Dr. Alston tells of
his dog ... and
other things.
Page 2
Webassign:
Joy or Misery?
Page 6
Styrofoam
becomes
permanently
disposable
at NCSSM.
Page 3
stentorian
vol. XXVII
the north Carolina school of science and mathematics 1219 broad street, durham nc 27705
http;//www.ncssm.edu/stentorian
Out of the
Bubble
Emily Currin
The Dark Side of NCSSM
By Charlie Stone and
Elysa Wan
I can’t believe that my junior
year at NCSSM is almost over
(tear, tear), but it is not over
quite yet. Many appear to be
strung out about...EXAMS!
But do not fear—it’s only six
days and a total of eighteen
actual exam hours. Don’t
fret—here are some fun things
to do as the year finally comes
to a close and a few things to
look forward to this summer.
Music
June 1: Usher (Alltel Pavilion
at Walnut Creek, Raleigh)
Arts
May 23-June 7; While the
Sun Shines TheatreFest
(NCSU Campus, Thompson
Theatre)
May 28-June 2: Swing (BTI
Center Raleigh Memorial
Auditorium)
May 30-June 2: Sesame
Street Live-Let’s Be Friends
(Raleigh Entertainment and
Sports Arena)
Sports
May 31-June2: Special
Olympics North Carolina
Summer Games (triangle area)
June 1: Carolina Hurricanes
Playoffs (Raleigh ESA)
A Few Reasons to Come
Back to the Triangle This
Summer
June 15: Melissa Etheridge
(Alltel Pavilion)
June 24: Incubus (Raleigh
ESA)
July 2-7: The Vagina
Monologues (BTI Center,
Raleigh)
July 11: Dave Matthews Band
(Alltel Pavilion)
July 12: Jeep World Outside
Festival—Sheryl Crow, Train,
O.A.R., & Ziggy Marley plus
an interactive sports adven
ture” (Alltel Pavilion)
July 24: Ozzfest (Alltel
Pavilion)
July 25: Phil Lesh and
Friends (Alltel Pavilion)
Hot Date Idea of the
Month
I hear that those graduation
gowns are actually made for
two...
rug use has always
I occurred at NCSSM,
and at high schools
across the country. National
surveys show that about 40
percent of high school stu
dents try illegal drugs at some
point, and students here are no
exception.
Ml 1,
Ryan Campbell
Science and Math has a
zero tolerance policy for
drugs, tobacco, and alcohol.
Nonetheless, despite the num
ber of students that break
these rules, drug cases are rare
at Science and Math.
Therefore it came as a
shock when, beginning on
Monday, May 13, the school
conducted a series of room
searches in Hunt Dormitory.
Rumors spread rapidly, and
emotions across campus ran
high. The range of student’s
reactions was exceedingly
varied.
Brian Satz complained
that there were an excessive
number of searches. He also
reported that even after his
name was cleared he received
no apology and was still treat
ed with a negative attitude.
Another student claimed
that the prospect of room
searches generally disturbed
her and violated her trust.
On the other side of the
spectrum, Caroline Wong stat
ed, “From the administration’s
See “Drugs”
Page 5
may 2002
Thoughts on
a Sophomore
Class
Charlie Stone
'ith Monday meet
ings, the Student
Activity Fee, Super
Study, and new construction,
the 2001-2002 school year
has brought many changes to
NCSSM, but greater changes
may lie ahead. The
Curriculum, Standards, and
Assessment Task Force
received a mandate to exam
ine the academic program
here at Science and Math, and
one of the issues they have
talked about is adding a soph
omore class.
A sophomore year would
allow students at Science and
Math to take more elective
courses, pursue research, and
would take some of the bite
out of junior year by spread
ing the load over three years
instead of two. “The idea is
that we would require more
See
‘Sophomores”
Page 3
The Voice of the Students: Alex Baranpuria
Brandon Carroll
A lex Baranpuria’s
term as Student
Government President
is rapidly nearing its end.
Brian Phelps has been elected
to be his successor. The final
SGA meeting was May 1st,
and June 1st looms ahead.
Here is a review of the man
and the office for 2001-2002.
The Past
Alex had not planned to
run for president last year.
When he was nominated,
though, he decided not to turn
down the chance to nin, even
though he had his reservations.
“I wasn’t concerned with
SGA [initially],” Alex said.
“[When nominated], I didn’t
campaign at all... In my
speech, I asked the student
body to vote for who they
thought was the most capable.
I told them if they did decide
to vote for me, I would put the
most of every morsel of ener
gy into it. I would do it the
same all over again.”
A Humble Approach
Alex’s approach to the
presidency combined hard
work and dedication, accessi
bility, and most of all, humili
ty. “I think that being humble
is a very important part of
whatever you do,” he said.
Certainly, he deflects
acclaim. “I think our class, as
a whole, was a family willing
to come together.” At the same
time, humility helps him keep
perspective. Alex said, “We
live in a shoebox, and some
times we do get spoiled.
Throughout this year. I’ve
tried to maintain a level head.
It is important not to let emo
tions ride you.”
One of the most reward
ing aspects of being President
for Alex was that it gave him
the confidence to approach
people he might not have
before. He was especially
inspired by Dr. Wilson.
“Dr. Wilson is a goddess.
I’ve seen how she is able to
draw people into what she
says. [I admire] her ability to
listen .. and her ability to fore
see the impact of what she
says..”
The uniqueness of his
class and of the NCSSM expe
rience motivate Alex. “We’re
not going to find what makes
our school special again; to
appreciate that is what moti
vates me. I think our class is
incredible, the greatest class
this school has ever had, and I
wanted to motivate them,” he
said.
The most rewarding thing
Alex recalls about the presi
dency is “how the juniors
have bonded with the seniors.
Seeing the juniors grow
reminds you of yourself, and
trusting them to take on
responsibilities is a great feel
ing. I’m so proud that they
want to be involved. Juniors
run some SGA committees.
Together, we shoot for the
stars,” Alex said.
See "Alex Baranpuria”
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