ASP Mass Media profiled on SPS Website

Visit http://www.sps.edu/podium/default.aspx?t=204&nid=606241 for the full article.

A Guide to Becoming an ASP Intern

By ANDREW KNIGHTON

In addition to the 270 students studying here at the Advanced Studies Program (ASP) and enjoying the beautiful St. Paul’s School (SPS) campus, a total of 24 female interns and 15 male interns reside in the dormitories, teach in the classrooms, and lead extra-curricular activities. While all of them are doing roughly the same job here, the interns are a diverse group of people: they all have very different personalities, despite meshing quite well together; they all have different educational backgrounds, as some were SPS students, some are ASP alumni, and some had no previous affiliation with either the ASP or SPS. That said, there has been some curiosity about how the interns are hired and why they choose to work during the program’s five and a half weeks.

Michael Chen, from San Diego, California, just graduated from Dartmouth this spring with a major in ancient cultures and civilizations. Chen first heard about St. Paul’s School from a faculty member here at SPS, who was interviewing him about his enrollment at Dartmouth. He was looking for a summer job just as he finished his final year in college. “It was the first thing that popped up on a Google search when I was looking for a summer teaching job in New Hampshire,” Chen said.         

St. Paul's Green Efforts Continue Through ASP

By JOE TARR

Members of both the ASP and SPS communites waste electricity every day, which increases emissions to the atmosphere. The faculty and maintenance staff work hard to reduce the campus’ carbon footprint in a time where global warming remains a critical issue.

St. Paul’s Schoolhouse alone has a $5000 monthly electric bill. Little signs are posted above most light switches asking people to, please, shut them off. Some light switches state the Schoolhouse monthly electricity bill. House supervisors and interns enforce that students turn off their lights whenever necessary. The dorms use motion sensor lights in the hallways to ensure they are off most of the day. In most dorm showers there are sand timers of three to five minutes to encourage students to use less hot water.

The Ecology class is working on avoiding fertilizers with chemicals at St. Pauls by making a compost pile, which will create life for more earth worms and strengthen the quality of the soil. With the use of fertilizers, St. Pauls takes the risk of the chemicals being washed out into the many ponds on campus, killing wildlife. Every day at breakfast, lunch, and dinner students are asked to throw napkins and food into marked barrels so the Ecology class can put it in the compost pile that they have constructed. “The barrels are not anything new. Previous ecology classes have done the same process over the summer, taking the job of the hands of the cafeteria staff as they take control during the normal school year,” said Ben Henry of Goffstown, an Ecology this summer.

Talents Prove ASP Student Are More Than Just Smart

By GREG O'BRIEN


On Saturday July 16th, the Advanced Studies Program (ASP) held a talent show in Memorial Hall for past and present students; and even for the interns. Between outrageous costumes, mind-blowing voices, and a folk story about Zelda, it was truly an interesting night. A few stood out amongst the crowd.


The talent show was hosted by Advanced Mathematics intern, Donny Dickson, and Marine Biology intern, Kate Shaper who improvised their entire performance. Dickson said, “All of the parts where we were singing, we were reading each other’s lips.” Their MC skills proved mediocre, but the improvisational factor added to their dynamic skits.


It is safe to say that the third act of the night confused everybody a little. Charlie DeBenedetto performed a finger-style guitar narrative combo about, well, what was it about? Some of those in the audience got back in touch with their inner nerd and immediately knew what was unfolding. For those of that were left wondering, DeBenedetto told the story of Link, a character from the Nintendo series Zelda. DeBenedetto said, “When I first learned guitar as a freshman, I always wanted to play videogame music.” When asked why he chose to play this song, he responded, “I feel like I have a very strong connection with the song and people would care more about the story than my voice.” He was absolutely right. The story intrigued the majority of the office and many wondered about its content due to their lack of knowledge about the topic and its strange appearance in a talent show.

Spotlight on the Arab World

By ZACHARY BLANCHARD

In regards to his Conservative move to involve the U.S. in the Arab Spring revolts, President Obama said that America's current "short-term interests do not align perfectly with our long-term vision... But we can— and will— speak out for a set of core principles." These principles include freedom of speech, press, and religion, all of which are rights granted to Americans. In his address back in May, Obama makes it apparent that U.S. involvement in Arab Spring is not an expansion of war efforts, but rather an effort to offer the stability of democracy and freedom. What about America’s own stability?

There is bipartisan agreement in Congress that Obama should have received their approval before getting involved in Libya. It is not that everyone in Congress is against involvement; it is that they believe Obama was unconstitutional, violating the War Powers Act of 1973. Obama was quick to become involved in Libya, making Congress and citizens alike ask, “Why?” Obama’s quick reaction is reason to believe that his intentions could be more than just humanitarian efforts. Many see it as America sticking their nose where they don’t need to, once again.

ASP Presidential Candidates Square Off in Final Debate

By RACHEL KRAMER

While the first ever Advanced Studies Program Twitter Presidential debate held two weeks ago was a scripted skit of near total agreement, the live debate held last Monday night might be considered a real dispute between the candidates, even without the promised boxing match. Candidates Carolyn Keyes, representing the American Solutions Party, and Molly Kepner from the Block party, went head to head in a front of a live audience in Memorial Hall. They debated issues that ranged in topic from abortion, Keyes as pro-life and Kepner being pro-choice, to the death penalty, which Keyes supported and Kepner did not.

