NEW ‘SKINS’ PUSHES LIMITS OF TEENAGE LIFE — SEE A10
FREE • Published Mondays and Thursdays
Knights shine
Be a HERO Burnett Honors College contributes 2,600 service hours — SEE NEWS, A2
Bruce Miller and Jah Reid shine in East-West Shrine Game — SEE SPORTS, A8 Animals
CAN YOU HEAR ME
NOW!
Workers at a Ukrainian aquarium didn't believe it when a visitor said a crocodile swallowed her phone.Then the reptile started ringing. Gena,the 14-year-old croc who swallowed the phone,hasn't eaten or had a bowel movement in four weeks and appears depressed and in pain.Gena noshed on the Nokia phone after Rimma Golovko dropped it in the water.
www.CentralFloridaFuture.com • Monday, January 24, 2011
The Student Newspaper at UCF since 1968
Kesses announce scholarship fund MONIQUE VALDES
To comment on this article, go to: www.UCFNews.com
News Editor
On Jan. 24, 2006, UCF alumna Jennifer Kesse vanished from her condo by the Mall at Millenia. Police believe she was abducted and not a shred of evidence has developed since her disappearance. Five years later, this hasn’t stopped the Kesse fami-
ly from relentlessly searching for Jennifer. On Friday, as part of the five-year mark since her abduction, the Kesse family and UCF’s criminal justice department announced the Jennifer Kesse Criminal Justice
Endowed Scholarship. The announcement was made at a small press conference at the Fairwinds Alumni Center. The check was presented to Ross Wolf, associate professor and coordinator of the criminal justice graduate program. The Jennifer Kesse Scholarship will award
PLEASE SEE SCHOLARSHIP ON A3
Food
LIONS BECOME KING OF THE
TACOS
A Tucson taco restaurant already has served up python,alligator,elk, kangaroo,rattlesnake and turtle. What's next? Lion meat. Boca Tacos y Tequila says it's accepting prepaid orders for African lion tacos to be served starting Feb. 16.Orders must be placed by Feb.7 and owner Bryan Mazon says there are already a few reservations from curious customers.
Breaking news on your cell Get UCF news sent to your cell phone. Just text the keyword UCFNEWS to 44636.
AROUND CAMPUS,A2
CAREER SERVICES OFFERS INTERVIEW TRAINING UCF Career Services and Experiential Learning will be hosting an event to help UCF students with interview skills. Types of interviews and employers’goals will be discussed.
Business student goes pro in jai alai TIM FREED Contributing Writer
Jai alai has been a major part of sophomore business major Daniel Spinner’s life. After spending his childhood watching the game and playing it relentlessly for the past three years, he can now call himself a professional jai alai player. Two weeks ago, the 19-year-old Boca Raton native was offered a contract as a jai alai pro at Orlando Jai-Alai. The eight-week contract runs the length of the jai alai season, which ends on Feb. 26, and has the ability to be renewed after the season’s end. Jai alai, which means “merry festival,” is a sport that was developed in the Basque region of Spain more than 400 years ago and was first introduced to the U.S. in 1904. Spinner was first exposed to jai alai when he was 12 years old, watching a performance at Dania Jai-Alai in Fort Lauderdale. Spinner asked one of the players for a cesta when he was 16 and began practicing with a tennis ball at home. “I would take him and his brother to jai alai matches when they were kids,” said
Spinner’s father, Willy. “Needless to say I’m very proud of him for making it as a pro. He’s just walking on air now.” Though the popularity of jai alai has declined in recent years and the sport can only be seen in Florida, Mexico and Spain, there is still a loyal following that seeks to teach the game to the next generation. “It really is a fascinating sport,” Spinner said. “It’s very up-tempo. Having played basketball my whole life and being interested in up-tempo sports, I really enjoy watching and playing it.” The game of jai alai is played on a court that is about half the size of a football field and has three walls: a front wall, a back wall and a left wall. Spectators sit to the right and are shielded by a fence. Similar to racquetball, the object of the game is to throw the ball against the front wall in a way that makes it difficult for the opponent to catch and return. Using a woven, hook-shaped basket glove called a cesta, the players must catch the
PLEASE SEE
FASTEST ON A5
LOCAL & STATE,A2
FLA.JUDGE: COURT WINDOW FRAMES PUT IN BACKWARD A federal judge in Tampa says the window frames in his courthouse were installed backward — and the fix will cost more than $20 million to complete.
Daniel Spinner,a UCF student,was offered a professional contract for jai alai two weeks ago.
For more photos of jai alai, see: www.UCFNews.com
ALEX BREWER / CENTRAL FLORIDA FUTURE
Spring brings business spirit Three contests open to all UCF colleges REBEKAH KUBIK Contributing Writer
Students can expect to be swept up in entrepreneurial spirit as the College of Business Administration’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation gears up to host three of its annual business competitions. The JOUST, King of the Court, and Inventing Entrepreneurs will be held throughout the spring semester and are open to students from any UCF college, not just the CBA. The three competitions are part of the CEI’s goal of helping students foster and actualize entrepreneurial ideas. “The CEI is the link between the college and business applications,” Thomas Keon, dean of the CBA, said. “Our students develop concepts, plans and lay the ground work for starting a business. It is our hope that over the years, student participants will start a business and contribute to the Central Florida economy.”
PLEASE SEE STUDENT ON A5
15-YEAR-OLD PEDESTRIAN DEAD IN HIT-AND-RUN CRASH The Florida Highway Patrol says a 15-year-old pedestrian is dead and another teenager seriously injured after being struck by a car in Sarasota that then fled the scene.
INDEX Around Campus Weather Local & State Sports Opinion Classifieds Sudoku Crossword
2 2 2 7 10 11 11 11
TODAY’S WEATHER
PARTLY CLOUDY
67º 53º HIGH LOW
UCF nabs social work contract ASHLEY SIKAND Contributing Writer
The Florida Department of Children and Families chose UCF’s School of Social Work to be the recipient of its four-year $1.3 million contract to train new child protective investigators and supervisors. “The decision wasn’t easy, we had it narrowed down to UCF and USF,” DCF circuit nine operations manager Dawn Murray said. “UCF stood out for many reasons including its location and the
foreseen ability to work together as a team. Thus far, we have no doubts whatsoever in our decision.” Director of the School of Social Work and principal investigator for this project, John Ronnau, has been working with the rest of the UCF staff to ensure that the program will teach the trainees all signs of child abuse and neglect, child development, safety and the proper communication needed to diffuse the situations a CPI may come in contact with.
More than 200 investigators in the counties of Orange, Osceola and Brevard have been hired by DCF and are going to be put through a seven-week training. Classes held at both the UCF Cocoa and South Orlando campuses will eventually lead these trainees to become certified in their field. Ronnau said he is extremely happy with the pool of applicants that were drawn while selecting the proper instructors
PLEASE SEE SOCIAL ON A6
COURTESY KAREN GUIN
Students read about hypothetical family situations and discuss the types of interventions needed at a teaching session at UCF’s School of Social Work.
A2
www.CentralFloridaFuture.com
Jan. 24, 2011 •
AROUND CAMPUS News and notices for the UCF community
Experiential Learning event helps with interviews The event, called “Tell Me About Yourself,” will be held on Wed., Jan. 26 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the new Career Services Experiental Learning Building, Room 115.
January 24, 2011 Vol 43, Issue 6 • 12 Pages The Central Florida Future is the independent, studentwritten newspaper at the University of Central Florida. Opinions in the Future are those of the individual columnist and not necessarily those of the editorial staff or the University administration. All content is property of the Central Florida Future and may not be reprinted in part or in whole without permission from the publisher.
Rec and Wellness Center hosts “Where to eat” event The UCF Recreation and Wellness center will be hosting an event that teaches students how to eat out while keeping meals healthy. Hosted by Meghan Murphy Van Camp, the event will provide information on how to eat takeout and fast food without gaining weight. The event will be held on Wed., Jan. 26 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Recreation and Wellness Center Classroom.
Student Union to host B.A. Day The Student Union will be hosting B.A. Day, which aims to help students learn more about the College of Business Administration. The expo is for students that are currently part of the College of Business Administration. Free food and T-shirts will be offered. Representatives from organizations will be present to answer questions. The event will be held in the Student Union’s Key West Ballroom on Wed., Jan. 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
LOCAL & STATE Keep local with headlines you may have missed
Courthouse also had to fix judges’benches TAMPA — U.S. District Judge James Moody Jr. heads a facilities committee at Sam M. Gibbons U.S. Courthouse, where repairs are under way. Moody says the frames channeled water into the building, rather than out of it. A spokesman for the General Services Administration, which oversaw construction and is the building's landlord, disputes that the frames are backward but acknowledges "installation defects." This is the same courthouse where judges' benches were made too low. Raising them 6 inches cost $1 million.
