Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

Page 2 • SPELMAN SPOTLIGHT September, 1987 Editor’s Note Dear Spelman Sisters: A new era is upon us. The changing of the guard has commenced. The new leadership that is taking over many AUC schools is setting up house, and we the inhabitants are soon to discover the new rules. Now is the time for optimism and change, not fear of the unknown. Embark on this year with a new spirit of adventure; accept and meet challenges with the skill borne of the knowledge that here at Spelman is the support system that will help you through. Seize every opportunity afforded you—your time is NOW! The opportunity we at the Spotlight offer you is a chance for your voice to be heard. Your thoughts and opinions are an integral part of the spectrum that make up our unique atmos phere. In your hands is “the Voice of Black Womanhood.” Speak to us and be heard. Sincerely, Kathleen Tait Editor “The Spelman Spotlight” Commends Sydney Stinson By Kori Scurlock It has been very rare that many of us are aware of other Spelmanites who have earned the honor and oppor tunity to visit other institu tions as exchange students. We have had several students spend a semester or summer observing and learning about different cultural environ ments and learning atmos pheres. We want to recognize and commend these students and hopefully encourage others to become involved in a valuable life experience. Sydney Stinson, a senior economics major from Chicago, returns to Spelman after spending last semester on exchange at Vassar in Poughkeepsie, New York. She had a very successful semester and confesses that the key to her success at Vassar was approaching the experience with an open mind. The most difficult adjust ment, Sydney recalls, was getting comfortable with the predominately White envi ronment. Vassar has one hundred and twenty Black students out of an approxi mate population of one thou sand six hundred. Sydney says many of the Black students felt that they had to conform to the values and standards of the White students in order to be accepted by them. Sydney was most disap pointed by the indifferent attitude of some of the Black professors at Vassar. She remembers how many of the Black professors did not support the Black students in their effort to be recog nized on the campus. When asked if Vasser was more academically chal lenging than Spelman, Sydney replies, “No, I devoted the same amount of time to my studies at Vassar as I do at Spelman and I did extremely well.” Sydney recommends the exchange program for Spelman students because it removes them from a limited environment and gives them a chance to interact academ ically and socially with students of different nationalities. Spelman Strengthens The Sisterhood August 22, 1987 Dear Fellow Spelmanites, As I look back on my first two years of college life, I have noticed a remarkable change in my character. I have learned the importance of discipline, gained spiritual growth, and a much stronger confidence in myself. The education that Spelman has provided me has allowed me to recognize the importance of all these attributes. Unfor tunately, I* realized the importance of these during the toughest of times. Times when I felt like crying and quitting because of countless efforts to do well on tests and still failing. Times in classes where I gave my all strug gling through and received a good grade while others who did not commit themselves received better grades. During these frustrating times, I did learn that grades are not the most important reason that I am here. Some of you may disagree but I have learned that sometimes professors will give unfair grades. What can you do about an unfair grade? Most of the time nothing. I also learned that the best is some times not good enough. You may put forth everything that you have inside of you and still get disappointed. So what do you do? You bounce back, keep praying, and do not give up. I believe that once I leave the gates of Spelman, the learning that I have gained here will not be reflected on my transcript with all A’s but it will reflect in my character, and my thinking process. While experiencing some difficult times during my first two years of school, I also realized the importance of the Spelman sisterhood. I have established many bonds with other females who are also striving so I know that my attempts are not in vain. My fellow Spelmanites have helped me pull through really low moments during the past two years and I know that I would have given up totally had they not been there to offer me support, understanding, and time. One beautiful aspect of our sisterhood is that it is a recip rocating relationship. There has never been a moment where I have felt that I have taken and not given and I have never felt that someone has taken and not given. We need to realize that we are all a group of Black women striving and strug gling through probably, four of the most difficult years of our lives. We all need to support each other and give a helping hand when needed. Let us be concerned about each other and not just ourselves. We should under stand that we are our chil dren’s leaders and role models. We are the difference. As I embark on yet another year at Spelman, I continue to thank God for giving me the opportunity to attend school and I thank Him for allowing me to be a part of a sisterhood that will make a difference in my life. Best of luck to all this school year and we all can make it, together. Sincerely, Spelman College Student Government Association President—Angela Glaude Vice-President—Dawne Mitchell Treasurer—Maliaka Bass Recording Secretary—Brucetta Williams Corresponding Secretary—Michelle Townsend Parlimentarian—Kyra Stinson Co-Social Chairpersons—Daralynn Hutson Jacqueline Jones Co-Publicity Chairpersons—Adrienne Lance Kelly Ward Co-Advisory Chairpersons—Charlisa Brown Greta Mitchell Spotlight Editor—Katheleen Tait Assitant Editor—Julie Alexander Reflecting Editor—Mia Fuse Julie Alexander Freshman Week Photograph by Kirsten Ray