The Southerner
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S I N C E 1 9 4 7 DIAGNOSIS DISORDER S I N C E 1 9 4 7 Americaʼs problem with RAGTIME TO Psycho-stimulants p. 12-13 REMEMBER See Nexus THE OUTHERNER An upbeatS paper for a downtown school HENRY W. GRADY HIGH SCHOOL, ATLANTA05 VOLUME LVIII, NUMBER 8, MAY 10, 2005 Belt Line proposal coming full circle BY CHELSEA SPENCER station, south to Peoplestown, urrently shrouded by west to Washington Park and Cdense overgrowth and east to Inman Park. The Belt disguised as a quiet reminder Line Necklace, adorned with of Atlanta’s past, the miles 13 park “jewels,” including of historic freight railway four new parks, four expanded snaking through midtown and parks, and five mixed-use downtown neighborhoods may communities, would link the soon be the cornerstone of an city to its green space and ambitious project that is backed increase accessibility to its by Mayor Shirley Franklin and parks, including Piedmont Congressman John Lewis. The Park. project aspires to propel the “When I was at Georgia DAVE WINTER DAVE rusting city of Atlanta into a Tech in grad school I was new golden age of parks. studying how infrastructures “The idea is to take the four could create a whole new kind historical railroads that circle of development,” said Gravel, the city and convert them into who developed the concept in PROM ON THE PROMENADE: Senior Daniel Allen surveys the crowd in the courtyard as Grady hosts its first prom on campus in more than 35 years. a trolley and path,” said Ryan 1999 based on existing ideas Gravel, design coordinator for for transit corridors. “I was Friends of the Belt Line. interested in creating a new The Belt Line Emerald infrastructure to revitalize the PROM: A FAIRYTALE ‘KNIGHT’ Necklace proposal would core of Atlanta.” BY ROBERT SANDERS prom king and queen, Steven Johnson hold prom at Grady, many students provide Atlanta with a unique Several years after Gravel’s any raised their eyebrows in and Katelyn Berndt, many agreed that thought that it would be subpar. Some opportunity to expand city innovation was born, Alexander suspicion when the prom prom, held at Grady for the first time seniors worried that it might even ruin park space and improve Garvin designed the plan for The Mcommittee announced that in more than 35 years, was a success. their last high school prom. transit by capitalizing on rarely Belt Line Emerald Necklace: the prom would be held on campus, “We wanted to show that you could “I thought it would be better used in-town infrastructure. Atlanta’s necklace’s “jewels.” and even more watched skeptically have something at school and make it anywhere but at school,” senior Linking 46 neighborhoods, the The secound stage, the when the massive tent that would exceptional,” said Mr. Paul Nicholson, Reid Edger said, “but it exceeded 23 miles of recreational trails more ambitious, low-impact house the seating area and dance floor who sponsored the prom committee my expectations.” It was not and 20 miles of transit rails railway would connect didn’t stand high enough to cover the along with Ms. Keri McDonald and only students who questioned form an ovul loop around the to five MARTA stations. trees in the courtyard the Friday before. Mr. Vincent Martinez. city’s center, stretching north But as confetti rained down on Grady’s When the committee proposed to See GHS page 6 to the Lindbergh MARTA See BELT page 6 Young wins teaching award EWS RIEFS BY MATT WESTMORELAND in making teaching such a positive N B iane Gilchrist-Young is crazy. experience.” DCrazy about her students. Ms. Young began teaching at Crazy about science. Crazy about Grady in 1997 and has since taken Grady Scouts claim Grady High School, the staff of on a myriad responsibilities, most world title for GHS which has selected her Teacher of recently serving as coordinator the Year for the 2005-2006 school for the gifted program and chair The Grady Gearbox Gangstaz year. of the science department. Prior and GradyScouts competed at “I’m very flattered and proud of to coming to Grady, she taught the FIRST International Robotics being named Teacher of the Year at Sutton Middle School for 13 Competition at the Georgia of a faculty when all the teachers years, at Parks Middle School for Dome April 21-23. The Gearbox deserve the recognition,” Ms. 11 years, and at Bryant Jr. High CHELSEA SPENCER Gangstaz made it to the semifinal Young said. “I appreciate all the MODEL BEHAVIOR: Sophomores Chrisopher Goodine and John Taylor enjoy round in the overall competition, efforts of students and other faculty See YOUNG page 6 Mrs. Diane Young’s enthusiasm