Time Flys at Supersonic Speeds… October 8, 2011
Posted by Rick in : Academics, Unique Opportunities , add a comment(Today’s blog post was written by an MSMS junior as he reflected on his first nine weeks at MSMS – Rick)
As I’m sitting here, back at home on our second extended weekend, two months into school, it hit me. MSMS is for real now! I remember our Orientation Week, when everything felt like a camp that we were all visiting. Then, I remember when classes started; and we got hit with loads of books and homework. It never really and truly set in, though, until I was at home this weekend, and I saw some of my old friends. While MSMS has separated me from all of my home friends, it is already helping me form bonds with people that will last forever. I remember hearing that MSMS would become a “family” for me, but I was never too sure. I now know that MSMS is the place to go if you want to meet people who will stick with you forever. I have had great experiences at MSMS, and I keep having to remind myself that I’m only 9 weeks into it.
The adjustment period was a rough one, no doubt about it; however, that period was well worth the benefits that will come after MSMS. I had seniors help me get through my adjustment period, as I’m sure most juniors do. Some of them are already getting their acceptance letters in from colleges, and it’s already giving me chills because I know in just a year, that will be me. That is the major goal of MSMS, and it’s coming up very soon. They say “time flies when you’re having fun” well time does more than just fly at MSMS, it goes at supersonic speeds.
Peace,
Tyler
How Did You Spend YOUR Extended Weekend? September 10, 2011
Posted by Rick in : Activities and Organizations , add a comment
(Note: The following post was submitted on Tuesday, September 6, by another of our Emissaries.)
Yesterday, at roughly 3 o’clock, all of my fellow juniors and seniors began returning to the dorms after our first extended weekend of the year. Everyone had a long relaxing three-day weekend to spend with their family and friends, chill out and have fun over Labor Day weekend. MSMS students, faculty and staff get one three-day weekend each month for this very purpose.
This weekend I decided to run a 5k at the Prairie Arts Festival in West Point. This exciting eight a.m. run was my first 5k, and I was rather nervous. However the amazing Mrs. Zarandona, the math/robotics teacher and cross-country coach, was right there beside me, ready to run the whole thing with me. The outcome of the race was great. Mrs. Zarandona was the first female and needless to say won 1st in her category; I came in as the second female and was also 1st in my category. Samory Diaby and Dallas Schwake, two seniors on the team, would have probably placed in the top 5 of overall males.
The cross-country team will have our first official meet September 17, and the future looks very bright for the team this year.
Laurel
MSMS Research Internships September 2, 2011
Posted by Rick in : Academics, Unique Opportunities , add a comment(Today’s post comes from one of our Emissaries, Mikhail, and focuses on one of the many unique opportunities MSMS affords its students. ~ Rick)
Yesterday, I felt like I had been given the opportunity of a life time! I was given the opportunity to work with one of the professors at Mississippi State University, Dr. Dipangkar Dutta, Assisstant Professor of Physics and Astronomy at MSU. This year I will be running simulations with an instrument to be built next year for use at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility.
I feel very privileged to be able to do research at MSU because I know very few high school students get to do something like this. The opportunity is available through our research internship program, which works closely with MSU to pair research professionals with MSMS students who, then, conduct independent research under the guidance of their research mentors. Current juniors will be allowed to participate in research internships in the spring; and hopefully, many of them will get involved in this exciting program! The research does not have to be math- or science-related and can be architecture or political science or whatever else is offered at MSU.
I hope opportunities like this will encourage many current sophomores to apply, and maybe even encourage parents to push their children to apply here because I know that they will love it!
Parent’s Day August 27, 2011
Posted by Rick in : Academics, Residence Life, Unique Opportunities , add a comment(Today’s blog post is also by one our MSMS Emissaries. ~ Rick)
Today is Parent’s Day, and I lucked out—my job didn’t require me to up at the crack of dawn like my fellow emissaries. I didn’t have to be at Hooper until noon; and in MSMS life, if you have the chance to sleep in, you take it. But do I take my own advice? Of course not. I woke up today around 7:15 so I could get a jump start on homework. We’ve only been back about three weeks, but it feels like I’ve been home for years. Falling back into the MSMS swing of things is easy, and I would never change that.
I speed through my Latin translation and my Organic Chemistry reading, and now it’s time to tackle the more difficult of my homework: College Application Essay and University Calculus II. I sit and stare at the blinking cursor on the blank Word document. Nothing comes. So I move on.
The thick blue Calculus book smells old, in the best way. I read over my assignment sheet, it shouldn’t be too hard, I learned it in class right? Apparently not, I find five confused minutes later. I sigh, close my book and pull out my phone. I know just who to call. She’s on her way up to talk me through Calculus.
And I think that’s one of the best things about MSMS—you can always find someone to help you whether it be teacher or student, everyone’s better than you at something. While that may seem scary, it also means sometimes you can help other people out. My math genius friend is bringing up Beowulf, she needs help from her literary friend (hey, that’s me!).
-Hannah
Classes Begin August 15, 2011
Posted by Rick in : Academics , add a comment(Today’s blog post is from one of our Emissaries and was submitted on Friday, the second day of classes ~ Rick)
So, yesterday was the first day of classes; but since I had only two classes, I did not feel like it was the first day of classes. But today it hit me that classes are starting, and my first priority this year will be English. Why is English as my top priority in a math and science school?
Well, although we have a very challenging math and science program here in this school, I already have a natural ability for math and science. What I do not have talent for is English; so I will have to work harder for my English class because the English program here is also very rigorous.
There are a variety of English classes taught at MSMS because MSMS cares about all fields of academics. To me, some of the interesting classes in the English department include Shakespeare I & II, Creative Writing, Journalism, and Yearbook.
I would really encourage students who love reading and writing to also apply to MSMS; a more diverse academic environment would be very helpful to all the students and faculty here.
Mikhail
