Tim Lemmens made an appearance at my school’s mandatory chapel and some students were put off my his blatant christianity, so I asked the following question and published the responses in the school newspaper: What does everybody think of Tim Lemmens?
The responses of the community were varied. Claire Wolfe said that “I like the idea that they are bringing in a religious person, but not that they’re doing it during chapel [because] we didn’t really have a choice in the matter.” This student summarized well what a multitude of other students echoed. Christianity is best left for Breakfast Club and Tuesday prayer. Hannah Mallegni affirms that “It should not have been mandatory.”Katie Shank goes back to square one and asks “Why does it [chapel] have to be religious?” Students wonder if chapel could be based off of more than just Christianity. Veronica Thomson Neuman observantly points out that “It was too much Christianity for a non-denominational service.” Estelle de goes with a more open minded approach saying “It would be better if they had different religions.” Some students came up with unique ways to organize chapel. Alex Bardelmeier states that “There should be a rotation of teachers [that lead the chapel].” This allows multiple points of view to be expressed on a greater number of issues. Statistically speaking, Katie Corbin says that “Most of our school does not go to church every week [and] I think at this stage in life you either go to church or you don’t.” Other students were impressed and appreciated Tim’s performance. Tyler Hill cryptically explains that “His performance soared like an eagle.”Even a person from a different religion was okay with the performance. Mac Shihab says”I’m muslim, but it was still a great performance. He [Jesus] is still one of my prophets too.” From a Christian point of view the music was awesome, but even a Christian has enough perspective to know that other religions might be under-represented. Sarah J says that “Being a Christian, I liked it, [but] It might be a little heavy for other people.” On the extreme end of the perspective, Mary Miller scathes that “It sucked [and] I did not appreciate his musical presence. “A guitarist himself, Phil Swain gives an artistic analysis. “I thought the electronic music was kinda lame, but he was a good guitarist…as far as his lyrics go, it is cool that he is putting out his message…although it was a little forward.” Country explains that “It [the show] was more awkward than offensive.” Some students were day dreaming during the songs. Somehow, Mary Miller, imagined “[that] he looked like Jerry Springer.” Not worrying if he would get in trouble, Jeff Butke says that”[The performance] made for a good nap time. “Savannah Jensen asks the question that went through most of our minds. “What kind of a person is stupid enough to try to fly off a barn, even if he was nine?” Digging deeper into the matter, she lets out that “I don’t like it when they try to shove religion down my throat.” Even though there are detractors, there are also diehard fans. Dezare Avaloz warm heartedly says that “I love that guy. I had some tears with that last song.” Most surprising was a comment from Christine Rojas. She said that “[She] found Jesus!”
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http://www.timlemmens.com/
Tim Lemmens has been in the music ministry for 18 years, has four kids and four CDs. He grew up in Shawano, Wisconsin. He is a proud Packer Fan and tells it to everybody. An interesting tidbit that he was proud of is that he got one of his guitars cheap because, “they put the hole in the wrong place.”A story from his childhood is that he had a crush on a girl for 11 years before asking her out on a date. She was shorter than he and
when he went to kiss her, he kissed her on the forehead. This caused her to ask him to get, “a little lower, please.” He is the youngest of ten siblings and was picked on by them. His past includes an incident where he was 9 years old playing softball when suddenly a tornado arises. The insane idea of trying to fly crosses his mind; he takes a tractor umbrella and launches himself off his barn. Flying did not work so well. Trying to prove his uniqueness by stupid stunts is no longer his mission. His individuality comes from that fact that “[His] identity comes from Him [Jesus].” Tim asks us all to “Let Him whisper about His love for you.” When asked the following question: How do you feel coming into a non-denominational school service? He replied saying I am “Completely comfortable.. I am very non-denominational.” Question: What led you to God? Reply: His Mom and her church and two Christian musicians that gave an altar call where he prayed a prayer and surrendered his life to Christ. Question: Do you have any other words for the students? Quote: John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Comments (10) Posted on Tuesday, January 29th, 2008
Being the mighty administer of the spring AP tests, the CollegeBoard structures the curriculum that an AP teacher must adhere to in order to adequately prepare students for the exam. The CollegeBoard makes a handful of extraordinary claims about its AP program.
