SAN JACINTO TIMES SJC thinks pink for Breast Cancer events e student publication of the San Jacinto College District
Vol. 24, No. 3
Carolina Rodriguez Staff Writer
Pink is everywhere during October at San Jacinto College Central Campus as part of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month when several campus departments sponsor events in an effort to raise awareness about the disease. The Lady Ravens Volleyball team hosted Paris Junior College Oct. 16 as part of their annual Dig Pink Rally, a nationwide initiative that raises money for the breast cancer community. Student Gisella Hernandez attends the volleyball event to have fun while supporting the cause at the same time. “Breast cancer touches our lives, and it is something that a lot of people have had to experience close to home with either a family member or even their peers at school. It will be a fun event to attend, and it is important to show that here are people out there that care about this,” she said. Educational Planning and Counseling partnered with the physical education department to host a Zumbathon Oct. 17 in honor of the survivors in the fight against breast cancer. The event offered students and faculty a free opportunity to experience the aerobic workout known as Zumba. Student and event participant Jessica Santos said the Zumbathon allowed women to show support for the cause. “It is an honor to participate in events like
October 28, 2013
these. They are fun and creative (ways) to get this important message across to women,” Santos said. Meanwhile, First Year Experience and Campus Recreation came together Oct. 7 for Kick Cancer, a kickball game organized as part of the Kick Cancer campaign. The Never 2 Late (N2L) Center on Central campus will close out the series of awareness events Oct. 31 with the speaker showcase Never 2 Late to Palpate. The event’s keynote speaker, Medical Imaging Instructor Liza Velasquez, will provide information about preventative measures, while breast cancer survivors share their personal experiences. Central campus students were quietly lending support in other ways. Nora Gonzales said she and her friends try to do their part during October by deliberately wearing pink. “The color pink represents the female, and promotes breast cancer (awareness),” Gonzales said. “My friends and I like to support the cause by wearing something pink on Wednesdays… We know how many women are affected with this disease that we like to show our support.” Students like Gonzales and Santos said they are concerned about breast cancer and the events at San Jac highlight an important message. The support is also demonstrated by a color that is in representation of women. “Everyone should have access to that early knowledge…,” Santos said. “Wearing pink is a Jessica Warren San Jacinto Times great way to spread the word.” Zumbathon participants sweat in the student center while supporting awareness.
Former homeless student Smoking policies under review repays her old ‘house’ Christopher Rodriguez Editor-in-chief
Christopher Rodriguez San Jacinto Times
Designated areas like this are now on all three campuses.
New rules apply when picking up a cigarette at San Jacinto College since the Board of Trustees suspended the existing smoking policies of all three campuses in August, and instituted a single temporary policy. According to San Jac’s website, the College will work on the new policy with the Environmental Health and Safety Smoking and Tobacco Use Taskforce; a group made up of faculty and members of the Student Government Association. They will conduct focus groups and surveys to help the college make a decision on their permanent district-wide smoking policy.
Previously, North and Central campuses allowed restricted smoking while South campus prohibited smoking on the entire campus. Amanda Booren, Director of Communications and Publications, said San Jac has three campuses but is one college in need of a unified policy. That was the catalyst for initiating the change. "San Jacinto College, for many years, operated as three separate colleges,” she said, “That has since changed, and we are now one college with three campuses, and our policies need to reflect that. A single policy that is for all three campuses creates efficiencies and makes it consistent across the board."
See Smoking on Page 4
TACHE-SJC Student Chapter strives to improve opportunities, promote culture
Efren Diosdado Staff Writer
Movement, known in Spanish as “El Movimiento,” and highlights the efforts of Latino activists who pushed for better educational opportunities, labor leaders that The Texas Association of Chicanos in organized farm workers in California, and Higher Education Student Chapter at San the empowerment of Latinos in the politJacinto College (TACHE-SJC), along ical process. with the Behavioral and Social Sciences Dina Castillo, a government professor Department, sponsored a film screening of and the group’s advisor on Central cam“Prejudice and Pride: The Chicano Move- pus, said TACHE is a statewide profesment” Oct. 9 at Central campus, followed sional association committed to improving by a Question and Answer session with educational and employment opportunithe film’s director John J. Valadez. ties for Hispanics in higher education. AcThe film details the Chicano Civil Rights cording to Castillo, San Jac’s chapter has a more specific focus. “The TACHE-SJC Student Chapter is a student group designed to promote education of our culture concerning Hispanics, and to bring awareness of the Hispanic culture to students and faculty,” Castillo said. Saul Zarco, an educational planner on Central campus and the Gulf Coast regional representative for Photo courtesy of TACHE-SCJ Student Chapter TACHE said TACHE-SJC Dina Castillo and Saul Zarco (standing) are pictured has an added goal of foswith Club members on a field trip to the state Capitol. tering student success. In
support of that objective, the group provides advisors, mentors, and tutors to assist students with college life. “Research shows,” Zarco said, “that students involved with campus activities do better academically”. Castillo said the TACHE-SJC Student Chapter was founded during the Fall 2012 semester. According to Zarco, students involved in TACHE-SJC were previously involved with the Latin-American Student Organization. Last year, a faction of the organization decided to start TACHE and approached the professional organization to approve their charter. Although the TACHE-SJC Student Chapter is a registered Student Life organization at Central campus, Castillo said membership is open to students at all three campuses. TACHE-SJC’s next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 22 at 12:30 p.m. in C3.209 and is open to all students enrolled in the College. Zarco said students should expect to get to know everyone during the first meeting they attend. The group participates in campus events, fundraisers, and social activities aimed at team building as an initiative to further support student success.