Pedestrians were walking in the bicycle lane SARASOTA — Brenden Edward Barnes and 16-year-old Samuel Garvin were walking in a bicycle lane Saturday evening when the crash occurred. Investigators say a vehicle veered into the bicycle lane, striking the teens. Officials say the vehicle did not stop to help before fleeing the scene. Barnes was killed and Garvin is being treated for injuries at Manatee Memorial Hospital.
NEWSROOM 407-447-4558
Editor-in-Chief Emre Kelly x213 CFF.editor@gmail.com
News Editors Monique Valdes x213 Katie Kustura x213 News.CFF@gmail.com
Online News Editor Meghan Lindner x213 Online.CFF@gmail.com AN EWING COURTESY MEGH
PFLEIDERER
School. rest Elementary ing club at Hillc aw dr s hi in ts studen lich works with ajor Mitchell Froe m ics om on ec s es HERO and busin
Opinions Editor Adrienne Cutway x213 Opinions.CFF@gmail.com
Sports Editor Erika Esola x215 Sports.CFF@gmail.com
Variety Editor
Students donate 2,600-plus hours in fall
Brandi Broxson x214 Variety.CFF@gmail.com
JONI FLETCHER
Photo Editor
Contributing Writer
Katie Dees x213 Photo.CFF@gmail.com
Every semester the Honors Educational Reach Out program tries to live out their motto, “Be more than a volunteer. Be a HERO,” and that’s exactly what they did this fall. Nearly 200 honors-student volunteers contributed more than 2,600 hours of service to the Central Florida community, making last fall’s HEROs the most successful semester to date. In spring 2010, HERO logged in about half that, according to Megan Ewing Pfleiderer, HERO’s program director. A high number of hours were logged last fall for a few reasons, Ewing Pfleiderer said. For the first time she was able to coordinate with LEAD Scholars professors who told their students that they could do their community service through HERO. LEAD Scholars students are required to do community service. “Between that, word of mouth and the additional programs students could volunteer with, we were able to have such a successful [fall] semester,” she said. HERO, which is sponsored by the Burnett Honors College, provides both honors and non-honors students with the opportunity to give back to their communities by taking the knowledge they have acquired from their college experience and sharing it with a community in need. HERO volunteers were able to choose from a variety of sites to volunteer at, including: Orlando Regional Medical Center, Green-up Orlando, HOPE Foundation for the Homeless, Pineloch reading buddies,
Pet Rescue By Judy and various elementary schools. Students frequented these sites on a weekly and biweekly basis. Ewing Pfleiderer believes students finally began to understand the commitment it takes to volunteer with the program. “HERO volunteers are students dedicated to making a change,” Pfleiderer said. Chris Peterman, a sophomore applied mathematics major, completed 50 hours at Pet Rescue By Judy, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the rescue of uncared-for cats and dogs. “I knew I wanted to get involved with Pet Rescue By Judy because there are so many animals out there that need help and very few people doing something about it to make a difference,” Peterman said. “I have always had a love for animals, stemming from when I lived in Myrtle Beach, S.C.” Katie Neill, a senior economics major, volunteered at Pet Rescue By Judy and Hillcrest Elementary After School Care Program where she completed 45 hours of service. Neill helped out with the organization of an after school art program for the students at Hillcrest Elementary. “It’s so
important to get involved in the community no matter what organization,” Neill said. “The smallest thing can make a difference, one person can make a difference in so many peoples’ lives.” Civic engagement not only benefits the person volunteering but the agencies have claimed that student volunteers improve their overall operation, as well. Ryan Rivas, the program director of Page 15 and Urban Think! Foundation, which focuses on writing, reading and tutoring, said he relies on students to do what some adults can’t do for the organization. “We really appreciate all the [student] volunteers,” Rivas said. “When the volunteers are students they really connect, inspire and relate to our kids on a level that adults can’t sometimes. We wouldn’t be able to have the program that we do if it wasn’t for volunteers.” Judy Sarullo, president of Pet Rescue By Judy, also appreciates the help of volunteers. Throughout the years, Sarullo has consistently seen her animals have a positive effect on the young volunteers. “I always try and encourage youth to get involved with the animals because, if you teach children to be good to animals, they’ll be good to each other,” Sarullo said. Ewing Pfleiderer is confident this semester will be successful, as well, with the addition of two new programs: Achieve a College Education Day, and Children’s Home Society of Central Florida.
Staff Writers Kerri Anne Renzulli, Matt Reinstetle, Camille Thomas, Jessica Campbell, Jessie Kristof, Lacy Papadeas, Jordan Swanson, Abigail Donaldson, Michael Clinton, Adolfo Ceballos
Staff Photographers Tina Russell, Adolfo Ceballos, Katie Dees, Kathryn Page, Michelle Davis, Amy Simpson, Kevin Harris, Alex Schierholtz, Mandy Georgi, Rebecca Strang, Abigail Donaldson, Jonathan Virgilio, Chelsea St. John
Copy Editors Michael Balducci, Michelle Dendy
Production Joseph Mangabat Mark Thorstenson
Editorial Adviser Michelle Ertel MichelleY@SeminoleChronicle.com
BUSINESS 407-447-4555
Advertising Sales Director Adam VerCammen x204 AdamV@KnightNewspapers.com
Distribution Manager Chris Biddulph x211 ChrisB@KnightNewspapers.com
General Manager Raymond G. Bush x220 RayB@KnightNewspapers.com
Fax: 407-447-4556 Published by Knight Newspapers 11825 High Tech Ave. Ste. 100 Orlando, FL 32817
Fla.veterans urge that school be named for Marine LAKELAND — Polk County veterans want a new elementary school to be named after a local Marine who was killed in Afghanistan. The problem is, school board members have already voted unanimously to name it after the county's first female superintendent. Area veterans and residents feel so strongly about the matter that a Facebook page dedicated to naming the school after Marine Cpt. Ron Payne Jr. has more than 1,000 members. School board lawyer West Bridges says the board is justified in its decision to honor the accomplishments of former superintendent Gail McKinzie, who retired in October. She has since moved to Texas. — ASSOCIATED PRESS
One free copy of the Central Florida Future permitted per issue. If available, additional copies may be purchased from our office with prior approval for $1 each. Newspaper theft is a crime. Violators may be subject to civil and criminal prosecution and/or University discipline.
LET US KNOW LOCAL WEATHER TODAY IN DETAIL Today Today: Sunshine and clouds PARTLY CLOUDY
High: 67º Low: 53º
mixed. High 67F.Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Tonight: Partly cloudy skies. Low 53F.Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday
High: 73º
PM T-SHOWERS
Low: 58º
Wednesday
High: 65º Low: 40º
PARTLY CLOUDY
The Future is working to compile information about organizations and events in the UCF community for our calendar on UCFNews.com and the Around Campus section of the paper. If you know of any information you or your organization would like us to include, send an e-mail to Events.CFF@gmail.com
www.CentralFloridaFuture.com
• Jan. 24, 2011
A3
Scholarship raises awareness, benefits UCF FROM A1 $1,000 each year to a Florida resident who is a UCF graduate student in criminal justice. The recipient must have a 3.0 or better grade point average and write a 500-word essay about the effectiveness of the Jennifer Kesse and Tiffany Sessions Missing Persons Act, a law the Kesses helped pass in 2008. The law expands the missing child alert system, where a missing person’s DNA up to age 26 will be entered into local, state and national databases. The Kesse family have done everything they can to keep awareness up, honor her memory and improve the criminal justice system, particularly in the area of missing persons. “We will never give up hope and will continue to search for her,” said Drew Kesse, Jennifer’s father. Wolf thinks the concept of the scholarship will be a big stepping stone for criminal justice majors to further their education. “It is the first scholarship solely for master’s degree students in criminal justice at UCF,” he said. “And because it is an endowed scholarship, it will benefit criminal justice students in perpetuity-always in honor of their daughter, Jennifer Kesse.” An endowed scholarship means the funds used to establish it are invested and the accrued interest is awarded as the actual scholarship. The Kesse family provided the initial $1,000 as a gift so it can be awarded in the fall. Since there isn’t any accrued interest yet, the family is asking friends, family and the community to donate to the scholarship. Anyone can donate
CFF ARCHIVE
UCF alumna Jennifer Kesse disappeared from her condo in Orlando five years ago.Her family announced the Jennifer Kesse Criminal Justice Endowed Scholarship in her honor on Friday.
online through the College of Health and Public Affairs website, www.cohpa.ucf.edu. Westgate Resorts, where Jennifer used to work, gave an additional $1,000 toward the scholarship. “This is the best thing we have done so far,” said her 26-year-old brother, Logan Kesse. “We will always keep playing a roll in this scholarship and this is something that we can do that will last forever.” The Kesse family hopes the scholarship will not only keep Jennifer’s memo-
ry alive, especially within the university that she loved, but will encourage further education with criminal justice students. After Jennifer’s abduction, Drew said he found that there are many problems when it comes to law enforcement training for missing persons. He said that after five years, Florida law enforcement and the FBI have given up. “Our criminal justice system really needs help,” Drew said at the press conference. Jennifer’s mother, Joyce Kesse, said that after Jen-
nifer’s disappearance, the family has since attended numerous conferences about missing persons and each one always has the same message: The first responder is the most important part of a missing persons investigation. “We feel that the first responders in this case were [not trained enough] and we want this scholarship to help Orlando have better trained law enforcement in this area,” Joyce said. “Also, the scholarship will help keep her image and memory around.
