PB Magazine March 2015

PB MAGAZINE M a r. 2 0 1 5

NEWS ARTS LIFESTYLE SPORTS

C ELEBRATING K EIZS ...a decade of service

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Teenager Graduates With Bachelor’s Degree From York While the average student takes at least four years to obtain a bachelor’s degree, one 19-year-old York College student, Trivendra Persaud, has managed to obtain his Psychology degree within two years of entering.

Persaud was four-years-old when he and his family moved from Guyana to the United States. They settled in Richmond Hill, Queens where they have been living for the past 15 years. Persaud attended P.S. 54 elementary school, then moved on to the York Early College Academy for his middle school and high school years.

Persaud graduated in from the academy in June 2013 where he had already completed 58 college credits.

The York Early College Academy is a program designed to prepare and allow middle and high school students to take college classes. Students from school district 28 are given the opportunity to enter college classrooms, where they have high academic efficiency and are given the option to become self-sufficient learners and to create a foundation to be successful later on. The program began in the fall of 2006 with 81 students entering the academy.

After graduating York Early College Academy in 2013, Persaud went straight into college life, where on his own terms he motivated himself to take classes during the winter, fall, spring and summer semesters at York. He managed to maintain a solid 3.4 GPA through his two-year college career.

“Growing up I was always motivated by myself as well as others to be the best that we can,” Persaud said.

Although he graduated with a degree in Psychology, that wasn’t always the plan.

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“I always wanted to be a computer engineer,” said Persaud. “But I soon realized that it was not my field of work. I was always fascinated by helping others and making a positive contribution to society,” Persaud said, speaking on his change of major.

Persaud said he decided to pursue a degree in Psychology since he had an interest in human behavior. He said he was curious as to how the human mind and body functioned. In addition to psychology, he claimed that he intends on doing his Master’s in Occupational Therapy since the classes for both program intertwine and correlate with each other.

Persaud’s long-term goal is to become a successful occupational therapist. He claimed he is hoping to use his practice so that he can help people and make a positive impact in his community at the same time.

Persaud added that his family is one of the biggest elements contributing to his success. He attributed his own accomplishments to their influence, support and encouragement. He said his family plays a vital role in his life and they have always and still encourage him to do his best.

“My family definitely supported me in my education and always encouraged me in making the right choices,” Persaud said. “They respected my choice of career and did not pick for me.”

Persaud added that he is excited to be graduating at such a young age since he

will be able to have an early start in pursuing his career.

“I would advise someone my age to pursue a career in which they choose, not a career in which they were forced to choose,” Persaud said.

Persaud hopes to be a role model for people of his generation. Persaud said he always motivated his peers and his friends to stay focused on school and their career goals. He added that he always advises others to stay focused and to work hard.

“I advise everyone my age to stay focused in school and believe in themselves because if you don’t believe in yourself then others can’t believe in you,” Persaud added.

Apart from studying, Persaud works part time at the Law Offices of Bachu and Associates in Kew Gardens and also currently volunteers 16 hours per week at the Jamaica Hospital Medical Center.

“I feel other than gaining experience, it’s about giving back to the community to make it a better place,” Persaud said.

Like any other 19-year-old, Persaud said that his social life is pretty normal. He has lots of friends but he does not associate with everyone on a regular basis since he dedicates most of his time to academics and a vocation.

“I am an outgoing person,” Persaud said. “But once I have my mind set on something I am not satisfied until I don’t reach that goal. My motto is study now, party later.”

Marcia Keizs: Celebrating a Decade of Service O

n Feb. 18, President Marcia Keizs and other faculty members attended an event to commemorate Keizs’ 10 year anniversary as President of York College.

The event was held on the third floor atrium and catered by Aladdin Food Services. The food consisted of fruits and pastries. Keizs met and shook the hands of faculty who joined her such as the Career Services Department, the Counseling Center as well as her immediate staff.

Staff gathered at the microphone and spoke about her accomplishments and thanked her for her hard work despite her request to be roasted.

While her colleagues ate and mingled, Keizs spoke about her time at York and her future plans in the coming years.

