SLAMedia is a publication of the news for the Science Leadership Academy community. Writers come from the student body in 10th, 11th, and 12th grades. We work in unison to create a functioning paper with biweekly postings on a variety of events.
For this special edition of Locker Talk, SLAMedia crashed the Alumni Homecoming event on Friday December 23rd. They asked visiting graduates: How did SLA prepare you for college? Click on “caption” to see what they said!
Questions by Marina Stuart. Photos by Sam Lovett-Perkins.
By Jenn Wright
Ms. Martin added: “and it’s a GOOD TIME!”
Beside the required P.E. class, Ms. Martin hosts a staff-friendly after-school workout Mondays and Wednesdays at 4pm.
It all started when Principal Lehmann wanted to get more in shape. Martin trained the teachers during their free bands while the rest of SLA worked diligently or was at lunch.
This year, the workouts moved to after school.
The Martin brand of workout is not unlike others in its intensity and difficulty, but she puts a special touch on the routine.
As Geometry teacher Ms. Thompson put it, “She tortures with a kind heart.”
When asked why she hosts the workouts, Martin responded, “because I am the sadist and they are the masochists.” She then laughed.
Training the SLA sports teams like Ultimate Frisbee, the after school sessions have gotten quite popular. Students get a kick out of working out side by side with their teachers.
As Ferry said, “it feels like we are all on the same level.”
The best part, however, has to be the music.
Ms. Thompson said, “I like that she does certain things specifically tuned to some songs. It’s sort of like a dance party, but a workout.”
Several attendees requested the music be promptly put back on when the songs stopped. One favorite is “Watch My Feet” by Dude ‘n Nem used for its mix of slow and fast tempo.
Combining music and creative workouts — like Ms. Martin’s use of a deck of cards with each card being a different exercise — keeps her followers coming back each week.
“It’s an opportunity for parents and students to listen to admissions counslers, learn about college admissions, words of advice about the process in general. They also get to hear about trends and special criteria some colleges have.” stated Hirschfield about the event.
Students and parents also participated in an activity to compare the students college ideas with the parents college. Hopefully trying to find any compatibility with student and parents to ease the college admissions process.
Immediately following that were multiple presentations on Naviance, SAT/ACT, and everything to consider in the college admissions process (i.e. room, location, books, etc.).
Naviance being the website that allows high schools such as SLA, to give their students a much better grip of the college planning process.
“It should be a little more self-explanatory, but it’s really helpful and interesting when you understand it.” replied Isabella Tognini about Naviance.
Many SLA students were really excited about the College Night, since they were getting the rundown of everything that was coming their way in the upcoming months.
“I liked getting to know what’s going to happen in my future like my college meeting with Mrs. Hirchfield.” said Ruben Burenstein.
Hirchfield also talked about Junior News, and Senior News which are filled with many other ways for SLA students to influence their college choices like college visits to SLA and future college fairs dates.
“I’m excited about it but I do have a fear of not being accepted, I think it would be amazing to get accepted to my college of my choice.” replied Tognini.
Other students replied with the same sort of attitude.
“I’m not excited about applying but excited about getting responses.” stated Burenstein.
As all high school students know the college admissions process can be an extremely difficult process, but thankfully the student and parents of SLA have events like Junior College Night and Mrs. Hirschfield.
“I hope this put people mind’s at ease. This doesn’t need to be a stressful process. Use your school’s resources. That’s what they’re there for,” said Campbell.
We asked students around school what their winter break plans were. Click on the caption to see what they said!
Interviews and Photos by Isabela Aznar.
This week’s question: What is the worst thing that has ever happened to your laptop?
Interview by Emilisa Lopez. Photos by Emilisa Lopez and Isabela Supovitz-Aznar.