January 2014

Renaissance The LSMSA

January 2014 Volume XXXI, Issue 4 The Louisiana School 715 University Pkwy.

Natchitoches, LA 71457 Praecellemus

Snow way! Hell freezes over with snow day & delay Allison Boudreaux Assistant Editor

After receiving a few inches of snow the night before, Northwestern State University and most of central Louisiana canceled classes on Friday, January 24, due to the inclement weather.

However, the Louisiana School administration never fails to put education first, so LSMSA students rejoiced in their twohour class delay that day.

Students sadly slipped on their way to classes on Friday morning, but little did

The High School Building just got cooler.

they know that something even better was in store.

An email sent from Dr. Patrick Widhalm on Monday evening had everybody say-

1.

Taken by Christine S.

ing, “Snow way!” yet again.

“One might think that hell has frozen over because we have decided that it is best to close school tomor-

2.

row.”

Along with closing school on Tuesday, January 28, Dr. Widhalm also made an executive decision to delay classes on Wednesday, January 29 due to meteorological predictions of even more snowfall.

As snow is fairly unusual in the state of Louisiana, students became incredibly excited regardless of having classes or not.

As soon as the snow started falling, students ran outdoors to send photos to their loved ones and friends.

The fun continued with different activities throughout campus.

After receiving

2 3.

4.

4 1. Leia Bright and Rachel Sheffield sled in the snow.

2. James Rodrigue makes a snow angel.

3. Snow gathers on top of the benches in the courtyard.

4. Khalilah Al-Amin, Cosette Zacarias, and Hyeyon Kim pose in the snow.

Courtesy of Rachel S., Helena P., Christine S., and Cosette Zacarias respectively.

In This Issue:

Honoring Dr. King and his work Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. dreamed of racial equality, but all I dream of is tacos.

Students turn up the fun at LAN party Some high schoolers turn up at parties with beer and grinding, LSMSA students turn up with Mtn. Dew and League.

LSMSA participates in Christmas Festival Parade How many LSMSA students does it take to make a float?

3

permission from the university’s football coach, some students relished in the fresh snow on the Turpin Stadium field Thursday night.

Others could be seen throwing snowballs, building snowmen, and making snowangels.

At Caddo Hall, some students got resourceful and sledded down the hills in laundry baskets while others simply rolled with the changes in weather.

With classes canceled, tests pushed back, and snow on the ground, it was a fairly jovial week for LSMSA students and faculty alike.

5

Student Life Advisors I’ve learned that things change, SLAs leave, and life just doesn’t stop for anybody.

Mr. Burkman’s lending library J. Bradford Burkman: mathematician, bow-tie enthusiast, tea cup carrier, and librarian.

Special Projects Week: a special week at The Louisiana School If you don’t have fun during Special Projects Week, you’re doing something wrong.

6

7

The Renaissance

Page 2

January 2014

Editorial: Honoring Dr. King and his work Carlie Procell Editor in Chief

Every year, LSMSA holds an assembly to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. since we stay in class on MLKJ Day; and every year, I hear the groans of students as they complain about having to attend school on MLKJ Day. From nationalgeographic.com I admit, going to class is not one of my favorite things to do. In fact, I’m usually the first to complain about it. But I heard some wise words from a few professors this past week that made me more appreciative of Dr. King and his work than any guest speaker at an assembly has ever made me.

On MLKJ Day, I groaned in one of my math classes about prospective students and how everyone at my old school got out of school that day, Mz Gleason retorted something along the lines of, “Wouldn’t Dr. King want us to give prospective students the opportunity to visit our school on this day rather than us use it as just an excuse to sleep in?”

It didn’t really hit me until Dr. Findley got up to speak at the assembly hours later. His words somehow managed to break through my thick skull unlike any other speaker we have had at any MLKJ Assembly. As he recounted some instances of the segregation in Natchitoches that he witnessed, I realized that the idea of segregation was present in these exact halls not so long ago.

