By ABIDJAN WALKER
"You have to let go of your sense of time," said ASP student Annie Trowbridge, referring to the first Wednesday afternoon weekly meditation session led by Rick Pacelli, Master Teacher for the Ecology course at the Advanced Studies Program. She said that she had taken yoga before and "wanted to try [meditation], to see if [she] could do it."
"[Meditation] is simple, but not easy," said Mr. Pacelli. A teacher at St. Paul's School for the past twelve years, Mr. Pacelli teaches Astronomy, Physics, Biology, and Robotics, and leads a similar meditation group during the school year. In addition to his work with the Ecology class, Mr. Pacelli will facilitate a weekly meditation session in the Chapel of St. Paul (also known as the old chapel), which is located next to the Chapel of St. Peter and St. Paul at the heart of the school's grounds; the group plans to meet each Wednesday afternoon during the ASP's five and a half weeks.
More than twenty-five years ago, Mr. Pacelli began meditating when he was working at the Covenant House in New York City, where volunteers work with street youth. Someone suggested that the volunteers try meditation, so Mr. Pacelli attended a talk by Father Thomas Keating, a leader in the realm of Christian meditation. That day, Mr. Pacelli took a chance on something new. He has continued to meditate ever since.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
New Diversity Alliance Tackles Heteronormative Atmosphere at the ASP
By JESS RAU
A gay-straight alliance/diversity discussion group (called the Diversity Alliance or DA) is being formed by Advanced Studies Program interns and faculty in response to concerns of a heteronormative atmosphere on campus, specifically regarding the tradition of serenades.
The group plans to meet Tuesdays, from 5:30 to 6:15 in the Lower dining room to discuss issues including heteronormativity, a societal view that assumes and presents heterosexuality as the norm.
Carleigh Beriont, one of the interns involved in the forming of DA, hopes that the group will help make students more comfortable with themselves and serve as a much-needed support group while also spreading awareness.
“Tolerance is something that concerns everyone so I hope it becomes a campus-wide discussion,” Ms. Beriont said.
A gay-straight alliance/diversity discussion group (called the Diversity Alliance or DA) is being formed by Advanced Studies Program interns and faculty in response to concerns of a heteronormative atmosphere on campus, specifically regarding the tradition of serenades.
The group plans to meet Tuesdays, from 5:30 to 6:15 in the Lower dining room to discuss issues including heteronormativity, a societal view that assumes and presents heterosexuality as the norm.
Carleigh Beriont, one of the interns involved in the forming of DA, hopes that the group will help make students more comfortable with themselves and serve as a much-needed support group while also spreading awareness.
“Tolerance is something that concerns everyone so I hope it becomes a campus-wide discussion,” Ms. Beriont said.
Summer Shortage Leaves Red Cross Desperate for Donors
By MERIDETH TUMASZ
To most, summertime means beautiful weather, being outside, and spending time with friends and family. But for the Red Cross, summer is hardly carefree. People are least likely to donate blood during the summer months, leaving the organization scrambling to get donations in order to avoid blood shortages.
Many Advanced Studies Program (ASP) students said most commonly that low body weight and a fear of needles prevent them from donating blood. Although this reluctance to donate persists throughout the entire year, hesitations are bolstered during the summertime.
The Red Cross contacted the school earlier this year to schedule a blood drive during the Advanced Studies Program. The ASP provides an excellent venue for a Red Cross blood drive because there is a plethora of eligible donors.
“They [ASP students] are like a customer for life if you can lock them in early,” said Courtney Jackson, the ASP Assistant Director in charge of the blood drive. The Red Cross wants repeat donors, so it tries to encourage donations as early as possible.
To most, summertime means beautiful weather, being outside, and spending time with friends and family. But for the Red Cross, summer is hardly carefree. People are least likely to donate blood during the summer months, leaving the organization scrambling to get donations in order to avoid blood shortages.
Many Advanced Studies Program (ASP) students said most commonly that low body weight and a fear of needles prevent them from donating blood. Although this reluctance to donate persists throughout the entire year, hesitations are bolstered during the summertime.
The Red Cross contacted the school earlier this year to schedule a blood drive during the Advanced Studies Program. The ASP provides an excellent venue for a Red Cross blood drive because there is a plethora of eligible donors.
“They [ASP students] are like a customer for life if you can lock them in early,” said Courtney Jackson, the ASP Assistant Director in charge of the blood drive. The Red Cross wants repeat donors, so it tries to encourage donations as early as possible.
Injuries Strike, Yet ASP Students Persevere
By PETER ROBINSON
Since the beginning of the Advanced Studies Program (ASP), six students have injured themselves during various activities, yet many students do not think that these incidents will affect their everyday activities, as they maintain that it is natural for people to do so.
While on campus thus far, members of the ASP community have sustained injuries varying from a laceration of the brow to a sprained ankle, a fractured toe to a mild concussion. Students here at the ASP have participated in many ice-breaking activities, have taken part in dorm recreation, and have now engaged in their first session of organized athletics; with each new event, more students injure themselves.
