Harford Owl Magazine Summer/Fall 2013

Summer/Fall 2013 Spice: Harmful And habit-forming P.6 Confident: the new skinny P.9

Summer/Fall 2013

EDITOR IN CHIEF John Parks

Owl Magazine Wins National Honors

ART DIRECTOR Brianna Breece

CHIEF OF PRODUCTION Stephanie Perkins

MANAGING EDITOR Will Martin

PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR Joshua Eller

ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR Laurise McMillian

BUSINESS MANAGER Rachel Mitchell

EDITORIAL STAFF Matt Dippel, James Greene, Nadia Kaczkowski

WRITING STAFF Alexandra Lotz, Nick Dement, Joey Privett, Karen Watson

PHOTOGRAPHY STAFF Jennifer Hawks, Jennifer Lewis, Leanna Wheatley, Helen Reimand, James Trudeau

DESIGN STAFF Danielle Frater, Gabriela Kostadinova, Grayson Karr, Tobias Pilachowski, Eliana Pisciotta, Manuel Reyes, Antwain Shaw

CHIEF ADVISER Claudia Brown

TECHNICAL ADVISER Philip Roszak

BUSINESS ADVISER Joseph Cunningham

PRINT PUBLISHER Stockson Printing Company

CONTRIBUTED IMAGES AncientKale, arcticjuniper, EmberFiremane, Kool and the Gang

FRONT PAGE AND BACK PAGE PHOTOGRAPHY John Morin

CONTACT US:

Harfowl@harford.edu

Join the Staff

Our first obstacle as a newborn

With each issue we ask ourselves,

magazine was a dead horse named

“Who are we as a student magazine?”

Dubar II.

and “How can we get better?”

As strange as that may sound, it’s

Answering these questions has led

entirely true. We had covered this

us to some amazing opportunities:

story about a legendary racehorse

interviewing Elizabeth Smart, covering

buried on campus and now we had to

the Occupy Wall Street movement in

figure out how to design the front page

NYC, and discovering investments in

to showcase it. We discussed, debated,

asteroid mining.

plotted and debated again how we

the

recent

would present our premier issue. We

Association

At

Apple

College

even pulled a passerby in the hall into

Magazine won 2nd place for Best Two-

one of our meetings to get his unbiased

Page Spread for our “Crash Course

input.

in Counterculture” piece from our

Awards,

Media Owl

“The Owl Magazine staff has been on a tremendous journey of struggle, hard work, and discovery.”

Ironically enough, we led with a

Summer 2012 issue and 2nd place in

different story that we thought would

the Best Magazine Cover category for

have more student appeal. That’s not to

our Winter 2012 issue. It is an honor to

say that we didn’t get mixed feedback

have all of our hard work recognized at

anyway. The important thing, however,

the national level!

is that we had worked together to create it; this magazine was ours.

We are still growing as a magazine, discovering our “identity,” but through

Ever since, the Owl Magazine staff

dedication and the input of our valued

has been on a tremendous journey of

readers, we know we can get better.

struggle, hard work, and discovery.

And we prove that with every issue.

Owl Magazine | Table

4

Hungry for Sports Whatever team you’re rooting for this season, enjoy our staff’s take on three great sports bars.

8

Dropping Out to Rise Above the Rest Being a high school dropout doesn’t necessarily hurt your future.

6

Spice: Harmful and Habit-Forming

A student’s cautionary tale of synthetic marijuana addiction should make you think twice about using this legal alternative.

10

Proud to Be a Brony

Will Martin delves into his life-altering experiences as an unexpected fan of My Little Pony.

5

of contents

A Night Out at The Fillmore Share the experience of Maryland’s most bassdroppingly awesome musical venue.

12 Challenges of the Third Returning to college after years out of the classroom?

Find out that you’re not alone.

Confident: The New Skinny

9

Discover the unlikely source that helped one student feel better about her body and ultimately herself.

Let’s Get Physical

14

Our take on the new HCC Fitness Center: reliable, convenient, and free.

restaurant review | Summer/Fall 2013

Hungry for Sports

The Cowboy Burger ($10.49) is a delicacy at The Greene Turtle, but it’s far from the only game day meal in town.