Awareness is everything in a missing person’s case.” Drew said giving the scholarship to a UCF student was one of the best ways to honor Jennifer. “UCF was her life,” he said. “She chose to stay in Orlando after she graduated because she loved her life here. This is exactly what she would have wanted us to do.” A portrait of Jennifer, drawn and donated by Donnell Rector, a friend of the family, will hang in the department of criminal justice in recognition of the family and scholarship.
‘The scholarship will help keep her image and memory around. Awareness is everything in a missing person’s case.’ — JOYCE KESSE JENNIFER’S MOM
A4
www.CentralFloridaFuture.com
Jan. 24, 2011 •
Obama goal: ‘Putting the economy into overdrive’ JIM KUHNHENN Associated Press
SCHENECTADY, N.Y. — More than half the nation disapproves of President Obama’s policies to reduce stubbornly high unemployment, a new Associated Press-GfK poll said Friday as Obama refocused his jobcreation efforts on a business-friendly vision emphasizing innovation and exports to other countries. Marking the halfway point in his four-year term, the president used a visit to Schenectady, birthplace of the General Electric Co., to declare that his job is “putting our economy into overdrive” and to announce a restructured presidential advisory board stressing increased employment and greater business opportunities abroad. “America’s home to inventors and dreamers and builders and creators,” Obama told workers at G.E.’s 23-acre turbine and generator plant. “You guys are a model of what’s possible.” The trip came as a new AP-GfK poll showed more than half the nation disapproving the way Obama is handling the economy, 53 percent to 47 percent. That’s actually a bit more favorable than two months ago, but those who say they see economic improvement has dropped to just 35 percent from 38 percent in August and 40 percent a year ago. Lack of hope is greatest with lower-income people and those in the Northeast and the West, signaling potential political trouble spots for Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign. Obama’s New York visit was the first of many treks during the second half of his term that the president is expected to take to put a more hopeful countenance on the economy amid high
RICHARD DREW / ASSOCIATED PRESS
President Obama delivers remarks at the General Electric plant in Schenectady,N.Y.,Friday.Obama traveled to the birthplace of the General Electric Co.,to showcase a new GE deal with India and announce a restructured presidential advisory board to focus on increasing employment and competitiveness.
unemployment — now at 9.4 percent. Yet, while the White House was eager to highlight economic successes such as General Electric, Obama took pains not to oversell an optimistic view to a skeptical public. “It’s a great thing that the economy is growing, but it’s not growing fast enough yet to make up for the damage that was done by the recession,” he said. Overall, 53 percent of Americans approve of how Obama is governing, and that includes a narrow majority of all-important independent voters. The job approval numbers represent a slight uptick from November and come after Obama negotiated with Republicans on a tax package and sought to build bridges with the business community. Displaying stepped-up outreach, Obama on Friday named GE’s chief executive, Jeffrey Immelt, as the head of a Council on Jobs and Competitiveness. The panel
replaces Obama’s Economic Recovery Advisory Board, which had been chaired by former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker. Obama announced late Thursday that Volcker, as expected, was ending his tenure on the panel. Immelt has been an advocate of alternative forms of energy, and the GE facility Obama visited, the company’s largest energy plant, is the future site of GE’s advanced battery manufacturing program. New battery technology has become something of an Obama pet project as a symbol of innovation, clean energy and job creation The trip followed on the heels of a state visit by Chinese President Hu Jintao that featured announcement of new trade deals worth about $45 billion and vows to ease restrictions on U.S. investments in China. “We want to open up their markets so we have two-way trade, not just one-
Add Some Disney Magic To Your Next Celebration!
There’s so much in life worth celebrating: anniversaries, reunions, triumphs – big and small. And Walt Disney World® Resort makes it easy for you to magnify those moments. Just go to DisneysCelebrationCentral.com today and see what magic is waiting especially for Florida Residents. Make this the year to dream big… wish hard… and celebrate at the place where dreams come true.
As to Disney properties/artwork: ©Disney
way trade,” the president said. As Obama made his pitch Friday, the top-ranking African-American in Congress called on the president to make a more concerted effort to help hard-hit minority communities. Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., said the recession had left minorities with extraordinarily high unemployment rates, and he called on Obama to direct at least 10 percent of any recovery efforts into communities that have had 20 percent or higher poverty rates for 30 years. In Immelt, Obama has a useful corporate ally. As chief executive of a multinational company, Immelt was one of 20 CEOs who met with the president during a daylong summit at Blair House last month. He was one of 14 U.S. business leaders invited to meet with Chinese President Hu this week at the White House and was among the guests for the state dinner that followed. General Electric is a multinational conglomerate with interests than range from energy to finances to media. GE is also a huge federal government contractor, and is currently on tap to build an engine for a Joint Strike Fighter that the administration doesn’t want but that Congress insists on financing. On Friday, the White House renewed the president’s threat to veto spending bills that contain money for the engine. The GE plant is benefiting from a power turbine contract with India announced during Obama’s Southeast Asia
trip in November. GE reported 52 percent growth in earnings on Friday, a result of increased equipment orders and lending. GE stock gained 5.8 percent, leading the 30 stocks that make up the Dow Jones industrial average. His appointment adds another corporate insider to the White House orbit, underscoring the administration’s efforts to build stronger ties to the business community. Earlier this month, Obama named former Commerce Secretary and JPMorgan Chase executive William Daley as chief of staff. The change also signals Obama’s intention to shift from policies that were designed to stabilize the economy after the 2008 financial meltdown to a renewed focus on increasing employment, a vexing task that could affect his re-election efforts. The White House says the board’s mission will be to
help generate ideas from the private sector to speed up economic growth and promote American competitiveness. The Chamber of Commerce approved of the appointment, calling it a “promising step” toward creating jobs and enhancing U.S. competitiveness. But the Alliance for American Manufacturing, which brings together manufacturers and the United Steelworkers union, dismissed Immelt as “an outsourcing CEO” whose appointment would “alienate working class voters.” Indeed, GE has increasingly relied on foreign workers, a point Immelt alluded to Friday. “I know that despite the fact that 60 percent of GE revenues are outside the United States,” he said, “I personally and this country share responsibility and accountability to make sure this is the most competitive and productive country in the world.
www.CentralFloridaFuture.com
• Jan. 24, 2011
A5
Fastest ball sport in world leads to injuries FROM A1 ball before it hits the ground or after it bounces once and launch it back at the wall. After his early experiences in Fort Lauderdale, Spinner went on to play in North Miami at an amateur court about half the size of a normal jai alai court, which is called a fronton. Before going pro, he returned to Dania Jai- Alai this past summer and played four amateur tournaments, three of which he won. During his freshman year at UCF, he began playing at Orlando Jai-Alai. Santi Echaniz, the player manager for Orlando JaiAlai, has been recruiting jai alai players for the past 32 years. He offered Spinner a pro spot after watching his improvement over the past six months. Echaniz was also once a pro himself, reaching the pro level at the age of 14 and spending 20 years playing professionally in the States. “I gave the kid a chance to become a professional because I believe in him,” Echaniz said. “I think he’s going to become a good player. He still has a way to go, but in the next couple of years I see him becoming one of the really good players.” Unlike many other sports, the only way for players to get noticed and recruited as pro in jai alai is to constantly play with professionals until they are able to hold their own. “You just show up to the
ALEX BREWER / CENTRAL FLORIDA FUTURE
Daniel Spinner holds out his cesta,which is used in jai alai to catch and throw the ball.The jai alai ball can travel as fast as 84 meters per second,or 186 miles per hour.
