Writer: Pallavi 

Editor: Justin

It’s just like the movies, where the best athletes don letterman jackets. However, here at ISM, varsity or IASAS jackets are worn over the shoulders of hundreds of high school students, regardless of whether they participate in basketball, music, or debate. 

IASAS is the Interscholastic Association of Southeast Asian Schools, of which ISM is a member alongside five other schools in Singapore, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. It is one of the longest-standing traditions we have at our school, beginning in 1982. In each of the four seasons, groups of students compete in sports and cultural conventions and travel to member schools to represent ISM. 

The fanfare of these grand events start months prior. The day school kicks off advertisements start to flood social media, and the whole Bearcat community begins to gain awareness of the upcoming events through assemblies. It is becoming an unspoken agreement that this event is the pinnacle of ISM spirit and bonding in our community…but what’s the big deal?  

At ISM, we have an exorbitant amount of activities for students to be involved in, however, sports are given so much more value than other activities. IASAS sports participants get sport-specific patches to put on their jackets. Given that every sport gets a different patch, it’s almost a given that Cultural Convention participants should get the same options. 

However, all cultural IASAS participants share one patch that’s just labeled as “Cultural Convention” or “CulCon.” They are all generalized into one group of students, despite the wide range of performing arts in the group. The students who compete and represent ISM at CulCon are as valuable as our athletes, but apparently, there’s no difference between debate and music to some. 

The jacket has become an important status symbol in the ISM community. From the second you enter high school, the competitive aspect of making it on sport teams or IASAS cultural events is driven by the black, yellow and green-colored jacket. Although being part of a team is more valuable than owning a simple jacket, that piece of fabric seems to be an object of desire. 

However, having the experience of traveling to another country is a rare one, and as high school students, we should be making the most of these opportunities rather than prioritizing merchandise. The IASAS group provides so many networking opportunities as well as the ability to simply have fun whilst getting a taste of international culture. 

Sophomore Gaby says, “[IASAS] is a big deal to high school students, but it’s more than just a jacket. It’s meeting new people, and it’s also about reaching new goals.” This reinforces how most students feel that this experience is indeed a special one, and that there is value in being able to represent your school, rather than simply owning a jacket. Although it is a nice piece of merchandise, the memories and experiences students have received from the tournament is more prized. 

Each year ISM welcomes hundreds of new students into the Bearcat community, many of whom are quickly introduced to high school’s active sporting and cultural events. Yet while some form interests in wanting to compete for the school, many may never understand the point of even having IASAS. 

New student Noee finds that “IASAS is a good experience, but so many people have the jacket that I feel like people try out because they want it too.” IASAS is a good experience as many believe, but clearly there is some value in the ownership of the jacket. Students who are new to the community may have a harder time understanding why the tournament is so treasured to the community. However, anyone who’s had the privilege of watching IASAS first hand holds a very different perspective on the situation. 

Andres, a freshman, had a front row seat to the IASAS basketball games last year, witnessing how the Bearcats gloriously brought home gold and silver awards. The experience has brought him to believe that “you try out to play the sport or activity you love, not for a jacket.” 

Students who don’t participate in any activity or sport represented in IASAS still get to feel the energy that the tournament brings as they witness their own classmates compete and perform at new heights. In fact, watching IASAS is as great of an experience as competing in the convention. Students who are yet to experience it, may not understand why they should even care, but once they see the passion and enthusiasm that all six schools bring, it’s hard to not care.  

Though not everyone at ISM may be interested in IASAS, the spirit and energy that all athletes and delegates bring is surreal. It provides all IASAS participants, as well as students who watch the games and conventions, with a unique experience and opportunity to connect with students from across Southeast Asia. 

While the jacket is symbolic of the efforts and dedication people on a varsity sports team or a cultural convention squad put in, it is clear that the experience of traveling and competing is far more valuable, and owning a jacket is just an added benefit.