Dont bother to just be better than your contemopraries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself- William Faulkner

As we close on Black History Month, I just wanted to remind you that every day is Black History month because we are living it. Although, I fully support the need for Black History Month because it is a sure way of passing down historical traditions and contributions from the old to the young. We need and should continue this. There are some that make the argument that we no longer need Black History because it should be embedded into American History.

The problem with that argument in my opinion is that although it is embedded in American History, it often times gets lost in the shuffle of American History and we only here about a few of our African American heroes such as Rosa Parks, Dr. King and Oprah or somebody. As we close out this month, I challenge you to continue to live Black History every day and decide right now what contributions you will make to make the next generation proud of you. We must and have to be in control of our own stories. In the words of Marcus Garvey, "Up you mighty race, you can accomplish what you will!"

Have a great day PDA students, faculty and administration!

“Today, see if you can stretch your heart and expand your love so that it touches not only those to whom you can give it easily, but also to those who need it so much.”

“Every day you may make progress. Every step may be fruitful. Yet there will stretch out before you an ever-lengthening, ever-ascending, ever-improving path. You know you will never get to the end of the journey. But this, so far from discouraging, only adds to the joy and glory of the climb.”

Scholarship Information for African Americans

Black students may be missing out on scholarships because they are not aware that the scholarships are available. We at Princeton Day Academy want to do our part in making as much information available about as many scholarships as possible. Therefore, we are beginning to compile scholarship information for our scholars and families This is a work in progress that will be updated on an on-going basis. The goal is for this information to get better and better with time.

Remember, "A mind is a terrible thing to waste," and we do not want a single available mind-building scholarship dollar to go unclaimed.

•2011 - 2012 Scholarship Resource Guide courtesy of U. S. Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard, (CA-34)
•http://www.littleafrica.com/resources/scholarships.htm
•Blackexcel.org - Scholarship Gateway (Includes the list: "200 Free Scholarships For Minorities")
•http://www.blackstudentfund.org/
•http://www.finaid.org/
•http://www.college-scholarships.com/
•http://www.colorq.org/Articles/article.aspx?d=2003&x=scholarships
•http://www.federalstudentaid.ed.gov
•http://www.studentaid.ed.gov
•NursingHomeAbuse.net Scholarship
 

Black History Quiz

1. The first Black woman elected to congress was:

1. Patricia Harris
2. Barbara Jordan
3. Shirley Chisholm
4. Sadie Alexander

2. Legislation to restrict the movement and freedom of freedmen was enacted in 1865 in Mississippi and was known as:

1. Black Rules
2. Negro Restrictions
3. Black Papers
4. Black Codes

3. The first Black-owned television station in the US began broadcasting in 1975 and was located in:

1. Los Angeles
2. Cincinnati
3. New York
4. Detroit

Is it reasonable to have a sense of delusional confidence in your abilities, or would you rather build confidence by performing well in the past? If you choose the latter, doesn’t that mean that a single bad performance can shatter your confidence in yourself

He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still- Lao Tzu

Believe in yourself ! ! !  Have faith in your abilities ! ! ! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy...

1st Place Emanuel Orji-“Designer Genes”
2nd Place Gerald Rodriguez –“Got Rust”
3rd Place Aaron Kennedy-White- “Sound Navigation and Ranging” (SONAR)

We are so proud of all the scholars that participated in the PDA Science Fair today. Let this be a lesson to always give your very best and in the end your hard work will pay off.
 

Dear Storm Parents:

We are pleased to share that PDA has been invited to the Scholastic Olympics.

This annual competition features the best and brightest students from Prince George's County schools and according to the selection committee, PDA is considered as amongst the best schools in the region.

We believe that PDA would have a strong shot at winning the competition, however, the Olympics are the same day as our commencement (May 19th, so our seniors won't be able to participate).

The following scholars have been selected to represent the Storm at this special event, which will show to many that PDA gets it done in the classroom as much as it does on the court:

Brandon Dyke - 10th grade

Jace Ebanks - 10th grade

Emmanuel Orji - 9th grade

Anthony Rivers - 10th grade

Congratulations to our Scholastic Team members and their families. For additional information on the Scholastic Olympics, please visit:

www.scholasticolympics.org

Watch a YouTube video of last year's event: Scholastic Olympics 2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5twkkUAlqbk

Go Storm!
 