“Nothing can beat graduation exercises,” said Keizs. “And that happens every year and we loved it so much, that last year we did it three times because we’re doing it by school now.”

Keizs explained that it has been hard to manage one big commencement with all of the classes so they separated it by business, arts and science and behavioral science. Each commencement has their own top student and speaker done in the Performing Arts Center.

Another great moment for Keizs, she said, is receiving letters from students who she has helped whether with a big situation or a small one. “I got one this morning,” said Keizs. “ I got one from a young lady, she was a scholarship student, she’s in occupational therapy, she was going to graduate this year. She sent me the nicest note on behalf of herself, her family and York students, now how much better can it get than that.”

She also explained that some of her accomplishments at the school have been the implementation of new programs such as the nursing program, the pharmaceutical science major, the aviation program and the journalism program.

“I think my greatest [accomplishment], at least what people tell me, is that I’ve brought a degree of stability and growth to the institution,” said Keizs. “If it’s stable and it’s growing, then I’m happy.”

Keizs admits that her first year at the college was her most challenging. After having a president for about a year and a half and it not working out, the instability, funding issues and low enrollments just added on to what she had walked into.

“Getting everybody, external community and internal community, sort of in the same page to approach certain goals was a big challenge, but we took our time and we were able to do it,” said Keizs about overcoming the obstacles.

As for her future plans for York, Keizs said that she has two major things in store. One has to do with the development of the master’s programs, with three already underway. One should be expected to come about in 2016, she’s hoping to have one for nursing, social work and pharmaceutical science.

The next major plan in store is the new building that will be added to the college.

“We need $300 million for that,” she said. “That’s a big fundraising and a big goal, but I’m going to stay very focused on that.”

So, congratulations on 10 years President Keizs.

March 2015 PB Magazine 2

Student First, Athlete Second A closer look into the life of a student athlete Written by Graciano Clause

C “I“Ihad hadto tocompromise, compromise, during duringthe theweek weekisis swimming ol then swimmingand andscho school during use duringthe theweeken weekendd II use thattime timeto torelax relax and that and do do myown ownthing thing,” my

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ollege athletes usually spend a large amount of their time pursuing athletics. The demand of practice, getting to practice, and nursing injuries is a commitment unlike most college students.

Athletes need to be serious about their academics in order to keep playing, the ways of a typical Cardinal student-athlete is one of discipline and focus on both their games and the books.

Freshman, Marissa Buchanan plays for the women’s swimming team and shared what it’s like juggling sports and having to keep up with classes. “It’s not hard because I’ve been swimming since I was younger so having to maintain both was something I’ve been familiar with,” Buchanan said.

Clearly the transition from High School sports to college is much more different. Buchanan who graduated from Francis Lewis High School in Queens spoke about some of the things she’s gone through back in High School and now the collegiate level.

“Swimming at the collegiate level is much easier then club swimming, with club swimming I was out of the state almost every weekend and not getting back home until 2 a.m. on Mondays and still having to go to school,” she said. College Swimming on the other side is a bit different she noted. “You don’t compete as much and it’s not as stressful as being in a club, it’s way more relaxing and helps relieve stress.

York College men’s and women’s team wrapped up their 2014-2015 season on Feb. 8th during the threeday CUNY Athletic Championships meet at Lehman College. The men’s team placed fifth, while the women’s team places seventh.

However, many student-athletes thrive on full

schedules, and many take the time for outside activities. Sophomore, Alfred Clark who plays for the men’s swimming team found a way to balance his busy schedule. “I had to compromise, during the week is swimming and school then during the weekend I use that time to relax and do my own thing,” Clark said.

His practice schedule is flexible so it’s not extremely hard to deal with school and swimming. “I try to get all the work out the way before meets so that when the times comes to swim I can focus only on that,” he said. Clark mentioned that his grades are up to par being the fact that he’s a B student.

Freshman, Travis Henry who is also a member of the men’s swimming team is another example of how student-athletes are academically accountable to their team. “I always make sure school and swimming are my priorities so that I can get san optimal performance out of both,” Henry said. With school he focuses as much as he can in class so he can retain as much information he mentioned. “Same applies to my sport, I go to all practices while being vocal to show leadership and give maximum effort,” he said.

