January 24th, 2006

Articles

‘Prep’ your way to success

By Elizabeth Kiser

Deerwood Center’s The Academy was the setting for the kickoff event in an innovative teaching and support concept being put into practice Thursday, Jan. 12.

The Deerwood faculty displayed their commitment to student success in a new way at their very first “Prep” Rally. Prep is short for preparatory, which is the heart of the idea, and the students that it will best serve.
FCCJ faculty being student-friendly and success-oriented is not new, and this event’s theme isn’t just for show.
As part of the new Project Renaissance program, it is geared toward support for preparatory students, to give them the best opportunity for a successful college, then life experience.
Student Peter Koke, a lost boy of Sudan, has found a home at FCCJ, and is using what he has learned to help others facing some of the same learning obstacles he once faced.
He knows there are “many ways a person can learn,” and has explored some of them firsthand. While living in a refugee camp, he taught himself to read by dipping his fingers in flour, or using charcoal on cardboard and tree bark, because there were no pencils and paper available.

“Education is the key to everything,” Koke said.
Annie Montgomery is another example of what preparatory support and determination can do. She started as a prep student, but with a dream to one day have her own school. She is now a vice-principal.
The FCCJ Stars Cheerleaders, under the direction of Patty Adeeb, Deerwood director, were on hand, lending their brand of support with great enthusiasm, by getting the crowd to yell and clap along.
Booths were set up in the carnival-like atmosphere representing the Learning Community, myriad activities and clubs, and the only creativity classes of their kind at this college level.
Librarian Shelley Orr represented the many support services available through Deerwood’s library.

Roger Breen, professor of mathematics, was spotted in a “Fractions are your friends” T-shirt. (Whether anyone agreed with the slogan was debatable.)

K. Winfield-Howard, professor of humanities, was on hand to talk about the trip some students were able to take to the Dali museum in St. Petersburg.

She and Wendy Perniciaro, English professor, were seen swishing pompoms, and dancing.
Music kept The Academy rocking. Popcorn and sandwiches from Subway were provided; door prizes, including everything from T-shirts and CD cases to tennis rackets were given.

A discussion panel consisting of both current and former prep students answered some frequently asked questions about adapting to college, and how to acquire the best learning skills. Tips such as having a goal, using study groups, good time management, pushing yourself to meet challenges, and not just making, but sticking with your committment to learning were shared.
Paula Risko, professor of mathematics at Deerwood Center, performed a different teaching function as the irrepressible emcee of this event.

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Older students: becoming the norm

By Amy Mullin

Two students brave the unusually brisk wind for November to meet at the same time every Tuesday and Thursday to catch up and escape the loud murmur of the crowded lunch room at the South Campus. Laughing and talking, they seem like the ideal picture out of a college brochure only if they were the typical college students: they are 28 and 29.

The typical or traditional student is defined by the college, says Michael Corby media relations coordinator for FCCJ, as a student fresh out of high school.

However, the popularity of non-traditional or older students, returning to school is on the rise. More and more of these students are appearing in classrooms not only in FCCJ but across the nation.

In fact, according to Corby, the median age for this college is 28 years old.
South Campus English professor at FCCJ, Carol Grimes, welcomes the influx of older students into her classrooms.
Older students “fare much better than those right out of high school,” said Grimes. “Older students know why they’re here: They have experienced life without adequate education, so they are sharply aware of the benefits an education provides.”
Therefore, older students excel in motivation, attendance, and grades compared to traditional students, according to Grimes.
Zdravko Rozic, 28, and Thomas Trauger, 29, both feel that they enjoy school more now than they ever have in their lives.
“I definitely like school now that I am attending at 28,” Rozic said, “now that I lived life for ten years on my own and had numerous experiences; I have a good idea of what I’d like to do with my life.”
Rozic, who speaks with a Bosnian accent, moved to Jacksonville from Germany in 1997. He was swayed by B.F. Skinner and operant conditioning in his general psychology class to pursue a career in psychology.
But Rozic and Trauger both agree that actually returning to school is not that simple.
The economics of returning to school posed as an obstacle for both as well as the absence of ten years of formal educational training.

“I had to wade into school when I started back,” said Trauger who began at FCCJ back in 1997 and returned to take a directing class in 2004. “At first, I was frightened because I had not taken a test since 1997, and I thought: how was I going to take a test again?”

Both admit to reluctance because they were aware that there were kinks that developed from a lapse in school that needed to be ironed out; in some ways, they appreciate it because working harder ultimately led them to enjoying the material.
But, the struggle of paying tuition, books and rent is still a pressing issue.
Rozic saved up for three to four years to go back to school so he could pay for his first year and not have to work.
Unfortunately, he said he may have to get a job next semester, but he’s not in a hurry.
Rozic said that he wanted “not to be burdened with work when I finally returned to school because I knew it would consume all of my focus and attention.”

Trauger, a graduate of Douglas Andersen School of the Arts, signed up for a directing class, auditioned for the Fall production and ended up with a talent grant in theatre performance all in one semester. It pays for his tuition and books—even helps with some supplemental funds.

“The talent grant helps pay for school, but unfortunately not my rent, especially being a theatre major, time management is definitely required,” Trauger laughed. He works two jobs to barely scrape by: appropriately in the Nathan H. Wilson Center box office and behind the counters of the Music department at Barnes and Noble. “It’s definitely a juggling act,” he said.
Trauger aspires to become a theatre director and eventually dabble in entrepreneurship by opening his own theater and starting a production company.
“Do I regret not going to school right out of high school? No. Is it hard? Yes. Some days I pray for sleep and thousands of dollars, but I wouldn’t trade it for the experiences I’ve had here,” said Trauger as he patted Rozic on the back.

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A jolly Caribbean Christmas!

