The Reporter, Vol. 1, Issue 12 by Lazaro Gamio

North and West Campus’ Graduation Limited

Collegiate Cadets Get A Taste Of Combat

Due to the high number of students participating in the commencement ceremony, graduates will now receive two tickets instead of four.

Students from the ROTC program simulated military maneuvers as part of Southern Strike Brigade’s annual Field Training Exercise.

Veronica Fukunishi, outfielder for the Miami Dade College softball team, answers questions about her goals, aspirations and favorite sport.

TURN TO TICKETS, PAGE 7

TURN TO ROTC, PAGE 8-9

TURN TO SPORTS, PAGE 11

Lady Shark Tells All

Feminine Protagonists Invade The Silver Screen Films Hanna and Sucker Punch take viewers on an action-packed adventure. TURN TO CHICK FLICKS, PAGE 13

ABANDON ALL HOPE YE WHO ENTER HERE. FINALS ARE NEAR.

4VOL. 1, ISSUE 12—APRIL 11, 2011 VISIT US ONLINE: WWW.MDC.EDU/THEREPORTER

ARTS AND LETTERS DAY

Pop Art

Arts & Letters Day at Kendall Campus featured art and performances from students, faculty, and professionals. By Mark Pulaski mark.pulaski001@mymdc.net

Punk Prince: Stooges frontman Iggy Pop was the keynote speaker for the 19th Annual Arts & Letters Day. MARK PULASKI / THE REPORTER

JAPAN DISASTER

A pink dragon lies motionless on the floor, smoke billowing through its nostrils. A stormtrooper, clad in white body armor, guards over a pair of dreadlocked students. A well-dressed lion sits in the middle of the crowd, it’s wide eyes observing all the commotion. This is no fantasy land, it is the Fred Shaw Plaza at Kendall Campus. These creations are all part of the festivities incorporated into Arts & Letters Day. Arts & Letters Day—now in its 19th year—is a “faculty driven, grassroots event” designed to celebrate artistic expression.

This year’s event ran from April 5 through April 7. “It’s more than a festival,” said Richard Rose, music director for the event. “Its purpose is to remove the barriers between artists and audiences.” Since it’s inception in 1993, Arts & Letters Day has featured such keynote speakers as filmmaker Spike Lee, Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Leonard Pitts Jr., and author/journalist Carl Bernstein— most famous for his role in uncovering the Watergate scandal. Program Director Marta Magellan is proud to have such heralded professionals on hand to share their experience with the students at Kendall Campus. Magellan notes that because the campus is so far from the typical art scene in Downtown Miami for example, Arts & Letters Day proTURN TO POP ART, PAGE 12

SGA VOTING

Disaster In Japan Touches SGA Officer Elections Set To Take Place Close To Home Court Yukie Futami, a defensive specialist on the MDC women’s volleyball team, explains how the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami affected her family in Japan and herself in Miami. By Gregory Castillo gregory.castillo001@mymdc.net

GREGORY CASTILLO/ THE REPORTER

From Japan, With Love: Yukie Futami, 20, a defensive specialist for the Miami Dade College women’s volleyball team, is looking to pick up the pieces after tragedy struck her homeland of Japan.

When the phone rang at 2 a.m. on March 11, Yukie Futami didn’t think much of it. “I thought, ‘what the hell’?” said Futami, 20, a defensive specialist on the Miami Dade College women’s volleyball team. “I hung up and went back to sleep.” Everything would soon change. The next morning, Futami’s phone was bombarded with text messages, phone calls and Facebook notifications. Her homela nd—Japa n—had been struck with 9.0 magnitude TURN TO JAPAN, PAGE 5

INDEX: PLEASE RECYCLE

BRIEFING

2-3

NEWS

5,7,8-9

SPORTS

Got News? Let Us Know. Contact Us:

mdc.thereporter@gmail.com

(305) 237-1253

Student Government Association elections will be held at all MDC campuses April 11-13. By Monique O. Madan monique.madan001@mymdc.net Miami Dade College students will soon get to cast their votes. Student Government Association elections for all eight MDC campuses will be held on April 11 though April 13. A ll registered MDC students can place their ballots at their respective home campuses with a valid MDC identification card. Students are also given the option of voting online at the student portal section of the MDC website. Open positions include president, vice president, secretar y, treasurer, public relations director and government relations director. Elected positions vary by campus. Elect ion resu lts w i l l be a nA&E

12,13

FORUM

nounced on April 14. Elected candidates will take office during the summer term. For more information contact your Student Government Association offices.

SGA VOTING To find out more about elections, call your campus’ SGA office. —————————————————— North...................... T (305) 237-1644 —————————————————— Kendall.................. T (305) 237-2722 —————————————————— Wolfson................ T (305) 237-3536 —————————————————— InterAmerican......... T (305) 237-6163 —————————————————— West.................... T (305) 237-8904 —————————————————— Medical Center..... T (305) 237-4209 —————————————————— Hialeah............... T (305) 237-8736 —————————————————— Homestead.......... T (305) 237-5065 ——————————————————

THE REPORTER IS THE FREE BIWEEKLY STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT MIAMI DADE COLLEGE. ALL CONTENT IS PRODUCED BY MDC STUDENTS. THE REPORTER IS A PUBLIC FORUM FOR EXPRESSION.

THIS IS YOUR 10AM CLASS.

BRIEFING

APRIL 11, 2011

THE REPORTER

// BRIEFING Monica Suarez, Briefing Editor //

THIS IS YOUR INTERNSHIP.

This is

THIS IS YOUR BACKYARD.

T (305) 237-1254

B monica.suarez006@mymdc.net

Professor Honored By Miami’s Haitian Women

Study Abroad Programs Available During Summer

Marie O. Etienne, a nursing professor at Miami Dade College’s Medical Center Campus, was nominated at Fan Ayisyen Nan Miami’s Annual Spirit of Justice Gala, as woman of the year for her accomplishments and involvement in the Haitian community on ETIENNE March 8. FANM, which opened its doors in 1991, is an agency with a goal to help low-income women and their families and victims of maltreatment, neglect, violence, and racism Etienne has been recognized for her work by numerous organizations such as the National Black Nurses Association, the American Red Cross as well as political figures like the Mayor of the City of Miami, Tomas Regalado. Her efforts in aiding Haiti and its victims from the recent earthquake is just a small portion of her involvement to improve the Haitian community.

The International Hospitality Center and the Department of Arts and Philosophy at Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus, are offering study abroad programs this summer to Spain and London for all students interested in tourism and humanities. The program to Spain, is from June 20 to July 18. To participate, students must be enrolled in a HTF2223: Training and Supervisory Development class, and submit an application to professor Maritza Marrero. The cost is $3,600, which includes airfare, accommodations, transfers and meals. Students applying for the program to London, from May 18 to 25, must be registered in HUM1020: Introduction to Humanities and submit an application to Professor Robert Moore. The cost is $2,608, which includes airfare, accommodations, ground transportation, daily breakfast, four dinners, guided tours and entrance to several museums and events. Costs does not include tuition. Slots for both programs are open to all students and are on first come first serve.

