NEWS TO USE FSU SGA Student Publications Newsletter
Tiffany’s Corner By Tiffany Lettsome Let your voice be heard! 2011 Spring Elections for the Student Government will take place in February. Campaigning starts Feb. 2. Offices up for election on Wednesday, Feb. 9, are student body president, student body vice president, student body treasurer; senior class council president, vice president, secretary, treasurer; senate seats; and Union Board. Contact the Office of Elections at 850 644-4123 or at sgaelect@admin.fsu.edu if you have any questions or concerns. Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, which means it’s time again
for Filipino Student Association Singing Grams. The fundraiser will be held from Feb. 1 - 14. Request a song and the E-board will go to your Valentine and sing to them. Applications are at the FSA office in 305 Union. Contact an E-board member if you need help. On campus is $3; off campus, $5. Your choice of Song is $1 extra, and if you buy a flower from CLCA, you get $0.50 off. Interested in traveling to Argentina, the Bahamas, South Africa, Czech Republic or even Turkey, and receiving course credit? Check out FSU’s International Programs Study Abroad Fair on Wednesday, Feb. 2, at the Union Green from 10 am – 2 pm. Learn more about opportunities offered in the summer, fall and spring semester. For more information visit international.fsu.edu.
Billiards Tourney Comes to FSU By Amanda Fernandez
Billiards enthusiasts can get their fix when the 2011 Regional ACUI Intercollegiate 9-Ball Tournament comes to Crenshaw Lanes. To compete in the tournament, sponsored by the Association of College Unions International, you must first earn a spot at the FSU Campus Qualifiers on Saturday, Jan 29, or Sunday, Feb 6. Practice will start at 2 pm. Previously the FSU team for the ACUI Tournament was made up of members of the FSU Billiards Club. “This year we’re trying to reach out,” said Ernesto Bosque, president of the club,” to invite students to learn about the Billiards Club at FSU, and to have the best possible team representing FSU on the year we get to host the event.” The top three men and the top three women qualifiers will have their registration fees into the Regional Tournament paid by the FSU club. Winners of the Regional Tournament, to be held Feb. 10 and 11 at FSU, will earn a spot to compete in the National Tournament. The FSU Billiards Club is open to new members of any skill level. The club meets on Mondays at 8 pm in Crenshaw Lanes. Dues are $30, which allows members to enjoy free table time at Crenshaw Lanes for practice. For more info, contact Ernesto Bosque at ebosque@comcast.net.
Vol. 3, No. 8 January 2011
Kelli Lampkin of Monsters B Gone
Monster Fighter Kelli Lampkin By Claudia Martinez Monster spray repellent, a courage drink, a flashlight, and a pillowcase and blanket are part of a package that senior Kelli Lampkin describes as her biggest accomplishment at FSU. She’s the founder of Monsters B Gone, a bedtime product line for children afraid of the dark and of monsters. The idea for Monsters B Gone began years ago when Lampkin was a babysitter and created a monster spray for her younger cousins and other Continued on 2
Seminole Torchbearers’ Nominations Nominations are being accepted for the 2011 Seminole Torchbearers Induction. Torchbearers are Florida State students and alumni who are exceptional leaders. To nominate students complete the online nomination form: torchbearers.fsu.edu/nominations.html. Nominations must be submitted by Feb. 25. If you have difficulties viewing the online form or have any questions, e-mail Andy Mauk at amauk@admin.fsu.edu. Students nominated should be juniors or seniors or enrolled in a professional school (graduate, law, medical) in the year of induction; have demonstrated a commitment to enhancing student life both on campus and in the surrounding community; and have a desire to continue their service and support of FSU as alumni. facebook.com/fsustudentpublications
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Monster Fighter: Kelli Lampkin
children she was taking care of who were afraid. “The whole going-to-sleep experience was made much easier when you had an interactive monster banishing ritual,” Lampkin said. When she was younger and afraid of the dark her parents gave her a “courage drink” made of milk and green food coloring. These anecdotes came together to form Monsters B Gone, which Lampkin first pitched at a Collegiate Entrepreneur Organization event. She qualified for a competition in November in Chicago, where she was a finalist. Over the winter break she presented a business plan in a regional competition held in Destin, Florida, hosted by 850 Business Magazine and won third place. Lampkin hopes to use the $1,000 cash prize she won to do more research on her Monsters B Gone line, specifically to develop and patent a formula for the courage drink and monster repellent. She hopes to include lavender in the monster repellent spray and chamomile in the courage drink. Both are known calming agents. “Interacting with my younger cousins has been my favorite part of the whole process,” she said. “Maybe one day they’ll want to be in business after being my ‘market researchers.’” Lampkin’s class was the first accepted into the new Entrepreneurship major, which began in the fall of 2009. Students were randomly assigned groups and then created and pitched their own companies, referred to as “venture developments.” “We were their guinea pigs,” she said. Last semester