practices,” Spinner said. “If you fit in and are able to compete, then you’ll get taken into consideration.” Gino Schmid, who has been a pro for 15 years, has been working closely with Spinner for the past year to build him up to the professional level. Schmid said that jai alai is a sport that is difficult to progress in, but that Spinner is well on his
way to becoming a great player. “You either sink or swim in jai alai,” Schmid said. “Spinner has a lot of ability and he’s aggressive; he goes to the ball. The only thing he needs now is time and experience.” One skill that will come with time and experience is trying to avoid getting hit by the ball, called a pelota,
which nears speeds of 150 mph, making jai alai the fastest ball sport in the world. Due to the ball’s extraordinary speed, injuries are common and players must be constantly aware of their surroundings. “[The ball] barely touched me here and it split it wide open,” said Schmid, pointing to the side of his right eye. “I’ve seen a lot of
bad injuries; that ball can really hurt you.” Though jai alai has become a tremendous aspect of his life and he intends to play at Dania JaiAlai again this summer, Spinner plans on continuing his education at UCF. “There’s no super rush to graduate, but I do plan on taking courses and playing jai alai simultaneously so I
can keep moving forward in the right direction,” Spinner said. “I intend on finishing my school and enjoying jai alai as well.” Orlando Jai-Alai holds events Thursday through Sunday and encourages anyone who is interested in the sport to come check it out. For more information, visit their website at www.orlandojaialai.com.
Student innovation contests comes with big rewards FROM A1 Although each competition is unique, all three share the common core of challenging participants to identify a need and develop a solution. While the JOUST and King of the Court allow participants to conquer these tasks through thoughtful business proposals and unique marketing strategies, Inventing Entrepreneurs competitors must create prototypes of their gadget solutions. Participants in the JOUST compete to create and present the most promising business plan to a panel of judges in the hopes of winning the first place prize of $10,000 as well as one year free in the UCF Incubator program. All prospective entrants must have submitted an intent-to-compete form by Jan. 21 and an official entry form by Feb. 28. The King of the Court, a fast-paced competition, will focus on the sales pitch. Participants will have 90 seconds to deliver a successful pitch to judges. The winners will receive $1,500 and continue to the JOUST finals. Entries for the competition are due Feb. 14. For students who are interested in engineering a product that will answer an identified need or problem, Inventing Entrepreneurs is just for them. Only eight competing
teams or individuals are chosen for this competition. First place winners will receive $1,500. Applications must be submitted by March 28. Cameron Ford, associate professor in the College of Business and founding director of the CEI, said some winners from the JOUST and King of the Court have actually gone on to start their companies. Last year’s winner, Amanda Crum, is one example. Crum won the JOUST competition with the plan for her business, The Vak Shack, which sells vacuum sealing bags and equipment for food storage. Crum said she was already selling the product before she entered the JOUST, but the deadlines of the competition made her do things for the advancement of her company that she probably wouldn’t have done otherwise. After winning, Crum invested all of her prize money directly into the business. She took advantage of her free year in UCF’s Incubator program where she was provided with an office, clerical support, computer hookups and website support. The Vak Shack’s sales increased 100 percent. Crum said entering the JOUST was the most rewarding experience during her time as an under-
graduate student. Crum also said she encourages students to try the competitions. “There is something in it for everyone,” she said. As the winner of JOUST in both 2007 and 2008, David Brim knows the entrepreneurial success of starting two companies. “I entered the JOUST because it provided a fantastic opportunity to get feedback and resources for my business venture idea,” Brim said. “These resources came in the form of networking with local business leaders, receiving valuable advice on my business plan and concept, and prize money.” Brim and his partner’s business GroupTable, which won the JOUST competition in 2008, is still in operation today. According to its website, GroupTable provides groups with their own private chat rooms and discussion boards. In addition, Brim now operates his own successful marketing agency called Brand Advance and has appeared on FOX 35 News, Local 6 News, CBS News Radio and WFTV Channel 9 to speak about entrepreneurship and growing a business. “Being involved in the competition forces you to put your best foot forward and develop a solid business plan and presentation
for your company,” Brim said. “Both will be very valuable if you plan on actually launching your business. It is extremely good practice to present and communicate in these kinds of circumstances and the feedback you'll receive is very helpful. “I know of people who have been offered jobs, investment funding in their business concept and more from being involved in com-
petitions such as the JOUST,” he said. UCF alumnus and entrepreneur Jeff Lehman is a recent CBA Hall of Fame recipient and believes the competition is especially important for students considering how business venturing has changed in the past decade. “The fact that companies like Dell, Google and Facebook were all started in
dorm rooms shows the importance of gaining a deeper and more formal knowledge of the entrepreneurial process as early as possible,” Lehman said. “It's the sign of a top tier university that we provide a competitive platform for student entrepreneurs to bring new ideas to light.” For more information and important deadlines, visit www.cei.ucf.edu.
A6
www.CentralFloridaFuture.com
Jan. 24, 2011 •
Social work contract at UCF is ‘raising the bar’ FROM A1
COURTESY KAREN GUIN
Ann Pimentel-Kerr,standing,lead instructor for the program at UCF’s School of Social Work,instructs participants in a child welfare preservice training session.
with a score of at least 80 percent. “The School of Social
Co
ns
ult
FR
E
ati E on s
for the program. All instructors have a wide range of experience in child investigations and surpassed his criteria in terms of eligibility. Ronnau has hired two full-time trainers and one part-time trainer to instruct the classes. He is also in the process of choosing a graduate research assistance that will collect evaluation data, go to the training and sit and aid in all other areas of study. All students enrolled in the course will be subjected to an extensive background check and required to sign a confidential agreement dealing with private information involving minors. The UCF curriculum will include face-to-face classroom instruction, oneon-one consultations, supervised field training activities and online sessions. Current CPI’s are also required to receive 48 hours of in-service classes every three years in order to become recertified. All supervisors and program administrators will go through the training as well. After the training there is an assessment that is required to be passed
$48.00
OT OT
Color or Highlight Including Haircut & Styling
407.359.0200 Salon Enclave *Expires Feb 28, 2011
Valid for new clients Coupons cannot be combined UCF
Brazilian Keratin Straightening Valid for new and existing clients
Follow us on Facebook for Additional Salon Deals Open Monday-Saturdays
$149.00 407.359.0200 Salon Enclave *Expires Feb 28, 2011 Coupons cannot be combined UCF
112 W. Mitchell Hammock Rd., Ste. 1112 · Oviedo, FL 32765 Located at the corner of Mitchell Hammock Road and Alafaya Trail
407.359.0200 Online booking www.SalonEnclave.net
Work has a chance to impact what these people will be learning,” Ronnau said. “CPIs do an extremely important job; they are serving some of the most vulnerable people in society, so it is important to us to uphold this honor we have been given.” Murray said she hopes this project will set a precedent continuing partnership with UCF in as many ways as possible, both during and after the contract. Based on the results of the program
UCF will also be up for a possible contract renewal. UCF alumna and Central Region Public Information Officer for DCF, Elizabeth Arenas said CPI’s have a tough job that not many can do, yet it is a crucial job. They ensure that our society is safe and healthy. “On behalf of The Florida Department of Children and Families, continuing education and providing the tools that are needed is extremely important to us,” Arenas
‘CPIs do an extremely important job; they are serving some of the most vulnerable people in society, so it is important to us to uphold this honor we have been given.’ — JOHN RONNAU DIRECTOR OF THE SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK AND PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
said. “We are excited to be raising the bar on our
professional training with such a top-notch university.”
Sports The Student Newspaper at UCF since 1968
www.CentralFloridaFuture.com • Monday, January 24, 2011
schedule
RICE 57 | UCF 50
Same old Knights Loss to Rice makes it four straight for the Knights
MEN’S BASKETBALL
MEMPHIS WEDNESDAY 8 P.M.(AWAY)
STEVEN RYZEWSKI Men’s basketball beat writer
The search for answers continues as the Knights dropped their fourth consecutive game, this time to the Rice Owls. The Knights (14-4, 1-4) could not overcome a dismal shooting night en route to a 57-50 loss. UCF shot only 30.4 percent from the field in front of the school’s third-largest crowd ever, an announced crowd of 9,347. “There comes a time you have to step up,” said head coach Donnie Jones. “You shoot 30 percent from the field ... I can’t say we didn’t have good shots. It makes it difficult. We played well enough defensively to win the game.” The Owls (9-10, 1-4) didn’t do too much better from the field, shooting 34.7 percent, but the struggling Owls came off four consecutive losses of their own and did just enough to win. UCF went into the half with a slim lead, up 27-25, but came out of the second half flat. The Knights failed to score a field goal for more than ten minutes, starting with two minutes remaining in the first half and going all the way down to around the 12 minute mark. Meanwhile, the Owls rattled off a 15-1 run, putting themselves ahead 4028 midway through the second half. It was another run, representing a disturbing trend for the Knights during this losing streak. “Our guys got to find a way to overcome adversity,” Jones said. Keith Clanton, who led the Knights with 18 points,
The Knights hope to overcome their fourgame losing streak as they travel to Memphis to face the Tigers in a nationally televised matchup on CBS College.