—Alexandra Dalpe

—Crizalida Suero For more information, contact: Marie Etienne T (305) 237-4288 B metienne@mdc.edu

Wolfson Campus Hosts High School Mathematics Olympics

Visit us at www.mmm.edu or call 1-800-MARYMOUNT

This is

Miami Dade College is hosting its second-annual High School Mathematics Olympics at the Wolfson Campus, 300 NE 2nd Ave., in the Chapman Conference Center. The event, which runs from April 7 through April 21, is for high school students throughout Miami-Dade County that have completed either an algebra, pre-calculus or trigonometry course. Each of the 30 participating schools is allowed a maximum of two groups with four members represented by a professor. The students are evaluated twice: individually and in a team. The top three scoring individuals and teams are awarded a trophy and a certificate of achievement. “This is an excellent opportunity for math students to get together and participate in an event that will help them in the future,” said Alvio Dominguez Mathematics Club Sponsor. —Brittany Esquijerosa

For more information, contact: Alvio Dominguez T (305) 237-3114 B adoming1@mdc.edu

For more information, contact: Maritza Marrero T (305) 237-3044 B mmarrero@mdc.edu —————————————— Robert Moore T (305) 237-3173 B rmoore1@mdc.edu

SWER Walks For Freedom Students Working for Equal Rights successfully organized the “Freedom Walk,” a three-mile national peace march on March 28, starting at the Freedom Tower in downtown Miami to InterAmerican Campus. The event included more than 100 supporters and numerous members from state and national organization. The rally was an effort to stop state legislation from passing SB 2040, Florida’s version of the Arizona Immigration Law that would allow police officials to check the citizenship status of people under arrest or subject to criminal investigation. The march included Juan Rodriguez of SWER and Florida Immigration Coalition, pastor Pablo Lago and Spanish American League Against Discrimination representative Marco Regalado who spoke about the bill and advocated for the DREAM Act. Students interested in getting involved should contact Stephanie Wall, head delegate of SWER. — Marvin Pineda For more information, contact: Head Delegate of SWER, Stephanie Wall T (786) 346-2657 B stephanie@swer.org

VISIT US ONLINE: WWW.MDC.EDU/THEREPORTER

Kendall Campus Keeps Students In Shape With New Activities Miami Dade College Kendall Campus, 11011 SW 104 St., is offering fitness classes for students Monday through Friday. The classes include everything from Zumba to Yogalates. They are aimed at helping students get active, stay in shape and relieve the day-to-day stress of college classes. The MDC ID Card is required to use facilities and participate in exercise classes. According to Kendall Campus speech professor and yoga instructor Kristen Rosen-Gonzalez, “yoga and physical activity are a wonderful way to not only work the body, but also the mind.” Classes are free and open to all students. —Richard Pizzaro

For more information, contact: Magdalena Rosell T (305) 237-2838 B mrosell@mdc.edu

CLASSES Fat Flush with Eli, Monday, 1 p.m.–2 p.m., Room G208 Yoga with Marlene, Monday, 5 p.m.–6 p.m., Room G208 —————————————————— Physique Training with Cookie Tuesday, 1 p.m.– 2 p.m., Room G208 Yogalates with Halley, Tuesday, 5 p.m.– 6 p.m., Room G208 —————————————————— Cardio Kick Boxing & Self Defense with Danny, Wednesday, 1 p.m.–2 p.m., Room G208 Yoga for all with Kristen, Wednesday, 3 p.m.- 4 p.m. Room G208 Café con Leche with Jorge Wednesday, 5 p.m.-6p.m., Room G208 —————————————————— Yoga with Halley, Thursday, 1 p.m.–2 p.m., Room G208 Zumba with Martha, Thursday, 5p.m.–6 p.m., Room G208 —————————————————— The Zone with Eli, Friday, 5 p.m.– 6 p.m., Room G208

GOT NEWS? If you have a news tip, contact us and let us know. If you choose to contact us via e-mail, please include your name and contact information, so we can contact you later.

THE REPORTER

APRIL 11, 2011

BRIEFING

Final Stop: USA Today reporter Alan Gomez will the final speaker of the MDC Journalism speaker series on March 13.

PHOTOBRIEFING 1

Taking A Stand: United Faculty of Miami Dade College rallied on March 30 at North Campus’ building 4 against new legislation that will affect the Florida College System.

Hallelujah: On April 5, Waves Campus Ministries at Miami Dade College North Campus, held a Spring Time Jam gospel concert with different musician artists from local church ministries to spread their faith on campus.

Smart Wings: Cuban artist Rafael Consuegra’s sculpture, “Learning Gives You Wings,” are placed outside of Miami Dade College North Campus building 1.

COURTESY OF ALAN GOMEZ

USA Today Reporter To Speak At Kendall Campus USA Today reporter Alan Gomez will be the featured speaker at the Kendall Campus,11011 SW 104 St., Room 413 during the MDC Journalism Speaker Series on April 13 at noon. During his career, Gomez has covered various beats, including local, state and federal government, education and the military. He has reported more than 12 hurricanes, brush fires in Florida, flooded cities and an earthquake in Haiti as well

Chandler Award Available For MDC Students The 2011 Chandler Award for Student Religion Writer of the Year is looking for entries. Students who wish to enter must submit three faith, ethics or spirituality based stories published during the 2010–11 academic year in campus newspapers, or magazines. Stories can be from print publications or online. The winners will be notified in July and will receive $600 and an all expenses paid trip to Durham, N.C. to claim their prize at the Religion Newswriters Association’s annual awards banquet and conference this September. Entries must be submitted by May 2. —Isabelle Anadon

as many ongoing wars. Today, Gomez is working in Washington, D.C. reporting on Congress, the Tea Party and immigration issues. Gomez’s presentation will close this year’s Speaker Series. The program will end with a 15-minute question and answer session. The event is free and open to the public. —Monica Suarez

1 ALAIN BICHOTTE / THE REPORTER

For more information, contact: Manolo Barco T (305) 237-2323 B mbarco@mdc.edu

North Campus President Honored With The Hispanic Leadership Award North Campus President José A. Vicente received the 2011 Hispanic Leadership Award in the category of education on March 25 at the restaurant Barton G. The award, which was presented by Liliam Lopez, president and cofounder of the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and Chairman of the Board Santiago Quintana Jr., is for members of the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce that are in good standing and have contributed to enhancing the quality of education in Miami-Dade County. “Dr. Vicente is a true leader in our community,” Lopez said. “No other president has received this award before.”

