The Seminole Scribe Issue #1

the

Seminole Issue No. 1

SCRiBe

Email us at thescribe@seminolestate.edu

September 2013

The official newspaper of Seminole State College of Florida

Comedians deliver more Poet opens Speaker Series than just jokes

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Contributed by: Tracy Jerome Chisley

Text and illustration by: John Nunez

ig musty white underwear flew into the arms of a surprised student from the comedian Jonathan Burns at the Back 2 School Comedy Jam in early September at the Seminole State College Sanford/Lake Mary campus.

Burns, who began his act by appearing out of a small suitcase, has appeared on the Jay Leno Show, where he also tactfully removed his underwear in front of a crowd without taking off his pants.

Daryn Velez, a student at Seminole State who attended the event, said he enjoyed the show.

“It was funny,” he said. “I liked all the performances.”

According to Seminole State officials, approximately 200 students attended the event. As of now there are no future comedy events planned but Terra Clark with the Student Government Association said hopefully, depending on how this one went, there will be others. This event was free to students as long as they brought a student ID.

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As a result, area restaurants have joined together to give back to the community while supporting No Kid Hungry, an organization that has a goal to try and end hunger in America. That’s because nearly one-fifth of children go hungry throughout the day, according to the charity that provide free breakfast for kids going to school and also free snacks for kids in after-school activities.

This month, No Kid Hungry is promoting Dine Out No Kid Hungry where restaurants raise money for the organization and give back to the kids in America and, most importantly the families that help support their restaurants.

By: Tiffany Rosario

said she put a lot of time and effort into trying to come up with creative ideas to raise money.

“This is one of my ideas,” she said. “I call it ‘Color A Crab,’ for a dollar donation, we get to hang it up.”

Children and adults have been coloring these crabs to donate and decorate Joe’s and give their support.

“We’re trying to give back to the community,” Mrs. Aiken said.

The goal of Joe’s is to raise $10,000 for No Kid Hungry.

Other participating area restaurants include: • Gator’s Dockside

Local restaurants are teaming up together to help the hungry including Joe’s Crab Shack in Sanford. General manager Aaron Baltzell said, “One of Joe’s mantras is to give back to the community.”

• Arby’s

Joe’s Crab Shack recently held a series of activities to raise money for the charity, such as “Tip A Cop” where the Sanford Police Department served the food and 100 percent of the money raised went back to the charity.

In addition, a bake sale was planned every weekend that gave all proceeds to No Kid Hungry.

• Denny’s

Brand ambassador for Joe’s, Kimberly Aiken

• Sonny’s Real Pit Bar-B-Q • CiCi’s Pizza • Papa John’s Pizza For more information, visit nokidhungry.org.

The Seminole Scribe is the official student newspaper of Seminole State College of Florida

iving legend Nikki Giovanni, a wellknown poet, activist and educator arrived at Seminole State College in Editor Melissa B. Merkler early September as the opening speaker for this year’s Speaker Series.

Staff Reporters Ms. Giovanni, Michael Brown nicknamed the Sean Doty “The Princess Christina Fleming of Black Poetry,” Alicia Gonzalez kicked off the Joe Meadows Joey Metych Speaker Series, Leyla Rad a new effort and George Rivera part of the school’s Tiffany Rosario Read to Succeed initiative that Faculty Adviser invites speakers representing diverse Jennifer Sheppard views and interests to promote reading EDITORIAL POLICY and literacy at the College and in the Viewpoints expressed in columns and letters community. to the editor are the opinion of the author While at the podium, Ms. Giovanni

Eat out to end hunger

ven though there is plenty of food being wasted and kids are at risk of hunger everyday, certain laws prohibit people from handing out prepared food to those who need it.

THE SEMINOLE SCRIBE

From top to bottom: The donation bucket inside of Joe’s / Photo

by Tiffany Rosario The billboard outside of Joe’s Crab Shack / Photo by Tiffany Rosario The Arby’s Brown Bag Project / Photo by

Melissa B. Merkler

POET continued on page 4

and do not necessarily reflect those of The Seminole Scribe or Seminole State College.

Letters or columns can be emailed or dropped off at the office. Please limit letters to 500 words, and include phone number, name and area of study or affiliation. Letters will not be printed anonymously. We reserve the right to reject letters.

MISSION STATEMENT We are a student-run newspaper that aims to construct a publication of professionalism.

Through each individual staffer’s utmost potential, we write for the interest of the school and its student body to deliver a quality news and entertainment source that uphold traditional journalistic values.

PUBLIC FORUM The Seminole Scribe is a “designated public forum.” Student editors have authority to make all content decisions without censorship or advance approval.

COPYRIGHT ©2013 The Seminole Scribe. All rights reserved. All content is property of The Seminole Scribe and may not be reproduced or transmitted without consent. The Scribe is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press, Florida Community College Press Association and College Media Advisers Inc. CONTACT US Room J-107 Sanford/Lake Mary thescribe@seminolestate.edu

Editor’s Note

My name is Melissa B. Merkler. I am the new Editor-In-Chief for The Seminole Scribe. I have some big shoes to fill following the previous editor, Sabira Mawji. She is now at UCF furthering her education and career in journalism. Good luck Sabira. I know you are reading this!