UAB SATURDAY 7 P.M.(HOME) The Knights return home on Saturday hoping to improve their losing conference record against the Blazers.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
HOUSTON THURSDAY 7 P.M.(HOME) The Knights will try to continue their solid conference play start against the first-place Cougars.
ECU SUNDAY 1 P.M.(AWAY) The Knights travel to Greenville,N.C.,to take on the Pirates.
WOMEN’S TENNIS
FLORIDA WEDNESDAY 5 P.M.(AWAY) After defeating FAMU and the U.S.Junior National team,the Knights will travel to Gainesville to face the Gators.
MEN’S TENNIS
KATIE DEES / CENTRAL FLORIDA FUTURE
JACKSONVILLE SATURDAY 1 P.M.(AWAY)
Senior guard Taylor Young grimaces after being defeated by the Rice Owls at home. The Knights shot a dismal 30.4 percent from the field and 13.3 percent from behind the arc.
The Knights travel to Jacksonville in their first away matchup of 2011.
Homestand wasted, losing streak continues
PLEASE SEE LACKLUSTER ON A8
STEVEN RYZEWSKI Men’s basketball beat writer
WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD
PENN STATE NATIONAL INVITATIONAL FRIDAY SATURDAY ALL DAY (AWAY) After a solid finish at the Hokie Invitational,the Knights travel to Pennsylvania for a tournament.
WOMEN’S GOLF
KENT STATE SATURDAY 8 A.M.(HOME) The Knights have their first home matchup slated against Kent State this Saturday.
Some things don’t always go according to plan. What looked like an ample opportunity for the Knights to rebound after two tough road losses instead took a turn for the worse, as the Knights dropped both home contests this past week against East Carolina and Rice. Make it four straight losses. As UCF continues its search for answers, they are now faced with the unenviable task of attempting to get back into the win column on the road at Conference USA powerhouse Memphis. Many problems are facing the Knights as this trend continues, but one that sticks out is the team’s lack of cohesion on offense. “I think they’re pressing hard, with the way they are offensively,” said head coach Donnie Jones. “As a coach, we give them freedom to play. It’s not different than what we’ve done
KATIE DEES / CENTRAL FLORIDA FUTURE
After four consecutive losses,the Knights have quickly fallen out of the good graces of the AP voters and are struggling to remain relevant in Conference USA.
when we won 14 (in a row).” The Knights offensive strengths, so rampant in the beginning of the season, have gone up in smoke. A team that was once able to score points, and lots of them, is now struggling to
make simple shots. During Saturday’s game against Rice, the Knights went more than ten minutes without a field goal and shot 30 percent for the night from the field. During Thursday’s loss against
ECU, the Knights shot a dismal 44 percent from the free throw line. Those are troubling signs for a team that was just recently ranked among the nation’s top-20 teams. “Our guys have got to
find a way to overcome adversity and we haven’t,” said Jones. Jones is concerned about the runs his team has allowed other teams to go
PLEASE SEE BASKETBALL’S ON A9
A8
www.CentralFloridaFuture.com
Jan. 24, 2011 •
Football
Miller, Reid come up big in Shrine Game NICOLE SAAVEDRA Football beat writer
Jah Reid and Bruce Miller had strong performances in the East-West Shrine Game on Saturday. Both Reid and Miller started in the East’s 25-8 victory. The East-West Shrine Game is the longest running all-star college football game and one of Miller and Reid’s first stops in a journey that could lead to a spot on an NFL roster. Reid made a key block on the East’s first touchdown drive in the first quarter. He played in six series on offense in the first half and contributed to the special teams unit as well. “The competition here is amazing,” Reid said. “You watch these people on TV this whole year during the season and to compete against them at prac-
tice is kind of crazy. There are a lot of good people here and I have to do my best to hold my own.” Reid certainly held his own. East coach Dan Reeves, who is ranked seventh all-time in NFL wins (201), had good things to say about the 6-foot-7, 320pound tackle. “He’s got a really bright future playing in the National Football League,” Reeves said. “It’s hard to find guys that big that have that kind of foot quickness that he’s got.” On the defensive end, Miller had a slow start in the first half. His key plays came after halftime, when he recorded a sack and played a part in pressuring the quarterback which in turn forced an interception. “[I just did] the same things, kept fighting, kept pushing and was able to get to the quarterback,” the
noticeably slimmer Miller said. “It was great coverage and it took some time, but I Reid was able to get there.” Miller, who pressured the quarterback throughout the week’s Miller practices, also caught Reeves’ eye. “I’m working with the offense and the thing that happens is that guys like Bruce show up all the time,” Reeves said. “Then you worry about your offense, you start going ‘Oh my gosh, you’re not very good.’ He was one of the ones you always noticed getting to the quarterback at practice and you’re hoping he carries that over to
ALEX SCHIERHOLTZ / CENTRAL FLORIDA FUTURE
Defensive end Bruce Miller played in eight total series in the East-West Shrine Game,notching a sack in the third quarter. Both Miller and offensive tackle Jah Reid will look to raise their draft stock at the NFL Scouting Combine in February.
the game and I think you saw that he could do that.” Both Miller and Reid improved their NFL draft
Lackluster shooting a problem FROM A7 came alive along with Marcus Jordan and helped bring the Knights all the way back, going on a 15-3 run of their own, to tie the game at 43-43 with 5:26 to go. The second-half surge from Clanton was helpful and almost put UCF over the top, but Jones said it was something that should have been happening all night. “We need Keith to start the game off like that instead of waiting until the end,” Jones said. “I was proud of the way he came back. I was on him very hard at the beginning of the game because we need him. He needs to take that
next step for our team and he responded.” The stout UCF defense, which had brought them back into the game, struggled once again—as did the Knights offensive momentum. The Owls went on to outscore the Knights 14-7 the rest of the way. Rice was led by Connor Frizzelle and his 15 points. Two other Rice players had double digit efforts, Arsalan Kazemi with 11 and Tamir Jackson with 10. Marcus Jordan had 10 points for the Knights, although all of those came from the free throw line and Jordan went 0 for 5 from the field. Jordan was injured earlier in the season and may
still be feeling some of the effects. “He’s very heavy-legged for some reason right now,” Jones said. “Emotionally, physically, mentally. He’s got to get himself back here right now.” After the game, Jones hinted at possible changes in the line-up for the Knights. “We’ll make some changes, it’s time for some things to change in this line up and on this team,” Jones said. UCF will have to try to fix things on the road, as the Knights travel to Memphis to take on the C-USA powerhouse Tigers on Wednesday in a nationallytelevised matchup on CBS College.
stock with their solid performances in the game, and hope to do the same at the NFL combine in Febru-
BY THE NUMBERS FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE Through first 14 games: 49.6% Last four games: 39.2% FREE THROW PERCENTAGE Through first 14 games: 67.7% Last four games: 67% THREE-POINT PERCENTAGE Through first 14 games: 37.3% Last four games: 31.6% REBOUNDS PER GAME Through first 14 games: 38 Last four games: 33 TURNOVERS PER GAME Through first 14 games: 14 Last four games: 13
KATIE DEES / CENTRAL FLORIDA FUTURE
Keith Clanton’s game-high 18 points weren’t enough for UCF to beat Rice.
ary. In the meantime, Miller will be training in Atlanta while Reid will train in Missouri.