By Tamara Krause

So, what did you do during the Christmas break? A little shopping? Caught up on your sleep? Members of the Upsilon Eta Chapter, fellow Florida Community College students, and Phi Theta Kappa members from Texas spent the holiday break aboard Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas!

On Dec. 18, students, friends, and family members set sail from Port Canaveral to enjoy a 5-day Caribbean cruise to the ports of Grand Cayman and Cozumel, Mexico. The ship was decked out for the holiday season and even housed a 25 ft. Christmas tree!
The Mariner is 142,000 tons and hosts an ice skating rink, miniature golf-course, movie theatre, mini-mall, and rock climbing wall, as well as several hot tubs, pools, a spa and gym facilities.

With over 15 restaurants, finding something to please everyone’s tastes was not a problem; there was even a Johnny Rockets onboard.

photo courtesy Royal Carribbea Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas sets sail on holiday voyage

The trip was part of Phi Theta Kappa’s Honor Study Topic, Popular Culture: Shaping and Reflecting Who We Are. While onboard, students participated in daily pop culture trivia contests and discuss America’s pop culture influences in the Caribbean nations. Several examples of pop art from artists such as Max and Britto could be found throughout the ship and at the art auctions. The trip also promoted fellowship with other college students from around the country.

Grand Cayman provided several fun excursions, such as swimming with the stingrays, visiting the sea turtle farm, and going to Hell (yes, that is the name of the town!).

Visitors to Mexico found day trips to the Tulum Mayan ruins, parasailing, horseback riding, and plenty of shopping. Of course one of the best ways to enjoy the day is to stay behind and enjoy a massage at the spa. Either way, guests had plenty of activities to keep them occupied.

It was a wonderful way to spend the holidays and get to know each other outside of the classroom. For more information, please feel free to send emails to president@upsiloneta.org.

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Feb. Gala hails funds

The Florida Community College Foundation is hosting a celebration Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. at the College’s Deerwood Center (9911 Old Baymeadows Rd.). The fundraiser Gala celebrates the success of the Foundation’s $7 million Scholarship Campaign, “Changing Lives, Building Our Community,” and acknowledges the generosity of all of its contributors. State matching funds could increase the worth to $14 million.

Honorary Co-Chairs David and Linda Stein and Family and Herb and Miyuki Scheidel will host a cruise-themed evening, “Set Sail to Achieve the Dream.” Khaki cruise-wear is suggested. The Gala includes a bon-voyage reception with live music, dancing and dinner.

“The main goal of the event is to thank our donors. It also gives us an opportunity to showcase some of our students and programs,” said William C. Mason, the College’s vice president for Community and Economic Development.
“The ‘Culinary Art Galley’ will offer desserts prepared by culinary students,” explains Open Campus President Carol Spalding, who chairs the event committee. “The ‘Medical Suite’ is staffed by Nursing students and Massage Therapy students. Students from our Jazz, Vocal and Dance programs will entertain. Donors will meet scholarship recipients they are helping,” she said.
Proceeds from the event will fund scholarships and are eligible for matching state funds. FCCJ employees may attend at $75 per ticket, and the general public at $100 per ticket. Please RSVP at the number below by Jan.27. For more information on the ‘cruise’ please contact the foundation office at 904.361.6215.

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Mikey’s Voice Free ticket to knowledge

I never really understood how anyone could say that they can’t afford to go to school. How can you afford not to go? I guess some people would rather be slinging groceries or hustling food to tables for a measly five- dollar tip.
Today’s job market is seeking more qualified applicants. The more education an applicant has, the more qualified they are. This may seem like a vicious cycle for those who claim that they can’t afford to go to school.

I do understand that some would-be students are still listed as dependents on their parents’ tax forms. If your parents make too much money, you aren’t eligible for certain grants, like Pell grants, which are given on a need basis. However, if someone you know is actually serious about going back to school, not being eligible for a Pell grant should not be a roadblock.
Over the past few years, I have been searching for ways to get a little extra money to help pay for school and support myself at the same time. Luckily, I have been so diligent in my quest that I have not had to worry about money since the beginning of Fall semester, 2005.

You may ask, “How does he do this?” I will tell you. Apply for everything you come across. It doesn’t matter if you don’t think you qualify for the scholarship or grant. Many times your application will be discarded because you don’t meet the qualifications, but there are literally thousands of scholarships available. Through my search, I have found things as broad as a general scholarship for people who are in debt. (Get Out of Debt Scholarship provided by Straightforward Media) I have even found some scholarships as specialized as the Amelia Island Book Festival Writers Scholarship, which requires you to be a resident of Nassau county.
The Internet holds plenty of resources for those searching for scholarships. There are so many websites that list available scholarships. A few of the best I have found are Fastweb.com, scholarships.com and college-scholarships.com. If you do not have Internet access at home, take a trip down to your local branch of the public library. The library has Internet resources for the public. Not only do libraries have Internet access, but they also have an excellent yet often overlooked resource: the reference desk.
Reference desk librarians can be a critical link between you and the money you need to go back to school. I have found that talking to the librarian behind the reference desk and explaining exactly what you are looking for is a lot more help than aimlessly searching the Internet. The reference desk can also lead you to finding grant money that is not listed on any of the scholarship sites.
So if you, or someone you know, are looking to go back to school, stop being lazy. Finding money will take some time and hard work, but it will pay off in the end. The only thing stopping you from success is yourself.

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Greyhound bus travel is restful, and saves some cash

By Rhondajean Monts On a Greyhound bus seating 55, Travis was the 56th passenger. “I’m just trying to get home,” said Travis.

The driver reluctantly allowed the 16-year-old boy, built like an offensive lineman, to carry his laundry basket brimming with clothes near the back of the bus and squeeze his broad shoulders between the arm rests to sit on the floor.
“At least I have the most leg room,” said Travis as a way to break the ice with the passengers who now had an unusual obstacle between them and the toilet.