“AP can change your life. Through college-level AP courses, you enter a universe of knowledge that might otherwise remain unexplored in high school; through AP Exams, you have the opportunity to earn credit or advanced standing at most of the nation’s colleges and universities.”
In reality, how transformational and beneficial is an AP course? Any serious student or teacher must want to know the answer.
Mr. Peters, Dean of Admission and College Counseling, says, “Colleges want to see you taking a rigorous curriculum and AP is the highest level at Wayland.”
Wayland has a required benefit that most other schools make optional. Mr. Peters says “All of our students take the exam, and 70 to 80 percent score a three or better.”
Truly, a phenomenon is taking place at Wayland. What is the backbone of this success? The teachers.
Ms. Alpaugh explains what makes students successful. “My United States History AP class gives students the opportunity to go at a faster pace, go more in depth in the material, and improve their writing skills.”
This technique is surely working. Ms. Alpaugh says, “The test scores give the kids an idea of where they rank in the nation; Our kids come out way above the national average.”
Mrs. Bleifuss explains well why students take an AP class. “You can take an AP class for two reasons: To get exposed to the material or to place out of the college class.” Her personal insight into the structure of an AP Biology class is fascinating.
Bleifuss continues, “Science should be a process and not a memorization of facts. Even though the College Board stresses that we should teach themes, the amount of work we have to complete makes that virtually impossible.” It seems that the busy work can get in the way of key concepts. Many students wonder if taking an AP course can get them out of the equivalent college class.
In regards to her niche, Mrs. Bleifuss says, “Most colleges, even though they might give you credit for the Biology AP class, will want you to take the introductory course to get familiar with their lab equipment.”
Even with some of the drawbacks of an AP class, Mrs. Bleifuss says, “AP classes get the students prepared for college level work.”
Mr. Schneider concurs that, “An AP Spanish class prepares students for the rigors of a college level course.”
Ms. Eisenriech says, “AP classes give students a glimpse of the workload of a college class.” As to how wide a view an AP class gives a student, Ms. Eisenreich will fill in the details in person.
Reminding us of an important point, Dr. Lake says, “[She] can teach a solid Latin class without having to follow the AP curriculum.” This reminds all teachers that AP is not the sole judge on the quality of a high school class. Individual teachers, better than CollegeBoard, can determine what is necessary and pertinent in their given subject.
Students have the unique perspective of seeing how well AP is carrying out its mission. These recipients know best whether AP techniques are preparing and stretching them academically.
Sarah Murphy says, “AP classes are helpful because they show colleges the level of work we have been doing. Some AP classes have definitely stretched me academically, but others were a joke. I learned little in my Calculus class.”
The AP terrain is bumpy depending on circumstances. Certain teachers find preparing students for a test at the end of the year a trying struggle. Their teaching style can be more in tune with leading the class where the interests of the students lie, rather than where CollegeBoard says they should be.
Offering a suggestion to the Academy, Sarah Murphy continues. “I wish Wayland had a Honors level Trigonometry class. This would have made Calculus easier.”
Katie Corbin sees a double benefit to AP classes. She says, “AP classes are helpful because they boost your GPA and they will make college classes easier.”
Jeff Butke feels that, “Colleges are beginning to look more favorably on AP classes.” Jeff figures that AP classes can only help so much. He has taken AP Biology but says, “I want to go into medicine, so colleges will not take anything attributed to my major.” Jeff also pointed to an area of the curriculum that Wayland could expand.
Butke says, “I wanted to take a non-AP calculus class, but Wayland only offers Calculus in the AP format.” Both Corbin and Butke said that they would take Calculus as a non-AP if it were offered.
Looking from the outside in, Adam Benavides says, “I have not been in an AP class, but I think they are an important and rewarding goal for students.”
Yet to take any AP classes, Austin Scholz says, “I think that AP classes are helping students get college credit, but not necessarily helping them get into college.” Scholz was unsure of what AP classes he plans on taking, but plans to use them for his benefit.
Dreaming about the future, Brooke Schumann says, “I plan on taking Biology AP; I think it will really help me in the long run because AP classes give students at a higher level the opportunity to learn more advanced material.” Goals at an early age have a better chance of being met.