By Matt Dippel and Joey Privett | Photography by Helen Reimand | Owl Staff The big game is coming on and you’re

that other wing chain in town,) and tossed

recipes to shame. The cream of crab soup

tired of watching at home; you want to

in one of their many delicious homemade

is made fresh in house daily, the constantly

get out and enjoy it with your friends. You

sauces. Ask for the sauce you need to sign

changing seafood selection is always fresh,

want someone to share the same excited

a waiver to eat; it’s really good.

and the vegetables are locally grown.

or depressed feelings you get when your

The Greene Turtle is the perfect place

But the real treats at Bitner’s are the

to go for a big, crowded, social atmosphere

steaks and burgers. Cut from a massive slab

Harford County sports some great

while enjoying some standard bar food

of top round, the steaks are individually

places to eat and enjoy the game with a

and cold beers. They offer your standard

seasoned and grilled to order. The Deer

choice for every taste. C.R. Wings has

bar fare; chicken tenders, steamed shrimp,

Creek Burgers are a specialty, and with $5

team triumphs or fails.

“Harford County sports some great places to eat and enjoy the game with a choice for every taste.” the hookup for the best wings buffalo

fries, mozzarella sticks and the like. Being

specials, you can’t go wrong with one of

style, The Greene Turtle provides the big

a chain, though, the food is somewhat

the many signature burgers like the BBQ

crowded bar atmosphere complete with

lacking. If you’re looking for some good

Bacon Cheddar or Chipotle Burger.

an unreasonable amount of giant TV’s,

eats and a more subdued atmosphere,

and Bruce Bitner’s Café and Grille serves

then Bruce Bitner’s is the way to go.

up gourmet food with an “everybody knows your name” atmosphere.

C.R. Wings is located behind Chili’s and Taco Bell in Bel Air. They serve up the best

4

Possibly the best part of Bitner’s is the friendly atmosphere. A small, consistent

Bruce Bitner’s Café and Grille is an

staff will learn your name immediately

underappreciated culinary gem in Bel

and bring you back for more. The highly

Air with a down home atmosphere of

social regular bar crowd will get you

friendliness and familiarity.

involved in the conversation no matter if

buffalo wings in Harford County, fried to

Bitner’s prepares nearly everything

crispy perfection when you order them

from scratch, including a delicious crab

(none of that weak, baked business from

fondue appetizer that puts other bars’

you are a familiar or fresh face.

Harford County sports bars offer up something different for everybody.

Owl Magazine | Night

out

The Fillmore

A Night of Lights and Magic

By Nick Dement | Photography by Jennifer Lewis | Owl Staff

There is a semi-local venue that has

The building is separated into three

there in front of them most of

captured a place in my beating heart. The

floors. The bottom contains a bar (one

the time. This also is, admittedly,

Fillmore in Maryland is a great place to

of three bars, actually) and bathrooms,

because I love Primus and their

kick back and relax at the bar or dance

the middle houses the stage where most

performance is so captivating.

your heart out.

of the magic happens (as well as another

Located in Silver Spring, The Fillmore

The frontman, Les Claypool, is

bar), and the top is a balcony

a maestro of all things bass, and

is a little over an hour’s drive away from

overlooking the stage –

the guitar work and drumming

Bel Air, which for anyone who enjoys a

great for escaping all the

in between his shenanigans was

night out is quite a short drive. The venue

people crowded below.

spectacular. Imagine a glowing

is fairly priced with many acts about $50

(Also upstairs is another

space gnome flying down on

a ticket - ideal for college students who

bar!)

you, grabbing your attention.

“Imagine a glowing space gnome flying down on you, grabbing your attention. Now he shoots you with a vortex gun, sucking you in.”

Now he shoots you with a vortex gun, sucking you in. This is the combination I felt at the time. The twenty or so feet between was shrunk to feel like twenty inches.

The Fillmore does not limit their events to music, either. While I have seen artists such as Primus, Alanis

tend to have money going in many direc-

Despite the large area,

Morissette, and Between the Buried

tions such as car payments, bills, and

I didn’t feel much inti-

and Me on their fliers, they also host

food.

macy was lost. A howler

comedy acts like Adam Sandler.