2 HECTOR GONZALEZ / THE REPORTER

MARK PULASKI / THE REPORTER

— Crizalida Suero For more information, contact: Debra Mason B debramason@rna.org T (573) 882-9257  WWW.RNA.ORG

Two Bills Passed Through Judiciary Committee Senate Bills 2040 and 318 are making their way through the legislator, possibly affecting Florida’s stance on immigration. SB 318 passed unanimously 7-0 through the Judiciary Committee on April 4. This bill would allow undocumented students in the state of Florida to attend a state college or university with in-state tuition. The bill has three more committee stops to go before it hits the senate floor. In addition, SB 2040 passed the Judiciary Committee 5-2 on April 4. It would mandate businesses in the state of Florida to submit all employees to E-Verify, an electronic verification program by Homeland Security, aimed to ensure that all employees are documented citizens or have a work visa.

For more information, contact: Liliam Lopez T (305) 534-1903 B llopez@sflhcc.com

InterAmerican Campus Unveils Intricate Math Sculpture Students and faculty at Miami Dade College InterAmerican Campus, 627 SW 27th Ave., constructed a math sculpture to heighten math awareness. The sculpture is a 10-foot wide, 4-dimensional, omni-truncated, 600-cell polyhedron with 31,000 parts. To campus will host the unveiling of the project on April 15 from noon to 1 p.m. at the campus flag courtyard. The sculpture will remain on display until the end of the spring semester. “I believe the sculpture will catch many students’ attention and make them see math in a more positive and interesting aspect,” said Rosalba Daniel, 19, a biology major. —Brittany Esquijerosa

—Akeem Brunson For more information, contact: Office of Senate President T (321) 752-3131

For more information, contact: Rosany Alvarez T (305) 237-6057 B rosany.alvarez@mdc.edu

VISIT US ONLINE: WWW.MDC.EDU/THEREPORTER

3 PAULA OMANA / THE REPORTER

11837-Miami Dade College:Layout 1

3/9/11

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NEWS

APRIL 11, 2011

THE REPORTER

// NEWS Monique O. Madan, Editor-in-Chief //

T (305) 237-1253

B monique.madan001@mymdc.net

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Phi Beta Lambda Heads To National Competition Miami Dade College Phi Beta Lambda students dominate at state competition and will go to nationals this summer. By Melissa Adan melissa.adan001@mymdc.net

Miami Dade College’s Phi Beta Lambda organizations placed in more than 30 state competitions in Tampa on March 10 to 13. Now it’s on to the National Leadership Conference in Orlando on June 23 to 26. Phi Beta Lambda, an education organization that prepares students for careers in business and business-related fields at post-secondary institutions, has one of the largest chapters at MDC with an enrollment of 200 students. The largest chapter is at the Kendall Campus which boasts 125 members followed by 35 at the Wolfson Campus, 30 at the North Campus and 10 at the InterAmerican Campus. “MDC has made a name for itself over the past 50 years,” said Kendall Campus’ PBL adviser Maria Mari. “But, this proves that the quality of students from MDC are equal to any major university in the country.” At the state competition, PBL members competed against universities such as Penn State University, Stanford University, Michigan State University, the University of Miami and Florida International University.

COURTESY OF PHI BETA LAMBDA

Orlando Magic: PBL Chapters from MDC will represent the school at the 2011 National Leadership Conference from June 23 to 26. “[The] Phi Beta Lambda State Competition was exciting, challenging and a wonderful learning experience,” said Stephanie Ramos the public relations director for the PBL chapter at North Campus. Horacio Aguirre PBL president at Kendall Campus, alongside partners Giovanni Castro and Carlos Arguello won first place in last year’s National competition for small business management where they used their winning idea of creating a nutritious ice cream bar and turned it into a real company. Their company, Neomotiv, was founded in 2010 after Arguello came up with the idea. The company also includes Pablo Rodriguez, Christopher Silva, Mirtha Guerra

Aguirre and Ilka Kohan. Neomotiv is expected to launch their nutrient-rich ice cream bar called the ÜberBAR on April 30. The ÜberBAR is an on-the-go ice cream bar that offers proteins, vitamins and minerals. Priced at $1.99 and available in vanilla and chocolate flavors, NeoMotiv is hoping to attract gym goers and active students. Neomotiv plans on working with Lackmann Food Services at MDC to sell their line of ice cream bars on campus. “PBL really does prepare you to do something in your life, whether it’s just helping you network or creating ideas that you can turn into businesses, it’s great,” Aguirre said.

JAPAN DISASTER

Volleyball Player Seeks To Overcome Tragedy FROM JAPAN, FRONT

earthquake followed by a tsunami that devastated the country. Futami looked for comfort. She woke up her friend and teammate Mima Hajdukovic. “She was stressed out thinking about her family,” Hajdukovic, 22 said. “I was doing my best to keep her out and not having to think about it.” Futami had to wait until she got to Wolfson Campus to gather details about what had happened. “I opened the door to my class and my professor was showing students what had happened on CNN,” Futami said. Frantic and worried, Futami tried to reach her family. “I had to call my mom, but the phone wasn’t working. I called them 10 or more times. I called my grandparents’ house, no answer,” Futami said. “Then I tried to call my dad at his cell phone but I got nothing.”

Futami was fortunate, her family was unscathed. But the damage to her country had been done. The Tohoku earthquake and tsunami took the lives of more than 12,000 people and damaged or destroyed thousands of buildings and homes. A homeland she had last visited two weeks prior. Her family’s home was also badly damaged. But things have not been easy. “The hardest time so far was when my mom asked me, three days after the earthquake, ‘why don’t you come and stay here with me? Why don’t you come back and stay here and help,’ that was the worst,” Futami said. “I’m 20; I’m supposed to work and help my parents. I have three younger sisters and they have financial problems but I can’t help.” Despite the devastation, Futami said her family was fortunate. Their home will be fixed. It was insured. That has done little to console

VISIT US ONLINE: WWW.MDC.EDU/THEREPORTER

Futami. When her heart lies 10,000 miles away, she can’t help but feel helpless. It has effected her school work. Her professors have been lenient. “‘When you’re ready to take the tests, you can take the tests,’ they told me. I still haven’t taken one of them,” Futami said, with a slight smile. Futami has attempted to follow her normal routine. She attends team practices, regular conditioning, works for media services at the Wolfson Campus and has not lost track of her love for volleyball. “I want to be No. 1 and play in division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association,” said Futami, who is a first team All-Florida selection. Meanwhile, Futami will continue to lean on her friends and family for support. “She’s a strong kid; she’s coping,” said Origenes Benoit, the head volleyball coach at MDC. “Little by little she’s moving on. She’s a fighter.”

