‘A soul mix of color and spirit’
By Matthew Richardson
“A soul mix of color and spirit” is the theme for Downtown Campus’s art gallery display. Like any other art gallery, viewers will find various pieces of art ranging from sculptures to paintings and abstract to realism, all done by different artists. This is not the case for “A soul mix of color and spirit.”
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Photos by Hien Bach
Downtown Campus: “Untitled” by artist Roosevelt Watson III. |
While many diverse pieces of art fill the room, one artist can claim them all. Roosevelt Watson III, from Sherwood, has been painting for five years. Four of those years he has claimed himself to be a professional.
This is Watson’s second showing at Downtown FCCJ, but he has also displayed his work at Kent and North Campus.
Being responsible for all 39 pieces at the art gallery, Watson’s talent ranges from abstract artwork to realistic portraits. He expresses what he calls “a voice for souls.”
“I have the means to bring my spiritual energy to vision so that other people can have a part of me,” Watson said.
When asked what inspires him to paint, Watson answers “The Holy Spirit.”
“I want people to get the feeling of joy, the feeling of love and hopefully some understanding,” Watson told The Campus Voice.
Watson’s artwork displays vibrant colors and unique mediums. His paintings are of many different sizes, expressing different messages, but revolve around “one big picture.”
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Artist Roosevelt Watson III’s titled artwork “Self portrait”. |
“Power of creation” |
“Most of my work is definitely geared around the spiritual war we’re in. There’s this major war that people are not paying attention to because they’re getting caught up in that physical world, so my abstraction is to take you into that spirit world so you can be free or at least experience some freedom,” Watson said.
When looking at Watson’s work, some might wonder what was going through his head. Some creations feature simple lines, but if you take a step back to get the full view, another image pops out; a man, a fish, or a pathway.
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Bruce Corey observes “Words of Life” painting. |
“Up from the earth” |
Watson mentioned that he does not envision what the paintings will look like. He just lets the paint marks take control.
“I have sketchbooks, and I draw in my sketchbooks, but I have a really hard time taking that sketch and putting it to the painting because by the time I got the sketch and take it to the painting, it has changed. My sketches are sketchy,” said Watson. Some artists use symbolism in order to better describe their artwork. When viewing Watson’s work, viewers might notice a seashell, or a fish, or even hard money, in many of his pieces.
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“Get to the other side” |
“Be wise” |
“The sea shells represent an idea and a changing idea because like the beach, you can never step into the same sea water twice because it is constantly moving, constantly changing,” Watson said.
“I use the fish a lot of times to represent the soul because Christ said ‘We’ll teach you to be fishers of men.’ I want to evoke an emotion and I use color to help evoke that emotion. I studied some color metaphysics that have helped me see that people understand what I’m trying to say,” said Watson.
Watson admits that he is not worldwide yet, but he hopes to achieve that goal. He has displayed his art at various locations in Jacksonville, but he realizes that most famous artists are known for one particular style.
“You have to have a cohesive body of work first because they [the viewers] want to recognize you with one thing. You pick up Picasso and you think of cubism. They need to find a mark for me. Without having a mark, they won’t really know me, so the fish becomes that mark,” said Watson.
Even though Watson feels he needs a mark, he doesn’t want one because it will limit him to who his artwork touches.
“I don’t want a mark at all because my gamut is so wide. My canvas is my pulpit. The gallery, the stage, the certain venues, becomes my church. Everyone that comes is part of the congregation,” Watson told The Campus Voice.
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“Untitled” |
“It’s Finished” |
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“Blue red black and white” |
“Prayer will help” |
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“Lion of Judah” |
“Yellow Fabric” |
Watson’s artwork will be on display until March 17.
All photos by Hien Bach at Downtown Campus
WebCT: cancelled
By Kyle Sieg
FCCJ will stop using WebCT for online classes starting this summer, college officials say.
WebCT is one of the two websites that the college uses for online courses and enhanced on-campus courses.
According to Judith Baker, executive dean of virtual college, “About 86 faculty were originally scheduled to teach courses using WebCT for the upcoming summer session.”
Even more had planned to use WebCT to enhance their on-campus classes, Baker said.
The move, likely to affect many teachers, came about after both teachers and students experienced continuous problems with the site.
“Courses/files have become corrupted,” said Dr. Jack Chambers, executive director of the office of organizational learning services, “and the problems are worsening.”
The upcoming merger of WebCT and Blackboard has also influenced the decision made by FCCJ to drop WebCT.
“Blackboard has indicated they will only continue to support WebCT for a limited and unspecified time,” Chambers said.
In general, about the same number of FCCJ faculty use WebCT when compared to those who use Blackboard, Chambers said. However, he noted that Blackboard might have slightly more faculty users than WebCT.
