New Immigration Law May Spark Racial Profiling

By ABIGAIL CRANE
 

Editor's note: This editorial marks the third (and last) 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. You can access the podcast connected to this topic by clicking on the heading and we will hope that you will join us for a lunch discussion on the spill this Friday (July 30th) in the Lowest dining hall.

 

On April 21, Abdon, a Hispanic truck driver in Phoenix, Arizona, was stopped and questioned about his commercial vehicle.  He was then taken to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement office because he failed to produce sufficient papers.  His wife, Jackie, had to leave work in order to pick up the adequate documents.  

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer signs SB 1070 into law.
Courtesy: The Arizona Republic

“It's still something awful to be targeted. I can't even imagine what he felt, people watching like he was some type of criminal,” said Jackie.  

Having both been born as US citizens, Abdon and his wife were very unhappy with the situation, as stated by AZfamily.com.  

“It doesn't feel like it's a good way of life, to live with fear, even though we are okay, we are legal…[but] still have to carry documents around,” said his wife. 

The SB 1070 law, signed in on April 23, 2010, is targeting Hispanics, much like Abdon. It planned to go into effect on July 29.  Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed this law designed to arraign and deport illegal immigrants.  The Arizona law declared that it is a crime to reside in Arizona as an illegal immigrant, and that law enforcement has the duty to demand proof of legal residence of those suspected of having illegal immigrant status. This is a clear infringement on civil rights, and would, in turn, cause racial profiling because it is targeting a minority.

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.”

Musk Turtles' Disappearance Causes Big Stink

By JAMES GRAHAM

Three days after two Ecology turtles were announced missing, fueling campus-wide speculation that they had made a daring escape or that the Marine Biology class had played a prank, their mysterious disappearance took a tragic turn. One turtle was discovered dead in the Ecology classroom and the other, which remains missing, is suspected dead. The turtles were reported missing on the Saturday of the end of the first week of ASP, and the first turtle was discovered on the following Tuesday.

Rick Pacelli, the Ecology Master Teacher, discovered the first missing turtle in a corner of the classroom. While only one turtle was actually found, the class believes the other may have crawled under the refrigerator in the classroom or to a small space inaccessible to humans. The ‘ninja turtles,’ nicknamed by the class, used a tall plant called a ‘picker weed,’ placed in the tank earlier in the week, to climb out of their aquarium.

Reed Loy, an intern for the Ecology class, said that the incident was “an honest mistake, and we all feel horribly that this happened.” Mr. Loy hoped that students would view this mishap as a cautionary tale regarding the possible ramifications of humans taking animals out of their natural habitat.

ASP Cribs

By JOHN RETTEW

In this installment of ASP Cribs, we take a trip to North House and also pay the guys in Manville a visit.

College Workshops Aim to Prepare Students for Application Process

By ABIGAIL CRANE
 
Since the start of the the Advanced Studies Program, the program’s college counselors have held weekly, optional college workshops, met with mixed reactions from students.

Designed to be a source of information for students beginning the college application process, the optional college workshops have been held on June 30, July 6, and July 13.  The workshops held thus far have consisted of intern interviews, a detailed explanation of the common application, and a mock deliberation of three applicants, where students posed as admission officers.

The college counselors believe the workshops have been successful. Attendance is up from last year’s sessions, according to college councilor Chris Moses. In previous years the college workshops “were not as developed as they are now, or as popular. [This year] and last year, students have made it part of their experience,” AD Hilary Paul continued to say.

College Counselor Jaime Caryl-Klika agreed.  “I've been very pleased with the level of enthusiasm demonstrated by this year's ASP class,” said Mrs. Caryl-Klika.

Heat Wave Torches the ASP

By JOSH PERREAULT


From Monday, July 5 to Friday, July 9, the entire Advanced Studies Program (ASP) community combated a miserable heat wave that tied records in Concord and all around the state of New Hampshire.

Members of the Ecology class escape the heat by working in the shade.

High temperatures are usually a nice aspect of the summer season in the Granite State, balancing out the harsh winter temperatures the state sees annually. This year, however, the heat has resulted in ludicrous extremes throughout most of the state, as the temperature has only occasionally dipped below 90°F and has reached as high as 99°F, as it did on July 6 in Concord, tying a record set in 1911. With the humidity levels varying between a slightly uncomfortable 70% to a stifling 86%, the heat wave has hit the ASP particularly hard, making saunas out of most buildings without air conditioning.