The first thing that caught my eye

monkey screaming at

when I walked through the doors of

you from 30 feet is scary,

fair bunch, allowing all the moshing

the Fillmore was its size. The only

but one that is 30 inches

and crowd surfing one could wish

word to describe it is spacey, both in

away is terrifying.

for. I left the place with a satisfied

As far as security goes, they are a

size and atmosphere; the area is large,

Although I was in the

soul and a very strong urge to find

the air hazy. Nowhere the size for an

center of the crowd, I had

this elusive space gnome again. I

arena-worthy band like Queen, but also

a clear view of the band.

recommend everyone to find their

far larger than the smaller venues in

And since the Fillmore has

space gnome experience as well,

Baltimore like the Sidebar, which is the

a huge screen behind the

and for 50 bucks, it doesn’t get much

size of a living room.

stage, I felt as if I was right

better than this.

55

Summer/Fall 2013

SPICE: Harmful and Habit-Forming

How Synthetic Substitutes Nearly Destroyed Me

By Anonymous | Photography by Jennifer Hawks | Owl Staff

hat does addiction mean to

Divonorum

have

been

commercially

These

products

contain

dried,

you? What constitutes being

available for over a decade, used originally

shredded plant material and chemical

an “addict”? A heroin user desperately

by Mazatec shamans during spiritual

additives that are responsible for their

roaming the city streets, willing to commit

healing sessions. Salvia has traditionally

psychoactive effects… i.e. absolutely

any petty, pathetic act for his fix? A

been looked at as marijuana’s slightly

nothing natural like cannabis or salvia.

cigarette smoker nervously walking about,

more psychedelic counterpart, and most

The reason I started smoking spice

chewing her fingernails, snapping angrily

tokers will attest to having tried it.

regularly

at anyone in her path, having gone mere hours without a dose of nicotine?

Spice has been available for a couple of years now, hidden about head shops and

(multiple

times

daily)

is

irrelevant, but the story I wish to tell is anything but.

These are two of the most common

some of the seedier gas stations around

examples of addiction, but my own

Harford County. Spice is a psychoactive

legal drug that was a

experiences with substance abuse showed

designer drug, a combination of herbal

drive from home, no worries about

me that addiction is a relative term and is

mixtures

experiences

availability or illegality. It was sold two

not so easy to define.

similar to marijuana that are marketed

ways as I remember it; the less potent

as safe and legal—and dubiously labeled

4g jars for around $20, the strong stuff

“not for human consumption.”

in 1g bags for $25 and up.

Synthetic substitutes for marijuana are nothing new; products labeled Salvia

6

that

produce

At first it was nice, really. A cheap, five minute

Owl Magazine | HEALTH

It gave me a nice, even high for sure: Elation, giggles, music sounded better,

front porch where I collapsed in the fetal position.

This continued for months. I slowly came to realize that I was spending

and munchies. But that was the stuff

The cold brick felt so good on my face.

over a hundred dollars a week on a

that came in the jars. You couldn’t really

I vomited (a lot, and for a long time).

drug that was making me hate myself.

smoke enough to get messed up, but it

My heart continued to race even faster,

I couldn’t sleep, eat, or socially

was okay. Aside from the nasty taste it

my vision faded to black, and I began to

function without my frequent fixes. I

left lingering in your mouth for hours

cry, still feeling nauseous. I swore I was

was sneaking behind the dumpster at

and headaches that came after a heavy

dying. I guess this is the high that I had

work to get a quick puff in between

night of smoking.

been looking for.

cigarette breaks. I gained weight; I

After a while, it just stopped working.

So after that night, I threw away the

began forgetting things I shouldn’t

I chalked it up to tolerance and sprang

spice and went about my business and

have, and on the whole I just felt...

for a bag of Spike Max: one gram for

never looked back. I was better without

dull.

$25 (estimated street value of marijuana

it – it was dangerous.

is $20/gram). This was the potent stuff

Every day consisted of wading

Except, that didn’t happen. I kept

through molasses. Going through the

smoking, carefully gauging the amount I

motions was now second to smoking

It was a mistake.

smoked so as not to get sick; to get to that

spice.

I vividly remember that night. It

perfectly intoxicated spot between reality

that could really f*** you up.

was cold out, close to Christmas. I

and insanity that spice could provide.