FCCJ professors who use WebCT instead of Blackboard will need to make the switch to Blackboard at some point. Professor Lynn Lisenby preferred WebCT over Blackboard and used it for both her online and on-campus classes.
“It was far superior in that; the e-mail was self-contained within WebCT,” Lisenby said.
Whatever happens with WebCT and Blackboard, Lisenby knows that the college and Blackboard will do what is best for the students and the faculty.
FCCJ’s Lady Stars fade
LATE BULLETIN
There’ll be no basketball trip to Kansas for FCCJ’s Lady Stars. They lost to Gulf Coast Community College 73-49 late Friday as The Campus Voice was going to press.
For details, go to www.chipola.edu/fccaa/2006/wbracket.htm
By Maria DeVera
National tournament is the name of the game.
The Lady Stars basketball team is No.1 in the Mid-Florida Conference, and is ranked third in the state. They won their last regular season game 80-49 over Daytona Beach Community College on Feb. 25 and ended the season with a record of 20-7.
“This season, our team ranked as high as fourteenth in the country,” said Coach Debra Woods. “If we win state, we will go to nationals in Salina, Kansas later in March.”
The Lady Stars have not been conference champions since the 1993-1994 season. This is the first one under the leadership of Woods, who has full confidence in her team.
The team has versatility and talent. We have about three or four players that can play several positions, said Woods.
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Photo courtesy: FCCJ’s athletics webpage
SOUTH CAMPUS: Shantel Ragin, second to the left from the back row, is the leading scorer of the Lady Stars Basketball team. They closed the season with a record of 20-7 and won their first state tournament game against Indian River Community College with a score of 76-68 on March 9.
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Several players were placed in All-Conference teams as follows: Forward Shantel Ragin in the All-State and Mid-Florida First Team. Point Guard Sharisma Williamson, Post Jessica Piggott, Center LaToya Drake in the Mid-Florida First Team. Guard Stephanie Brush and Post Sabrina Schmitt in the Mid-Florida Second Team.
Despite this being her first year with the Stars, Ragin has had a successful season, and is the leading scorer for her team, according to Woods.
“This season went pretty well. We started off a little slow, but with my teammates and my growth and listening to the coaches, we became a union of one,” said Ragin. “It led us to win games and put us where we are now.”
The Stars will travel to Marianna for the state tournament held at Chipola College, which will last from March 9-11. Indian River Community College is the first school they will play against. Whatever challenge they may face, Woods gives them this advice, “Have patience in our system, execute it and we will win.”
The Lady Stars are on their way to pursue victory among the many teams they will battle, hoping to win the ultimate goal of a national title, and learning lessons along the way.
“I have learned so many things and at the same time became a wiser person,” said Ragin. “You have to keep your head up and move forward, but most importantly, it is during your weakest times and moments that a person realizes that they are stronger than they know.”
A pep rally was held outside of the cafeteria in support of the Lady Stars, which about 100 people attended, according to Athletic Director George Sanders.
“Shirts and hats were presented to the girls by Coach Woods, and they were introduced individually to the crowd as the Mid-Florida Conference Champions,” said Sanders.
By Mikey Chmielewski
As a columnist, I walk a fine line between bringing the news and just blurting out my random opinions about things.
I like to be very vocal on subjects that I know and care about. My friends and family know this all too well. However, I am not about to put all of my opinions into print for the sake of being heard.
Each and every one of us is entitled to our own opinion. We have the right to say what is on our mind, whenever we want to. That is such an amazing thing!
Unfortunately, some people take this freedom, and run with it. They figure that there is no harm nor foul in making oneself vocal, even if they haven’t seen both sides to an issue, or have all of their facts straight.
Within the past three years, there have been two major scandals in the media industry. In 2003, reporter Jayson Blair resigned his position from The New York Times when charges of plagiarism and faking reports were brought against him. Blair’s resignation would then reach all the way to New York Times editor Howell Raines, and managing editor Gerald Boyd. Both would resign shortly after Blair.
The second scandal occurred in 2004 with respected news anchor, Dan Rather. CBS News ran a story about President Bush’s involvement in the National Guard during the Vietnam War. The sources that CBS received were later found out to be faked. Four members of the CBS news staff (Segment Producer Mary Mapes, Senior Vice President Betsy West, Executive Producer Josh Howard, and his top deputy Mary Murphy) were asked to leave their positions. Rather stepped down from his position as the anchor of CBS News that November. At the time of his resignation, he did not make mention of the report that started the trouble for CBS, but one might assume the scandal played a part in Rather’s decision.