Monday’s debate did not have anywhere near the amount of agreement on issues as the first debate hosted by the Mass Media class. Keyes said in preparation for the live debate that she worked with her team, splitting up the research so “everyone’s involved.” She knew her stance on all the issues, but practiced the question and answer style to become more comfortable articulating her answers. “We have no idea about the questions for Monday’s debate,” she said in an interview last Tuesday. When asked what she would change about the first debate if she could, she said she would have liked to “elaborate on [her] views,” to differentiate herself from Kepner because they agreed on the social issues in which they were allowed to pick their stance.

An Hour in the Life of a Crew Member

By HALEY CIRKA


“Now, to square the oar, move your hands like this,” Jim Lauderdale, the head coach of the Advanced Studies Program crew team, demonstrated for me. “You do the opposite when you feather the oar.” My pulse quickened as his brief introduction to crew lengthened. I was not supposed to be in the crew boat. I only wanted to observe the practice and take a few pictures. But when they were short on rowers, I knew that I would join the other crew members as a fellow rower. “Crew’s the ultimate team sport,” crew intern Kate Shaper told me beforehand. I was about to find that out for myself.

Rowers carry the boat into the water

ASP Triathlon Pushes Students to Test Their Limits

By HANNAH CUNNINGHAM

The Advanced Studies Program (ASP) students enrolled in the triathlon training group throughout the program’s recreation sessions will finally get the chance to prove themselves tomorrow (Thursday, July 28) by taking part in the on-campus triathlon.   

This is the first summer triathlon training, which includes swimming, biking, and running, has been offered as a sport at the ASP for students who want something more rigorous than badminton or more structured than personal fitness. As Ecology student and triathlon trainee Kate Stover said, “I wanted to get in great shape while I’m here and stay active, but I’ve never trained specifically for any type of event before, so trying something new was another thing that got me interested.”

This desire for activity is the biggest portion of getting your body ready for the triathlon, and as Stover said, “it’s so much harder than [expected]. Doing all three sports uses every muscle but in all different ways, it really takes a lot of out of you.” While Biomedical Ethics student and fellow triathlon trainee Kyle Macey did the same workouts as Stover, he stated that “the training has been easier than (he) expected for swimming and biking, but running has been a challenge.”

Studio Arts Students Earn Respect, Develop Talents

By CHRISTINA WARRINER

The Studio Arts students are currently preparing for their exhibit tomorrow (Thursday, July 28) from 6-7:30 pm in the Hargate Gallery. As they arrange this culminating project to show off their work, much of the Advanced Studies Program (ASP) community is wondering what they will find if they attend. With many also unaccustomed to the course, some may also assume that the work undertaken by the Studio Arts students has not taken as much effort as their own courses have required. However, this is not true, and these students are being pushed to meet the same high expectations as all students here at the ASP.

This showcase represents just one example of the many unique experiences these students have taken part in. “It is very rare that high school students get to be part of something like this,” said Studio Arts intern Alicia Pacelli. Different from writing a paper or solving a math problem, the way Studio Arts students are learning is unfamiliar to many other students at the ASP. However, Pacelli and fellow Studio Arts intern Anna “Mackie” Sewall are adamant about earning their students the same amount of appreciation and respect as their peers.

Studio Arts students have jumped head first into a world of two-dimensional art while working through different mediums and styles. They have studied technical drawing, portraits, sketching, collage, painting with oils, landscape, and Photoshop among many other skills. They are developing a completely new set of abilities that connect hand and mind in a way traditional academics do not. They have also studied famous artists, art history, and have focused on the progression art has made throughout time.

“Anyone who believes that the Fine Arts are a less demanding discipline shows supreme ignorance and a lack of cultural understanding,” said Sewall.

Political Ads Cause Candidates to Carefully Craft Messages

By CAITLIN HAEDRICH

To many students’ surprise, as they walked into schoolhouse last Tuesday morning, there was a large billboard on display in the lobby. Featured on the board was a picture of Carolyn Keyes, a candidate in the upcoming Advanced Studies Program (ASP) presidential election. Behind her was a Photoshopped image of a landscape, sky, and stars complete with the following caption: “She won’t reach for the stars. NASA will crumble under Keyes.” The quote is in reference to Keyes statement during the debate the other evening that, in order to reduce federal deficit, she would cut the NASA program.

The billboard was the first installment in series of advertisements by the Mass Media class for and against the candidates in the ASP presidential election. Throughout the past week, numerous other advertisements have popped up across campus. On the same day that the billboard appeared, the ice cream machines featured the flavors “Kreme de la Keyes” and “Molly K Cream” instead of the usual vanilla and chocolate. In addition, each side dispensed the same flavor (vanilla) making the statement that the candidates were both the same and bland.

Last Wednesday, students woke to find the sidewalks of St. Paul’s chalked with anti-Kepner slogans, while after lunch they had the opportunity to attend a “Block Party,” to support the Block Party, which is also the name of Kepner’s political organization.

Helping Students with Problems - An Argument in Favor of Random Drug Testing

By CAMERON STECKLER

In 2002, the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in favor of allowing random drug testing in America’s schools; both public and private.  According to this legislation, students involved in extracurricular activities, sports included, can be tested without suspicion.  Random drug testing is an effective measure that does not violate any privacy concerns, is cost effective, and is successful in deterring students from abusing drugs.