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NEWS

APRIL 11, 2011

THE REPORTER

STUDENT FILMS

Students’ Winning Films To Be Screened At North Campus The School of Entertainment & Design Technology will host the second annual Cinema Al Fresco winning film screening on April 20. By Anna Carabeo anna.carabeo001@mymdc.net

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North Campus’ School of Entertainment & Design Technology will be hosting their second annual Cinema Al Fresco Film Series on April 20 at the Science Complex Plaza at 7:30 p.m. Students were given from Feb. 2 to March 25 to produce a 10-minute film of their own. In order to be eligible, films had to incorporate dance.The selected films will screen from 8-9:15 pm. Ece Karayalcin, a film professor at North and Kendall Campuses, started the project for one of her classes during the 2010 spring

term, originally titled Miami, I Love You. It has now expanded from a class project to a film-festivity for all students in the SEDT. Karayalcin said this year’s dance-themed films will be judged by a panel of industry professionals. The selected movies will be edited together for screening. “Last year in my film class we did Miami, I Love You and it was a great success,” Karayalcin said. “This year, any student from the School of Entertainment & Design [is] able to participate.” Film production and technology majors, Raymond Linares and Darian Faroy, are both in Karayalcin’s film production classes and are first time participants to Cinema Al Fresco. “Ece came up to me after class and said that I should get involved with the project,” Linares said. “I

immediately turned to Darian and we started working.” Faroy and Linares submitted their film titled local residance. “We are both musically inclined,” Linares said. “And since we live in Miami, we tried to incorporate different types and styles of dance on-screen people can relate to.” Linares said they had a plan from the beginning and just followed it through.The duo said making the movie was an enriching experience. “If there’s one thing that Darian and I have truly and honestly realized during the making of local residance is that no matter what, there is nothing that can stop you from making a film exactly what you want it to be,” Linares said. “If you haven’t done it yet then you haven’t dreamed hard enough. Go out there, and make it happen.”

COMMENCEMENT

Graduation Tickets Limited Due To Seating Availability North and West Campus’ graduation tickets have been reduced from four to two per student. By Alexandra de Armas alexandra.dearmas001@mymdc.net

Miami Dade 3x8.indd 1

2/15/11

Three weeks after Miami Dade College announced that President 11:26 AM Barack Obama would be the guest speaker at North and West Campus’ commencement ceremony, graduates were informed that they will receive two less tickets than planned. “More than double the number of graduates that normally attend expressed wanting to participate at this year’s graduation,” North Campus President José A. Vicente said.Originally, students were going to be given four guest tickets for the graduation ceremony on April 29, according to Juan Mendieta, Miami Dade College’s director of communications. “I’m very upset because it’s ridiculous that we have been able to succeed, go forth and actually get to graduation. Then for the College to deprive us with only two tickets just because the president is coming?” said North Campus psychology major Lianette Dieguez, who is the first among her two

COURTESY CARLOS LLANO / MDC MEDIA RELATIONS

Seat Filler: Ticket availability for the North and West campus graduation is limited, with a two-ticket maximum per student. President Obama will serve as guest speaker. siblings to graduate with a college degree.“I think students should protest.” In recent years, MDC graduation ceremonies have taken place at the BankUnited Center at the University of Miami. This year it will take place at the James L. Knight International Center in Downtown Miami due to venue availability. Vicente said the Billboard Latin Music Conference & Awards booked the BankUnited Center for numerous days prior to and after their event on April 28. “I am very disappointed that my

family and loved ones can’t share this moment of success with me,” North Campus pre-med major Ericka Vidaurrazaga said. “I am very frustrated.” The graduation ceremony can can be watched live at www.mdc. edu/north. “Because such a high-profiled person like President Obama is coming, we need to put some limits,” said West Campus Student Government Association President Andrea Cadenas. “I understand the anger and frustration from students but what can we do?”

COMMENCEMENT SCHEDULE North, West Campuses, Friday, April 29, 2011— 5 p.m. Speaker: U.S. President Barack Obama B James L. Knight International Center, 400 S.E. Second Avenue, Miami, FL 33131 —————————————————— Medical Center Campus, Saturday, April 30, 2011—8 a.m. Speaker: Kathleen Shanahan, State Board of Education member B James L. Knight Center 400 S.E. Second Ave., Miami, FL 33131

Wolfson, Hialeah Campuses, Saturday, April 30, 2011—12:30 p.m. Speaker: Michelle Cooper, president of the Institute for Higher Education Policy B James L. Knight International Center, 400 S.E. Second Ave. Miami, FL 33131 —————————————————— Kendall Campus 3 p.m., Speaker: Cesar Conde, president of Univision Networks B Kendall Campus Gymnasium 11011 S.W. 104 St. Building 7000 Miami, FL 33176

VISIT US ONLINE: WWW.MDC.EDU/THEREPORTER

Homestead, InterAmerican Campuses, Saturday, April 30, 2011—10 a.m. Speaker: Wifredo “Willy” Ferrer, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida B Kendall Campus Gymnasium 11011 S.W. 104 St. Building 7000 Miami, FL 33176

For more information about commencement: T (305) 237-8888  WWW.MDC.EDU

NEWS

APRIL 11, 2011

THE REPORTER

ROTC FTX

Training Day Miami Dade College Reserve Officer’s Training Corps students from North and Kendall Campus joined the Southern Strike Brigade for the Annual three-day overnight Field Training Exercise. By Gregory Castillo gregory.castillo001@mymdc.net

Snake Creek

NW57th Avenue

Reserve Officers’ Training Corps cadets from Miami Dade College’s ke North and Kendall Campus joined NW 202nd pi rn Street u cadets from Florida International aT ir d o l University, Florida Atlantic UniverF NW 186th Street sity and other schools in the region for the Southern Strike Brigade’s annual Field Training Exercise held 826 from April 1 to 3 at Snake Creek in Hollywood, Fla. Students stayed overnight to simGRAPHIC: LAZARO GAMIO ulate the living conditions of military environments and participated in rigorous training regimes including day and night land navigation, police calls and bunker invasion tactical training. The more advanced cadets, experienced the Ranger Challenge, a simulated battle combat course designed to test older, more hardened members. “FTX is a great way of introducing cadets new to Army ROTC to the military field environment,” said Captain Alvin Williams, an assistant professor of Military Science at Kendall Campus. “It’s not going to make them seasoned soldiers, clearly, but it’s just long enough to give them a taste of what it’s like to spend one or two days on the field under less comfortable surroundings.” Aside from the physical training, students followed protocol similar to standard military operations, even eating MRE’s or “Meals Ready to Eat,” the same meals soldiers on the front lines consume. “Some of them [MRE’s] are surprisingly amazing,” said Jose Pabon, liberal arts major and cadet from FIU. “The others are still actually pretty good.” ALL PHOTOS BY: GREGORY CASTILLO

Shot Selection:A cadet looks away from his crosshairs to listen t Field Training Exercise or FTX, on March 2, at Snake Creek in H King of the Compass: A cadet directs his squad during Day Land Navigation, one of the main events of the Field Training Exercise or FTX, on March 2, at Snake Creek in Hollywod, Fla.