Shawna Russell Staff Writer
A San Jacinto College student, who was once a resident of a local homeless shelter, is organizing a clothing drive to benefit the place that helped her when she was in need. Sommer Shaw is two semesters away from completing the Registered Nursing (RN) program at Central campus, but she said she wasn’t always as lucky as she is now. In 2003, Shaw said she underwent major surgery to remove six inches of her brain in response to injuries sustained from child neglect. Five years later, the now mother of three said she found herself at Sarah’s House, a homeless shelter for battered and abused women in Pasadena. Pregnant with her first child, broke and trying to get away from an abusive relationship, Shaw said she turned to Sarah’s House for help. “I lost my parents, had no money, and I was five months pregnant with my first child at the time. I had nowhere to go, and no one to turn to,” Shaw said. She is not sure where she would be today without the help of Sarah’s House, Shaw said. “Living at a women’s shelter allowed me the chance to get back on my feet. Just having a clean pair of clothes to put on was a great feeling,” she said. Overcoming adversity and grateful for
the help she received, Shaw said she decided to hold a clothing drive to aid Sarah’s House. “These women and children come into the shelter with little to nothing in their possession,” Shaw said. “These women are down on their luck, they have no other options.” She said she developed a strong passion to help abused women and children after going through the same struggles herself. Shaw is encouraging students and faculty members to get involved in helping Sarah’s House by volunteering to help with the clothing drive, or by making donations. “If you have women and/or children’s clothing, toys - no stuffed animals, household items, shoes, etc., anything that can be donated to this cause, please do so. These women and children have nothing to their name,” Shaw said. The drive will continue through Thanksgiving and is seeing a lot of success up until now Shaw said. “San Jac students have really come together to help out a shelter in need. So far, 25 bags have been donated. I am very excited at the amount of stuff I have received, and really look forward to reactions from the women at the shelter,” Shaw said. Clothing donations can be made at the Student Success Center on Central campus, or by contacting Sommer Shaw at sommer_shaw281@yahoo.com.
Photo courtesy of Sommer Shaw
Donations pile up for Sommer Shaw’s clothing drive.
San Jacinto Times
October 28, 2013
Opinion/Commentary
Page 2
C-Rod says what C-Rod thinks: iPhone to Android comparison shows Apple not the ripest of the bunch phones. According to the digital research firm Comscore.com, iOS (Apple) and Android (Google) were the two leaders in mobile operating systems as of July, 2013 in the United States. Android leads garnering 51.8 percent of the market share while Apple comes in second at 40.4 percent. Android has an advantage over the competition because its operating system (OS) works on multiple devices and is manufactured by different companies. Apple only has Apple to make its products and works on only one type of Apple Phone - the iPhone. Both OS's are great, but consumers seem to flock when Apple announces a new phone; a phone
Christopher Rodriguez Editor-in-chief
In the smartphone world, we compare apples to oranges. We call them Apple and Android, followed by several grapes called Blackberries and Windows
without significant upgrades from the last version except that it is now available in different colors. Android keeps raising the bar, but if you slap an Apple logo on a piece of plastic with a brighter camera light, consumers buy it. I own a Motorola Droid Razr, running on the Jellybean OS. I paid about $150 for a 32 GB version of the phone with a two-year contract. The iPhone 4s was the competing phone at the time at $200. What was grand about the iPhone 4s was the significant upgrade from its predecessor, the iPhone 3GS. I did not forget the iPhone 4, but the 4S was not an upgrade from the iPhone 4. Apple just added Siri and a marginally better
processor, but consumers raved about how revolutionary the 4S was. Most Android phones are less expensive than the ones in the same price range as comparable Apple phones. Androids are a better investment because they offer the same thing as Apple phones. Apple charges for a patented display when Samsung's Galaxy S4 display is bigger and offers a 441 pixels per inch (PPI). The iPhone 5S offers a 326 PPI on a smaller display. Slap an Apple logo on the phone and you get a $50 price hike just for the ‘sleek’ design. Furthermore, Android phone owners have the luxury of not having to dish out cha-ching for
proprietary accessories. For example, iPhone users cannot use a micro-usb charger; what most non-Apple devices use. You have to use the proprietary "Lightning Cable" which costs anywhere from $10-$30, depending on the brand. Most Android phones let you use a simple $5 micro-usb cable, or the one from your old phone. The same concept applies to car phone chargers. Also, most Android phones have the expandable micro SD slot to expand the memory capacity to store Apps, videos, music, and pictures. Apple only has on-board memory; you buy the phone with memory already set and can't expand it.