The need for drug testing in schools is already present, but has yet to be filled.  With increasing drug abuse among high school teenagers, solving the problem has become less a responsibility for the parents, and more one for the schools.  The reason is because teens have learned how to better hide their drug problems from parents.  A teenager will come home “high” so often that his parents begin believe this adverse behavior is normal and simply part of being a teenager.  If the parents cannot detect their child’s drug issue, then the schools are the second best line of defense.


The main problem lies in the approach taken in helping teens overcome drug abuse.  Drugs, illegal as they are, are commonly associated with punishment.  For those who face drug problems, the fear of a punitive response only causes teens to hide their problems; they learn how to cope with the problem.  Instead, it is important that teens be taught how to live without the problem.  Most think of random drug testing as a plot to expose and punish student drug abusers; its real service is in finding teens with a problem who are in need of help, as well as to deter students on the edge of becoming faithful drug addicts.  As Advanced Studies Program director Michael Ricard said, “If you test someone as a school and they come back positive, then you do need to have some level of punishment. Otherwise, why are you testing?  But you better have a support structure in place.  Whatever the response is, it should simply be non-punitive. That person is not going to get the help and support he needs otherwise.”  

Privacy Concerns and Perceptions - An Argument Against Random Drug Testing

By MARY LOCKE

After a Supreme Court decision deemed the practice legal, schools across the country have been administering random drug tests to students involved in extracurricular activities. The intent is to find student drug users, and expose them to counseling in order to “help” them kick drugs and stay clean, both for their own health and safety and that of others.

This practice in schools is an invasion of privacy. It should not be the school’s responsibility to determine who is using drugs, especially when there is a large chance that the drugs are not being used on school grounds. A student whom the school has no reason to be suspicious of cannot be victimized in having to be checked for drugs. If there is no apparent reason for the school to test a student for drugs, then the school should not be allowed to do so.

The consequences for the student would be ineffective. If, for example, the student is offered amnesty so as not to be punished by the law, yet receives drug counseling, it might not be efficient. If a student, especially one that considers herself/himself to be a “healthy drug user,” is caught and the counseling is not wanted, there is no way it can be effective. If a kid does not recognize the problem, there is no hope for a “recovery.”

Breaking the Bubble series - Random Drug Testing

Editor's note: This podcast marks the third in a series entitled "Breaking the Bubble" - the series aims to promote awareness of current events within the "bubble" of the Advanced Studies Program community. We will hope that you will join us for a lunch discussion on the topic of random drug testing in schools tomorrow (Wednesday, July 27) - keep checking back for more details.

Shakespeare Class Sacrifices for Their Craft, Succeeds on the Stage

By JULIA MOREIRA

The Shakespeare for Performance class at the Advanced Studies Program (ASP) stands out each summer because its members serve not simply as students, but also as cast members.

In their roles as such, they must memorize two full length plays in five and half weeks: Macbeth, which premiered July 14 and played until July 16; and The Comedy of Errors, performed during the final week of the program.  The students have ten days to memorize all of their lines, as well as understand them.

“The best way to start off is to write down all of your lines to get them in your head,” says Noelle Michaud, with the advice given by the master teacher.

For student Jonny Meehan, who played the part of Macbeth, this meant learning 700 lines of dialogue. He was not originally enthusiastic about the role, but according to fellow student Angeline Jacques, “everyone embraced their parts; no one was sore about the roles they got.” These were decided in the first couple of days of the program, in a “mass audition” where the interns and director could get a sense of how students reacted and composed themselves in various improvisation games. The course’s director, Kevin Gardner, made it clear that nothing the students had done up to that point mattered; for everyone, it was a new beginning.

Mysterious Reverend Tarr Receives Mixed Reviews

By CHRISTOPHER PENNY

Shocked faces could be seen in every direction at Fruit Break last Wednesday following an overzealous performance by the politically charged, and self proclaimed, Reverend Tarr. The mysterious performance certainly gave the snack a curious aftertaste, but the effect that the event will have on the upcoming election remains uncertain.

Towards the second half of Fruit Break, a robed figure took to the pedestal upon which the statue of St. Paul sits. He introduced himself as “Reverend Tarr” and he delivered a politically charged sermon on the subject of the Advanced Studies Program (ASP) Presidential election. According to Ethan LaFrance, a student in Changing the World, the surprising event “caught everybody’s attention.”  During his speech, the Reverend called for support of Carolyn Keyes, one of the presidential candidates.  

Making announcements from his makeshift pulpit, Reverend Tarr attempted to sway voters towards voting for Keyes and away from voting for Molly Kepner, Keyes’s rival in the presidential race. In one particularly memorable segment, the Revered exorcised the influence of Kepner from one follower. Soon thereafter, he began a chant that rang “vote Carolyn Keyes,” and finished by asking his audience for an “amen.  Reportedly, Reverend Tarr’s appearance was not directly linked to, or sanctioned by, Keyes and her campaign did not stage the sermon, though Keyes briefly joined Tarr by the statue. The Reverend was not asked to leave the event; the impromptu rally was completely peaceful in nature and was permitted to conclude.

Not much is known about the background of the elusive Reverend Tarr. He first emerged in the public eye during his self proclaimed “crusade” for legislation ensuring pelicans the same rights as United States citizens. The movement eventually petered out, but Reverend Tarr’s affinity for politics remains ever passionate.

Kepner's Closing Statements

In Kepner's closing statements, she said, "I wont be wishy-washy with my views," and glanced directly at Keyes.  Did Kepner also notice how Keyes changed her views constantly?  Although, Kepner also changed her mind on a few issues, such as NASA, when compared to what she said during the last debate.  But, out of the two of them, Kepner definitely stayed truer to her beliefs.