Map Pack: Cadets participate in Day Land Navigation, an event requiring them to find a destination and plot points on a gridded map during the second day of the Southern Strike Brigade’s Field Training Exercise or FTX, on March 2.

Pin Point: A cadet aims her prop M-16 assault rifle during a bun many events cadets participated in during the Southern Strike

VISIT US ONLINE: WWW.MDC.EDU/THEREPORTER

THE REPORTER

APRIL 11, 2011

NEWS

Going Home: Cadet Maraeu, a student at North Campus, was MDC’s sole representative in the Ranger Challenge, an event made for hardened cadets. Unfortunately, Maraeu had to withdrawal from the challenge due to a knee injury. Mad Dash: Cadets participating in the Ranger Challenge course begin a combat simulation at Snake Crake during the Southern Strike Brigade’s Field Training Exercise on March 2 at Snake Creek, in Hollywood, Fla.

to instruction. Cadets gathered for the Southern Strike Brigade’s Hollywod, Fla.

Frag Out: Cadets were instructed on throwing a grenade casing at a specified location to measure accuracy and distance during the Ranger Challenge event at the Field Training Exercise or FTX, on March 2.

Field Practice

nker invasion trial run. The bunker invasion trial was one of e Brigade’s Field Training Exercise or FTX, on March 2.

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Visit us online for more images from the ROTC FTX.

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THE REPORTER

APRIL 11, 2011

SCOREBOARD

// SPORTS Hector Gonzalez, Sports Editor //

T (305) 237-1254

(*) HOME GAME (†) CONFERENCE GAME

MEN’S BASEBALL

B hector.gonzalez012@mymdc.net Student Fights His Way Into Education And Competition

GREGORY CASTILLO/ THE REPORTER

Looking Out: Jim Mansilla, 61, associate baseball coach for the Sharks was a former student at MDC. Mansilla is known as an ambassador of baseball, having coached in Italy in the 70s and early 80s. STAFF SPOTLIGHT

Baseball Veteran Inspires Team MDC Associate Head Coach Jim Mansilla has seen his share of legends at the College while teaching at the Biology Health & Wellness Department. By Jessica Ferralls jessica.ferralls001@mymdc.net Baseball is in Jim Mansilla’s blood. The 61-year-old associate head coach of the Miami Dade College men’s baseball team picked up the sport when he was six-year’s old in Plainfield, N.J. Mansilla played at Plainfield High School before graduating in 1969 .

Q&A Veronika Fukunishi Veronika Fukunishi, an outfielder for the Miami Dade College softball team has been an asset to her team. Fukunishi has 14 runs , holds a perfect fielding percentage and is batting .397, all while leading the Lady Sharks (24-15, 12-4 Southern Conference) with 29 RBI FUKUNISHI and 5 home runs. “She has been one of the best hitters I’ve seen in 22 years, and is a very coachable player,” MDC head softball coach Carlos Caro said. The Reporter sat down with the team captain to ask her some questions about life, sports and her career goals. Interview conducted by Roudy Mauricin.

He came to Miami when he was 19-years-old to attend MDC. Mansilla earned his associate’s degree in physical education in May 1971. Later, he earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Toledo. Mansilla has been teaching first aid, health analysis and S.L.S. classes at MDC North Campus for more than 22 years. “He’s an inspiration to the team,” sophomore pitcher Derek Law said. “Even when stuff is going wrong, he’s the guy to pick you up.” Mansilla has had stints as a head coach for an Italian baseball club, The Rimini Pirates, in the mid 1970’s to early 1980’s. “He is an ambassador of MDC baseball. Mansilla has seen all the

changes and been here through the thick and thin,” said MDC Head Baseball Coach Danny Price said. “He’s the guy that brings it all together from the alumni standpoint, the link to the past.” Mansilla briefly signed a professional contract with the Oakland Athletics’ minor league team in the Midwest League in Burlington, Iowa in 1973. His experience helped him shape the way he coaches baseball. “He’s a great guy,” said MDC sophomore outfielder Christopher Morales. “I’ve been with him for one year already and this is my second year with coach, his motivational speeches before every game get me fired up.”

Q: Why did u choose to play softball at MDC? I choose MDC because I had some friends that were playing softball at the college; we are international players so we didn’t know how it worked. I came because it was a good opportunity to play softball at the next level.

Q: You were part of the national championship team that won it all last year, how does that feel? Amazing. Everyday that you worked, every single ball I tried to catch at practice gave me great results. I don’t regret anything. I just wish we could turn back time.

Q: What gets you hyped up before a game? Hispanic music because everybody dances to it. Q: Do you have any pregame rituals? I just pray. Q: What is your favorite play in softball? A diving catch. I think it’s the most inspirational thing during the game. It makes you want to play more. Q: What are some of your goals in life? Get my bachelor’s degree in business administration, go back to Brazil and help my family so I can provide them a better life and win one more national championship.

SPORTS

Q: What are some of your hobbies? Sleeping, dancing, but if I don’t have softball, I don’t have anything to do, because it is already part of me. I need it. It is like a drug for me. Q: Do you think your team can repeat as champions this year? The team from last year was perfect! We have to work on it a lot. Q: President Barack Obama is coming to the MDC North and West Campus graduation ceremony as a guest speaker, anything you want to say to him? That’s a hard question. Well try to make the USA a better place to live and I hope to graduate from MDC and meet someone important.

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Miami Dade College student Carlos Vivanco, 23, is fulfilling his dream of pursuing a career in mixed martial arts. Vivanco became interested in the sport after he joined the wrestling team at Hialeah Senior High School. After graduating in 2006, he enrolled at MDC. “In high school I tried wrestling; it’s where I got my first taste for competition,” Vivanco said. However, Vivanco said his dream came to a halt when he discovered his mother Dermi Pozo was diagnosed with cancer. “My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer,” Vivanco said. “I had to work two jobs to [make] the house payments. I started caring less about life and gave up on my dreams of going to school.” After five years of chemotherapy, Pozo is doing better. Vivanco is once again pursuing his dream. He trains with Howard Puig, a martial arts teacher and owner of Padrinos M.M.A. gym located in Hialeah. “It’s a nonprofit organization that helps kids by giving them new meaning to their lives,” Puig said. Thanks to rigorous training such as cardio, strength lifting and endurance, Vivanco has posted a record of 4-1 with Alpha Fights Premiere MMA at the light heavy weight division. “He has what it takes to become a professional fighter,” Puig said. “The kid is like my son.” His family is also proud of Vivanco’s endurance through the rough times. Vivanco hopes to make it to the Ultimate Fighting Championship. “It shows his ambition,” his brother, Christian Vivanco said. “I look up to him.” —Saeli Gutierrez

