May 8, 2009

Here at the Rocky Mountain Semester we are in the middle of standardized test season.  We all went down to Salida last Saturday to take the SAT.  All the locals were astounded by how many of us there were.  Spirits ran high, and a few friendly bets were placed on SAT scores.  All in all, we kept ahealthy, lighthearted perspective on exams, exemplified by Kevin, who took the SAT in a cape.  Many a Salidan had a chuckle at his expense.  After the test, some students stayed in Salida to enjoy the friendly setting of another small Colorado town.  Most students went to the pool after returning to campus, where fun reigned. 

Now, we are smack dab in the middle of Advanced Placement (AP) tests.  Marty kicked off the week of with a stunning performance on the AP French exam, and the next day was followed by Adrian, Sarah, and Charlotte's awe-inspiring AP Spanish test performance.  On Thursday, many students showcased their literary prowess on the AP English Literature test.  However, easily the most intense group of students was the AP US History class. We here at Rocky Mountain Semester 22 believe that the shouts of joy that emanated from the Neill classroom after the exam was finished were unparalleled in standardized testing history.  

There are a few AP exams left, but fortunately we have successfully ridden through the tests so far.   We also have many strategies we've used to get us through the testing season.  For examples, cookies tend to be the preferred form of sustenance for AP study sessions, while some students prefer the far healthier broccoli and cauliflower salad with mixed legumes.  On a rare occasion, one will see the focused student in a tranquil meditation, face on textbook, textbook on table, drool on face.  Overall, AP testing here is really as enjoyable as possible.

Last Saturday night activity, we had a coffee house and open mic night. During this activity students preformed songs and played music on their instruments. Some students wrote original songs, while others performed their own special rendition of well-known favorites. Students played the piano and guitar.  Other students performed skits. Everyone took part in this activity, including some faculty. Sam, one of our wonderful math teachers, was the master of ceremonies. He dressed up with sunglasses and a wig and acted like a completely different character.  It was awesome how everyone was involved and we all supported our fellow classmates. If you were not singing on stage, you were singing from the audience, and after most songs, we all jumped up on the stage. We applauded, laughed, sang, and danced together.  During intermission we drank coffee, homemade chai, and milk, and ate cookies and cake. We had an excellent time, sharing our talents, laughs, and smiles. This will be one memory here at HMI that we will never forget.

Activity periods this week have provided much needed respite from the world of standardized testing. We have had a plethora of good options: some students went to the pool and while others did some bouldering outside. Some of us painted watercolors, others played Ultimate Frisbee, and still others rode bikes.  A popular choice was also helping with renovations to Karl's (or other math teacher) house. Overall, the faculty and apprentices have offered more than enough choices to keep us occupied.

 Both trips to the pool were extremely enjoyable, especially with the new, warm, (50°F) spring weather. The first of the two trips to boulder outside actually ended up being snowed out, in May!! It snowed just over 4 inches the morning of Monday, May 4th, resulting in rock that was too wet to climb. With snow on the ground outside, we headed over to the climbing hall to boulder in the dry shelter of the East Building. And, we were lucky to enjoy the next bouldering trip to Turquoise Lake in perfect, cloudless weather. With some instruction from our History apprentice Lindsey, several of us were able to climb up and over a particularly difficult boulder. Later, a lucky few took a trip to Karl's house to help finish the "renovations." Apparently Karl began to demolish his house last June with the help of a some RMS XX students and a few sledgehammers. Now, with the help of a few RMS XXII students (and other past semesters), he is almost ready to move back in.

Other than that, the semester continues to crank along with AMX, chores, normal class schedule, cook crews, and the rest of the wonderful daily grind.

And finally, here's a Happy Mothers' Day shout out to all of our amazing moms!

By: Jeff Oliver-Smith, Imari Romeo, & Tyler Harris