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If you are a past student, teacher, parent or friend of ISO, you are welcome to send us an email at: isolab@iso.bf and let us know who you are, when you were associated with ISO, where you are now, and what you are doing. We are most especially interested in your thoughts about when you were at ISO. You are most welcome to send a picture of yourself! | ||||||||||||||
| 2006 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1995 | 1994 | 1993 | 1992 | 1988 | 1987 | 1986 | 1983 | 1981 | 1980 |
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From: Cathy Salarano Hi!!!!!! this is Cathy Salarano. I went to ISO last year and the year before that (2007-2008) for 4th and 5th grade. I am now in 6th grade in St. Louis, Missouri in the USA! I love Ouagadougou and I would like to go back. I have such great memories of the school (especially the pool!!), the teachers and my friends at school. I want to say hi to Mrs. Albright, my 4th and 5th grade teacher, Alyssa M., Jessica F., Kale K., Abi R., (all my best friends!!) and all my other friends who was in my class!! I miss you all so much!!!!!!!! I'm moving to Luxembourg which is right by France so visit me anytime!!! (but call first) See you!!!!!!!! |
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From: Esther Albright Its been a long time and I miss ISO a lot! Love, Esther. |
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From: Andrew Burg Wow, it's only been a few months since graduation and I miss home already. ISO has meant so much to me over the past 10 years. Since I started there in 3rd grade till I graduated in 2006, I have had some of the best memories of my life within the compound of the school. Playing basketball, soccer, softball and roller hockey with my family and friends will remain unforgettable experiences in my life. Interacting with the teachers and administrators always left me feeling like I was important and that I meant something. The ISO family that is so often mentioned in this guestbook really does exist and I'm just glad to have been a part of it. |
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From: Anita Peters |
| From: Alex Murillo Year(s) at ISO:1997-2000 Grade: 8-10 Hi my name is Alex Murillo. I am 17 years old and I thought I should sign the guestbook since the director is the only one till this date to sign it. I was at ISO from 1997-2000 for grades 8-10. Before I go on let me just say that Ouagadougou was the BEST experience ever that I have had. Currently I am living in Neuchatel, Switzerland and going to Neuchatel Junior College where I am doing my last year of highschool. After this year I am heading back to my house in Quebec and probably going to the University of Carleton (in Ottawa). I have made many international friends that I have not lost when I was in Ouaga. One of these friends is currently the secretary at ISO...hi Thais! Well it was nice sharing my story with you and I hope that next time I check the guestbook that there will be more people on it. Good luck to everyone and live life at the best because living in Ouaga will be one of the best things that you will EVER do!!! Alex, |
| From: Daniel Hermansson Year(s) at ISO: 1998- 2000 Grade: 7/ 8 Hi everyone! Just found the ISO homepage a few days ago and I thought I might write a few lines in the guestbook. My name is Daniel Hermansson and I'm a former student at the school. I did 7th-8th grade at ISO between 1998 and 2000. Currently I'm at a boarding school in Sweden, outside Stockholm, just having started 11th grade. Though I left, my parents still lived in Burkina until this fall, so I've been at the school at least fairly recently as a guest. I guess I just want to say what a fantastic school ISO is and what an amazing experience it has been to have lived in Ouaga. I've made some great friends who I still have contact with and actually thanks to the school learned English pretty fluently. Just finishing off, I wanna agree with Alex (went to the school at the same time as me by the way, if you haven't figured that out) that Ouaga and ISO is one of the best things you will do in life. Make sure to really enjoy its fullest! It's wonderful. If nothing else, you'll realise it when you sit in a cold autumny Sweden and miss the people and atmosphere of Ouaga! Take care everyone and hopefully the guest book will be bigger in a while! Extra hi to all the people I know that are still at the school! Daniel |
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From: Donna Piet |