Travis just graduated Teen Challenge, an organization that helps troubled youth, early and is going to surprise his parents for Thanksgiving.

He boarded in Atlanta, Georgia, and is heading to Chicago, Illinois. “I’m looking forward to seeing my family.”
Between Florida’s sunny beaches and Wisconsin’s snowy hills, there are many different Greyhound bus routes and even more reasons for people to travel those routes.
Through the Thanksgiving holiday all of Greyhound’s 1,950 busses were running, according to Anna Folmnsbee, spokesperson for Greyhound.

“There are nearly 3,300 drivers employed by Greyhound, who drive to more than 3,000 destinations,” said Folmnsbee.
“The average ticket price is $41 and the 2004 revenue was $956.7 million.”
“I travel about every two weeks,” said Jeff Rodner, dressed in khaki pants, a smart black belt and a white collared shirt with his company’s logo. He boarded in Jacksonville, Florida. “I work for the Ashley furniture store and I help set up new stores, and do the majority of the initial hiring. I’m going to Milwaukee.”

“Sure I could take a plane, but this is easier on the company’s budget and I prefer keeping the ground close.” said Rodner.
“Intercity busses, like Greyhound, are the saferstmode of transportation over cars, trucks, trains, planes and other commercial vehicles,” according to a composite e-mail from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
Surveys show that customers choose to ride with Greyhound because they would spend more money on gas if they drove themselves said Folmnsbee.

“I personally ride with Greyhound to avoid the stress of driving long distances,” said Folmnsbee. “During the holiday I rode from Dallas to Kansas City and it was great.”

“We would have never been able to afford plane tickets to North Carolina this time of year,” said Joyce Hareway sitting next to her older sister Deedra. Both women are in their 40s and heading home to Tallahassee, Florida, after the Thanksgiving holiday.
“It may have been our last Thanksgiving with Pop and Greyhound made it an easy trip for us,” said Hareway.
Folmnsbee said that it’s hard to say whether Greyhound is growing in popularity because the routes are being reworked and Greyhound will actually be serving fewer locations in hopes of better predicting arrival and departure times.
“On average, 21 million people ride Greyhound a year,” said Folmnsbee.

“What I like most about riding the bus is the sleep,” said George, still in his construction harness, waiting for the next bus to Tennessee. “I go to sleep when I sit down, wake up to change busses and go to sleep again. I wake up when I get to work.”
Mick Abraham describes traveling by Greyhound the best with these lyrics:

“Early in the morning I can see the rising sun. Gonna pack my suitcase, gonna for a long, long run. Got to catch a Greyhound; drive through the night and day.”

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Recruiters work at keeping the sports benches full

By Harold Plemmons

Recruiting is pivotal to any college athletic program that wishes to be successful. At FCCJ that is no exception, as they have to recruit all over the nation to remain competitive in their sports.

“We receive 90 scholarships overall to be distributed through our athletic programs,” explained Ralph Daniel, FCCJ’s athletic administrator.

Florida is full of high school athletes that are top caliber, which is a plus for FCCJ. While they can recruit all over the United States, a lot of coaches believe that the best talent is right here in the Sunshine State.
“As far as tennis goes, Florida junior high players are among the best in the nation,” said Michael Stroud, tennis head coach. “I rarely ever recruit out of state.”

For an out- of- state athlete to get noticed, there are several opportunities for them to get scholarships. Coaches are able to go on recruiting trips, but must pay for hotels and food out of their budget. Instead, many players hire recruiting services to “market themselves.” These recruiting services film the athlete in action and mail around to colleges in hope of landing a scholarship somewhere.

“Being a recruiter is like your basic salesperson,” explained Debra Woods, women’s basketball head coach. “I like to sell FCCJ first and let each recruit know that they can receive a quality education.”
Coaches can even recruit internationally, although the process is not an easy one. They are not allowed to take trips out of the United States due to tight budgets. However, calls are allowed to be made and students can send in tapes and receive scholarships that way, but they are required to pay for themselves traveling into the country.
“Each team receives a maximum of two international scholarships,” explained Daniel. “Most teams recruit local kids from our community.”

The basic scholarship covers things such as tuition, books, and rooming. While FCCJ will not pay for full room and board, a portion is paid, with a bigger portion going to the blue chip athletes. Students who live outside the city must pay for their own transportation to the college. Overall, each scholarship has the ability to be customized according to each athlete.
“A student still living with his or her parents wouldn’t get quite as much money as someone who would have to stay in an apartment or something obviously,” said baseball head coach Chris Blaquiere.
One of the main pitches that FCCJ gives student athletes is that they are all but guaranteed to play their freshman and sophomore year. In universities, a lot of players are forced to either redshirt or sit out during their freshman year, and sometimes sophomore levels. FCCJ is used by a lot of athletes who aren’t quite ready to play at the university level, and would rather groom their skills for two years before making the transition.
“In the last two years we had seven out of a possible seven graduates receive transfer scholarships to major universities,” said Stroud.

Athletes also want to know that they are receiving a good education. Under FCCJ’s policy of having scholastic athletes, they are one of the most academically strict junior colleges in the area. FCCJ definitely recruits for the classroom before the ball field, as all of the school’s players have a 3.0 GPA and higher. “I would rather turn down a heck of a player who was below average in the classroom for the decent athlete who excels in the classroom,” said Daniel. “Our coaches are finally starting to understand that, even though some of them don’t like it.”

Another major recruiting tool is the Florida weather. The weather allows sports like tennis and baseball to be played year round, versus not being able to play because of snow. Also, people just want to come to Florida in general for the beaches and scenery.
“We definitely use the beaches as a recruiting tool,” said volleyball head coach Mary Andrew.
FCCJ takes pride in not only being outstanding on the field but in the classroom as well. Athletes who receive scholarships to FCCJ are guaranteed more than a great sports experience, but also a key to a bright future.
“We want kids to know they can receive a quality education,” said Daniel.

