SAN JACINTO TIMES Local artists displayed on South campus e student publication of the San Jacinto College District
Vol. 24, No. 9
April 7, 2014
Stephanie Jones Staff Writer
The human body is on display at San Jacinto College South Campus but not in the biology labs of the science building. Museum Anatomy is a photography-based series by Houston artists Chadwick Gray and Laura Spector exhibiting recreations of artwork featured in museum collections from many countries. However, there is one distinction – the recreations are photographs of artwork painted onto Chadwick’s body. “We’re inspired by paintings that are often hidden, destroyed, stolen or otherwise unavailable for the general public to view. The work we have recreated is mainly from museum collections from 12 different countries,” Chadwick said. “In a way, the Museum Anatomy project is a summation and worldwide survey of art for the past 500 years until today in both concept and process.” According to Spector, the original paintings are “repainted onto Chadwick’s body as a way to resurrect the hidden work. The paintings we choose to work with were painted pre-19th century, and now reinvented, take on aspects of performance art, sculpture, photography and painting.” Meanwhile, Chadwick and Spector said they consider their artwork far from ordinary. “Aside from looking at the visuals,” Spector said, “there are so many aspects to the Museum Anatomy project including collaboration, art and politics, conservation, curatorial decisions, stories of the artists, models depicted in the paintings, narratives of the paintings, gender roles, altering the male gaze, and searching for lost, hidden and stolen paintings.” Exhibition visitor and aspiring artist Alan Dossett said he could not believe the artistic talent he saw in the work of Chadwick and Spector. “It is so great to see how these two artists have recreated so many pieces of art that may have since been forgotten or never seen again due to their current state,” Dossett said. Furthermore, Chadwick and Spector not only want to amuse visitors, but also want their art to be in-
Photos courtesy of Martin Wnuk
Works of art from around the world are recreated on the body of Chadwick Gray as part of the Museum Anatomy exhibition.
spirational. “We hope viewers find it intriguing, engaging, playful and interesting. We’d like the work to inspire conversation,” Chadwick said. “We suspect there is something everyone will enjoy whether it is simply connecting to the visuals, or one of the many
I Am Woman discussion panel spotlights empowerment
Emily Wolfe Staff Writer
San Jacinto College North Campus’s Office of Student Life invited Dr. Pamela Campbell, the College’s Vice Chancellor of Educational Partnerships, to be part of the I Am Woman Panel & Discussion March 19. Three other women, Port of Houston Commissioner Janiece M. Longoria, State Senator Sylvia R. Garcia, and the Center for the Healing of Racism’s Dr. Cherry Steinwender joined Campbell as participating panelists. “It was good for everyone in the audience, regardless of gender, to hear the panel speak about their experiences and to offer bits of wisdom and guidance gained from life situations,” Campbell said. While the panel was one of several events commemorating Women’s History Month, Camp-
bell said their message is not solely for females. “It is important for all people to feel empowered,” she said. “Women need to accept the responsibility for leadership in their individual worlds,” Campbell said. “We need to find our voices and respond to issues and situations that we feel need change. We can be role models for both genders as caring, knowledgeable women of integrity.” According to Campbell, “human empowerment” is omnipresent and not restricted to a certain age, gender, or type of employment. “Young children who stand up for each other and reject the actions of a bully understand human empowerment,” Campbell said. “Parents, who work long hours to give their children opportunities they did not have, understand human empowerment.” Although the women who spoke at the conference are in high-level
positions, Dr. Campbell said any woman is able to embody empowerment. “I can tell you that there are plenty of extraordinary women all around you. They don’t have to be an elected leader, an activist, or a college administrator,” Campbell said. “They are people who make the most of every minute they have on this earth.” Furthermore, Campbell stressed many factors outside of an individual’s background are key in determining his or her life’s path. “Socioeconomic status does not constrain your future, and that you are the one who can decide what you do with your experiences,” Campbell said. She added, significant determinants include, “the value of education, the strength that’s within each individual, the need for a connection with others....”
See Conference on Page 4
theories behind the creation of the work.” “There is a myth that artists are disorganized,” Spector said, “eccentric and socially awkward. But, in reality whenever we've ever met highly successful artist they have the spirit of a child, the mind of a scientist and the business savvy of a CEO. This is
something we continue to strive for in our own lives.” Museum Anatomy is on display until April 18 in the Art Gallery of the Marie Spence Flickinger Fine Arts Building at San Jacinto College South Campus.
