May 2013 (Graduation Edition)

Renaissance

The Voice of the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts

LSMSA Honors 29th Graduating Class

copio received B.A. and M.A. degrees in The Louisiana Political Science from School awarded diploLouisiana State Unimas to 95 members of versity and a doctorthe 29th graduating ate in political science class at ceremonies from Indiana Univerheld Saturday, May sity.

25, in Prather ColiseProcopio was um on the Northwestthe latest of several ern State University LSMSA alumni to adcampus. dress the graduating Featured speaker seniors. for the occasion was Previous alumni Dr. Steven Procopio, speakers have includChief of Staff in the ed journalist Angie Louisiana Division of Drobnic Holan and Administration.

Col. Lenny Ricoux Procopio was a last(U.S.A.F.). minute replacement Student speakers for Commissioner of for the ceremonies inAdministration Kristy cluded Maya Welch in Nichols, who had an address titled “The been scheduled to Manual” and Penny speak. A 1989 graduMetzger, whose adate of LSMSA, ProStaff

dress was entitled “In the Words of--.”

A colorful aspect of each LSMSA graduation ceremony is the presentation of gonfalons.

Gonfaloniers for this year’s ceremony

The 2012-13 Hall of Fame Inductees Six seniors were inducted into the Robert A. Alost Hall of Fame during a Senior Recognition Ceremony held Friday evening, May 24, at the A.A. Fredericks Performing Arts Center on the N.S.U. campus. Named after LSMSA’s founding Director, membership in the Hall of Fame is considered the highest honor bestowed upon a graduating senior.

This year’s honorees include: Kathleen Birk. From Slidell, Kathleen is the daughter of Lothar

Natchitoches, LA

Praecellemus

Volume XXX, Issue 5

Staff

and Carola Birk. She previously attended North Shore High School.

Eric Dilmore. From Lake Charles, Eric is the son of Robert and Angela Dilmore. He previously attended Sam Houston High School.

Raine Hasskew.

From New Orleans, Raine is the daughter of Scot Hasskew and Stacy Crouser. She previously attended Lafayette High School.

Brianna Lawson.

From Lake Charles, Brianna is the daughter of Daryl and Heather Lawson. She

previously attended Sam Houston High School.

Janet Lee. From Natchitoches, Janet is the daughter of Dukha and Geumja Lee. She previously attended Natchitoches Central High School.

Reagan Ross. From Hahnville, Reagan is the daughter of Lemieux Ross and Chandra Evans. She previously attended Hahnville High School.

Other honors bestowed during the ceremonies included the Spirit of Louisiana School Award, which

included Kathleen Birk for the Dept. of English and History, Pratik Patel for the Dept. of Science, Brianna Lawson for the Dept. of Math and Computer Science, Savannah Neill for the Dept. of Creative and Performing Arts,

went to Toni Carlone and Oliver Daliet.

Carlone previously attended East Jefferson High School while Daliet attended East Coweta High School (Ga.).

The Sharon Sturdivant Williams Praecellemus Award went to Kripa Upadhyay of Leesville. She previously attended Leesville High School.

The Marvin Lockhart Award for Work Service went to Tori Antley and Nathan Schultz. Antley previously attended Downsville High School, and Schultz attended St. Amant High School.

May 2013

and Prisha Patel for the Dept. of Foreign Languages.

Music for the occasion was provided by the N.S.U. Brass Quintet. The ensemble was directed by Prof.

Galindo Rodriguez of the N.S.U. Dept. of Music.

In this issue...

2

Letter from the Editor

2

Meet Mrs. Buckhalter

3

SGO Forum

4

Freddy-May’s Recital

4

Spring Concert

5

Special Projects

6-7 College Matriculations 8

Zombie Prom

9

BSP: Finals

10 SLAMT 11 Lacks Family Visit 11 Farewell to Mrs. Allen 12 Senior Collage

Page 2

Letter From the Editor Brian Kim Editor-in-Chief It seems like only yesterday I was an anxious sophomore matriculating into LSMSA’s class of 2013, but that was three years ago.

Today, I am a graduating senior embarking on a new journey, but the friends I have made and the lessons I have learned at LSMSA will forever remain etched into my life.

LSMSA gave me a new ambition to strive higher and galvanized my academic life with the support and motivation of my teachers, I was able to achieve accomplishments beyond my expectations for myself. They challenged me to do better, and it was here in the LSMSA classrooms, that I reached my fullest potential.

The same can be said about my experience in

Prudhomme Hall. Living away from home, I learned how to live independently and take care of myself. Under the guidance of my CRL, John Shore, I prospered into a young man ready

Renaissance

for college.