Luckily, I’m just a writer for The Campus Voice. I am not in the national public spotlight. So, technically I could say anything I wanted without the possibility of losing my job or facing national scrutiny. As a college student though, I should recognize that I have the ability to research and figure things out for myself. I never use the first reference I come to when I write a report. I make sure that there is at least one more reputable source giving the same information.
So much can be said about a person by the way they write. I don’t want to look, or sound like an idiot. Using big vocabulary words rarely impresses anyone, and most of the time; those words are used in the completely wrong context. It doesn’t make sense, [to me] that someone would want to present that type of image. Sure, it feels great to have your opinion heard by a lot of people, especially when you have such a strong conviction. In the end though, people will just end up confused when they learn that there is little or no research behind your opinion.
Spring Break: Safe Sex
By Christina Garmon
When most people think of spring break, they think of a ton of hormone enraged college students who cannot wait to get a hold on one another. Well students, no matter how much you would like to disagree with this the fact remains that it is true.
However, here is a little something you should think about before you decide to run out this spring break for “a little fun.” AIDS is the fastest killer of young adults today. Young people, ranging in age from 15-24 years old, account for half of all new HIV infections worldwide, according to www.avert.org. That gives anyone under the age of 25 a reason to be extremely careful when out this spring break.
The biggest transmitter of AIDS is the practice of unsafe sex. Many young adults feel that they cannot catch the disease unless they touch the other person’s blood. This is not so. HIV can spread through saliva as well as sexual fluids. That also means that you can contract the disease from oral and anal sex.
Some may ask the question, “Aren’t HIV and AIDS two different types of diseases?” The answer is no, it is not. www.aids.hallym.ac.kr states that AIDS is the final stage of HIV. That is why it is necessary for a person to get tested on a regular basis especially if they are extremely sexually active. The sooner you are diagnosed, the sooner the doctor may be able to get you the right medication and you won’t run the risk of infecting anyone else.
If you do not believe the AIDS epidemic is not that big of a problem consider this; the statistic reports from www.avert.org state that more than 25 million people have died from AIDS since 1981. Avert.org also states that as of December 2005, women account for 46 percent of all adults living with HIV worldwide.
Although, the worst thing you have to worry about is contracting AIDS when having unsafe sex, you can catch other diseases.
These diseases, collectively called Sexual Transmitted Diseases (STD’s), can also take a toll on your life. If caught early, some can be completely cured, such as Syphilis. Some are incurable, resulting in a life long disease. Genital Herpes would be an example of such a disease. “It’s a brand-new day” will not begin to describe how you feel when you wake up each morning itching and scratching not to mention having to tell every person you meet that you have a disease.
Let us not forget pregnancy, another end that can be tragic and troublesome. This is a lifetime commitment that many people tend not to be ready for when it arrives, considering the rising rate of young girls turning up pregnant.
The best way to avoid any of these problems is to not have sex at all, but if you simply must, at least wear protection. No matter how much your boys or girls laugh at you, tell them “I like my brand-new days . . . itch and scratch free.”
Letter to the Editor
Dear Editor Richardson,
In the Feb. 28 edition of The Campus Voice there is an article that has touched my emotions. The article written by Vanessa Gordon is entitled “Tribute to the one I loved,” and I am moved because it’s full of heartfelt truth.
Unlike Vanessa, I never received the love of a father, but those wonderful things she misses are the very things I longed for. And like Vanessa, I now know that death can bring with it much regret when love is not expressed best in life.
Thanks, Vanessa. I will have my son read your article in my life-long pact to share my love with, and for him.
A loving Dad,
K. L. Thompson
To a valued reader, K. L. Thompson
I just wanted to say thank you for your response to my article entitled “Tribute to the One I Loved.” My love for my father, Kevin Gordon will perpetually remain engraved in my mind. My wish for you is that you have many years to bestow and obtain undying and unwavering love from your son.
Campus Voice Staff Writer,
Vanessa Gordon
The importance of striving for and completing your goals
By Vanessa Gordon and Judy Manuel-Gordon
One thing about being young is that you have all the time in the world to complete your goals. This is a myth. Not everyone has the entire known universe to complete their wildest dreams. The young mind assumes that they do, however, have this time.
If you stop a person on the street and ask them what their occupation is, five out of ten people will say that they did not plan to be a janitor, or a fast-food worker.
In almost all of these peoples’ lives, a specific event in their lives occurred to steer them off course, and they never saw it coming. Either it was romance, and they married at a young age, or they had a child, and took on the responsibility of being an effective parent. It could be discouragement from a loved one, or mentor, who told them that they did not have what it takes to become a great “lawyer” or “doctor”.
Our goal in writing this article is to encourage you not to be discouraged by what people say, or how people look at you. Do not let anyone judge you by your cover before getting to know the true you.