Welcome new and returning Students! If you are reading this newspaper for the first time then you won’t know that The Seminole Scribe had a complete overhaul.

The past issues folded open like a traditional newspaper and made it inconvenient to read in a confined space. The journalism staff hopes the reader will enjoy the new magazine-style design.

Meanwhile, the 2013 fall school season is off to a good start. The frantic feeling hovering over the parking lots is beginning to subside. The confused newcomers are now finding their way around campus. And the hot summer air is transforming into a nice autumn breeze.

The Raiders will be lining up soon to start a new season of baseball, softball and golf. Did you know Seminole State College has sports teams? Did you know that the shield is not the school mascot? In fact, it’s a raider. No, not a pirate, but a bird. It seems that the raider is designated as an athletic mascot.

However, I believe that each student has equal right to it, not just the athletes and coaches.

The school calendar is filling up with many club activities. If you haven’t joined a club yet, definitely look into it. There’s the chess club, the non-traditional students club, the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Karate Club, the Student Veterans Association, just to name a few. If you don’t find a club that fits you, why not start one? Contact Student Life for more details.

Don’t forget, your comments are always welcome. I look forward to hearing from the students and faculty at Seminole State. Here’s to a successful fall term. Go Raiders!

Melissa B. Merkler, EIC

Tweet me @melissabmerkler

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elcome back to a new semester with new faces. Already, Film Club is off to a great start. We meet every Wednesday at 4 p.m. in J-008 on the Sanford/Lake Mary campus. For the past couple of weeks, our members have been showing up and sharing reviews of movies they have seen. It has been a fabulous time; movies from all genres in Contributed by: all time periods have been reviewed. There is truly Matthew Jezak at Film Club. This semester we are also hosting something for everyone two movie nights for college students so stay tuned to The Scribe for more information on dates. Film Club is open to anyone who loves films and TV shows so stop by and check us out.

Headphones in. Laptops on.

“You will feel like you are part of a family,” Mr. Edmund said. “Students will definitely Technology can be nice but take time to get involved on-campus gain a lot from joining this club. We start off with ice breakers to get students comfortable, Contributed by: tudents have been in class for about followed by activities, socials and events. We Yngrid Lindores a month, but have they overlooked discuss topics on academics, as well. Also many the obvious on-campus resources? There are a lot students are very shy and antisocial on campus. That's why of resources that go toward making students’ time at it's our job to help change that.”

Seminole State a more fulfilling and memorable college Another change happing on campus is the culture of experience. The sort of things that can bring students closer to the community and make students feel like a part reading, which, in the past, was lacking. The Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) now has a new Read to Succeed of something more than just a scribbled name on a roll.

Here’s the thing: college is about learning and growing and Center. Some students noticed the book nooks sticking out of the walls on their dash to the car after class as part of the getting a degree. And the less money spent doing this, the Read to Succeed center five-year plan of action to promote better. Students know this, it’s no secret, and neither is the and increase reading among all Seminole State staff, faculty stigma most students drag with them during their days at and students so everyone at Seminole State is reading.

Seminole State College; that a college like Seminole State The way the book nooks work is as straightforward as the can’t offer a real “college experience.”

Center’s motto: ‘Take a book. Leave a book.’ Anyone on Daniel Miranda said he felt that campus can take a book and, if they way too until he decided to stop like it, they can keep it. If they don’t overlooking the truth that college, they can simply place it back in the especially at Seminole State, is what nook. The point is to just pick up he made it. And with on campus a book and read. Read to Succeed resources like the growing Read director, Carissa Baker said she to Succeed Center and expanding encourages everyone to try it.

Student Life organizations, it’s not “Every single book here was donated only possible but easy to feel more by the Seminole State community,” a part of Seminole State growing she said. “Right now, we have over community and culture. Most 1,100 books just floating around the students have their noses stuck in a campuses.” binder, and with good reason - that test isn’t going to ace itself. It’s no There are three book nooks on wonder that most students don’t the Sanford/Lake Mary campus and one on the other make time to get involved on campus. But some do so campuses. But Ms. Baker said she wants to keep the here’s to spreading the word. momentum going with more book nooks on campus and hopes to see the culture of reading expand at Seminole “I wanted new experiences so I got into Student Life,” Mr. State so the Read to Succeed Center can be a sort of hub Miranda said. for all things QEP. And it seems to be heading in that “I was part of the Hispanic Student Association and direction with things like on campus book clubs and a other organizations like (Student Engagement Team) even scholarship program in the works.

(Student Government Association). And I’m glad I got into “Next semester,” Ms. Baker said, “we’re going to start a it because I made some of my closet friends that way. And program called the Campus Reading Liaison. We want just saying, it looks great on applications.” at least one student on each campus and the idea is the Kenny Edmund is also involved on campus through student is going to have a scholarship for one class.”

Sigma Phi Gamma (SPG), a club with a goal centered For more information on the Read to Succeed Center, on socializing and community service projects that give contact Ms. Baker at bakerc@seminolestate.edu or stop by students a more fulfilling college experience. the Read to Succeed Center in J-004 on the S/LM campus.