When I was young I couldn't wait to get to high school. Once there I couldn’t wait to get to college. Then I was anxious to graduate and start my career. Some of us live our lives in constant anticipation of what’s next. I know I did. Funny thing is that in 20 years these will be the “good ol’ days”. It seems as if it’s only after we’ve entered the next season of our lives that we realize just how good the last season was. The “grass being greener” syndrome can leave you feeling empty and incapable of satisfaction. I made a choice to appreciate where God has me and to do everything for His glory for however long I’m there. When it is time to close a chapter of my life I can move on in peace. I decided to enjoy my life along the way.
 

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven:
Ecclesiastes 3:1-3
 

Talent is God given- Be humble

Fame is man given- Be grateful

Conciet is self given- Be careful

     -Coach John Wooden

Hi PDA students, I am reminded of when I was in school and how I would compete with my fellow classmates in sports and in class on trying to make the best grades on the exam. I often encourage my two sons to learn how to compete in the classroom as well as in sports. It is quite okay to engage in friendly competition in the classroom as well.

You should develop a pact among your closest friends. As you graduating seniors close out your senior year; you should develop a pact which is an agreement to do something and to request the sincerity and support of others to see you through it; while at the same time they are supposed to accomplish something as well. For example, one pact or agreement could be that you will do your very best during the last quarter at PDA or you will go to college and finish and then proceed to law or graduate school. I encourage you to motivate each other and read the book called The Pact by: Drs. Davis, Hunt, and Jenkins.

The Pact is about an incredible agreement that three young African American men from Newark, New Jersey made with the odds stacked against them coming from single parent homes. Nevertheless, they made it by hard work, determination, supporting each other and I am sure many prayers. I strongly encourage you to read their book and I am surprised that a movie has not come out about these fascinating young men. In closing you should pair up with someone who you know is going somewhere and you can support and encourage one another. Let's make a pact to strive for excellence shall we!

Dr. Glasper

Don't forget tomorrow night's Open House - for additional information please see our ad at http://www.gazette.net/princegeorges

College Acceptance Update

PDA is pleased to share that Michael Scott, 2012 has been accepted to Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida. U.S. News & World Report, which annually rates America's top colleges and universities, ranked Flagler as the #9 overall college in the South and labeled Flagler as "the undisputed gem of the south" for its strong academic reputation.

Congratulations to Mike and his family on continuing PDA's tradition of 100% college acceptance and attendance and on securing a spot in PDA's famed and exclusive Big Red Book.

We're looking forward to sharing the next bit of outstanding news.

All-Star Game Selections

Four of our seniors have earned post-season honors and will play in the prestigious Buffalo Wild Wings Classic held each year in Hagerstown, Maryland.

This is the biggest all-star gathering on the east coast with 8 games serving 240 athletes and many, many professional and elite-level players have participated in this showcase.

The games are on Sunday, March 18 at North Hagerstown HS.

Congratulations to the below noted scholars and their families, teammates and coaches for earning this high achievement:

Jerrod Lemon - Boys Metro Elite Game, 4:00 p.m.

Allese Morrison - Girl's Mid-Atlantic Premier Game - 3:00 p.m.

Michael Scott - Boys Mid-Atlantic Showcase Game - 6:00 p.m.

Jamaal Williams - Boys Mid-Atlantic Showcase Game - 6:00 p.m.

Alumni News

Congratulations to Former-Stormer Ashley Walker, 2010, who yesterday was named KJCCC Player of the Week after scoring 25 points in her final regular season game.

For additional information, please visit http://gobroncbusters.com/article.asp?articleID=208.

Go Storm!

Caring- one person’s compassion and concern for another- is both the purpose and the ethical glue that holds a family together.

Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves- Confucius

SCHOLARS, be ready for you quiz on Wendsday February 22...

Blacks in South America

When Vasco Nunez de Balboa, a Spanish explorer, landed in South America in 1513 he found a small community of Black people already living in America. This fact brings convincing indication that it was Africans that discovered America and not Columbus as it has been said. Archeological excavations have also brought up evidence of this fact. They discovered pre-Columbian pottery with African facial appearance. They believe that it must have been West-Africans who sailed into the Atlantic Ocean and were brought to South America by strong streams. Christopher Columbus was informed about this practice when he stopped in The Cape Verde Islands. Columbus was looking for a shorter way to get to the Indies when islanders informed him about Africans setting off on small ships into the ocean going west. He attained confirmation of this scheme when he arrived in the Caribbean islands and found dark people who were already trading with the Indians. Columbus was told that the natives had already traded gold with black men coming from the ocean. He later on wrote in his observations that these Black men must have come from West Africa.