“It felt like I was wilting,” said Caitlyn Brooks of Wing House. “It was difficult to concentrate in class, and it was hard to sleep. I took lots of naps.”

Traditions Bond Students, Alums to the ASP

By KATIE KISSINGER


To those unfamiliar with the Advanced Studies Program (ASP), the terms feed, serenade and Playfair may sounds like gibberish, but these classic ASP traditions, that have lasted for decades, are often students’ fondest memories from their summer spent at St. Paul’s School.

Courtesy: Brendan Cohen

“We used to order pizza from a deli nearby, and throw big pizza and ice cream feeds,” said the Honorable Joseph N. Laplante, a graduate of the ASP in 1982 and a former resident of Conover 20.  Although twenty-eight years have passed since he was a student at the ASP, Judge Laplante recalls many ASP traditions that continue on today.

“I remember the talent show,” recalled Judge Laplante.  “Two other guys and I put together a three-piece rock band and performed songs by the Ramones.”

I Scream, You Scream: ASP Screams for Desserts

By MEG JONES


Many Advanced Studies Program (ASP) students have found themselves indulging in the large variety of desserts offered in the St. Paul's School dining hall. According to Larry Fischer, who oversees the day-to-day operations of the dining hall throughout the summer, the St. Paul’s School baker tries new items during the ASP because there are fewer students than during the normal year. This fact has not gone unnoticed by the students here this summer.

“I feel like there are more dessert options than regular food,” said Studio Arts student Elli Peterson.

“I feel like a lot of the soups are desserts - they're just posing as soup,” said Studio Arts intern Elissa Rodman.

Although many indulge, some students have managed to avoid consuming extensive amounts of dessert. In a recent survey about the ASP desserts, one student indicated they did not eat dessert at all, while another student said that they ate dessert only once a week.

“I really like the M&M cookies,” said Ecology student Ethan Emerson, after having recently trying the cookies for the first time at ASP. Jo Estevao, a student in Forbidden Fictions, said that she has eaten one or two servings of ice cream a week while at the ASP.

BP Must Pay for Damage to Local Businesses

By PETER ROBINSON
 
Editor's note: This editorial marks the second 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. You can access the podcast connected to this topic by clicking on the heading and we will hope that you will join us for a lunch discussion on the spill this Friday (July 23rd) in the Lowest dining hall.

Eddie Kurtich is the owner of Eddie’s Quality Oysters in the Plaquemines Parish community of Port Sulphur, Lousiana. He has been the proud owner for the past 40 years and employs up to six people. Since the explosion that led to the oil spill, Kurtich hasn’t been able to collect nearly enough oysters to keep his business running as well as it previously did.

Courtesy: United States Coast Guard

Last June, Kurtich sold 40,000 sacks that consisted of 100 pounds of oysters each. This year, he expects to sell between 6,000 and 8,000 sacks.  He petitioned BP for assistance, showing them the statistics that prove his lack of business. However, BP has not given him any payouts. Other business owners he knows have received $1,500 to $2,500, but, he said, “hardly anybody’s getting big money.”

Kurtich plans on selling a fraction of what he sold last year. BP must take responsibility for the downfall of Kurtich’s business; the company disregarded many warning signs, including a small blowout that occurred months ago, that could have prevented an incident of this magnitude. Logically, BP should have looked into how this happened and if it could happen on a larger scale.

Focus and Fun Make for Success in Shakespeare

By JESS RAU


Students bang on a table shouting “Hold thy peace!” in sing-song voices of perfect unison as the lights dim. Meanwhile, the director and some cast members intensely discuss the specifics of hat-wearing. Music is growing in the background, rising and falling as swords emerge from their sheaths for feigned battles between mistaken enemies. This is a typical rehearsal night for the Advanced Studies Program's Shakespeare for Performance class that is responsible for learning and performing two Shakespeare plays in a five-week span.

A play that would normally take the students two months to prepare, they need to prepare in two weeks. For many, the task seemed daunting at first, but the group quickly grew into a community with a “strong team dynamic,” according to Intern Alena Allegrette.