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I’m glad I got into Student Life because I made some of my closet friends that way.

And just saying, it looks great on applications.”

- Daniel Miranda

SunRail to be finished soon but does anyone care?

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ost students have been there: driving around the parking lot by the J building at Seminole State College’s Sanford/Lake Mary campus, for 20 minutes looking for a spot, while slowly stalking students that are just trying to leave campus. That’s before the mob descends upon their valued five-by-ten piece of prime real estate amid a flurry of honks, turning signals, obscene language/gestures and random passersby. Anyone who has ever driven to college and isn’t consistently punctual or two hours early has experienced this.

A solution to the congested parking lots and frustration with traffic could be SunRail, but issues include what seems to be a lack of real progress within the relationship with Seminole State College and connectivity around the stations that could threaten the success of the train line.

Lack of knowledge What could SunRail mean for Seminole State students?

For those who drive, this could provide relief from clogged roadways and annoying traffic or it could lead to even more frustration by lack of knowledge, coordination and a general turnoff from the entire system. For years, traffic in Central Florida has been a point of severe angst for daily commuters but many students still don’t know about the upcoming train expansion.

A random poll of 45 students from Sanford/Lake Mary campus was conducted. While it suggests that 60 percent have actually heard of the SunRail, only 24 of that 60 percent actually knew where the closest station to campus was located. Of the 40 percent who hadn’t heard of it, none knew the station’s location or very little about it and some were surprised to hear about it for the first time.

College and the rail Seminole State has been “working closely with the Florida Department of Transportation, Seminole County and the cities of Sanford, Lake Mary and Altamonte Springs for the past few years to prepare for the arrival of the SunRail,” Jay Davis, head of Public Relations for Seminole State College, wrote in an email to The Scribe.

“Most of the work has been behind the scenes so far,” he said. “Starting early next year, when schedules and transportation options are more clear, there will be more opportunities to promote SunRail to the College community.”

SunRail is an Orlando area commuter train that will span a 61-mile stretch from Deland in the north to Poinciana to the south beginning in May 2014.

The Sanford/Lake Mary campus will be less than 5 miles from two stations, with the closest stop at Lake Mary Boulevard and Country Club Road.

The Heathrow campus is also less than 5 miles from Lake Mary station. The Altamonte Springs campus is in between two stations: the Maitland station at almost 4.5 miles and the Altamonte station, just more than 5 miles.

transport to connect By: Joseph Meadows people to actual destinations and serve as a useful tool not just for students, but faculty as well?

After all, if people can’t get where they need to go in a timely fashion, the system won’t work for a wider clientele.

Connections are key “Connectivity is such an important issue.” said Cynthia Lambert of MetroPlan Orlando, a regional transportation planning agency for Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties. “It’s so important to the success of SunRail and obviously it would be a great thing for [Seminole State College] campuses” so the students don’t “have to drive the car and drive around forever” looking for parking.

There are a few methods of connectivity that are under consideration. The initial plans that LYNX, the regional bus transport, will implement only include a modest reconfiguring of its existing routes along the SunRail corridor to compliment the train service.

“We’ll be servicing every stop” and “augmenting routes” said Matt Friedman, LYNX spokesman. “We make at least three service changes a year.”

So it would seem that any changes would be more or less the normal course of action over the business year.

Another mode of connectivity that is gaining traction worldwide is bike sharing. Many cities in Europe, and now the U.S. are joining in on this convenient phenomenon, provided you don’t have to do thirty five miles a day on that sucker.

According to MetroPlan Orlando, they’ve put together “a working group…to look into bike sharing along the SunRail corridor.” So if that happens, it’s still many years and committees away.

Even if organizations like LYNX and MetroPlan Orlando work with SunRail to perfect the issue of connection, SunRail trains will only be running every 30 minutes initially during peak hours, every two hours during nonpeak hours and not at all on weekends. Issues could include overcrowding or loss of interest because the trains will be running so infrequently from the start.

An event unveiling new trains will take place Sept. 21, 2013, 4 to 8 p.m., Central Park is at 251 S. Park Ave. in Winter Park.

But will SunRail work? Will it be well integrated with bus systems and other modes of

POET continued from page 2 discussed some of her experiences regarding civil rights, which seemed appropriate after the recent 50year anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington in Washington D.C., where the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered the famous “I Have A Dream” speech. Some who attended the original march as well as some of her fellow Delta Sigma Theta Sorority sisters were on hand for the evening’s event. Ms. Giovanni, who has been a prominent University Professor at Virginia Tech since 1987, said she also taught poetry to Seung-Hui Cho, the Virginia Tech shooter.

She spoke directly about President Obama’s job, adding her feelings of disapproval about the new federally mandated Affordable Care

Act. “We should all have free health care,” she said and a few audience members walked out of the event after some of those statements.

Still, after the reading, a crowd gathered in a reception area for a book signing where Ms. Giovanni posed for pictures, getting face-toface with the audience.

The next speaker is planned for November with Dr. Raymond Arsenault, historian, professor and author of the book, Freedom Riders: 1961 and the Struggle for Racial Justice.