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Driving rage off the road

By Christina Garmon

It is that time of the year again; time for students and non-students alike, to shake off that New Years haze and return to the hustle, rush, and run of normal life.

However, before you start all of your bustling about so that you can get out the door and on the road in order to reach work on time, take into consideration the other people on the road you will meet. This does not happen much in those early morning hours when many people are trying to rush to work.

Road rage occurs when a person cuts you off or commits some other traffic atrocity to you. When this happens, a person usually has to speed up to commit the atrocity, which usually leads to most morning and evening accidents.
According to moneymeter.com the highest amount of accidents occurs between the hours of 9 a.m., just when people are late for work and 3 p.m., when many of the schools are letting out.
Before you decide that the person in front of you is driving too slowly consider this; rush hour accidents are frequently caused by aggressive drivers, and are major contributors of congestion. Ten percent of these rush hour crashes contribute to a second crash according to geocities.com

Geocities also states that, since the first half of the decade, incidents involving road rage have risen by 51 percent. 80 percent of drivers are angry most or all of the time while driving.
Last December a young man was killed due to road rage. Adam Loyche was cut off while he was taking his girlfriend to her car. Angered by this, he followed the men in the truck. This sordid event ended badly. The young man was pushed and hit his head as he fell to the ground, he died a week later. (firstcoastnews.com)

These are only a few examples. The problem has become so huge that now there are websites dedicated to giving information on road rage such as RoadRagers .com. From those who have it on a regular basis to those who have been victims of it these sites tell you what you need to know. They provide facts and statistics with different ways to prevent road rage from happening to you.
If you are interested in finding out if you have road rage just visit one of the websites.

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Ask Amy
How can I feel more connected to the college?

By Amy Perkins

Classes are underway now and if you were here in the Fall, you know you will settle into a routine pretty soon. Still, you might be thinking that something is missing from your college experience. Getting involved in what goes on at your campus is a great way to build connections with people and gain valuable experience.

How involved do you want to be? Some activities, such as a lecture or demonstration, just require your attendance. Other activities, like Student Government or a club, may require a little more participation. Think about what your goals are when you think about getting involved in more campus activities. Are you hoping to meet new friends? Get better grades? Gain hands-on experience related to your career field? All of these are worthwhile goals and we have activities that match up with each of these goals.
The key to feeling connected is to stick around a little bit after class. Most of you come and go based on your class schedule. Take a look at what activities are offered and plan ahead. Pick up a copy of the Student Activities Guide and Planner from your campus Student Activities office.

Want more information? Talk to the staff at the Student Activities office, the Career Development Center, or come by the Counseling and Advising office. We can help you identify your goals in terms of feeling connected and help you select some opportunities that meet your needs. There’s no time to waste. Some great activities are going on right now and you don’t want to miss them.

What else is left to learn? Lots. Now you can tell us what else you would like to know. Email us at campusvoice@students.fccj.edu, and we will address your questions in coming issues. Got questions? We’ll get you answers.

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Art Exhibit

By Matthew Richardson

From steel sculptors to creative acrylic and oil paintings, FCCJ’s North Campus art gallery was filled with creative works in every direction.

North Campus’s art gallery featured African-American artists and their work at an opening on Jan. 17 from 6 – 8 p.m. Among the many paintings and sculptors stood their creators, available to answer questions or receive comments about their pieces.
Artists such as Marsha Hatcher and Overstreet Ducasse presented their work for everyone to view.
“Paint what you feel, not what’s trendy,” said Hatcher.

“Resurrection” by Overstreet Ducasse	FCCJ student Ashley Walker viewing artwork from Ducasse, Hatcher, and Wise

Hatcher, who has been painting for 35 years, presented three of her works titled “Jones Inspiration,” “Douglas Inspiration,” and “Savage Inspiration.”

These three paintings, all featuring the word inspiration, were used as a way to not only express Hatcher’s feelings, but to also give the viewer something to think about.

“I want them to educate themselves,” said Hatcher.

Hatcher’s inspiration in her artwork is self- explanatory in the title. “Savage Inspiration,” for instance, captures the artist Augusta Savage sculpting her piece “Gamin.”

Just being creative is the best thing about painting, said Hatcher.
The painting took her one week to complete.

“Savage Inspiration” by Marsha Hatcher	“steel 101” by John Wise

Ducasse’s artwork is quite different, not only because of the eccentric themes, but because each painting contained a piece of the same material.

Ducasse, who has been painting for 10 years, presented three works of art as well, titled: “Locked up,” “Bath tiles,” and “Resurrected.”

In each painting, Ducasse put in a self- portrait of himself. The self- portrait is a separate piece on its own, but Ducasse made copies of the pictures and placed them in his other frames of work.
Ducasse’s artwork focused on space and the zodiac signs. He strongly expresses this in “Resurrection.”
Ducasse was inspired to create “Resurrection” after hearing the song “Age of Aquarius.”
The title, “Resurrection,” refers to the zodiac signs being buried, but brought back to life.
Ducasse has displayed his art work in Miami and California. The painting took him one to two days to complete.
The African American art display will be available to all viewers until Feb. 21.

Photos by Hien Bach

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Heel, toe, and go, go, go

By Cedric Bacon and Darby Nickless

It's an arena that has kick-started the careers of John Travolta and Patrick Swayze, and has evolved in a strange and twisted way onto TV (Stars on Ice anyone?) but dancing is more than just a fancy ability to two-step your way across a dance floor on Prom Night, and into a girl's heart.

For the dedicated and hardworking individuals who work tirelessly and endlessly to create and show something that they enjoy doing, hoping that those who come to see them perform will also be thrilled.