SGA committee proposes revision to student scheduling policy
Randi Crowder Staff Writer
San Jacinto College Central Campus’s Student Government Association (SGA) initiated a resolution committee to propose a revision of Policy V-J, the Student Scheduling Policy, to the Board of Trustees. The revision proposal includes a clause calling for e-mail notification to students any time a change is made to their schedule. Policy V-J currently states: "The College reserves the right, when necessary, to cancel classes, change instructors, and otherwise alter the schedule. No charges will be made for changes due to canceled classes. The college will determine when courses are to be offered, size of class enrollments, and location of classes." SGA Vice President and head of committees Petra Hernandez said the new clause was developed by
Central campus student Kip Glier. “Kip has worked very hard on the committee,” Hernandez said. “He has put a lot of effort and has done a great job following the guidelines and staying in contact with me and our Adviser Amanda Rose.” Glier said he was appointed by SGA to lead the resolution committee. “Adjusting student schedules is, unfortunately, a by-product of school operations,” Glier said. “However, altering students' schedules, without their knowledge, infringes upon fundamental student rights and can cause a distraction in the classroom. This policy has been in effect since March 1981 and I believe that the technology of today has far surpassed our current Student Scheduling Policy.” Glier said the idea for revising the policy stemmed from his own experience of finding a different
professor teaching a class than the one listed when he registered. He said he was able to meet with the department head the next day who said every semester, students come to see him wondering why they didn’t get the professor they signed up for. “As soon as I heard that my heart sunk; that feeling of disregard is not isolated,” Glier said. “I immediately got the chills and from that point on, I could only focus on the other poor souls passing through that office. I could offer a dozen hypothetical negative situations that this policy revision would prevent.” The resolution committee is in the process of drafting a survey to collect data from the College community regarding student notification of schedule changes, Glier said. “The survey is important,”
See Policy on Page 4
San Jac students showcase diversity through fashion show
Brandon Peña Staff Writer
A growing trend towards tolerance and acceptance has brought about the celebration of cultural differences. International Student Organization (ISO) President, Zahra Shihabuddin, said diversity helps his club stand out at San Jacinto College South Campus. “We don’t focus on the regular cliché ‘let’s play games,’ ‘let’s go here,’” Shihabuddin said. “We’re focused on expanding our horizons; try to get people to see what
is beyond their American borders.” To further this expansion, ISO is co-hosting, along with English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), their second culturallydiverse fashion show. Shihabuddin credits ISO and Student Government Association (SGA) member Kevin Mungai for conceiving the initial idea for the show. “For us, we wanted to do something different,” Mungai said. “This is a cultural event.” Centered on an array of fashion styles, Mungai said the show
aims to demonstrate how clothing has different functions in different cultures. According to Shihabuddin, last year’s fashion show was ISO’s first successful event. The openmindedness of one participant was “the most beautiful thing” about the show, Shihabuddin said. “I remember there was this African-American girl who wore the Indian Sari. She was very gorgeous,” Shihabuddin said. “She wore something that is completely different and does not reflect her culture at all. It showed
that connection in cultures, and acceptance with one another,” Shihabuddin said. Meanwhile, Mungai said many other San Jac organizations collaborated with ISO and ESOL in putting on the fashion show, including the Cosmetology Club. “We try our best to involve other clubs,” Shihabuddin said. “The event tends to be stronger and is more likely to be successful.” Mathematics Professor and ISO advisor, Zoya Birring, said last year’s Thanksgiving dinner was another of the club’s triumphs. “We had over 70 people and for
some of those international students, this was their first time for traditional Thanksgiving,” Birring said. Shihabuddin said the dinner actually showed international students how Americans celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. Shihabuddin said the need for clubs like ISO arises from the College’s diverse student body. “I’ve been an international student before. I know if I met somebody else, who’s at least close to where I come from, I attach myself to that person,” Shihabuddin said. “I feel like that’s a symbol
of home.” Furthermore, Mungai said diversity, as showcased by the fashion show, helps foster understanding and appreciation for other cultures. “It’s like walking into a garden,” Mungai said. “A garden has (a) different variety of flowers and plants…. You can relate with maybe the costume. So there’s that relation in saying that ‘hey, you know, we’re not far from each other.’” The fashion show starts at 6 p.m., Wednesday, April 9 in the J.D. Bruce Student Center.
San Jacinto Times
April 7, 2014
Opinion/Commentary
Page 2
Ef goes ‘round town: North campus neighbor Davlin’s tips: Nopalitos delivers authentic Mexican feast staying ahead keeps spring semester stressless Efren Diosdado
Department Editor
Personally, I’m not a fan of TexMex. If I’m going to eat something the “Texas way,” it’s going to be a 12 ounce rib eye or a big plate of
BBQ brisket. And if I’m eating Mexican, I’m looking for the most authentic home-cooked meal, not something in between the two. At Nopalitos Dona Maria, you get Mexican dishes so authentic, you’d swear you were at your Nana’s house. From the moment you walk into the light blue house with yellow trim, you hear the Mexican music playing in the background and smell the tortillas cooking from the kitchen. Bright orange, yellow, green, blue, and red colors decorate every wall and every booth making it seem even more authentic. At Nopalitos the menu is full of popular Mexican dishes ranging from chilaquiles rojos, which are fried tortilla strips usually topped
with a spicy tomato sauce and cheese, to enchiladas which are rolled tortillas typically filled with meat and served with a chili sauce. Students like Adrian Jimenez are familiar with Nopalitos and its authentic cuisine. “I like to get the menudo on the weekends to cure my hangovers. It’s almost as good as my momma’s,” Jimenez said. Maybe you like to keep it simple when ordering Mexican food and stick to basic dishes like San Jac student Steven Montiel. “I’m not too familiar with all of the Mexican dishes, but I do love tacos. So when I go, I always order three tacos de fajita, with flour tortillas and cheese,” Montiel said. “They
have this green sauce there that’s really spicy but insanely delicious. I always have to have it with my tacos.” Nopalitos is located at 1210 Holland Ave in Houston and they’re open Monday through Sunday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. A second location is at 2806 Southmore Ave. in Pasadena. They recently remodeled the place on Holland to make room for more seating, so finding a spot to sit at should not be difficult to do. If you’ve never tried authentic Mexican food, Nopalitos is a good place to start. It’s not too far from the North Campus so if you’re in that area, I highly recommend trying it.
