The bridge april 2014 2

APRIL 2014

Nashville State

Celebrates

Ricky Finch, Editor-in-Chief

Nashville State Community College is preparing to celebrate another milestone.

In 2014 the 50th commencement will take place and over 900 students will graduate.

The college opened its doors in 1968 with a class of only a few hundred stu-

dents.

Nashville State is now a college with 10,000 students shared over 6 different campuses spread across the mid-state area.

Nashville State's 50th commencement is special for the school as it represents the phenomenal changes and growth of the

Project 615

Heather Ashley, Staff Writer

Photo Courtesy of Project615.org

ly center on gaming and general geekery, another passion of mine is charity. I love doing what I can Continued on Page 7

Logo Courtesy of Creative Services

Rising Cost of Tuition

Dustin Vogler, Staff writer

Being a recent transplant to Nashville, I've spent the past eight months trying to find a niche in my adoptive city.

While my interests usual-

college.

Nashville State is racing towards the future by participating in programs like Tennessee Achieves and Tennessee Promise which makes educational opportunities more affordable to high school seniors.

Congrats NSCC and class of 2014. ■

The next college semester is creeping around the corner and everyone has heard these mundane words before: How are you going to pay for your tuition?

While some students are lucky to be able to live at home and have mom and dad help pay for their housing, books, and additional finances, not everyone can afford this luxury.

Some students have their own bills to pay, children to raise, or have lived on their own for an extended amount of time to begin with.

With college tuition increasing each year, many students are finding new ways to make ends meet in college. Here are some helpful and thrifty ways to save money on books and tuition.

While preparing to enter college one of the first and best things students should do is apply for financial aid. Students can go through federal government programs to obtain grants, and some colleges even offer scholarships to deserving students.

While this may not

necessarily help pay for books, grants and scholarships can still take a big load off of tuition, but that usually depends on how much income students bring in. “In order to apply for financial aid every student must complete at least two things: 1. The FAFSA application located at www. fafsa.gov.

2. The NSCC Financial Aid Application located in myNSCC,” said Josh Moran, Director of Financial at NSCC. Continued on Page 6

Congratulations Class of 2014

Page 2

April 2014

Olympics Johnathan Thompson, Contributor

The quadrennial sporting event that rivals only its summer counterpart in worldwide popularity has drawn to a close. Sochi, known as a popular summer tourist destination in Russia, played host to the 22nd edition of the Winter Olympic Games and the 11th edition of the Winter Paralympic Games.

There were a record number of nations that had at least one individual or one team participate in this edition of the games, with 88 such nations represented in the Winter Olympic Games and 45 represented in the Winter Paralympic Games. 26 nations took at least one medal in the Olympics this year, while 16 nations earned at least one Paralympic medal.

Over the course of early February to the middle of March, several storylines took place during the numerous competitions. I will focus on a few things that happened on and off the ice caught not only my attention, but the world’s attention as well.

Probably the most anticipated event leading up to the Winter Olympic Games was the matchup between the United States and host nation Russia in the preliminary round of the men’s ice hockey tournament.

As you may or may not know, a United States team of collegiate all-stars faced off against a heavily favored former Soviet Union (now Russian Fed-

eration) team in the medal round at the 1980 Games held in Lake Placid, New York with the Americans getting a 4-3 upset victory.

The story of the events leading up to and during that game is told in a feature film called "Miracle", starring Kurt Russell as head coach Herb Brooks.

Fast forward to 2014, and this time around with both teams using their best players from North America’s National Hockey League, it was the Russians turn as the underdog to an American team that was thought to earn a medal.

This contest turned out to live up to the hype and somewhat similar to how the USA and USSR matched up 34 years ago, as the Americans had to come from behind and win 3-2 in an overtime shootout.

A few days later, the Americans were upset in the medal round, being shut out 5-0 by Finland, the same country that they beat to win the gold medal in 1980.

Team USA and Team Russia went up against each other in the Paralympic sled hockey tournament twice as well. The Russians, participating in sled hockey at the Paralympics for the first time, got a little revenge for their countrymen’s loss with a 3-2 win in the prelims, but fell in the gold medal match, giving up the lone goal that the U.S. needed in the 2nd

period.

The United States made history with that victory, becoming the first country to win back to back sled hockey gold medals.

In another case of history somewhat repeating itself, Jamaica qualified for the Winter Olympic Games in the sport of bobsledding.

The first trip to the Winter Olympic Games for the Jamaicans took place at the 1988 Games held in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

The wild and rewarding journey that the Jamaicans had to endure inspired other tropical nations to enter athletes at the Winter Olympic Games going forward, and also inspired the classic mid-1990’s film "Cool Runnings", which starred the late comedian John Candy as the head coach of four sprinters who wanted to go the Olympics so bad, they were willing to do anything.