I kicked the habit after a week spent laying in bed shivering, sweating, and

tore open the bag voraciously, looking

But it was such a thin line; I overshot

just being generally miserable. I’ve

forward to my fix (at that point it was

it plenty of times and relived that cold

had friends and even relatives who

“My heart continued to race even faster, my vision faded to black, and I began to cry.” already a “fix,” whether I knew it or

night over and over, sweating and sick,

have been through the same situation,

not), and dumped a full bowl’s worth

heart racing. I found that as the days

who have witnessed the side effects of

of the herbal mixture into my glass

and weeks went by I needed to smoke

prolonged use of spice firsthand.

pipe. I flicked the lighter and inhaled,

more and more to feel normal. I smoked

The irony of the whole situation

savoring the cloyingly artificial sweet

fewer cigarettes because they made me

is that the general opinion on spice

flavor.

nauseous while on spice.

is that its legality somehow lends

I finished the whole thing in about

I rationalized this as a good thing. I

credibility to the product’s safety,

five minutes, and felt damn good, too.

got horrible chills if I had to go more

making it an especially attractive

A nice heady high with some relatively

than a few hours without a smoke. I

alternative to marijuana.

pleasant bodily effects. I remember

remember that I’d smoke an obscene

Spice is marketed as “not for human

feeling floaty. So I smoked a cigarette

amount before bedtime, and when I

consumption,” and is sold in bags

and went inside to watch TV.

inevitably woke up to use the bathroom,

marked “herbal incense” or “organic

I couldn’t fall back asleep without a

sachets.” Regardless of the name, the

couple puffs.

product is a blatant legal alternative

Then, things got weird. The room started spinning; I began sweating. My vision started to blur, break, then return

The first thing I did upon opening my

to marijuana, and many consider it a

to normal. My heart was racing and my

eyes in the morning was reach for my

safer alternative. This is obviously not

stomach turning. I vaguely remember

glass pipe and jar of spice. Then, I’d try

the case and people need to be aware

stripping off all of my clothes, save for

to find my glasses. It made me that kind

that “legal” does not always entail

boxers, and stumbling outside to the

of backwards.

“safe.”

7

VOICES | Summer/Fall 2013

Dropping Out to Rise Above the Rest

By Stephanie Perkins | Photography by Leanna Wheatley | Owl Staff How do you remember your time

After receiving my GED, I enrolled at

everyone under a certain age. I strongly

in high school? When I talk to most

HCC when I was 17. I rose through the

believe it should be dealt with on a case-

of my friends about their high school

ranks of the student newspaper staff

by-case basis.

experience, many of them look back

and became the Editor in Chief as well

If they continue to keep the dropout

with fond memories. Lunch with friends,

as a charter member of the Journalism

age at 18, I think that anyone under that

senior prom, graduation day – you name

club during my time in college. While

age should be able to have a hearing

it. However, I never remembered my

I was able to accomplish all of this, the

with school officials if they want to drop

brief time in high school in such a way.

opportunity is dwindling for current

out. I agree that not every student under

students in Maryland’s school system.

the age of 18 should have the right to

A majority of my time between my two high schools was spent either relentlessly

In 2015, Maryland will enforce a law

drop out of school, but I believe that if

being made fun of and bothered by

that requires a student to be 17 in order

they present good enough reasons and a

“I know I wouldn’t be as successful as I am today if I was not given the opportunity to drop out of high school.“ my peers or staying at home to avoid

to drop out; that age will increase to 18

well-thought out plan for their future, it

said harassment and assignments that

by 2017. Maryland is currently the only

should at the very least be considered.

I never completed. I let my depression

state that responded to President Obama’s

The point is high school isn’t for

pretty much consume my life for about

recommendation to raise the dropout age

everyone. I know I wouldn’t be as

half of my schooling career, and my

in his State of the Union address from

successful as I am today if I was not

classmates who didn’t understand and

January 2012.

given the opportunity to drop out of

felt the need to make me the object of

While I understand the intention of

high school and pursue my GED, and I

their jokes didn’t really help much either.

wanting to keep teenagers in school, it’s

would hate for that to be out of reach for

After considering all of my options and

not helping those who would actually

students who would genuinely benefit

consulting with several adults, I dropped

benefit from dropping out by barring

from doing so.

out right after my 16 birthday. th

There’s this ugly stereotype that high

school

dropouts

are

moronic,

unmotivated individuals that are content with working minimum wage jobs and leeching off the government for the rest of their lives.

