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Spelman Spotlight, Page 5 September 12,1980 FRESHMAN WEEK As They Face New Year Freshmen Show Ambivalent Feelings By Sincerae Smith When the doors to Spelman’s illus trious halls opened on August 22, a fresh and new breed of young women devoted to a dream and sheer tradition entered the world of Spelman. Like all new enthusiasts they had a feeling of longing, but also beneath their emotional interests were other myriad sensibilities. The first thing these new freshmen observed was that the Spelman campus is particularly beautiful. To us, Spelman might seem to be the perfect haven for the intellectual and adventurous young woman, and in face, Spelman is. A sense of pride probably overwroughted many freshmen when they contemplated that Spelman will be celebrating its cen tennial this year. This is quite an achieve ment for a black institution of higher learning. For many girls there has been a feeling of excitement and uneasiness. As one freshman said, “The experience was odd and strange, but pleasant.” Spelman is a new beginning for freshmen. The only way to succees here is by having a good positive attitutde, a healthly perception of oneself, and a strong desire to strive for personal excellence. While many girls thought of perform ing well, they also thought of their homes. Spelman girls originate from For Freshman nearly every state in America, and some foreign countries. With so many girls here who live far from Atlanta, it is cer tain that at least a few became homesick even on Friday. And a fear of the general criminal environment which circumvents Spelman, might have contributed to some of their anxieties. Many girls found their first day at Spelman a welcomed event. One Spel man sister stated that coming to Spel man was like a vacation to her. While another said that being here was like a dream. The coquettish Spelmanite was also in for quite a surprise when she entered the campus last Friday. Neighboring Morehouse had not opened its doors to all its freshmen, but the few young Morehouse men who were present on Spelman’s campus was a delectable preview of good and even better to come. The diverse feelings of Spelman’s new freshmen may well tell the story of whether these girls will be happy or sad, a success or a failure, and whether they will be able to freely communicate with other students. One happy freshman said that she was eager to meet people, eager to make new friends and remake old friends. Besides studying, friendship is probably what all new freshmen long for and need so much. Week Was Fun and Thought-Provoking By Cynthia Williams Through the eyes of freshman Val- jeanne Estes from Durham, North Caro- lins, Freshmen Week was a fun, but •though-provoking experience, and she had only one complaint—the Spelman cafeteria Valjeane resides in Laura Spelman Dormitory and considers the first official activity she attend the dormitory meet ing for new students. The meeting con sisted mainly of explanation concerning campus rules, regulations and curfew. According to Valjeanne, “I think the rules are reasonable and so is the cur few. Fm pretty used to the curfew by now and I don’t usually stay out that much anyway.” At the dorm meeting, Valjeanne met the other residents of Laura Spelman Dormitory and expressed a positive outlook on her relationship with the other members. She said, “The dorm director is pretty nice and I really like my fellow dorm members. The seven of us in this area are getting along very nicely.” As many freshmen dormitory mem bers do, Valjeanne and her friends have spent a considerable amount of time together this week. They can usually be found playing monopoly together or having a popcorn party. This is all plea Morehouse Men Play Volleyball sant for Valjeanne, but she feels this carefree atmosphere won’t continue on throughout the year. Valjeanne plans to enroll in a Graphics class this semester and states, “Fm especially worried about this class and sometimes Fll want and need a little privacy.” Next on the agenda for Valjeanne was Initiation Into Spelman Sisterhood held in Sisters Chapel. The program included songs, cheers and small skits by Spel man students. Valjeanne seemed im pressed with this activity and elaborated by saying, “Oh, I thought it was really nice Being a sister at Spelman is very important and knowing the Spelman Hymn.” Valjeanne further elaborated by stating, “The upperclassmen were okay and did show a lot of spirit, but it was kind of hot and after some time it became uncomfortable All in all though, I feel we had a good time” Though Valjeanne does anticipate an active academic schedule this Fall, she does plan to participate in some extra curricular organizations. She hopes to work some for the Spotlight and become an active Glee Club member. Auditions for Spelman’s Glee Club were held during New Student Orientation Week and Valjeanne attended. Valjeanne en joyed the method of auditioning and ad mires Dr. Roland Allison, Chairperson of Freshmen Listen Attentively at Business Session Spelman’s Music Department. Valjeanne expressed her feelings by saying, “Dr. Allison is really a nice man and is a superb instructor.” Another event Valjeanne felt was noteworthy was a trip to Atlanta’s Omni Valjeanne and others in her dormitory visited a local movie theatre in the Omni and enjoyed the scenery of the ice skating. With the many fun-filled and positive activities Valjeanne has attended, she does have one complaint. Valjeanne ex pressed discontent concerning the operation of Spelman’s cafeteria. Valjeanne is quoted as saying, “The people in the cafeteria close too early. A couple of people have gotten locked out before the dinner hour was supposed to have ended” In closing, Valjeanne felt that all the activities have been fun and thought provoking. In reference to the bond of sisterhood these activities are to pro mote, Valjeanne ended by saying, “I don’t feel that much of an actual sister hood bond now. 1 think it’ll come later. We’re all really kind of busy now with tests and everything, but I know it’ll come eventually.”