for teaching as she gives a lesson on anatomy. and the GradyScouts captured first place in the VEX division. Helsel wins award School year ends at Grady prepares to lose two who will leave lasting mark Senior Marian Helsel received the BY AMELIA GODFREY AND THI LAM Archer Middle School. Inspired he was not teaching was when he students learn of their future. Doc Rumble Award on May 4 from s students and staff around by a teacher’s effort in securing a worked as a manager for IBM. When a student of his wins a Grady alum Elizabeth Pendergast in AGrady prepare for the long football scholarship to Fort Valley “I went to watch my children scholarship, Coach Hill explains, honor of her chorus teacher. summer vacation that awaits them, State University, Coach Hill has grow up,” Coach Hill said. “I “I feel as good as good as the kid Paper ‘All Georgia’ familiar faces around campus will tried throughout his career to had two boys, I had to take care who received it.” not return for the 2005-2006 help students who come across of them.” Coach Hill leaves Grady with At its Spring Awards Assembly April school year. Homer Hill and Beza his path. After 10 years at IBM, Coach words of advice for teachers 29 in Athens, the Georgia Scholastic Demena are two of those teachers “I’ve always liked atheletics and Hill returned to teaching, working present and future. Press Association presented The who will close this chapter of their I like working with kids,” Coach at many schools before arriving at “Be patient,” Coach Hill said. Southerner with the “All Georgia” life on May 20. Hill said. “I enjoy seeing them at Grady in 1991 to teach PE and “Always be honest and things will award, as the newspaper in Georgia. Coach Hill began his career the beginning and helping them coach football. go right.” He promises following Design editor Steven Johnson as a physical education teacher grow through the stages.” Coach Hill’s favorite part of captured five awards. and football coach in 1965 at The only period of time when the job is watching as graduating see TEACHERS page 7 2 c o m m e n t May 10, 2005 THE SOUTHERNER EDITORIAL BOARD ELLY BOOKMAN NOLAN DOUGHERTY CLARA GREEN STEVEN JOHNSON THE OUTHERNER LAURA JONES S THI LAM Prom, Ragtime show off DAVID SUITTS students at their best Dear editor, The write stuff: Essays I can’t miss the opportunity to congratulate students and The whole college application process is daunting, but nothing teachers on two recent phenomenal equals the dread of staring at generic essay questions just days before the accomplishments, accomplishments application deadline. While writing good essays is no substitute for bad that remind me that Grady is a grades or a lazy course selection, they can push an application over the top singular place to work and to learn. or hold it back since essays are school admissions officers only chance to I don’t think many high school get a feel for what kind of person you are. communities would embrace the A thoughtful essay is about you, not your accomplishments. Admissions idea of hosting a prom on their officers don’t want to know about the awards you’ve won—they want campus. Too many young and old to know you. They don’t want to read an impersonal, newspaper-like adults buy into the belief that you account of your experiences—they want to know how you think. Despite have to spend small fortunes on an the often general essay prompts, college essays should be narrowly focused expensive venue in order for a prom and deal in specifics, not generalities. to be successful. It makes me feel Your essay should be something that only you could write. That doesn’t very lucky to be at a school where mean it needs to be an experience unique to you—plenty of applicants students not only accept such a have written incredible essays on their commonplace volunteering plan but appreciate its merit and experience—but it should be about how you changed and why you celebrate its flawless execution. thought that experience was important. This year’s prom restored my faith Another tip, although seemingly obvious, is to write about an in proms and in young people experience, idea, or cause that interests you. It will show. Don’t act like to approach them in the proper you know it all already—colleges want eager-to-learn students. And spirit. In doing so, the students “practice makes perfect” when it comes to writing essays. The more of this school showed their fine thoughtful essays you write, the better they will get. character and their maturity, and in Finally, leave enough time to revise what you have written. Essays are staging this wonderful event, Mr.