Henry has a great relationship with many of the student-athletes, whether they play for different teams here at York. “It’s a relationship where we all understand and respect each other because we know the demands of a student-athlete. He added that having less time for his personal life, other activities you may want to be in, but can not because time does not permit to you is what he meant.

The challenges of this lifestyle are undeniable, but more undeniable are the rewards at the end of it all when you stay on top of your game and school work.

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York’s Male Volleyball Team Sees A Sudden Spike in Success

T

he Men’s Volleyball team chose the right time to be playing what Head Coach Andre M. Titus Jr. would call their best volleyball so far this season.

The Cardinals seemed to be in a funk during the beginning of the season losing all their games in the month of January, posting a 0-6 record. Since then they’ve been sporadic by winning and losing games in bunches. In the month of February they went 5-6 showing improvement since their struggles, the Cardinals are not done fighting. In fact, they’re just now gaining the steam necessary to make bigger strides down the home stretch of their season.

From a competitive standpoint coach Titus Jr. likes where his team is at right now. “We have a better look of our competitors and the guys can clearly see that they can do much better to achieve their goal,” he said.

“We have a better look of our competitors and the guys can clearly see that they can do much better to achieve their goal,” he said.

Written by Graciano Clause Photo by Verity Rollins

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If you’re tuning into the men’s games now you would never suspect what they went through to be where they are now. Coach Titus Jr. added to the reason why his team’s chemistry is much better now. “The reason for our slow start is part of our rebuilding of our program with the addition of 11 freshman players, they are still getting use to collegiate volleyball which is a great transition form Highschool,” said Titus Jr. The leadership coming from captions Senior Edner Geffard and Sophomore Randy Adams teaching their knowledge of the game while the team adopts the system.

According to cunyathletics.com the Cardinals are currently a third seed with a 9-2 record in the CUNY Athletic Conference and are (10-13) overall in the standings. One seed Hunter College (13-10) and two seed Baruch College (13-5) are at the top of the standings.

The Cardinals are currently on a four game winning streak, and 5-1 in their last six games in the month of March. To kick things off the Men’s team dominated Brooklyn College on Mar. 7th winning every set (2518, 25-16, 25-23). They kept up that dominating after beating the College of Staten Island 3-0, Brooklyn College again on the 10th 3-0, and The City College of New York 3-1 on the 12th.

York College freshman Manprit Singh gave his take on winning majority of the conference games, but struggling against non-conference teams. “Not being familiar with non-conference teams could be the reason why we haven’t been up to par, but we’ve come really close against the top teams,” Singh said. Singh has been the X-factor when pulling the team’s defense together, and because of that his hard work has gotten notice. He was named CUNYAC Libero of Week for the period ending March. 8th. “When I saw my name I was extremely excited and immediately thanked both Coach Titus and Marshall,” Singh said. Singh said he’ll use this to propel his performance “my job every time I get on the court is to go all in”.

Androw Soliman who is also one of the 11 Freshmen’s on the team noted that despite the team’s recent success there are some stuff they can improve on going forward. “Passing is a great part of the game and we definitely are working on it, as well as our back court defense,” said Soliman. He mentioned that some of the team’s strengths are finally communicating.

As of now the Cardinals are not getting too ahead of themselves as they take on one game at a time. “All games are important for seasonal standing, and the higher we rank is better for us during the postseason because we definitely want the number one spot,” Titus Jr. said.

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g ple gettin o e p t u o ab r?

What is it an elevato ell, in n o k a W their fre ssibly do? o p u o y n re’s What ca d that the e is r p r u s leyou’d be do in an e n a c u o y t s quite a lo ifty Shade F o t g in d or vator, acc of Grey.

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opes, handcuffs, and bondage have managed to make its way well into the lives of the young, the old and the bold ones of the 21st century and S&M has taken a whole new stature in this era.

Some fans say Fifty Shades of Grey has been the key to a new and innovative way of life. The sensual romance story has definitely cut it for the folks who are more open minded about engaging in sadomasochistic relationships and likewise to those who have erotic tastes when it comes to romance.