Giving prospective students of many different races the opportunity to come visit our school, which is also full of so many different races, is something that could not have happened a short time ago.

I’m thankful to know a lot of diverse people, but I’m even more thankful that I have the ability to know them. That’s all thanks to Dr. King and all of the other civil rights revolutionaries.

Coming Soon: Feb. 2

Groundhog Day Feb. 3 - 6

Phonathon//5:45-8pm//HSB 213 Feb. 7-8

SLAMT Feb. 9

Dr. Sulton Piano Recital//3pm//CPT Recital Hall Feb. 14

Valentine’s Day Feb. 15

Sweetheart’s Dance//8-11pm//Gym Feb. 21

Spring Dance Concert//7-8:30pm//Treen Feb. 22

Spring Dance Concert//7-8:30pm//Treen

Literary Rally For more information on any event, contact us at: newspaper@student.lsmsa.edu

“There are three type of clauses: independent clauses, dependent clauses and Santa Clauses.”

-Dr.Art “Aren’t you a little young to be experimenting on seed germination?” -Dr. Benner “I’m still not a player, but you’re still a hater.”

-SLA Kim Rogers “Long after I’m dead. You know two or three years from now.” -Dr. Feske “Five to seven years is the same as four years of undergrad and three years of law school, and you get the same thing: a worthless piece of paper.” -Dr. Findley on indentured servitude “I like to roll because rolling is continuous instead of discrete.” -Mz. Gleason Sundar Pandian: “Wow, it just keeps going!”

Nickolas Walling: “Well, it is a fractal.”

Claire Young and Hannah Skinner participate in the Community Service Special Project. (Read more about Special Projects on Page 7.)

Courtesy of Hannah S.

The Renaissance

January 20

Students turn up the fun at LAN party Carlie Procell Editor in Chief

Computer Science Club and Conclave Club join forces yet again to throw one of the most awaited events of every semester--the LAN party.

of Dec. 7, a date which did not live in infamy for LSMSA students in 2013.

As past parties have provided, an abundance of pizza and caffeinated beverages was prepared to fuel

games like Guitar Hero and Just Dance in the atrium.

Tournaments also took place in the CPT Recital Hall, games that were played included Super Smash Bros. and Call of Duty.

Students gather in the Cafe to relax while watching movies like Office Space.

Taken by Collin S.

Lasting from 12 to 8 a.m. on a Saturday morning towards the end of each semester, LAN parties mange to attract around 100 LSMSA students eager to spend time post-curfew together.

This past semester’s LAN party took place in the CPT during the early morning hours

students.

Students could be seen playing the popular computer game League of Legends all around the CPT. FIFA 2014 was another game that many students could be seen playing.

Students who weren’t as video game-savvy played

Competitors and on-lookers watch as students battle it out in a Super Smash Bros. tournament.

Taken by Collin S.

For those who wanted to just relax with their friends, movies were played in the CPT Cafe including Pacific Rim and Office Space.

There was even music being DJ’d by Aaron Cao, Allison Boudreaux, and Kyle Welch. Music played ranged from electronica to rap.

A few adults somehow rise up to the grueling task of chaperoning the wild LAN partiers.

The two clubs gather professors, SLA’s, and residential life interns alike to take on the challenge.

Members of the Computer Science and Conclave Clubs were allowed free entry, while others paid a $3 fee.

Page 3

Astronomy class has students shooting for the stars Allison Boudreaux Assitant Editor

How better to unravel the mysteries of the universe than to sit at a desk and listen to lecture?

Luckily, physics professor Dr. Scott Atkins’s astronomy class allows students to learn all about the cosmos at 2:45 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon.

Relatively new to LSMSA, as this is its second semester as a course offering, Astronomy offers a descriptive approach to the subject including a study of the solar system, the Milky Way, comets, asteroids, star types, dark matter, the big bang, and the evolution of life in the universe.

From pearsonhighered.com

Atkins uses visual aids as well as media to add to his lecture and more thoroughly explain each topic.

