The Reporter, Vol. 1, Issue 5 by Lazaro Gamio

Chilling: Black Swan graces the screen with a haunting tale of duality.

COURT ORDER

Mishandled: Lady Sharks Basketball off to a lackluster start this season.

TURN TO A&E, PAGE 11

TURN TO SPORTS, PAGE 13

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Merry Christmas. Happy Hanukkah. Happy Kwanzaa.

Down To The Wire Former President George W. Bush opened the Miami Book Fair International speaking about his new book, Decision Points. He drew protesters and supporters during the event. TURN TO NEWS, PAGE 9 GREGORY CASTILLO / THE REPORTER

New Rides: Miami Dade College begins replacing their aging vehicle fleet through their Vehicle Refresh Program.

Fighter: North Campus ACCESS Services student stresses that she is just like you.

Stargazing: North Campus receives new telescopes that will help students see connections with what they see in textbooks. TURN TO NEWS, PAGE 5

TURN TO BRIEFING, PAGE 2

TURN TO FORUM, PAGE 14

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Students Soon To Get A Student Overcoming Optical Obstacles Better Look At The Stars NORTH CAMPUS SCIENCES

North Campus Honors College Student Tania Perez finds way to break through barriers despite limitations.

Miami Dade College North Campus receives two new MEADE LX400 telescopes to build a bridge between textbooks and reality. By Monica Suarez monica.suarez006@mymdc.net For students at Miami Dade College’s North Campus, the sky is not the limit. The College recently acquired two 800-pound MEADE LX400ACF reflective telescopes that cost approximately $35,000 each. The equipment was funded by grants. One of the telescopes will be on the rooftop observatory, the other in the courtyard. The astrological technology will be used by students in the chemistry, physics and earth sciences department at the

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.

Science Complex. After professors and faculty have been fully trained to use them, the telescopes will be showcased for community events. “[This technology] opens a lot of opportunities for learning,” said Alberto Ruiz, 19, a physics major at North Campus who will be using the telescopes. “There are lots of pictures in the textbooks, but actually seeing what you’re learning brings a whole other experience to the course.” Each telescope has a 20-inch lens, a built-in GPS system and cameras that take photos of outer space. They can also spin in any direction, be controlled through a computer and they can be programmed and set to broadcast images on the Web. TURN TO TELESCOPES, PAGE 5

By Mark Pulaski mark.pulaski001@mymdc.net Sitting on a bench outside McArthur Hall, North Campus Honors College student Tania Perez watches the cars come and go. Perez wishes she could hop into her own car and drive home. Unfortunately, things are not that simple— she is legally blind. Born in Havana, Cuba in 1991, Perez was no different than any other child. But in first grade, she began to notice that something was wrong. “I used to sit in the back of class, in the last seat. Little by little I had to move forward,” Perez said. “Until the point where I couldn’t read what was on the board from the first seat.” One day, Perez’ mother, Alicia

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Teching It Out: Tania Perez uses the GW Micro Senseview Duo to magnify text. She occasionally uses the device to help her read. Guillen, got a call from her teacher. Perez, they told her, had to lean down to read her her books. Guillen took her daughter to the doctor. Perez was diagnosed with Stargardt’s disease—a condition that causes deterioration of the retina

BRIEFING NEWS A&E

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SPORTS FORUM

and leads to progressive vision loss. It affects approximately one in 10,000 children according to Macular Degeneration Support, a worldwide non-profit organization speTURN TO PEREZ, PAGE 7

12,13 14-15

PLEASE RECYCLE

BRIEFING

DEC. 13, 2010

GREGORY CASTILLO / THE REPORTER

Flying High: Joaquin Mantovani, a Eig-Watson School of Aviation student, has received a total of $15,000 in scholarships.

For over 35 years, NSU’s Fischler School of Education and Human Services has been shattering the boundaries of traditional learning and offering the most innovative, accessible, and technologically advanced programs in the nation. With our Master’s Accelerated Program (MAP), you can earn your bachelor’s degree in education leading to teacher certification in just 18 months. Enroll at any of our six Florida campuses, and take advantage of the option of completing graduate coursework during this time, allowing you to earn your master’s degree in just 30 credits.

Homestead Aviation Student Recieves Scholarship Joaquin Mantovani, a student at the Eig-Watson School of Aviation at Homestead Campus, was awarded $7,500 in November by the Greater Miami Aviation Association-Bachelor Scholarship Fund. The GMAA scholarship is annually awarded to qualifying aviation students pursuing a career in the industry. Mantovani was chosen amongst hundreds of students for demonstrating academic achievement, leadership and financial need. "I feel very grateful, very honored, flattered," Mantovani said. This past April, Mantovani also received the Eig-Watson scholarship for an amount of $7,500. This year, he has received a total of $15,000 in scholarships. Mantovani will be graduating with his Associate in Science in pilot technology this March. —Ivette Franqui

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CHANGE YOUR THINKING

Elizabeth Nicoli-Suco, a Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus mathematics professor, was awarded the Florida Professor of the Year award by the Carnegie Foundation for the Adva ncement of Teaching and t he Council for the Advancement and Support of Education. Nicol i-Suco, a NICOLI-SUCO graduate of University of Miami, has a bachelor’s and master’s in mathematics. She teaches all levels of mathematics, from college prep to calculus. "The one most powerful influence in my life is a desire to help students learn math," Nicoli-Suco said. "If there is a way to improve their learning process or better help my students, I will pursue it." Nicoli-Suco has received MDC’s Simon Bolivar Endowed Teaching Chair. She is also one of 25 English and mathematics professors from various community colleges selected for the Global Skills for College Completion Project. "I make an effort to get to know my students as people and I give them the opportunity to show me how creative they can be," NicoliSuco said. —Kirsten Rincon

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Wolfson Professor Receives Florida Teaching Award

TEACH. LEAD. CAUSE AN EFFECT.

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College Begins Replacing Aging Vehicle Fleet With Vehicle Refresh Program Miami Dade College is updating its fleet of service vehicles. In phase 1A of the Vehicle Refresh Program, a total of 24 new vehicles were purchased to replace some of the older vehicles in the Public Safety and Campus Support Ser v ices departments college wide. The vehicles include 11 Ford Escapes, five Ford Rangers and

eight Ford E-Series vans. Jorge Massana, fleet operations supervisor, said the upgrade was necessar y because of the aging fleet currently in use. Some of the vehicles were more than 10 years old. Massana, also the district motor pool coordinator, said that although the vehicles were maintained frequently, breakdowns

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were still an issue. Phase 1B is set to follow soon after, replacing the vehicles for the telecommunications department with new Ford Transit Connects. Other phases will soon follow until the entire fleet has been replaced. —Mark Pulaski

THE REPORTER

DEC. 13, 2010

// BRIEFING Monica Suarez, Briefing Editor //

(305) 237-1254 //

monica.suarez006@mymdc.net

BRIEFING

Student Group To Host Dinner, Auction For Funds

Fundraising Art Exhibition At Freedom Tower

The Hospitality Student Association at Miami Dade College’s West Campus is having a Golden Holiday Dinner Fundraiser on Dec. 16. The event will be open to the public. The event will be hosted at the 94th Aero Squadron Restaurant, 1395 NW 57th Ave. There will be a $30 cover charge that includes dinner, beverages and cocktails. A silent auction will be held to raise donations for the student organization. Gabriel Bardo, event coordinator and HSA treasurer, hopes the event will bring students, faculty and the community together. “We would like to warmly invite [students] to join us for this extraspecial event in support of a brighter future for the hospitality professionals of tomorrow,” Bardo said.