Fifty Shades of Grey has become a global phenomenon since the erotic romance novel was released in 2011.

The book and movie have made fictional characters, Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan) and Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson), the most talked about characters, especially since the release of the film this previous Valentine’s Day weekend.

The film starts with young English-Literature major, Anastasia meeting the alluring Christian Grey during an interview for her college newspaper. Christian is an attractive, intelligent, wealthy and intimidating.

Through the course of the film Anastasia realizes she wants to make this man hers despite the fact that his world is filled with dark secrets and he is tormented by demons from his past.

Christian describes his taste as “singular” erotic and he consumes control in all things, his desires terrify

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Ana, but she engulfs in a daring and fervent physical romance with young Grey. We get the sense that his money can provide Grey with just about anything or anyone that he so wants or desires, using his charm and power he gobbles Ana in his world and she is succumbed as his submissive to be tortured and tormented by her dominant fifty shades of Grey.

Despite the fact that the book is glorified fan fiction and the plot centers solely around sex, the film adaption is actually pretty enjoyable. If you’re walking into the theater expecting a masterpiece then of course you’ll be disappointing but if you want a run of the mill romance film with a kick, then this movie will do the job. Johnson is the breakout star of the film, making the most of the role bringing out the best qualities of Anastasia to life. She is able to keep the film grounded in reality, which is saying much since the film is about an unrealistically handsome, tormented, multi billionaire who also happens to be heavily into S&M. Jamie Dornan is an okay Christian, he lacks the charisma and he fails to make Christian likeable.

Written by Gina Martinez

Is D.U.F.F. The Next Generation’s Mean Girls?

“The D.U.F.F” (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) is a teen-

age comedy that touches on the issue that affects almost every teenage girl, self esteem. The term is meant to define an ugly male or female chosen as a “wingman or lady” to make their attractive friends look better and ultimately become more popular. The way this works is that a person will talk to the less attractive friend to get questions answered about the cute friend before asking him or her out. The unattractive friend does not get to experience dating anyone at all.

The story begins when a teenage girl, Bianca (Mae Whitman) finds out that shes the “DUFF” for her best friends. After researching the term“DUFF” Bianca has a huge fight with her friends. She asks her next door neighbor and fellow classmate, Wesley ( Robbie Amell) to teach her how to meet and attract guys in exchange for tutoring him in Chemistry. Wes’ tips on dating transform Bianca into a confidant girl willing and able to date any guy she wants. Through the course of their friendship Bianca develops a crush on Wesley , but he doesn’t feel the same, he only uses her as bait to make her former best friend jealous.

Wesley’s ex girlfriend Madison (Bella Thorne) is the typical selfish and conceited mean girl whose only goal is to destroy Bianca and get back with Wesley.

One of Madison’s friends videotaped private viewings of Bianca making a fool of herself in the mall among other places and sent them to all the students at school.

The happy ending is when Wes dumps Madison and chooses Bianca as his girlfriend.

“The DUFF” was definitely influenced by the 2004 classic “Mean Girls” which starred Lindsay Lohan. Cyber bullying, gossip and jealousy were all covered and showed how cruel kids can be in the 21st century with the addition of the internet, which made it more relatable to the audience watching. The stand out scene was

where Bianca wrote an article for the school newspaper about her experience being a DUFF. Most students in the school were able to identify with her experiences, speaking to kids who feel like they aren’t good enough.

While this film isn’t a soon to be classic it was enjoyable and Bianca was likable enough that you rooted for her the whole film. What is questionable though is the premise of the film. The term and premise behind being a DUFF is offensive enough, but was Mae Whitman the best choice for that role? Someone as beautiful as Whitman can be cast as the titular character than what does it say about beauty standards in Hollywood?

It sets a bad example for teenagers and the point of the film was conforming to unrealistic standards of beauty to get a guy. We’ve had enough of those movies in the last decade, were ready to see something more original.