Sons of metal

Calendar of Events

A look into the local heavy metal scene By: Michael Brown

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tudents may be surprised to find how strongly heavy metal music and the Sunshine State are linked. In fact, the band that invented death metal, Death, originated from Orlando, Fla., in 1983, according to emptywords. org, the official website for the band, Death. Florida has since gained a reputation for being the capital of death metal music, and heavy metal in general, according to Loudwire, a music website.

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Marty Grosso, a local student, musician and employee in the Music department at Seminole State said Florida metal bands “had an impact on heavy music worldwide.”

“A lot of metal plays the same music theory as playing classical,” he said, “as well as jazz and blues.”

Hispanic Heritage MontH Student Activities

Altamonte Springs Tuesday, Sept. 24 noon to 2 p.m.

Outside grassy area

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Wednesday, Oct. 9 noon to 2 p.m.

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Live music, traditional desserts

One student, Jacob Randolph, said metal is “kind of a nasty sound, like something rusty,” while others found the genre harder to describe.

Spray can art, arepas

Live band, salsa lessons, FREE cultural food

Hispanic Heritage MontH

So, despite some disapproval, the metal machine continues to churn to this day. But what is metal?

Thurs. Oct. 10 noon to 2 p.m.

Outside patio

Student Ali Peera said, “(Metal is) a bit repetitive.”

Fans of metal, or “metal heads” have been described as enthusiastic and often are more mellow-than-expected guys.

Bulletin board by cca4u.org

Have a story idea?

“The fans are either very, very dedicated or they’re just kind of fine people, like ‘Hey, how’s it going?’ kind of guys,” Mr. Peera said.

Let us know!

Several students described heavy metal as an escape, although that does not mean that things are always nice and clean. Students have reported injuries such as knocking loose the crown of a tooth, getting punched in the eye or, as Mr. Grossso, said “blood running down my nose like a fountain.” While it can be enjoyed from afar, if the student wishes to truly immerse themselves in the experience, they may risk injury.

Email:

So, where can students go to find local bands like Sons of Ragnar, Filth, Monotheist, Cultellarii, Ironic Fate, Meka Nism, Bob Dobbs and An Effigy Distorted? There are many venues such as the Haven, the Dungeon or Club Firestone.

Mr. Grosso said he recommends BackBooth in downtown Orlando. “(But) I really, really like Uncle Lou’s Entertainment Hall (in downtown Orlando). They always support the bands.” A list of metal band venues and upcoming shows can be found at cflbands.com.

As far as attending a live show, Mr. Grosso said the “music is the most important aspect.”

“I don’t want to pay seven bucks at a local show to watch a drunk guy falling over the mic and puking all over the drum set.” he said. Find Mr. Grosso’s guitar work at facebook.com/martyguitar or youtube.com/lickoftheweek.

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thescribe@seminolestate.edu

A student ID may lead to major savings

By: Christina Fleming

student identification card is more than a piece of plastic though some students may not be aware of the discounts that are available just by flashing a college ID card while shopping in certain local stores.

A poll taken at the Oviedo and Sanford/Lake Mary campuses showed that 41 out of 50 students said they did not know of any places that offered student discounts.

“I have never even heard of a student discount,” Alex Artisticabal, 18, said recently on the S/LM campus.

Other students and staff members who said they had not heard of college discounts wanted to know about the places in the area that did offer them so they could save money.

“Student discounts are beneficial especially to students with limited funds because any help students can receive is great,” Seminole State Student Life Coordinator, Leslie Cook said.

“Metal musicians are reviving the brotherhood that built the genre in the first place, and I couldn’t be happier,” Tyler Futrell, frontman for Sons of Ragnar, said. Photo provided by Sons of Ragnar, a Longwood band.

METAL continued on page 10

Of course, students like Cheyne Wilson, 21, who studies hospitality said student discounts are a “great idea.”

“Especially for places in the area because having

a break on food and clothes would definitely be awesome after having to pay for tuition and books,” he said.

Movie theater employee and Seminole State student, Sydney Seal, 19, said all AMC Theatres offers discounts to students every Thursday.

It doesn’t hurt to ask!

These companies offer discounts, just ask!!

‘(Movie tickers are) only $7.75 compared to $10.50,” she said.

Michaels Stores Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft

Students like Carlos Leon said he was aware of this discount and had used it before.

Tutto Bene Restaurant Filomena’s Pizzeria Zaxby’s Arby’s Subway Waffle House Chipotle Mexican Grill

“I go to the AMC because I know they offer cheaper tickets on Thursday for students,” he said.

Does your company offer student discounts?

Let us know and you could be featured in the next issue!

Charlotte Russe J. Crew Banana Republic RadioShack Verizon Dell Apple Advanced Auto Parts Tire Kingdom AMC Theatres Goodwill Industries

Safety on campus: “If you see something, say something.”

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Text and photos by: Melissa B. Merkler tudents sucked into text messages and walking while listening to music may be at greater risk of becoming a victim of a campus crime than others. But most Seminole State students said they feel safe on campus but school is working closely to spread safety awareness on campus, according to A. Maxine Oliver, Director of Safety, Security and Risk Management.