The members of the Amelia Island Dance Ensemble and Repository are those types of people. In the midst of their second round of auditions for the year, the DER has been in operation for a little over eight years, beginning, at the time, with only eight students. Since that time and with word- of- mouth passing among the theatrically talented, news of the DER has spread and, as of 2006, can usually expect between 16 and 20 students to appear for auditions. Many of the students that have been accepted have been in the program for years. One of them, Tanesha Somerset, has been around since 2002. She, along with Kim Kerr, were recent recipients of the Alvin Ailey Summer Dance Program's 3-year program. Those who join up are of diverse backgrounds, and the opportunity to learn such things as ensemble (closer to ballet) and repository (closer to hip-hop/jazz) must seem new, exciting, and grueling.
"To make it through", says Somerset, "all you have to have is a positive attitude." Those who appeared for the Jan. 11 auditions seemed to have as much, as they enthusiastically breezed through carefully arranged renditions of existing numbers (one of which included music to Tina Turner's "Rain."

Rosemary Fletcher, administrator for the group, commented on the fact that "in addition to repository, we have classes for people who have never danced before." She also added that while the group does not do competitions (as opposed to monologues that are mandatory in most acting classes), the group does put on shows elsewhere. Two occasions worthy of note are the American College Dance Festival to be held March 9-12 at Florida State University, and another show on March 30 with the University of North Florida percussion section. In addition, the group performs guest pieces usually written by professional choreographers in the field, one of whom has included K.T. Nelson of the ODC San Francisco Company, who was in Jacksonville in October.
Assistant to Fletcher is Liberitia Sindija, who has been involved with the ensemble for two years, added that the work is "very challenging and inspirational. Everyone has special needs and it’s interesting to see how they will progress." Such progress usually results in scholarship offers, which covers three college credits worth of dance, and one exclusive credit in Repository. The group is not limited to just women. Troy Benjamin, one of two males at the Jan. 11 auditions, has worked with several different dancing groups over time. "Don't get discouraged or embarrassed," said Benjamin when auditioning.
For those interested in the DER, future audition dates will be posted.

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Lady Stars win big

By Maria DeVera

The Stars come out at night and shine through the challenge.

On Jan. 18 at 6 p.m., the FCCJ Stars Women’s Basketball team played against Seminole Community College Raiders.
The Stars started out with great momentum putting 19 points on the score board only ten minutes into the game with the opposing team having just six points.

The play calling was well-achieved by the team members; passing fast while keeping consistent performance throughout, they kept fowls to a minimum.

The teamwork involved is one of the main reasons that has put the women’s team on top.
This was demonstrated when Stephanie Brush, guard, dribbled the ball from one end of the court to the other; she passed to Jessica Piggott, post, who passed it to Sharisma Williamson, point guard.

Williamson made a three pointer with the Stars leading in 21 points with 5:29 minutes into the first half.
The team’s defense also contributed to the game’s success with Shantel Ragin, the guard/forward, quickly blocking a pass from the opposing team in the second half.

Stars took home the victory with the final score 69-49.

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Men’s Basketball:Hard luck

By Maria DeVera

The shooting Stars traveled far in the game, but still fell short.
The FCCJ Stars Men’s Basketball team played against the Seminole Community College Raiders on Jan. 18 at 8 p.m. It was a close game with the scores being frequently tied.

The Raiders made the first shot of the game with a three pointer, but it wasn’t long until Sam Robertson, forward, made a dunk and put the first two points up for the Stars.

It was a neck in neck game; Grant Gibson, guard, passes to Kenie Freeman, center, who shoots gaining two points over SCC. The Raiders come back leading with 22 points over the 20-point stars 8:42 minutes into the first half.

A lay up from Gibson and a free throw from Dustina Walker, forward, tied the game 53-53 with 14:32 minutes in the second half.
Both teams played hard. One shot is made after the other from FCCJ and SCC. The game was hard to call when SCC was ahead of FCCJ 74-72 with only 1:35 minutes left.

Unfortunately, SCC continuously kept the ball in their domain and won the game. The final score was SCC Raiders, 81 and FCCJ Stars, 74.

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Shocking news and signs of a heart attack

By Vanessa Gordon

Coronary heart disease is America's No. 1 killer. Knowing the warning signs of a heart attack is necessary for survival. Some heart attacks are sudden and intense, but most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Here are some of the signs that can mean a heart attack is happening. Chest discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back repeatedly is a warning sign. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain. There may also be discomfort in other areas of the upper body.

Symptoms can include: pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach. Shortness of breath may occur with or without chest discomfort. Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
Calling 9-1-1 is almost always the fastest way to get lifesaving treatment. On Florida Community College Jacksonville campuses, The Safety Security Process Team; a committee of ten staff members, worked to put Automatic External Defibrillators (AED) in various, accessible places.

“How do you put a price tag on a person’s life?” said Captain Barry Allender.
Jacksonville Public Library officials are working on having defribrillators installed in their facilities as well.
The AEDs are checked every month for maintenance purposes. They can be applied to infants, children and adults. Adult pads are on the defibrillators, ready to use at all times. The top of the AED can be used as a headrest for the victim. The device will say such things as check response, call for help, open airway, attach pads and stand back. After a defibrillator has been used, it will be cleaned, new adult pads will be attached, and it is ready to go again.
For more information on heart attacks, go to: http://americanheart.org

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Band story: Cain Was Able

By Maria DeVera

Rocking to the beat of his own drum, FCCJ Student and Biology major Doug Blonder, 28, talks about his heavy-metal, rock band called Cain Was Able (CWA).

CWA is one of the numerous, various bands that are posted on myspace.com, a popular site used to spread the latest music, while acquiring some recognition.