new students started the program and Lampkin founded an advisory board for the juniors to mentor the sophomores. “I am always really energized by my fellow cohorts and the amazing projects all the students are doing,” she said. “We all feel such support from each other.” Thanks to the advisory board, the students were able to apply for a $300 grant through the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship, an institute at the College of Business that sets up degree and certificate programs in entrepreneurship, outreach programs in Florida, and complementary activities such as speakers and workshops. Through this funding they were able to double the number of companies started, from six the previous year to 13, and pushed forward the “launch date” of each company from January to before Thanksgiving. This gave students more of an opportunity to succeed and develop their companies. Students who are interested in creating small businesses are encouraged to apply to the Entrepreneurship Major at the College of Business. “The College of Business is incredibly supportive and generous,” she said. “I’m really lucky to be a part of this program.” It is a three-year program; you must apply during your freshman year and begin taking classes during your sophomore year. Enrollment is limited to 30 students per year. Admission criteria include academic achievement, evidence of prior entrepreneurial activity and an essay. Still interested in entrepreneurship but not as a major? The Jim Moran Institute offers a 13-credit-hour Certificate in Entrepreneurship for Business Majors and 12-credit-hour Certificate for Arts, Sciences, and Non-Business Majors. Anyone can apply and the programs are designed for junior and senior undergraduate students.
Lunar Banquet
By Claudia Martinez
TIPS, News to Use, is the newsletter of Student Publications, an affiliated project of the Student Government Association of Florida State University. E-mail submissions to mharris2@ admin.fsu.edu. Graphic Designer Adrianna Cournoyer. Assistant Editor/Columnist Tiffany Lettsome. Designer/Assistant Editor Renatta Griffith. TIPS, A302 Oglesby Union, (850) 644-0037.
To celebrate the Asian New Year, the Asian-American Student Union, the Vietnamese Student Association and the Chinese Language and Culture Association will hold their annual Lunar Banquet on Feb. 9 from 6:30 - 10 pm in the Oglesby Union Ballrooms. The Chinese and Vietnamese follow a lunar calendar, and they celebrate the New Year between February and March. At the end of the twelfth moon, they have huge celebrations where the streets are filled with parades, fireworks and dragon dancing, and adults give children money in red envelopes as a sign of good fortune. Here at Florida State the tradition will continue as all the tickets to the event will be inside red envelopes. Tickets will be handed out a week before the event at the Student Activities Center on the third floor of the Union or at the Asian-American Student Union office on the third floor of the Center for Multicultural Affairs. Any student can come to this free event, but admission is only guaranteed if you have a ticket. At a sit-down dinner catered by Lucy Ho’s, traditional dishes will include egg rolls, crab rangoon, fried dumplings, beef and broccoli, vegetable lo mein, fried rice and Chinese mocha cake. Throughout dinner there will be dancing, skits explaining the Year of the Rabbit, video presentations and a photo booth to take pictures with friends. Sean Viray, director of the Asian-American Student Union, said, “It’s going to have a great scene of authentic decorations celebrating our cultural origins. In the past the Lunar Banquet has been an Asian showcase of culture, but now we’re trying to bring it back to its roots of Chinese and Vietnamese celebration.” The actual lunar celebration is Feb. 3, but Viray said that “although we’re celebrating a little late, we’re still going to make it very special for students.” TIPS, SGA Student Publications, January 2011, Vol. 3, No. 8
NAACP Celebrates 102nd Anniversary By Kestrel Ambrose