Reflecting on where he has been and anticipating the future, Brendan Wienstein has tons to say about AP classes. “When I graduate, I will have taken 12 AP exams. This will put me in place for a state award, although I would rather have taken classes of personal interest.” Sometimes one sacrifices wants for loftier goals.
Brendan says that one downfall of AP is that students fight to compare each other. “I don’t like the idea of turning academics into a competitive environment.” He leans more on the idea that AP classes are a chance to challenge yourself against your own best effort.
Brendan is concerned that students of lower income families do not have the same opportunity that an economic backing can provide. Families that have extra money can provide personal tutors, expensive AP test prep books, and private school AP classes. Inner city kids might also have trouble affording the examination fee of the College Board test. He continues that the downside of an AP class is that you have to cover a ton of topics within a short amount of time preventing a teacher from having the ability to go in depth. Another concern is that SAT Subject Test scores do not always compare well with an AP test score. Some subjects have a well worked out curve for the test (like US AP), while other newer subjects have yet to stabilize the scoring curve. Brendan also points out that some subjects, such as Philosophy, can be more difficult to standardize into a test. Dialectic can not take place with a piece of paper.
Although AP courses appear to be an essential thread woven throughout the Academy, we must not hold them so dearly that the garment may unravel. Aristotle points out that, “All men by nature desire to know.” If the nature of knowledge is best fulfilled by a construct other than an AP, so be it. Aristotle exemplifies that one must lessen one’s grip on the lower things to hold more tightly that which is highest. He says, “Plato is dear to me, but dearer still is truth.”
Comments (3) Posted on Tuesday, January 29th, 2008
Mr. Walters and Mrs. Bleifuss have coached AAP, in its current format, for seven years. Mrs. Bleifuss has seen AAP take many forms during her fifteen years of supervising the program. In the past, AAP stood for “Alternative Activities Program.” Participating students would alternate between physical exercise and a club activity such as Ecology Club. Today, AAP has grown to mean “Alternative Athletic Program.” Can AAPers consider themselves athletes? When asked why they direct AAP, both responded that they “don’t feel qualified to coach a sport.” Participants of AAP support their coaches, saying that even if the coaches don’t know all the rules, they try their best. Mr. Walters said that the best part of coaching AAP is when “everybody is enthusiastic and having fun and participating.” He added “When everybody’s having a good time, we’re having a good time.” Mrs. Bleifuss found working with Mr. Walters rewarding. As to how the two deal with whining, Mr. Walters said that “we try to energize people by joking around or in some cases we chase people down the field when the lazy bug hits.” He adds that he helped treat Derek Franke’s case of the lazy bug by grabbing his shirt and directing him to get a goal. Mr. Walters is known to prohibit his AAPers from playing dodgeball. Why? “It seems that dodgeball is such a violent game when the whole purpose is to hit somebody.” Mr. Walters said that another reason he is not fond of dodgeball “might go back to elementary school trauma.” Lacrosse has also disappeared from the line up of games. Mr. Walter’s explained that we don’t play Lacrosse because “We have had too many injuries, too many tempers flaring high and too many time outs.” Recently AAP has reorganized. Mr. Walters says, “We’ve tried to give students more voice in what they want to do and responsibility, but sometimes there are snags” because “different people have firm beliefs on what AAP should be doing.” What did students believe about AAP? Sam Herzberg replied, “We should do more cartwheels.” He admitted he is in AAP because of extreme laziness. Jeff Butke commented, “AAP is a dynamic sport where Mr. Walters creates an environment for fun and exercise.” Dana Weber said, “I have to work and the time structure of AAP makes it easier to hold down a job.” And Josh Block stated, “AAP is amazing. I love it. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.” As to why he is in AAP, Block said, “I started in football, received an injury, and became tired of filling water bottles, so I joined AAP.” Soccer contender Mark Brunning said, “APP is random activity and unfocused, but not lazy.” Another soccer star, Andrew Haberman, valued AAP above football because “[Football players] are just a bunch of men in tights.” Haberman said, “It would be nice if we had our own managers be ball boys.” He suggested the possibility of drawing people from AAP to be managers for the other sports. Lars Gossel said, “It is very generous of AAP to send out ball boys.” He explained that having people on the sidelines ready with balls keeps the game going. An anonymous source said, “Skiing managers are bigger slackers than AAP.” But Mark Bruning defended ski managers, attesting that they have multiple responsibilities ranging from setting up the gates to keeping track of times. All sports have rules to follow, but AAP keeps a simple code of conduct that can be summarized as “AAP love.” What did this love mean to APPers? Mrs. Bleifuss replies, “APP love is demonstrated when we let somebody bat as many times as they need to so they can hit the ball and everybody not caring how long it takes.” She continued, “The other sports probably appreciate our supporting them more than we realize.” AAP has been accused of being a slacker sport, but Mr. Walters denied this, saying, “We need to be active, but we all have days where we are lethargic.” Mrs. Bleifuss felt that other sports think “AAP doesn’t do anything,” but that if they joined AAP, they could see that AAP participants are as active as the next athlete.