The textbook for the course is The Cosmic Perspective by Bennett, Donahue, Schneider, and Voit.

Students enrolled in the class are graded on homework, in-class assignments, web projects, participation, and three exams.

Gamers Kyle Welch and Allison Boudreaux shout-cast the Call of Duty: Black Ops II tournament together.

Taken by Collin S.

The clubs made a net profit of over $200 by the end of the night. Alex Fontenot and Collin Shelton, presidents of Computer Science and Con-

clave Clubs respectively, each agreed that the event was a major success, not only in profits but also in the fun that their fellow peers had.

The Renaissance

Page 4

January 2014

Natchitoches celebrates Christmas Festival of Lights Allison Smith Staff Writer

Natchitoches, Louisiana is known as a small quiet town where tourists come to spend a peaceful weekend.

However, every year after Thanksgiving passes, the city puts up a dazzling display of lights for the city to enjoy.

This Festival of Lights started in 1926 when Max Burgdof decided to string Christmas lights up and down Front Street. This was the start of what is now

a series of weekends that include live bands, a parade, and multiple firework shows.

Although the weather was colder than usual this year, the festival still had a good turn out.

People from all over come in to see the display of over 300,000 lights day after day.

The town events included a Christmas Gala put on by Northwestern State University, the Natchitoches “City of Lights” 5K, the

Mrs. Clause Christmas Parade and the Santa Claus Parade, and several fireworks displays which occurred every Saturday night throughout December.

Overall, LSMSA students use the festival to get away from all of the stress of the finals looming ahead, but more importantly, the Natchitoches Festival of Lights has put the city on the map as one of the top festivals in the world.

To find out more about the Natchitoches Christmas Festival of Lights, go to www.christmasfestival.com From natchitoches.net

Rep. John Schroder LSMSA participates in the meets with students Christmas Festival Parade Cosette Zacarias Staff Writer

Alex Fontenot with Rep. John Schroder.

Taken by Mrs. Crystal Evans

Carlie Procell Editor in Chief

It’s not unusual to see important looking people in suits walking around LSMSA, but it is unusual to be able to find out who they are by sitting and talking with them.

State Representative John Schroder visited campus on Jan. 17 and met with interested students at Guided Study.

Dr. Widhalm gave an introduction about Schroder, stating his affiliation with LSMSA as being one of its strong supporters in the State House of Representatives in terms of budget.

Pres. Rick Nowlin of

Natchitoches Parish, who Schroder mentioned was one of his close friends, was also present.

Schroder then introduced himself and spoke about his family, job history, and then his political views.

He believes that the biggest issue facing Louisiana is public education, then he emphasized the importance of LSMSA students staying in Louisiana and helping to make it a better place.

To find out more about Schroder and the issues he supports, visit his website at www.johnschroder.com

LSMSA cruised through downtown Natchitoches on an ‘Elf Christmas’ themed float during the Christmas Festival Parade of the 87th Annual Festival of Lights on December 7, 2013.

The float, decorated with candy canes, wreaths, and snow, featured LSMSA students on a float in the parade for the first time. It was a project sponsored by

ICC with donations made by the Economics Club and Beta Club.

Coordinator of Student Engagement Jenny Schmitt and Student Life Advisor Andrew Nieman accompanied students for the ride during a cold December afternoon.

“It was cold, but the looks on the faces of the crowd made it worth it,” said William Smith.

The group of students who were invited to be on the float included

Peter Uli, Ethan Tesnow, Neel Reddy, Annalise Labatut, Katherine Prutz, Alex Robertson, Will Smith, and Nathalie Trow-McDonald.

During the parade LSMSA students enjoyed throwing to both kids and adults alike.

William Smith recalls an interesting moment when the candy supply ran out and the students on the float got people in the crowd to throw to them.

LSMSA represents itself with a float in the city parade for the first time.

Taken by Cosette Z.

The Renaissance

January 2014

Page 5

“Sports... is it a game anymore?” Special Project Soojin Lee Staff Writer

Coach Dale Clingerman and Dr. Jason Anderson’s special project class was filled with LSMSA athletes.

