The Community of IB Scholars (CIBS) at Allen High School creates a supportive space where International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme students can connect, unwind, and grow. Beyond the classroom, CIBS reinforces the IB Learner Profile traits – qualities that encourage students to become caring, balanced, open-minded, and principled individuals who make meaningful contributions to their school and local community.
CIBS recently hosted an International Friendsgiving, celebrating cultural diversity with traditional dishes, reflections on global customs, and thank-you notes for teachers. This event was part of the IB Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) curriculum component, which encourages students to combine creativity with community service.
Deanna Dowling and Susan Elledge are co-sponsors of the CIBS program, working together to foster a supportive environment for IB students.
“IB students are supposed to be balanced,” said Dowling. “We want them to enjoy each other's company and continue to support each other throughout the school year. That’s what CIBS does – it creates a community.”
Through CIBS events, students have opportunities to explore and embody IB traits such as being risk-takers and communicators. At the first meeting this school year, juniors and seniors connected playing board games, building friendships, and practicing collaboration. Later gatherings have included a tie-dye workshop for self-expression and creativity and a Halloween celebration where students shared their traditions, fostering open-mindedness and appreciation for cultural diversity.
For Lindsey Lauer, IB Biology Teacher who was an IB student at Allen High School herself, the impact of CIBS extends well beyond high school. Reflecting on her own IB experience, she added, “It made my college transition easier, equipping me with skills and credits that prepared me well for the next level.”
Lauer and Dowling agree that CIBS is where students continue to grow as reflective and knowledgeable individuals, learning life skills and building character traits essential for their future.
"They learn to be curious about the world around them, not just seeking answers but learning to ask the right questions,” Dowling said. "That mindset prepares them for more than just college – it prepares them for life.”
Through events like Friendsgiving, CIBS provides IB students with a place to relax, connect, and celebrate the richness of their shared community, building a foundation that supports their journey as lifelong learners and compassionate leaders. As they share in these experiences, CIBS students cultivate friendships and skills that will carry them well into adulthood.
To learn more about the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, visit https://www.allenisd.org/ib.