The Compass Thursday, April 18, 2002 ^Editoriar^ A VALUABLE EXPERIENCE Inger Parker Editor Parkerjnger® hotmail.com Each year as May approaches, many college students are either saying, “Have a great summer or “I will see you in the fall.” However, many graduating seniors are saying “Good-bye.” As a member of the spring class of 2002, I am also saying “Goodbye” to the Elizabeth City State University family. Like most college students, I have had great experiences, and I have met wonderful and inspirational people. Likewise, I have had bad experiences and met people that caused me more distress than happiness. However, overall I have thoroughly enjoyed my college experience as a Viking. Perhaps most of all I have enjoyed being the editor-in-chief of The Compass. It has been a rewarding experience serving the ECSU family, but, most of all, it has been a privilege serving the students. As editor-in-chief, it was my personal goal to make The Compass more appealing to students as far as informative news, fashion, and inspira tion. I pray that you all feel that we, the staff, have done that. I would like to thank all of The Compass’ readers, because without you The Compass does not exist. I want to say “thank you” to every faculty member who gave me encouraging words and supported me this year. Perhaps most of all I would like to thank The Compass’ staff, because they were the biggest blessing that God gave me this year as far as The Compass is concerned. They have been the most outstanding and dedicated staff that I can remember since I have been here. Words cannot express my gratitude to you all. Prior to becoming the editor of The Compass, I had never been a leader. I was very afraid to take on a leadership position. I did not think that I would do a satisfactory job. I thought that I would be a disappointment to The Compass’ readers, legacy, the department of language, literature, and communication, and myself. However, I as began to pray and ask the-Lord for guidance, He gave me comfort and told me that I did not have to take this position, but that He had appointed me to it as a part of His Divine Plan. He reassured me, that as His child. He had not given me the position so that I could be a failure, but that He would be with me throughout each issue to see that I do a good job and reach my goal. He proved to me that if I have just a little faith in Him, He would allow me to do things that I never thought I could, such as be a leader. I am also aware that God wanted me to have this position so that He could teach me some things before I enter the “real world.” I have learned that you must always be prepared for the unexpected. There have been times when submissions to The Compass were either not on time, not as I had expected them to be, or not submitted at all. It was during those times that I had to be creative and come up wit an alternative. Sometimes people, staff members and non-staff members, were disagreeable. It was important that I learned how to handle disagreements and different personalities. Most of all, it was important to learn how to be self motivated and creative. Though being the editor-in-chief was not an easy job, it has been reward ing and I thank God for giving me the opportunity to learn skills that I did not think was that important. Now that you have heard my testi mony, I challenge all ECSU students to believe that wherever you are and whatever you do, you are not there by coincidence, but it is all a part of God’s Divine Plan. You may be doing some thing that you do not want to right now, but it will all work out for your good in the end if you put all of your trust and faith God. “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and makes Him his hope and confidence.” Jeremiah 17:7. CONGRATULATIONS SPRING CLASS OF 2002!! WE WISH YOU THE BEST AND MUCH SUCCESS!! V. The Compass The Compass is published by Elizabeth City State University under the direction of the Department of Language, Literature, and Communication, Dr. Velma Blackmon, chairperson. Editor Inger Parker Assistant Editor Antonio Barrow Sports Editor Jonas Pope Arts & Entertainment Editor Clayton Mercer Fashion Editor Keeler Poetry Editor James Hill Photographer Harvey Layout Designers Inger Parker and AntonioBarrow News Writers.. Robin Reese, McKeith Cordell, Chi’Mur Knight, Enoch Bond, Jessica Barrier, Detra Stith, Kimberly Blackwell, LaTonya Raynor, Shannon Autry, Cylea Seabrook, Nykki Houston, Krystle Lee, Elizabeth Martins, Heather Malone, Lavonda Whitt Advisors Emmanuel Ngwainmbi and Mr. Kip Branch Financial Advisor - Mr. Stephen March Mr. and Mrs. Compass Enoch Bond and Robm Reese Please send your letters to the editor and poetry to ECSU Box 815, Eliza beth City, NC 27909. All letters must include writer’s signature, address, and telephone number. Elizabeth City State University is accredited by the Commission on Col leges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award baccalau reate degrees. C Poetry Comer ) 1 Sit Here Wondering WAITING THINKING CONTEMPLATING WHEN WILL MY DAY COME SO MANY TIMES I’VE BURST INTO FLAMES OVER MEN PLAYING LITTLE BOY GAMES SO I’M JUST HESITATING WHEN WILL MY DAY COME WHY WHY CAN’T I FIND YOU I KNOW YOU’RE OUT THERE THAT STRONG CHRISTIAN MAN READY TO ASK FOR MY HAND FOR MY LOVE FOR ME TO BE HIS WIFE HIS HELP MEET HIS LIFE BUT WAIT I THINK I’VE FOUND THE PROBLEM WHILE I’M SEARCHING FOR YOU GOD IS PATIENTLY GETTING YOU READY FOR ME AND MOLDING ME INTO WHAT YOU NEED SO ON THAT DAY THAT DAY WHEN THE TWINKLE IN YOUR EYE CATCHES MINE THAT DAY WHEN MY VIRTUE LEAVES YOU SCREAMING CAUSE LIKE ME NONE OTHER COULD YOU FIND MY DAY WILL HAVE COME Kiystle Lee Hate-a^matics Hate is a drug It controls your mind A contagious disease That spreads quickly in a short period of time It can be transmitted verbally or nonverbally Through action or through word Conducted loud or silent it is well heard A negative plus a negative equal a negative No positive results Violent after violent scenes Because minds are corrupt Some people wanna rage war against the world Because they can’t win the war within themselves Walk around with phony smiles Until the real turtle pops out the shell Buildings that take a long time to build Can be destroyed in no time Evil works that take place on reality soil Are produced from wicked blueprints created in the mind it’s wild ain’t it? There’s no telling what the man be* sides you is thinking He so caught up in his wickedness His conscious is constantly shrinking It’s bizarre It seems, we are trap in a human zoo A boy half my age Know more about a gun than 1 do Come mon, now That’s not right So much poison lies on the T.V screen Our children are not seeing the light And can you believe it, there are people following Evil men’s lead Not realizing, they are slaves Supporting another man’s greed And as the world twist and turn 1 continue to learn The ways of the world Will keep you in more dirt than earth* worms Hate is a drug It controls your mind it don’t only kill people But it also kills time It’s the killer of innocent lives And precious dreams The brush that Satan use To paint a murder scene Hate'a'matics 1 do the calculations As it take action Instead of us coming together as a whole We are divided into fractions James Hill