Alumni family feature

 

 

Mo Habbas ’86

Mo attended ASL for Grades 7 through 12, 1980–86.

Favorite ASL memory?
The tremendous school spirit and excitement around ISSTs, and the truly international nature of those tournaments. I was on the varsity soccer team, and remember that we would board competing teams’ players at our homes for matches in London, which was great.

What were you best known for as an ASL student?
I’d like to think I was known for being a good friend, fun to hang out with, and decent at soccer.

What was the best St. Johns Wood spot back in your ASL student days?100% it has to be Panzer’s. It was a greatly welcomed alternative to the school cafeteria! It also had US products at a time when they weren't readily available on the high street. I'm thinking Pop Tarts, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and proper bagels...

How has ASL changed between your leaving and Kayan starting here?The facilities are genuinely world-class now: like the Aquatic & Fitness Center, Canons Park (it was Regent’s Park for us!), and the extended gym space, to name a few. It’s a different layout entirely, and the School definitely needs to map the interior to help families navigate the labyrinth it has become—although, in fairness, Kayan thinks I’m just clueless. (He may have a point.)

Any déjà vu, now that Kayan is attending your own alma mater?
Definitely the poor clothing choices… But also the strong bond with ASL friends that I had, and he has now, which I know from experience will last a lifetime.

Kayan Habbas ’30

Kayan is in Grade 7, and is in his second year at ASL.

What did you know about ASL before you became an Eagle yourself?
My dad is still in touch with his friends from high school on a WhatsApp group with a lame name (“The Footy Boys”). Over the years, I have met them and gotten involved in the group, which is pretty fun, especially when they make fun of him. They still go to Premier League matches and major tournaments, like the Euros and the World Cup, together all the time, which is great for me as I get to join them. They obviously don’t know as much about soccer and the players as my friends and I do, but I don’t mention that so I get to keep going to the matches with them! (They pay, after all...)

What’s your favorite thing about ASL?
I really like playing on the ASL soccer team, and with the Eagles squad. It’s a great experience with my teammates and a lot of fun. I also like the fact that I’m at my dad’s school so I can prove to him that I’m the better student!

Would you and your Dad have been friends if she were in your grade at ASL?My dad would like to think that we would have been friends, but I would probably have avoided him! His jokes aren’t as funny as he thinks, and he is pretty old, but I’ll keep him for now. My mom is cool and younger, so I would have been friends with her.

 

 

Perrin Morse ’90

Perrin was an ASL student, 1988–90, for Grades 11 and 12.

Favorite ASL memory?
Alternatives trips in my two years there were both memorable and amazing trips. I had never traveled internationally at this point in my life so “Volleyball in Madrid” and “Photography in Portugal” were incredible and transformative experiences for me. 

What were you best known for as an ASL student?
Being from Alaska. I moved from Anchorage, which was quite a novelty among such a well-traveled group. Earned me street cred right off the bat. 

What was the best St. Johns Wood spot back in your ASL student days?
Panzers. It was much smaller back then (about half the size it is now!) but it had the best sandwiches. I do go back on occasion, but only for the specialty items they carry for their American clientele, like Skippy peanut butter!

How has ASL changed between your leaving and Levi starting here?
It seems so much bigger, physically. And it feels less transient than it used to be: It seems like now there are quite a few students who start in the lower school and make it all the way through to graduation.

Any déjà vu, what with Levi attending your own alma mater?
I have some serious flashbacks riding the #13 bus up Finchley Road. The only difference is that you can no longer jump on the open back of the bus like we used to. I feel so fortunate that Levi and I share this connection. The ASL community is strong, and the relationships forged here last for life.

Levi Ernst ’25

Levi is in Grade 12, and has been at ASL for five years.

What did you know about ASL before you became an Eagle yourself?
I had heard stories and knew my mom went there, but I didn’t know anything about the school itself—so I really had no expectations.

What’s your favorite thing about ASL?
My favorite thing is the student–teacher relationships. The interactions are very positive, and teachers are always going out of their way to help students.

Would you and your mom have been friends if she were in your grade at ASL?
Maybe, because of sports—we’re both athletes. But I doubt we would have had classes together… I’m more academically inclined.

 

 

Margaret Pringle ’91

Margaret was an ASL student, 1988–91, for Grades 10, 11 and 12.

Favorite ASL memory?
The Alternatives program trips carry some fantastic memories and a program very near and dear to the hearts of ASLers still. Volleyball in Madrid, photography in Portugal, and adventures in Moscow and Kiev, which included an overnight train between the two cities as well as a Dynamo Kiev match. 

Between your time at ASL and your kids’ time at the School: What’s new?
While the School still has a very American feel to it, the student and parent population has become far more international. This brings such an increased richness to the overall experience for the whole community, and it’s exciting. 

Any déjà vu, what with Marley and Callum attending your own alma mater?
Now that Marley is in Grade 10, she is the same grade level I was when I arrived at ASL. So it is exciting to watch her and remember what it was like to be a sophomore, as well as play sports with other student-athletes, travel for sports, etc. (In fact, some of those coaches from other ISST schools are still coaching today!)
 

Marley Pringle ’27 and Callum Pringle ’31

Marley is in Grade 10, and has been at ASL for nine years. Callum, Grade 6, has been at ASL for seven.

What did you know about ASL before you became an Eagle yourself?
Marley: I knew that my mom went there, that it was big and American, and that it had a big sports program.

What’s your favorite thing about ASL?
Callum: The Grade 5 musical for sure!
Marley: Sports, because it's a great way to meet new people and find common interests. 

Would you and your mom have been friends if she were in your grade at ASL?
Marley: Yeah, probably—because we have the same sense of humor and we both play sports.
Callum: No, we would not be friends because we have different interests. Like, I don't like punk music.