Why Keyes?

She is focused on improving education, general wealthfare, and the economy. Keyes thanks all who participated and attended in this debate, especially the mass media class for putting it on. Her most passionate beliefs are on education and environment. She believes that education is "the foundation to a successful country." Keyes is confident and excited for the election. Vote Keyes!

In Closing

By Cam Steckler, Mass Media Press

Cooper Waterman shut the books on the candidates with his closing questions in the debate.  He sniped Kepner with his cornering of her views to stop illegal immigration without funding the effort.  Impossible to most, but Kepner can do the extraordinary; make things happen without money.

The closing statements followed.  "Why should we vote for you fro the president of the United States," Waterman asked.  Keyes read off her script once again, wanting to improve the quality of life for all Americans.  Kepner is candid with her requests for our votes.  She "won't be wishy washy or cut NASA too much."

Keyes Stance on 'No Child Left Behind'

On the issue of bridging the gap in unequal education according to wealth in our country, Keyes' goal is to help "everyone [schools] rise to the bar nation wide..." She is against punishing schools who are not doing well but rather focusing on how to improving them. Bush's 'No Child Left Behind' progam was rather unsuccessful in her eyes, and it is important to help both schools in good shape and those that aren't to get where they need to be. Keyes is confident in improving the education system in the U.S.

Kepner's Favorite Response

Kepner brings up the right to privacy every chance she gets.  When asked about random drug testing, she said it violates people's privacy.  When asked about whether it is right for kids and teens to play violent video games, she said that what people do in their houses is their business.  She also responded using the right to privacy when asked about her stance on gay marriage.  So, when is it the government's business?  Where is the line between what is private and what the government needs to know?  Kepner needs to come up with a different response, one that is not recycled as an answer to every question.   

A nice flow of questions from the audience

 By Cam Steckler, Mass Media Press

Mics open to the Audience prompted numerous questions, most of which stumped the amateur candidates.   The public has the vote, and the right sense of how to make two teenage girls sweat. 

Highlighted by participants were the flip flopping of both candidates in term of cuts within the space program.  Keyes choked in explaining her position after write in candidate Kyle Zollo brought the inconsistency to attention.  Keyes mentioned her intentions were never to get rid of NASA, but to simply cut a few trips to the moon.  Devastating for the celebrities who already booked their lunar vacations.

Kepner was dazed and confused in voicing her opinion on legalizing marijuana.  After a long pause she found the words to form her view against legalization.  Kepner clearly had not thought of this issue before, or perhaps does not view it as pertinent. 

Kepner and Keyes Have Changing Views

When asked if there was certain cases when abortion is needed, Keyes said, "I am not a doctor."  This response sounds very familiar.  It's actually the same exact thing Kepner said during the last debate when asked her definition of when life begins.  In the first debate, Keyes was very pro-life.  Now, it seems that she's changed her mind.  A lot.  Keyes said that she supports abortion in certain cases, such as rape.  This is the same view that Kepner had during the last debate.  So, is Keyes stating her own beliefs or is she repeating what she hears from Kepner?

In the first debate, both candidates said that they would cut unnecessary spending and both candidates used NASA as an example of unnecessary government spending.  Well, it seems that both candidates have changed their minds on this view and even stated that they never said this.  Go watch the last debate and you'll hear both of them say this (the link is posted on this blog.)  Keyes said that she was going to delay space missions while the nation recovers.  This sounds completely different from what she said during the last debate.  Both candidates need to stop changing their opinions and stick to their views.

There is No Greater Deterrent...

"I don't see any greater deterrent than death" when it comes to the death penalty. In response to an attack on the difference between her views in favor of the death penalty, but against abortion, Keyes says that the main difference is that the unborn baby has not yet experienced life, where murderers and other criminals have. She believes that the death penalty is a crucial part of the judicial system.

A Pleasant Line-up of First Questions

 By Cam Steckler, Mass Media Press

How happy was I to see some actual bickering among the candidates.   The line up of questions, and response by the candidates, was refreshing in this sense.  As the debate starts both candidates face their differences, although I was disappointed to once again see the candidates both wearing the same thing; flowers.

Molly was tripped up by the first question, as she had trouble with the fundamental question of state vs. federal rights.  She mentions a strong federal government, "as our founding fathers promoted."  Check your facts Molly, the founding fathers were strongly divided among this issue.  In fact, there would not be a Bill of Rights if it were not for compromised made between Federalists and Anti-federalists in adopting the Constitution.  

The following question concerned national security.  Carolyn outlined in the last debate that America is a protector of democracy and freedom throughout the world.  She had trouble defending her position with the mentioning of her intentions to send no additional troops overseas.

Cooper Waterman threw a curve ball at Molly regarding her environmental policy.  Molly supports a strict new policy for the enviroment, and dictates the ened to develop new clean energies and expand national forests as well as national parks.  As a proponent of small government  and supporter of state government, Molly stumbled through her response.


The last question from the moderators involved capitol punishment.  While Carolyn supported the death penalty, Molly was against it.  How wonderful to see conflict and disagreement among the cloned candidates.  The candidates did their homework, and finally learned how to debate.

