August 2010 Stentorian

stentorianthe north carolina school of science and mathematics [email protected]. XXXI, issue 1 august 2010

the

Who will be the new head unicorn?

NCSSM welcomes new faculty and staff

By ReBecca HongAs the classes of 2011

and 2012 begin this school year, the NCSSM community also welcomes a few other people into the school – new chancellors. Last year marked the last term for Gerald Boarman, former chancellor of NCSSM. So, who will head the school this year?

At the time of printing, Boarman’s permanent succes-sor had not been announced, though it is thought that the new Chancellor will be an-nounced at the Board of Gov-ernors meeting on Friday, August 13. Until the new per-manent Chancellor takes of-fice, NCSSM will have an in-terim: Thomas Williams.

Williams, who was handpicked by UNC President Erskine Bowles to act as interim chancellor, has had extensive experience in the North Carolina public education system. He has acted as superintendent of Granville County and Johnston Public schools, and has served on the

NCSSM Educational Advisory Council. Williams’ term will begin August 17, the beginning of first trimester classes. Until then, UNC Vice President and General Counsel Laura Bernstein Luger is serving as the interim chancellor.

Some may wonder how ex-actly the permanent chancel-lor was chosen. The Chan-cellor Search Committee, a twenty-one-person group, was formed by the NCSSM Board of Trustees in February in or-der to complete this task. The Commit-tee’s members rep-resent students, fac-ulty, alumni, parents, NCSSM’s founda-tion, the education advisory committee, the administration, the community, and the NCSSM Board of Trustees.

The Committee worked hard to find a person with the right characteristics to lead the school.

Last school year, students had the opportunity to suggest qualifications necessary to become the new chancellor. Some of these suggestions made the list.

Shirley Frye, Chair of the Board of Trustees, said that among other things the Committee was looking for “a leader who could take the NCSSM community to the next level, someone who would want to grow the school, a person with people skills, a

person with experience, [and] a person whom students and faculty will respect.”

Frye predicted that the new chancellor make take some time before taking office, “We expect the permanent chancellor to be selected within [August], but [he or she] will need time to close out or complete some responsibilities where [he or she] is, presently.”

The Committee selected three poten-tial candidates, one of which Bowles nominates for the UNC Board of Gov-ernors to consider. The Board of Gover-nors ultimately decides on the choice of the new chancellor.

As for worries that the change between three different chancellors may cause confu-sion at school, Frye believes they are unnecessary. She

stated, “The three persons that were nominated and sent to President Bowles each exem-plified the above qualifications and characteristics and are great leaders that will be able to make an excellent transition into their new position.”

Interim ChancellorThomas Williams retired from the NC public schools after more than three decades as a classroom teacher, principal, and superintendent.From http://www.northcarolina.edu/news

The Search Commitee’s website allowed interested citizens to nominate people they felt would make a good Chancellor.From http://www.ncssm.edu/chancellor-search/committee.php

By Seon Kang

In order to fill the positions vacated after the last academic school year, NCSSM has recently hired several new staff and faculty members.

The school has hired Michael DeHaven and Dave Thaden, both humanities instructors; Ryan Donaldson, our new class attendance and Textbook Manager; Douglas Marks, a mathematics instructor; Bill McNairy, a physics instructor; and Patrick Rainey and Monique Williams, both chemistry instructors.

Michael DeHaven has de-grees from several universities in the state of Illinois and has also done graduate work at Co-lumbia University. He comes to NCSSM from the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, where he taught for 17 years. DeHaven has re-ceived many teaching awards throughout his career and will be teaching Economics, Asia,

and American Studies.Douglas Marks received

both a B.S. in Mathematics, summa cum laude, and an M.S. in Applied Mathematics from North Carolina State University. He is an N.C. native that has known and worked with many NCSSM alumni in the past. Marks says he looks forward to working with the talented students and faculty of NCSSM.

Patrick Rainey earned his PhD in Chemistry with an emphasis on organometallic catalysis from Texas A&M University in 2000. Since then Rainey has worked with countless research groups, Vector Research in RTP, for whom he served as Research Director.

Rainey’s personal hobbies include sports, training in karate (he has coached the U.S. national Junior Olympic Karate team) , and spending time with family and friends. Rainey says, “I am excited to share

my knowledge and experience in both interdisciplinary scientific research endeavors as well as academic, government, and private sector research

involvements with the students and future leaders of NCSSM.” Rainey will be teaching Advanced AP Chemistry and Organic chemistry.