More than my diploma or college acceptance letter, the most valuable thing I have received while at this school is the mentorship from my teachers and residen-

May 2013

tial life staff. They will continue to influence and shape my life.

Although 10 o’clock curfew and signing-out are a thing of the past, I will always be reminded of my time at LSMSA. The friends that I have made at this school will be my closest peers during my life.

For me, LSMSA is where it all started. This is the place where my goals and dreams bur-

Meet Krista Buckhalter Jacob Foreman Staff Writer As students get anxious to transition out of this school year, some staff members are just beginning to settle into new positions. One such individual is Mrs. Krista Buckhalter as the new Director of Media and Public Relations.

Buckhalter, born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi, attended the University of Southern Mississippi where she majored in Radio/Television Film and minored in English. She has experience working for the Mississippi Economic Policy Center, writing as a freelance journalist on

indie films in Chicago, and working for Hope Enterprise Corporation as the Communication Director.

“I am excited about my new job here at LSMSA because it is such a unique school with unique opportunities. I see many possibilities and a lot of room for growth here,” said Buckhalter. Buckhalter has indeed given much thought to the possibilities of expanding LSMSA’s impact on high-achieving students in Louisiana.

“I would like to see LSMSA’s influence extend tremendously outside of Alexandria and Natchitoches. I would

Mrs. Buckhalter in her office.

Photo by Brian Kim

like to see LSMSA utilize Northwestern’s news bureau in order to gain more exposure specifically in Shreveport and Baton Rouge,” described Buckhalter.

Buckhalter is also interested in bringing journalists from across

the state to the Louisiana School so that they can then return to their area and promote LSMSA as a “home-grown alternative”.

She believes that a key part of LSMSA’s success is the fact that students feel at home here and

geoned from something small to something big.

This is the place where my breadth of knowledge increased like never before. This is the place where I found people with the same enthusiasm and excitement for learning. LSMSA is the beginning, and wherever the end may be, I know that my experience at this school will have everything to do with that decision. that the Louisiana School does not broadcast the close-knit community of students enough.

In adjusting to her new position, Buckhalter describes breaking into the natural cliques of the education world as difficult.

“It was very odd to enter into the cafeteria for the first couple of days because the faculty naturally divided into the history teachers, English teachers, etcetera,” she said. “That was intimidating for me, but the faculty was actually so welcoming at times that it was scary. I truly appreciate all of their efforts to make me feel at home.”

May 2013

Renaissance

SGO Hosts Annual Forum Kyle Welch Assistant Editor It is possible the favorite pastime of Louisiana School students is to complain, which could be taken more than one way. On the one hand, an inconsolable dissatisfaction could be symptomatic of ingratitude among students. On the other hand, the complaints and inconsolable dissatisfaction could be illustrative of students’ insatiable hunger for progress, which is what the SGO Forum seeks to effect.

At a typical SGO Forum, concerned and/or curious students congregate with the relevant staff and administrative members (usually anyone with “Director” in his/her title) and candidly discuss and argue the problems that might have arisen during the year.

This year, students and faculty discussed a future class schedule, revisions to the level system, concerns about the Junior College Seminar class, the Louisiana School’s position as a Course Choice Provider, confusions about LVS and independent studies, and ways of working in more guided study hours.

Regarding the future class schedule, it was established that the first class of every day will begin at 8:30 next year.

Therefore, the schedules of each day will be pushed back a half hour, which the administration (Dr. Patrick Widhalm, Ms. Emily Shumate, Mr. Michael Thorp, and Dr. Clayton Delery) explained was based on studies that show students in high school

perform better later in the day.

The move also eliminates a group of students who had both 11:00 and 12:00 classes and were without lunch breaks.

Instead, there will no longer be 12:00 classes, granting everyone the chance to eat lunch.

When discussing the level system, the main qualm with students was the lack of privileges and the difficulty in obtaining them. For example, seniors, as Reagan London Ross (Sr.) noticed, have a more difficult time achieving Level 5 because they take more rigorous classes. (To earn Level 5 privileges, a student must have a 3.6 GPA without any C’s.)

She explained that a senior can maintain a 3.6 GPA with a C and be ineligible for Level 5. With that, Ross suggested that C’s be discounted when determining a student’s level status.

It was also brought to the Forum’s attention by Cheyenne Ortiz (Jr.) that students may be ineligible for Level 5 privileges should they have too many minor infractions (three minor infractions

render a student ineligible for Level 5). She suggested to the Forum that the limit of minor infractions incurred either be raised or the minor infractions as a whole be discounted.