Keili’s Korner: college athletes can be stars on the field, duds in the classroom
Keili Harrison
Department Editor
College sports are a nationwide phenomenon generating large audiences at each event. March Madness is a perfect example of their popularity. What draws audiences to games of young college athletes
rather than seasoned, highly paid professionals? A common dispute among sports analysts has to do with the degree of commitment at both levels. Critics argue college athletics are more exciting than professional sports because the players show more passion for their team, whereas the professionals tend to worry about selfimage and income. But when college athletes, more importantly STUDENT athletes, are placed in a classroom setting, does that passion pitter out? Athletes, in relation to academics, are a popular topic among critics of college sports who say student athletes are notorious for being stars on the field but zeros (or absent) in the classroom. This, of course, is a generalization of all student-athletes. A
few bad apples in the bunch, however, have spoiled the entire system’s reputation. Mary Willingham, a learning specialist at the University of North Carolina (UNC), told CNN she has first-hand experience with such situations. As part of a CNN story, Willingham said a UNC basketball player came to her for academic help. But he could not read or write. Moreover, this brings up the issue of teachers being unfairly lenient with athletes. If athletes do not pass their classes, they usually risk losing playing time. Athletes and coaches place pressure on professors, putting them in a tough position. No one wants to be the reason a team’s star player is on the bench, but as representatives of the educational system and their in-
stitutions, teachers have a duty to uphold. It is their responsibility to prepare students for tests and other tasks that make up the final grade. But if the student is not successful in the preparation, a justifiable grade must be given - athlete or not. In today’s society, we allow those of a certain status to follow a different set of rules. Yes, athletes provide us with entertainment, and in that light are focused and passionate. But it is just as important to carry the same motivated mindset into the classroom, rather than scoffing at an education with arrogance and laziness. The classification “student-athlete” comes with a responsibility, one that signifies the ability to thrive, not only in one’s respected sport, but first and foremost in the classroom.
up for a bike tour of Houston with Bayou City Adventures. The tour lasted a little over two hours and began just off Washington Avenue (a very popular night scene in Houston) and circled around Buffalo Bayou Park. We pedaled through inclined terrain and very picturesque scenery. Along the way, we made about 13 stops at bridges, monuments, and buildings. The tour guide provided the history of each stop and allotted plenty of time for the bikers to take pictures (or “selfies” as many call it nowadays). My absolute favorite was the Tolerance monument which consists of seven metal giants. I have seen the peculiar metal giants before, but I never knew the meaning behind them. The
seven giants represent the seven continents of the world and together they symbolize the unity and diversity of mankind. Another interesting stop was the Waugh Bridge Bat Colony. It is home to about 250,000 Mexican free-tailed bats that emerge every night to feed on Houston area insects. If you have a bug or insect phobia like me, you would find a deep appreciation for the bat colony and say to yourself, “Oh wow, thank goodness for all those bats.” Aside from falling off my bike and into the mud twice (no worries; no injuries or broken bones), the tour was fun and educational. I hadn’t ridden a bicycle since I was about 13 and I must admit I was a bit hesitant when I hopped on, but it only took me a few
seconds of pedaling to refresh my “motor” skills. Tour guide Archie Wright has worked for Bayou City Adventures for over a year and encourages people of all ages to take the Leisure City Bike Tour because it is a great way to learn about Houston while participating in an outdoor activity. “I definitely recommend to anyone to take a bike tour of Houston. The tour is full of information. You will learn something new and riding a bicycle is an excellent form of exercise. You will not lose anything from it except a bunch of calories. And heck, who doesn’t want that?” Wright said. Just as an FYI, I burned 900 calories during the tour. As a reward, I decided to treat myself to that delicious Ham and Egg Griddle Melt from IHOP!