| From: Alissa Hitzemann Year(s) at ISO: 1996- 2000 Grade: 4- 8 Hi everyone!! My name is Alissa Hitzemann, I'm 15 years old and I currently live in Aschau which is not far away from Munich in Germany. This is the first time I have been on the ISO webpage ever since I left Ouaga!! It seems like ages ago but it has only been 2 years!! I was at Iso from 4th to 8th grade, 1996-2000, if I got you really confused now then thats because I skipped 7th grade. So I know Alex, Daniel and Thais, saying hi to them all. I probably just want to say that Ouaga has been such a fun but also very important experience for me. I met lots of new people, made friends all over the world, Odile you should sign this too!! Being an ISO student means belonging to the ISO family (the school was kind of small at my time). Students are motivated and I think the international students and teacher body makes this school become a unique academic and social experience you'll never ever forget! I welcome anyone who wants to go to ISO, believe me, you are making the right choice!! MY special thanks to the wonderfull time I had go to all the student that still remember me: The Dixons, the Kemi-Femi band, Maxie, Stina, Debby, Jeanine, Clara, Leslie ..... Not only do I thank my former fellow students but I also thank the ISO teachers and staff: Dr.Garii, Ms.Bettely, Mrs.Fitzgerald,Madame Nassar, Ms.Angelberger, Mrs.Traore, Mr.Ouedouda, Mr.Gampene and so on and on not forgetting Antoine and Justin!!! :)! Everyone, relax, live your life in Ouaga and....DENKT AN MICH!!! Cinema Club and the Rec Club are the best ever!! Love and Peace, ALISSA. PS: you can all write to me : flirtme24@hotmail.com |
| From:Daniel Sanchez Year(s) at ISO:1996-2000 Grade 6-9 Hey everyone My name is Daniel Sanchez from the beautiful country of Colombia and I studied at ISO from 1996 - 2000. After I left Ouaga, I moved to Quito, Ecuador and then to Washington D.C. I am now studying at Wayne State college in Nebraska and in majoring in sports management. Please let Thais, Abu Diarra and Joel and Matthew Dixon know that I said hi and my e-mail address is daniel_sanchez_4ever@msn.com. My best advice for people is to stay positive, don't be intimidated by challenges and live your life to fullest there...if u look for things to do, you will find them....stay involved...you'll meet some good people like I did. Well, if anyone has any questions or whatever, you know where to contact me....pz out. Daniel email:daniel_sanchez_4ever@msn.com |
| From: Ledea Sawadogo-Lewis Year(s) at ISO: 1996- 1999 Grade: 5- 8 Hello everyone!! My name is Ledea Sawadogo-Lewis and I have been attending ISO from the fifth grade to the eighth grade. I have always loved ISO and will always remember it as being synonymous with some of the best times I ever had the opportunity to experience. I remember being part of memorable talent shows, of organizing drama representations with one of the best French teachers I have ever known, Mme. Nassar, of being part of the ISO Lions, our previous soccer team, and countless other unforgettable memories. I would like to tell all the present Turtles of ISO to fully enjoy and appreciate their current time as they will always cherish it forever. I also know most of the people who previously signed this guestbook and I greet them all and wish them well. Currently I am living in Washington D.C, where I am completing my "terminale", a French exam... Following this I will start my college years in MCGill, in Montreal. Feel free to write to me at the following e-mail: ledea@hotmail.com Ciao!! |
| From: Sebastien Viau Year(s) at ISO: 1995-1999 Grade: 8-9 This message is intended to everyone who had, have and will be having an experience directly linking them to ISO. I am Sebastien Viau, 23 years old and did my 8th and 9th grades in the years of 97-99. I'm on the verge now of finishing my undergraduate studies in economics. and will be planning to go up to the master's degree. As a teenager growing up in a developped country, it was such a blow laying feet for the first time on the soil of Burkina F. And I'm sure I wasn't the only one. I couldn't imagine staying 2 years in a place filled with poverty...and far away from a place where I could play hockey. But, quite suprisingly my time in Ouaga was probably the greatest experience I have ever lived so far. And this is mostly because of ISO. It's not just a school, it's a familly. We learn in very small groups and play with the same people (when it is time). I remember ISO for its good teachers (ex; Mr. Lowry and Miss Butterfly) and came back to Canada after those 2 years without any problems at school. But you should understand that, what I really like to remember about ISO is not when I was seated at my desk trying to listen to the narrator before me, but it's the precious time I had with my friends (Iman, Alex M, Mathieu Roy, Mathiew Dixon and many others). Those guys manage to help me blend into a country totally different to where I was from. We were like brothers. We went from building a soft ball team (the Black MAgic) in which Mr.Asp, the principal back then, was a well determined coach to playing Axis and Allies. And I have to mention that we played pretty regularly floor hockey on the basket-ball court. Eventhough, gradually after those 2 years my life has diverged from Ouaga, those guys are still my friends and I still miss them a lot. And to those who are close-to-become ISO students, I have no doubts that you will be living pretty closely the same experience as mine and most probably like the rest of us who came to know ISO. |
| From: Veerle de Winter Year(s) at ISO: 1995-1999 Grade: 2- 6 Hey, I am Veerle De Winter and have finally discovered your website. I attended ISO from 2nd to 6th grade and I really enjoyed it, it were some of the best years of my life!! I now live in Belgium and I am in the second year of secondary school. To all the people who still know me there please write to me at v_dewinter@hotmail. com |
