GAMES

Tallulah Falls School has long had a robust international community, but this year marks the start of an exciting new tradition: the International Games Competition. The month-long series of athletic events among the school’s boarding students is designed to unite them and foster even stronger bonds within the community. The competition is divided into three weekends, each featuring a different sport. Table tennis kicked things off, followed by basketball and soccer, leading to one of the school’s most anticipated events: International Week.

The International Games Competition is a student-led and student-managed activity, organized by senior international student liaisons Nahia Fresno Suarez of Spain and Benjamin Okoronkwo of Nigeria. Their goal was to create an opportunity for the school’s international boarding community to unite, support one another, and develop a deeper sense of integration. The atmosphere was electric, and students relished trying their best in a competitive environment.

“The international basketball tournament was a fun experience,” said eighth-grader Brian Neely of the Bahamas. “I felt it helped all the different nationalities bond through the game of basketball. Everyone had fun and competed. I really enjoyed playing against students from other countries and having fun.”

Junior Octavio Santana Campuzano of Spain also spoke fondly of the event. “There was a great atmosphere, and we had a great time because everyone tried their best so we could see good basketball and have fun at the same time,” he said.

The International Games Competition was a resounding success, with students from all over the world coming together to cheer on their classmates and form new friendships. It was a testament to the importance of sports in bringing people together, regardless of their backgrounds. As the school’s international community continues to grow, with 30 countries represented in this year’s student body, events like the International Games Competition will undoubtedly become even more important, helping to build an even stronger and more cohesive community.

The Tallulah Falls School cheerleading squads have just wrapped up a season to remember, with 19 dedicated girls bringing something unique and special to the team. Under the guidance of Head Coach Rainen Wade and Assistant Head Coach Sassy Hayes, the team worked tirelessly to perfect their skills, support each other, and achieve their goals.

One of the season’s highlights was the close bond that the team formed, with the JV and varsity teams practicing together and offering support to one another. Even the new freshmen on the team stepped up and pushed themselves out of their comfort zones to learn how to stunt, with the upperclassmen providing encouragement and guidance every step of the way.

Senior Cassidy Hayes shared her emotional connection to the team, saying that being on the team creates a special bond that will be hard to leave behind. She also praised her fellow cheerleaders, saying that all the girls bring something special to the team and that it wouldn’t have been the same without any of them.

The team’s dedication and hard work paid off in spades, with their impressive performances on the court throughout the season. The team attended a stunt cheer clinic at the beginning of the season with the Piedmont University Competition cheer team, led by Coach Rabern, which gave them valuable experience and a new perspective on their sport.

“The Tallulah Falls School cheerleading teams had an incredible season, with solid leadership, a tight bond, and a lot of hard work and dedication from every team member. They should be proud of their accomplishments and look forward to their future successes,” said Coach Wade.