Giovann’s quest for mind cultivation: bike adventure reveals picturesque Houston
Giovann Rosales Department Editor
This weekend I decided to trade in my usual 1,190 calorie Ham and Egg Griddle Melt from IHOP to engage in an activity that would not only enrich my body, but also my mind. I signed
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Alexis Davlin Editor-in-chief
How do we manage stress and keep up the motivation that was so strong at the beginning of the school year? Being a San Jac student myself, I feel this way every time warm weather is near. Classes feel longer, homework seems endless, and summer couldn’t be further away. San Jac student Jordon Carroll said he always falls apart after Spring Break and can’t keep up the drive he had at the start of the academic year. “Every time Spring Break rolls around, I let loose and let go of the steering wheel. I always forget that Spring Break is only a week and I can’t get used to it. Before I know it, here is school again and I have to find my motivation that I lost in Cancun,” Carroll said. Fellow student Karina Trevino said the second semester is the worst and she thinks more about what she is going to do for summer, than what she is supposed to be doing for school. “Winter sloughs off and the sun starts creeping more and more every day. That is my dying moment. I lose all focus on school and start planning my summer To Do list,” Trevino said. Obviously, during Spring semester, we are all tired and ready to get this over with. But the question is, how do we stay motivated? I stay on top of things by making lists and keeping up with my school work instead of going out during the week when I know I have exams and homework. Students should reevaluate their priorities and think of what’s going to benefit them in the long run. Case in point: San Jac student Aaron Munoz said he usually doesn’t do anything over Spring Break except catch up on school work and relax. “If I went out during Spring Break, I would fall behind and be more stressed than I was before. I use that week to relax and get my things together so I have an easier time after it’s over” Munoz said. Laporshe Galloway said, she tries to get most of her homework done before Spring Break so she can get away from school for a while. She does this all semester so she can keep up. “Yes, school is stressful. But why am I going to fall behind and not stay motivated? Summer is enough motivation for me to keep pushing forward,” Galloway said. I t’s up to all students to put their priorities in order. Keeping up with your classes will benefit you later on. Don’t find out the hard way!
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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
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April 7, 2014
Kiddie concert coming to North campus
San Jacinto Times
Lifestyle & Entertainment
Page 3
Robert Harris Jr. Staff Writer
The San Jacinto College North Campus Jazz Band and Wind Ensemble are staging a performance called the Kiddie Concert Thursday, April 17 at 10 a.m. in the Dr. Charles Grant Fine Arts Center. The Kiddie Concert is an event for preschoolers to enjoy concert and jazz music, and also introduce them to instruments and basic music elements. Randy Snyder is the Dept. Chair of Fine Arts and Education and the conductor of both groups. He said the Kiddie Concert came about, “as a means of an outreach to the area of preschoolers in the North Channel vicinity.” According to Snyder, he believes in the old adage “college is possible,” and by getting young people on campus for pleasant things like concerts, he said it makes the college experience seem enjoyable. “However, as college musical ensembles,” Snyder said. “it is incumbent for us ambassadors of the College to serve our surrounding community as representatives of what college can do and is about; to educate people and enrich lives.” Furthermore, Snyder said children from outside the North Channel area can attend the Concert to enjoy all its benefits. “The expectations are that the children will have a good time, and will be introduced to live music, and that concerts are enjoyable,” Snyder said. “We sent about 50 to 60 invitations to area child care centers all over the Northeast Harris County.” In addition, Snyder said the concert will start with a thirty-minute wind ensemble filled with “marches, orchestral pieces that are splashy, fast and loud.” “Any kid will be enthralled,” Snyder said. “Then we close with a 20 to 30 minute set of jazz band pieces that include blues, swing, rock, and funk music.” San Jac student musician Charisma Black said audience members can look forward to an interesting surprise during the concert. “My role is that I play the trumpet in both ensembles,” Black said, “There will be a special singer in the building, and that singer will be me.” Fellow music student Jeremy Dergent, a saxophone player in the Jazz Band and bass clarinet player in the Wind Ensemble, said he will conduct a piece for the show, something he has “never done before.” “It will be important for kids to get to know what real music sounds like” Dergent said, “because music today - is not music.”
Alan Pocaro’s art (above) was displayed alongside his friend Christopher Troutman’s work.
Michael Leedy San Jacinto Times
Space Oddyssey exhibit blasts off from Central gallery after March showing
Rachel Smith Staff Writer
Space Oddyssey, an art exhibition hosted in the gallery of San Jacinto College Central Campus, closed March 27 after an almost month-long showing. The exhibit showcased the work of artists Alan Pocaro and Christopher Troutman. Central campus art professor Michael Unger said the exhibit, whose name is intentionally misspelled, spotlighted both drawings and paintings. “The exhibition deals with how artists or individuals deal with the interpretation of space on a two dimensional plane; the many layers and/or the created patterns of space,” Unger said. According to Troutman, he was interested in showing his work with a former colleague from Eastern Illinois University; longtime friend Pocaro. “We are both interested in exhibiting our artwork and having the chance to engage a pub-
lic audience. We were lucky enough to be selected for exhibition at San Jacinto College,” Troutman said. He recently relocated to take a position as a faculty member at Lamar University. “I am new to South East Texas,” Troutman said, “and wanted to investigate places to exhibit my artwork. Last year, I took a teaching position as Assistant Professor of Art teaching drawing at Lamar University in Beaumont,” Troutman said. Prior to coming to Texas, he taught English with his wife in Japan. Troutman said he is most inspired by his surroundings, one of his greatest inspirations being Kagoshima City. “I typically want my artwork to be a response to my immediate environment, in which I'll usually see something strange or interesting, spatially, that I use as a starting point in my drawings.” Troutman said one of the most memorable responses he got for his art was from, “the gallery director at Parkland College in Champaign Illinois saying that my drawings have an ’overwhelming’ atmosphere or mood.”