Miami Dade College is hosting an art exhibition and sale in celebration of its 50th Anniversary until Dec. 15. SmART, offers the opportunity to purchase and enjoy art from rising and well-known Latin American artists. 86 artists and 32 prominent galleries from eight countries will take part in the exhibition. Names such as Guillermo Kuitca, Emilie Clark and Cecilia Paredes will be featured in the walls of the Freedom Tower. The show will consist of 131 pieces. Proceeds from the sales will go to the MDC American Dream Scholarship Fund.

—Rafael Tur For more information contact the Hospitality Student Association BHSAMDC@GMAIL.COM

AKEEM BRUNSON / THE REPORTER

On Fire: Miami Dade College North Campus unveiled a new state-of-the-art fire truck for MDC’s Fire Academy, Nov. 17. The truck, a 2011 Pierce Contender, will allow instructors to teach the students enrolled in the program. Pictured above, Captain Chris Cox from the Sunrise Fire Rescue Department—who is also a part-time instructor for the School of Fire and Environmental Sciences—inspects the truck, while Fire Academy student Jonathan Guzman Rivera stands in his fire suit. —Akeem Brunson

RACHEL ROSENBERG / THE REPORTER

Work Of Art: Valeria Torres looks at Quest for Peace, the piece by Rob Horowitz that the exhibit was named after.

Kendall Campus Hosts Art Show To Promote Peace Kendall Campus held its fifth annual student art competition and exhibition, Quest for Peace, on Dec. 2. The show was inspired by the memory of Robert Horwitz, a philosopher and artist. The competition’s goal is to raise awareness for peace. Four $350 first place prizes were awarded along with seven $100 honorable mentions. Donations went to the Robert Horwitz Art Memorial Fund. Students were honored in the areas of photography, drawing, painting, computer art and ceramics. —Krystal Acevedo

Corrections and Clarifications In the Nov. 15 of The Reporter, Alejandro Feros' name was misspelled in a article about two North Campus officers stepping down from office.

Professor's Work To Be Shown In Taiwan

North Campus Metrobus Route Trip Discontinued

Alberto Meza, professor of fine arts at Kendall Campus, has recently been selected as a finalist for the International Biennial Print Exhibition, hosted by the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts. The museum plans to hold a touri ng ex h ibit ion i n three different art centers in Taiwan until April. MEZA “Now i mag i ne there are six judges and 1,400 pieces. So, it was an incredible challenge to select the work and incredible to be selected. You have a few seconds to impress the judges," Meza said. His print work, Dwarfs Encounter Velazquez’s Mirror, will be included in the permanent showcase of the museum.

The schedule for Metrobus Route 19 has changed. As of Monday, Nov. 29, the 10:40 p.m. northbound trip departing from North Campus will no longer be available. The last northbound trip of Route 19 will depart North Campus at 10:10 p.m. with a southbound trip leaving at 10:29 p.m. According to Karla Damian, Miami-Dade Transit information officer, the trip was canceled due to lack of sufficient ridership. A bus route must maintain a minimum of eight riders per trip—this trip averaged only five. The move was made as part of service adjustments which occur twice a year to improve schedule reliability.

—Julie McConnell

College Raises More Than $5 Million During Gala Miami Dade College held its Golden Gala event at the Freedom Tower on Dec. 2. The event raised more than $5 million for the college’s American Dream Scholarship Fund. Several hundred people attended including music mogul Emilio Estefan and developer Jorge Perez. The Gala’s host committee was composed of world leaders from various f ields, including MDC alumni Cesar Alvarez, Sheldon Anderson, Ambassador Paul Cejas, Andy Garcia, Sylvester Stallone and Alexandra Villoch. —Anna Carabeo

New Four-Year Science Degree At North Campus A Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Cell Science degree program will be offered at North Campus starting next fall term. In collaboration with University of Florida, students will be able to take all upper division classes online through the virtual college and take labs at North Campus. “It is a pretty unique opportunity for students to get a degree from UF without leaving Miami,” Biology Health and Wellness Chairperson Heather Belmont said. Applications will be available starting in February and must be turned in no later than March. Prerequisites for students include completing an Associate in Arts, biology 1 and 2, both Principles of Chemistry and Calculus. A minimum 2.5 GPA is also required. —Jessica Tejeda For more information, contact: Heather Belmont T (305) 237-1757 B Hbelcomnt@mdc.edu

—Laura Vargas For more information, contact: The MDC Art Gallery System T (305) 237-7700

Sculpture Unveiled At InterAmerican Campus InterAmerican Campus hosted the opening of the “Route to Human Rights” project on Dec. 10. The project represented t he Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article 19, which supports freedom of speech. The International Solidarity for Human Rights, an organization associated with the United Nations General Assembly, is part of this effort. All eight Miami Dade College campuses have been selected to present artwork by local and international artists. The artwork will be symbolizing each of the articles. InterAmerican campus was the first to unveil their artwork. Elevacíon by Uruguayan artist Mauro Arbiza, is the 16-foot sculpture inspired by Article 19. The artwork is on display at the corner of S.W. 27 Ave. and S.W. 6 St. “I think it is a wonderful symbol for our campus having that from the beginning, it has been a bilingual campus with needs for languages that come from countries that do not have the freedom of speech,” said InterAmerican Campus Dean of Students Lourdes Perez. —Melissa Adan

—Mark Pulaski

'Casino Night' To Be Held For Haiti Fundraising Miami Dade College w ill be hosting a Casino Night for Haiti on Jan. 14. The event will be held at Homestead Campus in Room F22 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., and will be open to the community. Participants will have a chance to earn fake cash, which they will use to participate in a silent auction. Roulette, blackjack, craps, and pit boss tables will be set up to give a casino feel to the event. Casino Night w ill ser ve as a fundraiser in order to raise money for Haiti, as well as to supply food for the poor. —Ayoyemi Ajimatanrareje For more information, contact Nicole Byrant T (305) 237-5223

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COURTESY OF THE MIAMI DOLPHINS

MVP: On Nov. 18, the Miami Dolphins made a special presentation before their game against the Chicago Bears to Miami Dade College in honor of its 50th anniversary. Dolphins CEO, Mike Dee, left, presented MDC President Dr. Eduardo J. Padrón with a commemorative jersey.

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DEC. 13, 2010

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NORTH CAMPUS SCIENCES

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

NEWS

North Campus Stargazers Get New, Advanced Tools monique.madan001@mymdc.net

FROM TELESCOPES, FRONT PAGE

The telescopes are so advanced that during the day, when stars cannot be seen, the craters and movement of the moon are clearly visible. The manufacturer, MEADE, has two types of telescopes, amateur and research-based. In the past, MDC has only had amateur telescopes. The new telescopes sit on the cusp of both; they are amateur as well as research-based. Using the old telescopes, you can see a comet, but you can’t see the tail. The new telescopes allow you to see the comet and identify the gases it gives off.

“The definition of this telescope goes beyond anything you can imagine," said Juan Catala, physics professor at North Campus. “This is the best telescope of its kind; the amount of detail is unbelievable.” According to Michael M. Boulos, chairperson of the chemistry, physics and earth sciences department at North Campus; the goal of the telescopes is to educate the community as much as possible about space. Boulos envisions introducing the equipment to middle and high school students. “We want to start science early and keep [people] hooked,” Boulos said.