Cheyenne also suggested students with

Level 4 should at least be allowed to ride with someone who has driving privileges. Currently, on weekends, only students with Level 5 may ever enter a vehicle that does not belong to the state of Louisiana.

Level

work, to which the present seniors unanimously replied, “Wait until next year.”

Touché, seniors, touché.

In actuality, the juniors were divided in their arguments about the course. Some argued Curfew

Required Study

0

Incoming students during their first quarter

‐ 9pm Mon‐ Thurs

1

‐ GPA < 2.5 or ‐ More than 2 D’s or ‐ More than 4 C’s or ‐ More than 8 UNAs or ‐ U in work service or ‐ More than 1 major infraction or ‐ More than 8 (first or second quarter) / 5 (third or fourth quarter) minor infractions ‐GPA > 2.5, ‐No more than 2 D’s, ‐No more than 4 C’s, ‐No more than 8 UNAs, ‐Grade of NI or higher in work service, ‐No more than 1 major infraction, and ‐No more than 8 ((first or second quarter) / 5 (third or fourth quarter) minor infractions ‐GPA > 3.0, ‐No more than 1 D, ‐No more than 2 C’s, ‐No more than 5 UNA, ‐Grade of NI or higher in work service, ‐No major infractions, and ‐No more than 6 (first or second quarter)/ 4 (third or fourth quarter) minor infractions ‐GPA > 3.5, ‐No D’s or C’s, ‐No more than 4 UNAs, ‐Grade of S in work service, ‐No major infractions, and ‐No more than 4 (first or second quarter)/ 3 (third or fourth quarter) minor infractions ‐GPA > 3.6, ‐No D’s or C’s, ‐No more than 3 UNAs, ‐Grade of S in work service, ‐No major infractions and ‐No more than 3 (first or second quarter) / 2 (third or fourth quarter) minor infractions

‐9pm Mon‐ Thurs

‐ None unless determined necessary by staff ‐ Required Monday through Thursday unless status on this level is not due to academics ‐ Required Monday through Thursday unless status on this level is not due to academics ‐Required 2 nights per week, unless status on this level is not due to academics

2

3

4

5

To qualify

‐9pm Mon‐ Thurs

‐10pm Mon‐ Thurs

‐10pm Mon‐ Thurs

‐None

‐10pm Mon‐ Thurs

‐None

Page 3 able to Louisiana School students next year.

Regarding independent studies, some students felt they were not weighted enough in determining course load.

Because most independent studies count only

Course Extracurricular Enrollment ‐Max =6 ‐ Up to 3 clubs ‐Audit = None ‐ Up to 3 sports practices per week ‐Ind Study = None ‐ May participate in home games only ‐Dual Enr = None

‐Max =6 ‐ Up to 2 clubs ‐Audit = None ‐ No leadership positions in clubs ‐Ind Study = None ‐ Up to 2 sports practices per week ‐Dual Enr = None ‐ May participate in home games only ‐ 2 consecutive quarters at Level 1 = ineligible for sports

Open Campus?

Driving/Riding Privilege?

No

No

‐Max =6 ‐Audit = 1 ‐Ind Study = None ‐Dual Enr = None

‐ Up to 3 clubs ‐ No leadership positions in clubs ‐ Up to 3 sports practices per week ‐ May participate in home games only

No

No

‐Max =7 ‐Audit = 1 OR Ind Study = 1 ‐Dual Enr* = 1

‐ Up to 4 clubs ‐ Up to 4 sports practices per week

No

No

‐Max =8 ‐Audit = 2 OR Ind Study = 2 ‐Dual Enr* = Yes *Sophomores are

‐ Unlimited clubs and sports

Yes

No

‐ Unlimited clubs and sports

Yes

Yes

*Sophomores are not eligible for dual enrollment

not eligible for dual

enrollment ‐Max =8 ‐Audit = 2 OR Ind Study = 2 ‐Dual Enr* = Yes

*Sophomores are not eligible for dual enrollment

The Level Privileges Chart

In addition, Cheyenne noted that there are some students with Level 5 who are not able to exercise their driving privileges because they do not have cars at school. So essentially, they have no privileges at all. Cheyenne suggested there should be exclusive excursions for those students to locations of their choice.

The Junior College Seminar course this semester has stirred much discussion among students, particularly those who feel they could do something better with their time. It was argued at the Forum that the course is disorganized and holds too much weight in students’ GPAs. Some students felt they were required to perform too much home-

they needed more relevant and specific work that might help in finding careers while simultaneously arguing against the tediousness of the tasks at hand.

No consensus was reached.

Some students were confused about what it meant that the Louisiana School is now a Course Choice provider, so Widhalm explained to them that it just means the school will provide online classes to students and schools who otherwise would not be able to take them. Widhalm also explained that the program could be beneficial to the Louisiana School’s admission.