Monique Williams is an alumna of NCSSM, a graduate of the class of 1998. Since

then, she has earned a B.S. in Chemistry and Biotechnology from NC State and eventually earned a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Florida. Dr. Williams looks forward to teaching at her high school and to sharing her enthusiasm for chemistry by teaching the AP Chemistry course.

Ryan Donaldson is filling the position of Class Attendance and Textbook Coordinator. Donaldson graduated from SUNY at Canton with an Associate of Applied Science

in Computer Information Systems degree.

Bill McNairy is coming to NCSSM with previous teaching experience in the NCSSM Distance Education and Extended Programs Division. He has earned his Ph.D. in Experimental Solid State Physics from the University of Virginia and has taught at major universities including NC State, UNC Chapel Hill, and Duke. McNairy will be

teaching Physics and Physics

with Advanced Topics this year.

Dave Thaden comes to NCSSM after his fifteen years as Principal of East Chapel Hill High School. Thaden received a B.A. in English with a minor in History from the University of Michigan and has also received an M.A. in English. Thaden will be teaching American Studies and possibly some other humanities courses.

Douglas Marksphoto courtesy of Rick Hess

Michael DeHavenphoto courtesy of Rick Hess

Patrick Raineyphoto courtesy of Rick Hess

Monique Williamsphoto courtesy of Rick Hess

Ryan Donaldsonphoto courtesy of Rick Hess

William (Bill) McNairyphoto courtesy of Rick Hess

David Thadenphoto courtesy of Rick Hess

When at NCSSM, do as the SMathers doBy Liz BaLL

NCSSM is a unique environment, filled with opportunities (but we know that). Everybody has been or will be told to be social, to try this, to go to that. While I am a strong advocate for trying everything at least once, it is hard to do everything and even harder to decide how to divide your time. Here, I’ve tried to highlight some of the must-do’s that aren’t as talked about.

Go on a Bus Trip – Durham is a lot larger than just 9th Street and Northgate, so hop on a bus and find out. You can buy a day’s worth of adventures for only two dollars. Go visit all those places that interest you but that you’ve never had a chance, or find somewhere new to make your own. According to Senior Evan Strother, “It’s a day-long thing, but it’s definitely worth it, especially if you have the right company.” So go break out of the NCSSM bubble, and don’t forget your camera.

Go on a Loop – Loops are a great way to explore off campus and visit places too far to walk to. There are loops to Southpoint, Wal-Mart, and Target, and a few other places where students like to spend their weekends. And the bus rides there and back are great for bonding. In the words of Senior Wendy Bartlett, “All I can remember is coming back to school from Wal-Mart, and the radio was on. Taylor Swift came on, and the whole bus started singing along.”

Visit Duke Gardens – We all need a break every once in a while and a chance to be immersed in nature. Visiting Duke Gardens is a wonderful way to do this. With a small lake and plenty of flowers and trees, Duke Gardens provide a nature sanctuary for souls being consumed by the terrors of schoolwork. And according to Strother, it’s “basically the most gorgeous scenery you’ll find within the Triangle.”

Explore 9th Street – The shops and restaurants on 9th Street are great for escaping the monotony of schoolwork or trying some new flavors. Be sure to explore. Attack a Vermonster with some friends, or browse a comic book store. Senior Alyssa Rabel recommends Ox & Rabbit: “I bought both of my brothers’ Christmas presents there - a chess set and a T-shirt that said Durham on it and had a picture of a ham.” Whether you’re a junior, a senior, or even a faculty member, you never know what you’ll find.

Talk With a Teacher Outside of Class – NCSSM teachers aren’t here just to lecture and assign homework; they truly care about students and want students to do well, even if they each express it in their own way. Whether it’s saying hello to Mr. Gann on 9th Street (Walter Vaughan), learning about Ms. Wiley’s adventures in Costa Rica (Paula Gordon), or discussing stereotypical sappy teen poetry with Dr. Miller, make a point of talking to the wonderful teachers around school. They have years of experience and many stories to tell, and it is our job as youth to open our ears and our minds.

Bond with Your Roommate – Roommate bonding is important, even if you find that you don’t have much in common with your roommate(s). My ex-roommate Lucy Goodwin-Johansson and I found that we were quite different, yet we had many wonderful movie nights and cooking adventures. Senior Cole Finney shared his experience: “My roommate and I bonded pretty much all year over two-player online flash games. We’d just play silly little games once in a while. He beat me, mostly.” It doesn’t matter what you do, but bonding must be done!