However, many who buy into this stereotype don’t bother to accept how successful I am because I’m a high school dropout. I took my GED test five months after I dropped out. Not only did I pass the test, but my score was equivalent to graduating high school with honors.

8

In 2015, Maryland will enforce a law that requires a student to be 17 in order to drop out; that age will increase to 18 by 2017.

Owl Magazine | VOICES

Confident: The New Skinny

By Alexandra Lotz | Photography by John Parks | Owl Staff At least three of my friends have been diagnosed with anorexia. Two of these friends have recovered from it, but the other friend has been struggling with it for over a year.

Another friend’s mom took drastic measures to lose weight and decided to undergo gastric bypass surgery. Now, she is severely malnourished and eating a cup of food makes her ill. Her daughter, who is very close friends with the anorexic girl, has been on-and-off dieting ever since I met her in the third grade.

“I thought I would never be as confident as those girls on Chubby Bunnies, but the longer I followed the blog, the more confident I became.”

It’s a shame that we push each other to points where we are so unhappy with ourselves, and then we blame that pressure on society. Newsflash: we are society, so it is time to make a change.

Instead of obsessing over personal appearance, embrace your own personal style with pride.

Bodies can do amazing things. Our bones may break, our tissues may tear,

In high school, I felt like I did not fit

body positivity, the school of thought

and we may go through a great deal

in. While other girls would wear brightly

that accepts all body types as healthy,

of pain, but our body handles all those

colored, tight-fitting clothes from stores

beautiful, and worthy.

things and then heals itself. And here we

in the mall, I would sit in class wearing

After scrolling through a few pages

the same hoodie every day to cover up

of the site, I decided to follow the blog.

the fact that I was ashamed of my body.

At first, I felt awkward and ashamed

Back in high school, those things

Today, I am a different person.

because I thought I would never be

didn’t even occur to me. Instead I was

My “transformation” began when I

as confident as those girls on Chubby

too busy feeling ashamed that my

discovered the blog Chubby Bunnies on

Bunnies, but the longer I followed the

torso was thick and my butt was big. I

Tumblr, a blogging platform. The blog

blog, the more confident I became.

feel much more confident today than I

features tons of pictures of “chubby”

While

I

found

comfort

are, spending our time worrying about how much we weigh.

and

did when I was 16. Now, when I wear

women who show off their style and

encouragement

chubby

a hoodie in class it’s not because I feel

confidence. The bloggers are a great

bloggers, I know many people who have

insecure; it’s just because the classroom

community of people who support

fallen prey to just the opposite.

is a little chilly.

in

fellow

9

proud to Be

How My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Changed My Life

P

By Will Martin | Photography by John Parks | Owl Staff onder the following: a Flash-animated television

for quality entertainment brought us together in a way perhaps

series intended for six-year-old girls reboots a long

only the Internet could. We are Bronies.

derided 1980’s property about colorful ponies. The series ends

My introduction to Bronyism brought me out of, as

up several thousand times better than it has any right to be. It

mentioned prior, a very dark place. Familial issues including

comes to the attention of a bitter, cynical young man and in a

alcoholism and divorce tore my family apart. Political and social

very short time enraptures him and alters his very outlook on

conflicts seemed to divide the world beyond repair. The future

humanity.

seemed hopeless, with acts of kindness regarded as futile and

Would anyone truly believe such a story upon initially hearing it? Perhaps not, but I intend to provide proof. Living proof in fact, for I am that young man. I am a Brony.

attempts to bridge humanity’s rifts not only failing but also seemingly undesired. I wept for the future day after day.

Then, everything changed out of nowhere. In late 2011, I

Something that began with a few online jokes has evolved

was visiting my best friend and he mentioned that My Little Pony

into a cultural phenomenon: a loyal fanbase of adult men and

had been rebooted into a legitimately good cartoon, My Little

women, animation enthusiasts, artists, writers, and musicians

Pony: Friendship is Magic, airing since late 2009 on The Hub.

whose open-mindedness, bizarre sense of humor, and desire

Looking back, what could be more fitting than to be introduced

10

a Brony through a friend’s advice? Trusting his

good the show was – animation, characters,

judgment, I sat down to watch the two-part

writing, music.”

pilot online and, by the end, realized I was

Thousands have already “joined the herd”

not only laughing harder than I had in a

due to how varied fan activities are, not

while, but also feeling bliss.

to mention recognition by outside parties.