That’s because September is National Campus Safety Awareness Month and, at Seminole State, in addition to added security officers, there are various measures in place to protect the campus community such as sexual assault awareness, Ms. Oliver said.

Of the crime on campus, Ms. Oliver said personal property theft is the biggest issue. Earlier this year, an individual on the Sanford/Lake Mary campus was taken into custody outside of the Partnership Center after a 911 came in claiming the individual had a weapon though no weapon was found. Before that, a student on the S/LM campus reported being “accosted by three unknown male suspects” and having his iPhone “taken by force,” according to an email. Another message notified students and staff after a student was “grabbed by her arm, pulled upstairs to the second floor of the building,” and “touched her on various parts of her body.”

Yet, despite the seemingly large number of officers, some students said security should “step up their game” on some campuses.

Even professors are targets of campus crime having books and personal items stolen from faculty offices. Susan Kellicut, a 15-year resident professor of Mathematics at Seminole State College said, in the past, a purse was stolen.

Tyler Evans, a nursing student at the Altamonte Springs campus said she has yet to see a security officer.

“It was a crime of opportunity,” she said, since the office door was left open.

“Except one time when he was eating lunch - he wasn’t actually doing his job,” she said.

Yet, despite the theft, Ms. Kellicut said she feels safest on campus during the day.

Seminole County Deputy Sheriff Jarritt Negri is assigned to the Adult High School - Building B - on Sanford/Lake Mary campus. Photo by Melissa B. Merkler

Security relies on Global Electric Motorcars (GEM) as seen on the Sanford/Lake Mary campus. Photo by Melissa B. Merkler

“If I was here at night or on the weekend,” she said, “I would have to answer that differently.”

Other students said some campuses tend to “feel safer,” than others.

“I actually see more of a security presence at Sanford,” Ms. Evans, a nursing student and Altamonte campus regular, said.

That may be because “only one to one-and-a-half officers work at the Altamonte Springs campus during a shift,” Ms. Oliver said.

Also, security at the Altamonte campus does not have access to the Global Electric Motorcars (GEM) that are seen on the S/LM campus but instead relies on foot patrol.

Ms. Oliver said the Heathrow campus also has a small security staff at this time and lacks a GEM car.

How to prevent crime: • Be aware of surroundings • Don’t text and walk • Lock vehicle • Walk in groups • Park near the emergency phones • Have emergency numbers handy Visit seminolestate.edu/ security/crimeprevention for more tips.

Sally Munoz, a student at S/LM said she feels safe on campus because of the Campus Emergency Text Messaging System, a subset of Seminole County’s free official instant messaging alert system that notifies registrants of information critical to their safety and well-being. (Register for text alerts at seminolestate.edu/alert/text.)

“We all know right away if something is going on,” Ms. Munoz said.

Seminole State also provides students, faculty and visitors with Code Blue Emergency Phones that are placed throughout each campus.

Robert Mathews, a student at S/LM, said he was not aware of the blue emergency phones.

However, he said he still felt safe on campus.

“Everywhere I go I see a security person around,” he said. “I know they do their job pretty well.”

While there is no specific place in which campus crimes occur, Ms. Oliver said crime “happens all over.” The most important way to prevent being a victim of a crime, she said, is not leaving personal property unattended.

In addition, every student should pay attention to the surroundings and follow the Department of Homeland Security’s motto: “If You See Something, Say Something.”.

The Code Blue emergency phones are scattered throughout the campuses as seen here on the Sanford/ Lake Mary campus. Photo by

Melissa B. Merkler

The pros and cons of going State S

Career Center: an unknown resource

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By: Leyla Rad

oming to Seminole State College could save students money compared to starting at a large university. Approximately 20,000 students have decided to “Go State,” this fall with the hopes of an easy transition into college life with more hands on education and small class sizes. But starting small could do little to prepare students for a large university with hundreds of classmates in lecture halls.

The average class size at Seminole State is about 24 students, according to Mark Morgan, Ph.D., Assistant Vice President Institutional Effectiveness and Research. The close atmosphere may be the reason the student forms a bond with the professor by the end of the semester. A student transferring to a larger university may have trouble learning when switching to such different scenery.

Seminole State motto outside the University Partnership building.

Photo by Melissa B. Merkler.

By: George Rivera

ome students may not ever see the Career Development Center but it could help students to succeed. The CDC, located in the C building next to the bookstore on the Sanford/Lake Mary campus, helps students who are unsure how to proceed with their major and students who might not have any major at all.

The CDC can be an invaluable resource for students but there are still many students who do not know about the CDC. Students may think that the CDC cannot help them at this point in college, whether a first time or a current student, but everyone can be helped.

Students that take advantage of what the CDC offers tend to finish their degrees more often and are more clear on their career path after college, according to Lisette Guillen-Dolby, assistant director of the CDC.

Robby Hamoud, a student at the University of Central Florida who is also taking classes at Seminole State in the University Partnership building, said Seminole State does prepare students for the “doing things on your own” aspect of college.

“It does and it doesn’t,” Hamoud said. “Teachers expect you to do more on your own and coach you through less of it. But as far as the college life, the classes are much bigger at UCF especially in the beginning years.