Several Jamaican teams have made it to the Winter Games since then, but this year’s squad was in danger of missing the event due to lack of monetary support.

Over the course of a few months, online donations from those who wanted the Jamaicans at the Games began to pour

in and the two-man bobsled team that qualified to go to Sochi had its funding.

Then two other events that were similar to what transpired at the 1988 Calgary Games happened: losing team equipment at the Sochi airport on their first practice day lead to other teams loaning sleds to the Jamaicans, and the team’s result in the 2014 Games was almost identical to the 1988 two-man bobsled result with Jamaica’s best run being 30th in Calgary and 29th in Sochi.

Finally, you can’t talk about the Winter Olympic Games without mentioning figure skating.

This year, for the first time, a “team” competition was held involving ten nations, including the host nation Russia, the favored teams from the United States and Japan among others.

The competition was set up like a “skating Olympics” with several events and an individual or pair in charge of each event, and the five nations performing best advancing to the medal round.

It wound up with the Russians taking gold, Japan earning silver, and Team USA getting the bronze. This new competition should continue on at

the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in South Korea.

After the team competition, the biggest skating event was the ladies’ singles event, which had a controversial finish. The gold medal winner from the 2010 Games in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada was upset by the home nation’s teenage superstar, even though the Russian fell during her final routine.

Most people unsatisfied with the result suspected the judge from Russia giving the home skater higher marks than what she should have been given.

Just like its summer counterpart, gymnastics, figure skating went to a modern scoring system in international competitions several years ago.

However, there are still ways to “cheat the system” as was documented after the final results were announced, with the gold still going to Russia after further review.

So there you have it, the gold, silver, and bronze medal sports stories from this year’s Winter Olympic/Paralympic Games.

The 2018 Games in South Korea will probably have lots of thrills, chills, and spills to talk about, so get ready!!! ■

Want to join our staff?

Page 3

April 2014

Dean Armstrong Kelsey Tyminski, Staff Writer

Nashville State welcomes Dr. Patricia Armstrong. In January, Armstrong joined the faculty as the new Dean of English, Humanities, and Arts.

She comes to us from Vanderbilt University and her credentials include a bachelor’s degree from Atlanta’s Emory University and a PhD in French from Yale University.

Armstrong enjoys visiting museums, spending time with her 9-year-old son, and communicating with her friends in France.

Armstrong is a true educator who will always help someone in need and a firm believer that there is

no such thing as too much education.

“My goal,” Armstrong stated, “is that students have a quality education and that I make decisions and support faculty in a way that contributes to that quality.” She wants to help students fill their college years with achievements. Armstrong said, “It’s not just about getting the work done, it’s about learning and how to learn.”

Armstrong is an important asset to the community in that she does not like to take the easy way out; she believes in hard work and success. “I grew up in a military family,” she explained. “So

I’m used to moving and change. I believe the profession in education gives me the opportunity to grow and change.”

One of the attributes that attracted Armstrong to the Nashville State com-

munity is “the diversity of the students” from the varying age groups to the many cultures represented on campus.

Armstrong’s would like the student body to know she is here to help

Photo Courtesy of Heather Pollard

and will try to help any way possible. It is this willingness to work hard for students that makes Armstrong a great asset to the Nashville State Community. ■

NSCC to Present World Premier of Broadway Style Musical

1:30 April 21 & 22 6:30 April 22 PEG Studio NSCC Main Campus

www.nscc.edu/theater

Written by Janet McMahan and David Huntsinger NSCC 122-14 NSCC is TBR institution, AA/EEO employer, does not discriminate on basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in programs & activities. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Human Resources, 120 White Bridge Road, 615-353-3305. • Printer: In-Office, 120 White Bridge Road, Nashville, TN 37209 • Quantity: 80 • © 2014, NSCC.

Poster Courtesy of Creative Services

Photos Courtesy of: Heather Pollard

Contact: Blackthebridge@nscc.edu History Month

Nashville State Celebrates

Page 6

April 2014

Movie

R e vie w

Raven Robinson, Staff Writer

"12 Years a Slave" is a 2013 film adaptation of the 1853 memoir of the same name by Solomon Northup, a well-educated African American violinist living in New York with his wife and two young children. While getting a lead for a well-paying job, Solomon is kidnapped and forced into slavery.

Once he is transported to the south he wisely keeps his real identity and social status a secret from the slavers for fear of punishment, so he changes his name to Platt. Throughout the movie you get a feeling that the more hopeless Solomon gets the more accepting of the name Platt he becomes. For more than a decade Platt feigns ignorance while undertaking the hardships of a slave, a social class he had seen from a distance but never experienced.