FCCAA Changes its Official Name Upon Majority Vote Since 1975 all community and junior colleges statewide in Florida have been regulated under the Florida Community College Athletic Association. Nothing lasts forever. Last fall semester the 28 community college presidents voted to change the FCCAA to the Florida College System Activity Association. The change comes after a number of colleges including Miami Dade College started offering fouryear degrees. “It’s not like a university that offers a full four-year degree, now some of the community colleges are offering them in a few of their programs,” Jeb Blackburn the Executive Director of the FCSAA said. The FCSAA regulates, coordinates and promotes intercollegiate activities like brain bowls, student government, publications and athletics. — Hector Gonzalez

—————————————————————————— *†03/25—BREVARD COMMUNITY COLLEGE, 11-9 WON —————————————————————————— *†03/26—BREVARD COMMUNITY COLLEGE,11-1 WON —————————————————————————— †03/29—AWAY AT PALM BEACH STATE, PALM BEACH, FLA.9-1 WON —————————————————————————— *†03/30—PALM BEACH STATE, 5-9 LOST —————————————————————————— *†04/01—INDIAN RIVER STATE COLLEGE,5-8 LOST —————————————————————————— †04/02—AWAY AT INDIAN RIVER STATE COLLEGE, FT.PIERCE,FLA. 3-5 LOST —————————————————————————— *†04/05—INDIAN RIVER STATE COLLEGE,0-2 LOSTT —————————————————————————— †04/06—AWAY AT INDIAN RIVER STATE COLLEGE, FT.PIERCE, FLA. 0-0 —————————————————————————— AS OF 04/06 OVERALL RECORD (25-13) SOUTHERN CONFERENCE (9-8)

WOMEN’S SOFTBALL

—————————————————————————— †03/26-03/27—AWAY AT SOUTHERN CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT AT MELBOURNE, FLA. VS PALM BEACH STATE COLLEGE, 6-0 WON VS BROWARD COLLEGE,15-5 WON VS INDIAN RIVER STATE COLLEGE, 6-14 LOST VS BREVARD COMMUNITY COLLEGE,7-1 WON —————————————————————————— †03/30—AWAY PALM BEACH STATE COLLEGE AT PALM BEACH,FLA. DOUBLE HEADER GAME 1: 6-0 WON—GAME 2: 15-9 WON —————————————————————————— †04/02—AWAY AT BREVARD COMMUNITY COLLEGE AT MELBOURNE, FLA. DOUBLE HEADER GAME 1: 3-2 WON—GAME 2: 0-4 LOST —————————————————————————— AS OF 04/06 OVERALL RECORD (24-16) SOUTHERN CONFERENCE (12-4)

SCHEDULE MEN’S BASEBALL

—————————————————————————— †04/08—VS BREVARD COLLEGE AT MELBOURNE,FLA. —————————————————————————— *†04/09—VS BREVARD COLLEGE —————————————————————————— 04/12—VS ST.THOMAS JV —————————————————————————— 04/13—VS NORTHWOOD AT PALM BEACH, FLA. —————————————————————————— *†04/15—VS PALM BEACH —————————————————————————— †04/16—VS PALM BEACH AT PALM BEACH, FLA. —————————————————————————— *†04/19—VS BROWARD COLLEGE —————————————————————————— *†04/20—VS BROWARD COLLEGE AT DAVIE, FLA.

WOMEN’S SOFTBALL

—————————————————————————— *†04/09—VS INDIAN RIVER STATE COLLEGE ( DOUBLE HEADER) —————————————————————————— †04/13—VS BROWARD COLLEGE AT PEMBROKE PINES, FLA (DOUBLE HEADER) —————————————————————————— 04/16—CONFERENCE RAIN OUT DATE ( TO BE ANNOUNCED) —————————————————————————— *04/17—VS ST.PETERSBURG STATE COLLEGE (DOUBLE HEADER) —————————————————————————— 04/23—VS STATE COLLEGE OF FLORIDA AT BRANDENTON, FLA ( DOUBLEHEADER) ——————————————————————————

NOTEBOOK  MDC softball clinched a berth in the Florida College System Activity Association Atlantic District tournament.  Former MDC softball Vivian Morimoto was honored on April 4, with the 2011 Southern Conference softball player of the week for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

JAN. 17, 2011

APRIL 11, 2011

THE REPORTER

ARTS & LETTERS DAY

Masterpiece At Kendall Campus FROM POP ART, FRONT

vides an opportunity the students would otherwise lack. “We wanted our students exposed to the arts, so we decided we’d bring the arts to them instead of sending them across town,” Magellan said. A mong t he key event s t h is year were: a performance from renowned mandolin player Bill Walach, a sidewalk chalk art contest and a special presentation from the keynote speaker, punkrock icon Iggy Pop. Pop was on hand recounting stories from his past as well as elaborating on what the future has in store for college students. “Focus on a goal above and beyond a format,” Pop said to the group of about 250 students. “W hen you do something new; you’re going to get in trouble. Look for that.”

He hopes that students won’t necessarily follow his life as an example; instead he wants students to carve out pathways of their own. “Use education to find something that agrees with who you are; some way that you can find a life that has some of your own self in it,” Pop said. Rose, who managed to secure Iggy Pop as the keynote speaker after meeting him at the Miami Book Fair International, is happy with the opportunity that this day provides to the students. “We hope to offer students a chance to see the world through the eyes of others, offer them a bit of inspiration and encourage them to appreciate and create art,” Rose said. Sara Rojas, a 19-year-old nursing major, is one of those students. “This is the one thing I wait for every year,” Rojas said. “I love Arts & Letters Day.”

Chalk And Awe : Students competed in a sidewalk chalk art contest that took place Wednesday in the Fred Shaw Plaza of the Kendall Campus.

ALL PHOTOS BY: MARK PULASKI

Enter The Dragon` : Winners for the sidewalk chalk art contest were selected in two categories; solo artist and group effort.

Stooge: Punk-rock icon Iggy Pop spoke to an audience of about 250 students on Kendall Campus as part of the 19th Annual Arts & Letters Day.

NEW VENUE

Punk-Rocking It Out At The Bucket A new punk-rock venue, partially headed by an MDC student, opens up in Allapattah. By Rafael Tur rafael.tur001@mymdc.net The time is 11:45 pm on a Saturday, and you couldn’t go to Ultra. Instead you’re in Allapattah at a new venue, Miami Chum Bucket, 1545 NW 28th St. Outside you smell Marlboro Reds and a mixture of beer and perspiration. Upon entering the classroom-

sized venue, you confuse the mosh pit and crowd with a wine orgy in the time of Caligula. The music is loud. There is no A/C. The musicians, shirtless and glazed in sweat, ignore the uncomfortable heat and carry on with their sets. People spray beer and water all over the circle dancing crowd to cool them off, and several empty kegs of beer sit on a corner, still cold after being emptied in 30 minutes one by one only hours ago. Louis Ortiz—A.K.A. Roach—a nursing major at North Campus, runs Miami Chum Bucket.