ANNA CARABEO / THE REPORTER

Taking A Stand: Vanessa Núñez and other Miami Dade College students protest alongside supporters of the DREAM Act in front of Senator George LeMieux's office on Wednesday, Dec. 1. STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Student Living With Risk Of Deportation North Campus Mechanical Engineering Student Vanessa Núñez is at risk of deportation if DREAM Act fails to get through Congress. By Monica Suarez monica.suarez006@mymdc.net Every day, Vanessa Núñez anxiously waits for the mail. Since Oct. 30, Núñez, a mechanical engineering major at The Honors College at North Campus, has been waiting for a letter of deportation that will send her back to Venezuela. Núñez, her mom and her sister arrived in the United States from Venezuela on Oct. 5, 2003 on a tourist visa. They remained in the country after the visa expired. “I was a kid when I left, so basically I thought it was all good,” said Núñez, 21. “When I got here and grew up and saw how life was over there, there’s basically no comparison to my life here. I am getting an education and over there, I wouldn’t have been able to.” This month, Núñez got some news that could affect her status. On Dec. 8, the House of Representatives approved the DREAM Act, a piece of bipartisan legislation that gives undocumented students the opportunity to earn a pathway to citizenship by completing two years of military service or higher education. Later this month, the Senate is

scheduled to vote on the bill. “I believe, if I have to leave, my life will be filled with continuous fear of being assaulted, robbed, killed and I would be devastated to cut my studies short,” Núñez said. This is not Núñez’s first attempt at becoming a legal United States resident. In 2006, Núñez and her family filed for political asylum, requesting the right to seek shelter in another country for fear of persecution. Her request was denied. Núñez decided to take action by taking her case to court; in November 2007, it was negated. She filed an appeal; it was refused in August 2009. Despite the constant rejection, Núñez didn’t give up. She filed a motion to reconsider, and in March 2010, her motion was rejected again. On Sept. 13, 2010, Núñez’s request to reopen her case was refused. Felipe Matos, one of the four MDC alumni that participated in the Trail of Dreams, a 500-mile walk from Miami to Washington D.C. to support the DREAM Act, faced the same situation several years ago. “I love that Vanessa has stepped up and told her story,” Matos said. “Students shouldn’t have to fear deportation.” Núñez said the anxiety of not knowing keeps her incessantly paranoid. “It’s gotten to the point where

every time there’s a knock on the door, I freak,” Núñez said. “I tell my parents to look through the hole and make sure they know who’s knocking.” Núñez’s story has gained a lot of publicity. Her story has been published in El Pais de España and on television shows such as Primer Impacto and Swiss TV. The stress of the case has not affected her academic endeavors. Núñez has a 3.88 grade point average, is vice president of the Youth Environmental Sustainability Club, an active member of Students Working for Equal Rights, a member of Phi Theta Kappa and part of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. Stephanie Wall, 19, a psychology major and core leader of SWER at North Campus, has offered support to Núñez. “I think the system is unfair,” Wall said. “The fact that a student, like Vanessa, a student that works hard, wants to succeed and give back to the community, is not given the chance because of a broken immigration system.” Núñez remains hopeful for a favorable outcome in her case. “I don’t know what awaits me but I would be more than devastated if I am forced to leave my family, friends, studies and this place I call home,” Núñez said. “After all, home is where the heart is, and my heart is here.”

INTERAMERICAN CAMPUS

InterAmerican Campus Gets Cafeteria A cafeteria is being built at the InterAmerican Campus, which previously had none. By Monique O. Madan monique.madan001@mymdc.net InterAmerican Campus will have a new cafeteria on Jan. 4. Previously, the campus had a small café. Dean of Administration Brian Stokes said the eatery that once served them was no longer appropriate for the 20,000 students that now attend.

“The campus has grown,” Stokes said. “The campus will no longer look or feel as congested as it has been in recent times.” It will serve hot and cold meals. “This café will be a tremendous benefit to the campus and our students,” Stokes said. “Students, staff, and visitors have few eating options. None of these options were available directly on campus.” InterAmerican Campus Student Government Association President José Salcedo said it will make grabbing a bite to eat before class easier.

“[Students] need more space to interact and this will definitely encourage them to stick around,” Salcedo said. The seating capacity will allow for 60 people. “I think that even though this campus is smaller, we deserve to have what other larger campuses have, including a place to eat and relax,” said InterAmerican Student Life staff member Sandra Garcia. ----------------------Tiffany Garcia contributed to this report.

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MEDICAL CAMPUS

Affordable Dental Services Offered To Community MDC Medical Campus to provide economical dental services to the community. By Andrea Perdomo andrea.perdomo001@mymdc.net Miami Dade College has partnered with Nova Southeastern University to provide low-cost dental hygiene services to the community. The program was started three months ago; every Monday, six students from NSU go to the Dental Hygiene Clinic located at the Medical Center Campus to provide the services. Teeth cleanings are $20. “We saw a need, so we provided help,” said Susan Hudson, Dental Hygiene Clinic supervisor at Medical Center Campus. Program Director Dr. Susan Kass describes the program as a “win-win” situation providing much needed dental care to the community while helping to expand the students expertise in the dental field.

Stephanie Hernandez, a senior dental student from NSU, who has completed a year’s worth of private practice experience, said the program is “diverse” and “a great way to give back to the community.” She believes the diversity of the cases she has experienced through the program supplement her education. Hernandez has enjoyed providing dental services to the public, and aspires to open her own public health clinic. In order to receive treatment with the program, a person must be a patient of the Dental Hygiene Clinic and schedule an appointment. “I can actually afford the dental care I need and I am so grateful for that,” said Tisha Beckles, who has used the services at the clinic. For more information, contact the MDC Dental Hygiene Clinic T (305) 237-4142

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DEC. 13, 2010

NEWS

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Blind Honors College Student Refuses To Let Her Disability Define Her Tania Perez deals with a hectic school schedule, beauty pageants and modeling jobs despite being legally blind. Her disability causes her to have to take twice as long in completing tasks.

FROM PEREZ, FRONT PAGE

cializing in retinal diseases. “The worst part of it was not knowing what was going to happen,” Perez said. “I thought I was going to become 100 percent blind.” Perez’s condition has left her without centralized vision, only her peripheral vision remains intact. To see something clearly, she has to look slightly away from the object. While becoming completely blind in the future is a strong possibility, Perez remains optimistic. “I believe that God, or nature or whatever it is that makes this wonderful miracle of life possible, will never give a human being something that we can’t deal with,” Perez said. Perez, who moved to this country two years ago, attended HialeahMiami Lakes Senior High School for her senior year. After graduating in 2009, she enrolled in Miami Dade College’s Honors College. She is enrolled in six classes, and previously worked 17 hours a week at a work-study program at the preschool lab on campus. Because it takes her twice as long to handle most tasks, she was straining to keep up with the workload. The pressure eventually became too much to handle; she had to quit the job. “I was feeling tired all the time, I had intense headaches,” Perez said. “But I didn’t want to quit. It was affecting my health and yet I kept trying.” Today, Perez said the greatest challenge she faces is trying to maintain her independence. She prides herself on being self-reliant, and is frustrated with her inability

to drive. “When the doctors here in Miami told her she couldn’t drive, I had to sit with her and explain it could be worse,” Guillen said. “She feels [that] the fact that she can’t drive limits her from [accomplishing] her dreams.” Not being able to drive has been the source of great frustration for Perez. “It has been the reason for me to cry, to scream and even to throw myself [on] the floor,” Perez said. To get to school, she uses Miami-Dade County Transit’s Special Transportation System, which charges $3 per ride. To read, she uses a device—the GW Micro Senseview Duo—that resembles a Sony PSP and magnifies text, projecting the image on a 4.3inch screen. “Since I have to use the machine, it takes me way longer to finish reading a book or whatever piece of reading we have for class,” Perez said. The device, which costs several hundred dollars, is provided as a loan from ACCESS Services. The program provides accommodations for MDC students with documented disabilities. Victoria Hughes, vocational education specialist for ACCESS, said the gadget was picked out especially for Perez because she had the determination to learn all the features of the device. Hughes, who serves as an adviser to ACCESS students, said Perez is a perfect example of how a student with disabilities can overcome barriers. Despite her visual impairment, Perez hasn’t let the obstacle stand in her way. “My motivation is knowing that even if I’m partially blind when it