Comments (1) Posted on Tuesday, January 29th, 2008
Bright and early, the seniors arise to make their way to one of two buses. As people assemble, they dump their stuff into an unruly pile. The announcement is made and we all pack our belongings into the bottom of the bus and climb aboard. Mysteriously, the senior prefects stroll into the middle of the aisle and whisper that, “If anybody has any contraband items, that they will dispose of them and nothing will be said.” After half-heartedly checking our persons, they exit and peruse our full gear. Most of us are embarrassed that other people are going through our underwear; others might have been worried for different reasons. Nothing appears to turn up.
The female bus driver decides to turn the radio volume to an almost uncomfortable level. I find this rude as one third of the seniors are sleeping, the other third listening to music, and the last third either reading or day dreaming. Nobody wants to be bothered by noise. I ask “Can we just skip the radio?” The conductor replies with an emphatic “No!” This makes me a little pissed off, but I grit my teeth and take it.
After a couple of hours chatting with Puls and Butke about movies, art, and pop culture, I am ready to get my feet on the ground. It is only a few more miles of waggly road to Gardner Dam, a Boy Scout camp I stayed at when I was younger.
Jumping off the bus, we receive our cabin assignments, drop off our stuff, pick up a bag lunch, and step back on the bus. A few round about turns and we arrive at the rafting company. The mass of seniors pair up and crowd around the instructors. Taking the lead with Shihab, we manage a good start.
The river is low to less than a foot in some areas and even in the deeper areas, tall rocks block your passage. The going is more out-of-the-boat-pushing, than in-the-raft-paddling. Handfuls of Seniors receive cuts, bruises, and scrapes from the boulders.
Supposedly, our path is 6 miles long at an estimated 4 hours. Around the 3rd hour, Mac is hungry and I am thirsty. Having brought some of his lunch along, Shihab grabs a sandwich and hands me an orange. Feeling dehydrated, I thank the orange for being my savior. Not missing a beat, Mac calls it my Jesus Orange. He also named our paddles; ask him for details.
With our last ounce of energy, we make it to the ending pier, climb up a slope, and impatiently wait at the top for the rest of the class. The mosquitoes found us; no explanation needed. I small talk with Ms. Moe, but when Ms. Alpaugh and Dr. Lake return in the van and bring strawberry and chocolate ice cream, generously scooped out by Shihab and Bardlemier, the talking ends and the face feeding begins.
After boarding the buses, all the Seniors have to wait for Mr. Osvald and Mr. Dore to get off the river. We head back to camp, arrive, and decide what to do next. Some remain in their swim gear and head out to the pond, perching on a rock as if a sea gull. Others change into dry clothes. I take this opportunity to interview a few Seniors.
Jill Neitzel declares that “rafting with the awesome Lark Jackson” was the best part of the trip. With glee, Mary Miller replies that “Me and Katie Shank are the best rafters ever!” The One and Only Animwaa Sampong offers that “[The trip] was a great experience for the Senior Class to bond..but the distance [of the river] was too long…[but] the surroundings are beautiful and very peaceful…a perfect place to get away…”
When asked if there is anything he would change about the trip, Phil Swain replied, “not at all…I think it was a good way for people to get closer together…[because] people in the boats have to save each other.” After prodding by Miller, Phil decides that there is one change to be made. Desiring to eat S’Mores later, Phil pleads for vegetarian marshmallows, because the regular ones have gelatin that comes from horse hooves. [ http://fitsugar.com/84889 verifies that gelatin is made from animal byproducts.]