Try this. Sit down and write yourself five goals on a piece of paper. Set a timeframe for when you are going to accomplish your first goal. When you complete a goal, check it off. Imagine how many goals you can finish this year alone.
“It all can be fixed in 2006,” says this year’s motto at Emmanuel Church of God in Christ.
The consequences of not completing your goals are: that you will wonder for the rest of your life, if only. If only I would have strived harder, studied a little more, and partied a little less. Maybe I would be sitting in a corner office looking out at the beautiful ocean below, watching everyone around me caught up in the hustles and demands of life, while I’d be planning my next vacation.
Take this to heart: Plan for your future. Set and meet goals in your life, and you will get the results you always dreamed of. Your purpose will be what you always wanted it to be when you grew up.
Completing a goal is a great accomplishment in life. Be a great achiever. The closer you are to completing your goal, whether it is a class requirement, or getting your diploma, the closer you are to becoming a great doctor or lawyer.
Every skilled worker is needed in this nation, to improve our quality of life; from professors to teach, doctors to heal, pastors to preach, or cooks to nourish the body. All professions work in conjunction, and they all started off as goals.
Web radio signed off
By Kevin Peffer
After six years of being both on-and-off the air, FCCJ Web Radio is, as of November 2005, again off the air.
Its computer was turned off in November, said Troy Johnson, station adviser.
However, when the question of “Did you know that FCCJ Web Radio is off the air?” was asked of some FCCJ students, the standard reply was, “We had web radio?”
In its six-year on-and-off history, FCCJ’s web radio, “[went] through a series of transitions due to both personnel and web security,” Johnson said He is the instructional program manager for Digital Media Arts.
As a result of the on-and-off broadcasting, student support from both listeners and dedicated radio staff members was hard to find.
According to Johnson, “The stream stopped operating shortly after the current support personnel left the college for other opportunities. We have not been able to replace these people.”
One possible listener is Adam Spencer, 18, criminal justice major at South Campus.
“I knew we had it, [FCCJ Web Radio] but I just didn’t care,” he said. “I just don’t like the radio.”
Ashton Teague, 19, nursing major from South Campus echoed Spencer’s sentiments.
“If I had known about it; I might have listened,” she said.
Johnson said he realized there was a limited demand for such a service.
“The demand is limited due to only streaming and pod-casting radio shows/music,” he said. “Typically radio has a prime time of 7-9 a.m. and 4-7 p.m. because these are the times that most of the [U.S. population] listen to radio in their automobiles driving to and from work. Online radio is limited to the need to be in front of a computer.”
With a radio station without any format, the options for free entertainment are limitless.
“Web radio is college radio that does not comply with any direct theme or format,” Johnson said.
Johnson and FCCJ Web Radio are now looking to the future. Johnson still has access to the equipment that was used for producing FCCJ Web Radio; he simply needs students willing to volunteer their time to learn the system and operate it.
When asked if he would listen to FCCJ Web Radio if it were brought back on the air, Josh Hodge, 18, communications major from South Campus said, “I would [listen to FCCJ Web Radio],” he said with some apprehension, “[but] only if they play good music.”
Hodge and Spencer agreed that there should be another, more interactive student medium, however, as opposed to the school’s straightforward website, class-oriented TV channel and monthly newspaper.
“There has to be student participation, absolutely,” Hodge said.
With student participation being a key factor on both the production and listener side, bringing FCCJ Web Radio back will be a long journey.
“I think that student interest is driven by their personal motivation, [students interested] in web radio will be like most people who listen to radio for the free entertainment,” Johnson said.
He said he is optimistic about the future of FCCJ Web Radio.
“We hope to resolve our recent personnel support issue in the near future, and start streaming music 24/7 soon,” he said.
President Wallace: Pathways Academy to open in August
It is with great enthusiasm that I inform you that last night, both our District Board of Trustees, and the Duval County School Board granted final approval for Florida Community College to open a very unique charter high school -- Pathways Academy.
Pathways Academy will be an innovative, high-quality response to one of the most serious problems in our community – high school drop-outs.
Many drop outs have considerable potential and realize quickly that they have made a tremendous mistake by withdrawing from high school. These are the young people we will help through our new charter school. Pathways will open at Downtown Campus this August, and will be fully funded by the State through a funding source entirely separate from our community college funds.
The program of Pathways Academy will be based on the philosophy that, “To be successful in a global, knowledge-based economy, an individual must possess the requisite basic academic and technical credentials for placement in a high-wage, high-demand job.”
Pathways will, therefore, provide high school and career instruction simultaneously, allowing students to earn a secondary and postsecondary credential that prepares them for high-wage, high-demand employment, and/or further education.
Students will be able to earn postsecondary credentials in the following areas: biotechnology, information technology, construction, computer integrated manufacturing, and automotive technology.