Visit the Quarry – The Eno River State Park is wonderful if you ever want to explore a nature trail, but the coolest part is the old rock quarry, which is filled with water. On the way to the quarry, you’ll see a sign advising you not to swim, but rules are for bending. Make sure you go with someone who’s been there before or get directions. Most people take the bus ($2.00 for an all-day ticket), but it is possible to bike there.

Visit Bulkogi – Usually parked near the end of 9th Street, Bulkogi (otherwise known as the “Korean Taco Truck”) is a tasty and incredibly different PFM alternative. The food is cheap, and you get a lot for what you pay. You can follow NCBulkogi on twitter to know the changing hours and locations of the truck. Bulkogi is not for everyone but is definitely something to try at least once. After all, who wouldn’t want to claim that they’ve had Korean barbeque?

Go to (and Participate in) Shows of All Kinds – The music and drama departments, as well as movie and culture clubs, do a remarkable job of putting on great shows to look forward to. With orchestra concerts, plays, fests, and frequent movies (some of them outdoors), there is always something to see. Be sure to check them out and participate every once in a while, whether through acting, helping behind the scenes, or even voting on which movie should be shown. Get involved and customize your NCSSM experience.

Watch the Sunrise – When faced with a workload such as NCSSM’s, it is important to remember to find beauty in the small things. The sunrise is one such beautiful thing. Most swear by the top of the North Watts staircase, but the sunrise can be enjoyed anywhere. Hopefully you’ll watch it by choice instead of during a work-induced all-nighter, but beauty can be appreciated either way. But, if you can’t be bothered to get up early, sunsets on the Watts staircase are beautiful too.

Perform at Koffeehaus – Getting up in front of your peers can be a little nerve-wracking, but Koffeehaus is a friendly environment. You can sing, play an instrument (Guitar is popular, but a guy last year played accordion a few times.), do a comedy routine, read a poem, act out a skit – pretty much anything you want. Hearing the applause afterward makes this totally worth it.

Embrace new experiences

Socialize

See the town

featuresaugust 2010 the stentorian | ncssm�

By DaviS gooDnigHtIn May, just before exams,

the NCSSM Quiz Bowl team traveled to Chicago for the national NAQT competition. While there, the four-man team, Saumil Jariwala, Matt LaBarbera, Neil MacIntosh, and myself, journeyed off the beaten path to the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA) to see how it compared to NCSSM.

The differences between the two institutions began to show on the train ride to Aurora, IL where the school is located. Unlike NCSSM, located near the heart of Durham, IMSA is along a country road, with no restaurants or malls for miles. Like us, students cannot have cars, so they have to improvise and make do with their surroundings.

Immediately upon arriving, the contrast between the two schools became even more striking. While NCSSM’s campus was once Watts Hospital, IMSA’s began as a standard public high school. A sprawling, single-story building contains all classrooms and offices, the library, the cafeteria, and essentially every part of campus besides the students’ rooms. To us, the idea of not having residential and academic halls side-by-side is foreign, but to our tour guide, IMSA Student Body President Sid Sapru, our campus arrangement is just as novel.

Touring this large building revealed some similarities, however. We found ourselves saying, “Oh, that looks just like 3rd Watts,” or “That hang-out spot is like our Chiba” at different places throughout the building. Academics at the school are similar to those at NCSSM, as well, with a focus on science and math, but with required courses in all disciplines.

Perhaps the most noticeable difference between the two schools, though, is that IMSA has a sophomore class, the possibility of which for NCSSM has caused much controversy over the past

few years. When chatting with students, they seem to be indifferent to having a 10th grade class. While at NCSSM, the discussion of one immediately rouses students’ passion on both sides of the argument.

Residential life at IMSA is also different from NCSSM. There are seven residential buildings on campus, three all-male, three all-female, and one coed. They are all identical and are referred to only by a number, not a name. All the same, each hall has a personality and stereotypes much like NCSSM’s. Halls have newer facilities and furnishings and bathrooms inside all rooms, but rooms are smaller than most at NCSSM.

Work service and leadership positions are a part of IMSA life, but not nearly as large as they are at NCSSM. Work service requires only a few dozen hours of work over the course of the year, and leadership positions are handed out to both seniors and juniors. Many positions are very similar at both schools, with IMSA having Student Ambassadors and Peer Counselors who fill a role similar to NCSSM’s PCC’s and MPC’s.