She founded the National Council of Negro Women in 1935:

a) Mary McLeod Bethune
b) Sara Washington
c) C. Delores Tucker
d) Hazel W. Johnson

How Much Information Is ‘Too Much Information’?

How much information about casual acquaintances is “too much information”? How much personal information do you put out on social media platforms like Twitter or Facebook? Do you often “stalk” others there to find out about them, even if (or maybe especially because) they’re people who are no longer in your life? Are there people you have blocked on Facebook so that you don’t have to read about them? Why?

News coverage and social media have been aflutter lately with references to the Knicks’ Jeremy Lin. Among the many reasons for the “Linsanity” phenomenon are his prowess on the basketball court, his personal story, his ethnic background and his faith. Who in the news has gotten your attention recently and is a role model for you?

When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be- Lao Tzu

Fun and Unusual New College Classes

Classes with roots in popular culture are popping up on college campuses everywhere. If you’ve yet to select your classes for next semester or have found a few empty blocks in your schedule, consider enrolling in one of these fun, weird and surprisingly informative courses. (Bonus: They could help you earn an equally unusual scholarship!)

• South Park and Contemporary Issues: This course at McDaniel College mixes sociology and philosophy while exploring the controversial contemporary social issues featured on the long-running Comedy Central cartoon. The official course description states, “Ultimately, students will gain…new knowledge of the benefits of applying an interdisciplinary approach to contemporary social issues.” No Kennys will be harmed but bring your own Cheesy Poofs.

• Music, Video Games, and the Nature of Human Cognition: This NYU psychology class already has a waiting list and there’s a good reason for it: Professor Gary Marcus believes video games – specifically “Guitar Hero” – can be used to enhance human cognition. Some parents are upset that this is the type of class their tuition is going toward but Marcus stresses that delving into this understudied area will yield positive results. Rock on, Professor!

Questions that make you say hmmmmmmm........

If you try to fail, and then succeed, which have you done?

Are electronic messages and wall posts taking the place of real human contact? I suppose the creators of these technological advancements intended to enhance communication. And I contend that the speed and efficiency of communication has improved overall. How could I otherwise be made aware of 27 of my “friends” opinion on the latest episode of "The Game"? But this is a far cry from intimacy. Of course there are those that put their entire life on the web for all to see but even then it’s a show and we are merely an audience. We watch, laugh, and still lack an authentic relationship to the characters. Make no mistake, I enjoy a humorous status update, a friendly text message or instant chat as much as the next techno savvy communicator. But in a society that encourages veneers are we replacing the real with what was only meant to enhance? Do we allow people to see who we really are? Tone and feelings are often misinterpreted and even ignored while reading text messages. So if this is our main source of communication can we truly be cultivating meaningful, lasting friendships or just entertaining superficial connections with…strangers. Could it be that we are so emotionally detached that a flashing message indicator is as comforting as a hug? Do we recognize the difference? I have found no substitution for a live :) , an audible LOL or simply just being in the presence of a kindred spirit….
But  …maybe there’s an app for that.
 

SCHOLARS, be responsilbe and make good choices. If you are not sure about the choice you are thinking about making, seek advice from someone you trust to help you. Dont be a cautionary tale.

In life, unlike chess, the game continues after checkmate- Issac Asimov

Scholars, please be reminded that your black History assingments, (Paper, and Display Boards are due on Feb. 22, 2012

Scholars  News Quiz for this week will be on 2-17-12

Hi PDA Scholars, I thought I would post this to all the students at PDA. Most if not all of you are athletes, but you must also keep in mind that your athleticism and competitive edge can also be transferred to the classroom. For example, when you play on a team perhaps your coach may assign a captain and co-captain in order for you to display your leadership, loyalty and discipline to the coach and your fellow team members. Well, the same thing or something similar can happen in the classroom. Teachers are always looking for moments when we can call on those positive and shining examples of good students to show their intellectual leadership.

Second, I know most of you want to win on the court, but how many of you are planning to win in the classroom or better yet in the game of life. You must learn how to transfer your competitive edge from the court into the classroom and also in your personal life. By the way, it's not important if you are not the "most valuable player" all the time, but what is most important is that you show up and make a some type of contribution daily.

Have a fantastic and blessed day!

Dr. Glasper

In Celebrating Black History Month, Research for Black African-American Mathematicians. Make a picture Collage on a card board, tell something about their background. (Note: at least 10 pictures)

Due Date: February 22, 2012.