More from Moore: ‘Superman’ Howard may blast Rockets to championship ring
Alex Moore
Department Editor
The Houston Rockets is a historic franchise with two World Championships, but that was almost two decades ago. Last year, the Rockets made a big push and spent some
major money in free agency to become title contenders. However, they were missing one thing; a big man to post up and fill up the lane. They filled that void this offseason with the addition of seven-time All-Star and three-time Defensive Player of the Year, Dwight Howard. Many critics consider Howard the best center in basketball and just what the doctor ordered for the Rockets. The team allowed 102.5 points per game last year giving them the rank of 28th out of 30. Adding Howard should help that number tremendously. Ever since the departure of Yao Ming, the Rockets have a void in the lane with no big man to anchor their defense.
Hall of Fame center Hakeem Olajuwon told ESPN, "He is the missing piece, where he can really bring the team to a championship contender." This is a big comment coming from someone who knows what it takes to bring home a championship. Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey told the Bleacher Report, "I think it absolutely gives us a chance." With these votes of confidence, the expectations have never been higher for the Rockets, and Howard knows this. Howard told USA Today, "I'm not going to get up here and say we're going to win five championships. I'm not going to do that. But, I think if we re-
ally dedicate ourselves and sacrifice everything we've got for a championship, then at the end of the season, we should be holding up the trophy." The Rockets aren't only getting a boost of defense with Howard; they are also getting a low post scorer and great rebounder. Howard averages 18.3 points per game and 12.9 rebounds per game. Now, the Rockets don't necessarily need any boost on that side of the ball since they were second in points per game with 106, seventh in rebounds with 43.3, and sixth in assists with 23.2. In all the major offensive categories, Houston was top 10. Howard will only boost those numbers and will be able to
slow the game down if they ever need to grind out a win. According to the International Business Times, when the 2013 season ended, Houston Rockets was given 20/1 betting odds to win the 2014 NBA Finals. One free agent signing has made the team one of the favorites to win next year’s championship. After landing Dwight Howard, Houston’s odds have improved to 9/1, putting them second behind the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference. I would say, the addition of Dwight Howard, aka “Superman,” has made a little bit of an impact on their chances to bring home the championship.
Why do consumers keep buying into this? User interface (UI) is the selling point of the phone. Apple's current UI is iOS7 while Kit-Kat is Android's latest UI rolling out to several phones (most are currently running on Jelly Bean). What sold the iPhone with the previous OS is the calmness of the UI. Everything is round corners. There is no clutter on the home screen. Android OS reminds me of a cluttered desktop on a computer. Of course, you can customize your home screen, but Apple has a simpler, yet definitive feel to the UI. Guess I have some love for the rotten fruit.
Chapa’s tips for saving on gasoline
Jonathan Chapa Department Editor
One absolute necessity, that is not food- related, is gasoline. Without it, how would cars function and get us to our destinations? One problem we all face is the high cost of gasoline. To help you save money on gas, I can give you a handy tip that could help you keep some money in your pocket. Look at loyalty programs. I work at a Kroger store, and it has a gasoline station, as do most of their stores. Loyal customers and Kroger employees can save money on gasoline by using the Kroger Plus Card issued by Kroger stores. According to the Kroger website, “the fuel program allows you to receive savings of up to $1 off per gallon on fuel purchases at Kroger, and 10¢ per gallon at participating Shell Stations. You may redeem 100 fuel points at participating Shell Stations for a 10¢ per gallon savings. And you may redeem up to 1,000 fuel points in a single fill-up at Kroger for up to $1 off per gallon.” In order to get the fuel points, you need to spend at least $100 at Kroger in one month using your Kroger Plus Card. Not everyone spends $100 in one shopping trip, but the points can accumulate over the course of the month. A heads to up to those who may decide to use this tip; certain items do not give you fuel points, such as beer and cigarettes. This simple tip can help you save money on gasoline, especially if you travel long distances to get to school or school.
