Michael Rogers talks to students about opportunities at Elon. fctfttfRgr .i ? ? Monique Ingram, Chanel Smith and Amanda Bethea talk with Patrice Mitchell about financial opportunities at Salem College. Van Wilson tells some students about the physical therapy and nursing programs at WSSU. R.J. Reynolds High School is 'Demon Proud' <. ? * * A Crystal Edmonds recruits interested students to Pembroke. vides for parent and community involvement. One parent, Evort Crooks Sr., a senior chemical analyst at R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, facilitated a 30 minute workshop during his lunch break. His workshop involved the steps one needs to take to embark on a productive career, specifically, a career Faculty and parents have been very supportive of the program. Several sources continue to rec ommend students for inclusion in this program. In September, state colleges and universities were invited to the campus to discuss their math science curriculums and to show how they meet the needs of math and science areas. Crystal Edmonds, from Pembroke State, shared offerings and opportunities that one can pursue and the extra support that staff members and faculty pro vide for students. The vast difference between this Demon Proud Mini Career Fair and larger ones is that the - / Patrice Mitchell discusses requirements and opportunities at Salem College. I ? ; Representatives from area colleges participated in the Demon Proud Mini Career hair. Clockwise from upper left are Michael Rogers of Elon College, Van Wilson of Winston-Salem State University, Crystal Edmonds of the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Patrice Mitchell of Salem College, and l)r. Wandra Hill of North Carolina State University. focus was on math and science majors, financial opportunities, and opportunities for parents to talk and learn about the schools. All participants are now receiv ing college information and may very well be recruited to these schools. To provide an opportunity for parent participation, work shops are held on Sunday after noons. For the month of October, three professionals were invited to talk about their qareers in physical therapy: Onuwa Terry, a physical therapist with High Point Regional and a consultant/lecturer; Robert Woodruff, a chemist from Ciba Textile Products and a lecturer; and Denise Lewis, a third-year medical student who attends Bowman Gray School of Medi cine. This panel talked about their professions, opportunities for African Americans, salaries, etc. The presentation was fol lowed by student-generated questions. The element which makes the Demon Proud program out standing is the enthusiasm it evokes from faculty members, parents, counselors and partici pants. Students and parents arc asking the question: What is this Demon Proud thing? The answer is, it is the way the National Sci ence grant is interpreted at R.J. Reynolds to encourage diversity in upper-level math and science courses and related post sec ondary careers/ majors. It moti vates students to use their innate math and science aptitudes and inspires parents to become involved in their children's total education. Public feeder schools. Hanes, Wiley, and Cook, were for the promise to African American students to success fully complete upper-level courses in the academic fields ol mathematics and science." Pa re n t - Te ac h e r conferences u Saundra Amos talks to students and parents about the Demon Proud Program. instrumental in identifying prospective participants, provid ing standardized test scores, grades, and demographic infor mation so that the program could make contact as early as July The Demon Proud vision appears as wide and varied as the imaginations of the Re>nolds' village of parents, educational consultants, teachers and staff, and the students. A spokesperson for the pro gram said, "Demon Proud stands are highh encouraged: alter school tutoring is pnmded after 3 p.m. in addition to the math and science tutoring, which is done via the departments The Demon Proud tall activ ities will c o n c 1 u d e w 11 h a November parenting evaluation session using resources pros ided b\ the National PTA and pub lished b\ Hbon\. and a Decem ber peer mentoring session tor students Debate addresses Referendum from page 1 discipline problems. Parents will choose these innovative schools tor safety and for the lack of disruptions, he said. Ward agrees that discipline is a problem. "Discipline is the most pressing concern." he said. ^ Ward said if elected/ne will restore a sense of order while creating a system to restructure the student, which will change their behavior. Another hot topic was teacher pay. Ward said his three Rs will keep teachers happy Ward believes the system should recruit, retain, and reward teachers financially. "1 am committed to getting us to the national salary aver age." Ward said. Robinson challenged Ward's remark. sa\ing "The fourth Rs is reality!" He said that administra tions do not back teachers because of the threat of getting sued. Robinson said that char ter schools will take care of this problem, as well While Robinson ques tioned the issue of personnel officials using taxpayer dollars to support Ward. Ward accused Robinson of name calling and questioned his abilits to inspire. In his closing statement. Robinson admonished the cur rent s\stcm for catering to politicians and bureaucrats. "Cii\e power to the par ents. so thes can choose." Robinson said. Robinson said he wants safe, orderly, disciplined schools that are consistent with \ allies "Ms opponent leeU he knosss hoss to host educate your child. 1 tee 1 the parents knoss best.*' Robinson said Ward pointed to the major differences in the campaigns in his closing statement "1 am the on Is candidate ssith a successful career ssork ing ssith public schools. I sup port the Bond Referendum I ssant real reform, not abandon ment ot public schoo's Vhese standards ssill gam endorse* ments," Ward said