After hanging around, dinner preparations begin. The famous Senior dinner of grilled steaks and baked potatoes commences, and people become ravenous wolves, cutting at their steak as if it were live prey. After clean up and the setting of the sun, groups wander off into the darkness in search of adventure. Most head left, while Puls, Butke, Shihab, and I head right. Already having been at this camp, I take them to a well hid amphitheater.
Sitting on the steps, we play the story came. Starting off with a scorpion as the main character, the cast soon includes unicorns and angels. Ever full of philosophy, Puls pulls out the Scholastic question of “How many angels can fit on the head of a pin?” Hiking back toward camp, we come to the end and find a couple starting toward us. I creep low in the bushes, spring up, and growl like a rabid werewolf angry at the moon. The girl hides behind her boy friend and we slide back to the main area of camp.
The bonfire, from Middle English banefire (1483), originally a fire in which bones were burned, has begun(www.etymonline.com). Teachers and students gather around to roast marshmallows and Christine Pryme roasts carrots. After a gluttonous affair with S’Mores, Shihab’s first time eating roasted marshmallows, groups sporadically leave
the bonfire. Mr. Osvald and Edgar remain debating over the dress code and Cassie McLeod stays to articulate opinions on “Race” with Ms. Alpaugh and Dr. Lake. I leave to find out what happened to everybody else and find Burtis, Corbin, and a few others lying on the grass, gazing at the stars.
Returning to the fire, I expect to find Cassie M. and Edgar E. still there; Instead, I find Alpaugh and Lake. I chat for a bit, yawn, and then bedtime dawns, so I head to the cabin.
Once in my sleeping bag, I wait for a rowdy crowd of guys to finish their card games. {Schaalma!}Within a minute of the lights being out, the giant begins to saw redwoods. Mr. Osvald bursts our ear drums with his thunderous sleep-snorting, or snoring. Being asleep, Osvald doesn’t hear the guys swear at him, threaten to smoother him, or wonder if they could stick tissue up his nose. The next morning, in reference to Mr. Osvald’s snoring, Alejandro De La Rosa remarked “It was pretty much like an earthquake!”
[My secret was that I took ear plugs along. I advise all future rafters to bring ear plugs strong enough to silence the screams of a hungry, tired baby.]
Awaking around 6:45, I sneak into the bathroom, wash my hair, put in my contacts, and dress. Getting permission to hike around camp, I journey and discover pheasants, chipmunks, a deer, and various flora. After my constitutional, I return for a scrumptious breakfast of pancakes and sausage.
Afterward, my chore is to make the sandwich lunches for the way home. Dr. Lake and Ms. Hutchison manage the ham and turkey, and the PB&J is produced in assembly line fashion. Ready to return home, everybody grabs two sandwiches, waits for the buses, and then board to settle in for the ride.
On the way home, the bus driver or the GPS becomes momentarily disoriented, causing us to detour. Mr. Osvald and Mr. Nelson save the day by reading a good ‘ole paper map.
Once back at Wayland, people wander off….
P.S. In his defense, Mr. Osvald replies, “ I didn’t notice Osvald snoring. I was sound asleep.”
He also added that, “The rafting trip was a lot of fun, and I thought the seniors did a good job coping with the somewhat rustic conditions.”
IN SHORT: THE SOPHOMORE TRIP
Joe Liverseed: “Hey, the water park was pretty sweet. There was a lot of great water slides and they also had a mini golfcourse. The best ride was probably the cart ride that rode around the whole park in a little cart on a water slide. Although there wasn’t an enormous amount of rides to choose from and one could get bored of the park after a while, there was always mini golf to do or just chill on the lazy river. Overall, it was pretty fun.”
Jacqueline Hill: “Hey there. I am a sophomore and we went to the Chula Vista. I had a GREAT time… we had plenty of time to play and I felt like a kid again… It is so much better going to a waterpark than the museum. Learning when we could have fun? O please. Lol. I think that it was a great idea to send us there.”
Austin Scholz: “The water park was fun for about 4 hours. After that, it was pretty redundant. Walk up the stairs. Go down slide. Up stairs. Down slide. And so on. It was a fun day, but towards the end it got kinda boring.
Comments (0) Posted on Tuesday, January 29th, 2008