Week of January 30, 2012

From the Head of School

I love cutting grass. If I ever get to retire, I want to live somewhere that I get to mow the lawn. After all, it’s good exercise – particularly if you’ve got a long walk to the shed where you keep your riding mower – and I love the way it smells. It smells like baseball. And yet, those are only secondary reasons. Most of all, I love it because you can completely transform something in the span of only two hours. When you’re finished, you have a real sense of accomplishment, because you can look back and see the obvious change that’s taken place. It’s a little like education.

Of course, a good education takes slightly more than two hours to accomplish, particularly since “the finished product” is never really finished. However, there are moments when you get completely bowled over by the transformation that’s taking place. Moments when you get to pause and reflect on the journey these young women have been on for the past two, three, or four years, and you’re so proud of what they’ve accomplished. The change is so obvious; you just can’t help but smile. Wednesday was such a day—the first day of senior “Chapel Talks.”

In her book, Less Time for Meddling, A History of Salem Academy & College 1772-1866, Frances Griffin writes, "Early in his term as inspector, Abraham Steiner instituted an annual ‘Examination,’ at which each girl, in the presence of an audience, was placed on her mettle to show what she had learned in the classroom."  So, during the summer of 1808, the first public "Examination" was held at Salem Academy, and for more than 200 years there has been an expectation that every graduate would be required to make a scholarly presentation in a public forum.  Today, we call those presentations “Chapel Talks.”

The talks originate from a research paper (limited to 10 pages) that each senior is asked to submit during the fall semester. The students are allowed to choose their own topic, and it can be virtually anything that interests them. At the beginning of second semester they shrink their ten-page paper into a one-page, 3-minute "talk," which they deliver before the entire community.  They are graded on projection, pacing, professionalism, eye contact, emphasis and the content of their "script." 

This experience is a "rite of passage" for all Academy graduates. Dr. Cahill, our Director of Studies and AP English teacher, once described its impact to me in following way, "Despite the nervousness that accompanies speaking before a group, the girls do enjoy the experience, marvel at their ability to convey a confidence they don't always feel and appreciate the chance to share a subject they are passionate about (and that they have worked hard to research) with an audience." 

Academy students have all sorts of opportunities to be heard in public; classroom discussions, plays and musicals, Glee Club, Chorus and Spirit. Every day during assembly, students make announcements about upcoming events, birthday celebrations, athletic results, clubs, or college acceptance news for one of their classmates. Indeed, one of the many blessings of attending an all-girls school is that the girls are expected to speak up whenever they have something to say. We encourage them to let their voices be heard, because the more they speak up, the more confidence they build. The senior Chapel Talk is intended to be the culmination of that ethic.

We began this year’s Chapel Talks with the following ten seniors presenting this past Wednesday.

The Neurological Implications of Modern Technology

OLIVE WILBUR

 Russia Seals Its Own Destiny: The Fall of Imperialism

MARIAH HIMES

 The Evolution of Regulation in Human Research:

Progress Towards Protection

DANIELA DECRISTO

 The Arab-Israeli Conflict

LINDSEY GRANT

 Starvation Among Plenty: The Role of Biofuels on Hunger

HALEY WIEBEL

 Music’s Influence on Cultures

ZHANÉ LITTLEPAGE

 The Brain Drain: A Globalization Phenomenon

CHRISTA COMBS

 Fresh Water Crisis in India

DINA YAMALEYEVA

 Ancient Greek Art

KATE JUNG

 Human Trafficking

ROSE FALL

Nearly all of these young women have been at the Academy since ninth grade, and I suspect that back then it probably didn’t occur to them that they would be standing in front of the entire community speaking eloquently about such profound topics. It’s exciting stuff to see! It’s the kind of thing that makes me never want to retire…even if that means I’ll never get to cut the grass!

Blessings,

Karl

Academy Students Chosen for Teen Theatre Company

Two Academy students were accepted into the North Carolina Black Repertory Theatre's teen division. Junior Jordan Jones and freshman Bria Smith both were accepted into the company. Both students have appeared in Academy theatre productions and Jones also interned with NCBRC during January Term. Congrats!