Leadership roles in Residential Life seem very different from that of the RLA’s at NCSSM. Their equivalents at IMSA have few responsibilities of their own and work much more as an assistant to the adult on hall, similar to an SLI, than as an independent hall leader. As a whole, work service is given less regard; students at IMSA do not always know what leadership role their friends have, and students typically think twice before telling others their job.

The final difference, and perhaps the most important as far as the schools’ personalities go, is the weekend life on campus. We visited on a Sunday afternoon, and the campus was virtually empty. Save a few people in lounges or playing catch, the parking lot was empty and most students

were home.Sapru estimated that sixty

to seventy-five percent of all students go home each weekend. Because of IMSA’s proximity to the Chicago area, where Illinois’ population is centered, most students live within easy driving distance, and the location of the school, away from all the excitement, leaves its students believing home holds more than school on weekends.

IMSA and NCSSM have two distinct histories and cultures, and as an NCSSM student, I felt that IMSA student life seemed incredibly alien. The fact of the matter is that most IMSA students would feel exactly the same if they visited our campus. Each campus has adapted and grown in a way suited to its environment. This key fact, as I have realized, is the reason why NCSSM continues to maintain its uniqueness among a slew of other similar schools in the nation.

NCSSM Students Rant and Rave

Not all science and math schools are made alike

Above is the sign that welcomes students, faculty, and visitors to IMSA’s campus. IMSA was founded only five years after NCSSM opened. Photo from http://staff.imsa.edu/~scott/General_Info.html

NCSSM’s Mission StatementTo meet North Carolina’s need for responsible

leadership in the development and application of science, mathematics and technology To act as a catalyst for educational improvement throughout North Carolina and the nation

— Endorsed by NCSSM Staff and Students 2/16/90, Adopted by NCSSM Board of Trustees 3/2/90, Revised 3/6/98

IMSA’s Mission StatementThe mission of IMSA, the world’s leading

teaching and learning laboratory for imagination and inquiry, is to ignite and nurture creative, ethical scientific minds that advance the human condition, through a system distinguished by profound questions, collaborative relationships, personalized experiential learning, global networking, generative use of technology and pioneering outreach.

From http://www.ncssm.edu/about-ncssm/history-and-mis-sion

From https://www3.imsa.edu/about/profile/mission_and_be-liefs

Recycle This Paper

I just love... I just can’t stand...“...the people during RLA week”-Anonymous

“...burgers”-Kagan Griffin

“...jamming to hot tunes with my jazz combo, The Sound Function.”- Shawn Blazer

“...the people at Science and Math. They make everything worth it-- Amstud papers, PFM food, and all-nighters.”-Sean Lindsey

“...the PFM crroissants.”-Imani Williams

“...riding loops to Southpoint with my friends.”-Lamar Richardson

“...good company.”-Gino Lerebours

“...eating off campus with friends.”-Alyssa Rabel

“...the emptiness during RLA week.”-Anonymous

“...Leaving Mother Lake.”-Kagan Griffin

“...staying up all night doing homework.”-Shawn Blazer

“...people who aren’t punctual.”-Imani Williams

“...people who are too much.”-Lamar Richardson

“...not having a chill senior year.”-Timbi Shepherd

“...parents stressing over college apps.”-Gino Lerebours

“...Dubstep.”-Tucker Jones

“...when the PFM doesn’t have soy milk.”-Jaehee Yoo

“...hard work.”-Tucker Owen

august 2010the stentorian | ncssmfeatures �

Athletics

Then juniors, Sam Stone, William Su,

William Bell, Angela Zhang, and Violette

Zhu, a.k.a. Team Rocket, earned the 2nd

highest score in the Conrad Spirit of

Innovation Awards Competition with their

nutrition bar,“Peanut Butter Rocket-

Chips.”

A fresh graduate of Science

and Math (a.k.a., a grand senior),

Lanier Lett earned Fourth Place at

the national Siemens Competition in

Math, Science, and Technology.

Academics

From left to right, Su, Bell. Zhang, Zhu. and Stone enjoy a break from their busy day concocting the perfect nutrition bar.photo from http://www.conradawards.org/

photo from http://www.siemens-foun-dation.org/en/compe-tition/2009_winners.htm

Last year’s softball team

made it to the quarter finals

of the NCHSAA tournament,

losing 0-2 to Midway High

School in the second round.

NCSSM’s men’s spring track

and field team won the 1A State

Championship and the women’s team

earned 1A State Runner-Up.