My marketing class was the largest in the country and it had 2,000 students in it. Four hundred in the building and the rest were watching it from the online component.”

For Sabira Mawji, a former student at Seminole State, the hardest part of her transition from Seminole State to UCF wasn’t anything about the class size but more of knowing her resources.

“At Seminole State, I knew where you could do your printing at, where the library was and the great resources they had for free,” Mawji said. “At UCF, there are so many resources that I didn’t know where to start.”

One of the best things about starting at a small school could be getting used to the responsibilities that come from being in college. But Scott Freeman, Ph.D., a psychology professor at Seminole State, said “it honestly depends on the learning style.”

“There could be an issue with transferring to a university but the student wasn’t thrown into an overwhelming university setting,” Dr. Freeman said. “They’ve learned how to study and they have matured by the time they transfer.”

Dr. Freeman, who started his bachelors at University of Delaware but, soon after, transferred to Hofstra University for smaller class sizes, said he also believes that every institution “babies” its students to some extent.

“The thing is,” he said, “they are the same classes here and at a larger university. That is the beauty of it.”

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The Career Development Center can help students with choosing a major and how to write a resume.

Photo by Melissa B. Merkler.

“We have statistical data that shows that students that get involved with their career development center usually have a higher propensity for staying in college and completing their degree,” she said.

Even with statistics behind it, there are still a low number of students visiting the CDC, Ms. Guillen-Dolby said, and among the students who do visit the CDC, there are few first time students. The CDC has made efforts to reach out to the students of the S/LM campus by attending first-time in college student orientation for the first time this year. But even with that, the students who know about the CDC tend not to be the first time students and many students go through their college life without knowing that the CDC even exists.

Stephen Jenkins said he did not know about the CDC but had participated in Career Links, a program the CDC provides online.

“I was surprised that they didn’t mention anything,” he said of the CDC program.

In addition, Kara Leiddenstadt, a current student, said she had no idea about the CDC, but all students interviewed said they feel that the CDC is something useful.

However, preparing students for the job market isn’t the only thing that the CDC does. It also helps students decide what majors they want and how exactly to market themselves within their field. There are many students who second-guess their major because they don’t know what to do with it but, according to Ms. Guillen-Dolby, “All majors are marketable.”

Dating online: a convenient spouse search

H “It is easier to sit behind By: Alicia Gonzalez

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nline dating may cut out a lot of wasted time but it could make room for a lot of lies. Still, there are many reasons why a person would turn to chatting online instead of face-to-face.

In fact, many people get married after the convenience of meeting online while others are stuck searching for meaningless hookups and avoiding commitment.

a computer screen than to be face-to-face with someone.” - Amrita Kataria

For Volusia County resident Stacey Lund, 37, online dating started out a little unusual when her date fell asleep during dinner.

“Both have their ups and downs,” he said. For one, he said there is more comfort in seeing a pretty girl online and knowing she is single versus seeing a pretty girl out-and-about and not knowing if she is already in a relationship.

“Am I that boring?” she asked as she recalled the awkward date. Shortly after, she learned her date had narcolepsy. Despite the disastrous date, Mrs. Lund said she continued to search online for nearly a year when she met her husband on eHarmony,.com a match-making website. After exchanging a few emails, they met in person and hit it off, she said.

Often, online dating may be easier for those with self-esteem issues, according to Amrita Kataria, a licensed mental health counselor currently practicing at Vivian Charneco, M.D., P.A. clinic in Kissimmee, Fla. Ms. Kataria said one of the main reasons a person might turn to online dating is “because some people are not happy with themselves or the way they look,” she said.

Mrs. Lund also said she learned a lesson to keep “chugging along,” with online dating, “because I think there is someone out there for everyone.”

“It is easier to sit behind a computer screen than to be face-to-face with someone,” Ms. Kataria said.

For others, logging on to a computer to find a date, or even just a hook up, can be risky. Tammy Moy, a marketing manager, said there are a lot of good people on the internet but then there are others “who prey on those good people.”

Online dating may be convenient but there also could be a downfall to it. One of the various complications that can arise from online dating is infidelity. Ms. Kataria said she views online dating as a “gateway” of moving on and perhaps not committing to relationships; however, she is not against online dating overall.

Mrs. Moy said that she was first introduced to online dating in her thirties because her friends “swore by it.” Although online dating for her, she said, did not go as planned, it did however bring her a step closer to her husband, who like her, was also on Match. com, another dating website.

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The two would have talks about onzalez their other online Photo by Alicia G dates over lunch and, after about “In my clinical opinion I have seen a negative a year of online dating she finally decided to impact when couples come in for therapy see if it would work with him and he is now her and rather than dealing with it” she said. husband.

“They become emotionally involved with someone online.”

Online dating could be easier for some or, according to their situations, more convenient.

Ms. Kataria also acknowledged that the problem Charles, a former writer for the Central Florida may lie within how some people are using the Future newspaper who did not want his last internet and what the motives are behind their name mentioned, said he does not have a use. Ms. Kataria said online dating could be preference as far as online and traditional dating “losing the way we used to do things.” “It’s not as is concerned. personal as it used to be.”

alloween is just more than a month away and, in Central Florida, this can mean only one thing: Halloween Horror Nights.