"Not the woman's right to choose death..." -Keyes

"I would say that it is not the woman's right to choose death for anyone." In regards to abortion, she opposes Kepner's belief in pro-choice. In her opinion life does not start at birth, but earlier, and the mother does not have the right to kill an unborn baby. Carolyn stands by her belief that nobody has the right to chose death for someone else. She says that her religious beliefs do play a roll in this, but that is not the sole reason, it is her personal belief. In cases where women are raped and become pregnant she says that they have the right to have an abortion, showing that she does not necessarily stand firm on her original statement. She remains confident, opposing Kepner. Kepner indirectly hints that Keyes is "wishy-washy" on her beliefs when it comes to abortion. This after Keyes says that it, again, "should be a case to case basis," as she is not a doctor. Moving on to other issues, both Kepner and Keyes are accused of flip flopping on their opinions from  Kyle Zollo.

Kepner Supports Gay Marriage

Based on the rights listed in the Constitution, Kepner stated that she believes gay couples have the right to get married.  The right to privacy ensures that citizens can live the way they want to, without any direct involvement from the government.  Keyes agreed (surprise surprise.) This issue becomes more relevant each day, especially now that New York passed the same-sex marriage act.  It's especially relevant here at ASP, where there have been several dinner discussions regarding same-sex marriage.  Everyone at ASP is very open, so it only makes sense that the candidates would be, too.

Keyes Believes in Helping Other Countries

Keyes finds it important when it comes to our country's security, that we act in our best interest.  When we can help out countries in need diplomatically it is important. This contradicting her previous statement about withdrawing troops. However, she says that "it is something that needs to be considered issue by issue and country by country." Keyes also feels that America has a big influence in the world and that we should make use of that.

Kepner and Keyes Agree Once Again

The first question of the debate dealt with how each candidate differentiates between state and federal power? Molly believes states should focus on things that affect it directly, such as education, and the federal government should handle things that focus on the entire country, such as war.  Carolyn's response was pretty much the same thing, so both candidates agreed, yet again.  I agree with both of the candidates, but where will the line be drawn between what affects the states and what affects the entire nation? Pretty much anything can affect both, so who has the power?

Presidential Candidates Showcase Similarities in First ASP Debate

By HANNAH CUNNINGHAM

On Monday July 11^th in the Schoolhouse Reading Room, the two presidential candidates for the United States of America from the St. Paul’s School Advanced Studies Program, Carolyn Keyes from the American Solutions Party and Molly Kepner from the Block Party, went head to head in a debate.

“Debate” may not be exactly the correct term to describe this exchange, though. As the candidates stood in front of their peers in the Law and Government class, the Mass Media class, and the four cameras capturing their every move, Keyes and Kepner agreed on nearly every topic. The topics addressed ranged from the right to die to illegal immigration to minimizing the country’s deficit. In many aspects, the candidates’ views were as similar as their matching outfits.

Breaking the Bubble series - Same-Sex Marriage

Editor's note: This podcast marks the first in a series entitled "Breaking the Bubble" - the series aims to promote awareness of current events within the "bubble" of the Advanced Studies Program community. We will hope that you will join us for a lunch discussion on the passage of the same-sex marriage bill in New York later this week - keep checking back for more details.  

ASP Mass Media at WMUR Channel 9



We had a great time today during our visit to WMUR Channel 9 in Manchester, New Hampshire - many thanks to all who welcomed us so warmly and especially to our tour guide, Kate Giaquinto!

Back on the Air! This Week at 90.5 FM WSPS

Tune in this week and next to WSPS 90.5 FM (wsps.sps.edu), as tonight (Sunday, July 17) kicks off a series of great radio shows produced by the Mass Media class. Check the schedule below for a full list of dates and DJs and be sure to tune in!

Waiting to hear a song you really want to hear? Post your requests to The Pelican Brief page on Facebook or send a message to @asppelicanbrief on Twitter to get your favorites on the air!

FULL SCHEDULE
Sunday, July 17 -- Big G (Grant Edwards)
Monday, July 18 -- Special K (Kim Ndombe)
Tuesday, July 19 -- DJ K-T and Wicked G Haster (Caitlin Haedrich and Haley Cirka)
Wednesday, July 20 -- Pokey and Xtina (Rachel Kramer and Christina Warriner)
Thursday, July 21 -- DJ Locks and M-Lo (Zach Blanchard and Mary Locke)
Sunday, July 24 -- Lil G and Big J (Greg O'Brien and Joe Tarr)
Monday, July 25 -- DJ White Knight, C$, and DJ Stacks (Andrew Knighton, Chris Penny, and Cam Steckler)
Tuesday July 26 -- DJ Sly Bacon and DJ Jewelz (Hannah Cunningham and Julia Moreira)

CLICK the link above to stream 90.5 FM WSPS
LIKE The Pelican Brief on Facebook
FOLLOW @asppelicanbrief on Twitter

Live Twitter Debate - ASP 2011 Presidential Election

Candidates Molly Kepner of the Block Party, and Carolyn Keyes of the American Solutions Party battle it out in a debate hosted live on Twitter. ASP asked the questions, here are the answers! 

Live Twitter Debate - ASP 2011 Presidential Election from ASP Mass Media on Vimeo.

Looking Forward to the Debate? Here's a Sneak Peak!

This Week on WSPS 90.5 FM

NOTE: Due to technical difficulties, the schedule below has been put on hold. Please check back here next week for more updates.

Tired of that same old iTunes playlist repeating the same songs over and over and over and over?

Tired of advertisements interrupting your favorite Pandora station?

Tired of searching conventional radio stations for great music to listen to?