The men’s tennis team made a

racket on the court when it earned

the 1A State Runner-Up spot, 4-5

against Mt. Airy High School.

A proud track team poses together, all members wearing the 1st and 2nd place medals they earned.photo from http://www.facebook.com/

Six students from

NCSSM earned high

ranks at a competitive

international math

modeling competition

in Singapore. One team

tied for second place,

while the other was

in the top half of

participants, a total

of 60 teams from 17

countries.

From left (men), Philip Rash, Akash Ganapathi, Bryce Taylor, Damian Jiang, Matt Jordan, (women) Kathleen Lan, and Christine Ye and two international students pose for a group photo. Photo from www.facebook.com

Highlights from the 2009-2010 school year

Lett poses in front of the poster displaying his high-ranking project ideas.

Members of the softball team dress up for a girls’ night out.photo from www.facebook.com

photo courtesy of NCSSM Athletics


Around Campus

Though the world-record-breaking total of

509,147 pounds of food was not reached (yet),

on March 20, 2010, NCSSM raised 319.990 pounds

of food, enough to feed 5,827 people, in the

largest food drive in the history of the

school and possibly the local community. This

accomplishment was thanks to the leadership

of SLI Sue Anne Lewis and plenty of student

and community volunteers.

The school body has multiple

opportunities to immerse itself

in the cultures of Asia, Africa,

and Latin America through their

respective Fests. They also have

the opportunity to enjoy aspects of

Native American culture through the

annual PowWow. Finally, students

are able to represent countries

of their choosing, create booths,

and present their cultures to the

school at the annual, MPC-sponsored

FestivALL event.

An annual production students

spend the entire school year

looking forward to, Airband allows

students to choreograpgh and

perform dance numbers of their

choosing (permitted they’re clean)

in front of the entire school and

the greater community.

NCSSM’s male students battle

for the crowns of Mr. Uni (for

seniors) and Baby Uni (for

juniors) in this annual pageant

that you don’t want to miss.

After 10 years as NCSSM’s

Chancellor, Gerald Boarman

left the unicorns to take

on new challenges.

NCSSM students pose in the NC Big Cart while it was on campus for the Food Drive.photo from www.facebook.com

Food Drive student volunteers and Sue Anne Lewis pose with the mayor

and City Council members.photo from www.facebook.com

Some students of NCSSM’s Asian community perform a Korean-style dance number at Asia Fest.photo from http://www.facebook.com

The track team choreographed its own running-themed dance number at last year’s Airband.photo from www.facebook.com

Highlights from the 2009-2010 school year

cReateD By aDe iLeSanmi

From http://www.dailytar-heel.com/index.php/ar-ticle/2010/01/gerald_boar-man_to_retire_as_chancel-lor_of_n.c._school_of_sci-ence_and_mathematics

Last year’s seniors stand in anticipation to find out who is crowned Mr. Uni. Grand seniors A.J. Woodward and Arjee Restar tied for the honor last year.photo from www.facebook.com


Ninth Street

NCSSM

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Low Price ($0.01 to $8)3--Bali HaiIt’s a restaurant on 9th Street. Your senior siblings will take you there, so I won’t spoil it.

4--Dale’s Indian CuisineIf you go for lunch between Monday and Thursday with another friend, you’ll both be able to enjoy their

buffet for 50% off. It’s a nice place to go if you want a lot of food for a reasonable price.

5--Elmo’s DinerIf you want diversity and great service, or a traditional American breakfast, this is the place for you. There

are always a lot of people though, so if you’re in a hurry, you might want to look elsewhere.

9--Bahn’s Cuisine Bahn’s is a little Vietnamese restaurant that serves a fantastic vegetarian special on Wednesdays and

Saturdays. You can only pay by cash though, so remember to stop by the ATM before leaving the school.

10--Chubby’s TacosThe first of two Mexican restaurants on 9th Street, Chubby’s is where you go if you don’t want to walk too

far but still want some quesadillas or tacos before after-dark curfew.

15--Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches It’s a chain of sandwich restaurants that also deliver to campus. Not the best food around, but it will fill a

stomach well.

13--Devil’s PizzeriaThey serve New York style pizzas along with calzones and pasta. They’ll sometimes be at Happy Half, selling

two slices of pizzas for $5. They don’t deliver though, so you’ll have to call Domino’s if you want a late night snack.