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San Jacinto Times San Jacinto College Student Publications
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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Christopher Rodriguez
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Giovann Rosales
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The San Jacinto Times is published five times a semester by the journalism students at San Jacinto College Central, 8060 Spencer Highway, Pasadena, TX 77505. Opinions expressed herein are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the staff, its adviser, the administration or the Board of Regents. The Times encourages letters to the editor. Letters must be in good taste, accurate, free from libel, malice or personal controversy. Letters must be limited to 200 words in length. Letters submitted
without the author’s signature will not be accepted. The staff reserves the right to edit the letters for accuracy without altering the general meaning. Letters can be e-mailed to Hellen.Papadacos@sjcd.edu. Letters must include name and phone number for verification. The digital edition of the Times is available at http://issuu.com/sanjacintotimes. Advertising space is available for $5.00 per column inch. Special rates are available. For news tips and information on advertising, contact the Times at 281478-2752.
San Jacinto Times
October 28, 2013
Lifestyle & Entertainment
SJC film class produces creepy new TV series
Jessica Warren Staff Writer
“Room at the end of the Hall” is the title of the eerie original TV show being produced by the students of the Television Production I at San Jacinto College Central Campus during the fall semester. The show, which will be posted on YouTube, takes place in a cheap motel room where mystical events take place, Lead Filmmaking Instructor William MacTavish said. Over the course of the semester, the students will shoot approximately eight episodes, seven to 12 minutes in length. During the filming process, they will participate in new learning activities.
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“All around, common production skills that exist in the industry is what we’re trying to achieve in this lab,” MacTavish said. Upcoming episodes will feature murders and other incidents, MacTavish said. “The first episode, the one we are filming today,” he said, “kind of alludes to the idea of time travel. The main character, who has written a journal, keeps talking about showing up in this room, and he is being chased by these guys, and it kind of lets fate just play itself out.” The Writing for Electronic Media class wrote the scripts for the first four episodes during the summer semester while the Fall 2013 class is writing the scripts
Jessica Warren San Jacinto Times
From left: Students Jeremy Knight, Shaaheen Karabi, and Tracy Gorman set up to film ‘Room at the end of the Hall.’
for the upcoming episodes, MacTavish said. Shaaheen Karabi, a student in both the summer writing course and the current TV Production I class, said he wrote a script for the show and hopes it is chosen for shooting. Casting will take place two episodes at a time, and auditions are open to both San Jac Theatre students and the public. Ramon Cordona, a film major, plays one of the central characters in the first episode that writes about his emanate death and what is coming in the future. “I wanted to take acting to become a better director,” Cordona said. The course offers students the opportunity to take on many roles during filming such as camera operator, floor manager, set manager, control room operator, editing, audio recording, production assistants, board editors and many other tasks, MacTavish said. “The idea is that they learn the production skills necessary that are common for all productions of camera operation and set up; working in a multi-camera environment for this TV show and on-set etiquette that is necessary for a group with two or more cameras filming the same action by actors at the same time,” MacTavish said. The students’ excitement is evident in the work they perform every day including setting up, filming, taking it all down, and doing it again the next time they meet, film student Paulette Vargas said. “It’s been cool,” she said, “to see it all come together.”
Veterans’ Film Festival showcases life during, after war
Susan Moosavi Staff Writer
The Veterans in Our Community Festival kicks off Oct. 30 on all three campuses at San Jacinto College providing a look at the experiences of American soldiers throughout history. The Festival will run through Spring 2014 and feature a variety of speakers and different events. On Nov. 11, in commemoration of Veterans’ Day, the festival’s focus shifts to a film showcase lasting until Nov. 16. Patience Wieland, a South Campus Multimedia Support Specialist and the Festival’s film organizer said she hopes the films will enlighten attendees. “Films and plays are a great way to communicate, and help people appreciate and understand each other. It's my hope that people will go see these films and not only be entertained, but gain a little insight,” Wieland said. According to Wieland, the films will highlight different conflicts in American history. “We selected movies that would cover a range of historical periods and experiences from World War II all the way to the present,” she added. Wieland said she understands soldiers are not the only ones affected by war and wanted to express this sentiment through the Festival’s film choices. “Military family members: spouses and children, parents, siblings. They have challenges too, with the separations and worry. So you'll see those more universal experiences in some of the films we picked, but these
Andrea Vasquez San Jacinto College Marketing
From left: Bruce Williamson, Julie Jay, and Charles Vaughn prepare to rehearse for ‘War of the Worlds.’
films also have very personal, unique stories to tell,” Wieland said. Along with films, the week will also feature a live audio drama where the Foley artists and actors perform live on stage. “Over Here, Over There,” scheduled for Nov. 13 on South campus, presents a long-range historical collection of veterans’ experiences in a radio play format. Wieland said she was able to reach out to Hollywood to add a special element to this performance. “We expanded the story to include Americans who had been veterans and survivors of other conflicts, like the Civil and Revolutionary Wars,” Wieland said. “The actors have had fun looking into the real life history of the characters they play. I also received permission from the estate of Marion Hargrove, a Hollywood screenwriter, and best-selling author during WWII, to use
some of his memoirs in the play.” Wieland said audio drama audiences rely on their imaginations to get the full effect of the performance. “Audio drama is a lot of fun to listen to, and watch live on stage. Some people like to close their eyes and picture everything. That's why it's called Theatre of the Mind,” Wieland said. An event with such a diverse range of entertainment has never been seen before at San Jac, said Central Campus English professor David LeMaster who is working alongside Wieland. “We’ve done radio shows in the past,” LeMaster said, “As far as movies go, we haven’t had a festival quite like this.” All events are open to the public and free of charge. Event organizers suggest a donation of a non-perishable food item to the San Jac food pantries. A full schedule of the festival’s screenings and other events is available at www.sanjac.edu/vetsfest.