A TOUGH ROAD AHEAD at Memphis Tigers (15-4,4-1),Jan.26 UAB (13-5,3-2),Jan.29 at UTEP (16-4,4-1),Feb.2
www.CentralFloridaFuture.com
• Jan. 24, 2011
A9
Q&A: Joe Burnett talks fresh start, UCF ERIKA ESOLA Sports Editor
In his playing days at UCF, smokin’ Joe Burnett was known for his ability to make plays everytime the ball was in his hands. Two years after his stellar career with the Knights, the Central Florida Future caught up with former All-American returner and cornerback, Burnett, who now has a fresh start with the New York Giants. Central Florida Future: What have you been up to lately? Joe Burnett: I’ve been training down in Aventura, being that I was a free agent and I was working out and staying in shape. I’ve been training with Pete Bommarito, the same guy I came up with as a rookie. Right now, I’m hanging out in Eustis with the family. CFF: What led up to free agency? Burnett: Well, I went through the whole preseason, and made it all the way through to the last cut with the Steelers. Ever since then, I’ve been to six workouts with six different teams. Every coach was highly impressed with me, but I was ineligible to be signed onto a practice squad and I had to be signed to a 52-man roster. The wait took a long time, actually — a whole season. CFF: What was that conversation like with the Steelers when they made the move to release you? Burnett: I spoke to [Steelers]
coach [Mike] Tomlin and he said it was a business decision that they had to make. It was basically between me and another guy, Keenan Lewis. He was a higherround draft pick than I was and they said that if I was the thirdround guy, then maybe the predicament would be different. You know, they were actually trying to trade me instead of letting me go. I was on the radar with two other teams to be traded, but they backed out, and that’s when I went on waivers. CFF: And now you have a fresh start with the Giants. Burnett: As soon as teams were able to sign players, the Giants were the first to call. The Giants said, if we could have put you on the practice squad, you would have been on the team a long time ago, but you weren’t eligible. CFF: Why weren’t you eligible? Burnett: As a rookie, I played too much. For a good part of the season, I was a starter with the Steelers and if you start too many games as a rookie you become ineligible to be signed on a practice squad. CFF: So when does camp start for the Giants? Burnett: I talked to the coach [Tom Coughlin] there and he basically said to me that they’re going through the whole lockout situation now. He said that as soon as they reach an agreement, they’ll reach out to me. I’m really excited for the fresh start.
CFF: Do you think they’ll reach an agreement soon? Burnett: I think it’ll be worthwhile. That’s a lot of money on the table to be lost if they don’t. Without football this season, it’ll be a huge loss. I think they’ll reach an agreement before August. We might miss a preseason game but I don’t think it’ll roll into the regular season. CFF: The Giants (ranked second-to-last in kick return average and last in punt return average) could use some help at the return man position. Burnett: Wherever I can contribute and help the team out, I will. CFF: What do you think is your biggest asset you bring to New York? Burnett: I can play multiple positions. I’m a cornerback, nickelback, punt returner and kick returner. I’m versatile. I’m not just a defensive back, I’m a return man as well. With both positions, I have great instincts. I’m a quick learner, and I’m ready to work. CFF: So, where is a country boy from Eustis going to be staying at in New York? Burnett: Being that I am a country boy, I’d like to stay somewhere in the suburbs in New Jersey. CFF: What do you miss the most about UCF? Burnett: Aww, man. Everything. You name it, I miss it. I miss the fan base, the students’ support. I miss the brotherhood with my teammates. Just being able to be
CFF ARCHIVE
Former UCF return man and cornerback Joe Burnett is now a member of the New York Giants. Burnett was a fifth-round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2009.
around that environment, it was awesome. I tell everyone that I’m so proud to be a Knight. CFF: How ‘bout them Knights? Burnett: I so proud of my school. I’m very proud to be a Knight. It’s unbelievable how that program has grown so much under coach O’Leary. All the respect goes out to that staff and O’Leary. In the NFL, before we play our games on Sunday, all the guys in the locker room talk about college football games. And now I can finally talk about UCF. It feels real good to be a part of that. CFF: Who would you consider to be the Knights’ MVP this past season? Burnett: The quarterback, [Jeff] Godfrey. He’s real good. Young, but real good. As long as he stays humble, he’ll do really well
and he’ll be great for UCF for years to come. CFF: What’s your Super Bowl prediction? Burnett: I really want to see the young quarterback [Mark Sanchez] win it for the Jets but it’s gonna be tough to go against the Steelers. I’m gonna say that [defensive coordinator] Dick LeBeau and the defense will win it for the Steelers. Steelers over Packers. CFF: So you still have a little place in your heart for the Steelers? Burnett: True story, I want the Steelers to win. CFF: What’s your biggest goal this season? Burnett: Just to positively contribute to the New York Giants and to get out everything that I have put into it.
Basketball’s losing streak tough to overcome FROM A7 on, including a 15-1 run Saturday night that put the Owls in control about midway through the second half. East Carolina was able to go on an 18-4 run on Wednesday. All things considered, it adds up to some serious questions about the Knights’ ability to gener-
ate points. Teams are picking up on ways to defend Marcus Jordan, UCF’s go-to guy, and it appears to be stifling the offense. “For some reason, we’re not able to score,” said Jones. “And Marcus is not scoring, you get no field goals from him tonight, it makes it very hard for our basketball
team to get shots. And other guys have had them … We’re just not making them.” The lack of production from the supporting cast is especially frustrating for the coaching staff because the team is capable of more and has been practicing well, according to Jones. “If we could just trans-
fer what we do in practice to the games, we’d be fine,” Jones said. “Right now, when the lights get kicked on, our guys are not competing. We play hard, but we’re just not being able to execute and make shots.” The Knights’ lack of execution leaves little room to
be optimistic about the outlook for the rest of the season. People around the program recognize the team is better than this. Whether it’s tweaking play calling, deciding whether to press, or shuffling line-ups, Jones says changes are on the way to the Knight’s season.
“Our basketball team, we’ll make some changes,” Jones said. “It’s time for things to change in this lineup and on this team. We’ll see that on Wednesday.” Until the Knights escape this streak, the gut-check period continues.
Opinions The Student Newspaper at UCF since 1968
www.CentralFloridaFuture.com • Monday, January 24, 2011
OUR STANCE
Virtual classes not fit for all V
irtual or online courses can be a great route for students who need to pick up an extra class but don’t have time in their schedule to meet in a classroom every week. Many college students choose to take an online class at some point during their higher education, but students at 54 high schools in Miami-Dade County are being put in a virtual classroom whether they like it or not. In an effort to surpass the Florida Class Size Reduction Amendment, some schools in the Miami area have created virtual classrooms for students. The amendment limits the class size to 25 students in core subjects such as English or math, but the ruling does not apply to virtual labs. The students spend their class period in a room filled entirely with computers where they sit and do their work. There is no teacher present, only a “facilitator” to keep the students on task and address any technical problems. The content is provided by Florida Virtual School, which is generally used by high schools students who wish to pick up an extra course or need to do credit recovery. The students log on to a website for their lessons that are graphic and text based. Online learning can be extremely effective for some, but many of the Miami high schoolers had no chance to voice their opinion or preference. Several students interviewed in a recent article in
The New York Times stated that they were not informed that they would be taking a class in a virtual lab and that if they were given a choice they would have declined. Taking an online class requires a lot of determination and eagerness and for those who don’t exhibit such characteristics, online learning can be detrimental. For other students, learning is simply too difficult without face-to-face instruction, particularly in tricky subjects. The courses in these online labs have teachers that can be contacted through phone call, text message or email, but some of the best learning comes from sitting down one-on-one and working through a difficult problem or equation. By the time a student reaches college, they’ve determined how they learn best and what subjects they excel in. High school students, on the other hand, are for the most part still developing themselves intellectually and need to focus more time and effort into deciding what works best for them. Not to mention high school students don’t have much choice as to what classes they can take. We can only imagine that forcing students to take a class in a virtual lab when they already have difficulties in the subject could only exacerbate their reluctance in said subject. We’re not the only ones skeptical about this idea, several teachers and students spoke out against the school’s
new virtual venture, but one interesting opinion came from Michael Moore, a professor of education at Penn State University and an editor at The American Journal of Education. Moore mentioned in The New York Times article a new way of combining virtual and face-to-face learning in what is called the “blended learning concept.” “There is no doubt that blended learning can be as effective and often more effective than a classroom,” Moore said. For this concept to work the students must be mature and willing, and the instructors involved must obtain proper training on how to effectively teach in a virtual environment. Moore noted that the students in Miami-Dade are not receiving blended learning. To us, this whole situation is just messy. Students and parents were not properly informed and many students are resentful of the whole situation, but officials say they will not budge on their decision because it’s their only way to get past class size restrictions. Computers and technology can be a great classroom tool for some students and subjects, but requiring that all students take a class that may not suit their learning style or preference seems a bit ridiculous. The idea has potential, but it definitely needs some major revisions. Supplemental technology is fine. Technology as a complete replacement for proven learning methods is not fine.
