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Academy Students Experience Global Cultures at Annual International Festival

September 29, 2011 | International, News, People, Student Life, Students | No Comments

Meaghan Dunn strikes a bovine pose for "cow tipping" as students raised funds for Heifer International.

Every year Bowling Green hosts its International Festival.  Like many members of the community, Gatton Academy students are eager to get involved.  Whether it be to simply walk around the festival, volunteer, or work a table for one of the Academy’s clubs, several students were able to experience the multitude of cultures that were a part of the annual event.

Dozens of cultures and nations were represented from Japan to Scotland to Saudi Arabia as part of the festivities held at Circus Square Park in downtown Bowling Green.  Several Gatton Academy got involved with the festival itself, with many of them arriving early at 7 a.m. to help to set up for the event and others staying through the evening.

Charlotte Humes (’12), a leadership member of the Global Relief and Sustainable Societies (GRASS) club,  explained how nice it was to become involved with the Bowling Green community through the International Festival and have fun while doing so.

Three Academy clubs set up booths at the International Festival.  The Nikami club set up a booth to introduce fair goers to the Japanese culture.  The GRASS club set up a booth to help raise money to buy a water buffalo, heifer, and two goats for a family in need via Heifer International.  The club set up the notion of “cow tipping” and raised over $200 for their cause.

Amnesty International also set up a booth highlighting the club’s main focus this year: censorship.  At their booth, they gave the opportunity to people to sign a petition to release five Syrian detainees imprisoned for their involvement in popular protests.  Other students volunteered with the festival directly and helped set up, clean up, and work at the child care tent.

In addition to the Academy booths, other groups set up to help people learn more about  different cultures, the festival included a variety of food stands to interest  people through their stomach.  Those that went to the fair were able to experience everything from curry, fried plantains, baklava, gyros, Taiwanese bubble tea, Korean sodas, and everything in between.  For those that were less adventurous, there were also BBQ and funnel cakes.

A stage was also set up in the middle of the festival.  Here, those involved with the festival were able to display some of their ethnic traditions.  Traditional Bollywood dancing, tae kwon do, and belly dancing were only a few of the several talented individuals and cultural performances on display.  Music was also played on throughout the grounds, with some sounds coming from individual booths and others from the main, live stage at the heart of the festival.

Wayne Schmitt (’13) had difficulty choosing the element of the festival that he enjoyed the most.  “I thought it was a lot of fun,” Schmitt said. “I enjoyed learning about other countries and cultures. Not to mention, I really liked being able to try foods I had never tried before.  It’s hard to say what my favorite booth was, but I thought the dance performed by the guys at the Saudi Arabia booth was really cool.”

The day came to close around 7 p.m. with several Academy students still on the festival grounds.  Though they were tired, their day was filled with experiences of new cultures, raising awareness for causes, and stuffing their faces with ethnic food.

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By Andrea Eastes

[New Year, New Staff] Scott Wolfe Assumes New Role as Lead RC

September 13, 2011 | 5Q, News, People, Staff, Student Life | No Comments

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With the start of a new year at the Gatton Academy comes several new personalities to the staff. We are excited about these passionate and dedicated individuals who have joined our team. They come to us from different parts of the country with a host of varied experiences. Over the last few weeks, the staff has had a chance to get to know each other. It’s now your chance to meet the new faces behind the Academy. Each day this week, we’ll profile a new staff member.

Academy Avatars sat down with each new staff member to post ten questions in hopes of getting to know them better. Avatars came up with a few questions that they asked each person. Each Avatar also posed unique questions of their own choosing to ask as well.

Interview by Sammi Hawtrey, Academy Avatar

What does your new role entail?

As head RC, I will be taking a lead in planning, organizing, and scheduling weekend activities, sign-ups, advising role for programming.

How is it different from last year?

Everyone will sign up and pay for activities with me directly, rather than at the front desk. We will create Facebook groups for event information, and weekend activity notifications will be sent out twice a month instead of weekly.

How will your new position affect students?

Because event information will be primarily through Facebook, they will be less inundated with e-mails. This will help keep them from signing up for events they aren’t planning on going to. It will also help with innovation, as students give me feedback about what they do and don’t want to participate in.

What are you looking forward to most?

I’m definitely excited to see how the changes in programming affect the way student activities are done. I am also interested in seeing the different dynamics of a new wing with fewer students.

What made you want this role?

I thought I could bring something to the position. Using my experience of the past five years, I hope to plan some really interesting events. My application to the position stemmed from a desire to be a good program leader.

Why were you selected for it?

While all of the RCs are highly qualified individuals, I believe I was chosen for my experience. I’ve been here since we opened and seen how we’ve run things from day one. I can bring things back that were done in the first years.

What do you hope to contribute with your new role?