comes to my eyes, I have enough mind sight to set goals and live my life achieving them,” Perez said. Jorge Garcia, 25, her boyfriend of five months, is proud of her determination to succeed. “You would think sometimes that because of her condition she would need help to live her life, but she is prepared,” Garcia said. “She’s strong mentally.” Garcia said that although his girlfriend has to juggle a myriad of responsibilities, Perez’s loved ones are her main priority. Due to her influence, he is planning to attend college next semester. When she’s not busy spending time with her boyfriend, studying in The Honors College or working on her acting in the campus theater, Perez also enjoys modeling. Last month, she competed in the local Miss Cuban-American pageant, finishing as the first runner-up and earning the title “Miss Cuba Libre.” While she enjoys modeling, her dream is to become an actress. As a child, she dreamt of appearing on the Disney Channel; but now that she’s older, she aspires to use her talents to target a different audience. She is considering acting in Hispanic soap operas. Perez admits that at times, she has been so frustrated with her disability that she considered dropping out of school. But she has never given up. “I can’t tell you that it’s not hard for me to go to school, to go online, to read, to write. But I don’t go around complaining or making people feel sorry,” Perez said. “We all have obstacles to overcome and it’s up to us to do it.”

KENDALL CAMPUS

Students Advocate Tap Over Bottle "Take Back The Tap" event raises $400 for the purposes of clean water in Nicaragua. By Karla Lopez karla.lopez001@mymdc.net Your bottled water might have been tapped into. Kendall Campus held “Take Back the Tap” on Dec. 1 at the Fred Shaw Plaza to raise money for clean water in Nicaragua. The event raised $400, according to Maria Mari, who co-hosted the fundraiser. “I can’t believe we’re wasting so much money on bottled water when we can easily be drinking tap water,” said Kattie Robleto, an 18-year-old business major at Kendall Campus, who attended the event. “It is sad to think kids all over the world don’t have sanitary water.” The event was hosted by Barbara Rosenthal, a marketing and management professor at Kendall Campus, her marketing students and the Miami-Dade County Water & Sewer Department. They advocated for drinking tap water rather than bottled water. About 25 percent or more of bottled

GREGORY CASTILLO / THE REPORTER

Water Break: (From Left) Tiffany Irannazabel and Luis Martinez quiz students on the difference between bottled and tap water. water is actually tap water according to Kelly Smith, a water.org associate, an international organization that helps developing countries have access to safe water. Smith says that about 3.6 million people die each year from water-related disease worldwide. Hundreds of other students showed their support for the event by participating in similar projects like Mari’s $3 Tarot Card Reading and Project

Hope’s $3-5 Henna tattoos with intentions to raise funds. All in hope, they said, to raise awareness. “[The] similarity between tap water and bottled water is surprising,” said 18-year-old accounting major Anabel Fernandez. ”Everyone should take that into consideration and buy less bottled water.” ----------------------Monique O. Madan contributed to this report.

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ALEXANDRA DE ARMAS / THE REPORTER

Veteran: Ana Maria DeMahy is the former director of Student Life at Wolfson Campus; she is presently West Campus director of Student Services, as well as the chief administrative officer. WEST CAMPUS STAFF SPOTLIGHT

Paving The Way Forward At West Campus Veteran Miami Dade College administrator helping guide West Campus' rapid growth as the College's newest site. By Mark Overton mark.overton001@mymdc.net Laughter echos from Room 1208 at West Campus. “My philosophy of life is not only the Golden Rule, but additionally making sure that life has humor every day,” said Ana Maria DeMahy, director of student services and chief administrative officer at West Campus. “Sharing laughter and finding humor in our daily lives brings people together and helps us to see our commonalities.” Her colleagues agree: “We laugh a lot while being very productive,” said Yvette Sheran, assistant to DeMahy. “She’s wonderful, I wouldn’t trade her for anything.” DeMahy, the former director of Student Life at Wolfson Campus, is a key cog in the rapid growth at West Campus. The campus opened in March 2006 with less than 150 students; today it educates more than 4,300 students. DeMahy oversees and facilitates all matters of student-related activities such as enrollment, testing and advisement. She also creates and hosts educational, cultural and entertaining activities for students. “She's amazingly supportive, very understanding, patient and thorough,” said Elizabeth Perez, a 32-year-old nursing major. “She's very insightful. If she doesn’t have a very elaborate answer, she will find [one] for you.” DeMahy is currently taking an active role in creating a new parking garage and remodeling the li-

brary at West Campus. She also serves on a number of college-wide organizations and committees. DeMahy is the chair person for the Campus Legislative Advocacy Committee, the co-chair of the Autographing Committee for the Miami Book Fair International and she is an active member of one of the subcommittees for the College Strategic Plan. DeMahy, a 1971 graduate of Hialeah High School, graduated from Miami Dade College in 1974 with an Associate in Science degree in interior design, a field she worked in for two years. She later attended Florida International University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology. DeMahy then graduated from Nova Southeastern University with a master’s degree in counseling psychology. Despite DeMahy’s demanding schedule, she finds time to sit back and watch old movies and television shows. She also enjoys spending time with her family. “I do have two wonderful adult kids, both attended MDC, as I did,” DeMahy said. “My parents are a big part of my life, we are very fortunate to have them.” Students at West Campus said she makes them feel like family too. “You can sit in her office, no matter who you are,” Perez said. “Her door is open for you.” ----------------------Alexandra de Armas contributed to this report.

NEWS

DEC. 13, 2010

THE REPORTER

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

MDC Leave Competitors Brain Dead For the fourth year in a row, Miami Dade College Medical Center Campus students have won first place at the Brain Bowl, an annual state medical competition.

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By Anna Carabeo anna.carabeo001@mymdc.net Students from the physician assistant program at Miami Dade College’s Medical Center Campus placed first and second at the Brain Bowl, a state medical competition held annualy. They bested several four-year schools including the University of Florida, Nova Southeastern University and Barry University. Miami Dade College has participated in the event since 2007. They have won all four times. “Participating in the Brain Bowl was so awesome,” said Jannel Martinez, 26, who was part of the first place team. “It was a great preparation study wise, not only for the challenge, but for the board as well.” The challenge consists of various Jeopardy-style medical questions, ranging from naming the chemical compositions of microorganisms to matching symptoms and conditions. According to Pete Gutierrez, dean of MDC’s School of Allied Health Sciences, all the professors team up to help the students prepare for the competition. “It’s a very competitive challenge,” Gutierrez said. “The professors really prepare the students and it’s because of them we’ve been so successful.” Martinez said she spent many hours in the library with her teammates, reviewing and quiz-

COURTESY OF NICOLAS MASSININI

Smarties: Miami Dade College's Physician Assistant Program brings home their fourth consecutive win at the Florida Academy of Physician Assistants Brain Bowl, besting several four-year schools in the process. zing each other for two months. “Pro-active learning is the road to success,” said Nicolas Massinini, a professor at Medical Center Campus, who helps train the students. “Engaging the students in activities and challenges is a great way to prepare them. The most important thing to a professor is the students' preparation and the representation to the college.” Massimini said he seeks stu-

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dents with knowledge in various areas and who display enthusiasm for the medical field. “Passion is the key to everything,” Massimini said. “When someone has love and passion for what he or she does, it really makes a difference. The students here are all passionate and eager to learn and it is [the professor’s] job and purpose to open up as many doors as possible.”