October 28, 2013
From the Cover
San Jacinto Times
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Smoking
Continued from Page 1
Booren said both San Jac students and faculty contacted Chancellor Brenda Hellyer about the College’s different policies, particularly the variation on South campus. "She (Hellyer) received comments previously from both students and staff, mainly dealing with the inconsistencies between South and the other two campuses. So this is what prompted her to form this task force, and why the Board made the change to smoke-free across all campuses until a recommendation comes forth. Dr. Hellyer takes concerns that are brought forward to her seriously, and this issue is no different," Booren said. While drafting the new policy, Booren said the College is taking proper steps to ensure the
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new policy will sit well with the San Jac community. "We realize there are various opinions on both sides of this issue,” Booren said. “We want to make sure we are covering all of our bases with regards to research and best practices, and that we do what is best for our College, students, and employees." "The task force that has been formed is diverse. It includes students, faculty, staff, and administrators from all three campuses and the administration office, some of whom are smokers and some of whom are not," she added. Although some college environments are completely prohibiting smoking, Booren said San Jac is not necessarily planning to follow in other institutions’ footsteps. "Our intention is to make the policy consistent across all three campuses. At this time, we don't know if that will be smoking or smoke-free campuses. We have
assembled a task force to look at all of the issues and bring forth a recommendation," Booren said. Booren said, until the Task Force gathers the data, San Jac will remain a smoke-free institution with designated smoking areas. "We conducted research to see what other institutions did with regards to designated smoking areas, and found that was quite common. We updated our campus maps to indicate where the smoking areas are located on each campus, and at the administration offices, and smoking receptacles are at each designated location," Booren said. Victor Aguilar, a student on both Central and South campuses said the college should not completely prohibit smoking. "I don't think they should ban smoking on campus," Aguilar said. "If the people want to smoke, that's up to them. They should let them do their thing."
San Jacinto Times
October 28, 2013
8 DAYS A WEEK North
Monday, October 28
• Science Club Fundraiser, 11:30 a.m., N12 Courtyard • Rotaract Club Meeting, 2 p.m., N12.215
Tuesday, October 29 • Movie Sponsored by Student Life, 12 p.m. & 2:30 p.m., N12.200
Wednesday, October 30 • Webb Society Bake Sale, 10 a.m., N12 Courtyard • Career & Employment Workshop, 10:45 a.m., N6.108 • Contemporary Service Corp. Employment Recruiter, 11 a.m., N12 Lobby • Live-Streaming of ‘The Other Wes Moore’ Lecture, 7 p.m., N1.103
Thursday, October 31 • Student Veterans Association Fundraiser, 11 a.m., N12 Courtyard • Anime Club Meeting, 2 p.m., N9.140 • Anime Club Officer Meeting, 4 p.m., N9.133 • Art Gallery Opening, 5 p.m., N1.106
Friday, November 1 • Science Club Meeting, 12 p.m., N17.3062
Saturday, November 2
Central
• No Scheduled Activities
Monday, October 28 • College Democrats Meeting, 12:30 p.m., C2.222 • Sociology/Anthropology Ramen-Off Event, 1 p.m., C2.206
Tuesday, October 29 • Houston PD Recruiting Table, 10 a.m., C14 Lobby • Psychology Club Meeting, 1:15 p.m., C2.209 • NSCS Meeting, 4:30 p.m., C19.131
Wednesday, October 30 • Houston PD Recruiting Table, 10 a.m., C14 Lobby • Raven Rally, 10 a.m., North Courtyard
Thursday, October 31 • Domestic Violence Month Event, 10 a.m., C14 Lounge A • Cosmetology Halloween Event, 9:30 a.m., Student Center Ballroom • LGBT Closing Event, 10 a.m., C14 Lounge A • Sociology/Anthropology Discussion Group, 3 p.m., C14 Lounge C
Friday, November 1 • Houston PD Recruiting Table, 10 a.m., C14 Lobby • SGA Meeting, 11:30 a.m., C1.155 • TACHE Meeting, 12:30 p.m., C3.209 • PTK Meeting, 2 p.m., C1.238
Saturday, November 2
South
• Gaming Society Meeting, 10 a.m., Student Center
Monday, October 28
• Tennis Club Meeting, 2 p.m., Tennis Courts • Philosophy Club Meeting, 3 p.m., S7.158 • MMA Meeting, 8:30 p.m., Gym