He then further had to explain to some still confused students that LVS courses will still be avail-

as a quarter credit, the Louisiana School does not count them as part of student’s course load.

The participating administration took note.

A guided study system similar to the one in place two years ago was also discussed. It was suggested that instead of a guided study hour for each teacher on Tuesdays and Thursdays, one teacher of each field be present for an hour of guided study after school. This suggestion emerged as part of a general consensus that every day should have a guided study hour.

Note taken. Forum adjourned.

Page 4

Renaissance

of impressionistic On the Sixth Day God Sent a Siren to Earth more landscapes—wildflower

Kyle Welch Assistant Editor Or I Was Given An Out-of-Body Experience by Freddy-May AbiSamra (Sr.). Those are two deserving titles of Freddy-May AbiSamra’s senior voice recital with Dr. Charles Jones this month.

In an hour-long performance, AbiSamra sung 15 songs in three languages and sent her audience through centuries and miles of diverse works by various composers—Giovanni Paisiello, Arthur Sullivan, Charles Gounod, and Claude-Michel Schönberg, to name a few.

Each work chosen was concerned with love in some fashion, but each one required something different of AbiSamra, each propitiously delivered.

Though they were similar in subject matter,

each set of works presented a different aesthetic. For example, the first set of Italian composers (Guilio Caccini,

Freddy-May AbiSamra sings at her Senior Recital.

Photo by Kyle Welch

Andrea Falconieri, and Giovanni Paisiello) with the help of AbiSamra’s voice evoked the images and sounds of ecru cathedral walls, sun-gilded

LSMSA’s Spring Concert Carlie Procell Layout Editor Dr. Al Benner and Mrs. Lisa Benner coordinate their music classes to put on a concert together once a semester.

This semester’s Spring Concert took place on May 6 and 8 in the Recital Hall and showcased many talents.

Mrs. Benner’s Chorale

Mediterranean hues, and classical talent unique to a culture and time. One could hear Italy in every consonant sung.

opened accompanied

by Dr. Charles Jones on piano. Though there were a plethora of voices in chorale, it lacked a good tenor, so Dr. Clayton Delery joined the 23 students as they sang nine pieces hand-picked

by Mrs. Benner.

There was special recognition for the seniors in chorale—Freddy-May

Mrs. Benner recognizes the chorale seniors on the right.

Photo by Carlie Procell

On the other hand, the second set of composers (Ned Rorem, Arthur Sullivan, Carl Strommen, and Edmund Goulding) was reminiscent

AbiSamra, Jay Canova, Eric Dilmore, Inah Hong, Theresa Hudson, Amber Kropog, Gabby Paz. Dr. Benner then took the stage with his endless supply of puns to accompany each piece played by his mixed ensemble.

The ensemble consisted of four flutes, five clarinets, two saxophones, two trumpets, a trombone, a tuba, and a viola.

Even with this unusual mix, Dr. Benner managed to pull it off and make every song sound solid. “We’ve got some marches, some old-timey, pop, jazz, gospel, and classical music in this,” said Dr. Benner of the ten pieces he chose to showcase.

Most of the pieces incorporated each instru-

meadows, humble cityscapes, ordinary people with hats and parasols—all resonating with AbiSamra’s voice.

The third set (Herman Bemberg, Lady Dean Paul Poldowski, and Charles Gounod) was very French—velvety, coquettish, flamboyant, indecisive. AbiSamra, are those composers happy or forlorn? Can we ever really tell of the French?

And finally, a set of show tunes, lighthearted and humorous and definitely the audience’s favorite.

AbiSamra’s voice is uniquely her own, but, for reference of those who were unfortunately absent, it carries with it the distinct sounds of the Middle East, particularly reminding me of the lulling and nurturing voices of popular Afghan singers from the 1980s,

May 2013 Hangama and Ustad Mahwash.

But it also had the crooning qualities of shoegaze artists Alison Shaw from Cranes and Elizabeth Fraser from Cocteau Twins. (Please join a shoegaze band, Freddy-May.) Even more, AbiSamra’s voice reflects the maturity and edginess of a cigarette-smoking woman from the 1940s who spent a lot of her time seducing men and living on the wild side.

Frisky and smart.

AbiSamra’s recital was, in conclusion, a precious treasure. To see her dainty figure produce such notes at one point drew a tear from my eye.

Versatile, evocative, and beautiful, AbiSamra was moving, and I am glad to have borne witness to such a siren. (I’m serious about the shoegaze band.)

Dr. Benner conducts the mixed ensemble.