In the past, actions have been taken to reduce the number of injuries. Most notably, Ultimate Frisbee has switched from a co-ed sport and divided into two gender-specific groups. While an injury may deter some students from competing in sports, the majority of them are not affected by the number and severity of the injuries that have occurred here on campus.
When asked, many students replied that it is not the sport that is dangerous but the art of playing. This statement is at least partially true, as evidenced by the sprained wrist suffered by ASP student Criag Paggi during a kickball game on a rainy day; in his case, the adverse weather conditions represented an additional hazard.
To date, four injuries from men's Ultimate Frisbee have occurred within less than a week, a far greater number than any other sport or activity. While sports may cause injuries, students have consistently responded with the same belief that they will not limit their participation despite the amount of injuries that occur.
Many students persevere despite their personal setbacks. "[You can't] let your injury handicap you; there's always an alternative way to have fun," said Morgan Matthews, an ASP student who sustained a toe injury during Playfair. Instead of not participating at all, she had her toe bandaged and was informed that she had to switch out of women's Ultimate Frisbee. Undeterred, Ms. Matthews has not let her setback affect her spirit and plans on tackling Personal Fitness with the same eagerness as she would Ultimate Frisbee.
A student in a similar situation, Tyler Carlisle, Landed awkwardly, resulting in a sprained ankle. "[The sprain] should be better by this weekend unless I re-hurt it," Mr. Carlisle said. The recovery time for the injuries endured by students has ranged from a few days of recovery time to up to two weeks.
Some of the injured have been required to switch their assignment for the first session of athletics, while others have been told simply to take a break until thy recover. Some injured students are affected in more ways than just sports, as injured students Mr. Paggi said that his injury "does not hinder [his] recreation and studies that much," but does prevent him from playing the piano.
ASP Athletic Director Michele Rogers, a certified athletic trainer, said that she has seen worse injuries on the st. Paul's School grounds in previous years. in addition to the expertise of Mrs. Rogers and the staff at Clark House (the school's health center), all interns have some basic training in first aid and the school's Security officers have more detailed understandings and experiences with First Aid. Lastly, although the number of injuries thus far compares favorably to those recorded during past sessions, Mrs. Rogers still wants all community members to be careful and especially cautious when fields are wet.
Since the beginning of the Advanced Studies Program (ASP), six students have injured themselves during various activities, yet many students do not think that these incidents will affect their everyday activities, as they maintain that it is natural for people to do so.
While on campus thus far, members of the ASP community have sustained injuries varying from a laceration of the brow to a sprained ankle, a fractured toe to a mild concussion. Students here at the ASP have participated in many ice-breaking activities, have taken part in dorm recreation, and have now engaged in their first session of organized athletics; with each new event, more students injure themselves.
In the past, actions have been taken to reduce the number of injuries. Most notably, Ultimate Frisbee has switched from a co-ed sport and divided into two gender-specific groups. While an injury may deter some students from competing in sports, the majority of them are not affected by the number and severity of the injuries that have occurred here on campus.
When asked, many students replied that it is not the sport that is dangerous but the art of playing. This statement is at least partially true, as evidenced by the sprained wrist suffered by ASP student Criag Paggi during a kickball game on a rainy day; in his case, the adverse weather conditions represented an additional hazard.
To date, four injuries from men's Ultimate Frisbee have occurred within less than a week, a far greater number than any other sport or activity. While sports may cause injuries, students have consistently responded with the same belief that they will not limit their participation despite the amount of injuries that occur.
Many students persevere despite their personal setbacks. "[You can't] let your injury handicap you; there's always an alternative way to have fun," said Morgan Matthews, an ASP student who sustained a toe injury during Playfair. Instead of not participating at all, she had her toe bandaged and was informed that she had to switch out of women's Ultimate Frisbee. Undeterred, Ms. Matthews has not let her setback affect her spirit and plans on tackling Personal Fitness with the same eagerness as she would Ultimate Frisbee.
A student in a similar situation, Tyler Carlisle, Landed awkwardly, resulting in a sprained ankle. "[The sprain] should be better by this weekend unless I re-hurt it," Mr. Carlisle said. The recovery time for the injuries endured by students has ranged from a few days of recovery time to up to two weeks.
Some of the injured have been required to switch their assignment for the first session of athletics, while others have been told simply to take a break until thy recover. Some injured students are affected in more ways than just sports, as injured students Mr. Paggi said that his injury "does not hinder [his] recreation and studies that much," but does prevent him from playing the piano.
ASP Athletic Director Michele Rogers, a certified athletic trainer, said that she has seen worse injuries on the st. Paul's School grounds in previous years. in addition to the expertise of Mrs. Rogers and the staff at Clark House (the school's health center), all interns have some basic training in first aid and the school's Security officers have more detailed understandings and experiences with First Aid. Lastly, although the number of injuries thus far compares favorably to those recorded during past sessions, Mrs. Rogers still wants all community members to be careful and especially cautious when fields are wet.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
ASP Move-In Day
On June 25th Move-In Day kicked off the Advanced Studies Program. Students expressed a mix of excitement and nervousness as they checked in and moved into their dorms.
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