Tuesday, October 29 • Pharmacy Tech Club Meeting, 11 a.m., S1.251S • Student Bible Fellowship, 1:30 p.m., S6.196 • SBF Meeting, 1:30 p.m., S6.196 • SGA Meeting, 2:30 p.m., S6.152 • T.I.E.S. Meeting, 3 p.m., S7.128 • 17 & Under Tennis Club Meeting, 11 a.m., Tennis Courts • Game Enterprise Guild, 3:30 p.m., S8.1062 • Coyote Science Club Meeting, 4 p.m., S1.135A
Wednesday, October 30 • ESOL Club Meeting, 4 p.m., S8.1014 • Writer’s Block Meeting, 4:30 p.m., S9.214
Thursday, October 31 • 17 & Under Tennis Club Meeting, 11 a.m., Tennis Courts • GSA Meeting, 3 p.m., S8.1006 • Game Enterprise Guild, 3:30 p.m., S8.1062
Friday, November 1 • MMA Meeting, 9 a.m., Gym • PTK Meeting, 1 p.m., S9.116
Saturday, November 2 • No Scheduled Activities
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Christy Keith goes from San Jac student to employee
Sydney Walker Staff Writer
A student eventually becoming the teacher is not only an entertaining story from a Hollywood movie, but a true story for one of San Jacinto College’s own. Christy Keith, the newly-appointed Director of the Student Success Center at Central campus, can describe life as a San Jac student, because she lived it. Keith began her journey in 2007 as a dual credit student. In just a few years, she went from student, to teacher and Director. “I love to learn, I love to take classes, I love the first day, I love the new supplies… I’ve just always liked school,” Keith said. She began taking basic courses at San Jac while in high school. After graduating, she enrolled at University of Houston – Clear Lake (UHCL), but continued to take classes at San Jac. While attending both campuses, Keith received numerous scholarships from different organizations, including San Jac’s Math Department and the National Science Foundation Scholars Program. Keith underlined the importance of staying aware of on-campus activities by way of flyers and school email. “Definitely read the flyers and check student email… I had already transferred to my University, but I was still taking classes
here so I was still a student. But I never checked my student email…I almost missed the fact that I had received a scholarship because I didn’t check my student email,” Keith said. In August 2011, Keith became a tutor in the Math and Science Resource Center, and by October 2012, she was the Center’s supervisor. She graduated from UHCL with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics but considers her last semester of college one of the most challenging parts of her course to success. “Honestly, my last semester was hard. I was taking a couple of theoretical math courses and working full time… just getting through that semester was difficult. I didn’t get to see my family a lot , and I never got to see my friends...I was under a lot of pressure. It was it not easy,” Keith said. Keith said facing those hard times made her accomplishment more fulfilling. “Getting through that, and being successful in those courses, and getting my degree at the end of that semester was my greatest achievement,” Keith said. In her current position, she said she understands the needs of her students. “Tutoring, you get feedback directly from the student. So I know what the students are going in there for. I know what they
need,” Keith said. “I’ve always wanted to teach. I really like the fact that I can have a job where I can run the tutoring centers and kind of have the administration end of things and also teach at the same time. It’s a great mix... the most exciting of any job I’ve ever held.” Keith attributes her success to her family’s support and her drive to attain more knowledge. “My mother was very supportive. My husband was very supportive, and knowing that when I was done I would have a degree, and I have that knowledge… and I’m not a quitter , so I knew I couldn’t quit, that’s why stayed motivated,” Keith said. She said she doesn’t consider herself a success story, but humbly accepts the title. “It’s actually very flattering. I just did what I had to do. That’s what everyone’s doing. I was really just trying to get through it like everybody else. I know I was successful in my degree completion, but I never considered myself a success story,” she said. Mary Blair, Keith’s colleague in the math department, said, “(Christy) is a great example of what can happen… and (I) feel that she deserves the recognition.” “She a very sweet young lady and really works very hard…,” Blair said. “If there ever was a perfect example of student success, Christy is it.”