They will develop strong academic and career skills and participate in character-building instruction and activities that we believe will develop successful, productive, and contributing citizens in our community.
It is exciting to know that next year approximately 160 high-functioning drop-outs will have an opportunity to re-enroll in high school, and change the direction of their lives through our new charter school.
Please join me in recognizing and congratulating Dr. Edythe Abdullah and her fine team at Downtown Campus for their exceptional work in making this life, and community-changing endeavor a reality.
Dr. Steven Wallace
College President
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Downtown Campus: Job Fair success
By Matthew Richardson
For those looking for employment in Jacksonville, FCCJ’s job fair was the place to be.
The spring job fair, held March 8 at FCCJ Downtown Campus, drew a crowd of eager job seekers.
WorkSource, the Rosanne Hartwell Women’s Center and the Downtown Campus Career Development Center sponsored the event, held from 9 am to noon. The event was free and open to the public.
The purpose of the job fair was to help the unemployed find jobs. It also served as a way to help the employers find good workers. Company booths were set up inside the Downtown Campus lobby to meet and speak with the people who were interested in working. The companies also provided information describing the kind of work available.
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DOWNTOWN: Job seekers browse around the Downtown Campus lobby. |
photos by Hien Bach
FCCJ student receives information from Sears representative. |
The job fair is held every semester at various FCCJ locations.
The list of potential employers present at the event:
Adecco Employment Services
Allied Barton Security
Bank of America
Baptist Medical Center
Bright Horizons Family Solutions
Contemporary Staffing Solutions
Convergys
Dalton Agency
FedEx Ground
First Student
Home Depot
Hospitality Staff
Landstar System, Inc
Merrill Lynch
Publix Supermarket
Sears
Spartan Staffing
Tama Broadcasting
Ultimate Staffing
UPS
Spring Break Survival Tips and Self-care advice
By Vanessa Gordon
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born and a time to die,” from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8.
All year long college students look forward to Spring Break. This is a time to take a break from the hustle and bustle of being a college student; for most, it’s a welcome break from school rules. This is just a reminder that vacations also come with rules and limitations.
Tripsmarter.com provides many of those rules.
1. Sunscreen. It is recommended that you use at least an SPF 15. If the sun does burn you, take aspirin or ibuprofen to relieve the pain.
2. Drink plenty of fluids. Not just juices and soft drinks, but an abundance of water.
3. Take care of yourself. Clubs and their surrounding streets are going to have a lot of traffic, so watch your wallet. If you don’t, you could be the victim of a pick-pocket or a mugger. Keep an eye on the people around you too. They may be drunk and driving, remember to drive defensively.
4. Travel in groups. Do not let your friends go off with strangers. (Just remember Natalie Holloway). Men and women should both be careful. Men can be targets too.
5. Watch your drink at all times. There are people who would spike your drink just to take advantage of you. Do not allow them to do that to you.
6. Go native. If you are traveling to another country try to learn some useful phrase in that country’s language.
7. Protect yourself. To save yourself a trip to the hospital, wear flip-flops or slippers to protect you from a wide range of foot diseases.
8. Always have some emergency money. Just in case something comes up.
9. Try the local cuisine. Be careful to verify that the food is cooked properly, if not; you might be spending your Spring Break in a hotel bathroom.
For more information on safe Spring Break Tips, log on to www.tripsmarter.com/panamacity/springbreak/tips.htm, http://www.cancun101.com/tips-2.html and springbreak.studentads.com/Cancun/Survival-Tips-Cancun.
Project Graduation: Feed a Body, Feed a Mind
By Tamara Krause
The Upsilon Eta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at Florida Community College is participating in Project Graduation: Feed a Body, Feed a Mind, an initiative designed to help alleviate hunger and illiteracy in our community through the collection of books and food items.
According to the International Phi Theta Kappa website, ptk.org, Phi Theta Kappa chapter members were instrumental in changing lives and changing communities.
Chapters collected over 178,000 food items and over 90,000 books in 2005. Despite the tremendous impact, members continue to provide through Project Graduation. Hunger and low literacy rates remain in the forefront as two of the most pressing societal problems facing the United States and many other countries today.
Last year, the Upsilon Eta Chapter collected over 1500 items, which were dispersed to the Salvation Army, Hubbard House, Spina Bifida of Jacksonville, Nemours Hospital, and Learn to Read. This year, their goal is 3000.
Beginning March 27, all FCCJ campuses will be hosting donation bins in the student activities offices. Several faculty and staff members will also have donation boxes in their classrooms and offices.
Items such as peanut butter, soup, tuna, and baby food are in high demand. Donations of new or gently used children’s books are appreciated, as well as old textbooks the bookstore will not buy back.