Mandolin Man: Musician Bill Walach played a set of classic folk tunes on his mandolin in the Beat Cafe’ on Kendall Campus.

Story Time: Members of faculty dressed as fairytale characters and read stories to a group of young children. Characters such as Snow White, Mary Poppins and Little Red Riding Hood were among some of the costumed faculty in attendance.

He watches the entrance, simultaneously chatting with friends and discussing his thoughts. “The turn-out was surprisingly good.” Roach says. He bobs his head, singing a song. Later he and his band Eztorbo Social take the stage. Soon 10 gallons of home-brewed beer is distributed by the Hissing Leper for free in the outside area; banana flavored ale in unlabeled pint bottles. Roach and his friends have collectively worked to open Miami Chum Bucket for more than a year. The purpose of this place is to have a haven for alternative arts like graffiti, skateboarding and potentially a place for thriving musical talent to perform. For people who want to get away with wearing spike studded army boots and a big pink mohawk to work, the punks have gone out

of their way to not have to occupy someone else’s space. Relatively speaking, Miami Chum Bucket is a more controlled environment than a kindergarten classroom. When Eztorbo and the bearded audio guy behind an industrial sized fan join in, the tired crowd prepares for one last round of circle dancing and tossing petite girls in jean shorts into the air. In this violent fun, no one gets hurt. The line between violent behavior and violence is a thick one every punk must understand or you’ll be chased out with broken bottles and sharp jewelry. When the band is done, you can go outside and finish your ale. Roach waves away patrons by the chain link fence; it’s 2 a.m. now, Sunday. How about breakfast?

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More photos from the 19th Annual Arts & Letters Day on Kendall Campus. —By Mark Pulaski A review of the new album Angles by The Strokes. —By Monica Sharon A first-hand experience from a concert featuring Canadian rock band Rush. —By Carolina Del Busto A preview of the upcoming play Guys and Dolls, and a Q&A with choreographer Lee Pugh. —By Monica Sharon

APRIL 11, 2011

THE REPORTER

A&E

Classical comes to campus.

// A&E Mark Pulaski, A&E Editor //

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B mark.pulaski001@mymdc.net COURTESY OF WARNER BROS

Chick Flicks

COURTESY OF SONY PICTURES

Femme Fatale: Sucker Punch follows a group of girls who escape from their problems by delving into a fantasy world.

Just as some aspects of college are timeless, classical music never goes out of style. Public radio station Classical South Florida is all classical, all the time. Listen on 89.7 FM or stream online from anywhere at classicalsouthflorida.org

Cold Blooded: Saoirse Ronan plays a 16-yearold assassin in the new thriller Hanna.

SUCKER PUNCH: FILM REVIEW

HANNA: FILM REVIEW

Sucker Punch Fails To Deliver A Knockout

Hanna Lacks Substance; Provides Entertainment

Despite decent acting, standout visuals, and blistering action, Sucker Punch misses its mark due to a cliche’ filled, sub-par plot.

Hanna lacks serious cinematic content, yet delivers great cinematography, explosive action, and an original score by The Chemical Brothers.

By Carolina del Busto carolina.delbusto001@mymdc.net

By Jessica Medina jessica.medina008@mymdc.net

Simply put, Sucker Punch is about a group of girls who need to escape using the best way they know—kicking a whole lot of butt. The movie centers on a girl appropriately called Baby Doll, whose young, innocent look matches her name. Baby Doll gets put into a mental institution by her stepfather. There she meets four girls who are just as damaged as she is. They team up in an attempt to escape the hell they are in. The girls need to find five things in order to escape: a map, fire, a knife, a key, and the last thing is a “mystery” that only Baby Doll can discover—very original. Baby Doll hypnotizes men when she dances, though the audience never gets a chance to see this wonderful dance. Every time she begins, she closes her eyes and gets transported to an alternate world full of massive iron soldiers, giant guns, huge planes, and five small girls. The protagonist begins the film silently, and does not say her first words “Let her go, pig,” until about 20 minutes in. Usually, if a character stays quiet for a period of time before speaking, there is more meaning behind it—such was not the case with Sucker Punch. In the film, there is an old man that acts as a Jiminy Cricket character, telling the girls words of wisdom before every mission. Through him we learn that “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything,” (never heard that before). Sucker Punch lacks a solid story line. It goes from reality to alternate reality to a fake-reality within another fake-reality. It felt as if the filmmakers sat together and thought to themselves, “It’ll be pretty cool if we make her jump really high. And let’s have this blow up here, and maybe we should have a lot of loud music throughout so no one notices that there’s no point to this.” While the film may not have had much plot to it, the acting was pretty solid. Sucker Punch is entertaining if you like to watch action with no real story, but for those that prefer more meat in their movies, save Sucker Punch for a DVD rental.

From the acclaimed director of both Atonement and Pride & Prejudice (Joe Wright), comes the tale of a child raised to be an unstoppable assassin, by an expert CIA assassin gone bad. Erik, played exceptionally by Eric Bana, raises Hanna in the Finland tundra to be nothing short of abnormally fierce and wickedly relentless. Oscar nominee Saoirse Ronan, familiar from Atonement and The Lovely Bones, portrays Hanna marvelously, bringing characteristics such as ruthlessness and innocence into perfect harmony. Oscar winner Cate Blanchett, puts on a stellar performance. Even in scenes where the protagonist is present, Blanchett steals the show with her enigmatic and enticing presence. The simple plot takes unexpected turns at surprising moments, even when one considers this plot has been seen and overdone by other action thrillers. The secret government operations, the bond between a father and his daughter, and the remorseless villain who will stop at nothing, are all familiar themes to movie-goers everywhere. If you are in search of cinematic substance, look elsewhere. However, the cinematography and original score are exceptionally executed and absolutely fitting for this genre. The camera angles and scene transitions are perfectly fitting to the mood portrayed. When Hanna hunts in the noiseless mystic tundra you feel like a silent witness anticipating her next move. When the scene illustrated a drawn out chase and fight sequence the quick and sharp shot changes heightened your anticipation for the next blow. There were even some scenes, and you will know them when you see them, that were slightly James Bond-like. Possibly the best part of the entire film is the original score created by acclaimed British electronica DJ’s The Chemical Brothers. The fast-paced tempo is sure to put you on the edge of your seat. Hanna may not be a must watch, but it’s worth the ten dollars and decent entertainment for two hours.