THE REPORTER

DEC. 13, 2010

NEWS

ALL PHOTOS GREGORY CASTILLO / THE REPORTER

MIAMI BOOK FAIR INTERNATIONAL

Bush Opens MBFI With New Book Hundreds turn out to hear former President George W. Bush talk about his new book, Desicion Points. A group of protesters voiced their opinion outside the venue. By Alexandra de Armas alexandra.dearmas001@mymdc.net

ALL PHOTOS GREGORY CASTILLO / THE REPORTER

Disenchantment: Protesters gathered at Miami Dade College's Wolfson Campus to protest former U.S. President George W. Bush's appearance in the Miami Book Fair International. Bush's appearance was the opening event of the fair, which lasted a week and featured hundreds of authors.

It was not the usual setting for former President George W. Bush—sitting back, legs crossed and cracking jokes. "John Newcombe and I went to a bar and he taught me how to drink beer out of a mug without hands,” Bush said. “Which means you bite the edge of the mug and...I had too much to drink.” Bush opened the Miami Book Fair International on Nov. 14 at Miami Dade College’s Wolfson Campus, where he spoke about his newly released book, Decision Points, to a crowd of several hundred people. “I made a lot of controversial decisions,” Bush said. “I wanted to give the reader a chance to understand the process by which I made decisions, the environment in which I made decisions, the people I listened to as I made decisions.” In his book, Bush reveals the only information he claims not to be documented in historical records: his emotions. “The president is trying to bring us back to what he was going through, who he was talking to, what his advisers were saying, what the world was saying at those moments,” said Florida Congressman Mario DiazBalart. Throughout the book, Bush delves into the moments when he made several controversial decisions, including what it was like to be president on Sept. 11, 2001, or his perspective on Hurricane Katrina. He also touched on his drinking problem. "My role became clarified,” Bush said when talking about 9/11. “The priority of my administration changed from no child left behind, tax cuts or economic growth, to protecting America." Bush described what it was like to encounter the emotional repercus-

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sions that followed the destruction of the World Trade Center. “I then went to meet with families who still thought their loved one would come out of the rubble,” Bush said. “It was an interesting position to be in; I had just come from the rubble. It was awfully hard to believe anyone would come out. So, I did the best I could to be hopeful and reassuring.” Other touchy issues included Bush’s decision to approve enhanced interrogation techniques such as waterboarding, a torture technique where water is repeatedly poured on an individual's face. “The information we received from those on who we used enhanced interrogation techniques saved American lives,” Bush said. “I could not have lived with myself, had I not under the law use[d] the techniques to get the information, so our folks can react and prevent an attack. And I was fully aware at the time I made the decision, there would be a lot of controversy and blowback on this decision, but my job was to protect you." The crowd listening to Bush at the

MBFI applauded him, but a group of protesters outside of the event thought otherwise. “In this country we are not suppose[d] to be profiting from crime, and here we have the Miami Book Fair supporting and endorsing and offering a platform for a man who is responsible for the deaths of well over millions of people and over 5,000 American soldiers,” Hilary Keys said. “He is a war criminal and he needs to be investigated at the very least; because if we don’t hold people accountable, we are telling the current and future administrations that they can do whatever they want and get away with it.” Another protester, Brent Jones added: “He should be in prison.” Miami Dade College President Eduardo Padrón said the visit was an exercise in collegial debate. “I am happy, it is something that shows an example of civility and how you can disagree without being disagreeable,” Padrón said. “I think being exposed to different thoughts and different ideas is what a college is all about.”

Disenchantment: Former U.S. President George W. Bush's appeared in the Miami Book Fair International to talk about his new book: Decision Points.

Inside The Book: • Largest

political regret.

• Feelings

on untimely Hurricate Katrina decision.

• What

it was like to be president on 9/11.

• Rationale

for waterboarding interrogation techniques.

A&E

WINTER FASHION

Dressing For The Season Tips for dressing for Miami's winter weather, without overdressing, or committing a fashion faux pas.

By Linda Armstrong linda.armstrong001@mymdc.net Nothing shouts fashion horror like dressing for the wrong season. You know, the ones that wear the velvet turtlenecks during the summer or t he bu l k y hoodies during spring. Since we live in South Florida—where temperatures rarely dip below 50—you do not want to overdo it this winter. Find somet hing t hat says sof t and warm rather than thick and exhausting.

Oops! & Oohs!

There is no need to dress like an Eskimo. Despite t he tough economic times, we still want the best in winter fashion without putting too much of a dent in our pockets. By doing a little mixing up, we can do just that. First, buy things that go with at least two things you already own. However, whatever you do, do not mix two seasons in one outfit. A scarf with shorts and tall boots only begs for attention, not compliments. Try a more reasonable approach l i ke boot-cut jea ns, sharp-toe leather boots, a V-cut long-sleeve T-shirt and a warm blazer. Second, purchase pieces that are comfortable, warm and that complement your body structure. Don’t be af raid to stop by t he clearance rack. You never know, that trip could spark an exceptional wave in your fashion pool.

DEC. 13, 2010

HOT WINTER ITEMS

Machie Grey Suede Flat Boots $20-$50—Traffic

Arizona Hoodie Kanga Pocket Sweater $9-$20—JcPenney

Good, and bad fashion choices for winter in Miami.

Oohs!

Oops!

• Turtlenecks

• Leather Jacket

• Blazer

• Fur Coats

• Striped Sweater

• Three Layers of Clothing

• Leggings

• Earmuffs

• Bootcut Jeans

• Gloves

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THE REPORTER

Vigoss Women Kissing V Skinny Jeans $40—Wet Seal

Venice Boot Cut Jeans $40—Hollister

THE REPORTER

DEC. 13, 2010

A Psychological Tale Of Confronting Oneself

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mark.pulaski001@mymdc.net

By Jennifer Fumero jennifer.fumero001@mymdc.net

COURTESY OF LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT

Hatching A Plan: (From Left) Liam Neeson stars as Damon Pennington, a hardened criminal who helps Russell Crowe's character, John Brennan, devise a plan to break his wife out of prison. THE NEXT THREE DAYS MOVIE REVIEW

A Captivating Prison-Escape Thriller

By Zayda Costa zayda.costa001@mymdc.net If you’re look ing for a mov ie that will keep you squealing and squirming in your seat, then you should buy tickets for The Next Three Days. The movie stars Russell Crowe as John Brennan—a community college literature professor—and Elizabeth Banks as Lara Brennan—his wife. The movie begins three years in the past w ith John and Lara Brennan having an average life as a married couple with a child. Their lives get f lipped upside-

down when Lara is sentenced to a lifetime in prison for allegedly murdering her boss. Despite all the evidence pointing to Lara as guilty, John still believes in her innocence. A f ter her court appeal is rejected, John takes matters into h is ow n ha nds. T he ord i na r y professor becomes a n escape ex per t, spending an intensive three months researching, planning and inter v iew ing former prison escapee Damon Pennington (Liam Neeson). John makes an elaborate plan to get her out of jail, but complications occur when he learns t hat Lara w ill be transferred to another prison within three days. Crowe does an amazing job as John Brennan—bringing genuine emotions to his character. The way he fidgets during tense moments, such as when he’s questioned by police, appears ver y natural—you’ll find yourself just as nervous as the character. Just

as you’ll sometimes fear Brenna n, you’l l a lso f i nd you rsel f rooting for him when everything goes according to plan. Overall, The Next Three Days is an amazing movie. Since Bank’s character doesn’t go much into depth, it brings Lara Brennan’s innocence into question, especially since she has a problem with her temper. This isn’t your typical prisonbreak movie where the prisoner attempts to escape; instead, the pr isoner has no clue t hroug h most of the movie that her escape was under way. The movie has an interesting take on a law-abiding outsider executing a skillful escape plan.