| From: Ray Lowry Year(s) at ISO:1997-1998 Teacher Greetings: I found your website on the net. Please add my message to the guesbook. You've come a long way from the days when we pasted up yearbooks by hand with rubber cement. Yes... I was a middle school teacher back in 1997-98 (I think). I was the one who did the yearbook that year. I was interested to see a lot of the old gang still there... Say hello to Maria Ch., Dominique C, Aristide G., Abu D, Esther, Jean Baptiste, Nada S., etc., etc. I was most surprised to see my former student Thais listed as receptionist. It was also good to see a message from former student Ledea on the guestbook. I'm pretty much bored teaching in the public schools in Minnesota. However, I'm married with a beautiful three year old daughter, so I can't go running off to far corners of the globe anymore. Ask Thais if she still remembers the ISO song: (To the tune of Oh Christmas Tree) We're ISO, we're ISO From Ouagadougou, don't ya know. We hate the cold, we like it hot And as for rain, we like it not We'll never leave our area Unless we get malaria We're ISO, we're ISO From Ouagadougou, Don't ya know We are the turtles from Faso We never rush, we take things slow When it gets hot in the Sahel We hide inside our little shell Though Harmattans may blow all day We love our desert, anyway We are the turles from Faso We never rush, we take things slow. I forgot the other verses... Stay cool everybody.... Ray Lowry 1997-1998 email:Ray.Lowry@isd518.net |
| From:Kathrine Speirs Year(s) at ISO:1996-1998 Grade 2-4 Heyyyy Everyone at the ISO! I'm Kathrine Speirs and I use to go to school in Burkina Faso from 1996-98...Wow, I miss those times! I moved back to Denmark, where I come from and lived there for 4 years. Now I am actually living in Nicaragua, Latin America. I go to The American Nicaragua school and I love it here too. It's really been an experience all the way!! But I loooove it! I know that Michael Albright and Andrew Burg are still in Faso land and really I just wanted to send you guys a special hello...I miss you guys! Michael, Andrew, Ruth, Rianna and me.. we were the perfect team. Remember..classes with Ms. Halpin, Ms. Way and the scary Ms. Wolf..HaHa. I still have pictures and I love looking at them. Please write to me on my email...It would be fab to hear from you. It's been like 5-6 years since I've heard from you...Everyone else at ISO; Enjoy your time there, I will come back one day and visit...I look forward to that day! Hugs from Kathrine Speirs email:katspeirs@hotmail.com Please put this in the guestbook.. and I love the website, its great! |
| From:Chloe Hans Years at ISO: 1995 Grade:1 Hi my name is Chloe Hans and I was ISO about 10 years ago. I believe i was in first grade, I do not remember much of my time at ISO because I was only there for a year. From the little bit that I remember, I do remember it was AMAZING I always liked going to ISO and it was just alot of fun, I met alot of nice people and I made amazing friends. I wish I could go back and visit, I am living in the U.S. right now, specifically in Miami. After ISO I moved to Miami and then to the Solomon Islands and then back to Miami. I really wish I lived in Ouagadougou right now. Everyone that is there right now is so lucky. Cherish every moment! and have tons of fun!!! peace&love, Chloe :) p.s- If you were in my class please email me I would LOVE to hear from you, I have not heard from anyone in the past 10 years :/ my email is: tigerbabe2527@aol.com |
| From: Aaron Hilts Year(s) at ISO: 1993-1994 Hello, My name is Aaron Hilts. I was a part of the staff during the 1993-1994 school year. That year we ran a correspondence high school for the first time with 6 students from Canada and the US. It was a unique experience because the 6 students ranged from grade 9 through grade 12 and took such a variety of coursework. In fact, there was a graduation ceremony that year for the 12th grade student because she had completed her coursework and prepared to go on to college that following year. I also spent afternoons working as the physical education teacher. Although we participated and learned about a lot of games and activities, the big game that year was floor hockey which we played on the basketball court. We also held a school-wide field day which was a lot of fun for everyone. Along with the wonderful students and staff that I had the good fortune to work with I remember fondly the outdoor education trips to the game park and to Niamey. I wish both past and current students and staff the very best in all their endeavors. Sincerely, A. Hilts Mr. Aaron Hilts Associate Principal Grafton High School 1950 Washington St. Grafton, WI 53024 (262) 376-5500 |
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From: Etienne Tremblay |