Like Steven Spielberg and Michael Crichton’s

"Jurassic Park" this movie will undoubtedly become Steve McQueen and John Ridley’s calling card and the standard at which they will be held to and try to match for the duration of their careers. From the dialog to the expertly timed flashbacks, every stylistic choice was perfect, it didn’t try water down or rob its book counterpart of the gory and unsettling moments like so many others have in the past, diving deeper into the subject matter than any movie has in a very long time.

I don’t really have a favorite character but let’s get into the main performances. The leading actor and (had better be) future best actor Oscar winner Chiwetel Ejiofor could not have done a better job with his execution of Platt, he was unbelievable. Completely emotionally available (which is surprising because he doesn’t talk

much), you could see every emotion he felt. When he is kidnapped you can feel his anger when he remembers his old life and his kids. Some of the best parts of the movie were when the audience gets to look into his face after something traumatic happened.

This is one of the few slave movies that described so much about the role and hardships of the female slave, one of whom is the character Patsey played by newcomer Lupita Nyongo . To tell you the truth when I heard that an inexperienced actress landed a

leading part in this movie, I thought I would have to just grit my teeth through her bad performance just to watch the movie (can you blame me?). Surprisingly Nyongo was not only a decent actress but better than half of the most practiced actors in Hollywood.

She brought a deeper look into the emotionally layered plantation slave Patsey, a slave valued for her beauty and her astounding ability to pick 500 pounds of cotton a day (more than twice the haul of any male slave) Patsey is objectified by her master and plantation owner Epps

(Michael Fassbender), scorned by his wife (Sarah Paulson), subjected to horrifying cruelty by both, and often dreams of death as her release, but carries the innocence of a child.

Patsey holds the hearts of the audience as much if not more so than Solomon, when she cries from a beating the entire theater cries with her, needless to say I expect her to win an Oscar as well. 12 Years a Slave is by far one of the best movies I have ever seen because it challenges the audience to look outside their preconceived notions of slavery. ■

Tuition continued

even paid internships are a great way to earn money for school as well as getting experience in one’s field major. Moran stated, “The Financial Aid office has two work programs” that it offers to students, Academic Service and Federal Work-study.

Both programs have their own specific requirements in order to receive them…Federal Work Study neither pays tuition or books up front but provides a pay check to students twice a month

for part time work at the college and in some community service positions.”

Many students go to school full time while balancing a part time job, whether their work is related to their major or not, but there are many who also work fulltime.

Another way to save on tuition costs is to simply go to a two-year institution, like a state community college, in order to complete core studies before transferring to a fouryear university. “You’ll

save $15,628.00 by completing your first two years at a community college,” explained Moran. This method is ideal especially due to the fact that twoyear colleges are often far cheaper than four straight years at a larger university.

There are many ways a student can cut back on tuition costs. In today’s economy it’s crucial to be wise with money, especially with rising prices and stagnant wages becoming evident in many cities.

Even simple things that

some people may not always think of doing could help save money, including smarter grocery shopping, buying clothes from thrift stores, and cutting back on unnecessary items like certain electronic equipment or games. Most of that money could go to tuition, books, or other necessities.

The importance behind smart choices will eventually show and is sure to pay off in the future. ■

This leads us to our next way to help with tuition costs, books, and more.

Getting a job is not only a great way to earn money to put up for college, but it’s also a great way to obtain financial independence as well as experience in the working world.

There are many campus jobs available to interested students, such as library work or tutoring, and

Photo Courtesy of: Fox Searchlight

Search Student Life @ NSCC.edu

Page 7

April 2014 Project 615 continued

for those in need, so I was pretty stoked when I happened upon Project 615.

Co-founded by Derek Evans and Matt Blinco, Project 615 is a local t-shirt maker/screen printing company that gives all of their profit to the homeless shelter and church Set Free ministries. Since its inception in 2010, Project 615 has given over $20,000 to Set Free, which currently houses over 45 homeless men and women.

You may expect a certain design aesthetic from a Bible-based company. Perhaps a storefront featuring twenty different "WWJD" designs, but no. These are designs that are clearly inspired by a love of Nashville and southern culture, with a dash of hipster. And they are printed on soft, high quality fabric. Much to my wife's chagrin, I tend to dress for comfort and my International Nashville t-shirt is high on my weekly rotation.

If you peruse their website and don't see anything you like, fear not.

You can have your own custom shirts made. This is especially helpful for anyone interested in creating matching shirts for a school club, sports team, or embarrassing family photo. So if you've run into trouble satisfying your t-shirt needs, Project 615 can provide the service you're looking for. It's always great supporting local businesses, especially ones with such a strong sense of social responsibility. If you'd like to learn, more head over to www. project615.org. ■

Brain Games Stephanie Newcum. Contributor

It has been suggested that exercising the brain is a good treatment for cognitive disorders.

If this is true what types of brain exercises are effective? Do they really work? And, how long are they effective?