5 out of 5

The Three Next Days—Starring Russell Crowe, Elizabeth Banks, Liam Neeson —2 hours 2 min—Rated PG-13

THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUND PLAY REVIEW

Production is Humorous, Interactive

By J.C. Urbina juancarlos.urbina001@mymdc.net Murder has struck Miami Dade College. The Real Inspector Hound is a whodunit play-within-a-play that comically analyzes the theme of relationships while deciphering the identity of a murderer. One of the t y pes of relationships that the myster y-comedy satires is that of play critics versus a play being critiqued. The hilarious critic duo of Moon and Birdboot (played by Ruben Fon-

BLACK SWAN MOVIE REVIEW

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

A&E

seca and Nelson Delgado) act out their roles from within the actual audience and comment on humorous topics such as theater, adulter y and chocolates. Their effective comedy routine is reminiscent of the two beloved muppet hecklers from atop the balcony—Statler and Waldorf. Most of t he awk ward humor comes from the characters in the play-within-a-play. The list of bizarre characters includes a maid (Ja m ie W heeler); a ha ndsome womanizer (Richard Pizarro); a tennis player (Tammy Salazar); a blonde socialite (Alex Acosta); a crippled, mustachioed old man (Octavio de La Osa); and Inspector Hou nd h i m sel f (Mat t he w Donovan). The Real Inspector Hound is surprisingly effective at using simple household routines, with awk ward and hilarious scenes that are sure to split the audience’s sides—including two par-

ticularly funny scenes involving a card game and teatime. One of the strongest components of the play is the set design. The audience is thrown inside a spick-and-span English manor that resembles a haunted mansion. The manor’s ambience is both cozy and chilling with dim lighting from the fireplace, hallway candles, a chandelier and crimson wallpaper. Perhaps the most impressive accomplishment in the play is the role of the dead body, played by Steven Rodriguez, who has no lines, but literally lies f lat for two hours on stage—even during the pre-show when the audience members are looking for seats. Experimenting with time lapses and the fourth wall, The Real Inspector Hound is truly one of MDC’s most valuable productions and a memorable comedy experience.

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A graceful dancer frightfully pirouettes across the stage and so begins the descent of the Black Swan. A c a d e m y Aw a r d n o m i n e e Natalie Portman stars in Darren Aronofsky’s critically acclaimed film, Black Swan. Portman plays Nina Sayers, a 28-year old prima ballerina at the cusp of achieving her lifelong ambition to star in a production at her ballet’s company. Her ambition to dance is spearheaded by her controlling mother, Erica Sayers, played by Barbara Hershey. Black Swan follows the stor y of Nina Sayers, a docile ballerina working for Thomas Leroy’s (Vincent Cassel) ballet company. W hen Beth Macint yre (Winona Ryder) becomes too old for Leroy’s vision of the Black Swan, he employs Nina to take her place. Bet h, Nina’s mentor, is infuriated. Overwhelmed with excitement and fear, Nina pract ices for her role as The Swan Queen and The Black Swan. W hen her controlling instructor and her ever-present mother, Erica Sayers (Barbara Hershey), push Nina to her limits, a young beautiful new ballerina—Lily (Mila Kunis)— who bears a striking resemblance to Nina takes over the role of the Black Swan. Infuriated by Lily’s grasp in Nina’s life, she practices for hours to prove that she encompasses a duality that includes beautiful and bestial qualities. Mat hew Libat ique’s breat htaking cinematography pulls you into a dark, morose fairytale. Not since 1948’s classic The Red Shoes has ballet expressed such feelings of macabre. As Nina breaks into a psychological breakdown between the beauty and the bestial

dept hs of her deprav it y, Libatique’s cinematography is introverted and personal as we watch Nina Sayers leave everything on the dance f loor. She is standing, center stage and with his beautiful selective coloring and tone, Nina is the prime object on the stage. Darren Aronofsky’s go-to composer, Clint Mansell never fails with his bombastic adaption of Peter Tcha i kovsk y ’s sweeping ballet of the same name. With Black Swan, Ma nsel l keeps it simple and dark. The music sublimely marries t he ugliness of Nina’s descent to her first-rate performance. Art director David Stein rejuvenated the Art Deco decadence for Black Swan. Stein’s promotional blitz, alongside the art direction in the film, is an ode to the Art Deco movement. With Black Swan, Darren Aronofsk y directed a cinematic masterpiece with a somber portrayal of a fixation for perfection. Nata l ie Por t ma n g ives us a tour-de-force performance. Her role as Nina Sayers is Oscar-worthy. Kunis is a surprise method actress as she embodies the grunge-era ballerina. She is graceful and elegant with the conniving intelligence of a sna ke. Kunis perfects t he role as Port man’s doppelganger while Cassell is the strong, commanding ringleader. He pushes Nina to the edge but he never loses his gallantry. Watching Cassell’s Leroy is as frightening as watching Nina become the Black Swan. Black Swan’s repulsive hallucinations of claustrophobia and power are the film’s main themes. It taps inside our biggest fear of failure and enforces our most primitive desires to conquer. It forces us to question how hard we work for success and makes us realize that if we lose sight of what’s right, we lose everything.

5 out of 5

Black Swan—Starring Natalie Portman, Vincent Cassel, Mila Kunis —1 hour 47 min—Rated R

Poise: Natalie Portman plays Nina Sayers, a ballerina who must confront her dark side in order to perfect her craft.

COURTESY OF FOX SEARCHLIGHT PICTURES

SPORTS

DEC. 13, 2010

THE REPORTER

CHANGE YOUR THINKING

www. myunion.edu

www.myunion.edu 800.486.7141 or 305.653.7141 AdmissionsMiami@myunion.edu

Toughing Up: The Miami Dade College men's basketball team is off to an impressive start, currently holding an 8-3 record. The Sharks are ranked second in the Southern Conference, after Palm Beach State College (9-0). Coming off of a 75-66 victory over Gulf Coast Community College, the team looks to take their talents to Ocala, Fla. on Nov. 11, to face the College of Central Florida (8-3) in the first match of the FCCAA Juco Shootout in Ocala, Fl. Left: Sharks Forward Maurice Kemp Jr. drives to the rim against a defender from Chipola College on Nov. 21. Kemp is averaging 14 points and 8 rebounds through the first 8 games of the season. Right: Guard Darwin Ellis finishes at the rim with a reverse layup after a steal that led to a fast break attempt against a defender from Chipola College on Nov. 21. Ellis is second in scoring on the team averaging 15 points along with 5 assists through the first 8 games played. PHOTOS AND TEXT BY GREGORY CASTILLO / THE REPORTER

16853 NE 2nd Avenue, North Miami Beach, FL 33162 Non-profit, private, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (ncahlc.org)

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Wilkes Milks The Game Sophomore power forward Ashley Wilkes leads the league in rebounding. By Gustavo Pozo gustavo.pozo001@mymdc.net Ashley Wilkes, a sophomore power forward on the Miami Dade College women’s basketball team is having a standout season. Wilkes, a 20-year-old psychology major, is ranked first in rebounding, with an average of 11.7 per game, and third in scoring, 16.5 points per game, in the Florida Community College Athletic Association. “She leads by example, always looking to make the extra pass to us to help the team,” said sophomore point guard Tory Stephens. “She’s very unselfish.” With 117 rebounds through the first 10 games this season, Wilkes has been creating second scoring opportunities for her teammates. Despite her early season success, Wilkes said she can get better. “I am trying to be more focused early before games and my coaches are pushing me harder to prepare better,” Wilkes said. Head Coach Susan Summons, who recruited Wilkes from Ontario, Canada, said she is a leader with good character. Wilkes came to MDC from Catholic Central High School with the hopes of playing Division I basketball. She finished her

GREGORY CASTILLO / THE REPORTER

Above All: Lady Sharks Forward Ashley Wilkes reaches for a rebound against defenders from Daytona State College on Nov. 1. freshman campaign averaging 18 points per game, good enough for third in the region. Her hopes of playing on a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I program after graduating from MDC has become a reality. Wilkes signed with Canisius

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College—in Buffalo, N.Y.—during the early signing period, according to Summons. “She’s one of the top rated power forwards in the nation,” Summons said. “The type of player that will always be better and stronger than her last game.”