RentAFriend provides artificial friendships friends, with each beautifulHow many friends do ly unique face that moves you have? Is the number that and contorts along with comes to your mind the one ever-changing emotions, that is on your Facebook and all the clever things they page? have to say. Like Professor How many individuals Amir Behzadan’s admittedly immediately come to mind rehearsed joke that he links when you have good news to the befitting chemical forto share and how many of mula and the boyish grin those friends would you that ensues after I solely wish happy birthday to if LACY PAPADEAS laugh. you weren’t electronically Guest Columnist “That was funny right?” reminded? he turns to me and asks, For those who are lacking in the friend department, I found out in knowing he will receive my approval. “Yes, that was very funny,” I reassurthe celebrity scandal magazine In Touch Weekly, that you can rent a ingly reply, an exchange which then libfriend at the appropriately named web- erates the rest of the class just enough for them to chuckle. site RentAFriend.com. It seems to me to be a very sad state It’s not an escort service; it’s purely platonic profiles of friendly faces, of affairs when one has to pay people to doing their best to sound as if they have friendly interactions like I have could be the best friend that you never with my professor. This has to be a repercussion of havhad for, on average, $25 an hour. As I flipped through the pages of the ing a population of unfriendly people; magazine, pondering the odd concept and a repercussion of me finding out of the website I started to think of its about RentAFriend.com is that now implications and what such a site every time I see two friends I am going meant about the state of human affairs. to stare at them uncontrollably while I A foreign friend recently told me attempt to determine which one is that Americans aren’t very friendly. being paid. I can, however, see how it could fly After I finished being offended I tendin Europe when one wants a personal ed to agree with him. I am a very friendly American. This tour guide and perhaps in America if was why I was initially annoyed, but one is so socially awkward (most likely then ironically, this is what proved his from relying too heavily on texts and emails — interacting with people facepoint for me. I stick out like a sore thumb because to-face became much too spontaneous of this trait and seeing that it is truly out and therefore unbearable) that they of the ordinary, my motives are often need to be retrained by a professional “friend.” scrutinized. I’m not sure what’s more pathetic: I did attempt to throw in the friendly towel a semester or two ago, after the fact that we have gotten so lost in one particularly humiliating hair that our development that we have to use broke this friendly camel’s back, but it our advances to create something that’s was impossible, like telling yourself to nothing more than an illusion of what blink less throughout the day or to stick we had without it, the innocent act of making a friend, or the fact that I was to your New Year’s resolution. I just find that, in general, I really reading a celebrity gossip magazine like people and consider them all my that I actually purchased.
ED SHENEMAN / TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES
New ‘Skins’ pushes limits of teenage life could put them in jeopIn case you changed ardy of violating child the channel after last pornography laws. week’s special Monday Not because the scene episode of Jersey Shore, I is meant to be sexual in figured I’d fill you in on any way, but because the all the hype and drama actor playing Chris is surrounding MTV’s new under 18. series Skins. If they’re that conI guess it wouldn’t be cerned they should just fair to call it a “new series,” the show is actuADRIENNE CUTWAY cast someone older than 18 to serve as a butt doually an adaptation of a Opinions Editor ble. British series by the I’m all for sex, drugs same name. and nudity on TV, and having seen Nearly a month before it aired, the original version, I really found MTV started advertising incessantnothing vulgar or extremely offenly during its prime time shows and sive in the remake thus far, although it definitely got them some conseronly one episode has aired. vatives’ panties in a bunch. My biggest concern is that A week before its release date, Skins had the honor of being named MTV’s version just doesn’t hit the mark as far as quality goes. the “most dangerous television I’ll give them props for keeping show ever” by the Parents Televithe plot line accurate, but they sion Council. changed the character names and If not a blatant example of personas of several cast members as puffery, that statement is at least a well as several smaller details like bit of a stretch. the comforter on Tony’s bed. The series focuses on a group of The biggest change I noticed was teens whose lives are all about that they totally cut out Maxxie, the drinking, doing drugs and having attractive blonde homosexual and sex; all without any serious or perreplaced him with a lesbian cheermanent consequences. leader named Tea. I’ll take a moment to say here Americans really don’t like sex that I’ve seen every single episode on TV, but it seems gay male sex is of the British version which airs on Channel 4, and when MTV’s adver- where they draw the line. Skins’ fate at this point is uncertising campaign began for the series tain especially considering the first I started screaming profanities at episode is tame compared to later the television set. episodes of the series. Some things just shouldn’t be Basically, Skins is Degrassi on tampered with, and at least to me, steroids minus the life lesson. Skins is one of them. I think what parents are really Anyone who’s seen it will tell worried about is that these kids you that the show’s best quality, experience no consequences for besides its slapstick humor, is its their extreme actions and they don’t extreme raunchiness, an aspect I want their children to develop the knew MTV wouldn’t be able to same rebellious attitude. match, mostly thanks to all the silly Although I really don’t have censorship laws we have in the much faith in today’s youth, I’d like States. to believe they’re not stupid enough Even though MTV’s adaptation is clearly cleaned up, people are still to think that they can reenact one of the many exaggerated scenarios in going crazy on the pseudo-sexual the series, like driving a stolen car scenes in nearly every episode. into a pond or dropping a baby. Seriously, bro? I’d be lying if I said that I found When it comes to sex it seems we’re total prudes here in the States, the MTV version entertaining or funny in any way, because I didn’t especially in comparison to those enjoy it in the slightest bit, to be nymphos in the UK. We’d rather honest. have our TV screens bombarded I’m really indifferent toward with violence than witness the simwhether their experiment on scriptple act of fellatio. ed teen sexuality succeeds or fails Most of what MTV is receiving because I don’t plan on watching it is criticism and sponsors pulling as religiously as I did the original. out, but now it seems they may I just want critics and organizaactually find themselves in legal tions to be more accepting of the trouble. series and stop crying foul over The third episode, set to air Jan. every French kiss or bong hit. 31, features a back view of Chris Teenagers are going to have sex, walking down the street naked after do drugs and all that other fun stuff, being locked out of his own house. and showing it on TV via paid That’s right, network executives actors won’t change that in any way. are worried that one innocent bum
ON UCFNEWS.COM
WHAT YOU ARE SAYING
Knights drop third straight in a 74-62 loss
preparing them to play away games. — ANONYMOUS
Well, that or they were playing Don’t get down on these guys cupcakes and paper tigers to open yet. I think the problem is that the the season and get that shiny rotation is all messed. A lot of guys undefeated record. are getting healthy right now and — ANONYMOUS they need minutes when minutes might not be available. The rotation that won 14 straight games is no longer in effect right now and we need the time to gel a full roster rotation. We will get it going and be a force again. Go Knights! If half our country is hopped —AARON C. up on dope then how are we supposed to effectively compete with I think the players started to the Red Chinese? party too much after they got — SILLY HIPPIES ranked. That or Donnie Jones isn’t
NORML exec expects initiatives in 2012
Classifieds
www.CentralFloridaFuture.com • Monday, January 24, 2011
The Student Newspaper at UCF since 1968
SUBMISSION DEADLINES