The FSU chapter of America’s oldest civil rights organization, the NAACP, in February will celebrate the national group’s founding, host Black History Month seminars and award a $500 scholarship before holding spring events that include a health fair and a talent show. To commemorate the NAACP’s founding, on Feb. 12, 1909, the FSU chapter will host a birthday banquet. The banquet will highlight the achievements of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, a group that works to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination. “A lot of people don’t realize how old the organization is or realize the history behind it,” said Jalencia Barr, FSU NAACP president. “They don’t understand the role that NAACP has played in the development of African Americans in this country and how far we have come Jalencia Barr because of its achievements.” Barr said the group wants the event to be fun but also educational. “We’re hoping to have a guest speaker, a few performances and from there have a night of fun,” she said. To get details about NAACP activities, join their Facebook Group “I Love FSU’s Chapter of NAACP” or contact them via email at fsunaacp1909@yahoo.com. After its founder’s day celebration, the chapter has a packed schedule for the rest of the semester. “We’ll be hosting a series of seminars in February in line with Black
History Month,” Barr said. “One seminar we’re planning to host will address African American development. We’ll take a look at how far we’ve come in areas such as politics, music and entertainment and other areas.” The organization is also planning a seminar on the American presidency. “We’re going to look into detail on what President Obama has really done or accomplished since taking office,” she said. Barr said that the event is not meant to criticize the president and is an examination of the people’s expectations for Obama versus what he’s done so far. “I think that people have become really relaxed in his position and think that he is going to focus solely on African Americans,” Barr said. “People need to realize that he is president of the entire United States, not just one group of people.” NAACP is also giving away a $500 scholarship for college students at all levels. Students can apply from Feb. 1 – 28. After Black History, NAACP will move forward with its Spring Week events. NAACP Spring week will be held March 27 – April 7. Events will include a health fair, a race relations seminar and their annual Tribute to the Decades showcase. NAACP is always looking for new members. “I always say that you’re planting another seed into a rich history,” Barr said. “Your membership in the organization is saying that you do care, that you want to see NAACP and African Americans thrive.” Barr said that being a paid member helps to keep the organization running. Barr said that the organization set the bar for other civil rights groups and made it possible for minority groups to step out of the shadows. “Our history sets us apart from other organizations on campus,” she said. “If it wasn’t for NAACP, you wouldn’t see a lot of other groups here on campus. I’m honored to be part of an organization that paved the way for me.”
Meet…
Sheerwood: Biz Owner By Yanique Banton
By Tiffany Lettsome
Charlie Andrews
Devan Leavins
Chaquana Lee
Charlie Andrews, co-president of Synoptikos, is a second-year graduate student seeking a Master of Science degree in Planning. Synoptikos promotes professional and intellectual stimulation among students on topics related to urban and regional planning through workshops, seminars, receptions and other social events. Devan Leavins, copresident of Synoptikos, is a second-year graduate student seeking a Master of Science in Planning. Chaquana Lee, president of Lambda Alpha Epsilon, is a senior who is majoring in Criminal Justice and Psychology. The criminal justice fraternity is open to all majors and its mission is to encourage the establishment and expansion of higher education and professional training in criminal justice and to promote
Julissa Mendez
Nicole Weinstein
professional, academic, and public awareness of criminal justice issues. Julissa Mendez, president of RENEW, is a senior majoring in Advertising. Realizing Everyone’s Need for Emotional Wellness is a peer education program sponsored by the University Counseling Center. RENEW provides presentations and one-on-one sessions on emotional wellness topics such as time and stress management, study skills, healthy relationships and conflict resolution. Nicole Weinstein, president of FSU Belly Dancers, is a senior majoring in International Affairs and Psychology. The belly dancers promote cultural diversity, self-esteem and health through the art of belly dance. “Meet...,” e-mail Tiffany Lettsome details and a photograph to tsl08@fsu.edu.