The students have taken on this ambitious challenge with intense drive and lots of rehearsal time. In addition to regular class hours, the students rehearse together every night starting after dinner and continuing through study hours.  They also spend much of their free time reading lines with their classmates and closely examining their character’s perspective to assess often the tiniest details, such as how their hat should be worn in each scene.

“We feed off of each other and also give to each other,” said Shakespeare student Sam Kilbride.

Mishop Means Magic to ASP Students

By MERIDETH TUMASZ

A totally new type of scavenger hunt filled the red barn at St. Paul’s School (SPS) on Wednesday, July 7. Adventures lurked in every rack and surprises were found on every hanger. With an eclectic collection of items ranging from hockey goalie pads to jumpsuits, the Advanced Studies Program (ASP) community was in for an interesting afternoon.

The afternoon marked the summer's grand opening of the Mishop, a thrift store run by the St. Paul's School Missionary Society. All things in the Mishop were either left behind or donated by the winter school students.

“Nothing is wasted,” said Ann Rettew, a key member in running Mishop during the summer.

With every item only a dollar, kids wanted to spend, spend, spend. The first Mishop during this summer's ASP was able to collect $730. All the proceeds from the Mishop go to the Missionary Society, which is the oldest and longest running SPS organization. They do a wide variety of community service projects throughout the winter school and the money they raise from Mishop goes to programs that help children and women in the greater Concord Area. The next opening will be held Wednesday, July 28, from 2-4 pm at the red barn across from Memorial Hall. What follows here is a sampling of what ASP students discovered during their adventures in the Mishop.

“If Jesus was a store, and it wasn’t The Gap, it would be Mishop.” This is how Manville’s Jordan D. described St. Paul’s own version of a yard sale. “It was a crowded, sweaty, slice of heaven,” said Jordan.

Jordan was able to find: teddy bear pajama shirt, blue blazer, American Eagle cardigan, French girl t-shirt, rainbow toe socks, red jacket, sparkly cowboy hat, brown checkered shirt, black jean shorts, embellished New York shirt, and a pair of bright red corduroy pants, only for $11. All items purchased will be part of his everyday school attire at Bedford High School, he says.

Students Run (and Walk) for Funds

By TAYLOR LEONARD

The Advanced Studies Program community will engage in the second annual Fundraising Walk/Run, commonly known as the Fun Run, today to raise scholarship money for next year’s ASP participants.

The Fun Run, officially organized last year, represents one way for students of the ASP to give back to the program. Every dollar raised by an ASP student or staff member goes directly towards the tuition of a student in next year’s ASP class who needs financial aid.

Through the efforts of last year’s participants, two students received full scholarships for the current 2010 program, equivalent to a total of about $6,000. The students raised the cost of one scholarship through donations from family and friends and an anonymous donor contributed the funds for the other.

Alums and the ASP

By ABIDJAN WALKER
 
Note: For a slideshow of pictures associated with this article, please click on the title above.


"ASP (the Advanced Studies Program) changed my life," said current ASP Intern Kim Ndombe, graduate of the ASP in 2006.  Ms. Ndombe's ASP experience in the Mass Media course caused her to re-examine her interests. Before the ASP, she planned to follow the pre-law track and instead decided afterwards to double major in Television, Radio, and Film and Political Science at Syracuse University. Ms. Ndombe returned to ASP as a Writing Workshop Intern this year.

This past Saturday, July 17, alumni returned to campus to reconnect with friends and teachers, and celebrate their fantastic experience at ASP for Alumni Day. They traveled from around New Hampshire and beyond. Yet, some like Ms. Ndombe, Alicia Pacelli, and Becky Houran did not come from far.
          
Interns this summer along with Ms. Ndombe, Ms. Pacelli and Ms. Houran, also graduated from the ASP in 2006. Their program lasted only four weeks, due to a flood that damaged buildings throughout the grounds of St. Paul's School. However, they still had a wonderful time at ASP, a sentiment that is shared by many other ASP alumni.

Jeff Bereault, Conor Burke, Kevin McClure, Ali Grise, and Ali Vivinetto, all Mass Media students in 2009, remember how they often sat on the floor in class. Jay Jacobs, a 1981 ASP alum, remembers hanging out and studying in front of the old library in the shade of a tree. He also remembers when his dorm invited a girl's dorm over for a pillow fight. One of the pillows burst and one of his dorm mates covered himself with chocolate sauce so that the feathers of the pillow would stick to him.