By 2012, I was watching regularly, my

Besides the show’s staff having nothing but

love for this series only strengthening. I

respect for us, various Brony conventions

began keeping contact with many Bronies

have been meticulously (and expensively)

on official forums and even had the golden

organized in major cities.

opportunity to meet a multitude of them at

The counterculture has swept the globe;

a meetup at Baltimore’s Otakon in July of

between 4.0% and 6.8% of the Internet-

that year.

using U.S. population presently identify as

“All it takes is perusing some wonderful pony fan art, fan fiction, and forums to understand why so many are attracted to this immense following.”

Meet the herd

Devin Konstans Major: General Studies Best Pony: Twilight Sparkle “She highlights a realistic consequence of being praised for talent rather than effort.”

But a funny thing happened: as I became

Bronies, with the highest age range standing

a hardcore Brony, I found my whole attitude

between 21 and 29, according to survey

changing. My astonishment at the show’s

results on herdcensus.com. By experiencing

character depth and hilarity was matched

a culture with nurturing acquaintances living

only by lasting elation, a feeling brought on

by an unwritten policy of “love and tolerance”

by the attitude the series presented. I’m also

(an oft-debated phrase but one I highly

Carly White

far from the first to feel this way.

appreciate), my days of anger and depression

Major: General Studies Best Pony: Rainbow Dash “She is fun and outgoing just like me.”

“My outlook on life…is changed,” says

seem mostly behind me. MLP: FiM is more

sixteen-year-old Dominic Rotter of Texas,

than cute escapism. The moralistic aspect of

who was also introduced via friendly

it has genuinely helped many, from struggling

conversation. “Being a part of something that

students to active-duty soldiers, cope with

is so hated or looked down upon by others

problems and deduce means to fix them.

has honestly helped me learn to tolerate

There will, of course, always be those

things more. If something bothers me, I just

who do not understand us. But as more

let it pass by. Just because someone is into

continue to “join the herd,” I perceive that

something I’m not, or vise versa, doesn’t

wide acceptance of disparagement may

mean we still can’t get along.”

actually be dying. Some might call me

Then, there are some who simply found

overly optimistic, but all it takes is perusing

an outlet for creativity. Angela Jacklin, 20,

some wonderful pony fan art, fan fiction,

of Wyoming says, “I kind of don’t like the

and forums to understand why so many

majority of full on Bronies; they…freak me

are attracted to this immense following. To

out sometimes. [But] I was surprised how

those that are, brohoof!

Thomas Ebel Major: Mass Comm.

Best Pony: Fluttershy “She protects what she cares about fiercely.”

11

Summer/Fall 2013

Challenges of the Third Balancing School, Work, and Family as a Returning Student

By Karen Watson | Photography by Joshua Eller | Owl Staff

ou might think of college as

only had to learn new concepts, but

Marine who is also a first time student

an explosion of youth, but

also refresh my mind to what I had

at HCC pursuing a major in Paralegal

according to the Office of

already been taught years ago. I had

studies, began attending college after

Institutional Research, one third of the

to remember what an adverb was and

working construction jobs for many

student body at Harford Community

in which way it should be used. I had

years. Although she is grateful to be

College is over twenty-five years of

never used Microsoft Word before now!

back into an educational environment,

age. However, as a new student in my

I knew what a book report was, but not

the exper ienc e c omes wi t h a new

thirties, I had no idea if I was going to

an essay. I had to learn the “new ways”

problem. “They did not have Internet

be accepted by my peers when I first

of a school environment.

the last time I wrote an essay. Now

began my journey at HCC.

they expect me to know what I am

After jumping from one warehouse job to another, I realized that I was not getting any younger. With each passing year, this type of work became more taxing on me and I realized I needed to do something else with my life.

My dreams of being a teacher were slipping through my fingers, and with two children at home looking at me for more, I had to make a decision.

So I enrolled into Harford Community College as an English major.

