North Carolina School of Science and Math - Odyssey Yearbook (Durham, NC)

Page 27 text:

As I opened up to the people around me, I realized that I had found my personal role in this ideal setting. I sensed that, as a small but vital part of this new w orld, I would discover the breadth and depth of my abilities. 1 knew that my development here, however demanding or rewarding, would be a landmark in my life. — Brian Habit During my two years at NCSSM, I realized how much I can do in my 24 hour allowance per day. NCSSM has also helped my to organize my priorities. I look at my friends at home, and I am soooo glad that I will not have to go through those important mental, emotional, and academic changes that they must undergo next year. NCSSM has helped me to discover myself — and I really appreciate that.” — Lisa Sykes

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But along with the good times were problems. We missed our families and friends, and, of course, “real food. We quickly felt overworked, and wondered how we had gotten two months behind after only two weeks. We complained about cold showers and sign-in cards. At times the closeness got irritating, for we found out that all secrets traveled down the grapevine very quickly. Summer approached and we could not wait to “eat and sleep! But inside we did not want it to end, for we knew it would mean our NCSSM experience was half over. After three months apart, we came back in the fall as SENIORS!! It felt sort of funny, to be “big seniors, to be actually going through that magical year. We greeted each other with hugs and smiles, but found ourselves being observed by alien creatures — juniors. We instantly accepted them, eager to play big brother big sister. During our senior year there were many other changes at the school. The “cafe was remodeled, we had a game room, and there were even books in the library. We got used to seeing unknown faces and quit introducing ourselves. With a twinge of sadness, we realized that the school had grown larger, and that we would have to work much harder to achieve the closeness that existed when we were all in one class. 22

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Perhaps the one thing we remember most about the first semester of twelth grade is “college ap ' s. At first it was fun to get “fan mail from colleges, but then we began to murmur “meaningful academ ic experience” and “reward- ing extracurricular activities in our sleep. When we nearly went crazy staring blankly at an essay to be written, we turned to our friends, who always came through. We lived for second semester, when we would be “home-free. But once it came, we wanted time to slow down, for we knew our days at NCSSM were drawing to an end. We lived eagerly, trying to cram as many memories as possible into every remaining moment. Those months are full of memories, and they, along with the rest, will always be treasured as we reflect upon our unforgettable two years at NCSSM. 24