From vampires and werewolves to zombies and serial killers, Universal Studios of Orlando is hosting this horror-themed event for the twentythird time. Over the last two decades, Universal Studios has brought in many creatures to scare visitors under the autumn moonlight.

it.

The streets will be flooded with walkers as AMC’s The Walking Dead makes its return for the second year in a row. Mutants from Capcom’s Resident Evil will be running rampant through all of Raccoon City. Nightmares will be reawakened inside the houses of Evil Dead and The

By: Sean Doty

Coca-Cola and Burger King, residents can use special codes found on the back of Coca-Cola products or Burger King cups to help save more than 50 percent on admission prices online, from $92 to $43 for a singlenight pass. For those who seek to attend Horror Nights on more than one

“It will definitely be a Horror Nights that everyone will remember.” - Terel Newman

Halloween Horror Nights has had many changes since the beginning. When Halloween Horror Nights began in 1991, it was originally dubbed “Fright Nights.” The event lasted three nights and the only characters featured were the original Universal Monsters.

Much has changed since then, so what can visitors expect from Halloween Horror Nights this year?

“Evil has taken over the park.” Terel Newman, a scare-actor for Halloween Horror Nights, said. “As you venture into each house, you will see how the roots of evil have risen and the terror that each house brings with

Cabin in the Woods. Chills may rise for those who dare to walk through the moors under the full moon, as Halloween Horror Nights features the werewolf from the horror classic American Werewolf in London.

“I think the theme is pretty stellar, considering everyone loves the zombie theme right now,” Vincent Johnston, a Seminole State student, said.

“I’m a fan of The Walking Dead, so I’ll be going more than once this year.”

Florida residents could take comfort in knowing that Universal is offering special discounts thanks to

occasion, after surviving the first time, Universal is also offering various multiple day passes.

With scare houses, entertaining shows and rides (including the new Transformers ride), this has the potential to be one of the greatest Halloween Horror Nights. What better way to celebrate Halloween by running for dear life away from zombies, mutants, werewolves and other creatures of the night.

Halloween Horror Nights 23 runs from Sept. 20 to Nov. 2, starting at 6:30 p.m. and going as late as 2 a.m.

For more information, visit halloweenhorrornights.com/ orlando.

School website change biggest in decade

A

By: Joey Metych visit to the Seminole State College homepage may surprise some users. Since July 15, one of students’ biggest resources, seminolestate.edu, went through a complete redesign. According to Les Lusk, Associate Director of Web Development at Seminole State, the overhaul of the website has been planned for about a year. In fact, the school website undergoes a “revamp every year,” he said. However, the current format of the site is “the largest change in ten years,” he said.

While some faculty and staff may have been prepared for a new website layout through training, it came as a shock to most students. Shaylyn Brady, 23, said she first noticed the change “a month ago,” while she was “registering for classes.” Brady said she finds the new layout “simple,” adding: “I know exactly where to find Sakai and MySeminole State.”

Regardless, the new website has proven difficult for some. Kira O’Connor, 25, said that the new design required, “more navigating at first.” However, she said she is “glad they’ve updated [the site].”

Some features, such as the new search toolbar, along with the mobile-friendly nature of the website, have proven to be preferable to the previous layout. Overall, Mr. Lusk said he finds student feedback to be “positive,” stating a “5 percent increase on mobile devices.”

Still, every advancement in technology comes with a small learning curve and students behind the curve should contact the Computing Help Desk by calling (407) 708-2000 or via email at helpdesk@ seminolestate.edu.

METAL continued from page 5 The Seminole Scribe interviewed Tyler Futrell, frontman for Sons of Ragnar, a local band from Longwood, Fla. Q: What made you interested in starting a metal band?

A: Well, while I listen to a huge array of genres, metal is the one that hits me the hardest because of it's energy, and the requirement of at least some technical prowess draws me as a musician to push myself harder and harder.

Q: What is your opinion on the current metal scene as a whole, both locally and abroad?

A: Locally, it's returning to it's former glory. Metal musicians are reviving the brotherhood that built the genre in the first place, and I couldn't be happier. Worldwide it's still going strong, but for me personally, the injection of [Hard] core [music] in so many wonderful bands is becoming a little depressing.

Q: What goes into the song writing process?

A: Well, basically I'll write the skeleton of a song, no more of a collection of riffs, then the guys filter the riffs and tailor them to their liking, and then it's given to the drummer, and he arranges, adds, cuts, and transitions the riffs from there. We practice it a few times, make adjustments as needed, then our singer comes in and adds lyrics.

Q: What goes into the production process as far as recording, mixing, making the complete album?

A: Recording is done in our personal studio. [There are] long shifts, 12 hours at a time, ridiculously anal about mistakes and tone mixing is done by our drummer who is an audio engineer, and sent to a friend of the band who has been mastering for years as far as creating an album.

Q: What can be expected of a live show for your band?

A: In a word? Antics. Comedy, and a hell of a party to go along with it. Ridiculous stage props, stage presence and humor to magnify it all.

Find Sons of Ragnar at facebook.com/sonsofragnar or request free music at sonsofragnar@hotmail.com.