The band consists of Bass player Steve Mann, Vocalist Daniel Scott, Guitarist Douglass Brooks and Blonder on drums.
The Campus Voice (TCV): Tell me how the whole thing started. Who decided to form the band, how you guys met, and how long have you been playing together?

Doug Blonder: In late 2002, Cain was Able had just been playing for a few months together. Guitarist Doug Brooks and Bass player Steve Mann were old friends who eventually began playing music together and started the band there-after. It was soon afterwards that they met Daniel Scott, who blew their minds with his amazing vocal abilities and was a shoe-in on the spot. Little did they know that I had just moved to Jacksonville and was looking for a band to start. And so it was the faint probability of Daniel who worked with my brother-in-law that made that connection of the full band. From there on, the band has been playing shows for the past three and a half years together.

TCV: Can you tell me why you chose the name Cane Was Able? Is there a meaning behind it?
Doug Blonder: The name 'Cain was Able' sort of holds dual meanings to it. As most people know, Cain and Abel were brothers and Cain killed Abel. Our name plays with these words, taking 'Cain' as in 'raising hell', and 'Able' as in the ability to do something. If you put it together I guess you get something on the lines of being able to raise hell, which somewhat describes our music which can be quite heavy and intense, sort of like raising hell with rock music.

TCV: Who are your inspirations such as what bands do you guys look up to?

Doug Blonder: One band that all of CWA finds influential is 'A Perfect Circle,' however we all listen to similar bands besides. To list all of them would fill a novel, but a couple of the most idolized would have to be bands like Mudvayne, Tool, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Dave Matthews Band, Pantera, Type O Negative, Deftones, Fugazi, Anthrax, and the list could go on forever...
TCV: Can you tell me what some of the songs mean, for example, like Plastic and Crooked Grin?

Doug Blonder: While we as a band write the music together, Daniel Scott writes most of it but not all of the lyrics within. Sometimes it's hard to understand what exactly he's singing about, but I believe he mostly sings about the world he lives in, which can be positive or negative depending on how he feels at the moment.

TCV: Would you consider yourselves more of a heavy metal band than an alternative or rock band?
Doug Blonder: Our music is quite hard to put a label on because apart from being all original, it holds a lot of different types of beats and riffs that intermesh with one another. Take this with Daniel's supersonic vocals, and you have sort of a mixture that can be heavy at times, yet soft and delicate as well now and then. When we play on stage, we decide if we want to play all of our heavy songs, or just the slow melodic songs, or maybe a compilation of both, depending on the crowd base.
TCV: What makes you guys different from any other bands that are out there; anything specific?

Doug Blonder: CWA is like nothing I've heard in the music scene. Our music is quite eclectic in style because each band member has his own trademark way of expressing himself through music. Steve has a way of turning his bass into a melodic thunder that captures you in alpha waves. Doug tends to bust out the chunky monkey riffs on the guitar. Daniel's vocals make the walls shake and the floor disappear, and me on drums is that rhythmic heart-beat that attacks when you least expect it.

TCV: What are some of the comments you have gotten from people who have listened to your music?

Doug Blonder: Over the years, I guess the most commonly heard description of our music is that we really have a unique style. People like the jazz funk metal cornucopia of music that we throw out on stage. Playing music is the great escape. When you’re able to let yourself go and express your inner feelings through an instrument, it opens a pathway to spiritual bliss. If you ever watch a musician closely, chances are you may see this happen occasionally. The rolling of the eyes followed by erratic body language are usually a good sign that such a situation is unfolding.

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FCCJ; solving teacher shortage

By Matthew Richardson

In an effort to solve the shortage of teachers, FCCJ has adopted the idea of the Alternative Certificate Program.
This program helps the shortage of teachers by helping them receive their teacher certification in an expedient process.
The person in charge of the program is EPI Coordinator Kathleen Foley, along with Carole Byrd, the associate dean of education. Foley has been with the college for over a month now.

FCCJ’s Alternative Certificate Program is also called Teach First Coast. The state of Florida came up with information regarding teacher shortage in 2002, hence the program was created. FCCJ adopted the program last summer and the first group of students was admitted last fall.

The teacher shortage is a national problem.
“There is a national alternative certification group that is trying to meet the needs nationally of all the teacher shortages. Every state, really, is having a problem with teacher shortages, except for the Midwest. People tend to not leave those positions,” said Foley.
Portions of the shortages are due to popularity growth and attrition. In Florida, those are the primary areas.

“People aren’t entering the teaching profession at the rate that they used to because of the myriad of other opportunities, other than teaching,” said Foley.

Alternative certification means; rather than going to a four- year university, the program can accept bachelors degree students and move them into four different modules that the state has required that they proceed through. The state also helps the students take their certification test to receive professional certification in Florida.

There are requirements for admission into the program, such as: an interview and drug- screening test, and there is also an application to fill out.

“From our FCCJ website, we have a Teach First Coast website which is a link to the application,” said Foley.
The teacher shortage is an important issue, and many states express that by offering temporary certificates.
“You can work and teach in a classroom with a temporary certificate which can be renewed every year. It’s called an annual contract. You can work for three years on the temporary certificate, but the state says that within three years, you have to have a professional certificate,” said Foley.

Currently, FCCJ has two sections for the programs. The first section will be finishing in the spring of this year. There are 72 students in that program. The second has just about the same amount.

In recruiting, “It’s basically word- of- mouth. We try to work closely with school districts in the area to let them know that we have this program so people will get into it,” said Foley.

FCCJ is also starting a summer intensive program planned for South Campus and they are hoping to meet the needs of the teachers that are in the classrooms currently teaching, but need certification over the summer.

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Fencing is like playing chess on foot

By Matthew Richardson

Action could be seen in every direction. “Advance, lunge!” said one coach to the students. The sound of feet shifting and the clang of swords could be heard. Parrying and riposting was seen by many of the fencers.