2.5 out of 5

3.5 out of 5

SUCKER PUNCH—Emily Browning, Abbie Cornish, Jena Malone, Vanessa Hudgens and Jamie Chung—1 hour 50 minutes—Rated PG-13

HANNA—Saoirse Ronan, Cate Blanchett, Eric Bana—1 hour 51 minutes—Rated PG-13

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THE REPORTER

APRIL 11, 2011

FORUM

// FORUM Mark Pulaski, Interim Forum Editor //

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B mark.pulaski001@mymdc.net

STUDENT JOBS

The Horrors of Retail

QUICKFIRE The Reporter is the free biweekly student newspaper at Miami Dade College. All content is produced by MDC students. The opinions in this newspaper do not necessarily represent those of the administration, faculty, or the student body.

Columnist explains how being on the other side of the cash register will change you forever.

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GRAPHIC BY MANUEL PALOU

By Andrea Orellana andrea.orellana001@mymdc.net THEY SAY THAT the time you spend in college molds the person you become as a full-fledged adult. What they never say is where most of your information will come from: not from that professor with the argyle sweater and fake British accent, but from the characters in your day that aren’t trying to teach you about life. In most cases, those characters will be composed mostly of friends and family. For me, it took getting a part-time job to uncover some of the more useful lessons in my arsenal. Earlier this year, I earned the coveted posit ion of “sa les associate” at a retail store. I won’t tell you where but I will say it’s like The Sharper Image, except it rhymes with “crookstone” and it’s not as bankrupt. Name-dropping aside, I will say the experience has irrefutably altered the way I go about my day. (Although I can see why anyone would think otherwise —oh, a college student w it h a pa r t-t ime job, what a n undeniably unique thing to be, I know.) Firstly, I don’t trust anything anyone has to say to me anymore,

not if they can benefit from it. It used to be just men that I mistrusted, following the universal girl guidelines and all. But now it’s ever yone. Men and women alike, professions be damned; you can’t throw a rock without hitting someone who’s just pimping their own cause. No lying necessar y, sales associates will take any detail their beady eyes can catch and use it as a jumping-off point; anything that can convince your hand to migrate to your wallet (or money clip if you’re stylish and/or Tony Soprano) and have you offering the green stacks of paper we trust have retained some value despite our modern-day interpretation of The Grapes of Wrath. I notice you’re wearing a wedding band, sir. Here, try this automatic jewelry cleaner. Married, eh? You must be stressed; check out this massaging neck wrap— it comes in blue! (or pink if you’re against designated gender roles). You probably have k ids: here, we’ve got the best line of super durable Made-in-China indoor helicopters – they never crash! And if they do, it’ll be often, and more than likely you’ll end up getting a plastic rotor in your eye. By the way, they only use 6 A A batteries (I always stick with the “alkaline” part– it makes them sound fancier). The other thing working in retail has taught me is to be mindnumbingly anal-retentive. Every product in its place and a place for ever y product, they always

say. At this point, I’d be happy to kill myself before I go anywhere near a Ross, where organization of the store f loor takes a backseat to pretty much everything. I think that’s their motto, actually. Customers, when given the chance, will be children. Infants complete w it h a ver y l i m ited knowledge of common courtesy and a w ide variet y of angered and confused facial expressions. And they will nine times out of 10, if you’re not keeping an eye on them, practice sick childhood tendencies to destroy their environments without remorse like angr y k indergart ners on t heir last day of daycare. Have you ever grabbed an item in a store and t hen decided at the last minute that you weren’t going to buy it? What did you do next? Put it back in its place? If your answer is any thing other than “abandoning it wherever my limb had the pleasure of reaching first” then you’re lying. You’re a liar and you’ve made the life of one of my fel low sa lespeople just a little more difficult. I hope you’re proud of yourself. Aside from t he fact t hat I’ve lost all respect for drug dealers and vending machines, whom, let’s face it, have it too easy, for all their work consists of nothing but waiting for the customers to come to them I’ve learned a great deal from my co-workers at “Crookstone.” It never hurts to learn how to manipulate people and communicate in t he on ly language universal to all: money.

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AFTER THE YEAR Julian Assange had—revealing the dirty laundry and corruption of the world’s political and private sectors—the editor-in-chief of WikiLeaks has had his own file dump of sorts. A video released in March revealed a grey-haired, carefree Assange dancing at a club in Iceland. (I use dancing loosely as his moves on the floor are more reminiscent to a 16-year-old teenager on ecstasy.) Assange’s spaghetti-like moves labeled “Dancegate” by some, is a perfect example that karma applies to everyone. Think about it, what’s worse, being expedited to another country where you’re being tried for the sexual assault of two women, or helping enforce the racial stereotype that white men and in this case, information-seeking, social-changing, whistle-blowing Australian’s can’t dance? If I were him, I’d take the jail time and practice my dance moves in the slammer (which sounds like the plot to a cheesy, 90’s inspirational flick to me.) —Gregory Castillo

North Campus Bureau B 11380 NW 27th Ave. Room 4209 Miami, FL 33167 T (305) 237-1254 ————————————————— Kendall Campus Bureau B 11011 SW 104th St. Room M239 Miami, FL 33176 T (305) 237-2157 ————————————————— Wolfson Campus Bureau B 300 NE Second Ave. Suite 1610 Miami, FL 33132 T (305) 237-3368

Editorial Board ——————————— Monique O. Madan Editor-in-Chief

Alexandra de Armas North Campus Bureau Chief Gregory Castillo Kendall Campus Bureau Chief Lazaro Gamio Interim Wolfson Campus Bureau Chief Monica Suarez Briefing Editor Mark Pulaski A&E Editor, Interim Forum Editor Hector Gonzalez Sports Editor Anna Carabeo Multimedia Editor

Art Department ——————————— Lazaro Gamio Art Director

Akeem Brunson Multimedia Producer

Dispensing Nothing But Troubles

Manuel Palou Deputy Art Director

I WAS ON MY WAY TO CLASS and I needed some sugar to pick me up, so I stopped by the vending machines. When I put my dollar in the machine, it made a strange clicking noise like the Predator on a snack binge. The machine refused to give me my food. When I looked down to press the button that returns the change, it was missing. Then I went to the bursars office and after speaking to a somewhat recalcitrant accountant, found out that they wouldn’t have anymore refund coupons for the next “couple” days. What if I don’t want a freaking coupon? What if I just want my dollar back? I would really appreciate it if MDC could upgrade their decades-old vending machines. I’ve spoken to alumni from the 80s and 90s who tell me that some of the machines at school are the same ones they dealt with when they were here. This whole process of running back and forth from the bursars office to the vending machine is getting old, just give me my money so I can get to class.

Melissa Adan, Isabelle Anadon, Alain Bichotte, Carolina del Busto, Elias Cruz, Alexandra Dalpe, Brittany Esquijerosa, Jessica Ferralls, Saeli Gutierrez, Jessica Medina, Paula Omana, Andrea Orellana, Marvin Pineda, Richard Pizzaro, Monica Sharon, Crizalida Suero, Rafael Tur

—Elias Cruz

Issue Staff ———————————

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