Activities

Details
General Information
"The purpose of Eta Sigma Alpha National Home School Honor Society shall be to recognize and encourage scholarship among home school students. To achieve this purpose, Eta Sigma Alpha National Home School Honor Society shall provide opportunities for the development of leadership and service. Eta Sigma Alpha shall encourage the development of an intellectual climate that will stimulate the exchange of ideas and ideals, foster scholarship, and promote academic excellence. Eta Sigma Alpha shall also advocate homeschooling as a viable and successful educational methodology and act as a liaison for homeschooling to the general public, colleges/universities, and the media."

Sponsored by the Homeschool Cottage of Texas, the Kappa Zeta Chapter was started in 2005-06 and is the first chapter in the New Orleans area and only the second chapter in the state of Louisiana. The Kappa Zeta Chapter is available to students who meet the academic requirements of the honor society.

Students may apply as early as the spring of their 8th grade year. High school seniors' applications will not be accepted after the October of their senior year. Formal induction will be held twice a year in January and June.

Membership in Eta Sigma Alpha National Home School Honor Society is an opportunity for home school scholars to be rewarded for their academic successes. We hope that you will choose to apply for this honor.

Membership Guidelines
Application Requirements
• Applications may be submitted in the spring of the student's 8th grade year through October of his/her 12th grade year, for membership during his/her 9th - 12th grades.
• Applicant must provide proof of test scores from one of the following tests: Stanford, California, or Iowa Achievement, (90% composite score), SAT (1800 or [1200 old version]), ACT (26), PSAT score (120 Verbal + Math or 180 all 3 subtests).
• Applicant must submit a short statement about why he/she would like to be a member of Eta Sigma Alpha.
• Applicant's parents must submit a letter of recommendation for their student/child.
• Applicant must submit a list of three additional names and addresses of individuals that would be willing to provide a recommendation on his/her behalf.
• Applicant must complete and submit an application form.

Commitment
Meet once a month
Work together as a team to achieve goals
Actively participate in public service projects
Maintain high scholastic and social standards
Actively participate in the functions of the meetings
Communicate with and get to know fellow members
Individually fulfill accepted duties and responsibilities


Membership Application

Details
The Greater New Orleans Youth Orchestra (GNOYO), the official youth orchestra of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, offers young musicians from elementary through 12th grade the opportunity to participate in a high-quality full-orchestra program. Participants significantly improve individual performance and ensemble skills, while developing professional attitudes and discipline, which empower them to take initiative to pursue individual and team excellence in all life endeavors.

GNOYO's exciting concerts include music ranging from Stravinsky's Firebird Suite and Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture to John Williams' Jurassic Park.

GNOYO is separated into three groups with progressing skill levels:
- Sinfonia (beginner group; stringed instruments only),
- Philharmonia (intermediate group; full orchestra), and
- Symphony (advanced group; full orchestra).

Students can audition on any of the following instruments:
Bass * Bass Clarinet * Bassoon * Cello * Clarinet
Flute * French Horn * Harp * Oboe * Percussion
Piano * Trombone * Trumpet * Tuba * Viola * Violin

Scheduled auditions are held in May and August, but special auditions can be scheduled. The GNOYO season runs from September to May.

The first two levels have both Northshore and Southshore sections and hold three performances a year, the Symphony currently only practices on the Southshore and holds five performances a year.

Fees:
Audition: $10
Registration:$15
Participation:
    Sinfonias & Philharmonias: $320
    Symphony: $360

(fees are payable in two equal installments; financial aid, based on need, is available)

** This information was obtained September 2008. Check the GNOYO website (http://www.gnoyo.org) for the most current information. **

A variety of other information can be found at http://www.gnoyo.org. Sound clips from GNOYO performances are located at http://www.gnoyo.org/listen-to-gnoyo.html.

Details
What is it?
The High School Mock Trial Program was first developed in the 1970's in order to help students gain a better understanding of the way the American legal system functions. In the state of Louisiana, the program is administered through the Young Lawyers Section of the State Bar Association.

What does a participant gain?
While learning the details of trial process and procedure through their participation in simulated trial, students also develop important lifetime skills: critical analysis of problems, reasoning, listening, oral presentation, extemporaneous argument, and teamwork.

How does it work?
Teams, consisting of six to eight members - a general "teacher" coach, and at least one attorney coach - receive a fictional case in the early fall. Students select the role of attorney or witness - one will act as the client who's interests are the heart of the trial, others will be witnesses who's testimony is invaluable for a favorable verdict, and still others on the team will portray the lawyers whom the clients trust to persuasively argue their position to the judge. Each team must learn both the prosecution and defense side of the case. Once teams learn the facts of the case, they create strategies for trial. In the regional Competition, held in February or early March, teams from across the New Orleans area go head to head, matching skills in a courtroom setting, presenting arguments and evidence , and testifying in front of a Presiding Judge and mock jury of Performance Judges. Each individual's performance is evaluated on a scale of one to ten (the highest). Judges often provide immediate oral feedback to each team following the conclusion of a round, allowing students to fine-tune their performance during the competition. The winner of the Regional Competition is invited to participate in the High School Mock Trial Competition; the Louisiana State Bar Association Young Lawyers Section sponsors the winner at the National Competition.

Is it fun?
Yes, yes, yes! It's a lot of work, but participants all talk about the special camaraderie that develops between team members, the self-confidence they gain, and the discovery of talents they didn't even know they had. In mock trial, teams learn a bit of theater skills as they develop effective and convincing witness and attorney performance. They learn just what is accurate about "Law and Order" and what would never happen in a real courtroom!

Why haven't I heard of it before?
Although the Mock Trial program is large and thriving among public and private schools in Louisiana, homeschoolers haven't participated before. The Bar Association is eager for homeschooled students to do so. Programs in other states see active participation by homeschoolers, and, in 2003, the Tennessee Family Christian Academy Homeschoolers team won the National Competition!

How do I sign up and learn more?
Contact David Alley at (985) 445-4152.