PATCHAT

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Wednesday, December 4, 2013

The Adventures of AP Study Hall




I can remember the first AP class I ever took at Germantown Academy like it was yesterday. It was AP study hall my freshman year. It was a self-proclaimed AP course deriving its roots from the mind of our fearless leader, Mr. Drewniany, the English Department head. Being known around campus for his pithy personality and witty sense of humor, he flabbergasted my study hall period by threatening our loquacious manner with physical punishments. We all laughed at his deranged manner. The next day during class, Mr. Drewniany brought a wooden baseball bat to assert his authority in a sea of defiant freshmen. He walked around the room hitting the bat to his hand attempting a standoff similar to a scene in West Side Story. From that point on, AP study hall had a certain panache about it.

Upon receiving my first interim grades of freshman year, I looked sorrowfully on my exceptional grades because I knew I would be graduating from AP study hall, accepting free periods in place of my diploma. Only a select few with below par grades got to continue their time with Doctor Dre, as some students refer to him, in his notorious AP study hall.  

This year I have been blessed with a free period during the same period as Doc’s AP study hall for juniors and seniors. I relish the opportunity to revisit my alma mater with fellow AP study hall alumni. Every period G we sit in on AP study hall with the current members. AP study hall seniors mapped out the student-produced schedule for AP study hall for the first time this year.  These daily activities include coloring, learning the alphabet, and making macaroni sculptures. Although Mr. Drewniany applauds them for their effort, we continue with a rigorous work schedule of studying, taking frequent breaks, exchanging ideas, getting off topic, and strategizing how to deal with particularly difficult teachers.  Mr. Drewniany, the AP study hall tyrant, feels that, “Sometimes we need to get our minds off the intense academic concentration that goes on in AP study hall therefore dance parties are always part of AP study hall as are pizza parties and various other entertainment events.”

Mr. Drewniany has different plans for the future of AP study hall, “I’m only hoping that AP study hall will gain recognition from the College Board that in fact I think it deserves. I’m not quite sure how an examination can be given but I always feel that when those kids come to me, they are feeling bad about themselves for being in study hall.  When you visit AP study hall, you can feel their hope, you can feel their pride, and that’s what AP study hall is all about.”

- Julia P. '15

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