Even though he enjoyed drawing from a young age, Troutman said he did not know he wanted to be an artist until later in life. “I decided to pursue art seriously during my senior year of high school when I decided I would study art in college at Bradley University,” he said. In addition to his surroundings, Troutman said much of his work is inspired by comic books, and he dreams of drawing a giant version. “I'd like to do a 12 foot tall comic book with giant paper panels drawn in charcoal,” Troutman said, “If they were 20 feet tall, then I could show them at the San Jacinto College North Campus gallery! I had spent most of my time in high school practicing to be a comic book artist.” Although he said he enjoys teaching and wants to become a full time professor, he also would like to show his artwork in a commercial gallery one day. But Troutman said that’s not all he’s hoping for. He said, “I also have the fantasy of working on some kind of graphic novel.”
Around Campus D I S C O U N T T I C K E T S N O W AVA I L A B L E A T G A LV E S T O N H I S T O R Y. O R G The 1875 Julius and Elizabeth Ruhl House
San Jacinto Times
Page 4
Conference Continued from Page 1
Meanwhile, Campbell said she felt “very honored to be on the
Policy
Continued from Page 1
he said, “because it will provide the Board of Trustees with raw data collected from the student body that will aid them in their decision. Unfortunately, I am unsure of a specific launch date for the survey. However, it should be within the next few weeks.”
panel” among very accomplished women. “The other three speakers are very high-profile local or state officials, and one is a nationallyrespected advocate for the elimination of racism,” Campbell said.
The sentiment was shared by fellow panelist Garcia who tweeted the same day, “honored to participate in a panel at San Jacinto N College with distinguished panel celebrating Women’s History Month.”
Glier said, at the moment, he is the only committee member but is actively attempting to recruit other students to join. “The committee definitely needs volunteers to help with promoting and drafting the survey,” Glier said. “The only requirement is that committee members be students of San Jac. We welcome participation from all three campuses.” Furthermore, creating the sur-
vey necessitates an extensive amount of research, Glier said. “The research mainly requires determining whether or not other local community colleges have any type of student notification obligations whenever that respective administration makes any changes to a student's schedule,” Glier said. Glier said the committee will, more than likely, propose the revision to the Board of Trustees in the fall.
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San Jacinto Times
April 7, 2014
8 DAYS A WEEK North
Monday, April 7
• UHCL Transfer Recruiter, 9:30 a.m., N12 Lobby
Tuesday, April 8 • Men of Honor Meeting, 12 p.m., N10.128 • Created Equal Film Series: Slavery by Another Name, 6:30 p.m., N1.103
Wednesday, April 9 • Author Nick Flynn, 10:15 a.m., N12.200 • Artisan Bakers Club Meeting, 3 p.m., N12.112
Thursday, April 10 • Anime Club Meeting, 2 p.m., N9.140 • Salute Honors Society Induction Ceremony, 7 p.m., N10.128
Friday, April 11 • GSA Meeting, 12 p.m., N12.215 • Math & Engineering Club Meeting, 1:30 p.m., N8.201
Saturday, April 12 ª• No Scheduled Activities
Sunday, April 13
Central
ª• No Scheduled Activities
Monday, April 7
Page 5
SJC students socializing more with phones than friends
Efren Diosdado Department Editor
Are smart phones taking you over? “Most definitely,” San Jacinto College student Jessica Cruz said, “like whenever I’m at a restaurant with my friends and we’re waiting on our food, we all just get on our phones instead of socialize.” It seems like more and more students are getting sucked into their smart phones with everything these gizmos have to offer today. From GPS to online deposits, these gadgets are saving us trips to stores, banks and much more. “I use my smart phone to find my way around town. I use it for my email. I can take good pictures. I use it for music and I use the calculator a lot,” San Jac student Ricardo Vega said. According to Cruz, they seem to do pretty much everything, even couponing. “Like say I’m going to Hobby Lobby and I forgot to print out my 40 percent off coupon, I can pull it out on my phone through my e-mail and use it,” Cruz said. But are they taking over our social lives? Face-to-face communication is no longer necessary because something as minor as going to the bank and making a
payment is done through a mobile device. “I have the Bank of America App and if I have a credit card payment, I can use the app to see if my payment was delivered through my direct deposit,” San Jac alumnus Benito Perez said. “I don’t even have to go to the bank anymore. I used to go to the bank to do all that stuff but now I just do it through my phone.” However, some students are aware of the impact smart phones are having on them, especially when they think back to a time before they used them. “It was better because that way, I had to socialize with people instead of getting on my phone…. And I would actually do my homework instead of getting on my phone and procrastinating,” Cruz said. Other students like Ricardo Vega disagree. “I was miserable,” Vega said referring to his pre-smart phone life. When it comes to hours consumed by phone usage, San Jac students admitted to four, six even 14 hours a day. All said their smart phones are a distraction. “YES, Especially with group texts,” Perez said. “It’s like having a chat room with all your
friends, and it’s distracting because people will have full blown conversations. I’ll be at work and everyone would be texting, and it’s distracting because I want to hop in on the conversations, as well.” Other students said frequent texts are distracting to the point of causing the end of relationships. “Every time I go out to eat, I’m always on my phone. I’ve lost a couple of girlfriends like that,” Vega said. So, is the distraction worth the outcome? Sure they make life easier. But we have to consider that we put so much value in these gadgets, that we are prepared to lose relationships and more than half of our day. Can someone truly enjoy life through a cell phone? Some students would even go as far as to say they feel their phones are a part of them. Without them, they would feel incomplete. “It’s like carrying a tiny lap top that you can call on whenever. But the cons are that when it breaks, you feel lost,” Cruz said. If students place so much value on these gadgets that losing them causes a grieving stage, maybe it’s time they start reconsidering their priorities.