I hope to bring perspective and new style to activities. My goal is to challenge us to think outside the box and come up with new ways to do the wing programming.

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By Gatton Academy

Academy Juniors Face A New Kind of Challenge in Low-Ropes Course

August 29, 2011 | News, People, Staff, Student Life | No Comments

by Erin Walch, Academy Avatar

Finish off Adventure Week activities, juniors, seniors, and residential counselors alike traveled to WKU’s low-ropes Challenge Course on the outskirts of campus to put their leadership and team working skills to the test.

Students were asked to perform tasks that required communication and–at times–more than a little humility. Activities were designed to push students to work together and pool their collective strengths together to become an effective team. The challenge for these intellectual Automatons came in the form of accepting assistance and veering from the constant choice of independent problem-solving habits.

One of the most important lessons students at the Gatton Academy must learn in order to become successful in our academic and residential environments is asking for help. No matter a students’ test scores or GPA, every student requires advice, encouragement, tutorship, and support sometime in their stay at the Academy. This important fact is hard to understand, and many students are uncomfortable with admitting their imperfections and shortcomings. Here, the challenge course comes into play to effectively introduce students to the dynamics of student interaction at Gatton.

Tasks at the course included blindfolded students being directed through noodle land minds by fellow students, balancing a gigantic seesaw with approximately twenty students atop it, and blindfolding students to enter an inescapable maze: a circle of rope. This activity in particular was quite frustrating for juniors and seniors alike, who spent nearly an hour trying to figure out why they could not finish the maze.

The most interesting part of this task was that students could ask questions of the instructor, but could not converse together. Eventually, students grudgingly came to the realization that the only way to escape the maze was to ask the question, “Can you help me?”

Adrian Gregory, a member of the Class of 2013, added that it was a difficult question to ask.  “When we had to go through the maze and ask for help, we all realized that sometimes there is nothing else that you can do but admit to yourself that you need help,” he said.

Most of the students agreed that this task was their least favorite and most frustrating because they had to admit their inability to complete the maze. “We are all so used to doing everything by ourselves, and we are really stubborn,” added Gabrielle Hamilton, who is also a member of the Class of 2013. “The maze showed us that sometimes we can’t do everything by ourselves.”

Other lessons learned by students at the challenge course included effective communication, having confidence in your own skills when working with a group of leaders, expressing humility when accepting others ideas, and working as hard to help others as to help oneself.

Residential Counselor Ian Oliver noticed that “It becomes very easy to identify who is an unexpected leader, and who can step up when needed.”

All of these qualities embody the spirit of students at the Academy, and improve the chances of success of the student body. The lessons learned these past two days at the challenge course will especially prove important as a new semester starts and students venture into the great adventure that marks Academy life.

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By Corey Alderdice

Arrival of Senior Class Completes Academy “Family” Once More

August 26, 2011 | News, People, Student Life, Students | No Comments

by Rachel Metcalfe, Academy Avatar

While the Senior Community Leaders moved in a week ago and the new junior students arrived on Sunday, the remaining Gatton Academy seniors were finishing up the last of their summers and preparing for the exciting school year to come. This Wednesday, all the remaining seniors returned and the residence halls are now packed to near capacity.

Many of the returning seniors acted very excited as they arrived in the parking lot of Florence Schneider Hall once again, for their second and last year at the academy. “Although it is bittersweet, I can’t wait to see what the new year brings,” said Annie Wheeler, a senior from Todd County.

Although all of the seniors seemed enthusiastic because they won’t be the lowest on the food chain anymore. “The only downside is we won’t have the older seniors here to help us anymore,” said Rebecca Brown.

Instead, the new seniors have to step up and fill those roles as peer mentors and academic tutors to the first-year students. After discussing the role of seniors with some of the new juniors, they agreed that their seemed to be an empowering  cycle of help at the academy, pointing out that each class takes its turn assisting the first-year students until they eventually become the senior mentors.

Seth Creech, a junior from Powell County, said that he would definitely be asking the senior community leaders on his floor for help, if and when he needed it.

“I am thrilled to have my ‘Gatton Family’ back under the same roof,” explained Taylor Leet, a senior an Community Developer. She said that she couldn’t wait to see her old friends and make even more great memories.

“I enjoyed helping move my old friends back in since I hadn’t seen them in so long,” said Holly Morris, who also serves as a Community Developer. “The family-like closeness that develops at the academy is evident. The students love being around the other students, and making connections makes the academy experience all that more memorable.”

Rachel Stewart, a returning Residential Counselor, added that the level of excitement for the new year has reached a fever pitch in Schneider Hall. “I’m excited for people to return that I already know, and also excited to meet the new students,” she said. “I’m interested to see what the floor dynamic will be with the combination of seniors and juniors, now that everyone is back.”

All in all, the whole “family” is reunited and ready to take on the new school year ahead. The pressure will come soon enough and so will graduation.