From the very first day, friendly banter quickly escalated into a heated debate as Clingerman pitched the question, “What is a sport?”

Many words were thrown around while trying to find a fitting definition, including terms such as “competition”, “rules”, “physicality”, and “skill”.

Then Clingerman threw a curve ball: “Then what is a game, and how are these two things different? Keep in mind that all sports started out as a game.”

Students struggled to answer. Some ideas including history, com-

munity, and officials were suggested, and generally agreed upon.

The debate continued to grow fiercer as the two instructors began questioning some activities in which some participating students took part.

Some were questioned because they were judged while others were because they were self-officiated games.

The next day, Clingerman and Anderson introduced the main topics of the course: money and corruption.

The students watched two long documentaries about college football and the NCAA league.

Both documentaries showed instances of very expensive corruption. The students were disgusted by the adults in the videos who, with their money and greed, took away the most important aspect of a game: fun.

The students watched as past players shared similar stories of losing educational opportunities, being threatened about their yearly con-

tracts, and being bribed on multiple occasions to simply play a game.

These videos also covered the problem of athletes not being qualified to attend the university in the first place. College sports, it

seemed, are definitely no longer a game played simply for recreational purposes.

The material covered the next day was even more disheartening. The students watched multiple YouTube films about overly aggressive parents, gambling, and bounties in youth sports.

If the students were disgusted by the college sports before, they were absolutely

horrified as they watched parents fistfight at the children’s games.

Students watched as these small children were bribed and given money for their talents, and as some children even suffered paralysis and death due to bounties.

Three very inspirational stories were shown in the afternoon of the same day. Each had a message to share and was encouraging in every way.

With restored spirits, the students then made their way to the Gym and began to brainstorm. The assignment was to develop a game using the equipment found there to be played on Friday.

On Thursday, the group piled into the bus once again and went to the North Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame on Front Street.

The workers there arranged a scavenger hunt for the students, allowing them to explore as they pleased.

Friday, the students presented and played

Student Life Advisors #BoardingSchoolPerks Allison Smith Staff Writer

When students come to LSMSA, they give up a lot of luxuries in their life. Things such as their own room are not available anymore, and they have to learn how to cope with these changes.

Another thing they have to live without is their parents/guardians.

For some students, it is an added bonus, but for others it is difficult to cope with.

Each dorm is equipped with a staff of StudentLife-Advisors (SLAs) who help students adjust to dorm life, and get used to the quirks of living with others.

Having a good relationship with one’s SLA can make the dorm experience much more enjoyable.

They do great things such as provide food runs, do activities for the halls, and talk to their hall members whenever

All of the Caddo & Prudhomme SLA’s.

is needed.

Without SLAs there would be no one to bring issues to, and students would lack an adult

From lsmsa.edu

figure in their day-to-day lives.

Although SLAs are the adult figures, most students feel like they

their games.

One game was called Towerball.

The objective of the game was to hit the grey area of a makeshift tower to gain one point or to toss the ball into the tower for five points.

Another was Stickball.

It was by far the most violent game created by the students, resembling dodge ball.

The ultimate objective was to push the opposing team’s agility sticks to the back wall by knocking them down with the dodge balls in each “zones.”

Throughout this special project, the students learned not only about the topic, but also about life. They also learned to truly appreciate the athletics program at the Louisiana School with its lack of corruption and scary coaches.

are more like cool aunts/ uncles who are there to make sure students have fun while still being safe.

Not only do the SLAs keep everyone safe, but they make the dorms feel more like home.

It is common to walk through the front doors and have an SLA greet you by name, no matter what hall they are from.

Without their constant devotion of time to our lives, and increased involvements with their halls, the school would not be as great of an experience.

The Renaissance

Page 6

January 2014

Science Fair showcases exemplary student work Allison Boudreaux Assistant Editor

Unlike the usual aroma of adolescent perspiration, the LSMSA Gym was filled with the aroma of science on Thursday, Dec. 5.

