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Volume 80 No. 3
Grimsley High School
801 Westover Terrace
Greensboro, NC 27408
Friday, November 21, 2003
Gold Madrigal Singers travel to capital
for performance at the White House
The Madrigals will
perform for First Lady
Laura Bush and others
during their shows at
the White House and
National Cathedral.
By Kathryn Smith
Reporter
After a successful weekend
performing at the Carolina
Renaissance Festival during the
first weekend in November, next
on the agenda for the Gold
Madrigal Singers is a trip to
Washington, D.C. in December
to help end the year in the
executive fashion.
The Madrigals have been
invited to sing at the White
House for an audience of
governmental officials,
including current First Lady
Laura Bush, on December 22,
2003 at noon. This invitation-
only event is one of the many
components of the Madrigals’
annual trip to Washington, D.C.
that has the entire group of
singers thrilled.
“I am really excited about
singing at the White House,
sort of like a little kid at
Christmas,” said junior Emilie
Campbell.
Prior to their appearance at
the White House, the
Madrigals will sing at the
Washington National Cathedral
on Sunday, December 21 for the
Cathedral’s 11 am Advent
Service. The trip will not only
include performances, but also
the singers will be able to enjoy
scheduled activities such as
touring the Smithsonian
Museum, Union Station, and the
International Eastern Market
and viewing a production of
Dickens’s “AChristmas Carol”
at Ford’s Theatre.
The trip will conclude with a
visit to the home of George
Washington at Mt. Vernon. In
addition to the sightseeing and
performances, some of the
singers are looking most forward
to spending time with their
friends.
“I cannot wait to just be with
my friends and have a fun time
goofing off,” said senior Jessica
Labell.
In preparation for the
upcoming events, the
Madrigals will not only practice
during daily class time, but also
at home using CDs with each
singer’s recorded parts on them.
While some feel that the practice
will help quell their nerves,
others thrive on the pressure
associated with such an
appearance.
“Knowing that I am part of a
select few makes me feel
honored in participating in this
event. I love a challenge, even
when others are nervous,” said
senior Matt Nealson.
Despite the differences in
the levels of anxiety, all can
agree that hard work and talent
helped them earn their
invitation. Most are
anticipating that with the
conclusion of this performance
the group will receive more
national attention.
“Hopefully after this trip to
Washington, D.C., Grimsley will
feel pride that their Arts can get
this far. The Grimsley Gold
Madrigals are very disciplined,
and we have a strong passion
for what we do. We were
selected to perform because,
honestly, we’re the best there
is,” said senior Sarah Turner.
Students, staff struggle with counselor changes
Due- to the loss of
several counselors this
school year, many
students are having
problems scheduling
meetings with their
counselors, making it
difficult for seniors to
get the help they
need when filling out
applications for college.
By Allison Newby
Reporter
Many seniors have experi
enced a change in counselors this
year and, with the clock ticking
closer to college application
deadlines, students sometimes
feel inclined to complete the pa
perwork themselves. However,
much of the application process
depends upon counselor input.
Only counselors can provide of
ficial transcripts and official data
regarding school size, percent
age of students continuing their
education, and students’ mid
year school reports.
Counselor Mr. Phil Weaver
suggested for students to see
their counselors on a regular ba
sis so they can become familiar
with each other and counselors
can put names with faces.
Many students have com
plained about not receiving
*'>
Leung photo
Senior Jack McDonald talks with Ms. Cheryl Bolick in the counseling center. Many students this year,
especially seniors, are having trouble receiving the time and attention they need from counselors!
Sign-up sheets fill quickly, especially when college application deadlines approach.
enough time with their counse
lors. Therefore, the college ap
plication process is much more
difficult for them.
Senior Erin Jones suggested
that one way of improving one’s
relationship with a counselor is
to “stop by and introduce your
self Don’t be afraid to go and
talk to your counselor if you have
a problem. They are there to help,
and they really do!”
Students have suggested that
counselors continue working
with the same grade level every
year so that the counselor and
student will not lose touch.
When a counselor works with a
student throughout his high
school career, that student devel
ops a strong bond and feels more
comfortable talking with his coun
selor on any given topic.
Many students have shown
concern due to the arrival of a
new counselor. Mr. “Mac”
McDowell, who worked at
Bartlett Yancey High School,
could not start work here until he
was released from Bartlett on
November 10. Because Mrs.
Alice Barbee, Mrs. Nikki Caldwell,
and Mrs. Merrie Conaway made
decisions to leave, the present
staff has taken on their students
and, with college just around the
comer for many seniors, the coun-
seling center is packed every
day.
“I have been a counselor for
25 years, and I have never had to
work so hard,” said Weaver.
Jones explained that her tran
sition from junior to senior was
not as difficult as she had ex
pected.
“I thought it would be diffi
cult since Ms. Barbee left and I
had grown up with her for the
past three years, but Mrs. Weaver
has been wonderful in trying to
help me,” she said.
However, many individuals
have had a difficult transition from
their junior to senior year. Many
believe their counselors only
know them by what is written
down on paper.
“It has been difficult making
the transition from junior to se
nior year. The difficulty lies in fill
ing out applications and making
life-changing decisions. I’ve
changed counselors three times
since last year, and I am due
for another change. I don’t fee!
like I have the support from
Grimsley that I need this year,”
said senior Susanna Pfaff
Featured
Inside
Student Rights Flashback
Staff editorial
concerning liberties
of teens in school.
Page 3
Reflections on life
in the ‘70s and
‘80s bring smiles.
Pages 6-7
Youth Refs
Teens find new job
option in refereeing
for younger children.
Page 12
News 1
Opinion 3
Features 5
Sports 11