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By Corey Alderdice

Academy Staff Get Head Start on Year with Training, Discussion

August 26, 2011 | News, People, Staff, Student Life | No Comments

by Charlotte Humes, Academy Avatar

The Academy certainly understands the value of a little free time.  “It helps take the professional edge off things, which is healthy,” said Ian Oliver, fourth floor male Residential Counselor, but added that “it’s definitely hard to transition back into work mode.”

To help ease this transition, staff activities resumed on August 1, almost a full month before any students return to Schneider Hall.  “The purpose of training is to spend three weeks preparing the RCs to work with this unique population,” explained Beth Hawke, Assistant Director for Student Life.  “We focus on the traits and characteristics of gifted students, particularly the social and emotional aspects, and it allows the new staff to learn from the old.”  Overall, the staff seemed to think it was a very positive experience.

Veteran staffers, such as Laura Huff, second floor female Residential Counselor, praised it for having improved from last year.  “It focused more on preparing us on relevant topics, and on information we really need to know,” she said.

All the staff members agreed that it certainly helped them be prepared for this year.  “It helps me get back in the mindset of the job, and remember things I need to do.  It gives me ideas for the new year, a chance to hear how everyone’s doing things, and a time to think of new strategies,” shared Rachel Stewart, fourth floor female Residential Counselor.

Beyond just discussion with each other, staff were also given a safety session by the fire marshal, spent quite a bit of time learning from Assistant Director for Counseling Services Pokey Bowen about crisis communication, suicide prevention, and had Dr. Tom Hebert–one of the leading experts in gifted studies–come speak.

“I was able to learn more about gifted students and what makes them tick,” Sue Meador, third floor female Residential Counselor, said of the speaker.  The other staff members, such as April Gaskey and Derick Strode, came to explain their jobs, and, as Strode put it, “create unity with all the staff.”

Brimah Vonjo, who joined the Academy this summer as a Residential Counselor, said that, “the guest speaker and staff really came in and gave pieces to the puzzle.  It absolutely prepared me for the job.”

Staff members agreed it had been a productive time, and many offered their take on the most important accomplishment.  “We definitely created a stronger bond among staff, and work more as a unit now,” said Scott Wolfe, who recently assumed the role of Lead RC.

Sam Earls, the other new RC addition who will work with second floor males, mentioned that “it’s a tight community, so those goofy, team-building things really helped with unity.”

According to Stewart, this extended even beyond the scheduled training.  “A lot of really important bonding happened outside of training, when we were just going to meals and hanging out, and that’s definitely an important part of summer development.”  Staff development this summer has helped the Academy enter the new year well-prepared.

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By Corey Alderdice

WKU President, Provost Welcome Academy Students to Campus at Picnic

August 23, 2011 | News, People, Staff, Student Life, Students, WKU | No Comments

by David Sekora, Academy Avatar

It is Academy tradition to celebrate the beginning of an exciting new year with an informal evening picnic at the President’s house just off campus.

“We hope we can help make these next two years be everything you dreamed they would be. Welcome to the WKU family, and the food’s up that way,” WKU President Gary Ransdell proudly declared as the catering staff ceremoniously unveiled a veritable feast of plump hot dogs, juicy hamburgers, and assorted bowls of delicious backyard barbecue favorites.

An impressive showing, to be sure, and all in honor of the Gatton Academy Class of 2013, of which Dr. Ransdell could not speak highly enough. Of course, there were more people in attendance than the Academy neophytes in question. Various Academy staff members, Community Leaders, university professors, and department heads also gathered around the round white tables for an hour of intriguing discussion.

One of the more interesting characters wandering about was Dr. Gordon Emslie, WKU’s Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. A triple major in Physics, Math, and Astronomy with extensive research and travel experience, Dr. Emslie regaled Academy students with logic puzzles and existential crises. From “How many post offices are in the US?” (there are less than 100000 because of 5-digit zip codes) to “Share with us something you believe to be an irrefutably true statement. Now, you have thirty seconds to convince us all that it is false,” to a broad assortment of pseudo-random facts and opinions about science, life, and the universe, the Scottish provost certainly knew how to appeal to Academy students.

Of course, the focal points of the party were Dr. Ransdell and his wife Julie Ransdell, who flitted from table to table engaging students in casual conversation about science, WKU, and adjustment to life at the Academy. After three years’ experience in holding this event, the beloved president and his wife had much to share with students new and old alike, and Dr. Ransdell’s speeches were as inspiring as ever.

“You have the whole campus at your disposal; as far as we’re concerned, you’re freshmen at WKU. You’re part of the university family now,” Ransdell said.

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By Corey Alderdice

Empty Nests, Watery Eyes Among Parents of Class of 2013 as Move-In Day Arrives

August 22, 2011 | News, Parents, People, Student Life, Students | No Comments

by Charlotte Humes, Academy Avatar

Nobody said taking care of a child was easy.