14--International DelightsInternational is a personal favorite of mine. They serve your typical Turkish foods, ranging from falafel

platters to gyros and pastries, but it is all well cooked and affordable. They also make great fries.

19--Bruegger’s BagelsAnother chain, but a delicious one nonetheless. Bruegger’s is great for those Saturdays when you’ve missed

the PFM but still want breakfast, or just anytime you want a warm bagel.

**Cosmic CantinaCosmic’s has acquired a kind of mystique about it in the past few years, namely because of the staircase you

must climb to get there. While all the dishes are wonderful, the burritos are what you’ll go for. They are by far the best burritos in the city, so do go have one when you get the chance.

**Mad Hatter’s Bake ShopAnother great place to get breakfast, Mad Hatter’s makes fantastic breakfast burritos, and their Egg

Benedicts are simply delicious.

**Whole FoodsWhile not technically a restaurant, Whole Foods does serve healthy dishes and is a great place to get your

fill of sushi. Convenient if you also need groceries.

4

3

Expensive1--Magnolia GrillIf you know anything about Durham restaurants, then

you’ve probably heard of Magnolia Grill. Ranked for a number of years in a row now as one of the top restaurants in the nation, Magnolia Grill is fully booked at least a month in advance. I’ve never eaten here either, but apparently, the praise is well deserved. If you’re very lucky, you might get to try it out before your two years at Science and Math are over. And if you do, please take me with you.

photo taken from http://looky.wordpress.com/2008/11/07/durham-north-carolina/

Food for thoughtHoëL WieSneR

5

6

Map by Ade Ilesanmi

2


Ninth Street

Free ($0)PFMThe chief source of nutrition for your time at NCSSM, though the word nutrition can be used lightly. Here, you can eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner for free and though they serve decent food, by the end of first trimester, you will probably have had enough of reheated potato casseroles for a lifetime.

ParentsIf you live close to school, you might look into calling your parents a bit more frequently than expected. Tell them you miss them and they’ll probably come visit you. Preferably around lunch or dinner. Best option for a free meal at a restaurant of your choosing.

2--Biscuit KingSo while our beloved Biscuit King isn’t amongst us anymore, it will always be remembered by many us as one of the most famous and distinct restaurants on 9th Street.

Medium Price ($8 to $15)**Broad Street CaféThe atmosphere is relaxed and the pizza is good. If you get

the chance to stay after dark, they also have bands playing on weekends. It’s also less than a block away.

**Palace InternationalThis African restaurant is often empty, but the food deserves

a try. They offer a large array of meats prepared in various sauces and vegetables, and their dessert cake is wonderful. They also have a lunch buffet for the really hungry.

7--Charlie’s Neighborhood BarThis restaurant is famous for being a biker hangout. You’ll

often see gleaming Harleys parked out front while their riders enjoy a nice cold beer inside. While all those bearded men look scary, Charlie’s does make American burgers a thousand times better than the PFM.

8--Dain’s PlaceI’ve never eaten there and you probably never will either. While

they do serve food, Dain’s is mainly a bar, and unless you want a Level 3, you might want to stay clear from this place.

High Price ($15 to $40)**Watts GroceryIf you have the money and want to taste one of Durham’s

finest restaurants, Watts Grocery is the place to go. It’s also the closest restaurant to campus. The food is a mixture of Mediterranean and European cuisine, with the added bonus of all being made with local products. It’s worth every penny.

6--Vin RougeAs a Frenchman myself, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve

been to a French restaurant where the food has been nothing like what you can find over seas. Vin Rouge is not one of these though, and the food is what you would expect from a good Parisian restaurant, with a bit of originality thrown in to top the whole meal off.

11--Metro 8While this is one of the few restaurants around I have eaten

at, a quick Internet search will tell you that Metro 8 is an upper scale steak house with excellent meats and a cozy atmosphere. This is the most expensive of the high price restaurants around though, so make sure your bank account is filled before going.

Coffee and Treats12--Ox and RabbitMilkshakes and old school sodas

are all you can order at Ox and Rabbit, but be assured that they are the best around. Order one of their specialty shakes or create your own soda; you won’t be disappointed. The owner is also really cool.

16-Francesca’s Dessert CaféDo you have a paper due soon but

can’t find a quiet place to work? Did you just pull 3 all nighters in a row and need something to help you stay up? Are you craving some gelato? Francesca’s is the place to go then!

17--Bean TradersWhile their coffee isn’t particularly

special, Bean Traders makes the best Chai tea out of the three coffee shops around school. They also have a porch area with plenty of interesting people to meet.

