Department of Mathematics
Announces Contest
The Departmrat of Mathematics and
Computer Science invites freshmen and
sophomores to begin spring semester with
a challenge. The ninth annual Freshmen-
Sophomore Mathematics Contest will be
held on Saturday, January 20,1990. Par
ticipants will take a test covering a wide
variety of mathematics areas. The only
specific content that will be assumed is the
c(»tentofMAT211. However, an excel
lent student could be successful even with
out any knowledge of Calculus. A copy of
a previous year’s exam is on reserve in the
library.
Students who have 66 hours or less at
the end of fall s^ester, 1989, are eUgible.
Prizes include a $200 scholarship for first
place and a $100 scholarship for second
place. The winners last year were Court
ney Spooner, first place; Piroska Racz,
second place; Amy Allen, Ruby Edwards
and Kerri Rawls, honorable mention.
Registration forms are available out
side the office of the Department of Mathe
matics and Computer Science (room 213,
by: Deanna Turlington
During the weekend of Nov. 11-12,
the Meredith Dance Theater sponsored its
fifth annual Fall Dance Gathering, The
event is a series of informative movement
and technique classes open to community
dancers, Meredith dancers and students,
along with High school dance students.
The classes were taught by master
artist GLenna Batson, Glenda Mackie,
Carol Richard, Melody Shaper and
Meredith's own Annie Elliot in conjimc-
tion with the noted New York City dancer,
Rachel Harms. As a recipient of various
fellowships and grants from the National
Endowment for the Arts, Rachel Harms is
a director, performer and choreograjAer in
the Rachel Harms Dance Company.
A sample of classes offered at the
workshop includes ballet and jazz tech
niques, mind and body awareness and
Hams). They can also be obtained from any
faculty member of the department. These
forms ^ould be returned to the department
by Friday, Dec. 1.
Early on Saturday, Oct 21, ten Meiedith
students gathered in 106 Harris. After a
quick continental breakfast, they settled
down and participated in the eleventh an
nual Virginia Tech Regional Mathematics
Contest. For two and a half hours, they
worked (XI eight mathematic problems. The
preliminary report has just been received.
Jenny Snow placed among the top half of
the contestants. Jennifer Pittman, Cyndi
Woelbl, Kerri Rawls and Comtney Spoons
placed among die top three-quarters. Since
the participants came fi-om 44 top colleges
and universities in the mid-Atlantic states,
flie Mwedith students did very well. This is
the second year Meredith has entered the
contest. Last year only one Meredith stu
dent placed in the top three-quarters, so this
is a great improvement.
strength and training. The highlight of the
gathering was the craicluding informal cho
reographic showing in which participants
and choreographers were invited to share
their completed or unfinished works in a
casual relaxed atmoshere. I^cipanting is
this seesion were Enloe High School danc
ers, the Raleigh Dance Association and
three Meredith dancers-- Nancy Sills,
Melissa Bryan and Amy Salter.
A total of 55 dancers participated in
this year’s gathering, while even more at
tended as spectators.
Alyson Colwell, a member of the
Meredith dance faculty and coordinator of
the 1989 Fall Dance Gathering commented,
"The gadiering, which used to be a one-day
event until its third year, has grown in many
ways." She added that increased interest
and feedback from participants ensures the
success of the occasion.
Health Education
We Get Questions...
eds. note: This is a first in a series
of articles by Susan Schrag, Health Educa
te, which answers questions directed
to personnel at the Health Center. Please
direct your questions to them.
I understand that we can now have Pap
smears done on campus. What is it, and
why do I need one?
The Pap smear (invented by Dr. Pa-
panicolacHi) is done as a part of a complete
pelvic examination. These exams should
be begun by a woman in her late teens, or if
she becomes sexually active before then, it
should be performed at an earlier age. The
clinician obtains a sample of the cells from
the uterine cervix (the “neck” of the uterus)
which is sent to a laboratory fw analysis.
You can make an appointment at the
Health Center to receive gynecological
services on a fee for service basis. This
clinic is offered on Wednesday aftemoons.
My “Pap” came back as a “Class II,”
what does that mean?
As a young girl begins menarche, the
cells in her cervix change. Sometimes, as
the result of many factors including mul
tiple sexual partners, exposure to infections
including chlamydia, herpes, and HPV
(himian papilloma virus) these changes can
become more pronounced. At that time, the
"class” of the smear changes to reflect the
kinds of cellular changes observed, e.g.
Class 11.
Usually, the only “treatment” for a
Class II smear is retesting in a few weeks or
months, or treatment of the underlying in
fection. Class IV and V smears usually
reflect more serious changes in the cervical
cells, or cancer. A Class 1 smear is abso
lutely normal.
Does any of this cause pain? It all
seems very invasive and scary to me.
Sadly, many women are frightened of
health exams and procedures and thus delay
them. If you choose a health care practitio
ner that you are comfortable with and can
talk to, it will be easier for you to relax
during die procedure. When you relax (try
deep breat^g and a smile) ^e exams are
not at all painful. And, if you keep remind
ing yourself how important the exam is, you
can relieve many of the embarassed feel
ings that can arise. Keep in mind: your
body is yours to maintain in good health.
Meredith Hosts Fifth Annual
Fall Dance Gathering