ICS Alumni

Alumni are a vital part of an educational institution, as they remain lifelong members of its community. At ICS, this appreciation and connection to alumni is clear. Returning to ICS over eight years later, this time as a staff member, has shown me just how strong that connection can be.

On 19 September, the ICS community came together to celebrate 65 years of learning, growth, and connection. It was a special occasion to honour our history while looking ahead to the future with pride and excitement.

In early September 2022, fresh into my final year at ICS, I decided to get involved with a student-led organisation centred around a topic I am passionate about.

In mid-August of 2012, I took my first steps into the ICS building as a Grade 1 student, where to my eyes, it seemed at first huge and intimidating. Not only was I entering a new school; I was stepping into a new country, a new environment, and a new language, where I could barely introduce myself in English.

Good afternoon, for those of you who don’t know me, I was a student at ICS. I arrived in Zumikon in 1991, at the age of four, and I graduated twenty years ago, in 2004.

Having completed my first semester at a small liberal arts college in Pennsylvania, I find myself engaging in reflective contemplation on my 13-year journey at ICS. Having attended ICS from 2009 to graduating in 2022, has shaped me in ways I am only starting to understand.

We spoke with ICS alumnus Valérie Besanceney about what made her time at ISC so special. Originally Dutch, and Swiss by nationality, Valérie grew up changing schools and countries four times by the time she graduated high school. Her adventure started at ICS when she was just five years old and continued throughout her lifetime. 

We checked in with class of 2019 ICS alumnus, Julie Cwidak, to learn about what she has been up to since graduation. During an internship in her gap year, Julie discovered a newfound love for the fascinating and fast-paced world of the food industry. Now pursuing a bachelor’s degree in food technology, Julie explains why it is so important to forge your own unique path forward for your future. 

I take this opportunity to celebrate this momentous occasion in the lives of our graduates and their families. To the Graduating Class of 2023, thank you. For the gift of your character, for your resolve, and for the contribution you have made to our school.

It is with heavy hearts that we share the news with you of the passing of one of our beloved ICS alumni, Tommy Leck.