The Compass Tuesday, May 4, 1993 11
ATECSU
Talent Search Program teaches students faith,
determination while also improving basic skills
By Kysha Gaiy
"What I can conceive of and believe in,
I can achieve."
These famous lines displayed on the
wall of a staff member of the Educational
Talent Search Program accurately de
scribes what the program represents and
tries to instill in each of the 800 area
students it serves.
The Talent Search Program was estab
lished by the United States Department
of Education in 1966 to give people who
mightnothavetheopportunityatachance
for higher education.
The Program, administered at ECSU in
Lane Hall by five staff members and
twdvestudents,providestutoringin basic
areas such as Math and English, finanical
aid, information, and workshops to pre
pare students for taking the SAT.
"This program is innovative and very
flexible," said Dr. Cheryl Lewis, director
of the Talent Search Program. "The pro
gram can help students prepare them
selves for their future. It has the ability to
meet any need a student might have."
To participate in the program, poten
tial students are evaluated in terms of
three criteria, said Lewis, adding that
students have to meet only one of these in
order to be accepted into the program.
The first criterion is need, "whether it
be in math or help in problem solving, or
getting exposure to certain things in life
that will help them be more rounded,"
according to Lewis.
Another criterion is met by students
who are the first members of their family
to attend college, Lewis said. Students
may also be "economically disadvan
tage," she said.
The program services ten counties in
the Albemarle area: Bertie, Camden,
Chowan, Currituck, Hertford, Cates,
Pasquotank, Paguamians, Terrell, and
Washington Counties. Participants range
from the elementary level, to college level
and includeadultswhocomebackto school
to pass the high school equivalancy test.
Dywone Holley, a seventh grader at
Chowan Middle school in Chowan
County, says that he loves the program
and hopes to repeat it next year.
"Since I have been in the program I
have learned to enjoy readingand use my
time wisely," said Holley. "Without the
program I wouldn't have learned how to
manage my time and sit down and finish
my homework.
" My tutor makes sure that before we
leave for the day we have finished all our
homework."
Holley said that his parents love the
program too, because it allows them a
little time for themselves.
"They don't have to worry about me
because I'm in school learning something
and not getting into trouble," Holley said.
Students visit Lane Hall between 330
pm and 530 pm weekdays.
The Educational Talent Program is one
of Trio Programs here on campus that is
designed to build better relations with
thecommunity and help those who might
not be able to get a college education,"
Lewis said.
ECSU Upward Bound Program and
Student Support Services are included in
Trio Programs.
Students gain valuable professional skills
at University's award-winning radio station
By Anna Herring
"Building Success from theSoimd Up."
This slogan is heard on the radio dial
89.9 fm WRVS ECSU's 41,000 watt full
smice radio station providing listeners
with music, news and information.
WRVS-fm celebrated its seventh year
in existence March 18,1993. Under the
n^anagementof Edith Thorpe, the station
has undeigone a whole new outlook.
Tlwrpe set up a five year goal plan which
will be completed by the end of this year
with the installment of a satellite wnich
^T^ceive programs fromNational Pub-
'This is the largest staff in the history of
we station," saicTThorpe. We have about
40 staff members. When the station first
started, we had only five students and
two professional staff."
Since January, 1993, the station has
added state-of-^e-artbroadcastand pro
duction equipment, Thorpse said. The
new equipment will make students more
marketable in commercial radio,sheadded.
With the mention of radio, visions of
d.j's playing records come to mind but
there is more to playing records at a radio
station. Jobs m programming, news,
public affairs, sports and production are
available, Thor^ said.
Ben Fagen, program director is respon
sible for the air sound of the station
announcersandthemusic. He stated that
"experience is everything."
"m order to succeed in radio, practice
English and good diction. Be able to read
and network," Fagen said. "It's a who
you know business.
Students who work at WRVS say they
like the opjX)rtunity to work with the
professionals.
"I like the mixture between students
and the professional staff," said fresh
man Carlos McCormic. “W. gives you a
chance to get hands on experience in the
business of broadcasting."
McCormick is the disc jockey during
the afternoon traffic jam on Mondays and
Wednesdays from4:00-7:00. Healsodoes
sportswatch at 4:20 on Tuesdalys and
Thursdays. He also serves as assistant
producer and writer for the music seg
ment, '7iist What the Doctor Ordered"
and "Viking Countdaown."
Glen Mason is the station's promotion
director and sports information director.
Along with other staff members. Mason
assists students with writing and report
ing their own news stories. More are
writing and producing 15-30 minute pro
grams that are aired on a weekly basis.
Many of the student radio announcers
have been offered positions and some
have worked in Elizabeth Qty and Vir
ginia, Thorpe said.
Some have even gone to work with
major record companies.
WRVS has received awards from the
Red Cross, AKA Sorority Incorporated,
Young Black Programmer Coalition and
Media Awards.
In order to become a staff member,
students must fill out an application, at
tend an interview interest meeting, at-
terwi a four-day workshop in the class
room and pass an FCC examination.
Once the^stepsarecomplete, students
areamemberofWRVS,aooordingtoThorpe
The ladies of
Zeta Phi Beta
Sorority, Inc.
Wish To
Congratulate
The Class of '93
RAINBOW RECORDS
& TAPES
Co WOP 0)
• Country & Western
• Pop
• Rap & Gospel
• Rock
• Special Orders
915 W. Ehringhaus St. Elizabeth City
(Behind Vans Place II)
Mon.-Sat. 9-9 331-1866