the staff right away and their was more tension between the us and them,” said Madelyn Payne, 12th grade.
The scholars started off strong winning the first and second set by giving it their all. During the first set Joenid Villaman Siaca mom, Mrs. Siaca Burgos hurt her leg and the room became silent as the staff assessed and helped her get back up. During this time cheerleaders and plays took a knee out of concern for the player. After Mrs. Siaca Burgos rested with ice for awhile, she continued to play and help her team.
The third set was taken over by the staff, hyping up the teams and crowd as they realized that the game was not over yet. This game had alumni Cali Combs and Emma Vega helping the staff team. They both played on the 2023-24 team.
“ It was very entertaining with many competitive parents and crowd members cheering for their team to win,” said Anders Johnson, 12th grade.
The fourth game was a close one that went back and forth point for point with the most points going back and forth between the two teams. It was not until both teams had 24 points that scholars got the final point leading to the win of the staff vs scholars trophy. This was a difficult set for the scholars as they gave it their all to continue their winning streak.
“I feel great after winning against the staff, but they definitely stepped up their game since last year, “ said Avery Stepan, 11th grade.
Before you vote, be sure you know your court members. We’ve got you covered with the basic facts.
Anders Johnson: Cafe team, Men’s Bible study lead, Tribe youth member, Dance Usher team, dual enrollment scholar
Samantha Laczko: Dance team, active in numerous Bible studies on campus, Tribe youth member, NHS member, dual enrollment scholar
Jaylen Camillo: Lion’s basketball team, Dance usher team, NHS, dual enrollment scholar
Amanda Hernandez: started a middle school girl’s bible study, worship team, NHS, dual enrollment scholar, attends local youth group
Ismar Arroyo: Lion’s cheer team, dancer & active member of her local church
Lucius Layton: been at OS since elementary, thespian
Camila Concepcion: participated in OS theater
Jayden Keppel: Lion’s basketball, Lion’s flag football, dance usher trainee
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