Around Campus
8 DAYS A WEEK North
Monday, April 14
• FYE Registration Kick Off Party, 9 a.m., N6.104
Tuesday, April 15 • Men of Honor Meeting, 12 p.m., N10.128 • Psychology Club Meeting, 2 p.m., N7.164 • Art Gallery Opening, 5 p.m., N1.106
Wednesday, April 16 • Math & Engineering Club Fundraiser, 10 a.m., N12 Courtyard • FYE: Money Management Workshop, 11:30 a.m., N6.108 • Spanish Club Latin Dance Class, 1 p.m., N12.200 • Webb Society Meeting, 1 p.m., N7.164 • Psychology Club Meeting, 2 p.m., N7.164
Thursday, April 17 • Kiddie Concert, 10 a.m., N1.103 • LEX Induction Ceremony, 6 p.m., N12.200
Friday, April 18 • Good Friday Holiday
Saturday, April 19 ª• No Scheduled Activities
Sunday, April 20
Central
ª• No Scheduled Activities
• Book Fair, 10 a.m., Student Center Lounge A • Psychology Club Meeting, 12 p.m., C3.209
Monday, April 14
Tuesday, April 8
• Webb Society Speaker, 9 a.m., Ballroom • Psychology Club Meeting, 12 p.m., C3.209 • Clearly You Crystals Event, 9:30 a.m., Student Center Lounge A
• SVA Meeting, 3:30 p.m., C14.212 A/B
Wednesday, April 9
Tuesday, April 15
• Book Fair, 10 a.m., Student Center Lounge A • Laughter Yoga, 12 p.m., North Courtyard
• TSTA Student Program, 3 p.m., C20.261/263 • Bully Movie Screening, 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. & 5 p.m., Student Center Ballroom
Thursday, April 10 • Career Fair, 10 a.m., Student Center Ballroom • Creative Writers Meeting, 1:30 p.m., C4.216 • GSA Meeting, 3 p.m., Raven Cafe • ASID Meeting, 3:30 p.m., C17.230
Wednesday, April 16 • SVA Meeting, 3:30 p.m., C14.212 A/B
Thursday, April 17 Friday, April 11 • PTK Induction Ceremony, 6 p.m., Student Center Ballroom
Saturday, April 12 • Gaming Society Meeting, 10 a.m., Student Center
Sunday, April 13
South
• No Scheduled Activities
Monday, April 7
• Tennis Club Meeting, 2:30 p.m., Tennis Courts • ISO Meeting, 4 p.m., S6.152 • MMA Meeting, 8:30 p.m., Gym
Tuesday, April 8 • Student Bible Fellowship, 12 p.m., S6.196 • Anime Club Meeting, 2 p.m., S10.214 • Game Enterprise Guild, 3:30 p.m., S8.1062 • ESOL Meeting, 4 p.m., S8.1006 • ProMusica Meeting, 4:15 p.m., S15.115
Wednesday, April 9 • Art Club Art Sale, 10 a.m., Student Center • GSA Meeting, 2:30 p.m., S7.246 • Anime Club Meeting, 3 p.m., S10.214 • PBL Meeting, 3 p.m., S8.2014 • Writer’s Block Meeting, 3:30 p.m., S9.214 • ESOL Fashion Show, 6 p.m., S11.250
Thursday, April 10 • Children’s Center Tricycle Parade, 9:30 a.m., Student Center and Library Sidewalk • Game Enterprise Guild, 3:30 p.m., S8.1062
Friday, April 11 • MMA Meeting, 10 a.m., Gym
Saturday, April 12 • GCIC Jazz Festival, 7 a.m., Fine Arts Building S15
Sunday, April 13 • No Scheduled Activities
David Eulitt Kansas City Star/MCT
San Francisco 49er and Louisiana native Glenn Dorsey enjoys what he calls the best crawfish in Gonzales, Louisiana at the Seafood Corner.