**Ben and Jerry’sIt’s ice cream. It’s famous. It’s

delicious. Get some friends and go eat a Vermonster if you dare. Or go for free cone day. Either way, Ben and Jerry’s, no matter where it is, is always delicious.

**Joe Van GoghOne of three coffee shops around,

JVG’s is across the street from school. Perfect if you want to grab a cup of coffee between classes.

** indicates those places that are not on Ninth Street but are found just off Ninth Street or on Broad Street, a safe and quick walking distance from the school.

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Going Face-to-Face with FacebookBy maiLi Lim

“Just make the account so you can see all my new pictures, and then delete it.”

Even coming from my ex-boyfriend, it sounded so benign. I would get on this thing they called “Facebook,” check out what mischief the kid had been up to in Venezuela the past few weeks, sign off, and then never use the thing again. Done deal. Little did I know, as I reluctantly re-entered my email address on the sign-up page, that I was signing away hours of my precious life with one swift action.

Sure, Facebook has its strong aspects -- its convenience and ability to provide us with instant gratification has earned it brownie points in popularity, with the number of new users increasing by more than double in the past year. It’s true that there are classmates I’d probably never see again if it wasn’t for Facebook, as well as friends all over the world with whom I would have lost

touch. I’ll admit it: thanks to Facebook, I can barely go a day without checking my profile to reassure myself that I am still connected to the social arena. But at what cost is all of this being granted?

In reality, what comes disguised as an unmatchable convenience is actually bringing out the worst in us. Those childhood friends you thought you’d lost contact with forever? To be frank, you were probably too lazy to physically send a letter out in order to sustain the actual relationship. Contact lessens, connections diminish, friendships die. Back in the day there was zero tolerance for laziness. Nowadays, there’s more than enough wiggle room—but with social networking utilities such as Facebook, who can blame us? A simple message on Facebook Chat demands far less effort than any other means of communication. Let’s face it—we simply don’t have it in us to even find the

stamps anymore.Don’t think that I’m just

hating on Facebook; it’s the whole social networking scene, Twitter and Formspring among many others. Why do we adore these services so? The truth is that they act as enormous stages—places where we can go to showcase our lives and gather input from others. To be honest, I’m guilty of it just as much as the next person—I am thrilled when someone drops a new question in my Formspring inbox. If you think about it, the idea behind Formspring is actually quite remarkable; is there a higher compliment than asking someone a question? Ultimately, Formspring cleverly hooks its users by building up and stroking their egos via questions asked by their family and friends. So what does that make us? Studies claim that this phenomenon has reduced us to an infantile state. While that may be a tad extreme, I definitely agree that such phenomena encourages

selfishness.And of course, there’s

the infamous stalking that everyone—and I mean everyone—does. Admit it. Remember that cute guy you met at the beach? Got a little bored, and before you know it, you’ve got the down low on “Mr. Hottie’s” trip to Scotland last month and what all his friends have to say about it. If you ask me, that’s a little excessive. What happened to the “Hi, my name is ____”? way of getting to know people? Or has that become obsolete? Browsing Facebook to “stalk” those we don’t personally know may seem harmless, but in reality, it detracts from true social interactions and the rewarding relationships reaped from such communication.

It’s not as if our generation is entirely clueless. If you yourself have not attempted to take a “Facebook vacation” then you probably know of friends who have tried. And failed. Most of us began to feel

something was missing; with Facebook devouring hours of our precious time each day, we ought to have noticed something!

I know Facebook helps you keep your connections alive. I know that as an NCSSM unicorn, Facebook has helped you start off on a great foot with your senior/junior sibling. I know the convenience of Facebook, and the brilliance of social networking. But I also know that the world beyond a pixilated cyberspace is just as radiant, if not more so.

If you’re a Facebook addict, here’s food for thought: just because something lies at our fingertips doesn’t mean it should be used without discretion. So for all of you who consider Facebook convenient, or even vital, understand the value of what you’re giving up for that convenience—seconds, minutes, hours to spend beyond a computer screen, to take a breath of fresh air and truly live your life.

By XavieR JaRRettSeniors, after experiencing

countless Hill mixers and several IDP’s (Instant Dance Parties), you know what to expect from these unique social events. Juniors, for some of you, these events may come to rule your weekend lives here on campus.

Now for those newcomers, you may be asking yourselves what these three activities are, exactly.

