The Renaissance
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September 2014
Editorial: The Level System Allison Smith Editor in Chief
Johnnette Johnson Assistant Editor
Brooke Mendoza Layout Editor
Over the summer, the LSMSA Board of Administrators discussed the annual changes to the handbook. One of the changes made affects the student level and privilege system. The previous five-tier system was reduced a level after Jenny Schmitt and Emily Shumate, the administrators in charge of student privileges, realized that one level was under-utilized. Many privileges are not obvious due to the removal of several previous restrictions put on the student body. For example, in the early decades of the school, all students were required to attend evening study. One of the main concerns of the student body pertains to why the returning juniors are not grandfathered into the 10 p.m. weekday curfew privilege. The administration chose to set curfew for all sophomores and juniors, along with seniors under Level Three, to 9 p.m. on weekdays. By doing so, they created a privilege for the seniors on Levels Three and Four. Shumate admitted that including juniors into the 10 p.m. privilege was not considered. “We were trying to help with that third year particularly, but even if it’s just your second year, senioritis is difficult,” said Shumate. As far as the rumor that 10 p.m. curfew would be eliminated altogether, Shumate stated that she has no intention of doing so. The big issue at hand was the student body’s lack of sleep. “I know it’s an issue for you guys, and I know that y’all don’t get sleep,” said Shumate. Although pushing curfew up cannot guarantee that the student body will fall asleep earlier, the administration decided it was a risk worth taking. When students complain about lack of sleep, it brings up the concerns of time management. This new curfew creates an earlier time to which Caddo and Prudhomme are conducive to productivity, which was a main concern for parents. “It feels like everyone starts to simmer down earlier with the 9 p.m. curfew,” said Kimberly Rogers, the CRL of Caddo.
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Requirements/ Privileges Grades Driving Curfew Grades Driving Curfew Grades Driving Curfew Grades Driving Curfew
2013-2014 GPA < 2.5 none 9 p.m. GPA > 2.5 none 9 p.m. GPA > 3.0 none 10 p.m. GPA > 3.59 yes; 4 hours 10 p.m.
“For this much [money] these donuts must have Beyonce’s breast milk [in them].” - Prem Gongaju “Why do 8-year-olds need iPhones, to talk to Barney?” -Dr. Maria Sanchez “Why is Fidel Castro still freaking out about NATO? Go eat some oatmeal, Fidel.” - Sarah Pommier
“You have seven weeks until your term paper is due, which is a lot shorter than the 253 days until graduation.” - Dr. Findley
Upcoming Events:
Changes to the Level System Level
Seen & Overheard
2014-2015 GPA < 3.0 none 9 p.m. GPA 3.0-3.29 none 9 p.m. GPA 3.30-3.59 none 9 p.m. GPA >3.59 yes; 6 hours 9 p.m.
Seniors on Levels 3 and 4 have 10 p.m. curfew. Seniors on Level 4 receive 6 extra driving hours on the weekend and 4 hours during the weekdays (Monday-Thursday).
Sept. 24 College Fair//5-7 p.m. Oct. 3 Science Speaker Joey Matheson//4-5 p.m.//Recital Hall Oct. 11 Eagle Stock//2-11 p.m.//CPT Oct. 15 PSAT//8 a.m. -1:20 p.m.//HSB Oct. 17-18 Connections Weekend For more information on events, contact: newspaper@student.lsmsa.edu
The Renaissance
September 2014
LSMSA student Timothy Shertzer competes in the 2014 National Speech and Debate Tournament Katherine Wheeler Staff Writer
On June 15, 2014, Timothy Shertzer went to the 2014 National Speech and Debate Tournament in Overland Park, Kansas. In order to get to the national tournament, Shertzer had to do well enough in one or more event at the District Tournament held in March and place in the top two at this tournament in a particular event. Shertzer qualified at District for the national events of International Extemporaneous (Extemp) Speaking and Congressional Debate, and was the second alternate in the Lincoln-Douglas Debate. As one may only attend Nationals
in one event, he chose to compete in Extemporaneous Speaking. In Extemp, competitors get a topic and are allowed a half hour to prepare. After this time, they make an eight-minute speech about their topic. Shertzer made it to the sixth round of Extemporaneous Speaking before being eliminated. Afterward, he was able to compete in consolation events, including Impromptu Speaking and Extemp Debate. In Impromptu, the competitors receive a topic and have to start talking about that topic immediately. Whereas Extemp is mainly current events topics, the Impromptu topic can be anything, from bubble-
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The 2014 National Speech and Debate Tournament in Overland Park, Kansas. Courtesy of Timothy Shertzer
gum to Aaron Burr. Extemp Debate is much like Extemp Speaking in which participants are given a topic and are allotted a half hour to prepare. During this time, they research their topic and form their arguments for the debate rounds. Shertzer made
it to the fourth round of this event before being eliminated. Timothy, a junior from Pineville, Louisiana, started competing in Speech and Debate when he was in 7th grade. This was the third national tournament he has attended.
“After my third consecutive NSDA Nationals experience, I can wholeheartedly say that I am beyond proud to belong to an organization that is so fervently dedicated to improving the lives of both individuals and the future of our nation as a whole,” Shertzer said.
Dr. Yadav: Nepalese physics professor and pretty cool guy Dale Campo Staff Writer
This year, students at the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts (LSMSA) came back to two new faculty members, one of whom is Dr. Ram Yadav, a physics professor from Nepal. Born in the southern part of Nepal in a place called Janakpur Dham, the young Yadav grew up walking to school and back whilst playing marbles and soccer with his friends. He remained at the top of his class throughout his school career and still managed to help on his father’s farm, especially during Nepal’s rainy season. After finishing in
first division in the 10th grade, Yadav moved on to Tribhuvan University to get his associates and bachelor’s degrees after studying physics and electronics, which he had been interested in for years. He received such good marks that he taught master’s students at the university. After three years of teaching, Yadav moved to the United States, where he attained a Ph.D. in Physics from Mississippi State University and worked on his post-doctorate research. Despite being away from family and friends, Yadav remained positive. “Whenever you see the
people of different background, different culture, it happens that you learn so many things. We all are human and share the same core values like humanity,” said Yadav. The physics professor was also asked if he liked the new LSMSA environment. “Yes, absolutely, yes. The students are so nice, respectful and hardworking. Moreover, all the faculty and staff are helpful and friendly,” said Yadav. The Yadavs recently had a daughter, and expressed his joy in being around such a helpful community. “When my daughter was born, I had a lot of support. Most of
Dr. Ram Yadav, the new LSMSA physics professor. Taken by Dale Campo
the people are nice and helpful. It makes me feel good to see that LSMSA treats all of its staff, faculty and students as its family members,” said
Yadav. Dr. Yadav plans on teaching an elective course relating to nuclear physics or electronics in the future.