THE REPORTER

DEC. 13, 2010

SPORTS

Scoreboard

// SPORTS Hector Gonzalez, Sports Editor //

(305) 237-1254 //

Women's Basketball ———————————————————— 11/01 Daytona State College, 70-65 Loss (OT) 11/05-11/06 Chipola Classic, Marianna, Fla. Chipola College, 88-70 Loss Gulf Coast Community College, 73-67 Loss

hector.gonzalez012@mymdc.net

11/07 @Tallahassee Community College, 84-65 Loss 11/11 Florida State College, 75-60 Win 11/12 Central Florida Community College, 75-52 Win 11/13 Daytona State College, 53-45 Loss 11/19-11/21 Central Florida Shootout, Ocala, Fla. Central Florida Community College, 64-60 Loss Santa Fe College, 85-77 Loss Daytona State College, 68-55 Loss 12/03 Florida Shootout, Gainesville, Fla. Santa Fe College, 85-76 Loss 12/04 Chipola College, 101-61 Loss MDC WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: 2-0-10, as of 12/09/2010 Scores are current up to date of production

Men's Basketball ———————————————————— 11/03 IMG Academy, 74-62 Win 11/06 @State College of Florida, 90-78 Win 11/13 St. Petersburg College, 93-81 Win 11/19-11/21 Shark Classic, Miami, Fla. Tallahassee Community College, 80-79 Loss (OT) Hillsborough Community College, 90-58 Win Chipola College, 71-69 Loss MDC MEN'S BASKETBALL: X-X-X, as of 12/09/2010 Scores are current up to date of production

Lady Sharks Volleyball ———————————————————— GREGORY CASTILLO / THE REPORTER

Down For The Count: Lady Sharks guard Tory Stephens grabs a loose ball against a defender from Daytona State College. The Lady Sharks went on to lose the game in overtime 70-65, on Nov. 1 at Kendall Campus. They have been on the road since and will return for a five-game home stand on Dec. 11. WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Lady Sharks Stumble Into The Season Miami Dade College's women's basketball team is off to a lackluster start this season, winning only two of 12 games. By Saeli Gutierrez saeli.gutierrez001@mymdc.net The Miami Dade College women’s basketball team (2-10) is off to a rocky start. Sophomore forward Ashley Wilkes said a lack of leadership and patience during the second half of games is to blame for the team’s struggles. “We cannot let this rough start define [us] because we can bounce back from it,” Wilkes said.

The Lady Sharks have lost twice to Daytona State College. The team is averaging 30% shooting from the field and 22 % from the three-point line. Sophomore guard Camila Mejia said that part of the problem is that the team is not responding well to in-game adjustments made by Head Coach Susan Summons. “[We] have no communication,” Mejia said. “We’ve gotten tired, lazy and we’re not listening to the coach.”

Summons said in order to turn it around, changes must be made. “This team has the talent, pieces and the ability, but they must be mentally and physically committed to the hard work and effort it will take every night to realize their goal of a Southern Conference Championship,” Summons said. “Finding that right combination engages consistency, which in turn helps to develop a rhythm, [that’s] something we lack.” Defensively, the Lady Sharks are allowing an average of 69 points per game according to the Florida Community College Ath-

letic Association. Wilkes said she vows to become a better leader and be more focused on and off the basketball court. “This team needs me and some other people to step up if we are going to get out of this slump,” Wilkes said. Despite the rough start, Summons believes the team can get back on track. “Teams can start off 7-0; [Chemistry] is the intangible that helps to make a team strong and prepared for conference play,” Summons said. “This is all a part of the process and journey.”

11/04-11/06 State Tournament, Winter Haven, Fla. St. John's River Community College, 25-10, 25-14, 25-17 Win Palm Beach State College,25-6,25-26,25-22,25-19,Win Hillsborough Community College, 25-12,25-9,25-17 Win Florida State College, 25-16,25-18,25-11 —Crowned Florida State Champions— 11/18-11/20 National Tournament, Missouri State University-West Plains Gasden State Community College, 25-11,25-12,25-17 Win Salt Lake Community College,31-29,25-22,25-15,Loss Blinn College, 18-25,25-14,25-11,25-14 Win North Idaho College, 25-21,25-23, 31-29, Loss —Finished 6th in National Tournament— LADY SHARKS VOLLEYBALL: Overall Record: 35-0-2 Conference Record: 12-0-0 Scores are current up to date of production

Schedule Women's Basketball ———————————————————— 12/11 Tallahassee Community College 01/03 Community College of Rhode Island 01/05 Florida State College at Jacksonville 01/06 Monroe Community College 01/12 Broward College

MEN'S BASKETBALL

'Zach Attack' Leads The MDC Pack

Men's Basketball ———————————————————— 12/11-12/12 FCCAA Juco Shootout Vs. College of Central Florida Vs. Gulf Coast Community College 12/16 St. John's River Community College 01/01 Community College of Rhode Island 01/03 Pasco-Hernando Community College 01/08 St. Petersburg College

Sophomore Zachary Lamb leads the men's basketball team to a strong start. By Juan Gonzalez juan.gonzalez080@mymdc.net The Miami Dade College men’s basketball team has started the season with a 8-3 record. Sophomore guard Zachary Lamb has been a major reason for the quick start. Lamb, a sophomore from Norcross, Georgia, leads the team, averaging 19.5 points per game. He ranks third in scoring in the Florida Community College Athletic Association. On Nov. 16, he was named FCCAA Men’s Basketball Player of the Week for his 34-point performance against St. Petersburg on Nov. 13. In that game he shot 9 of 18 from the field to go along with six assists and five rebounds. Head Coach Matt Eisele attributes Lamb’s improvement to his discipline during the off-season.

GREGORY CASTILLO / THE REPORTER

Sharp Focus: Sharks Guard Zachary Lamb prepares to drive to the basket against a defender from State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota. The game took place Nov. 27 at Kendall Campus. “He has developed himself into an all-around player,” Eisele said. “He put on about 15 pounds. Everything he has accomplished has been through hard work, listening to coaches and pushing himself.” His athletic approach has not gone unnoticed in the locker room. “He showed us what it takes to be good at this level,” freshman forward Kendal Jennings said. “Hard work pays off.” But to Lamb, his scoring outburst, which includes a 24-point

game against IMG Academy and a 28-point performance against State College of Florida, has come as a surprise. “I wasn’t even expecting to score as I’m scoring because we have so many scorers,” Lamb said, “I’m just happy to be stepping up the way I am.” Coach Eisele has been impressed with his leadership. “Zach has done a great job of leading by example,” Eisele said. Lamb says that being a leader

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comes naturally. “It’s not a challenge for me,” Lamb said. “I’m just trying to get [the team] to do the right thing. On the court I may be quiet, but behind the scenes, I’m very vocal.” Lamb, who recently committed to play at Manhattan College next year, is glad that the college search is over. “Having already signed takes the pressure off of me,” Lamb said. “I think that is why I’m scoring the way I’m scoring.”