The donation drive will culminate at graduation, May 6, at Veterans Memorial Arena. Anyone can participate in Project Graduation by making a donation or hosting a box at his or her work or church.
For more information or a list of donation sites, please contact Phi Theta Kappa at info@upsiloneta.org or call #381-3440.
Symbols of Saint Patrick’s Day 
By Vanessa Gordon
Saint Patrick's Day is on March 17th. This worldwide Irish holiday honors Saint Patrick; a Christian missionary from Ireland, who was regarded as their Patron Saint.
The following information was gathered from www.123christians.com.Shamrock Leaves
Shamrock leaves are a symbol of Ireland as well as Saint Patrick’s Day. These leaves are also referred to as the 'seamrog,' or “summers plant.” They are shaped like a three-leafed clover.
Green Colour
Green symbolizes the beautiful landscape of Ireland, considered a blessing for life. All around the world, people wear something green on this day. This color also symbolizes the coming of spring.
The Harp
The harp, a musical instrument with a wonderful, rich sound has been heard throughout Ireland for centuries.
Leprechauns
They are said to have magical powers. Peter Pan has Tinker Bell, who is a fairy, and so the Irish have the Leprechauns. Leprechauns are said to have a pot of gold. A well-known myth is that a leprechaun’s gold can be found at the end of a rainbow.
Blarney Stone
The Irish have a tradition of kissing the Blarney Stone on this day. The stone is on a wall of the Blarney Castle Tower of the Blarney Village in Ireland. The myth is that anyone who kisses the Blarney Stone is going to receive the gift of 'persuasive eloquence' (which is the ability to speak conclusively).
For more information, log on to http://www.historychannel.com/exhibits/stpatricksday/?page=patrick, http://www.123christians.com/christians/stpatricksday/customs/index.html, http://blessingsforlife.com/history/saintpatricksday.htm, http://morning-glow.com/holidays/stpaddy/stpaddy.html
Spring Break Hot Spots
By Christina Garmon and Vanessa Gordon
When college students hear the term “Spring break vacation,” they cannot help thinking of its “Fun.” This spring break, there are tons of places to go. From Virgin Islands to Daytona, Florida, there are beaches across the world just calling for those rowdy college students.
1) Nassau, Bahamas
Go roll that dice in paradise. The Bahamas are a land of sand and fun. Nassau is the capital of the Bahamas. The Bahamas offer beautiful turquoise water. This island is not just for fun, but offer historical significance as well. Call up a cruise land and sail on down.
2) Cancun, Mexico
An MTV hot spot. Cancun is a wild and crazy place to be during spring break. Margarita insanity and an enormous invasion of students can be found here. Hop the boat ride to Cozumel or the big bus to Playa Del Carmen for clam sandy paradises. Xel-Ha is a wonderful experience for snorkeling, and Tulum is a wild place to visit because of its great beach and unba ruins.
3) Las Vegas, Nevada
Vegas, often called the city that never sleeps. Spring break is a terrific time to visit Vegas, but most of the fun is for the 21+ crowds. The city has many things to offer such as, concerts, clubs, and casinos. Hoover Dam and Lake Mead are excellent landmarks for site seeing. As the slogan says: “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.”
4) Key West
Crowned “America’s Caribbean Islands.” The Keys offer beautiful sunsets, historic homes, and laid back attitudes for any spring break vacationer. The nation’s southernmost city is located closer to Havana than Miami for a more tropical feel.
5) Panama City Beach
This place has the most luscious location and beach. With sugar white sand next to the emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico, this has become one of the newest places to have spring break. Completely affordable, this spectacular place offers such sports as parasailing and jet skiing during the day. And for you night people, it has clubs such as Spinnaker, Harpoon Harry’s, and Club La Vela.
In the end, where ever college students go, whether it is Las Vegas, Mexico or just staying in town, their objective should be to remain safe and protect themselves from things seen and unseen, and have as much fun as humanly possible. The college will be waiting for the hordes of students with their suntans and sunburn with they return.
Ask Amy
How do you make the most of Spring Break?
By Amy Perkins
You know it’s coming and you can’t wait. You definitely deserve some time off.
One week is a good amount of time, but not a ton of time. It will go by fast, especially if you have been really looking forward to it (and hey, who hasn’t been?)
So how do you make the most of it? You need to have some fun, and do some work.
First let’s address the fun part.
You get a week off from school! Of course, a lot of students are still working and have family responsibilities, but a whole week without classes? Sweet!
Do the things you have been wishing you had time to do. Maybe this is the week to play basketball at the park like you used to do. Or how about checking out that movie you’ve been wanting to see, ever since the Oscars? On the other hand, maybe you just need a day at the mall.