| From: Joost van der Zwan Year(s) at ISO: 1990- 1993 Grade: 4- 6 Hello, I just came across the website for the ISO and thought I would drop a line for the guestbook. I am an ex-student as well, I was at ISO from 1990-1993, grade, 4th grade till 6th grade. I was among the first batch of students to go to school at the new campus, and still remember what it looked like before they started building (the grounds used to be a rubbish dump). Almost all of the trees planted around the campus are a result of a tree project my brother Maarten and I set up when we were students and the two big turtles that are walking around the grounds used to be our pets. I always look back on my time at ISO with fond memories, it was my first experience of living abroad and I had a great time in Burkina Faso, both at school as outside of school. Although I have lost touch with all but two of my fellow classmates I wouldn't mind hearing from them at some point. After ISO I lived in Holland for four years, then went to Atlantic College in Wales where I received my International Baccalaureate. From 1999 until 2002 I read Politics and International Relations at Lancaster University, England. Currently I am on a gap year, working and travelling around the world. Joost email: joost12@yahoo.com |
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From: Polyanna van Binsbergen |
| From: Stephanie Vigier Year(s) at ISO: 1989-1992 Grade 7-8 Hi there, I was in ISO from 1989 to about 1992 from grade 7-8. It was a great experience and I met some memorable people. It's unbelievable to see how much it's changed and developped. It only went to grade 8 when I was there. Glad to see that things are in full swing in Ouaga and the school is continuing to grow - fun that ISO actually has a website. After finishing school, I ended up doing a History degree and have now settled in Ottawa, Canada working for the government as a civil servant. I've kept in touch with a few people and all seem to be doing fairly well with their lives. Amazing how the experience in Ouaga can gave you such a great international base. Stephanie Vigier email: vigier101@hotmail.com |
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From: Gayleen Balloguing Mendoza Hello, |
| From: Natalie Ford Years at ISO: 1983-1992 Grades: 1-3, 5-8 My name is Natalie Gilbert, formally Natalie Ford. I was the first student to begin first grade and finish 8th, at ISO. I started in 1983, on the old elementary campus, took one year in the USA, went on to the old middle school campus, and then graduated with the first class to graduate from the new campus, before high school was added. My leather ISO diploma now hangs on the wall in my classroom, where I teach first grade. I planted one of the trees on the new campus, and with all the rest of the students that year, I helped pick up the trash still left behind after the garbage dump was bulldozed. When the campus opened, the trees were tiny saplings, and there was no grass, just hot gravel and sand. The classrooms, though, were airy and huge. The Glennons were our main teachers for middle school. I have lost contact with my classmates and friends, as they are scattered across the world. After leaving Burkina, I spent 3 years in Portugal, and graduated from high school at the American International School of Lisbon. I went back to the States for college and graduated from the University of Memphis, in Tennessee, and have been teaching first grade now for four years. I have been married for seven years, and have two children. Ouaga will always be my home town. I miss it. I wish I were teaching now in a school like ISO. |
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From: Jeremy Tucker I lived in Burkina Faso/Upper Volta from 1976 until 1989. Several of those |
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From: Tamba Tongu Hey, just stumbled on the site and would like to say that it's a beautiful thing and would love to sign the guestbook. Like for many others that attended ISO, this site is a blessing. My name is Tamba Tongu. I attended ISO from 1981-88 with my brothers(Sahr, Aiah, Komba) and my younger sister(Sia). Wow, lots of fun memories like festivals, playing soccer for ISO at the stadium against a local Burkinabe school, break dancing against the kids from BAMAKO after beating them in soccer, school plays, art class with Mrs. Demarko(yeah i still draw), drawing (ELF QUESTand other crazy comic book illustrations) pictures with my boy Leonard Suh, Mr. and Mrs. Larson, Mrs.Sia, Mr. and Mrs.C. ISO was very influential in me choosing a career, all the art and plays, pottery classes, music classes. I currently reside in Washington D.C. I have a seven year old little girl named Sia. My brothers and I have a multimedia company doing mostly audio/visual production and sports management, doing everything from film/music videos, documentary, 3d animation...etc, I miss Ouaga and hope to stop through in the near future to catch the FESPACO festival. I'll definitely make sure to stop through and pay a visit,.........................Take care and anyone trying to catch up with me can hit me at Italproductionz@yahoo.com |
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From: Josh Sokal |
| From: Patrick Weinhold Year(s) at ISO:1983-1986 Grade: Hi, I just found the ISO website and wanted to sign the guestlist. I was a student there from about 1983 to 1986. I think it was a very different school back then. Back then the school only went through the 8th grade, and from the look of the map on the website, it may have been in an entirely different location. Take it easy, Pat Weinhold email:pweinhold2000@yahoo.com |
