Gray Stone Day School, a college-preparatory public charter school on the Pfeiffer University campus in Misenheimer, recently added a new program to its schedule: The Thursday Morning Seminar Series.
This series is offered as an opportunity for students and faculty to broaden their knowledge beyond their specific areas of study.
“These seminars are a fantastic opportunity for students to gather in a setting that is purely about learning for the sake of learning and being exposed to new ideas,” said Jeff Morris, associate director of Gray Stone.
Eldon Zacek III, a junior at Gray Stone, said the “Thursday Morning Seminars offer unique perspectives on various contemporary issues and give teachers the opportunity to provide assignments outside of the normal realm of curriculum.”
Recent seminars have included:
– Milton Iossi, a retired foreign affairs diplomat and active Rotarian presented a seminar titled “Understanding Islam” where he recounted his experiences in Muslim-majority countries.
– Ester Hoeben-Marsh, associate executive director of the YMCA of Rowan County and a contributing writer for the Salisbury Post, presented a seminar on regarding good nutrition and optimal health.
– Lewellyn Padgett, artist and certified yoga instructor, held a yoga class for students.
– Dr. Jenn Broome, a Gray Stone faculty member and counselor and instructor at the North Carolina Governor’s School, presented a lecture on the “Grand Unification Theory of Adolescent Subcultures.”
Nationally recognized organization representatives such as the Shriners’ Hospital for Children and Samaritan’s Feet have also contributed presentations about their non-profit organizations. Additionally, coffee houses, where students share and perform their poetry and music, have become an integral part of the series.
“The seminars have offered a wonderful venue for the school to teach students about a variety of subjects. Tara Van Geons has been very creative in making the seminars interesting to the students and very instrumental in the development of the program,” said Helen Nance, chief administrative officer of the school.
Van Geons, the seminar coordinator and 10th grade English teacher, coordinates an interdisciplinary series that is reflective of a collegiate atmosphere.
The most recent seminar included Assistant District Attorney Tim Rogers and Jessica Crum regarding “Cybersbullying, Sexting and the Perils of Social Media.”
Gray Stone will host Dr. David Palmer of Pfeiffer University and Kent Bernhardt of the Performance Racing Network and WSTP in Salisbury during the spring semester.
The Seminar Series is aimed at providing a full agenda of speakers and events that represent a wide variety of interests.
Please contact Tara Van Geons for additional information about the series or if you would like to present to the Gray Stone community ó tvangeons@graystoneday. org.