Photo by Carlie Procell

ment, but there was a duet, quartet, and quintet for the saxophone, brass, and clarinet players respectively.

There wasn’t a senior recognition piece, but Dr. Benner affectionately recognized seniors Josephine Robichaux (flute), Kathleen Birk (clarinet), and Eric Dilmore (trum-

pet) during the concert.

Overall, it was a great concert, as can always be expected when the Benners put it on. The future looks bright for the music department, as many of the musicians are underclassmen that will be returning to hopefully put on an even better Fall Concert next semester.

May 2013

Renaissance

Page 5

Special Projects Week: May 16th - May 22nd Carlie Procell Layout Editor Special Projects Week is a week of relaxation & learning at LSMSA. After the stress of finals is over with, students take a week to learn about a topic not usually taught in classrooms by the faculty & staff.

Some special projects even travel off-campuis.

Topics range from Japanese flower arranging to advanced physics to the way artificial intellingence is portrayed in films. This year, special projects includes:

A Cut Above: A Study of Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Barbershop Music & History Acting for the Camera with Joanna Cassidy Advanced Physics AIDS: Where did it come from? Where is it going?

Art Camp Artificial Intelligence in Film Before You Were Born II Camping: An American Passtime Colorado Environmental Labs Community Service Projects Contemporary Politics and Culture Dangerous Women Ernest Shackleton: The Greatest Polar Explorer EVER Funadmentals of Tennis Genealogy

Modern Weddings

Gilbert and Sullivan Comic Opera Hispanics: One or many cultures?

Human Interfaces with Technology Ikebana: The Art of Japanese Flower Arranging Learning Broadcast Camera Skills Modern Weddings: Planning & A Look at Historical Traditions Natural Areas of Northwestern Louisiana Nepali Voice Programming the TI-83/84 Graphing Calculator Science in Movies & TV Slapstick Comedy Tae Kwon Do Technology Horizons The History and Development of the Piano Yearbook

Community Service Projects

Programming the TI-83/84 Calculator

The History and Development of Piano

Tae Kwon Do

Ikebana

Natural Areas of Northwestern LA

Community Service Projects

Learning Broadcast Camera Skills

Page 6

Renaissance

May 2013

LSMSA Class of 2013 College Matriculations: State-Bound Louisiana State University Savannah Billings Nathan Bossier Michelle Brommer Tammy Chau Samantha Fadrigalan Chris Faulkner Raven Gray Charles Hardison Inah Hong Kurtis Johnson Alan Johnson Alex Le Grange Justin Manning Sawyer McMicken London Miller Lane Moberly Everett Moser Chrysalis Ortiz Gabby Paz Spencer Perry Carson Prewett Sidney Reynen Emily Ribando-Gros Bobby Russell Aaliyah Sanchez Griffin Schlamp Hana Stillmaker Hannah Teer Taylor Weakley

Louisiana Tech University Tori Christian Luke Hebert Matthew Johnson Skylar McFarland Jaryd Rester Logan Simpson Jessi Stack William Watson

Loyola University of New Orleans Brittany Givens

Nicholls State University Mejoan Whittington

Northwestern State University Jay Canova Amber Kropog

Tulane University Madison Conlay Grace Herrington Evelyn Lambeth Prisha Patel Lauren Sobel Kripa Upadhyay Maya Welch

University of Louisiana Lafayette Toni Carlone Shade Gaspard Morgan Griffin Brianna Lawson Katie Murphy Savannah Neill

University of Louisiana Monroe Katie Berry Elisa Murillo Nathan Schultz Ashten Taylor

University of New Orleans Jane Albright Penny Metzger

Xavier University of Louisiana Theresa Hudson

Gap Year

Danielle Bass

Air National Guard Kristen George

U.S. Navy

Cole Meisner

May 2013

Renaissance

Page 7

LSMSA Class of 2013 College Matriculations: Out-of-State Bound

Hendrix College (AR)

Emory University (GA)

Antioch College (OH)

Arizona State University (AZ)

Georgia Institute of Technology (GA)

The Ohio State University (OH)

Janie Stultz

Nani Cruz

California Polytechnic State University (CA) Josie Herumin

Stanford University (CA) London Ross

University of California -Los Angeles (CA) Bronson Schoen

University of Colorado -Boulder (CO) Austin McMichael

The United States Air Force Academy (CO) Patrick Hennigan Benjamin Lane

American University (DC) Jasmine Hardy

Sneha Yadlapati

Oliver Daliet

Oglethorpe University (GA)

Hanna Strange

Shelvi Shah

Swarthmore College (PA) Phyllis Lee

Tori Antley Meagan Muldoon

University of Pennsylvania (PA)