For many parents, moving their child out of the house for the first time is one of the most difficult parts of the experience.  Luckily, despite a quick survey of the activity revealing a few less-than-dry eyes, the overall attitude of the families moving in members of Gatton’s Class of 2013 was clearly positive.

Mark Allen, father of Cecily Allen, commented on this contradiction.  “We’re excited but sad,” a combination I heard echoed by other parents.  He added that this was his daughter’s “first extended period away from home,” but that “coming to orientation and preview weekends really helped.”

The fact that this was the second child to move out the home, he said, “definitely makes it easier.”

Fran Hamilton, the mother of Gabrielle Hamilton, felt similarly.  A true veteran at this, with Gabrielle being her third, and final, child to move out of the house, she said that while she and her husband think it is “easier in some ways with each one you move out, and we are very excited for the great experience for our daughter, losing the youngest, the baby, is definitely toughest.”

She paused before adding, “We’re empty-nesters now.”  No matter how many times the parents had been through this, or what amount of help that offered, it was still a challenge.

Naturally, there was an element of nervousness in their good-byes.  Many parents mentioned that the distance would be difficult to handle. The most common concern was their child’s time management wanting to make sure that they “got their work done and studied.”  Of course, the news that the Academy provides students with the resources to learn about and develop study skills, along with the reminder of mandatory study hours, helped ease parents’ minds, at least on that account.

Despite having the same concerns as any other parent would, Rob Johnson, father of Justin Johnson, weighed in on such things.  “It’s a great opportunity, and I like that he’s moving in now, even though he’s younger.  It gives him a safety net, so he’s able to ask for help and have a second family here, much better than just dropping him off all on his own in two years.”

Other parents repeated his beliefs, expressing relief that they were leaving their children in capable hands.  While it may come as a surprise, age seemed to not bother most of the parents.  “Age doesn’t matter,” said Karen, Justin’s mother.  “He’s always been so mature, and he seems ready, so I’m not bothered.”  Mike and Trish Smith, Ethan’s parents, also mentioned that “the fact that he’s sixteen doesn’t really change anything,” and that, regardless, while “the Academy gives greater challenge and independence, it also provides a lot of support.”

After a quick meeting with the staff, parents were asked to say their final good-byes.  As children and their parents embraced, promising to keep in close contact, all were confident in their decision.  The Academy will provide these 78 students with a second family, along with amazing opportunities, and everyone seemed to recognize this.

The final sentiment I heard echoed all around?  “I love you,” said as parents let their child begin their next grand adventure.

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By Corey Alderdice

Adventure Awaits as Class of 2013 Arrives on Campus

August 22, 2011 | News, People, Student Life, Students | No Comments

Students and families participate in a wing meeting on the first day of Adventure Week.

by Sammi Hawtrey, Academy Avatar

Piles of boxes were strewn about the hallways. Green-clad Community Leaders  bustled in and out of Schneider Hall like a line of busy ants.  Students and parents wandered through the building with looks of eagerness and nervous anticipation plastered across their faces. Residential Counselors waited in their common areas with organized piles of keys, contact information, and room reports. What could be the cause of such commotion?

It must be move-in day.

Emotions ran high as juniors arrived at the white, limestone building that would be their home for the next two years.

“My first thought when I got here was ‘Wow, I’m gonna like it here’,” said Chance Anderson.

The juniors’ arrival marks the start of Adventure Week, during which they will undergo a series of information sessions, instructional seminars, and team-building activities given by the academy staff. These events are designed to help prepare students for the rigors of life at the academy, while enabling them to forge lasting friendships in the process.

Community Leaders assisted families with unloading the many boxes of possessions making their way into Schneider Hall.

Some students have experienced a far wider range of sensations. “I feel very excited, but also a bit nauseous. But I am definitely ready for the independence,” commented Lauren Shields.

However, certain juniors know only one emotion: excitement. Chiraag Kapadia stated animatedly, “I could probably explode with excitement right now”.

A mixture of elation and anxiousness seems to be the common theme for both students and parents, but the eager anticipation certainly overrules anxiety. Parents and students alike recognize that the upcoming year holds boundless promise, and all are looking forward to the many opportunities it will present.

As Alex Gutierrez,  a returning senior and Community Developer, was excited about the impact the incoming juniors will have on his wing. “These guys will bring a wide variety of personalities to each wing, defining it in new and different ways”, he says. “I can’t wait to see what new traditions we establish this year.”

While transitioning into a new living environment can be stressful and a little bit scary at times, it seems that students are certainly looking forward to the upcoming year. If the outcome of the juniors experience at the Academy can be determined by a single day, it would seem that the next two years will truly be fantastic.

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By Corey Alderdice