THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 24, 1995 TAG: 9512220214
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Education
SOURCE: Frank Roberts
LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines
AT Nansemond-Suffolk Academy nowadays, it's the five Rs - readin', 'ritin', 'rithmetic, plus research and recitation.
The research and recitation class is required for all students, said instructor Wanda Oberdorfer. A finishing requirement is that each student gives a formal argument before a small audience.
``Each student chose a topic that created a passion in them,'' she said. ``Then, they had to invite an administrator, a teacher, family and friends,'' she said. ``Getting up and talking every day doesn't teach them anything. Research teaches them to command the subject.''
The subjects were offered by a mix of students - those who are academically strong, newcomers to the school ``and,'' Oberdorfer said, ``those people you'd never expect to get up and speak.''
I got together with some of the eighth- and ninth-grade participants to find out what they were talking about.
The variety of subjects was fascinating, some of the students taking very honest, no-holds-barred approaches.
Matthew Malm, 13, eighth grade: ``I talked against religion in public schools,'' he said. ``I don't believe in prayer in school. Innocent kids who don't have a certain religion have prayer pushed on them.''
April Murden, 13, eighth grade: She discussed marijuana, her research showing her that ``it is used for other things than just getting high. It is in agricultural products and has medical uses. It should not be used for your own enjoyment.''
Bryan Brown, 13, eighth grade: ``I talked about animal rights. I can't stand seeing animals used for scientific or medical purposes. They use more than 10,000 animals a year in the United States. They can, instead, use clinical research.''
Bri O'Berry, 14, ninth grade: Her subject was ``Sex Discrimination Against Women in Sports.'' There is, she noted, ``lots of it. Men have more media coverage and get more scholarships. People are more interested in men's sports.''
Pamela Speight, 13, eighth grade: She spoke about violence on television and found out that ``violence on TV can affect children. They copy what they see on television.''
Michael Edwards, 13, eighth grade: He decided to talk about nuclear war. ``We have the power to kill thousands of people in just a matter of seconds.''
Brandon Martin, 13, eighth grade: ``I talked about pornography on Internet. The big issue is whether it should be legal or illegal. A bill was passed outlawing pornography and cuss words. Civil libertarians say it's against the First Amendment.
``I found it should be outlawed. All kids get on line. This bill protects them.''
Tony Bisese, 14, eighth grade: He discussed the dress code because he was dead set against it. By the time he finished his research, he was dead set for it.
``I was against it because it favored the girls. They had more choices on what to wear than the boys. The more research I did, the more I matured. I decided - forget childish complaints. Proper dress helps me prepare for the future. Most jobs have dress codes.''
The thoughtful teenagers seem to have benefited from a class that makes them learn, study, form opinions, and express themselves.
Religion, marijuana, animal rights, sex discrimination, violence on television, nuclear war, pornography and the dress code. Quite a fascinating mix of topics. Educational, too. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by FRANK ROBERTS
Tony Bisese, left, teacher Wanda Oberdorfer and Brandon Martin
discuss a research topic at N-SA.
by CNB