Endless winter can’t keep a good mudbug down
Giovann Rosales Department Editor
Something highly anticipated by many Texans is coming. It’s that time of year when table manners are left behind and fingers are drenched in Cajun spices. Potatoes, corn, and good ‘ole mudbugs mark the beginning of crawfish season. Crawfish season typically begins in March and ends in July. However, the 2014 season is off to a slow start due to the colder-than-usual weather experienced in the Gulf Coast. In the article, Crawfish Season Is Off to a Slow Start, But Here’s Where to Get Your Mudbugs by Kaitlin Steinberg published on blogs.houstonpress.com, Stephen Minvielle, director of the Louisiana Crawfish Research and Promotion Board said the abnormal temperatures affected the start of the season. “Fifty-eight to 65 degrees is the most wonderful temperature for crawfish. Since we had a long winter, that growth period that we usually have wasn’t there. We’re about 30 to 40 days behind,” Minvielle said. According to the article Louisiana Crawfish Season in Deep Freeze by Ed Lallo published on www.gulfseafoodnews.com, the cold weather impacted the length of the season, as well as the size of the crawfish. “Snow, sleet and freezing temperatures have put the Louisiana crawfish season in the freezer. The arctic weather affecting the heart of the Bayou state means crawfish aren’t eating and likely to be smaller than normal at peak season,” Lallo said. Furthermore, Lallo said the colder weather also impacted the cost of crawfish. “The freeze is putting local suppliers on ice. Prices for the tasty crustaceans for consumers have reached almost $8 a pound, double the normal $3 to $4 a pound,” he said. Aside from the increase in prices and slow start of the season, crawfish lovers are still excited about the commencement of the season. San Jac student Amber Gonzalez said the increased prices will not affect her weekly feeding
frenzy of mudbugs. “Oh my goodness, I love crawfish. I noticed the prices were a bit higher for a pound when I went to the restaurant last week,” Gonzalez said, “but I really don’t care. I will pay the price because they are worth it and once the season starts, I’m hooked.” Crawfish fanatics have three ways of clawing into crawfish; hosting or going to a crawfish boil, dining at a crawfish restaurant, or attending a crawfish festival. Student Judy Carrales said she usually doesn’t go out to eat crawfish because either she has her own boils, or she knows someone who is hosting one. “I hardly go to restaurants for crawfish. We have crawfish boils at home almost every weekend. If we aren’t having one, then a friend or a family member is having one. People are crazy about crawfish. It’s like a part of life in Texas and a good reason to get people together for a good time,” Carrales said. There are many crawfish restaurants in or around Houston. Some of the most popular are Crawfish Shack located in Crosby, and Wild Cajun, Ragin’ Cajun, and LA Crawfish located in Houston. Student Andrea Flores said she enjoys trying different restaurants during crawfish season, but her favorite is in Crosby. “I usually go all over the place to taste crawfish. I go to Crawfish Shack the most because it’s closer to me and I honestly think it’s the best place to get crawfish,” Flores said. Crawfish festivals are also a popular place to go for mudbug lovers. This year, Kemah will host its first Ragin Cajun Festival May 16 through 18 in the parking lot of the Lighthouse District. Old Town Spring will host its twenty-eighth annual Texas Crawfish and Music Festival April 25 through 27, and again May 2 through 4. Crawfish season has become a cultural phenomenon in both Texas and Louisiana. Pictures of people dining out or hosting crawfish boils are regularly featured on social media proving, although crawfish season may be off to a slow start, the mudbugs are coming and so are their fans.
• GSA Meeting, 3 p.m., Raven Cafe • Creative Writers Meeting, 1:30 p.m., C4.216
Friday, April 18 • Good Friday Holiday
Saturday, April 19 • Gaming Society Meeting, 10 a.m., Student Center
Sunday, April 20
South
• No Scheduled Activities
Monday, April 14 • Tennis Club Meeting, 2:30 p.m., Tennis Courts • MMA Meeting, 8:30 p.m., Gym
Tuesday, April 15 • Student Bible Fellowship, 12 p.m., S6.196 • Anime Club Meeting, 2 p.m., S10.214 • Game Enterprise Guild, 3:30 p.m., S8.1062 • ProMusica Meeting, 4:15 p.m., S15.115
Wednesday, April 16 • Blood Drive, 10 a.m., Student Center Atrium • SPTA Meeting, 11 a.m., S1.217 • GSA Meeting, 2:30 p.m., S7.246 • Anime Club Meeting, 3 p.m., S10.214 • Writer’s Block Meeting, 3:30 p.m., S9.214
Thursday, April 17 • Blood Drive, 10 a.m., Student Center Atrium • SVA Meeting, 2:30 p.m., S8.2066 • Game Enterprise Guild, 3:30 p.m., S8.1062 • EPC Open House, 6 p.m., Welcome Center
Friday, April 18 • Good Friday Holiday
Saturday, April 19 • No Scheduled Activities
Sunday, April 20 • No Scheduled Activities
San Jacinto Times
April 7, 2014
College athletics full of unsung heroes
Keili Harrison
Department Editor
Their presence is minimal to the eye of the spectator, sometimes only caught by a passing glance. Like the team members, they wear the name but contribute their efforts in not-soglamorous ways. They don’t take shots, or score points, but their attendance is necessary at every game. Without them, a piece of the puzzle is missing and team function goes askew. Working hard behind the scenes, these members are responsible for managing tasks galore. According to the National Junior College Athletic Association’s (NJCAA) polls, the San Jacinto College Athletic Department is one of the top Junior College (JUCO) contenders in the nation. With such an esteemed reputation from a storied athletic franchise comes recognition and praise, for the athletes, of course. They’re the ones winning games and upholding the prestige of San Jac athletics. However, a significant part of that credit is owed to a group that usually falls under the applause-worthy radar; the team managers. “Some personal traits it takes to be a manager is being able to do jobs that might not be the most glamorous,” San Jac Men’s Basketball Manager Jay Turnipseed said. His daily duties consist of setting up practice, assisting with drills, as well as running the clock and taking statistics during games. He also washes practice and game jerseys, in addition to all the things which, in his words, “make sure everything behind the scenes goes smoothly.” Same goes for San Jac Volleyball Manager Lorenzo Johnson who takes part in helping with practice and game organization, among other things.
