Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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The University of South Carolina Wednesday, March 29, 2006 Vol. 99, No. 78 • Since 1908 Ex-Playboy Playmate tells of HIV/AIDS battle Aa/y B/a/or* / THE GAMECOCK Former Playboy Playmate Rebekka Armstrong speaks in the Russell House Ballroom on Tuesday night. Armstrong spoke to students about HIV and AIDS awareness. USC to target younger crowd at showcase Admissions office to begin initiative aimed at helping middle-schoolers Jackie Alexander ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOK Instead of getting used to more than one teacher, battling puberty and waiting for the next fieldtrip, some children as young as 10 years old will be focusing on SAT scores, admissions deadlines and courses needed for graduation. During the USC Showcase April 8, USC’s admissions office will begin a new initiative geared toward middle school ^^tudents with familial ties the university. The USC Admissions Process Mini Seminar will give a general overview of the admissions process, said Suzanne Medlin, an admissions counselor. “We’re not going to be going into as much detail (as a regular admissions session),” Medlin said. “It’s to prepare them for the whole college process and might cover scholarships.” The session’s subjects will include which classes students should take during their freshman year of high school, the application process and timetable, extracurricular activities and college search suggestions. SHOUICRSG • q RHA exec board gets 2 new faces President, vice president re-elected Tuesday Katie Boucher THE GAMECOCK Two new members were ^^lected to the executive board of the Residence Hall Association on Tuesday night. Amanda Pippin, a first-year early education student, was elected treasurer and Alicia Lendon, a second-year psychology student, was elected secretary. Current President Terrill Wilkins, a third-year history student, and current Vice President Jonathan Ross, a second \rear political science ^^tudent, were re-elected to their positions. Ross ran against Michael Perlmutter, a first-year international studies student. “I’m looking forward to another year of working with President Wilkins,” Ross said. After much debate, a financial allocation of $3,500 was approved to bring Shane L. Windmeyer to speak during Homophobia Awareness Week. RHA Senator Heyward Harvin, a first-year political science student, said that this event might not be the way to get the message across to people. He said he did not think RHA • 6 Rebekka Armstrong: 7 want to prevent kids from getting this Joshua Rabon THE GAMECOCK Former Playboy Playmate Rebekka Armstrong spoke to students about AIDS awareness in the Russell House on Tuesday night. First-year undecided student Erin Eagerton was impressed by Armstrong. “I won’t feel sorry for myself ever again,” Eagerton said. Armstrong began her presentation with a 13 minute video clip, giving a brief synopsis of her struggle with AIDS. She said she felt alone and afraid of being ostracized if people knew about her condition. “I didn’t tell anyone I didn’t have to tell,” Armstrong said. “I was afraid.” Armstrong has been living with AIDS for more than 13 years and HIV for more than 20. “To the best of my knowledge, I was infected at 16, and there was no one in my classroom telling me about HIV,” Armstrong said. “I want to make a difference, and I want to prevent kids from getting this.” Armstrong said every hour in the United States two people between the ages of 13 and 25 are infected, and one out of three doesn’t know they are infected. Someone in the world dies of AIDS every 10 seconds. “I often hear people say, ‘What about Magic Johnson? He takes those meds, he’s cured, right?’” Armstrong said. “There is no cure. Magic Johnson isn’t cured.” When she was first diagnosed, Armstrong said she took a drug called AZT, now prescribed at one to two tablets a day. In 1989, she took six in the morning, six in the afternoon and six in the evening. The drugs PLRVmRTE • 6 Nick Esares / THE GAMECOCK Monks build a “mandala,” or sand painting, on the second floor of the Russell House on Tuesday. The sand painting will be finished Thursday and will be destroyed, representing the Buddhists’ belief in the impermanence of life. Mi ink-y Business Tibetan monks building sand painting on secondfloor of Russell House Gina Uasselli STAFF WRITER Tibetan monks from the Drepung Loseling Monastery are constructing a sand painting, called a mandala, on the second floor of the Russell House through Thursday. The monks have created mandalas in more than 100 U.S. museums. According to the monastery’s Web site, www.mysticalartsoftibet. org, Drepung Loseling was established near Lhasa, Tibet in 1416. It was home to the Second Dalai Lama in 1494 and has been home to all subsequent Dalai Lamas. The monks first came two years ago. Carolina Productions Cultural i Awareness Commissioner Natasha Hopkins said CP 1 brought the monks back i because students and staff enjoyed it so much in the i past. Hopkins said the monks < are constructing a “peace ; mandala” this year to i “spread the peace and healing through the sand hroughout the world.” Hopkins said the monks vere paid “a nice amount of noney.” “But we thought it was vorth it,” she said. The money the monks :am for making the mandala md from the sale of items lear the mandala goes to idoohs • s Goldwater scholarship winners announced Gina Uasselli STAFF WRITER Kathryn Johnson, a third year engineering student, and Jeffery Kent, a second year biology and chemistry student, have been named 2006 Barry M. Goldwater Scholars. Nidhi Kumar, a second year biology student, was given an honorable mention in the competition. The award — named after the late U.S. senator from Arizona — is given to sophomores and juniors pursing bachelor’s degrees in the natural sciences, math, or engineering who intend to do research or become professors. The one- and two-year scholarships cover tuition, books, and room and board up to $7,500 per year. Johnson said she was surprised to hear the results so soon. “I found out that I had won on Monday. I was caught completely off guard because I didn’t expect to hear anything for several weeks and had no idea whether I would win or not. It was a great day; nothing could ruin my mood,” she said. Johnson said that even applying for the award caused her to think harder than she would have about life after college. “The application process itself was an experience because it made me really think about what I wanted to do after I graduate from SCHOLARS • 1 Viewpoints Tim McManus urges us all to grow a pair of Gamecock balls; Relationship columnist Liz White denounces male ancl female stereotypes. The Mix « __ Chew it up Move over Red Bull fanatics and make way for Jolt, the newest energy trend — caffeine-infused gum. Sports Title shot USC’s men’s basketball team beats Louisville to return to the NIT championship. y Index Comics & Crossword.... 11 Classifieds.14 Horoscopes..11 Opinion.8 Police Report.. 2