Newspapers / The Guilfordian (Greensboro, N.C.) / Sept. 13, 2002, edition 1 / Page 2
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Early College Program Gets Off To Positive Start Mary Layton Atkinson Staff Writer They travel in packs. They wheel gargantuan book-bags. They have taken over the caf eteria. This is all the average traditional student knows about the participants of the Early College at Guilford program. The 125 gifted students in this program have come from both public and private high schools across Guilford County in search of a better education. Lindsey Hackett, a junior from Page High School, is ex cited to be a part of the pro gram. "It's such a better learn ing experience," Hackett said. "At Page they were lowering the standards to meet those who didn't care." Hackett is taking three 100- level classes at Guilford this se mester in addition to AP U.S. his tory, and says she hasn't had any trouble fitting in. "They (Guilford students) really don't know that I'm early college unless I tell them," Social Training Educates Students in the Dangers of Drinking Seth Feinberg Staff Writer In a continued effort to en courage responsible alcohol use by students, those who submit a party petition are now being re quired to participate in Social Host Training. This seminar is designed to help students under stand the risks of irresponsible alcohol use and the legal issues that come with hosting a party. The project is being funded UMMMMUJ.Q-uiAJnjllJcLlja-M-.CXrn*- Hackett said. "It's just like nor mal." As an underclassman, early college sophomore Joshua Myer feels a bit more conspicu ous on campus. Nevertheless, he said his interactions with traditional Guilford students have been "entirely positive." He has even been offered "body-guard services" from a few Guilford athletes. The ability to fit in and get along with other students on Guilford's campus is just what Principal Tony Lamair Burks II wants for his early college stu dents. "They contribute what any other Guilford student would to the classroom," Burks said. "They want to explore, probe and learn." Myer is no exception to this rule. He and his parents both see the early college program as a welcome alternative to his sender school, American Hebrew Academy. Like many gifted students his age, Myer is taking classes like by a grant from the North Caro lina Governor's institute to pre vent high-risk campus drinking. According to Leslie Moss, Director of Student Activities, "So cial Host Training was formulated as part of the Take a Stand for Safety Campaign. It is also sup ported by the student judicial committee, the same group that proposed the elimination of pony kegs on campus. "We wanted to help students JVc-MUA. AP environmental science, ELPS, and advanced math. The differ ence is that the early college program is "much more di verse" than was AHA, said Myer. It also "provides the opportu nity to get a good education and a jump-start on college." Some traditional Guilford students have expressed con cern over early college stu dents being allowed to get this jump-start at Guilford rather than through more traditional means, such as AP and IB courses. Sophomore Sarah Parker said, "I think it is bad for student morale to think that eleventh and twelfth graders are capable of the same work as college stu dents." This issue of competition between traditional and early college students is one that Burks both understands and has addressed with his students. "I've heard some Guilford students might be afraid one of my little darlings with a perfect have better party management skills and to reevaluate the whole party petition process," said Moss. The entire program consists of a one-hour session that is led by a representative from Guilford County alcohol and drug services. When possible, an officer from the Guilford County Alcohol En forcement Unit will also be in at tendance. Two more training sessions SAT score will be in class 'flex ing' and trying to be 'smarter than thou,"' said Burks. "We've spoken with our students about honoring their academic gifts. It's cool to be smart. It isn't cool to brag on and on and on about it. Scores are important, but so are relationships with fellow stu dents." Early college senior David Boy says he has not encountered traditional students who are openly uncomfortable with his presence in Guilford classes. "In my classes (Classical and Modern Physics 111, Multi variable Calculus, Informal Logic, and Introduction to Pro gramming) they know [that I am early college], but it still doesn't seem to make a big dif ference," Boy said. First-year student lea Rounds said she can identify with the early college students. "I just turned 17 and I've skipped two grades," Rounds said. "If their schools can offer them this kind of program, I say go for it." will be held this semester, one Oct. 1 and another Nov. 4. Eleven students attended the first training session; several of them reacted negatively to the experience. Senior Josh Brown felt that the session was more targeted toward students under the legal legal drinking age. "It had a very biased view toward anti-alcohol use and it wasn't terribly realis tic. All they seemed to say was September 13, 2002 Many early college stu dents decided to 'go for it' be cause the program offers in centives like small class size. This allows the teachers and administrators to "really get to know the students as people," said Burks. For some of the students, this one-on-one attention is a vast change from the environ ments at their sender schools. "They really care here whether you are learning or not," Hackett said. "At Page it was just however you could get by and still make your A." Any traditional students who would like to leorn more about the Early Cllege program, or voice concerns about it, are invited by Burks to attend one of two open forums. They will be held in the George White house from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Sept. 17 and Sept. 24. that people who are underage shouldn't drink," Brown said. "The bottom line is that it didn't fit what really happens at Guilford," he said. Senior Sarah Humpal at tended the training in order to host the Hildebrant party last weekend. She had a mixed reaction. "It was ok. They discussed a lot of things people already knew. It was helpful to learn about our responsibilities within the law." Page 2
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