“I had to run around for hours picking up balls,” Johnson said, “I just tried to look at it as my work out.” Both managers believe it takes a certain character to succeed in their respective jobs, one with a strong mind, great work ethic, and the will to go above and beyond what is asked. In addition, a manager must be content with missing out on game action. “I know so much about the game,” Turnipseed said, “but I can't do anything but watch.” Furthermore, Johnson said he realizes he is part of a strong foundation supporting the team’s success. “It is really humbling. You never know what you’re going to get or what the athletes will become,” he said. Turnipseed said the most rewarding aspect of the job is being, “a part of something that is bigger than you.” “You get to see everything that goes in to create/prepare the team to win games,” he added. However, Johnson did mention his desire to ultimately become a volleyball coach. “Being a manager is just a start,” he said, “You have to understand that building a strong foundation is important to becoming something bigger and better. It’s like building a house. You start at the bottom and build from the ground up until you’re comfortable enough to call your house a home.” These two men are a part of a greater group of unsung heroes. Managers, trainers, bat boys, etc. selflessly give their time and commitment. They feel satisfied with the experience of being part of a team, never craving personal glory. It is a big job with small rewards usually limited to just a thank you. It is a simple confirmation, but as with most heroes, that’s all they need to know they’ve delivered a job well done.
Page 6
Sports & Fitness
Campus Rec event just a day at the beach
The 2013 Beach Day coed volleyball team poses for a group picture.
Krystina Salazar Staff Writer
Students will be skipping class and heading down to Galveston next week. With the District’s permission, selected participants will represent San Jacinto College Central Campus at the annual Gulf Coast Intercollegiate Consortium (GCIC) sponsored Beach Day at Stewart Beach Wednesday, April 16. “GCIC Beach Day is an event that includes area community colleges,” Campus Recreation (Rec) Staff Assistant Mary Shelley said. The Department organizes three major GCIC events: Sports Day during the Spring and Fall semesters, as well as Beach Day in April every year. “It keeps me active and it's also a good way to make friends,” student Dalton Boyd said about the recreational activities offered at San Jac. According to Campus Rec, about 30 athletes from Central campus will compete against local rivals in volleyball, soc-
cer, flag football, and golf at Moody Gardens Golf Course. “I have been participating in Campus Rec activities since the beginning of my freshman year,” Boyd said. However, not all students are chosen solely by their strength or ability to control the ball. Before playing in Beach Day activities Shelley said, “Students must participate in the Campus Rec Program,” and demonstrate a positive sportsmanlike attitude. Central campus hosted the GCIC Sports Day earlier this semester, placing first in both soccer and volleyball among the 16 competing schools. “I will be playing football,” student Evan Christopherson said. “It's fun to go out there against teams that think they'll beat you and then prove them wrong,” The defending team will have to prepare for the unconventional turf found naturally at the beach to maintain their lead for this next Rec event. “We used to have a sand volleyball court on campus, but it has since been eliminated,”
Shelley said. “In the future, I hope to bring the sand volleyball court back and get students using it on a regular basis!” Despite the lack of resources, athletes continue to run through their game plan. “I'll get the team together to have a couple practices and meetings,” Christopherson said. Above all scores, Campus Rec is taking extra steps to ensure health and safety remain priority number one while competitors enjoy the contest by the scenic waves. “Coach Sutton, myself, and student staff members will be monitoring students for any signs of fatigue or possible heat emergencies such as heat exhaustion,” Shelley said. The organization is also advising students to stay hydrated before, during, and after the tournaments. “I will drink a lot of water in preparation of being in the sun all day,” Dalton said. In addition to maintaining adequate nutrition, the department suggests participants take the time to stretch, warm up, and wear proper attire in order to
Photo courtesy of Campus Rec
protect their bodies. “Regardless if the sun is shining or not, we ask students to use sunscreen as a precaution… ,” Shelley said. “Sun burns are not to be taken lightly, and could potentially turn into skin cancer later in life.” Athletes agree. “Maintaining good health and staying physically active is a huge priority for me,” Dalton said. Campus Rec also welcomes spectators to come and watch the activities. “Students carpool down to Galveston with friends, and sometimes family members attend to cheer on and support their students,” Shelley said. While this is a friendly competition Shelley clarified, no prizes are awarded since an “excused” day at the beach is pleasing enough. “What I enjoy most about being in involved is staying active and meeting new friends,” Boyd said. Campus Rec will post San Jac’s results from the event online shortly after the scheduled date.