There are a number of semester schools out there for high schoolers but The Island School sits right at the top of the list. Students experience life on the island of Eleuthera. The experience begins of a lifelong educational journey and confident students emerge as engaged global citizens, empowered to be active leaders of their generation.

Thea Keene, 17-year-old daughter of John and Hillary, has been one of these students. According to her mother, every student spends their semester not only learning academically but also about themselves. Students train for either a four-mile open swim or a half marathon. Thea has had her share of physical struggles including a broken rib and twisted ankle. She had her goal set on the run but as the day approached, her previous ailments began to take their toll.

So after a lengthy discussion with the medical team, Thea convinced them she could manage the swim. With numerous safety rules and a long list of dos and don’ts Thea came in ninth. Thea is back from her 100-day adventure with a very simple mantra: “I am strong.”

Separated from Key West by the narrow Cow Key Channel, Stock Island is not just an extension of its famous neighbor but a destination in its own right. Now, it’s noteworthy for the first annual I Love Stock Island Rooster Run 5K. I know, it seems a bit odd that Stock Island has drawn attention but it’s done so with good reason. Tara Larsen, of Hammett Lane, not only completed the Rooster Run but managed to have a medal hung around her neck signifying her second-place finish. Congratulations.

The West Tisbury School sixth grade fundraiser will be back in full swing at Middletown Nursery this weekend. From 2 to 4 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday, you can stop in for tasty treats at their bake sale, hot cider, grab bags and 25 per cent off trees and wreaths too. Chilmarkers Laila Fenner, Delilah Oliver, Charlotte Scott, Quinlan Slavin and Westley Wlodyka, among others, will be ready to help you choose the best tree and treat.

Members of the high school basketball program are selling home game advertisement space as a fundraiser for the MVRHS Basketball Booster Club. The club provides two annual scholarships for graduating seniors, uniforms for all of the teams, overnight travel expenses, money for fan buses, end of year awards and more. There are various options and price points so reach out to a player. Chilmark kids include Silas Abrams, Adam Knight, Barrett and Solon Oliver, Bella Thorpe and Atlas Zack.

Sitting in the Chilmark Church this past Sunday enjoying the performers and folks sharing candlelight at Offerings of Music and Light, the brainchild of Lia Littlefield Kahler, I couldn’t get a line from a song sung by the Canadian band Strumbellas out of my head. In fact, it’s still there now and goes like this: “I been looking at the stars tonight and I think oh, how I miss that bright sun.” Locally-famous Dock Dance Band, with former Chilmark kid Adam Petkus at the helm, does a great cover of this song too. Sunday, Dec. 16 at 5 p.m. is the last in the three-part series and will include some familiar names and faces including Bellamira, Warren Doty, Adele Dreyer, Martha Hudson and Becky Williams, Carol Loud, Sean McMahon, Stephen McGhee and Misses (Ellen) Biskis.

Invitations to the Chilmark Firefighter’s Association Christmas party have gone out to the Chilmark kids newborn through fifth grade. Although gifts are only given to kids in that age group, all are welcome to attend this event which has evolved into a community potluck. 6:15 on Dec. 20 at the CCC is the time and place. If you have a child living in town who hasn’t received an invitation please send me an email.

I’ll leave you with a mouthwatering thought. Staff lunch the other day at the Grey Barn was beans and short ribs prepared by Molly Glasgow herself. She was thanked with full bellies and thumbs up from all.

Chilmark town news can be sent to squidrow@vineyard.net.