Carrying the Weight of the Work

By MEAGHAN MACDONALD


Now that classes are in full swing, the students of the Advanced Studies Program are feeling the weight of the work load.

Essays, readings, projects, and other general work consume a lot of time at the ASP, and pose challenges for all of the students in the program. With expectations consistently increasing, students have had to adjust and learn how to rise to the occasion.

“They expect so much more from us here than they did at my high school, and we have so much more work. Procrastination is not an option here and I really have to manage my time,” said Haley Scavotto, a student in Changing The World.

Time management is the key to dealing with the heavy workload, according to a student survey. Planning the amount of time necessary to complete all of the required work and then ensuring that it gets done stands as the core idea of time management.

Breaking the Bubble - Darfur Podcast and Discussion

This Friday (July 16th) during lunch in the Lowest, members of the Mass Media class will lead a discussion on the situation in Darfur that will draw on the information presented in both the accompanying podcast (click the title of this post to access it) and editorial (found here: http://aspmassmedia.blogspot.com/2010/07/dont-forget-darfur.html).


Part of the "Breaking the Bubble" series, the larger goal of the discussion will be to encourage increased inquiry into the crisis, dialogue on the various issues surrounding the topic, and activism on the part of students and adults alike.


Future installments of the "Breaking the Bubble" series will focus on the BP oil spill and the recent immigration law passed in Arizona, so keep checking in with The Pelican Brief for more details!

Hitting the Airwaves

Each night this week, the Mass Media class will broadcast their own radio shows live on WSPS Radio, 90.5 FM and online at wsps.sps.edu. From 7:30-9 PM, tune in and enjoy the musical selections of our very own DJs. To stream the music live, go to http://wsps.sps.edu/pages/listennow.aspx - the full schedule of shows is included below.

MONDAY (7/12): DJ Walker and DJ Jones - "Summer Lovin'" (summer songs - Abidjan and Meg)
TUESDAY (7/13): DJ Junior and Petey the Pob - "Ladies' Night" (female artists - John and Peter)
WEDNESDAY (7/14): DJ Crane and DJ Mac - "Hot Nights, Cool Music" (Disney music, etc. - Abigail and Meaghan)
THURSDAY (7/15): DJ Josiah and DJ Megadeth - "Fiesta For All" (Alt. Rock - Josh and Merideth)
FRIDAY (7/16): DJ G and DJ R - "Rock 'n' Roll Rampage" (Rock - Jess and James)
SUNDAY (7/18): DJ Pam and The Night Writer - "Sunday Night Special" (Oldies/Pop-Rock - Taylor and Katie)

Don't Forget Darfur

By KATIE KISSINGER

Editor's note: This editorial 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 and will feature editorials, podcasts, and follow-up discussions on three separate topics over the next three weeks.

On June 2, 2005, President George W. Bush stated that a genocide was happening in Darfur, becoming the first sitting president in United States’ history to speak out against an ongoing genocide. So why do we hear about it so little in the media today?

To find out whether or not people were informed about the current happenings in Darfur, I recently interviewed a select number of students and faculty taking part in the Advanced Studies Program (ASP) at St. Paul’s School. In gauging their knowledge about the issue, it became clear that a number of the students were not familiar with the topic as a whole, even mistaking it for a different problem in the world.

Those students who were slightly familiar with the genocide were still unable to identify some of key issues of the situation. Soon, however, it became clear that it was not the student’s fault they were misinformed, but it was the fault of the media.

Construction Raises Concerns over Noise

By JAMES GRAHAM

Advanced Studies Program students have expressed concern regarding the noisy construction, on the both the Schoolhouse and the new Lindsay Family Center for Mathematics and Science, and its affect on the classroom setting.

A primary issue is that the loud noises emitted from the heavy machinery and the construction vehicles are distracting and make class discussion and lectures hard to hear. Last week, a common sound on campus was the drone of a hydraulic hammer, used to pound holes into the ground.

Mike Derryberry, an ASP student whose Artificial Intelligence classes meet in the Payson Science Center said that the walls in his class would shake so much that keyboards from computers would start to shake, vibrations from the drill could be felt from anywhere in the classroom, and that when the noise from the hydraulic hammer outside got so bad, they had to move their class to the schoolhouse. When in the Schoolhouse, dust from workers on the roof would drift into their class through the open windows and cover their desks in dust.