Savannah College of Art and Design (GA)

Baylor University (TX)

Breanna Davis

Columbia College (IL) Freddy-May AbiSamra

Illinois Institute of Technology (IL) Kathleen Birk

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MA) Raine Hasskew Louis Tao

Brian Kim

Nilupul Bulathsinhala Janet Lee

Texas A&M University (TX) Pratik Patel

University of Houston (TX) Rola Ghorab

University of Texas -Dallas (TX) Eric Dilmore Ian Gonthier

James Madison University (VA) Beth Burleson

Page 8

Renaissance

May 2013

Theatre Rep Premiers Zombie Prom Kyle Welch Assistant Editor Blue and Gold Week this year went nuclear with Theatre Rep’s premier of Zombie Prom.

The Treen Auditorium and its occupants were taken back to the Cold War atmosphere of the 1950s—Truman’s containment of com-

and questions authority.

When Jonny asks Toffee out to the senior prom, she rapturously accepts.

But Jonny’s rebellious behavior proves unacceptable for the academy as well as for Toffee, as the school’s principal, Miss Delilah Strict (Julia Landon, Soph.), and her parents (Freddy-May

Jonny (Bernard) defies Miss Strict’s (Landon) authority Photo by Jeff Thomakos

munism, nuclear arms races, nuclear suburban families, ultraconservative moral norms, the rise of youth culture… and zombie romance.

The senior prom is approaching at a strict Enrico Fermi High School, an academy of Rules, Regulations, and Respect; and Toffee (Destiny Keller, Soph.), a cheerleader, needs a date.

Toffee is immediately lured to the new misunderstood rebel, Jonny “Without an ‘H’” Warner (Chase Bernard, Soph.), who wears leather letterman jackets, jeans, and t-shirts instead of the school’s shirt-and-tie uniform; he greases his hair

AbiSamra, Sr. and Eric Dilmore, Sr.) convince her to break up with him. Utterly dismantled, Jonny kills himself in a nuclear reactor.

Toffee mourns his death as her schoolmates try to help her move on, but to everyone’s surprise, Jonny returns as a zombie just before the senior prom.

His story is swept up by the sleazy reporter of Expose Magazine, Eddie Flagrante (Collin Jenkins, Soph.), and a turbulent controversy is stirred in the school.

Miss Delilah Strict refuses to allow Jonny to the senior prom, but through the rebellion of Jonny and his schoolmates, Miss Strict’s mind is ultimately changed when Jonny defiantly makes an appearance at the prom, and she discovers that she and Eddie Flagrante are Jonny’s real parents.

Zombie Prom, although fundamentally cliché, was actually one of the better Theatre Rep performances thus far.

It offered a spectrum of humor that was edgy, ironic, and campy. It showed talent, dedication, and hard work that were as conspicuous as the green skin on Jonny.

Particularly captivating were the energies of Collin Jenkins, who

The cast in their final pose of Zombie Prom.

Photo by Jeff Thomakos

played Eddie Flagrante, and Julia Landon, who played Miss Delilah Strict. Both sang exceptionally well in the play and embodied the humorous romance between Miss Strict and Eddie Flagrante par-

(Soph.), who delivered so much energy and passion in all of her characters that a viewer could not possibly keep his/ her eyes off her. I could not help but be reminded of the famous thespian of last year’s generation,

The chemistry between Jenkins and Landon stole the show.

Photo by Jeff Thomakos

Read is the star during the commercial breaks of Expose Magazine’s talk show.

Photo by Jeff Thomakos

ticularly well. It could be argued that the two stole the show, especially given the scandalous and steamy kiss scene they shared.

But a close runnerup was Madeline Read

Tori Lloyd.

Nothing less than “good job” in reviewing this play would be appropriate. Let’s hope LSMSA’s Theatre Rep can continue to outdo itself.

May 2013

Renaissance

Page 9

Boarding School Problems: Finals Week Allison Smith Staff Writer Finals week. We all know the drill—eat, study, sleep, and study some more. Over time, LSMSA students have become professionals at the strange sleeping schedules, middle-of-thenight food concoctions, and late night study sessions that finals weeks are well known for.

on whiteboards and reading textbooks trying to brace themselves for the week ahead.

After the numerous hours of studying, it was finally time to take the tests. The cafeteria was packed full of students with their white papers flipping and shouts of vocabulary and formulas flying around the room.

Nervousness about the looming tests was evi-

A wild Isabel Milton (Jr.) appears in a Caddo hallway Photo by Ravleen Kaur

Students began the preparations as Dead Day, and the last finals week of the 2012-2013 school year approached.

People stocked up on junk food, energy drinks, and the occasional apple.