Then, tune in to WSPS 90.5 FM (wsps.sps.edu), as tomorrow night (Sunday, July 10) kicks off a series of great radio shows produced by the Mass Media class. Check the schedule below for a full list of dates and DJs and be sure to tune in!

Waiting to hear a song you really want to hear? Post your requests to The Pelican Brief page on Facebook or send a message to @asppelicanbrief on Twitter to get your favorites on the air!

FULL SCHEDULE

Sunday, July 10 -- Special K (Kim Ndombe)

Monday, July 11 -- Big G (Grant Edwards)

Wednesday, July 13 -- Pokey and Xtina (Rachel Kramer and Christina Warriner)

Thursday, July 14 -- DJ K-T and Wicked G Haster (Caitlin Haedrich and Haley Cirka)

Friday, July 15 -- DJ Locks and M-Lo (Zach Blanchard and Mary Locke)

Monday, July 18 -- Lil G and Big J (Greg O'Brien and Joe Tarr)

Tuesday, July 19 -- DJ White Knight, C$, and DJ Stacks (Andrew Knighton, Chris Penny, and Cam Steckler)

Wednesday July 20 -- DJ Sly Bacon and DJ Jewelz (Hannah Cunningham and Julia Moreira)

LIKE The Pelican Brief on Facebook

FOLLOW @asppelicanbrief on Twitter

Generating Positive Energy for Nuclear Power

By CHRIS PENNY

Japan’s recent nuclear catastrophe shocked and reminded all of the perils inherent to nuclear power, but the world simply cannot afford to ignore such an efficient method of energy production as power consumption skyrockets with urbanization and population growth.

March 11, 2011 is destined to become a day so marked with tragedy that on Japanese calendars it will create a sense of national mourning that brings to mind the sorrow with which Americans remember September 11, 2001. An earthquake featuring a staggering magnitude of 8.9 struck off the coast of Japan, creating a tsunami that engulfed a large portion of Japan’s eastern coastline. However, the incident was doomed to become far more complicated as the natural disaster caused critical damage to both the Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant and the Fukushima II Nuclear Power Plant. A long battle was fought in order to cool the overheated plants, and radiation that escaped from the reactors led to evacuations.

Events like the aforementioned crisis, Three Mile Island, and Chernobyl have plagued nuclear power throughout its existence, but these freak accidents do not warrant abandoning the technology. Nuclear power is the most obvious answer to the daunting task of increasing energy production with demand, due to worldwide development and population increase, set to outstrip current output. While some look to renewable energy sources, such as wind or solar, these arenas alone will not be able to generate substantial production increases. Subsequently, other methods will have to match the increase, and, though sources such as hydroelectric and geothermal may help, the choice essentially boils down to a decision between using nuclear versus fossil fuels, natural gas, and coal. Limited to such options, nuclear power begins to seem increasingly palatable and far more realistic.  

A Whole New World: Introduction to Arabic

By CHRISTINA WARRINER

Along with the fresh faces on campus, Introduction to Arabic is new to the Advanced Studies Program this summer, giving a rare opportunity to twelve ASP students by educating them about a new world of culture and communication.

Michael Ricard, the director of ASP, had been considering adding a new course since the summer of 2009 and was very interested in creating a class that would compliment the languages already offered at ASP. He embraced the idea of offering an Introduction to Arabic course and never worried about it being successful. His guess proved correct, and the course saw the same level of interest as the Japanese and Chinese courses. He fully believes this success is related to the significance that the Arab culture holds in our present world, which has never been more apparent with the recent revolutions, wars, and religious unrest in the region.

Unlocking Trust: Lack of Locks Builds Bonds

By ZACH BLANCHARD

St. Paul’s School could be defined as a boarding school, a society, a lifestyle, a bubble, or even a family. The most important aspect of a family, or really any of these definitions, is trust. As such, trust stands out as one of the most crucial parts of the entire Advanced Studies Program (ASP) experience, as it represents a product of both freedom and what some may call a lack of security on campus.

The most obvious test of this trust would be the absence of locks on doors in the school’s dormitories, but the campus is also open from the street and many of the school’s other buildings are open throughout the day. This lack of security could be shown as a negative or a positive aspect of St. Paul’s. Either way these issues pose the question of whether or not the campus is a safe place to be.

When asked if he felt safe on campus, Changing the World student and Foster House resident Ethan LaFrance said, “I know there are dedicated individuals focused on the security of this community, and plans in place to respond to any interruptions of that security.”

Campus security ranges from patrol officers on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week to an emergency warning system.  Although it may seem small it terms of the size of the community, St. Paul’s School Director of Safety & Security George Pangakis said, “…we want [students and parents] to understand that safety and security is a priority of the school and plays a prominent part in the institution’s operations.”

St. Paul's Ponds: Oh So Refreshing? Or Oh So Deadly?

By HALEY CIRKA

Imagine you are a student in the Advanced Studies Program and want to take a quick swim before dinner starts in fifteen minutes. Turkey Hill Pond is fifteen minutes away, so your only option is the Lower School Pond. It is right by your dorm, a perfect location. Its cool temperature and grassy beaches offer the perfect escape on a hot day. But, Tom Bazos, former ASP director, created a rule prohibiting swimming in the Lower School Pond in 2007. He did not want a repeat of what happened to Ashley Ardinger.