Alicia Sheerwood, encouraged as a youngster by her parents to be self-motivated and independent, has gone into business for herself. “Why work for someone when you can work for yourself,” said Sheerwood, a fourth-year Graphic Design major from Miami and the owner of a threeyear-old graphic design company, Sheerwood Studios. Her clients include the Tallahassee Democrat, Level8 and Laurilyn P. Archibald Foundation. When she was in second grade, one of Alicia Sheerwood her first art pieces of a fish was displayed on the cafeteria wall at her elementary school, and ever since then her mother named her the next Picasso. Sheerwood continued in art by attending Design Architecture Senior High. She progressed from doing still life art, and in time she moved on to conceptual art, exploring design fundamentals. She said this helped her develop a keen eye for detail. After exploring art, she developed an interest in graphic design. Her drive and passion for the field allowed her to find ways to challenge herself outside of the classroom. This is how her business began. “I got the idea while in high school, making designs, logos in my community,” she said. “After a couple of years making Continued on 4
TIPS, SGA Student Publications, January 2011, Vol. 3, No. 8
Sam O’Hara: Becoming a Scientist By Rachel Sanderford
Sam O’Hara
Growing up surrounded by the sun and the shore, Sam O’Hara, a senior and a Biochemistry major with honors, became intrigued by science, a field in which she soon expects to be published alongside her adviser. “I have always seen the diversity of the ocean,” O’Hara said, as “the perfect place to look for medically relevant novel chemicals.” She is working with thermodynamics and catalysis. With Dr. Brian Miller, her adviser, she will submit her work to journals. As a child, the native of Orlando, Fla., saw trips to the doctor as a fun way to explore the body and mind. Her fascination has led her to want to work in a medically relevant position. She said each medical problem she had
Corazon Dancers
By Keyla Cherena
A salsa dance group that often performs on Market Wednesdays, the Corazon Dancers, will hold a two-day celebration ending with their 10th Year Social. Alex Beck, a member said that “when I came to Tallahassee from Miami, I was really missing the Latin culture. Corazon filled that gap in a way I couldn’t have imagined. I’m so glad I found this company.” Instead of their usual Fundraising Fridays, in which the group gives dancing lessons to raise money for their group, on Friday, Jan. 28, they are shaking things up a bit by giving it a theme: Remake Night. Remake Night will include songs from Coldplay to Michael Jackson remixed. President José Rodriguez said “we want to grasp the non-Hispanic community here in Tallahassee.” Remake Night will take place at Margo’s Studio at 451 West Gaines St., and will start at 8 pm with Cha Cha for all levels, followed by Salsa at 9 pm for beginner, intermediate and advanced levels, all taught by the Corazon Dancers.
Clutch Magazine
By Yanique Banton
Soon you’ll be able to CLUTCH a copy of the Collegiate Merchandising Association’s free purselike magazine. But first you may want to help the CMA produce the tenth issue of their self-described “essential accessory” that focuses on fashion, beauty and style for college students. b “Our goal for each issue is to bridge the quality gap between CLUTCH and the magazines you find at Barnes & Noble,” Ashley Wilson, editor-in-chief, said of FSU’s first successful fashion publication that is owned and operated by students. b Founded in the fall of 2006, the magazine is published once each semester. It has been recognized by the Tallahassee Democrat and, in March 2007, MTV’s TRL (Total Request Live) included a feature segment on CLUTCH in its broadcast. The next edition is to be released March 16. “While we strive for the best every semester, this issue is especially important to us because it is our tenth,” Wilson said. “This anniversary issue, along with its release party, is a celebration of CLUTCH’s growth in the past five years.” Issues will be available at many local boutiques, salons, sorority houses and the CMA table during Market Wednesdays. The magazine hosts model castings to promote beauty and to