Mr. Derryberry summed up his sentiments by saying that the construction “(is) annoying.”

Dorm Pride Unites ASP Students

By JOHN RETTEW
 
“North, North!” yelled the crowd of boys emerging from the woods.

They were on their way to the square dance that marked the unofficial closing of orientation activities at the Advanced Studies Program (ASP) and everyone in the group was decked out with bandannas, flannels, and other ‘square dance’ clothes.

The boys were not just dressed up and shouting because they were excited for the dance, though: their actions and appearance were their way of expressing their pride for the dormitory in which they lived, North House.

Many teenagers arrive at the ASP having never spent over a month away from home. Almost all are placed in dorms with other unfamiliar kids that they are forced to get to know and learn to live with for five weeks. For many, the ASP can be hard to get used to, which is why interns, house supervisors, and assistant directors all work to encourage and foster a sense of dorm pride.

Cancellation of Classes Creates Mixed Feelings Among ASP Students

By TAYLOR LEONARD

After releasing the application for the 2010 session, the Advanced Studies Program (ASP) eliminated three major courses due to the withdrawal of Master Teachers.

A few teachers could not take part in this year’s program either due to other job offerings or because of commitments associated with sabbaticals. The ASP administration was unable to replace teachers in a timely fashion, resulting in the termination of three courses: Introduction to Engineering; Psychology; and German & Germany.

Some students found that their first choice of course was canceled, but only after initially gaining acceptance into the program and being placed in that very class. Jacklyn Clement was originally slated to participate in the ASP as a student in Psychology; the class was ultimately scratched from the program because of the teacher’s inability to return to the school this summer.

“The fact that I received my first choice and then it was canceled made me question attending the ASP with my (second-choice) course, Marine Biology,” said Ms. Clement.
 

World Cup Fever Strikes the ASP

By MEAGHAN MACDONALD

Living in a place with no familiar faces can be both daunting and intimidating. In an effort to overcome these feelings, the new students of the Advanced Studies Program (ASP) found the World Cup a common ground for bonding and making friends.

“The coolest part of the World Cup is that it is a common language that literally brings the whole world together,” said Courtney Jackson, a former collegiate soccer player and Assistant Director at the ASP.

Although this international tournament connects the entire world, it has also effected communities like ASP on a much smaller scale.

“Watching the games helped me to meet people,” said Evan Leith of North House. “I probably would have been in my room reading if I hadn't been with my friends watching the game.”
 

The Scoop on Laundry

By MEG JONES

Since arriving to the St. Paul's School campus some students in the Advanced Studies Program (ASP) have had difficulties with their laundry.

“These washers are really ruining my experience here at (the) ASP,” said Artificial Intelligence student Neil Oczechowski. Recently, Mr. Oczechowski attempted to put his laundry through the dryer. However, he accidentally pressed the incorrect buttons forcing him to pay more and add additional cycles to his dryer.

Similarly, Abidjan Walker, a student in Conover 20, paid before loading the washer and consequently ran an empty load of laundry.

Although Celia Honigberg and Ana Bealo, two residents of Wing, had no trouble with the washing and drying machines themselves, they expressed fear when describing the creepy hallway they must brave in order to get to the laundry facilities. Both described the laundry room as a place where they would expect a horror movie to take place. Ms. Bealo said she armed herself with her laundry basket on her way to the laundry room, expecting a monster to jump out from behind the pipes lining the hall. Thankfully, no student has yet been harmed in the process of doing laundry.

It's a Long Walk to Swim

By ABIGAIL CRANE

Students in the Advanced Studies Program (ASP) have limited resources when it comes to swimming, and now only one option exists if they want to cool off.

To the dismay of students, Director of the Advanced Studies Program, Michael Ricard announced on Tuesday during the program's morning chapel service that using the Lower School Pond dock for swimming will be prohibited.

In addition to the closure of the Lower School Pond, students will not have access to the pool in the Athletic and Fitness Center because of construction taking place on the roof this summer. As a result, students are left with only one resource for cooling off: Turkey Pond.

Meditation: A New Experience

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.

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.

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.

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.

Square Dance

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Playfair

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