Young Leader

Academy student Angelica Mack was featured inThe Winston-Salem Journal this week for being selected as one of the co-speakers of the House during the Youth Legislative Assembly session to be held this March in Raleigh. Read the full article here.

YLA is a mock legislative session where high school students voice their opinions and vote on issues concerning local, state and national government.

 Mack has served as a delegate to YLA committees and was chosen out of a number of applicants for the honor. On being chosen, Mack says, "It is an honor to be a 2012 co-speaker for the 42nd session of the North Carolina Youth Legislative Assembly because it exemplifies the respect that my fellow peers and the General Assembly have for me, as well as their belief in my abilities to represent YAIO (Youth Advocacy and Involvement Office) in a professional manner. This position as co-speaker also provides me with the opportunity to positively  impact the community and become more familiar with and appreciative of our political system. Though this honor has its challenges and requires hard work, it is truly an amazing and humbling experience that I've had and I am most indubitably looking forward this this year's 2012 YLA session."                                                                                                 

Sabers Swimming

The Salem Academy swim team traveled to Greensboro this week for a meet at American Hebrew Academy. Here are the scores:

Salem Academy 274.00 The Elon School 23.00
Salem Academy 267.00 Salem Baptist Christian School 32.00
Salem Academy 222.00 High Point Christian Academy 162.00
Salem Academy 241.00 American Hebrew Academy 116.00
 
State Cuts:
Bethann Hilla in the 100 fly
 
Time Dropped:
50 free
Megan Butts dropped -.75 seconds
Amy Liu dropped-2.47 seconds
Grayson Sloan dropped-.26 seconds
Anita Coral dropped -4.00 seconds
Vivian Shuai dropped-4.01seconds
Shuhan Wang dropped -.38 seconds

100 fly
Haley Norris dropped -6.37seconds
Julia Allescher dropped -4.06 seconds

100 free
Sierra Collins dropped -.29 seconds
Amy Liu dropped -4.35 seconds
Vivian Shuai dropped-11.43seconds

100 back
Sarah Musser dropped -18.25 seconds

100 breast
Julia Allescher dropped -.23 seconds
Megan Butts dropped -1.93 seconds
Alice Mann dropped -4.45 seconds

Annual Fund

Salem Academy depends on the Annual Fund Campaign each year. Gifts from alumnae, parents, and friends support many unrestricted needs on campus. Your gift truly makes a difference. If you have already supported the Annual Fund Campaign this year--Thank You! If you haven't made your gift yet, you still have time. Mail your gift to the Academy or make a gift online at http://www.salemacademy.com/page.cfm?p=286. You may also call the development office directly at 336-721-2607.

January Term 2013 Trip Info

There is a special discount at this time. Sign up in the month of February and get $150 off each person who enrolls

•    To enroll go to www.eftours.com and enter our account number 1077346
•    You must enroll online and the enrollment fee is $95

Come join us as we take a ghost tour in Scotland, visit castles, kiss the Blarney Stone, take a Jack The Ripper Tour, see Stonehenge, ride the London Eye, take a trip down the Thames river, see a show on the London stage, see Celtic dancers, visit a national park in Wales, tour the Globe Theater and much, much more.  Visit the website for a full itinerary.

**If you are a student who requires a visa please contact Mrs. Lawson BEFORE signing up for this trip**
 

Why Do You Love Salem?

As you may have seen in Academy ads in publications such as Our State magazine or on the billboard on I-40 Business, we're celebrating our 240th anniversary with a campaign based on the premise, "Reasons Why I Love Salem Academy." We'd love to hear why you love Salem! Send your top reasons to Jennifer Bringle Handy atjennifer.bringle@salem.edu.   

2012-2013 Schedule

Mark your calendars! The 2012-2013 tentative school schedule is out. Note that this calendar is tentative and dates are subject to change.

College Counseling News

I am excited to share the details of our Junior College Information Program coming up on Friday, February 17th. This program is required for juniors, and junior parents are strongly encouraged to attend. All other students and parents are welcome to attend as well! Click here for the program agenda.