There are web sites that tout the effectiveness of brain games, one of the most often mentioned is “Luminosity.” Luminosity offers computer games that are designed to enhance cognitive function.

“Working memory can be trained and enhanced in a way that applies to everyday tasks such as recalling the location of objects, remembering names and focusing on multiple ideas simultaneously,” claimed Joe Hardy, Luminosity’s Vice

President of Research and Development in an article for Urban Times. com. . The company’s head of communications, Erica Perng, also claimed in a different article for SmartPlanet.com that, “Luminosity is based on the science of neuroplasticity, the idea that the brain can change and reorganize itself.” (How Effective are Brain-Training Games). Luminosity’s site also makes the following claims: “Harness your brain’s neuroplasticity and train your way to a brighter life,” “Your brain’s abilities are unique. That’s why your Personalized Training Program adapts to fit your brain and your life goals,” And, “Just 10 hours of Luminosity training can

create drastic improvements. Track your own amazing progress with our sophisticated tools.”

(Novella) All of this for the individual, lifetime cost of $240—a low cost to pay if the claims are true, but where is the research?

Many scientists and experts in brain training have yet to provide concrete data supporting Luminosity’s claim. David Z. Hambrick, Associate Professor of Psychology at Michigan State University, stated in an interview with Happy Neuron.com, “There is not enough convincing evidence to support the claim that these programs have far-reaching beneficial effects on cognitive functioning."

(Nicholson) It is common knowledge that using the brain is beneficial and that in order to avoid memory disorders and age related cognitive function decline, people need to engage in stimulating lives.

The famous Nun’s Study described in “Aging with Grace”, in which neurologist Dr. David Snowdon and his colleagues followed 700 nuns over more than 20 years. Two extremely important findings have come out of this study: 1. There is a link be-

tween vascular episodes (i.e. stroke and heart attack), Alzheimer’s, and dementia.

2. Intellectual activity stimulations can provide protection from many types of cognitive decline. (Efficiency of Brain Training) A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, led by Dr. Joe Verghese, a neurologist, and has followed almost 500 people for more than 20 years, “observing what they actually do in their lives and what the relationship is between these choices and brain health.

The research found that people who participated in mentally stimulating activities four times a week had a 65-75% better probability of remaining sharp.” (Efficiency of Brain Training) So what can you do to keep the brain functioning at capacity? Learn.

Learn to play a new game, continue reading throughout your life, and engage in different types of tasks.

These tasks do not need to be computer-based. It is strongly suggested that you keep physically and mentally active by doing a variety of hobbies or activities that you enjoy such as gardening, dancing, or swimming. ■

Summer and Fall Registration Begins April 7th 2014:

Schedule a meeting with an advisor Determine which classes to take Register online or in Room S-214

Search Admissions @ NSCC.edu

Page 8

Naba Al-Akashi, Staff Writer

Middle College High school is a dual enrollment programed school for grades 10-12 that has a unique relationship with Nashville State. It is due to this relationship that Middle College students are able to take college courses with Nashville State and

April 2014

Middle College Program have those credits count towards both college and high school degrees.

The Middle College website mchs.mnps.org stated, “Middle College High is an ‘Option School’ for students who show potential for academic success a and have a desire

to show responsibility by taking ownership for their education.”

This program is a remarkable opportunity for high school students because it challenges those who wish to succeed in their education. To become a student at Middle

College prospective high school students across the Metro Nashville district must first fill out an application; then attend an interview conducted by the principal, Roderick Manuel. As for the teachers at Middle College, they are highly qualified in their

teaching and classes range from Geometry to Spanish 2.

So next time you are in class there might be a Middle College student attending class with you. ■

Spring Fling / Earth Day Celebration Thursday, April 10, 2014 10:00-1:00: Quad Area 4:00-6:00: Inside S-building Visit our student organization and Earth Day booths!

Join us for FREE:

Food Music Games Giveaway Items

Texting While Driving Simulator

STAFF AND CONTRIBUTORS

Ricky Finch, Editor-in-Chief Vacant, Managing Editor

Aaron Huddleston, Social Media Coordinator

Allison Bell, Copy Editor Vacant, Graphics Editor Canhui Huang, Layout Editor Vacant, News Editor Naba Al-Akashi, Staff Writer Heather Ashley, Staff Writer Raven Robinson, Staff Writer Kelsey Tyminski, Staff Writer Katy Landers, Photographer

Heather Pollard, Photographer Stephanie Newcum, Contributor Johnathan Thompson, Contributor Creative Services, Contributor

Special Thanks:

Dr. Carol Martin-Osorio Evelyn Hadley Addyson High

NSCC 15-14 NSCC is TBR institution, AA/EEO employer, does not discriminate on basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in programs & activities. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Human Resources, 120 White Bridge Road, 615-353-3305. Printer: Allegra Print. Quantity: 425, © 2013, NSCC.