Online 24 hrs/day: www.KnightNewspapers.com/classifieds By phone: 407-447-4555 By fax: 407-447-4556 In person: 11825 High Tech Ave, Suite 100, Orlando FL 32817
Online, phone, fax, in person: 10 a.m. Fri. for Mon. issue 4 p.m. Wed. for Thurs. issue
PAYMENT METHODS VISA, MC, AMEX, Discover, Cash, Check
OFFICE BUSINESS HOURS Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
407-447-4555 • www.KnightNewspapers.com/classifieds WANTED: 100 HELP General
FOR RENT: Homes
BARTEND! $300/day Potential! No experience required. We train you. 888-575-TIPS (8477)
Babysitter for 1- 4 children. Once/ Twice a month. Days/times flexible. Oviedo, just N of Lake Charm. Ref required. 1st interview over phone, 2nd @ library. Pay starts $15/hr. Email phone # & what times to call. morales_kids_4@yahoo.com
Courtesy Host Position Available 3rd shift @ Student Housing Community. Clean Driving Record Required. Please Apply in person with Resume 11850 University Blvd. 32817
Babysitter for 2 children. 3-6 pm weekdays. Oviedo near UCF. Driving & Ref required. subramr06@gmail.com
Earn Extra Money Students needed ASAP Earn up to $150 per day being a Mystery Shopper. No Experience Required Call 1-877-679-6774
3 Bed, 2.5 Bath Townhouse Located 1 mile from UCF $1400/mo with 1 month deposit. Call Chris @ 407-739-2861 2/2 Condo! Includes W/D $700/mo Discount for college students.Walking distance to UCF games, parks and shopping. 407-923-3400
ROOMMATES
IT intern for computer graphics firm. Computer setup/support. Linux exp a big plus. Near UCF EOrlando resume: jobs@disti.com
We are seeking detailedoriented writers that are proficient in writing content and blogs on various topics for the business websites. Responsibilities include a large amount of writing of content, blogs and articles. If interested, please apply at 407Writing.com
Rec Gymnastics Coach needed immediately. Send resume to alexandra.reflexgymnastics @gmail.com Gymnastics Pre-school Instructor need immediately. Send resume to: hgutkin1@gmail.com CSR needed immediately! Exp w/ kids and computer skills a plus. Brigette.reflex@gmail.com
BARTENDERS WANTED. $300 a day potential. No Experience Necessary. Training Provided. Age 18 + OK 800-965-6520 ext. 107
Furnished Room in REMODELED home. From $110/week INCLUDES internet & utilties. Call 407-677-8920. M/F wanted for 3/2 home on lake. Walled Comm, 6 mins to UCF. $550/mo incl. util. NonSmoker, sec sys, pool & tennis. Call 407-832-8160, 239-707-4448 Avail. Immediately Roommate wanted to share 5/ 2.5 house in quiet neighborhood, near UCF. $500/mo Utilities include:cable, internet, electric, water. 954/778-2606
P/T Doggy Daycare job avail. Must Love Dogs. Vet/Kennel Exp. a plus! Locations in Orlando and Sanford www.dogdayafternoon.net email resume to Jobs@dogdayafternoon.net
Room for rent in 3/2 home in Ashington Park. New and clean. 5 mins from UCF. Quiet community, avoid traffic. High-speed internet, wireless, and premium cable. $495/mo util incl. Call 407-373-3785
FOR SALE: Homes
SUMMER JOB Summer Jobs s #O %D #AMP s 3EVEN 7EEKS
$
100 125 150 175 200 225 250 275 300
Rate Help Wanted: General C Help Wanted: Part-Time C Help Wanted: Full-Time C Business Opportunities B For Rent: Homes B For Rent: Apartments B Roommates A Sublease A For Sale: Homes B
FOR SALE: General Huge Sale! St. Stephen Catholic Church Annual Flea Market! Welcome all bargain hunters to the biggest and best INDOOR Flea Market! Antiques, artwork, jewelry, clothing, electronics, books, baby items, toys, furniture and more! Jan 28-29 7am-5pm, Jan 30 10am-3pm. Text WF21 to 247411 for more info & chance to win! 575 Tuskawilla Rd, Winter Springs. PH 407-699-5683
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Team Coach Looking for experienced coach for girls gymnastics. L1-6. Knowledge compulsory a must. E-mail resume to rich@reflexgymnastics.net
RAPosition Available! Live for FREE ~ Eat for FREE Work a Flexible Schedule. Clean Driving Record & On call shifts required. Email resume to cviucf@aol.com
CLASSIFICATIONS
Move-in ready 3 BD, 2 BAhome,walking distance from UCF. Global Realty International, Inc. 407-671-3800
Aawesome summer job in Maine! If you’re looking to spend this summer outdoors, have fun while you work, and make lifelong friends, then look no further. Camp Mataponi, a children’s summer camp, has positions available in Land Sports (lacrosse, soccer, basketball, softball, volleyball, field hockey), Waterfront (sailing, canoeing, waterskiing, life guarding, WSI, boat drivers), Ropes Course, Tennis, H.B. Riding, Arts & Crafts, Theater, Dance, Gymnastics, Video, Photography, Nurses, Maintenance, Cooking and more. Top salaries plus room/board & travel provided. Call us today, 561-748-3684 or apply online at www.campmataponi.com.
325 350 375 400 500 600 700 800 900
RATES
Rate For Sale: Automotive B For Sale: General A For Sale: Pets A Services B Announcements A Travel` B Worship B Miscellaneous B Wanted B
First issue: Each addl issue:
Rate A
Rate B
Rate C
$9
$13
$19
$6
$9
$13
• Pricing includes up to four lines,35 characters per line • Offering a successful average return of over 85% • Reaching UCF and East Orlando,multiple publication placement available for Oviedo and Winter Springs • Enter and view classified ads online 24 hours a day
9
3
8 4 1 5 1 7 2
5
3 6 2 4 3 5
4 6 1 7 6 3 9 5
5 7 9 4 9 1 5 2
Fill in the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9 with no repeats. Monday puzzle: Easy level Thursday puzzle: Hard level
Solution, tips and computer program at www.sudoku.com
CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Where many knots are tied 6 Tabula __: blank slate 10 Elmer’s product 14 Ballerina’s rail 15 In __: stuck 16 Bear with too-hot porridge 17 Twisty-horned antelope 18 Powerful wind 19 Tiny army marchers 20 Comfortable situation to live in, with “the� 23 Anonymous Jane 24 Research facility 25 Songwriter Neil 27 A deuce used as an ace, say 32 Store, as a hose 33 “Much __ About Nothing� 34 Beethoven’s Third 36 Li’l Abner’s creator Al 39 Went to the polls 41 Cyberchuckle, and a hint to this puzzle’s four longest answers 42 Cake maker 43 “Born Free� lioness 44 “Romeo and Juliet� city 46 Before, to Shakespeare 47 “Free Willy� critter 49 Turns on, as an engine 51 What mirrors do 54 Golfer’s support 55 Dot-com’s address 56 Low-paying but rewarding project 62 Very dry, as Champagne 64 Musical quality 65 __ but wiser 66 Nuts 67 Ending for exist 68 Leaves out 69 Actress Sommer 70 Nut, e.g. 71 Past or present
By John Lampkin
DOWN 1 Adam’s second son 2 Refrain syllables 3 Mouse catcher 4 Golfer Palmer 5 Showing shame 6 Brand over spaghetti 7 Brand under the sink 8 Spanish toast 9 Part of USA 10 4.0, for one: Abbr. 11 Minnesota-based dairy cooperative 12 Pulitzer author Sinclair 13 Relaxed 21 Angle iron 22 NBA’s __ Ming 26 Glittery mineral 27 Breaker at the shore 28 People magazine focus 29 “Like that’s going to work!� 30 Romeo or Juliet, e.g. 31 Christian’s dresses? 35 Coagulate, as blood
1/24/11 Saturday’s Puzzle Solved
Wednesday’s Puzzle Solved
HOW TO PLACE AN AD
Enter and view classifieds on line anytime!
Last issue solved
(c)2010 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
37 Lima’s country 38 Get ready, briefly 40 British peer 42 Like a stroller at the shore, shoewise 44 Moves out 45 Peacekeeping gp. since 1949 48 Animation collectible 50 “Out with it!� 51 Moscow money
Solution and new puzzles in next issue’s Classifieds
2OOM AND "OARD )NCLUDED
'ET 0AID TO 0LAY 4HE &LORIDA %LKS 9OUTH #AMP &%9# NEEDS MALE AND FEMALE 3UMMER #AMP #OUNSELORS AGES AND UP &%9# IS AN OVERNIGHT CAMP LOCATED IN 5MATILLA &, 4HE CAMP RUNS FROM *UNE TH *ULY TH
0LEASE CONTACT +RYS 2AGLAND AT EXT OR
1/24/11
52 Filmdom’s Flynn 53 Steakhouse steak 57 Grimm beginning 58 Oboe or bassoon 59 Chief Norse god 60 Docs for doggies and dogies 61 Gaelic language 63 Stubbed digit
Donate Car • Boat • RV • Motorcycle
1-800-227-2643
www.charityboatsales.org FREE 2-Night Vacation!
A12
www.CentralFloridaFuture.com
Jan. 24, 2010 •
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRA ENTRAL L FLORI RID DA P A R K I N G & T R A N S P O R TAT I O N S E R V I C E S Parking may be a challenge during the beginning of each semester. Park at our off-site parking lot conveniently located at parking lot E8. Complimentary shuttles continuously transport passengers every 15 minutes from Lot E8 to the Burnett Honors College on-campus stop.
AT LOT
PARK & RIDE
E8
Parking may be a challenge during the beginning of each semester. Park at our off-site parking lots conveniently located at Research Park. Complimentary shuttles continuously transport passengers every 15 minutes from the Orlando Tech Center to our on-campus Health Center (Lot C3). Gameday Park-n-Ride information available at http://ucfgameday.com
AT
PARK & RIDE
ORLANDO
TECH CENTER
For more information, please visit our website www.parking.ucf.edu or call us at 407-823-2131