Written by Gina Martinez

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Professor Spotlight

rats run by Andrea DeFelice

York’s Fine Arts Adjunct Professor Andrea DeFe-

lice received a CUNY Professional Development Fund award to support her upcoming art residency in Iceland. DeFelice will begin her residency at The Hafnarfjörður Centre of Culture and Fine Art where she’ll stay for one month this summer further developing her skills as both a visual artist and instructor of multimedia.

DeFelice is currently a performing and fine arts adjunct professor here at York College where she teaches Intro to Computer Graphics and Computer Graphics II and works in various other areas of the arts.

“I don’t have a single area of focus and typically work in a range of media—it being new forms and multimedia work that incorporates computer and video technologies,” said DeFelice. “I try to carry out the same approach to students while teaching new design programs and to use technology as a creative tool.”

DeFelice acknowledges a wide range of specialties in the arts and emphasizes the unique qualities and 9 PB Magazine March 2015

An adjunct professor talks to PB Magazine about her upcoming residency in Iceland and what else to look forward to with future projects.

importance of each field to her students.

“I stress the importance of art to students in computer design courses mostly by encouraging a balance,” she said. “I always require drawing by hand, brainstorming, and resourcing to move students away from the computers for portions of each project, then [I] teach them how to use the technologies to build what they’re envisioning creatively.”

Throughout grade school, DeFelice always had a passion for the arts. She said she was often told by teachers that she had a knack for drawing. As a result, DeFelice ended up pursuing the arts later in her career.

“My interest grew through many years,” said DeFelice. “I never stopped wanting to make things.”

DeFelice furthered her education, attending several

DeFelice is one of many professors across the CUNY system to be awarded the grant. “The Professional Development Fund for Adjuncts is an award one can apply for after he or she has been teaching a certain amount of semesters for CUNY. It’s meant to financially support a professional development activity within the instructor’s field,” DeFelice said about the award. “When I received word that I’d been accepted into a residency I applied for in Iceland, I decided to apply for the fund to support this activity since it was eligible. Residencies abroad can typically be free of a fee to participate but as always there are travel fees, materials, oh yeah and food.. I felt the activity of this residency fit the criteria for the fund, and truthfully would only be possible for me to take part in with this fund.”

After winning the Professional Development Fund award, DeFelice said she was both very excited and relieved when she heard the news.

“Both reactions stemmed from knowing that my participation in this residency would’ve been close to impossible without the fund,” DeFelice said.

Similar to other academic awards, the recipients receives many benefits. DeFelice briefly discussed what the CUNY Professional Development Fund Award consisted of. “The award consists of reimbursing me of all my activity-related expenses up to the amount originally requested in my application’s approved budget,” DeFelice said. “I submit my expenses upon completion of the residency, along with follow up materials summarizing the experience, supplying visual examples, completed works, etcetera.”

DeFelice also talked about what her residency consists of, including details about her prospective living arrangements and duties as she prepares for her summer program.

“The residency will take place at… The Hafnarfjörður Centre of Culture and Fine Art. Hafnarborg runs a live-in Artist in Residence program on the top floor,” DeFelice said. “The premises are for both Icelandic and international artists. The purpose of this activity is for professional development as a visual artist and instructor multimedia.”

During her stay at The Hafnarfjörður Centre, DeFelice plans to work towards meeting her goals of completing projects and expanding her knowledge as an artist.

“I plan to complete a project requiring research and utilization of different software/hardware media

technologies,” DeFelice said. “The work will incorporate multimedia, including video, graphics, composite painting, and 3D materials. Technologies such as a flight drone, a robot rover, portable wi-fi and applied computer softwares will be implemented.”

DeFelice plans to combine media and artwork with the environment to showcase the correlation of technology and the environment in our lives. DeFelice wants to further her projects and plans to develop a “hotspot” or physical areas in a landscape. DeFelice plans to “investigate ideas of what draws us to a place, to technologies, and how they may help or hinder what’s sought out to accomplish.”

Her most recent gallery showing was at Porter Contemporary in the Dumbo section of Brooklyn and ran from Jan. 9 to Feb. 8 featuring her work alongside pieces from fellow artist Jennifer Murray.

Cardinal Drones by Andrea DeFelice March 2015 PB Magazine 10