ASP Cribs

By MERIDETH TUMASZ

In this installment of ASP Cribs, we take a trip to Wing House and also pay the gals in Con/20 a visit.

Crew Program Launches Budding Rowing Careers

By MEAGHAN MACDONALD

 

The Advanced Studies Program (ASP) provides students with the opportunity to be a part of a crew team, which is something that most people do not get to do on a regular basis.

The students that participate in the crew program have longer practices than those in other activities and are required to commit to a summer spent on the water, while other athletes get to switch half way through. Their five weeks of rowing culminate in a race contested in front of the entire campus.

At the end of the ASP, the athletes in the crew program have a significant level of proficiency in the sport of rowing. Many have expressed interest in rowing in college and the foundation that they have obtained here will allow them to do that successfully.

Becoming an ASP Intern

By MEG JONES
  
For the 2010 session of the Advanced Studies Program (ASP), thirty-eight interns were hired to assist in the classrooms, dorms and athletic fields at St. Paul’s School (SPS). Twenty-one of the thirty-eight interns this year are ASP alumni and four of them are returning interns from last year.

The competition to be an ASP intern is fierce. Last year, there were thirty-nine interns that were chosen from a pool of 175 applicants. ASP Director Michael Ricard personally hires all of the interns.

“[A good intern is] someone of high character who genuinely cares about others- someone willing to sacrifice their personal life [to be at ASP],” said Mr. Ricard.

Mr. Ricard expressed that though it is good to have experienced interns, this opportunity is just as great for the students as it is for the interns. The internship at the ASP represents an excellent teaching experience for those considering a career in education.

College Fair Offers ASP Students Opportunities, Insights

By TAYLOR LEONARD
 
This past weekend, the students of the Advanced Studies Program at St. Paul’s School experienced a college fair unlike any other held at their respective high schools.

Sixty-six colleges attended and each provided information regarding their school and its atmosphere. Students were able to speak to the college representatives first on their own and then with their parents, which enabled many students to address their questions, comments, and concerns more effectively and efficiently.

After perusing colleges and talking with representatives in the spacious Form of 1952 Gymnasium, students and their parents also had the opportunity to meet with three schools of their choosing during information sessions. Each session lasted for thirty minutes and gave more detailed information about the college.

Many students felt that certain qualities helped to keep them interested in the college representative’s informational sessions.

“It helped when the college representative was enthusiastic about their college,” said Jeff Asselin.

Quick Response Diffuses Threat on Campus

By JESS RAU
 
At approximately 5:45 pm on Monday, July 19, the St. Paul’s School (SPS) Security Department and Advanced Studies Program (ASP) Director Michael Ricard initiated a campus lockdown in response to a potential threat on SPS property.  The Concord Police Department had just informed the SPS Security Department that they had reason to believe that there was a suicidal subject in the wooded areas on the outskirts of campus. Upon confirmation of this fact and quick deliberation, Mr. Ricard and the SPS Security Department activated the school's emergency alert system.

Using a vehicle description provided by the Concord Police, SPS Security personnel located the subject’s vehicle just outside the back gate of the grounds, but were unable to locate the subject.  Using cell phone coordinates, the Concord Police confirmed that the subject was in the woods just off campus and then contacted the New Hampshire State Police when they were unable to determine his exact position.  The State Police located the subject using a tracking dog and found him to be unarmed.  The subject was compliant as he was led out of the woods to a police car.

“We didn’t necessarily think that the person was an imminent threat to ASP community members, but we didn’t want to risk their safety if he wandered towards or onto campus,” said Mr. Ricard.  As a precaution, Mr. Ricard made an announcement to the ASP community that there was a potential threat on campus and it was necessary for all community members to stay inside, maintaining a lockdown until the subject was escorted off of the grounds by the police.

Ricard Recalls First Year as ASP Director

By JOSH PERREAULT
 
In his first full year as director of the Advanced Studies Program, Michael Ricard has worked extremely hard to assure that the ASP experience is a success for everyone involved.

Last summer, Mr. Ricard stepped into his role as director at the beginning of the ASP. It was his first experience being in charge of the system albeit taking the helm after the session had started.

“I hoped he would use the first summer as a learning experience,” said former director Mr. Thomas Bazos. “I was very pleased. He didn’t come in and make too many changes, the system works. He just fine tuned it.”

This year, Mr. Ricard not only runs the day to day summer life but also contributed tireless work during the winter to prepare for his first complete year at the helm of the Advanced Studies Program. He spent time reading every application letter, hiring every intern and teacher, and forming the schedule.

“[I] did the best to admit students who could handle the program,” said Mr. Ricard.

Astronomy Students Sacrifice Sleep, Set Schedule for Class Time

By PETER ROBINSON

While Advanced Studies Programs students switch off the lights for bedtime at 11:30 pm, the Astronomy students begin their workday.

Most clear nights the astronomy students from North and Wing hike up to the Hawley Observatory located behind Coit where they spend roughly four hours observing stars, constellations, planets, and even galaxies.  Typically when students observe at night, they begin in the Chart house, where they discuss the topics and goals for the night, before they pair up in groups to work in the big domes. Although the class mostly stays out until 2:30AM, depending on the night they can work at the observatory until 11:30PM or 4:00AM. When the students go back to their dorms at night, on normal nights they get to sleep for roughly six to seven hours before having to get up for class.

The astronomy students don’t mind this odd schedule that takes up most of their night; Dalton Colen, an astronomy student in the class said he likes it because “it makes you able to find constellations which are excellent romanticizing tools.”