*For parents and students that are unable to attend the program, it will be videotaped and available to watch online.*

Moms in Prayer

New for 2012, a Moms in Prayer group has formed at Salem Academy. Moms in Prayer is a non-denominational group that prays for the school, staff, teachers and students. Please join us as we kick off the new year every Wednesday at 8:15 in the chapel of Salem Academy. Attendees can pray or participate silently and enjoy the peace of a quiet moment in the little chapel. We will leave a prayer box in the mail room for any teachers or students who want to write down a specific prayer request. We will collect the prayer requests from the box every Wednesday morning. 

Buy a YEARBOOK AD for your daughter TODAY! 

CLICK HERE OR ON THE LOGO TO THE LEFT TO BUY YOUR AD TODAY!!!

DEADLINE: February 28th at midnight or when all the allotted space has been filled.

Dear Parents,

It is now time to think about purchasing a personalized ad for your daughter in the Salem Academy yearbook.  The space for ads in the Quill Pen is filled on a first come, first serve basis.  We have limited space this year, so don’t delay!  Your ad may be as small as a quarter page or as large as an entire page.

The prices are as follows:

Full Page Ad: $165

½ Page Ad: $130

¼ Page Ad $110

All ad sales will be online only this year!  This link will be published in each weekly eNewsletter and will soon be on the Salem Academy website.  

*Note that ads can be purchased for any student, not just seniors.*

*Parents must secure written permission for any material that is copyright protected.

Please click the ad on top left to access online ad sales page.  Once you get to the ad sales page, it will walk you through the process, step-by-step!  We have also included a step-by-step Word Document for your convenience.

Please note that this will require digital photos.  If you have any hard copy photos, simply use your home scanner or a scan center at your local Kinkos, Walmart, CVS, etc.  If this ad is a surprise, please note that in the "special instructions" section when you are creating your ad.

If you have any questions regarding ads, please call the yearbook advisers Megan Ratley (336-721-2664) or Jenny Orr (336-917-5518)

Deadline: February 28, 2012

*Note: This website link and thus all ad sales will close at midnight on February 28, 2012 or when all the allotted space has been filled.

Shop at Food Lion and Earn Money for Salem

Dear Parents, Faculty and Friends,

Thank you for supporting our school through the Food Lion MVP Rewards program.

Salem Academy is participating in the new Food Lion Classroom Rewards program to earn much needed funding for our school. We need your help and support to maximize our fundraising effort. We are encouraging you to shop at your local Food Lion store and every time you shop, Salem Academywill earn a share of the program funds donated by Food Lion based on what you purchase.

If you haven’t already linked your MVP Card to support our school, please follow the steps below.

1. Go to www.foodlion.com

2. Click on Community Outreach

3. Click on MVP Rewards

4. Click Register your MVP Card

5. Click on the arrow that says, “Shoppers register here”

Once on the MVP Shopper Registration page, enter your MVP Card number (all 12 digits), your contact information and link it to our school. Our code is 214297.

Purchases of only the following brands will help earn cash for our school: Food Lion Brand, Healthy Accents, Home 360, Nature’s Place, On the Go Bistro, Smart Option, Taste of Inspirations, Butchers Brand Beef and Holly Farms Poultry.

Help our school earn even more by shopping on double points day! All Food Lion brand product purchases will receive double credit on the 10th of each month.

Food Lion is a banner of Food Lion LLC, a subsidiary of Brussels-based Delhaize Group (NYSE: DEG).

Link Your Harris Teeter VIC Card and Support Salem

Beginning August 1, Salem Academy proudly continued in Harris Teeter's Together In Education program to help raise funds for our school.  It's easy and it's FREE. Simply give the cashier our code, 5509, and your VIC card when you check out and your card will be linked for the entire school year. That's it! You only have to link your VIC card once each school year. Once your card is linked, Salem Academy will receive a percentage of your Harris Teeter brand (Harris Teeter, Premier Selection, H.T. Traders, Harris Teeter Naturals, Your Pet, Hunter Farms, Highland Crest and More Value) purchases credited back to our account. This program does not interfere with your VIC savings or cost you any money!

For those of you who participated last year, don't forget to re-link your VIC card to our account code next time you are shopping at Harris Teeter!