The FCCJ Fencing Club held every Tuesday and Thursday under the leadership of Coach Raul Toro, teaches discipline, respect, and sportsmanship.

Toro, 49, from New York, New York, has been involved in fencing for 36 years, 25 of which he has been coaching. He feels passionate about the sport because of what it stands for.

“I love fencing. It’s a sport that I’ve been able to be a part of all my life, and that is the beauty of the sport. It’s a life-long sport. You can do it till you’re 80 years-old with no problem,” Toro said.

Like most sports, practice makes perfect. Before beginner fencers get into the real “pirate action”, they must learn the basic form, the rules of the sport and also the fencing terms such as engarde and touché. Many fencers can’t expect to start off perfectly. Take Toro, for example. He started fencing at the age of 13.

“When I first started, I was horrible. My first year in junior varsity, I didn’t win any,” Toro said. “But the following year, when I went to Varsity – that’s when I got it.”

Fencing, which involves three different swords: The epee, sabre, and foil, is usually referred to as “playing chess on foot.” Clever as it may sound, this comparison expresses fencing’s intellectual power as well as its physical workout.

“Fencing is like chess on your feet; not only is your mind being stimulated, you’re also giving your body a workout at the same time,” Toro said.

FCCJ’s Fencing Club has been active for 5 years, which Toro has been teaching, but this is not all he’s coaching. Toro is also the president and coach for the Jacksonville Fencing Club. While Toro did not create the club, he did start coaching it 6 years ago in 1999.

Toro meets the qualifications for the sport because of his dedication and his experience.
In 1974, Toro qualified for the Junior Olympics and has won many medals throughout the years. In the eighties, he fenced in Florida, and always finished in either first, second, or third place in all three weapon categories.
Toro is a good example of the phrase “practice makes perfect.” Another fencer who sets an example for all involved with FCCJ’s Fencing Club would be Cherish Rose O’Dell.

O’Dell is an FCCJ student who recently received the high rank of being third in state fencing tournaments. She not only sets an example of how practice pays off, but also how a good coach can take you far if a student listens.
“He [Toro] is very supportive and very patient,” O’Dell said.

O’Dell, 18, has been fencing for 2 years and she admits she does tend to overanalyze when fencing. She attends the fencing club twice a week, but she also trains at home – she tries to practice at least two hours a day.

Just as Toro, O’Dell feels very passionate towards the sport. She admires not just the sport, but the people involved with it.
“The people are great. I don’t think I’ve met one bad fencer,” O’Dell said.

In an effort to explain how the sport is unique because of the athletes involved, O’Dell mentioned that even though she may win against her opponent, they will still cheer for her in the next bout.

The fencing club has tournaments once a month that involves many fencers from different areas. The basic weapon they use is the foil. Each weapon, including the epee and sabre, includes different styles, but each style includes the same five-point systems.
“I don’t go to tournaments to win. I go there to learn from my experiences,” O’Dell said.

O’Dell has also been involved in the Junior Olympics and has placed in many other tournaments such as the Great Pumpkin, where she placed third.

“Fencing teaches you about life. You have to respect your opponent and the people around you,” O’Dell said. “You can’t just think you’re going to come here and win. You have to train; you have to think about it.”

Fencers like Toro and O’Dell who know the art of practice and sportsmanship, both hope to pass this same technique and character down to the next up-and-coming fencer.

The fencing club is free for FCCJ students. They provide the equipment and meet up every Tuesday and Thursday at 7:30 PM.

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Cool People-- This issue: Reginald C. Mosley

By Matthew Richardson

Spoken word poetry is delivered art; the creative language that paints a picture with words that express emotion.
At last year’s FCCJ talent show held at the South Campus’s Wilson Center on Dec. 3, the audience got a taste of pure spoken word poetry performed by Reginald C. Mosley. Mosley left the talent show that night with first place.

Mosley, 29, who has been writing poetry for three years, performed his spoken word poem at the talent show titled “9/11” which refers to the devastation on Sep. 11, and also the issues that America is going through today. Mosley was inspired to write the piece after seeing the explosion and the people affected by it.

When first listening to his poem, you would think that Mosley has written this piece recently because of his level of talent now, but this was, in fact, Mosley’s first written poem.

“A lot of people didn’t know I could write poetry, and I thought there was a lot to it, but spoken word, you pretty much right from the heart,” said Mosley.

Mosley’s poetic nickname is Ledger meaning balance. When he speaks, he doesn’t want his words to be expressed only a certain race, but to all people. When he performs, he enters his world as Ledger.

“I’m a totally different person. It’s not about anybody. It’s about the words. It’s not about me; it’s not about the audience. It’s about me breathing life into a voice no one holds. I don’t care about the faces I make. I don’t care about how I look,” said Mosley.
“I want my words to somehow allow us to be able to pass color and to bring us together as one. We only have one life to live. There’s so much confusion and sometimes we put boundaries and standards on who we are.”

Mosley’s poems are politically driven, so it wouldn’t be hard to believe his spoken word hits the hearts of some of his audience members.

“The time when most of my poetry really stands out is when it’s directly affiliated with somebody.”

He has one poem called “Through the eyes of innocence” which talks about child molestation. Mosley has a way of touching people through his words and emotions. This is just a sample of his work from “Through the eyes of innocence”:

“Their eyes have not seen the best of life, but as the shadow of the sun falls it becomes night and somewhere someone’s child is being touched and even at a young age they have questions, but everything seemed so rush, rush. They desire to speak out but everything seems so hush, hush.”

As gifted as Mosley is with spoken word poetry, his talent stretches to other areas: such as songwriting and his love for acting. Spoken word poetry does involve the talent of writing, but you must also have strong delivery to the audience. Acting plays a major role.

