The Dragonwaves Podcast: On the Air with HKIS

Mek, Rowdy Kids, and Menopause

On this episode of Dragonwaves, spend some time with Ms. Mekala Weerakoon, a long-time Lower Primary teacher and beloved member of the HKIS community. For over 15 years, “Mek” has made her way into the hearts of her colleagues, her students and their parents with her no-nonsense approach to life and her big heart.  

Mek calls it like she sees it, which is why students from the age of 4 to 8 love bantering with her over all kinds of topics that emerge in the classroom during community time, academic time, and guided play. She taught Reception 1 for seven years, followed by Grade 2 for another eight years. Mek could bring out the best in every child and was never shy about talking about her God and how He guides her each day.  

Amongst adults, Mek is largely the same way. So, when the topic of menopause became top of mind for her, she opened this topic of conversation to anyone who would listen. Lo and behold, she found that there were so many women who wanted to talk about it, but didn’t know how to bring it up. Tune in to this episode to hear what she has to say about menopause, life at HKIS, and her journey back to her homeland of Sri Lanka. 

What Does it Mean to Belong and How Does it Contribute to Success?

Dr. Derrick Gay is a globally recognized Belonging and Intercultural Strategist, dedicated to fostering cultures of dignity and respect. He has worked with over 800 organizations globally across a variety of industries. Dr. Gay spent two full days at HKIS working with students, teachers, and parents exploring strategies to cultivate intercultural competency and empathy so that all students thrive and flourish. Hear what his insights were about HKIS and what community members took away from his time spent with us.

Welcome to the Watering Hole - Meet Megan Kuemmerlin, UP Associate Principal

This episode is hosted by HKIS HS Marketing Intern, Annicka Sen '25, and recorded in on location in the Upper Primary! She discusses international living, recent reads and how to find wisdom in resistance. We're happy to welcome the brand new UP AP, Megan Kuemmerlin, to the HKIS "watering hole"!

The Show Must Go Rogue: A Senior Project

HKIS has seen many plays come to life on its stages, but never has it seen one that was fully directed and produced by students. For their senior project, Celeste Belin ‘24 and Jamie Schiewe ‘24 directed the one-night-only show Discovering Rogue, which was met with great applause from our community. Listen along as they talk about bringing the show to life, and what they learned from the experience. - Podcast produced by Marketing Intern, Annicka Sen '25.

Green Buildings with HKIS Alumni and Parent, Alessandro Bisagni '02

HKIS is built strongly on its passionate alumni network. Marketing Intern Toby Chen ‘25 interviews Alessandro Bisagni, HKIS alumni from the Class of 2002 and parent of LP students. Alessandro is deeply committed to sustainability and environmental issues. He talks about his work in the sustainable business industry and offers suggestions on how students and parents can lead a more eco-friendly lifestyle. Tune in to this podcast for more!

A Noontime Campfire with Charles Vogl

Marketing Intern Annicka Sen '25 sat down with best-selling author, Charles Vogl for a personal interview before he began his day's activities at HKIS. Tune in with Charles and Annicka to hear about maintaining community in today’s digital age and how even our smallest gestures can mean so much more than we think. If you haven't read Charles Vogl's book, The Art of Community, you'll learn some of his key principles in this podcast.

What is it Like to Work in the White House?

Hear from Alumnus Dennis Cheng ‘97 as he recounts his days working in the White House and his journey since graduating from HKIS. Dennis spent a morning speaking with High School students on October 20, 2023 during a Dragon Day session. Over 60 students signed up to be inspired and to get advice from one of HKIS’s brightest alums.

Getting to Know Mr. FitzGerald, Upper Primary Principal

Marketing Intern Toby Chen interviews Upper Primary (UP) Principal Duncan FitzGerald. Hear about UP facilities and some of Mr. FitzGerald's favorite things about HKIS. 

Dragon Moms: Insider Tips on HKIS

Dragonwaves interviews Bonnie Bajaj and Tori Kelly, two of HKIS’s most beloved parent leaders in the community. Hear about their first days as new parents at HKIS and helpful tips for navigating a big school. 

All Aboard with Aimmie Kellar: Say Hello to HKIS’s High School Principal

From Canada to Seoul to Hong Kong, Aimmie Kellar has seen a lot, and she’s ready to use what she’s learned from her experiences in her new role as the High School Principal. Sit down with Ms. Kellar as we discuss her roots, her life before HKIS, and what she hopes to achieve in her first year.