Everywhere you turned, study rooms were packed with people calculating

dent, and people began to reach breaking points.

People walked around with their game faces on ready to tackle the next final they had in store.

Students studied every spare chance they had, and it was rare to see someone without notecards or someone who

was calling out information to him. Everything flowed until the middle of the week hit.

Delirium, fatigue, that strange hyper feeling—all things that begin to set in at the half-way point of finals. Students began walking around with blank stares on their faces, only focusing on what tests they have next.

Friendships were made as people bonded over studying. Exhaustion set in as students stayed awake for longer hours trying to cram in the last hours of studying.

Trevonne Skillern (Jr.) stayed up for 62 hours consecutively, while Tytiana Isaac (Soph.) was awake for the more common 23 hours. The contest of who could stay awake the longest produced more studying than ever before.

Students who were taking AP Exams were bombarded with additional amounts of stress.

AP Exams are often scheduled with coinciding finals, so many students were forced to rearrange their finals schedule to accommo-

AP Calculus BC students getting ready to tackle pancakes after tackling the AP Exam Photo by Ny Pham

Wannia Beg (Soph.) and Tammy Chau (Sr.) studying in the 1st West study room Photo by Allison Smith

date the AP Exam.

Student Life Advisors (SLA’S) realized the toll that the stress of finals took on the students and implemented new programs to help de-stress

different ways. Celebrations included running down the hallway, taking a nap for the first time in two days, and going out to dinner to commemorate the end of finals

Madi Trahan (Soph.) and Logan Osborn (Soph.) cram before an exam on the HSB’s 2nd floor.

Photo by Allison Smith

students. Students were encouraged to come to the CPT Café to blow bubbles and color in coloring books while eating snacks during downtime between their finals.

SLA’s also served study snacks after room-check in the residence halls every night of Finals Week.

Finally, everything was over. Students finished up their last finals and celebrated in many

week.

People took to social media posting things such as “I’M DONE” and “It’s the end of high school.”

Overall, finals week brought people together.

Friendships grew stronger as minds became more powerful, all leading up to summer where LSMSA students will finally get their break.

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Renaissance

LSMSA Hosts 20th Annual SLAMT Competition Allison Smith Staff Writer SLAMT. It is the event that athletes wait for all year. It is the one time that LSMSA students get to meet students like us. It is the only time when we forget about the homework (until Sunday at least) and focus solely on sports.

Originally created in 1993, the SLAMT competition has been encouraging sports in schools like LSMSA for years.

Schools from Louisiana, Alabama, Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Texas, and Tennessee have participated in the competition in the past, and this year the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts had the honor of hosting this honored competition.

This year the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science and the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Science, and the Arts competed along with the Eagles.

Students arrived

LSMSA students hold up signs to cheer their Eagles on!

Photo by Isabel Milton

alarm clock buzzed, and I was up and ready for the 8:00 volleyball game.

Cheering on the Eagles to victory, I then walked over to the soccer field where we were scheduled to play at 8:30. The fun did not end there.

At 9:30 the gym opened for the beginning of the basketball games.

Later that afternoon, it was time for the boys’ basketball game. Everybody was there to

victory against Arkansas only to turn around and be narrowly defeated by Texas.

The crowd’s enthusiasm was so great that after the game, Texas player Godswill Osa (Sr.) said, “I thought we were losing, everybody was cheering so loudly that I thought we were behind.

“Until half way through the game I didn’t know we were losing.

The crowd was just that excited,” said cheerleader Maya Welch (Sr.).

The crowd is what really emphasized the SLAMT

experience.

Once everything died down, the awards cer-

May 2013 emony was held. Students from all schools gathered in the gym to receive their awards.

The sought-after overall first place trophy has remained at LSMSA for years and will still remain here for the coming year.

After the long day of sports, the event that everybody waited for was here, the SLAMT dance.

Athletes from all three schools that participated exercised their immense sportsmanship both on and off the field as they came together to laugh, dance, and make new friends regardless of who won.

After much blood, many tears, and buckets of sweat, LSMSA walks away with the overall first place plaque.

Photo by Carlie Procell

Our Ultimate Frisbee team after winning first place.

Photo by Jodi Meisner

Friday night, and although I wasn’t hosting somebody my suite was packed with students. We all went to bed relatively early in order to get ready for the competitive day ahead.

The next morning, my

support the team, and the LSMSA gym experienced some of the loudest cheers ever. Every time somebody scored, the crowd erupted.

Students became more and more excited as LSMSA pulled out a

Janie Stultz (Sr.) gets ready to score a goal in the LSMSA v. ASMSA soccer game.