Ardinger attended ASP during 2007 as a student in the Biomedical Ethics class where she immersed herself in the St. Paul’s community immediately. “My friends and I were pretty athletic, so six of us decided to go swimming,” said Ardinger. They chose the Lower School Pond, which was, as Bazos said, “determined to be safe due to the current, depth, and accessibility.” This presumption would soon prove incorrect. Ardinger and her friends paused as they arrived to the pond. “It looked kind of cloudy and just plain gross,” said Ardinger. As she and her friends examined the water, “one of them decided to push her off the dock and into the pond,” said Colby Maldini, who also attended the program in 2007. Ardinger remembers feeling a “sharp pain” in her left foot that she assumed was caused by trying to kick back to the surface.

Construction Causes Concerns on Campus

By CAITLIN HAEDRICH

The construction of the new science building on the St. Paul’s campus is causing some concern among ASP students and faculty, though most agree that the building is necessary and will be a good addition to the campus.

Class disruption is a primary concern because many classes housed in Payson are in the center of the construction. Michael Ricard, Director of ASP, said, “There are some days I worry about the noise level.” But he remains confident “it won’t take away from the classroom experience.” The noise level has been a definite problem for some, as Kathy Lipshultz, a Marine Biology student in Payson said, “It’s definitely a distraction in class.” But for others, like Jen McGeoch, Lipshultz classmate, it is less of an issue. She said “[The construction] has not been that big of an issue.”

Jingya Qiu, a student whose Molecular Biology class takes place in the older Science building, recounts an incident a few days ago that clearly disrupted the class; “We saw this giant metal shingle fall from the sky and land right at the feet of a construction worker. It was a horrifying and traumatizing experience and I hope to never witness something like that again.” But Qiu also agrees with Ricard, “The construction has barely affected my life at all. The workers have all been very friendly, and I have nothing to complain about.”

From Cottage to Campus: The Evolution of St. Paul's

By GREBORY O'BRIEN

As an ASP student walking from your dorm to Coit Dining Hall, or from Coit to Chapel, do you ever wonder how and when your picturesque surroundings came to be? Believe it or not, this 2,000-acre educational haven began with a few men and one relatively small house.

It all started with Dr. Shattock, a successful Harvard graduate. Shattock wanted both od his sons to attend a school in a strict, but rural environment. To fulfill his desires, he created his own school. Shattock began by having the governor of New Hampshire approve a land charter in the winter of 1855.

After a dispute involving the process of choosing the first Rector of the school, the small school committee agreed upon Henry Coit. For his monumental role as the school’s first proctor and his gracious decision not to receive a salary, the school named the Dining Hall after him.

A year after the school’s opening, there were no more than twenty students. Henry Coit was the teacher, pastor, and father. This small home-style school all changed when the Shattock family donated fifty-five acres of land to the school. But how did this fifty-five acre piece of land with only a few local students turn into a 2,000 acre campus with students coming in from all over the world?

From the Hudson to the Merrimack: Let Freedom Ring

By JULIA MOREIRA

Two years after rejection of same-sex marriage by the New York State Senate, the Marriage Equality Act passed by a vote of 33 to 29 on June 24th and was signed in by Governor Andrew Cuomo, granting this long-awaited right to same-sex pairings.

Students, interns and faculty at the first Diversity Alliance meeting

Governor Andrew Cuomo, who had made same-sex marriage one of his top priorities as governor, rallied supporters and donors who focused on the issue as one of personal freedom. “Their love is worth the same as your love,” Cuomo said, according to the New York Times. These words and others spoken by the New York governor helped in legalizing same-sex marriage in the state on June 24th. Strategists, lawmakers and other political advocates assembled in sometimes secretive meetings to make the dream of so many New Yorkers a reality with the passing of the law. “I have to do this,” Cuomo told his father, according to the Times. The vast number of those who relied on him to accomplish his goal, including supporters who would wait on the streets in order to speak to the governor about the issue, set his determination. However, this goal had to be achieved by winning over the Republican majority in the senate. A small number of wealthy Republicans eventually joined the movement after a persuasion that conflicted with their usual political party stance on the subject, and the words by Cuomo were able to sway even unlikely candidates for support. New York, the original state where the national gay-rights movement began and gained momentum, is inspiration to other states to legalize same-sex marriage.

A Change of Feed

By RACHEL KRAMER

In the past, the nighttime serenades and feeds at the Advanced Studies Program at St. Paul's School were between male and female dorms, but a slight change has taken place this year. Starting this summer, feeds have become single gender parties, a first since the ASP started accepting girls back in 1961.

For many, the ASP is a fresh start, where people will not be quick to judge and are more accepting than their peers back home. At the beginning of the ASP, there was bonding within each dorm. Ecology student and Wing House resident Suzy Struckmann said, “All I saw on the first day was my own dorm; I had forgotten that boys even went here until our first ASP meeting with everyone at Convocation.” In past years, it was encouraged for dorms of opposite genders to interact.

Amidst all this heteronormativity, the students who identify with being gay, lesbian, or bisexual felt pressured; they were forced to interact with the opposite gender, and made to feel like this was the social norm that was expected of them. Last year was the first year this issue was very openly addressed, especially through the work of the Diversity Alliance. This group on campus meets to discuss “sexuality, sexual orientation, racial diversity, religious diversity,” said Kim Ndombe, an intern for the Mass Media class and one of the leaders of the Diversity Alliance. This concern was brought to the attention of Michael Ricard, ASP Director, as well as the program’s Assistant Directors. While the matter was initially brought up by some members of the ASP community that identified as homosexuals, Mr. Ricard, the Assistant Directors, interns, and rest of the faculty wanted a change to be made to help the students. “It’s our duty to open up and widen the opportunity for growth, both academically and socially,” said Kolby Hume, one of the Assistant Directors.