made her pursue medicine and science with passion so that she can help others. O’Hara began as a counselor at Camp Boggy Creek, a haven for terminally ill children. She participated in a medical mission to Buff Bay, Jamaica, and volunteered at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. Then her chance came to combine her love for the ocean and science. In the summer of 2008, during a two-month research trip to Australia, she saw the influence the ocean and its inhabitants have on science. The main focus was on marine conservation. That led to her interest in The Scripps Institute of Oceanography at the University of California in San Diego, where she is awaiting an admission decision. She said Scripps would help her “join the ranks of professional world class scientists.” She has been accepted by the University of Texas in Austin, University of Colorado in Boulder and UC Davis. Remake Night Social will begin at 10 pm, and it is an open dance floor. All students get in for $5 with their student ID. Continuing their anniversary spectacular on Saturday, Jan. 29, the group will offer free afternoon workshops at the Student Life Center. Workshops will start at 2 pm with a Meet-n-Greet and Bachata (a style of dance that originated in the Dominican Republic), and at 3 pm Beginners Salsa, both taught by the Corazon Dancers. Guest instructors will begin at 4 pm with Intermediate Salsa A for those who will be taught by the Gators Salsa Club, and Intermediate Salsa B being taught by G2G Salsa from Destin, Fla., simultaneously. At 5 pm Salsa Heat from Orlando will be teaching Advanced Salsa. Manuel Dos Santos, a Canadian instructor and professional dancer that the Corazon Dancers met during an L.A. Salsa Congress dance competition, will be teaching a Musicality and Styling workshop at 5 pm. Attendance to all the workshops is not required. Students can pick and choose. Later in the night dress to impress when attending the Corazon’s 10th Year Social, also on Saturday, Jan. 29. The social will begin at 10 pm at Margo’s Studio and continues till 3 a.m. Entrance is $8 for everyone. Contact the group at Facebook Group: The Corazón Dancers of Tallahassee. convey the essence of individual style in professional photo shoots. During the daylong process, models receive professional hair styles, makeup services and styling techniques. CLUTCH has openings for people interested in writing, styling, editing or taking photographs. The next CMA meetings are Wednesday, Feb.2, at 8 pm in Union 313-315 and Tuesday, Feb. 15, at 8 pm in SSB 203.
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Sheerwood: Biz Owner
designs, I became interested in the management aspect of graphic design versus designing.” At FSU her skills continued to grow through her class work. Sheerwood also read business “How To” books. One problem this 19-year-old is facing is being unable to buy proper equipment for some jobs because of finances. At times she could also use another worker. To combat some of the difficulties, Sheerwood plans to network with larger companies and to intern for various companies. “Balancing being a full-time student and trying to have a successful thriving business is hard,” Sheerwood said. Sheerwood aspires to move to New York City, where she plans to earn a Master’s degree in Design Management and establish her company. She hopes to turn Sheerwood Studios into a marketing firm that will provide services in graphic design and photography. Sheerwood also wants to mentor young women in the community who are dealing with issues with college entrance exams and preparation for college. Sheerwood can be reached at aliciasheerwood@gmail.com.
Mandatory Financial Training for RSOs Every student director/president and financial officer, excluding those funded by the Sports Club Council, that received funding from Bill 2010 or plan to request funding during the 2010/11 fiscal year must complete the SGA or COGS on-line financial certification packet. This training is designed to teach the policies and procedures for requesting and expending A&S funds. The certification packet includes the 2010 Financial Manual, financial quiz and mandatory forms. There are two certifications: one for SGA organizations and the other for SGA graduate organizations who receive
funding from COGS, LSAC or MSC. Upon completion, print out the necessary documentation and take it to either the SGA accounting or the COGS office for review. The certification packets are at the following websites: SGA http://www.fsu.edu/sga/sgaacct/ and COGS http://sga.fsu.edu/ sgaacct/_PDF/FINANCIAL_CERTIFICATION_2010. If you have any questions or concerns, call the SGA Accounting and Advising Office at telephone number 850 644-0940 (A209 Oglesby Union) or the COGS Office at 850 644-7166 (245 Askew Student Life Center). TIPS, SGA Student Publications, January 2011, Vol. 3, No. 8