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DEC. 13, 2010

FORUM

STUDENT VOICES: TACARA TURNER

Living With A Disability Is Not A Life Sentence ASK ANDREA ASK ANDREA IS AN ADVICE COLUMN RUN BY ANDREA ORELLANA, FORUM EDITOR FOR THE REPORTER. TO SUBMIT A QUESTION, SEND A 250-WORD EMAIL TO ANDREA.ORELLANA001@MYMDC. NET. PLEASE INCLUDE FULL NAMES FOR PUBLISHING. ALL CONTENT IS SUBJECT TO EDITING FOR CLARITY.

By Tacara Turner tacara.turner001@mymdc.net I have been attending Miami Dade College for three years now. I love being a shark, but when I first started, I was scared to attend school because I knew I would be older than most of my classmates. Going through the halls can sometimes be awkward, but for a different reason than you’d expect. My name is Tacara S. Turner. I am a 33-year-old journalism major and I have a disability called Cerebral Palsy. Cerebral Palsy is caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain. CP affects the muscles and joints in the body; it causes them to weaken or lock over time and can affect a person’s ability to speak. Some days, I feel completely invisible; other times, I feel like everyone is looking, criticizing. Strangers often stare at me. As a person with a disability, I have to work harder to prove myself because people see the chair and automatically think that I’m stupid or something. I recall a situation with a teacher

AKEEM BRUNSON / THE REPORTER

Unconquerable: Tacara Turner is a journalism major at North Campus. She hopes to graduate from Miami Dade College in the spring of 2012. in high school. She took one look at me, and said I was in the wrong class and I needed to leave. I felt so bad that I cried for the rest the class. At the end of the year, she told me that I was one of her best students and it was a pleasure having me in her class. Despite that experience and many ot hers t hat have ended similarly, I would be lying if I said I never felt hopeless. Life is too difficult sometimes. I’ve thought about giving up, but my faith, family and friends get me through the negative emotions that my situation can

sometimes encourage. If I didn’t have the support that the ACCESS Department provides, I really don’t think that I would be doing as well as I am. I have notetakers and I receive tutoring when I need extra help; I even get more time on tests and other assignments, all of which I hope will help me accomplish my goal of graduating from MDC in the spring of 2012. I know that people pass judgment, but I do not let my condition define me. Living with a disability does not have to be a life sentence and I am trying my best to show that.

Even though struggles have always presented themselves to me, I see the world as it truly is, a beautiful place with a few ugly people in it. The one thing that I want other students to know about me, is that I am just like them. I am just like you. --------------------------Tacara Turner, 33, suffers from dysarthria, a speech deficiency and joint contracture in her fingers, arms and legs.

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Dear Andrea, What should I do if I end up getting a clogged schedule for things to do for the weekdays-not counting classes-and I end up not getting them all done? -Ben S. Dear Ben S., I see that happen a lot—you’re a victim of college. What you're not doing is visualizing your time correctly. Map out your week, take out all the blocks of time you spend on school and work, and then prioritize from there. Figure out which activities are most urgent and most important and commit only to those first. I'm not encouraging you to flake out on your plans, but figure out how many of those activities you should do, and in the future, give yourself a little more breathing room. If you’ve never done it before, it also helps to make a to-do list! -Andrea

THE REPORTER

DEC. 13, 2010

FORUM

// FORUM Andrea Orellana, Forum Editor //

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andrea.orellana001@mymdc.net

The Reporter 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.

THOUGHTS ON THE HOLIDAYS

Holiday Greetings And Awkward Meetings

Editorial Board Monique O. Madan Editor-in-Chief Alexandra de Armas North Campus Bureau Chief Julie McConnell Interim Kendall Campus Bureau Chief Lazaro Gamio Interim Wolfson Campus Bureau Chief

Kendall Campus students shares views on political correctness during the holidays.

Monica Suarez Briefing Editor Mark Pulaski A&E Editor Hector Gonzalez Sports Editor Andrea Orellana Forum Editor Anna Carabeo Multimedia Editor

Art Department Lazaro Gamio Art Director Akeem Brunson North Campus Photo Editor Gregory Castillo Kendall Campus Photo Editor

By Carolina del Busto carolina.delbusto001@mymdc.net Even though I have celebrated Christmas all my life, I understand that when I am working, I have to keep up an act. Let me explain. According to a poll conducted by Fox News in 2004, 93 percent of Americans celebrate Christmas, while 5 percent celebrate Hanukkah and a mere 2 percent celebrate Kwanzaa. I work in retail and it’s no secret that the holiday season brings in a variety of people through our store. As an employee, you want to treat the customer with the utmost respect, even if that means generalizing our greetings as the major holidays approach. Instead of going with specific greetings, it just seems easier to bunch everything into a simple “Happy Holidays!” and be done with it. No need to worry about of-

Federico Arango Video Technician Manuel Palou Designer AKEEM MAYERS / THE REPORTER

fending someone who does not celebrate Christmas by wishing him a “Merry Christmas.” There are countless disagreements regarding religion and the holidays to discuss, but this one affects us all in the smallest way. This is why I believe that it is not a bad idea to be politically correct. Yet, is it right to worry about insulting someone’s belief’s when all you're really doing is sharing your own? If you’re caught up in all the holiday spirit and want to sing “Merry Christmas” for all to hear, you should not be afraid to do so. Outside the work environment, I have noticed that people of certain faiths tend to get a little territorial

during the season. When it comes to decorations, for example, some Jewish people get offended if they don’t see a Menorah and some Christians get offended if they don’t see a Nativity scene. Basically, in order to please everyone, all holidays need to be represented—all or nothing. I grew up think ing that this time of the year brings out the best in people, not the worst. For one reason or another, people tend to be much nicer around December. People smile from ear to ear, or wave to strangers. It must have something to do with the weather. Despite people’s softer demean-

ors, there still appears to be conflict surrounding the holidays. It's almost as if people feel their traditions are the most important and it should be their religion that gets all the recognition. Does that attitude match the message of the holiday season? I think not.No matter what you celebrate during the holiday season, always remember that there are other celebrations going on at the same time. Be courteous to others, but maintain a small sense of pride and do not be afraid to wish someone a “Merry Christmas.” Or if you want to be safe, a “Happy Christmukkahwanzaa!” might be in order.

Issue Staff Krystal Acevedo, Melissa Adan, Ayoyemi Ajimatanrareje, Carolina del Busto, Ivette Franqui, Tiffany Garcia, Juan Carlos Gonzalez, Saeli Gutierrez, Akeem Mayers, Mark Overton, Gustavo Pozo, Kirsten Rincon, Rachel Rosenberg, Carlos Sanchez, Jessica Tejeda, Rafael Tur, Tacara Turner, J.C. Urbina, Laura Vargas

Advertising Gregory Torrales gregoryj.torrales001@mymdc.net (786) 237-8414

Letters to the Editor The Reporter welcomes letters to the editor. All submissions should be 300 words or less and must be typed. Writers must include their full name, contact number, campus, student number, and e-mail address. Faculty and staff should include the title, department, and extension. All letters are subject to editing for purposes of brevity and clarity. Letters can be sent via e-mail to mdc.thereporter@gmail.com, with the subject “letter to the editor.”

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