The goal is to give your mind a rest in whatever way you know would mean the most to you.
Letting your mind take a break is a good idea, but you don’t want to forget everything you have been working on either. Don’t completely drop your schoolwork over Spring Break.
Before your vacation starts, take a look at which assignments will be due first when you get back. Put them on your calendar along with the tests, papers, and projects you have due for the remainder of the semester. And then give some thought to how much time each of those assignments will take you.
For example, a research paper you need to turn in on April 4 may require five hours to research and five more hours to write. If you could get just half of your research done over Spring Break, you would be off to a great start. And two-and-a-half hours of schoolwork won’t prevent you from getting that well-deserved break. Try dedicating a few hours to each of your classes.
The big advantage to doing some work over Spring Break will be felt the week you get back. Some of your classmates will be scrambling to recover from too much playing and not a bit of studying.
While they panic, you can breathe deeply knowing that you enjoyed your time off and you are well-prepared for the assignments you have coming up. You’ll look well rested too.
Enjoy the week off. You deserve it.
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.
Student interest calendar
• The FCCJ Stars Cheerleading Squad is graduating at the end of Spring semester, thus the 3rd Annual Cheerleading Tryouts will be held in late March or early April. If interested, contact Captain Brandi Jones at jonesbs@students.fccj.edu or Captain Cika Lambert at lilblack_3681@yahoo.com. Students should also contact sponsor Dr. Patty Adeeb at pmadeeb@fccj.edu. All basketball games and cheer practices are held at South Campus.
• The Downtown Campus Talent Show is coming! Talent show applications are due March 14. The talent show will be held on April 13 at 6:00pm
• 20th Annual First Coast Writer’s Festival: Free pre-conference activities begin March 25 at Downtown Campus, and continue on March 28, 29, and 30 at the college’s South and Kent campuses. Topics include Poetry, Getting Published, Song Writing, Comics as Art and Literature, along with readings and workshops. Complete schedules, roster of speakers and registration information are available at http://opencampus.fccj.org/WF/ or by calling 904.766.6731. Early-bird pricing is available through Feb. 28.
• Celtic Woman will be performing at the Times-Union Center on March 30 at 7:30 pm. For ticket information, contact FCCJ Artist Series.
• Dream, Dream, Dream is a musical play in which the main character tries to save a diner from a wrecking ball. The play will be performed March 14 through the 19 at the Wilson Center. For pricing of tickets, contact FCCJ Artist Series.
• Basketball League Play. Sign up in Student Activities. The dates have been set for Feb. 28 to Mar. 16. The event will be located at the Emmet Reed Center. For more information, contact Student Activities at FCCJ.
• The All People Christian Fellowship Bible Club is sponsoring a musical open to students of FCCJ and to the community. The event will be held on April 22 at Downtown Campus in the large auditorium at 7:00 pm.
• FCCJ DramaWorks at the Wilson Center for the Arts at South Campus is pleased to announce its upcoming theatre production of Sordid Lives by Del Shores. Sordid Lives is an outrageous comedy about one highly dysfunctional Southern family coming together for a funeral in Winters, Texas. For more information, call 646-2222
• Wanted: Spanish tutors are needed for the Foreign Language Lab at Deerwood. If interested, contact 997-2514, por favor ?
MAD DADS Parade
By Andra Colson and Vanessa Gordon
MAD DADS held an annual project entitled: “Rekindle the Love” parade and forum on March 4 “To effectively address the increasing black on black crime, particularly homicides.”
MAD DADS stands for Men Against Destruction-Defending Against Drugs and Social-Disorder. A congregation of caring and attentive parents in Omaha, Nebraska founded the association in May of 1989. They were disturbed with gang violence and the seemingly unstoppable continuation of illegal drugs in their community. MAD DADS is a not-for-profit organization.
The men involved in MAD DADS goals are to have a change in their neighborhoods in chaos. The forum, which included Jacksonville’s young people, conversed detailed plots to lessen and eradicate black on black crime and violence throughout Duval County.
This organization also has a religious background for their campaign.
“Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.” Book of Matthew: Chapter five: verse nine.
During the parade, the organization called attention to 23 murders in 49 days documented in the Feb. 18-24, 2006 edition of The Florida Star. According to The Florida Star, Jacksonville is the reigning “murder capital of the state.” Last year the murder rate was 91.
The MAD DADS organization is promoting awareness to violence and drug awareness in America and their local communities. With the hope of promoting role models and mentors in the community, MAD DADS aspiration is to end the savagery. Currently there are 60 chapters of MAD DADS in 15 states according to the MAD DADS website.