The annual schoolwide Science Fair brought together over 70 students from around the school across different fields of science and allowed them to share some of the work that they had completed over the course of this

semester in their science classes.

Members of the science faculty were the judges, but faculty from all subjects could be seen at the Science Fair eager to see what research students had been conducting.

Students competed in groups or on their own in four categories: Introductory Biology, Advanced Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.

The top three in Introductory Biology,

Chemistry professor Dr. Hynes speaks to Jessi Pierce about her project.

Courtesy of the Rubicon staff

Advanced Biology, and Chemistry were awarded with medals along with the first place winner in Physics.

The respective first, second, and third place winners were as follows for Introductory Biology: “Seed Germination in Specific Temperatures with Little to No Water,” a project by Chris Carter, Chris Jackson, Justin Goff, and Antonio Milton; “Effects of Lemon Juice on Seed Germination” by Isabella Killeen, Rebekka Nichols, Lacey Hines, and Hannah Vincent; “The Effects of Constant Motion on Seed Germination,” by Jessica Hinote, Alexia Desoto, Cody LaCaze, and Katie Gonsoulin.

Advanced Biology winning projects were: “What do Ostracods Prefer to Eat?” by Gabriel Chappell in first; “Ground-Dwelling Invertebrate Terrestrial Biodiversity in

Rebekka Nichols, Lacey Hines, Isabella Killeen, and Hannah Vincent pose with their project which won second place in Introductory Biology.

Courtesy of the Rubicon staff

Hardwood vs. Coniferous Tree Stands,” by Meredith McManus in second; and “Seasonal Variation in Prey of the Barn Owl,” by Allison Boudreaux in third place.

Chemistry winners were: Neel Reddy and Jong-Ho Lee with “Dry Ice Sublimination,” Haley Robinson and Jordan Williams with “The Toothpaste Eggsperiment,” and Glenda Winfield and Deborah

Adeyemi with “Manipulation the Variables of Aspirin Synthesis.”

Finally, Andy Labrada-Gonzalez and Ronald Cossich, Jr. took first place in physics with their project called “Wilson’s Cloud Chamber.”

Some of the competitors along with others who did not compete intend to participate in the regional science fair in the spring.

Mr. Burkman introduces lending library Johnnette Johnson Staff Writer

If you ever feel like you are overloaded with homework and bored with Netflix, there is a solution. Read a book.

Don’t have a book to read? Go to Mr. Brad Burkman’s Lending Library on the second floor of the HSB. The library started off as a single bookcase filled with textbooks mostly pertaining to Mathematics and Computer Science, as Burkman is a lecturer in mathematics at LSMSA. However, Burkman’s girlfriend, Kathleen Guinnane, who is a

librarian at Lakewood Elementary School of Lulling, started donating books that were too mature for the elementary kids.

Not only did Guinnane contribute to the cause, but also students as well as other faculty members are now donating to the neverending Burkman Lending Library.

With the library exponentially expanding in size every day, Burkman questioned where the books could be kept.

He soon realized that the school, containing approximately 300 students, has nearly 800

Mr. Burkman with his extended lending library, available for student use on the second floor of the HSB. Taken by Johnnette J.

lockers. Creative thinking led to Burkman getting permission to use the bottom lockers as showcases for more books.

Burkman is currently debating on whether or not he will move the books to an entirely separate room; however, he is certain that the library with continue to expand.

In the future, Burkman hopes to inspire students as well as faculty to think creatively in order to fulfill desires on a budget.

The Renaissance

January 2014

Page 7

Special Projects Week: a special week at The Louisiana School Carlie Procell

And so Special Projects Week was born.

Teachers, and even Attending an elite SLA’s, pick a subject residential school that they too are inlocated in the heart terested in and creof Louisiana that is ate a fun, week-long devoted to learning “course” about it. can sometimes be a The term “course” struggle. is used lightly, as speWith the countless cial projects are meant exams, lab reports, and hours of lost sleep to be different from the typical Louisiana studying, Louisiana School students some- School course.