Senior Andrew Espenshade summed them all up in one concise phrase: “Hot, sweaty, and fun!”

At NCSSM, the administration understands that we are often limited when it comes to certain freedoms students are used to having. Activities such as driving your car and running barefoot around campus have been taken away. It seems that in an attempt to compensate for the loss of these everyday privileges, the administration hosts several school dances; however, these dances are not always the greatest social activities.

“School hosted things tend to be kind of drag. Administration is a kill joy,” senior Robert Sprude said.

In response to these sometimes lackluster dances, students host their own dance parties otherwise known as mixers. Unlike the administration-approved events, mixers feature student DJ’s who cater directly to their peers.

“Who else knows how to throw a party with music better than your own friends? Mixers are a fun, chill atmosphere to let loose,” senior Gina Thompson said.

Mixers are run entirely by the students with only the occasional SLI checking in. This laid-back and care-free

attitude provides an atmosphere that’s more accepting of how students really want to express themselves.

While the first few mixers may seem like an overcrowded room of people flailing around, these events are a great way for juniors to

interact with other students and seniors.

If you feel as if your dancing is sub-par, there is nothing to worry about. The freeing environment at NCSSM encourages us all to humiliate ourselves on the dance floor, especially during those first few weeks on campus. The events often serve as better icebreakers than the activities you will attend with your brother or sister hall.

“Mixers are the better places to go if you want to meet people. Though you may not be talking, you will be jumping around, laughing, and sweating,” senior Walter Vaughan said.

As a student who attended the Fourth West mixer last year, Vaughan knows about sweat extremely well. During the start of the year, Fourth West is known for hosting the first official mixer. In previous

years, the event has had so many people in attendance that the students’ collective sweat “rained” down from the ceiling. Students exited the hall lounge wringing out their shirts stained with the perspiration of others.

Unfortunately, the class of 2012 may not witness “raining” sweat as the Fourth West mixer cannot be hosted on hall any longer. Due to a fire-safety code that was brought up last year, all mixers have to be hosted off of the residential halls. Without the smaller spaces for the sweat to gather, it appears as if the juniors will escape the sweaty mixer that the seniors now hold as a fond memory.

Similar to mixers, IDP’s happen throughout the year, as well, but they tend to occur less often. The key difference in the two events is that while mixers tend to focus on mainstream music and hip-hop, IDP’s are heavily centered on techno music.

“IDP’s are usually dark, so I don’t have to worry about how badly I dance, and I can just have fun. Plus, I really like strobe lights, techno, and the rave environment. It’s mindless fun,” senior Taylor Haag said.

For those students who are adamant about not dancing, IVIZes (Inter-hall Visitations) serve as an alternative source of fun. During an IVIZ, students are allowed to venture onto halls of the opposite sex. While an SLI still constantly checks in on students, IVIZes still possess the same care-free atmosphere of mixers and IDP’s. Whether it’s playing video games, dancing to music, or just talking, IVIZes are a welcomed break from the normal residential separation that males and females must face.

Even though IVIZes allow for males and females to explore halls that are normally off limits to them, some current seniors found the first few IVIZes to be rough. “[IVIZes] can be very troublesome for juniors who want to meet new people and just be able to hang out somewhere because no matter where you are, going up to a random room and staring at the people and the room inside is just awkward,” Vaughan said.

Sprude agreed with Vaughan, “IVIZes are great, but awkward before you know anyone.” Bringing along a senior sibling for the first few IVIZes might help ease the strange transition into exploring another gender’s hall.

Juniors, no matter what events you decide to partake in, follow this piece of advice from Thompson: “No one knows you yet. Everything is new. Take some risks! Have fun!”

The only way to truly embrace the Unicorn lifestyle is to engage in something new and out of the ordinary. If you

wouldn’t do it at your home high school, at least try it here. Who knows, maybe you’ll discover something new about the social facet of your life.

Mixers, and IVIZes, and IDP’s … oh my!

“No one knows you yet.Everything is new. . . . Have fun!”-Gina Thompson

Students start the year off with lots of dancing and lots of sweat at the Fourth West Mixer.From www.facebook.com

The Stentorian 2010-2011

Editors-in-ChiefDavis Goodnight

Ade IlesanmiSeon Kang

News EditorNathaly Lemoine

Features EditorKexin Yin

Lifestyles EditorKagan Griffin

Opinions EditorMaili Lim

Sports EditorGary Li

Photo EditorJaehee Yoo

Advisor-John Kirk

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August 2010 Stentorian