Visiting Canadians to Learn About Nation’s Educational System
Katrina Relief Efforts, Black History Also Among Top Priorities of Visitors

HATTIESBURG - The University of Southern Mississippi’s Office of Community Service Learning will give members of the University of Guelph in Canada a tour of areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina during the week of Feb. 20-24.

Shadowing teachers and administrators at five public and private schools in Hattiesburg, the Canadians will also view some of the most historic African-American sights in the state while learning about the nation’s educational system. As part of the weeklong visit, the group of Canadian faculty and students will participate in several Habitat for Humanity projects and restoration efforts on the Gulf Coast.

Applications for persons wanting to assist in making the group’s trip a memorable one can be found in the R.C. Cook University Union, Room 221. For the full list of events planned during the Canadians’ visit, please contact Jesse Crafton via e-mail at jesse.crafton@usm.edu or call 601.266.6667.

Karnes Center for Gifted Studies Accepting
Applications for Leadership Studies Program

HATTIESBURG — The Frances A. Karnes Center for Gifted Studies at the University of Southern Mississippi is accepting applications for the Leadership Studies Program until March 31. This residential program will be held June 18-23. It is designed for students currently enrolled in grades six through 11 who are recommended by school officials and who have a desire to develop and enhance their leadership skills and abilities.

Avenues for becoming leaders in school, community, and church or synagogue will be discussed. Students will be housed in dormitories on the Southern Mississippi campus in Hattiesburg. Tuition includes room, board, recreational activities and limited accident insurance.

The program includes the following series:

Leadership I is a program with specific emphasis on leadership skills. Training will include those areas necessary for leadership development: fundamentals of leadership, written and oral communication, group dynamics, problem solving, planning, personal skills and decision making. Avenues for becoming leaders in the school, community, and church or synagogue will be utilized to heighten the awareness and development of leadership potential.

Leadership II is a continuation of the program with Leadership I as a prerequisite for entry. It is an intense study to further develop leadership concepts and qualities. Emphasis will be placed on the psychology of leadership, assertiveness training and situational leadership.

Leadership III is an extension of the program with Leadership II as a prerequisite for entry. Training will focus on the legal aspects of leadership, responsibilities of various positions of leadership, developing personal power and leadership for the future. Students will also have the opportunity for informal interaction with adult leaders.

For applications or additional information on the Leadership Studies Program, write The Leadership Studies Program, The University of Southern Mississippi, The Frances A. Karnes Center for Gifted Studies, 118 College Drive #8207, Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001; e-mail gifted.studies@usm.edu, call 601.266.5236, or visit http://www.usm.edu/gifted.

Brazilian Percussion Duo to Play for Hattiesburg Area

HATTIESBURG — Brazilian percussion duo, Carlos Stasi and Luis Guello, will perform a series of concerts in the Hattiesburg area Feb. 20-21, bringing their integrating high energy and instrumental virtuosity to the stage. The duo, formed in 1999, will first perform at 7 p.m. on Feb. 20 at the USO/N.R. Burger Building. During this concert, the Sacred Heart School Samba Band will be introduced.

At 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 21, the duo takes its innovative instrumental techniques and new repertoire to the University of Southern Mississippi’s Marsh auditorium as guests of the percussion studio and associate professor Dr. John Wooton.

Stasi is a performer-composer who has written more than 100 pieces for percussion, mostly solos. He has focused his work on Brazilian scrapers, called “reco-recos,” that are springs stretched over metal that are scraped to make different sounds.

Guello is regarded as one of Brazil’s best traditional percussionists and virtuoso pandeiro players. He moves with ease between varied musical settings, from the most traditional choro ensembles to a chamber-like group.

Both concerts are free and open to the public. For more information, call the Southern Miss percussion studio at 601.266.4993.

Southern Miss Theatre Shows ‘Will Power’

HATTIESBURG — University of Southern Mississippi Department of Theatre and Dance will present its pre-tour production of Will Power at 7:30 p.m. on Feb 21-24 at the Gilbert F. Hartwig Theatre.

Will Power, a fast 60-minute production covering a wide range of Shakespearean material, features some of Shakespeare’s most exciting scenes and monologues, including scenes from Romeo and Juliet, MacBeth, Julius Caesar, Hamlet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Othello.

“We have an incredibly talented student company of eight actors who are meeting the challenges of playing many divergent roles with great energy, enthusiasm and creativity,” said director Monica Hayes.

After its performance run on the Hattiesburg campus, Will Power will tour to a number of schools and colleges throughout Mississippi.

Tickets for Will Power are $5 general admission and may be purchased at the Southern Miss Ticket Office. Call 601.266.5418 or 800.844.8425 or order online at www.usm.edu/tickets.