“We started out of pain; the pain of our children dying in the streets of their own communities. We were, and still are, tired of looking into the eyes of hollow youth who lack hope, and who have ceased to dream. We realized that we could hold no one responsible for this but ourselves; we allowed it to happen. So we united as a handful of community fathers who now know that we must be the force behind the change!” John Foster, Robert Tyler, and Eddie Staton, posted on the MAD DADS website.
For more information log onto http://www.maddads.com
Failure to Launch movie review
By Maria DeVera
Paramount Pictures’ latest movie, Failure to Launch, was definitely not a failure. Instead the romantic comedy launched successfully with hilarious, unforgettable scenes that will entertain not just women, but also the male audience.
The movie comes out on March 10.It is directed by Tom Dey, who also worked on the movie, Shanghai Noon. It runs 97 minutes long and is rated PG-13.
The story deals with Tripp (Matthew McConaughey), a 35 year-old man who still lives at home with his parents. His mom still cleans his room, makes his breakfast, and does his laundry.
He has a well-paying job selling yachts, but Tripp refuses to move out of the house, and has no problem with it because his two best friends also still live at home.
Instead of confronting him with the issue, Tripp’s parents hire a professional consultant named Paula (Sarah Jessica Parker) to pretend to be his girlfriend.
Paula sets up a step-by-step plan to win Tripp’s heart. It’s designed to boost his self-esteem, increase his independence, and eventually move him out of his parents’ house.
As Tripp and Paula’s relationship unfolds, it leads to many crazy, comical events, such as when Kit (Zooey Deschanel), Paula’s roommate, concentrates endless efforts on killing a mockingbird that continuously keeps her awake at night with loud chirpings. She also forms a relationship with one of Tripp’s best friends, Ace (Justin Bartha).
During the movie, Tripp is continually bitten by various animals. When he looks for the reason why he has such unfortunate accidents, Demo (Bradley Cooper), another one of Tripp’s best friends explains to him that nature just simply rejects him. In a way, it hints at Tripp’s immaturity.
An amusing paintball fight, an outrageous argument between Kit and a salesman, and a hysterical scene in which Ace tries to revive a mockingbird doesn’t leave room for a boring, sappy moment.
The movie would be a B+ because it is incredibly humorous, and leaves an impression on the audience. The only down part is a scene towards the end of the movie between Tripp and Paula, when they are trying to reconcile; the connection between them seemed weak. The movie is definitely slanted more towards comedy than romance.
The star-filled cast itself is worth watching. With Parker’s sassy, witty attitude, McConaughey’s boy-next-door charm, and Terry Bradshaw’s, (former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback; he plays Tripp’s father), portrayal using his football tactics, the film creates dysfunctional relationships and many laugh-out-loud, outlandish scenes.
‘Date Movie’ get one and go
By Maurice Stevens
From two of the minds that created Scary Movie, comes a romantic comedy for the people who love (and hate) date movies. They “spoof” on a host of other date movies to create one of their own; one that is, quite honestly, nothing I’ve ever seen before, but I hope to see again.
Date Movie tells the story of hopeless romantic Julia Jones, who has met her soulmate, the Englishman, Grant Funkyerdoder. But before they can have their “Big Fat Greek Wedding,” they’ll have to “Meet the Parents,” hook up with “The Wedding Planner,” and she will have to contend with Grant’s friend Andy: a hot chick who wants to put an end to her “Best Friend’s Wedding.”
It’s a classic story that has been told before, just not so humorously. A homely girl next door gets a makeover, meets a guy, her parents hate the guy and they go through the fire to be together. The directors did a great job of making the characters as silly as possible and at the same time keep them as real as can be.
Julia’s parents are very similar to the parents from “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” except for the fact that her father is African-American, her mother is Indian, and her sister in Japanese.
The man of her dreams, Grant Funkyerdoder, is a character based on Greg Focker from “Meet the Parents.”
Julia, weighing 300 pounds, wants a makeover, so she consults a date doctor named “Hitch,” who is a 3 foot 5 inch tall version of Will Smith. He gives her a makeover that is worthy to be on “Pimp my Ride.”
One of the biggest obstacles that Julia has to overcome is her boyfriend Grant’s friend Andy’s behavior. She is a gorgeous woman and ex-fiancé who has numerous slow motion scenes wielding a jackhammer, eating bananas, and jumping on a trampoline; everything that a beautiful woman would look good doing. Andy tries to break up the two love birds.
Casting for Date Movie was especially exceptional. Every movie that they poked fun at was done perfectly.
Having stars like Eddie Griffith as Julia’s father, Alyson Hanningan as Julia, and Tony Cox as the 3 foot 5 inch date consultant “Hitch,” stands the movie in good stead.
There’s one thing that I can say about this movie: It is a movie that you have seen a thousand times, but will be the first time you have found it so hilarious. In my opinion -- an instant classic.
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