Ethnography book current discussion topic for SJC club
Giovann Rosales Staff Writer
The Sociology and Anthropology Club of San Jacinto College Central Campus will gather at 3 p.m. every Thursday in the lounge area of the William C. Frels Science Building near room 218 for an open discussion of the book “Labor and Legality: An Ethnography of a Mexican Immigrant Network.” Last year, the Club started sponsoring meetings called Read a Real Book. The club’s co-advisors, Professor Tina Mougouris of Sociology and Professor Pamela Maack of Anthropology, picked a book that became the subject of discussions during the course of the semester. Maack said, “This year we did decide to do immigration as a theme. We thought it was a hot topic. Our next book is also on migrant workers.” Discussion topics generated from the readings include the experience of illegally crossing the border into the United States, how businesses benefit from undocumented workers, and where
the money they earn goes. At the meetings, passages from the book are read aloud, followed by a discussion of the material. Student Lacy Padron read, ‘Lalo has managed to maintain a close relationship with his wife and two boys in Mexico in spite of long periodic absences to work in the U.S. The money that he has sent back over the years has mainly been invested in expanding their home in Leon.’ After reading the passage, students shared their thoughts and personal stories. A student who asked to remain anonymous said, “I know someone who has worked here for about eight years and sends all their money back home to his family so that they can have a home.” Discussions are open to any student who would like to walk in and participate. Maack said that if a student does not have access to the book, the library has available copies. “The library is really nice and they buy us some copies….The copies they buy, the student can check out for a few weeks.”
Science building still excites faculty on first anniversary
Jonathan Chapa Department Editor
Recently celebrating its first birthday, the new science building at San Jacinto College Central Campus continues to be the pride of the science faculty. Dr. Ann Cartwright, Chairperson of the department of Physical Science and Biology said planning for the building started over ten years ago. “I have minutes from meetings dated 2002,” Cartwright said, “In the spring of 2012, Ruben Ramirez, our Lab Supervisor, came up with a cascading plan for the move into the new building. All during summer school of 2012, as we finished a lab for the semester, Ruben and his team of lab assistants packed the materials and stored them in a lab not in use.” According to Cartwright, the move took a remarkably short time starting Aug. 9 and reaching completion Aug. 27. “The miracle was due to Ruben, and the great help of the faculty members who used their week of vacation time between summer and fall semesters to help with the unpacking and preparing labs
for fall,” Cartwright said. Cartwright said Ramirez helped North and South campuses plan and carry out their moves into their new science facilities, as well. She said the new building offers numerous advantages over the old facility including state-ofthe-art media and equipment in all classrooms and labs. “We have a great number of new safety features for the labs,” Cartwright said, “for which all faculty members received training. The classrooms are great. I especially like the smaller ones which seat 32, because due to the arrangement of the tables, it is possible for the teacher to walk all around the room and there is not the back row of students like in the old building.” Cartwright said the new facility is aesthetically pleasing. “In addition, the building is beautiful—the atrium is a work of art with a two story periodic table on one wall—it’s an artwork, you have to figure out it represents a periodic table. We have outside speakers 4-5 times each semester, and we are very proud to show off our building,” Cartwright said.
She said the new building is not only benefitting the Sciences, but services the entire college. “We are sharing it with the rest of SJC by having meetings and special events like Engineering Day, which math arranges. We also share it with the community by having hundreds of pre-college age students, elementary students and the PECHS visit our labs. And this year, we are hosting the PISD Regional Science Fair in January, 2014, and have planned a national chemistry conference in the fall of 2014 in the building,” Cartwright said. Central campus science professor Paul Barron said the old science building was one of the first buildings erected on Central campus in 1961. “It had become old and decrepit, but after Ike, it was even worse shape,” Barron said. “Luckily, the voters approved a large bond such that we could have new science buildings across the three campuses, and ours was built first. We are all very happy with our new home, and this building covers all our basic needs, has a few perks, and supports our future growth.”
Around Campus
8 DAYS A WEEK North
Monday, November 4 • Veterans in Our Community Film Festival, 6 p.m., N1.103
Tuesday, November 5 • Career Carnival, 10 a.m., N12 Lobby • Webb Society Meeting, 1:30 p.m., N7.132 • SGA Meeting, 3 p.m., N12.215
Wednesday, November 6 • Contemporary Service Corp. Employment Recruiter, 11 a.m., N12 Lobby • Student Veterans Association Fundraiser, 11 a.m. N12 Courtyard • PTK Meeting, 1:30 p.m., N12.215
