Thirty-two IGA students awoke last Saturday at an appalling hour in order to demonstrate their intelligence and skills on the world-renowned Preliminary Standardized Assessment Test (PSAT). The students all met at Uskudar American High School in Uskudar, Istanbul at 8:30 AM. Proctored by Mr. and Mrs. Sanderlin, the large group (plus three other homeschoolers not attending IGA) was split between two different rooms and began the testing process.
The PSAT serves as a qualification for the National Merit’s Scholarship. It can be taken in both the sophomore and junior year of high school. However, the score from the junior year is used to determine the finalists for the scholarship. The test is composed of five different sections, two made up entirely of math problems and three testing English and writing skills. In total, the test took about 3 hours.
One student, Sarabeth Flowers said, “It was an enlightening experience, I’m really glad I went, because I learned a lot about taking the SAT.” The results will come out in mid-December. Only time will tell if all of these students' preparations paid off.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Drunken Driver Provokes Chaos in Cengelkoy
A military inductee was killed in a tragic accident on Nato Yolu in Cengelkoy last night.
19 year old Ozan Alparslan had been drinking before he began driving home at 11 PM via the extremely slick road. He crashed head on into an IETT bus while on the wrong side of the road, travelling over 20 kph above the posted speed limit. Alparslan died instantly, but left the bus driver, Cem Bayir to cope with a few minor injuries.
Alparsalan was enjoying his last night home when the crash occured. He was to be indicted into the military the very next day. Thankfully, there were no other passengers in the now utterly destroyed Renault, as the force of the collision was enough to send him through the windshield. He was not wearing a seatbelt.
The driver, Bayir, who was released soon after being treated for a broken arm said, "I saw him coming and tried to avoid the accident by switching to the left lane. Unfortunately, the Renault driver also changed lanes and drove straight into me."
19 year old Ozan Alparslan had been drinking before he began driving home at 11 PM via the extremely slick road. He crashed head on into an IETT bus while on the wrong side of the road, travelling over 20 kph above the posted speed limit. Alparslan died instantly, but left the bus driver, Cem Bayir to cope with a few minor injuries.
Alparsalan was enjoying his last night home when the crash occured. He was to be indicted into the military the very next day. Thankfully, there were no other passengers in the now utterly destroyed Renault, as the force of the collision was enough to send him through the windshield. He was not wearing a seatbelt.
The driver, Bayir, who was released soon after being treated for a broken arm said, "I saw him coming and tried to avoid the accident by switching to the left lane. Unfortunately, the Renault driver also changed lanes and drove straight into me."
Thursday, October 16, 2008
A Trip of Survival or a Sunday Drive?
Although traffic rules are strictly observed in many areas of the world today, in many cultures, such as the busy one of Istanbul, Turkey, they are practically nonexistent. In the United States, turning left on red is unheard of. Someone who violates this law is either considered drunk or crazy and is very likely to incite the wrath of the drivers following behind. However, in Istanbul, a car passing an entire lane of traffic to turn left whenever the driver sees fit is a completely normal occurrence. Another major difference is the excessive use of the horn. In Istanbul the horn is basically used as a defensive and offensive weapon. In America, however, many cities charge fines for excessive horn-blowing.
The biggest reason behind these differences is simply the mindset of the drivers. Although Turkish culture is usually considerate and polite, once someone grips the steering wheel, it's the survival of the fittest. Sometimes it can be frightening and dangerous, but at other times, it can be quite thrilling and efficient. Because a driver's life is being threatened at almost every turn, people learn to drive defensively and watch out for themselves. While it is less stressful to handle a car in the States, often this lack of a defensive mindset sparks many accidents. Drivers in America expect everyone to follow the rules so it can be catastrophic when some lunatic doesn't. It is so hard sometimes to switch mindsets and view situations like this through the eyes of another culture, but by looking carefully, we might just find that one's own mindset is the one that makes the least sense after all.
The biggest reason behind these differences is simply the mindset of the drivers. Although Turkish culture is usually considerate and polite, once someone grips the steering wheel, it's the survival of the fittest. Sometimes it can be frightening and dangerous, but at other times, it can be quite thrilling and efficient. Because a driver's life is being threatened at almost every turn, people learn to drive defensively and watch out for themselves. While it is less stressful to handle a car in the States, often this lack of a defensive mindset sparks many accidents. Drivers in America expect everyone to follow the rules so it can be catastrophic when some lunatic doesn't. It is so hard sometimes to switch mindsets and view situations like this through the eyes of another culture, but by looking carefully, we might just find that one's own mindset is the one that makes the least sense after all.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Differing Opinions Emerge Regarding Recent College Fair
~Unbiased Article~
Two weeks ago, twenty-eight local students made their way to the Hilton Hotel in order to attend a large college fair.
Nearly 70 universities were represented at this fair, including colleges located in Switzerland, Germany, and all over the United States. The purpose of this event was to give high school students a chance to learn more about possible upper education opportunities.