Subjects change times question the based on the year and passion for learning they always vary vastthey so eagerly expressed in their appli- ly. Projects this year ranged from learning cations.

Administrators real- about the history of sports (see page 6) to ized that the joy of exploring the relationlearning can begin to ship between philosofade when a student phy and film. endures two long, Special Projects agaonizing semesters Week has taken place of mostly lectureduring the week folfilled classes. lowing spring semesAfter brainstormter finals for the past ing, they came up three years, but adwith a remedy to ministrators decided the problem: a week to revert to the old devoted to learning tradition of placing about a subject of a Special Projects Week student’s choosing in right after Christmas a non-conventional break. way.

Special Projects Week Offerings 2014

Editor in Chief

Introduction to Visualization

Ikebana

• 007 and Chasing Societal Views • Advanced Advanced Improv • AIDS: Where did it come from?

Where is it going?

• Bioethics • Building and Administering a Computer Cluster • Community Service • Eating Disorders and Body Image • Flavors of India • Fluid Mechanics • Genealogy • Giving a Scientific Presentation: From Compiling Data to Public Speaking • Hollywood and Revisionism • Improv for Dance • Ikebana • Introduction to Opera • Introduction to Visualization • Natchitoches Tri-Centenniel • Native American Studies Through Film Switching the time of Special Projects Week had both benefits and drawbacks, but one great benefit that many students expressed is that it gave them time to

ease back into dorm life after nearly a month of academic dormancy.

Regardless of the placement of Special Projects Week, most students agree that it

Bioethics

Advanced Advanced Improv

• Neo-Noir: A Hisotry of Modern Filmmakers Who Have Been Influenced by the Cirime • Philosophy Through Film • “Poetry Out Loud” • Programming the TI-83/84 Graphing Calculator • Sport Strategy, Art of Breaking Down Film Against An Opponent • Sports... Is it a Game Anymore?

• Startup Week at LSMSA • Story Time • The Science of Star Trek • Two American Naturalists: Aldo Leopold and Caroline Dormon • World War Two and Memory • Barbarian Week • Mock Trial • Yearbook Exploration • From the Third Reich to the Federal Republic in Film

is a learning experience that they would have never been able to experience at their old schools.

Improv for Dance

Story Time

LSMSA students participate in Special Projects Week.

Photos are all courtesy of the Rubicon staff

Page 8

The Renaissance

The Fun Page

January 2014

This month’s puzzle topic is “Biology Terms.” By Allison Boudreaux

ACROSS:

2. Sexual spore-bearing cell in ascomycete fungi 4. The sepals of a flower 7. Scraps of food remaining from a meal 10. The two-layered, cup-shaped embryonic stage 13. Solic excreta of insects 16. Subphylum which contains the spiders and horseshoe crab.

17. Organism that acts as a decomposer by absorbing nutrients from dead, organic matter 19. The scientific study of animal behavior 20. Middle section of the small intestines in most higher vertebrates 21. Unicellular algal protists that live symbiotically with coral 22. A young swan 23. Intersection of the frontal and two nasal bones 24. A hairlike appendage on the surface of many bacteria 25. Bundle of fibers which cover the brain 26. The explosion of seeds from cool-season plants suddenly exposed to warmth

The Center for Performance and Technology (CPT) glistening in the snow.

Taken by Christine S.

DOWN:

1. Wing covers in the coleopterans 3. A fold in the inner membrane of the mitochondria 4. A wet area of deciduous scrub or woods grown from swampy soil 5. White blood cell 6. Type of structures that have lost most of their previous function in a given species, but still persist 8. Structure that releases seeds when wet 9. Capable of grasping 11. Natural blue, purple, or red pigments dissolved in the cell-sap vacuole of plants 12. Ring-shaped reef made primarily of coral 14. Type of fish that live and feed primarily along the bottom of a body of water

Comic by Soojin Lee