Thursday, November 7 • Anime Club Meeting, 2 p.m., N9.140 • New Student Orientation, 8:30 a.m., N1.103 • New Student Orientation, 5:30 p.m., N1.103
Friday, November 8 • Math & Engineering Club Meeting, 1:30 p.m., N8.201
Saturday, November 9 • No Scheduled Activities
Sunday, November 10
Central
• No Scheduled Activities
Monday, November 4 • College Democrats Meeting, 12:30 p.m., C2.222
Tuesday, November 5 • TSTA Student Program, 1:30 p.m., C20.261/263 • Psychology Club Meeting, 1:15 p.m., C2.209 • NSCS Meeting, 4:30 p.m., C19.131 • QEP Ice Cream Giveaway, 11 a.m., Student Center Lobby
Wednesday, November 6 • Stress Awareness Screening, 11 a.m., C14 Lounge A • Yoga Club Meeting, 2:45 p.m.,C18.116
Thursday, November 7 • Sociology/Anthropology Discussion Group, 3 p.m., C14 Lounge C
Friday, November 8 • SGA Meeting, 11:30 a.m., C1.155 • TACHE Meeting, 12:30 p.m., C3.209 • PTK Meeting, 2 p.m., C1.238 • Audio Engineering Meeting, 10 a.m., C15.236
Saturday, November 9 • Gaming Society Meeting, 10 a.m., Student Center
Sunday, November 10
South
• No Scheduled Activities
Monday, November 4 • Tennis Club Meeting, 2 p.m., Tennis Courts • Philosophy Club Meeting, 3 p.m., S7.158 • Pre-Med Club Meeting, 4:30 p.m., S12.106 • MMA Meeting, 8:30 p.m., Gym
Tuesday, November 5 • Pharmacy Tech Club Meeting, 11 a.m., S1.251S • SBF Meeting, 1:30 p.m., S6.196 • SGA Meeting, 2:30 p.m., S6.152 • 17 & Under Tennis Club, 3 p.m., Tennis Courts • Game Enterprise Guild, 3:30 p.m., S8.1062
Wednesday, November 6 • ESOL Club Meeting, 4 p.m., S8.1014 • Writer’s Block Meeting, 4:30 p.m., S9.214
Thursday, November 7 • SVA Meeting, 2:30 p.m., S8.2066 • 17 & Under Tennis Club, 3 p.m., Tennis Courts • GSA Meeting, 3 p.m., S8.1006 • Game Enterprise Guild, 3:30 p.m., S8.1062
Friday, November 8 • MMA Meeting, 9 a.m., Gym
Saturday, November 9 • No Scheduled Activities
Sunday, November 10 • No Scheduled Activities
October 28, 2013
San Jacinto Times
Sports & Fitness
San Jac students round bases to kick cancer Alexis Davlin Staff Writer
Campus Recreation and First Year Experience (FYE) teamed up to organize kickball games for students and faculty Oct. 7 at San Jacinto College Central Campus as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The event featured free gifts and beverages, along with the games, in an effort to gather students and faculty and show the importance of knowledge in battling the disease. The event organizer, physical education professor Mary Shelly, said she loves sports, but also wants to do anything she can to help others be aware of things affecting their lives. She said she decided to put those interests together. “The reason for this event was to not only get students and faculty together, but to really make sure that people know to protect themselves, be aware of their own body, and to inform others. Most people don’t find out early enough,” Shelly said. Athena Henderson works for FYE which contributed the free prizes and decorations to the event. “I couldn’t help but be a part of this! I thought it was a fun idea to get a bunch of pink notebooks, pencils, stickers and other prizes that I know girls love, and it showed off Alexis Davlin San Jacinto Times the beautiful ribbon for breast Top: Hannah Hoffman (front) pitches to Mary Shelly during the kickball cancer awareness month,” game, while pink gifts (below) greet supportive attendees. Henderson said.
Students and faculty joined in when they caught sight of all the pink decorations and the people gathering to play kickball. “I could hear the shouting from other students, so my boyfriend and I ran over to see what was going on. We are both sport fanatics and loved that it was supporting breast cancer. So we had to join,” student Marrissa Sluss said. Johnaton Ortiz is part of Campus Rec and said he decided to help out for fun. “I couldn’t wait to play some kickball especially for a good cause. I even made the shirts that we wore during the games.” Ortiz said. Fellow Campus Rec assistant Hannah Hoffman said she was also excited about participating. “I couldn’t wait to do this event with my friends and being able to gather others students and faculty made it even more fun. I think it’s really important when you are in college to make friends, and it’s for a good cause,” Hoffman said. Student and event participant Alexa Gomez said the event went very well and students really enjoyed getting together for a cause. “I really wish we could have more events like this,” Gomez said,” I had a blast and it was nice to see so many students having fun together. It’s so hard getting to know people, and this makes it so much easier.”
Page 6
UPCOMING GAMES VOLLEYBALL Lady Ravens vs.
• Blinn College @ Brenham, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 6 p.m. • NJCAA Region XIV Tournament @ Tyler, Wednesday, Nov. 6 to Sunday, Nov. 10
SOCCER
Coyotes vs.
• Region XVI Tournament @ TBD, Thursday, Oct. 31 to Friday, Nov. 1 • District Championship @ TBD, Friday, Nov. 8 to Sunday, Nov. 10
BASKETBALL Ravens vs.
• Lone Star College Tomball @ Pasadena, Friday, Nov. 1, 8 p.m. • Lone Star College Kingwood @ Pasadena, Saturday Nov. 2, 4 p.m. • Collin County Community College @ Pasadena, Friday Nov. 8, 7 p.m. • Northwest Florida State College @ Pasadena, Saturday Nov. 9, 2 p.m.
SCORES
VOLLEYBALL
• Win, 3-2, vs. Paris, Oct. 16