Photo by Jodi Meisner

May 2013

Renaissance come speak on April 26.

However, a couple of It was not until much days before the event, he later that she was finally suffered a heart attack told about HeLa. In adand could not deliver his dition, Henrietta and the speech, so his children Lacks family were never came instead to talk financially compensated about their grandmother. for HeLa, even though The presentation the cells profited millions began with power point of dollars for the science slides showing pictures community. of the Lacks family.

Even today, HeLa is One picture showed used in research science the whole family at an labs all over the world. event at Johns Hopkins The story of Henrietta University, which holds a Lacks and HeLa was fundraiser every year in largely unknown to the Henrietta’s name. general population until Another picture por2010, when Rebecca trayed the family standSkloot wrote The Iming with Dr. Patello, a mortal Life of Henrietta doctor who has strongly Lacks that instantly beadvocated to make the came a best seller. story of Henrietta known During the summer around the world. before school started, all There was even a the students, faculty, adpicture of Henrietta ministration, and residen- posthumously receiving tial staff read this book an honorary degree from to familiarize ourselves Morgan State University. with the story of HenriThe second half of the etta Lacks. presentation consisted of LSMSA was able to a Q&A session, where contact David Lacks, David and Kim answered the son of Henrietta, to questions from the stu-

Lacks Family Visits LSMSA Brian Kim Editor-in-Chief On April 26, LSMSA was honored to welcome David and Kim Lacks, grandson and granddaughter to Henrietta Lacks.

The story of Henrietta Lacks is very controversial and well-known. It starts in 1951 at Johns Hopkins Hospital, where cells from her tumor were removed and cultured outside of her body without her knowledge.

Since that time, her cells, called HeLa in the scientific community, have shown an extraordinary ability to undergo mitosis and overtake other cells, and therefore have been very important to many scientific breakthroughs, such as the vaccine for polio.

Although her cells were completely revolutionizing medical research, Henrietta was not aware of this matter.

A Farewell to Mrs. Allen Allison Smith Staff Writer The end of this school year marks the retirement of Mrs. Cindy Allen, a long-time member of the school’s counseling staff.

Since coming to the school in 1986, Mrs. Cindy Allen has helped many a student at LSMSA. She started out working at a mental health hospital but moved to Natchitoches when her husband, Dr. Rodney Allen, got a job teaching at LSMSA. After the first year of the school being open, Mrs. Allen was offered the job as a counselor at the school. It was different from her original idea

for a career, but eventually everything worked out.

The job description was for personal, college, and academic counseling. “Back then, and even now, there was no school that taught how to be a college counselor,” said Mrs. Allen.

After going to colleges and learning more about application processes, Mrs. Allen expanded her counseling abilities.

When asked what her favorite part of her job is, Allen answers, “Seeing a spark in a student when they figure something out as a result our conversations is really rewarding.”

One alumnus wrote Mrs. Allen saying how he owes his education and career to her. Allen says that is one of the many things that she is going to miss most about the school, the students.

Upon retirement, Allen plans to open a private counseling practice in Natchitoches. “I’ll miss my colleagues, but I’ll still be able to help students,” stated Allen.

Even though she is retiring, Mrs. Allen will always remember Louisiana School. “I would like to thank all the people that I have worked with, the students, faculty and staff for the impact that they’ve had on me and for being apart of my extended family.”

Page 11

David and Kim Lacks speaking in Treen Auditorium Photo by Kyle Welch

dents and faculty.

“We are eternally grateful for Rebecca,” remarked David. “Prior to the book, the story about HeLa wasn’t known.

Even members within the family were not aware of Henrietta’s story.”

Today, the Lacks family has a close relationship to Skloot, as they attend many events together to talk about Henrietta.

“Rebecca didn’t just talk about the HeLa cells, but she talked about Henrietta, the person,” explains Kim. “The publishers did not want her [Rebecca] to talk about

family in the book, but she did anyway.”

David and Kim also mentioned the Henrietta Lacks Foundation, which hosts many fundraisers to raise money for those in need.

Initially, the foundation only benefited the family by providing health care and other needs. Today, however, the foundation has spread its influence to help everyone.

“We are all proud of Henrietta, my grandmother. We are all part of her legacy. Her blood runs through our body,” stated Kim.

Mrs. Allen in her office Photo by Kyle Welch

Page 12

Renaissance

Congratulations to the LSMSA Class of 2013!

Renaissance 715 University Parkway Natchitoches, LA 71457

Dr. Arthur Williams Faculty Sponsor

Kyle Welch Assistant Editor

Brian Kim Editor in Chief

Carlie Procell Layout Editor

Staff Writers Allison Smith

Jacob Foreman

May 2013