During my time at HCC, I have faced ups and downs. I enjoy being a member of this community. I have met a lot of people I have come to admire, and I have learned so much. However, it is not easy when I have been away from a

doing, but I don’t. I need help through

“Older students often have more outside responsibilities than their younger classmates, but this tends not to prevent them from doing their work on time and well.”

- Professor Andrew Kellet

school environment for over ten years

Kelly had to learn the mechanics of being a college student. She adds that the professors at HCC have been very helpful in aiding her in the right direction to correct this problem. She visits the Tutoring Center in Fallston Hall and receives help from her professors during their office hours.

Another adult student, Maureen Forbes, shares a different kind of challenge for older students. She explains, “College can be challenging because of adult responsibilities. I have two jobs, a mortgage, and many other bills. I am no longer living a carefree life under my parents roof.” This tends to be a problem for any student that is

and the challenges faced are not always familiar.

that process.”

holding a job, raising children, paying These challenges that I have faced

bills, and going for a degree.

I had forgotten most of the math-

are not subject to one individual,

Though if students work hard and

ematics I learned in high school. I not

though. Kelly Walbeck, a former U.S.

give it their all, they can not lose.

12

Owl Magazine | Community Assistant Professor of History Andrew

Harford Community has set all of

Kellet adds, “Older students often

their students up for success. Whether

have more outside responsibilities

one gets aid from their professors

than their younger classmates, but this

or through resources available on

tends not to prevent them from doing

campus, help is only a building away.

their work on time and well.� He says

HCC has many resources available to

that students who take their education

all students that are in need of help

seriously will succeed in college, which

through gaining their degrees.

is what I think we all aim for.

Hopefully, through our challenges, older students can set an example for some of our younger peers. Although adult students do face some challenges that younger students may not, that does not mean that we cannot learn from each other. All students have a goal of receiving their degree and having a solid, desirable future.

RESOURCES * The Tutoring Center in Fallston Hall offers free tutoring in writing, math, and any subject as needed. Contact Diana Pinargotte at 443-412-2427 for additional information. * Student advising in the Student Center can assist with scheduling classes to fit your busy lifestyle. Walk-in hours are Monday-Friday or contact by email through www.harford.edu. *College Life offers an adult orientation each semester. Contact Sharon Adams at 443-412-2140 for details.

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Owl Magazine | sports

LET’S GET PHYSICAL

New Harford Fitness Center Now Open

By James Greene | Photography by James Trudeau & John Parks | Owl Staff

No matter what time of year it is, it can be tough for busy

Treadmills, rowing machines, exercise bikes, and other

students to find time to get to the gym, not to mention facing the

machines allow for a superior cardio workout. In addition, there

challenges of a tight budget. While local gym memberships vary

is a new swimming pool and auxiliary gym.

in price, the HCC fitness center offers a free alternative.

The staff of the fitness center is there to provide guidance and assistance for maintenance and equipment use. Tim Schneider,

“It’s a great place to work out and nicer than any gym I’ve ever been to.”

a facilitator, says that the abundance of windows allows for more natural light to come through. “The light allows for a more positive mood and workout,” says Schneider.

HCC student Kirby Kelbaugh appreciates the approachability of the fitness center staff. “They showed me how to use the equipment and helped make a fitness plan,” shares Kelbaugh. He

Conveniently located in HCC’s Susquehanna Center attached to the new APGFCU arena, the fitness center is open to students and employees alike. The interior of the new center increased in size to about five thousand square feet, which is about 50% more space than the old center.

also agrees that the new center has everything mainstream gyms do at nowhere near the cost.

Criminal Justice major Kyle Condon adds, “It’s a great place to work out and nicer than any gym I’ve ever been to.”

Don’t forget that there is no charge for the multiple benefits

Among the equipment are new, professional weight machines

that the fitness center offers; just remember to bring your student

to allow for a dynamic strength workout. There are bench and leg

ID. So whether you’re preparing for swimsuit season or getting in

presses, several pull-up bars, two professional squat bars, and so

a last-minute workout to prepare for the holidays, it’s not too late

much more.

to get into the best shape of your life at no cost.

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Owl Magazine’s staff thanks the Harford Community College Foundation for a Gifts of Innovation grant for attendance at the National College Media Association Convention in New York City.

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