The fair began at 7 PM and lasted until 10 PM giving students enough time to visit each college's individual booth, talk to the representatives, and collect brochures regarding that specific school. Not only did each participating college have one representative present but also brought many interesting, and some very unique, souvenirs to offer to the high school students. These "goodies" included a large assortment of pens, Swiss chocolate, and even a small pair of clogs connected to a key chain.
By the time the school buses were loaded up, every one of the nearly 700 students had taken away something from the event. Whether it was a monstrous collection of pens or an unwieldy armful of brochures, no one left empty handed. Local student, Sarabeth Flowers said, "Hopefully this fair was used not only to supply us with many colorful pens, but to let us get a glimpse of what could be."
Two weeks ago, twenty-eight local students made their way to the Hilton Hotel in order to attend a large college fair.
Nearly 70 universities were represented at this fair, including colleges located in Switzerland, Germany, and all over the United States. The purpose of this event was to give high school students a chance to learn more about possible upper education opportunities.
The fair began at 7 PM and lasted until 10 PM giving students enough time to visit each college's individual booth, talk to the representatives, and collect brochures regarding that specific school. Not only did each participating college have one representative present but also brought many interesting, and some very unique, souvenirs to offer to the high school students. These "goodies" included a large assortment of pens, Swiss chocolate, and even a small pair of clogs connected to a key chain.
By the time the school buses were loaded up, every one of the nearly 700 students had taken away something from the event. Whether it was a monstrous collection of pens or an unwieldy armful of brochures, no one left empty handed. Local student, Sarabeth Flowers said, "Hopefully this fair was used not only to supply us with many colorful pens, but to let us get a glimpse of what could be."
~Biased Article~
Chaos at the Hilton Hotel during a recent college fair sparked many complaints and frustrated many local high school teachers.
On the evening of September 26, 2008 the doors of the Hilton Hotel opened to a stampede. A monstrous group of hundreds of rowdy high school students attended a college fair aimed to teach the youth more about higher education opportunities all over the world. These were soon found to be lofty and even unattainable goals.
Thirty minutes into the event the huge party room of this prestigious hotel was packed wall to wall with teenagers. One could hardly breathe in the stuffy hall, much less carry on a meaningful conversation with one of the college representatives. Most the the 70 schools represented have rejected a request to attend a similar meeting next year.
Guests at the hotel complained about the noise and the hotel staff was astounded at the mess left in the once elegant party room. Even the teachers who attended this event along with their students were disappointed. Many felt that the colleges did not do a suitable job in offering the students information about the colleges and instead tried to lure them with incentives such as chocolate and fancy pens. One local teacher, Pam S complained, "I'm not sure we'd do it again... it was so crowded, it was hard for students to spend any quality time with the college reps."
Chaos at the Hilton Hotel during a recent college fair sparked many complaints and frustrated many local high school teachers.
On the evening of September 26, 2008 the doors of the Hilton Hotel opened to a stampede. A monstrous group of hundreds of rowdy high school students attended a college fair aimed to teach the youth more about higher education opportunities all over the world. These were soon found to be lofty and even unattainable goals.
Thirty minutes into the event the huge party room of this prestigious hotel was packed wall to wall with teenagers. One could hardly breathe in the stuffy hall, much less carry on a meaningful conversation with one of the college representatives. Most the the 70 schools represented have rejected a request to attend a similar meeting next year.
Guests at the hotel complained about the noise and the hotel staff was astounded at the mess left in the once elegant party room. Even the teachers who attended this event along with their students were disappointed. Many felt that the colleges did not do a suitable job in offering the students information about the colleges and instead tried to lure them with incentives such as chocolate and fancy pens. One local teacher, Pam S complained, "I'm not sure we'd do it again... it was so crowded, it was hard for students to spend any quality time with the college reps."
Injuries from Dangerous Fall Not Fatal
Doctors believe that the victim of a recent fall will recover, regardless of the incapability of all the king’s horses and men.
Last Saturday, Humpty P. Dumpty (age 79) fell from his perch upon a massive brick wall. No eyewitnesses were present. Therefore, until Dumpty recovers enough for an interview, we cannot know why and how the fall occurred. Dumpty’s personal doctor is surprised by this unfortunate stumble. He says, “Never before have any of my patients been as healthy and fit as he at age 79”
Humpty Dumpty has worked as a bricklayer for the past 60 years and never had an accident until recently. He is an employee of the Parks and Recreation Committee. Because of this the king immediately sent aid. Unfortunately, the king’s personal physicians were unable to revive Dumpty on the scene. However, after arriving at the local hospital, doctors grew confident of a speedy recovery. “He suffers from many fractured bones and several severe bruises,” says Dr. Rimay D. Goode, “but because of his already healthy condition, his worried family has been assured that his recovery will be quick.”
After this traumatic accident, the committee hopes that Dumpty will retire. “He deserves a break,” says President Chayer Min. “His dedicated service will not be soon forgotten. We plan to honor him for his diligence at our next committee banquet fundraiser, provided he is well enough to attend.”
image: thinks.com/.../
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