Females are Taking Over ASP

By JOE TARR

A large number of girls are attending the Advanced Studies Program (ASP) this year, following  a pattern set in previous years, leaving the majority of the ASP community to wonder why there are actually a lot more  females attending than males.

The actual ratio of female students to male students attending the ASP this summer is roughly two to one (2:1). To most, that ratio seems small but, when dealing with large numbers, it is not so minute. There are a total of 180 girls attending the ASP and only 90 guys enrolled this session.

When girls were asked why there are so many girls opposed to guys, the majority said it was because girls are more motivated and more willing to spend a whole summer participating in an academic environment, whereas guys are more drawn to summers filled with athletic activities. Others like Elizabeth Gosselin, a student in Studio Arts and a resident in Conover-20, simply said that “boys just feel like they are too cool for school.”

The question of girls having more academic opportunities and guys having more athletic opportunities did not have complete support from all of the female students interviewed. Megan Deschaine, a student in Introduction to Japanese and a resident of Warren House, disagreed, saying “I have the same chance of athletic opportunities of any male.” Deschaine’s class, like many others this summer, is mostly filled with girls, as it possesses a ratio of eight girls to four boys (8:4).

Presidential Election: Inaugurating Politics at the ASP

By CAMERON STECKLER

Potential Presidential candidate Carolyn Keyes
and her campaign manager, Kevin Dolan.

Potential Presidential candidate Molly Kepner
and her campaign manager, Alex Roman.

In chapel on Monday, the Law and Government class announced they are conducting a student organized presidential election that will be headed by campaigns that reach out to the entire ASP student body.

They aim to provide an opportunity to experience the politics behind campaigns and engage students in contemporary campaigning, which involves the use of social media.  "I really wanted to take the idea and run with it," said Cooper Waterman, intern of the Law and Government Class.  Born out of a desire to incorporate more government based activity in class, this presidential election splits the class into two political factions that nominate a candidate to run for president.  As Waterman describes, the candidates have been given mandatory policy planks.  These consist of four positions: big government vs. small government, pro-choice vs. pro-life, death sentence vs. con sentence, and finally universal health care vs. privatization.  The students will have to fill in the spaces in between.  It is difficult to predict how partisan developments will take effect, as "we are purposefully not having the two candidates represent a major political party" says John Phillips, head teacher.  Ultimately, Phillips hopes that the students will create their own party with a unique platform.

ASP Headquarters Turning Heads

By HANNAH CUNNINGHAM

Room 12: a place as mysterious as cafeteria food, as unknown as what teachers do after school, and as secretive as where babies come from.

While there have been a multitude of announcements during the first week of the Advanced Studies Program (ASP) about Room 12, which is located in the basement of Schoolhouse on the St. Paul’s School campus, no one knows exactly what happens there. Instead of asking an intern or teacher about the strange location, many students came up with their own ideas of the activities taking place in The Room.

Ecology student and Wing House resident Rebecca Maskwa said, “(I have) never been to room 12 because I don’t know where it is, and I don’t know what’s there, so I don’t know what I need to do there. Isn’t it like tech support and maybe like laundry cards? I don’t know.” Maskwa is not the only student who is unsure of what occurs in Room 12. Patrick Pike, a student in Advanced Mathematics and Foster House, also had a mysterious story about what happens in Room 12. He explained it when he said, “I currently have not been to room 12 because someone told me it was mad haunted.” When asked what it was haunted with, Pike claimed it was past ASP students who failed out of the program.

Goodbye Hometown...Hello ASP

By ANDREW KNIGHTON

Students have mixed feelings about their transition of moving from home to the Advanced Studies Program (ASP) at St. Paul’s School. The students are enrolled in a five and a half week program requires them to eat, sleep and study at the St. Paul’s School. Over the course of this program students are only allowed specific times where they can leave campus.

The Advanced Mathematics students are struggling with their workload because of the “stressful problems, and the lack of sleep due to the length of their problems,” Pat Pike said, a student in Advanced Mathematics.  This is the first summer for most in which they are enrolled in an advanced studies program is a new challenge because they are entering a new atmosphere where most of the students here are top of their classes. They have to give up their part of their summer to study a subject in an intense fashion.

“It is completely different from what I’m used to, I didn’t get four hours of sleep during the school year and especially in the summer. This is a totally new atmosphere for me,” Pike said. Pike is top of his class in his school in Gorham and he feels, “a little intimidated by how smart some of these kids are here at the ASP.” 

Dorms Develop Distinct Identities

By MARY LOCKE

Walking through the campus of the Advanced Studies Program (ASP), it is common to see groups of students yelling chants or making coordinated hand gestures; in addition, there are poems, songs, and letters to go along with the different symbols of representation associated with each dormitory. These are just some of the telling signs of the growing feeling of internal bonds and kinship in houses; though not always tangible or definable, this camaraderie and group spirit are undeniably evident.

Elizabeth Cubberley, a World Religions student in Conover-20 commenting on her dorm’s somewhat inconspicuous sense of pride, said “We just don’t do the same things . . . but we all got ready for the square dance together. We just have a different way of showing pride than some of the other dorms.” And what she says really explains it: every dorm has a distinct way to express and build their identity and unification.

Many dorms work in a variety of ways to further their overall sense of togetherness. Cubberley said, “(One student) brought us popsicles and (another) brought us strawberry shortcake, which I think brings us together.”