Even though Mosley has been songwriting for four years, he wrote his first song at the age of nine but has always shared a love for acting.

“When I was younger I wanted to do this. I wanted to do acting. I thought I wanted to write, but I think my parents couldn’t devote time to that craft,” said Mosley.

Mosley has always had a sense of his goals and he knows how to go about achieving them; by networking.
“With poetry, it’s all about networking. It’s who you know and where you go,” said Mosley.

Mosley has performed his poetry at Boomtown, and has been featured in Promoting Outstanding Writers (POW) magazine. He also met the magazines creator, Caryn M. Suarez. She helped Mosley get his poetic message out to the audience.
Mosley has been working on his latest project as well to get himself out there. He has been working on a book that he hopes to accomplish in the next six months.

“It will contain around 40 poems and it’s titled ‘The world through the eyes of Ledger’,” said Mosley.
From movie auditions to helping others at River City Playhouse, Mosley has proved to be more than the average poet.
“Poetry is about writing from the heart. It’s about writing something that means something to you. Always write to express, not to impress,” said Mosley.

“I thank God for opening doors to where I am now.”
For more information and poetry from Mosley, email him at poetledger@yahoo.com

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Review: Tristan and Isolde

By Maria DeVera

Before Romeo and Juliet there was Tristan and Isolde; a forbidden love that was a tragedy from the start. Tristan and Isolde was originally an opera written by the German composer and conductor Richard Wagner sometime between 1857 and 1859. The story takes place in the medieval time when Ireland ruled with brute force over England. The English try desperately to unite forces with the surrounding countries under the leadership of King Marke (Rufus Sewell) to gain freedom from Ireland’s attacks. King Marke adopts a son, Tristan (James Franco), whose mother and father were killed in a raid. Tristan is raised to be a strong and fearless fighter who seeks revenge against Ireland. The story covers several battle scenes, including one in which Tristan is injured. He is mistaken for dead by the English army; they lay Tristan’s body on a burial boat to float away in the ocean. Princess Isolde of Ireland (Sophia Myles) finds Tristan and nurses him back to health. She hides her identity, telling him her name was Brangaene, (her maid’s name), in fear of being harmed. Isolde opens her heart more and more as she spends time with Tristan and both fall madly in love with each other. Tristan eventually leaves Isolde and Ireland to return home. During this time, the English army was getting stronger and better equipped with weapons. In fear of being overturned, King Donnchadh of Ireland, who is also Isolde’s father, proposes a battle between the neighboring towns of England to win the hand of his daughter and to become an ally of Ireland. Tristan accepts the challenge and tries to win a wife for King Marke.

After many dangerous competitions, Tristan wins each challenge and the English become an ally as well as giving him a wife to bring home for King Marke. Isolde is exposed to Tristan as King’s Donnchadh’s daughter and, in shock, Tristan shies away from Isolde. King Marke and Isolde are wedded and a love affair sparks between Tristan and Isolde. Throughout the movie, both Tristan and Isolde face a dilemma of either following their hearts or facing their duty.

This PG-13 movie that runs 125 minutes is directed by Kevin Reynolds who also worked on movies such as: The Count of Monte Cristo, and Waterworld. It is a classical tale that keeps the audience intrigued and stimulated.

The movie sets off a dark mood throughout, with battle scenes and dramatic dialogues between Tristan and Isolde. It doesn’t have as many memorable, lovesick lines as Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, because Tristan and Isolde’s love is mostly felt through their emotions, which was sometimes misleading.

This movie would be a B- rating because it doesn’t seem to capture the real love between Tristan and Isolde. Although there were many passionate scenes between the two, most of the time, Tristan seemed to always be angry at Isolde. The movie is also spoiled by the constant comparison of intimate love scenes between Isolde and King Marke and that of her and Tristan which creates a lack of fondness among the two lovers.

Despite all that, the overall picture was stunning, the acting was well-performed, and the battle scenes ensure entertainment that complements the movie.

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Movie Review: Grandma’s Boy

By Maurice Stevens

I know what you’re thinking, “Well this is another Adam Sandler comedy, so I know its going to be funny,” right? You would be absolutely correct. This movie features grannies, gamers, partying…foot pajamas and a Taekwondo master chimpanzee.
The story begins with Alex. His life was going pretty sweet. He just quit his job being an accountant and landed his dream job as a video game tester at Branasium, where they have the #1 game in the world, “Eternal Death Slayer.” He’s 35 and maybe the oldest game tester at the company, but he’s also the best.

Alex used to live with his roommate; until he discovered that his roommate had been spending the rent money for the past six months straight at Madame Wu’s Filipino Palace, where “they’re not hookers, they’re message therapists!” Finding himself on the street he turned to his dealer Dante, to let him crash, who promptly turned him down because he had a business to run.
His friend Jeff agreed to put him up, and all was well until the unfortunate accident between Alex and an action figure while they were in the bathroom, and Jeff’s mom just happens to walk in and catch it.

Finding another place in no time, but still trying to save face in front of his friends, Alex tells everyone he just moved in with three hot chicks. The “three hot chicks” happened to be 80-year-old Grandma Lilly and her two roommates. But things start to get complicated and more hilarious for Alex once the secret’s out about who he’s really been staying with thanks to some special “tea” that his grandmother found in Alex’s room. Who knew three 80 year olds can get along so well with video geeks, a low key drug dealer, a lovely assortment of strippers and their clientele. It’s amazing what tequila shots will do!

Needless to say this movie is rated R, and for good reason. It is for the mature. I love this movie, it had everything that a comedy should have of this generation, although a little vulgar at times, okay a lot, it’s still funny enough to make even the most of conservative hearts cry out for more. You won’t be angry buying a ticket to this one. In fact, I don’t see anyone leaving in the middle of this movie and if they do, then they were in the wrong theater.

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