| From: Aba-Sah Dadzie Year(s) at ISO:1980-1986 Grade: K-7 Really pleased to find a guestbook for ISO - discovered the year book for '85, I think, a few months ago, when I was in the 5th grade, and my sister (Sakyiwa) and I really enjoyed going through the photos, wondering what everyone would be up to now. Just skimming through the guestbook I recognise two names - Mme Nassar, who taught me French, and Patrick Weinhold who was a couple years or so ahead of me. I have never seen the new campus, like Patrick said, it was quite different back then, and a lot smaller than it is now, but I think one of the best things about ISO was the tiny classes. I've been living - studying and working - in Scotland on and off the last ten years. I just finished 10 weeks lecturing in Computer Science at a new university in Ghana called Ashesi, and am back in Edinburgh finishing off my PhD in Bioinformatics. The other ISO family I'm in touch with and have seen in the not so recent past are the Paselas. ISO was an amazing school and I'd do it all again, I remember making the string puppets for Peter Pan and practicing for concerts during Afternoon Program - Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now" is still one of my favourite songs, us all doing "We Are the World", Magic Circle in the early 80s, round about when Mr. C became Principal, kindergarten with Satara Sia, ballet lessons with Mary, who was the secretary then, the field trip to Koudougou, another field trip to a set of villages somewhere I can't remember, the jungle gym and one kid Simon who broke several bones falling off it! Playing "kickball", basketball and standing on the tall swings. Piku and I playing Hangman forever on the two seriously high-tech monochrome (green 'n black) Apples :) sitting in the library! I've memories of ISO and the international community I grew up in I'm yet to match in all the places I've been since. Aba-Sah Dadzie. email: asdadzie@netscape.net |
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From: Domenica Brockman Hello- I just found this site and was so happy to see a post from Elizabeth Field. We (my brothers Donato and Mario and I) lived just down the street from the Fields and attended ISO with her and her brother from 1980-1983. Elizabeth, if you see this, I would love to hear from you. Also, I am looking for Yoon Jouh Woo (her father was South Korean Ambassador) and and any other friends from that time. Any information would be thrilling. I am living in Ithaca, NY,and am mother of three. We moved to Kinshasa, Zaire, after Ouagadougou. Best wishes to all ISO alumni- it was a special place and a special time. What ever happened to Bob and Linda Sills (directors of the school at the time we were there?) email: Swampcollege@fltg.net |
| From: Elisabeth Field, England Year(s) at ISO:1976-1981 Grade pK Hello from England! I was at ISO right at the beginning in 1976 when I was just five and stayed until 1981. Its great seeing the photos, much bigger then when I was there. My memories of ISO are of going on interesting outings to the abattoir and to the man who kept loads of snakes in jars. I also did lots of photography and developing my own prints. I am now a clinical psychologist working with older people for the uk health service. Elizabeth Field |
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From: Saskia Bakker Hi, |
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From: Emma Yim My name is Emma Yim. I attended ISO from 1979 to 1981 (Grade 6 & 7) under the name of Yoon-Jouh Woo (I have since anglicised my name and am also using my married surname). I was absolutely delighted to see the ISO website and to read messages by Domenica Brockman and Saskia Bakker though I was very sad to read in Saskia's message that Bob Sills passed away in 2006. I wonder how Linda and Todd are. email: emmayim@msn.com |
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From: Marijke Hasselt Hello, |
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From: Megan Neal My name is Megan (Deffendol) Neal and I attended ISO along with my older brother Kip and younger sister Tibby. I was there from kindergarton through third grade and have many fond memories of that school. I was so thrilled to find other alumni on your site who were there when I was and whom I remember (Saskia, Marijke, and Elizabeth: hello, girls.) I too remember the field trips we took. (I had nightmares for weeks after the bottled snake field trip. Okay, so maybe that part wasn't a fond memory, but it was certainly memorable.) I was sad to hear about Bob Sills death. Linda was my teacher in 1st grade, and I think for second and third as well. email: MeganD.Neal@gmail.com |
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From: Nihar Patnaik I was a student at ISO from 1976 to 1980. My other classmates were Nick Lawrence, Elizabeth Field, Akhilesh Rathore, Thys Stoop...and others...been a long time. Enjoyed taking part in Halloween...dressing up and going trick or treating....enjoyed the field trips as well. Of course Burkina Faso with the Moro Naba & Thomas Sankara's slogan (La patrie ou la mort, nous vaincrons)! |
Last Update: October 7, 2009
The Web Master is Glenn Jones, Director of ISO.