Study: Associate’s degrees, technical certificates can yield more than 4-year degrees

A good call: FAU frat selling spots on iPhone line

By Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel/(MCT)

Sept. 18--Want the latest iPhone, due out Friday, but not the hassle of waiting in line for it?

Donate $100 to charity, and members of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity at Florida Atlantic University will camp out Thursday night in front of the Apple Store at Boca Raton’s Town Center mall and hold the spot for you.

The 56-member group says when they first tried out the unusual concept last year, they raised about $4,500 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. About 35 people bought spots in line while others just gave donations to the members when they saw them in the mall or heard about their efforts.

“We pulled this together in a short amount of time, and it worked out well,” said fraternity vice president Patrick Gober, 20. “We got to hang out all night with each other, and it was for a good cause.”

Eric Marmer, who has since graduated from FAU and lives in New Jersey, came up with the idea.

“I was waiting in line one time, and I would see people coming offering money to have people’s spot in line,” he said. “So I knew there were people willing to do it, especially if it’s for a good cause.”

The diabetes foundation was chosen because it’s Delta Tau Delta’s nationally designated charity partner, members said.

People have been selling spots in line for Apple products for several years. In 2011, a college student sold her front spot in line at a New York Apple store for $900. Craigslist ads have also advertised the service. More unusual, although not unprecedented, is to donate the money to charity.

FAU student Theo Lena bought a spot in line last year.

“The guys are good friends and it was for a good cause, and I didn’t want to wait up all night. It was a win-win,” said Lena, who hasn’t decided whether to get a new model this year.

Two different phones will be available Friday. The higher-end iPhone 5S, which can be bought with a gold case, and the more affordable plastic iPhone 5C, which is available in a rainbow of colors for as low as $99.

The iPhone 5S is expected to be twice as fast as the iPhone 5 and will feature a Touch ID, a fingerprint authentication security feature.

Anyone interested this year in buying a spot in line should contact Zachary Goldberg at 321-948-0710 or faudeltscommunityoutreach@gmail.com.

By Adrienne Lu, Stateline.org/(MCT)

WASHINGTON - Students who earn associate’s degrees and occupational certificates often earn more in their first year out of college than those with four-year college degrees, according to a new study examining the average salaries of graduates in five states.

For the study, College Measures, a partnership between the American Institutes for Research and Matrix Knowledge Group, worked with Arkansas, Colorado, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia to obtain data on how much graduates from two- and four-year colleges in those states earned in their first year after graduation. College Measures aims to improve the decision-making process for students, parents and policymakers for a more efficient and productive higher education system.

“The findings challenge some conventional wisdom, showing for example that what you study matters more than where you study,” Mark Schneider, president of College Measures, said. “Higher education is one of the most important investments people make. The right choices can lead to good

Reuters and Tribune wire services contributed to this report. careers and good wages while the wrong ones can leave graduates with mountains of debt and poor prospects for ever paying off student loans.”

Schneider said states tend to put a lot of money into the flagship universities, the best-known research institutions in each state. But his study indicates state legislators should focus more attention and funding on community colleges, which “can represent a good way for residents of a state to get the training that they need to get into the local labor market and earn a reasonable wage.”

Schneider said that regional four-year public colleges should also take a cue from community colleges and think more about how they can best train students to fill the needs of local job markets.

Among the lessons of the study: Short-term credentials, such as two-year degrees and technical certificates, can be worth more than bachelor’s degrees in early years.

DEGREES continued on page 11

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Those who graduate from flagship campuses who entered the job market directly after graduation did not earn more than graduates of regional college campuses.

In all five states, those who graduated with engineering degrees earned the most.

Graduates with degrees in technology, engineering and math earned more than other majors, but the study found no evidence that those with science degrees in subjects such as biology or chemistry earned higher wages.

Each of the states in the study matched student records with data collected from the state’s unemployment insurance database. Every state used data from its public universities. Arkansas, Colorado and Virginia also reported data from some private, not-for-profit institutions. The study did not include earnings of students who moved out of state after graduation.

About 20 states nationwide have the kind of data used in the study, Schneider said, but most do not make the information easily accessible to the public.

“What we’ve done with these five states, every state should be doing,” Schneider said.

Funding for the study was provided by the Lumina Foundation, which has provided additional funding to examine the wages of students beyond the first year after graduation and who move out of state.

Week ending Sept. 17, 2013

#1 Album Midnight Memories One Direction

Outstanding Worthy effort So-so A bomb

Top tracks

The Butler

1

Wrecking Ball • Miley Cyrus

Closed Circuit

2

Roar • Katy Perry

3

Royals • Lorde

Insidious: Chapter 2

4

Applause • Lady Gaga

Riddick

5

Hold On, We’re Going Home Drake

The World’s End

Source: iTunes

McC latch y-Tr Chic ibun ago e Trib Los une Ang eles Phil Tim a. In es quir er

DEGREES continued from page 10 The study found that in Texas, those who graduated with technical associate’s degrees earned over $11,000 more on average in their first year after graduation than those with four-year degrees.

The Family

© 2013 MCT

© 2013 MCT

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