Spring'18 issue01 final 2

THE

Hudsonian Hud.

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OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF HUDSON VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Volume 73, Issue 01

January 17, 2018

www.thehudsonian.org

THE

Bring in Spring with Welcome Week By: Hunter Wallace News Editor

Our break may be over, but the fun and festivities still live on at Hudson Valley!

Every semester, the college holds Welcome Week, an event sponsored by Student Activities, where each day is filled with a variety of events including free food, music, games and more. All events offer a chance for students to mingle, have fun and ease into the new semester.

Tuesday is a day of free food.

Beginning at 8:30 a.m. and ending at 9:30 a.m., students can enjoy a complimentary breakfast consisting of assorted pastries and whole fruit at Williams Hall and the Siek Campus Center Lobby.

From noon to 1 p.m., hot chocolate and assorted cookies will be offered at the Siek Campus Center Lobby. Between 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., coffee and assorted cookies can be found at the Siek Campus Center Lobby, Science Center and Williams Hall.

Wednesday is all about mu-

sic and food.

From 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., students can find a free breakfast of assorted pastries and whole fruit at Williams Hall and the Siek Campus Center Lobby.

Beginning at 11:30 a.m. and ending at 1:30 p.m., students can experience DJ Cool Cat, games and karaoke in the Siek Campus Center Lobby. The Lobby will also be supplying students with hot chocolate and assorted cookies from noon until 1 p.m.

From 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., students can drink coffee and eat assorted cookies at the Siek Campus Center Lobby, Science Center and Williams Hall.

Thursday wraps up Welcome Week with a mix of music, food and fun.

From 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., students can enjoy caricatures, games and the sounds of DJ Cool Cat in the Siek Campus Center Lobby. Finally, Welcome Week concludes with an offering of penne with chicken, penne marinara, cookies and beverages from noon to 1 p.m., also in the Siek Campus Center Lobby.

Let’s not forget that the close of Welcome Week doesn’t mean the fun is over. Hudson Valley is a diverse campus that offers much to experience, and it is how you decide to spend your time here

that affects such experiences.

With that, good luck to all this semester!

An abbreviated breakdown of events for this semester’s Welcome Week celebration can be

found below: Tuesday, Jan. 16: Breakfast, Cookies and Coffee 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. — Free

SEE WELCOME PAGE 3

PHOTO BY MIKE SCHAEFER | HUDSONIAN

OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF HUDSON VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

THE

Hudsonian Fun and festivities include givesaways of items like sunglasses and snacks to start the semester off right.

Engineering tech students learn with sand and flight COURTESY OF HVCC.EDU

Technology Lab Assistant Karl Hoegeman (pictured, right), Professor Bill Darling and students work with a drone in Hoegeman’s surveying course.

By: Hunter Wallace News Editor

The use of two new pieces of technology— an Augmented Reality Sandbox and a drone — have helped students better understand the curricula of their engineering technology courses since the Fall 2017 semester.

Augmented Reality Sandbox The Augmented Reality Sandbox was developed a few years ago by scientists at the University of California at Davis and uses advanced computer software and 3D projection to create a hands-on watershed science

learning experience.

Moving the sand in the box creates a landscape with elevation lines, and holding one’s hand over it forms a “cloud” that releases water to flow across the landscape.

“There’s a lot of use out of [the sandbox] because students are having a hard time understanding contour lines,” said Karl Hoegemann, technology lab assistant and certified drone pilot.

“This is something that makes contour lines very easy to understand — they can actually put their hands on contours physically and see how it looks on a contour map all at once. A lot of classes have been out of that

room,” continued Hoegemann.

Faculty member Craig D’Allaird discovered the UC Davis website for the sandbox and shared it with his colleagues. With free software available online, only hardware and construction of the sandbox was needed.

Over the past few months, Hoegemann built the sandbox, which holds over 200,000 pounds of sand and belongs only to Ivy League schools outside Hudson Valley. The sandbox and the computer to help run the system were put together using parts from the college’s media department,

SEE TECH PAGE 3

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Engineering tech students learn with sand and flight PAGE 3

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INSIDE CREATIVE:

Movie Review: Ladybird

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January 17, 2018

NEWS

This Week’s Events

Wed 17

Welcome Week Experience: Music and Food Extended Hours for Service Offices 8:00 am – 6:00 pm Foundation Annual Board Meeting 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm Bulmer Telecommunications Center Meeting Rooms 1 and 2

A NOTE TO START THE YEAR Letter from the editor

ested.

At The Hudsonian, you’ll gain experience by writing for the media, communicating with peers and developing network connections. A transfer application including experience as a writer or editor at a college newspaper can provide a competitive advantage in the college admissions process as well.

Our weekly meetings are held at 2 p.m. in ADM 107.

Staff writers receive $25 for each article published and photographers receive $10 for each photo published. We’re also seeking a new photo editor for the spring who would receive a stipend of $70 for each weekly issue of The Hudsonian.

However, anyone seeking to work at The Hudsonian should know that students cannot be paid past what they pay in tuition to the college. “No student shall be compensated past what they pay in tuition.” - Student Senate Constitution.

So, anyone receiving full-tuition assistance is ineligible for payment at The Hudsonian.

Despite this, The Hudsonian attends a National Media Con-

PHOTO BY IZZY KOKOSZKO | HUDSONIAN

Week Thurs Welcome Experience: Music, 18 Fun and Food

Mon 22

Tues 23 Wed 24

Extended Hours for Service Offices 8:00 am – 6:00 pm Spring 2018 OffCampus Classes Begin Student Senate Meeting 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Leadership Conference Center (Outside of Siek Campus Center Room 210) Academic Senate Meeting 2:15 pm Bulmer Telecommunications Center, Meeting Rooms LEAD @ HVCC Workshop: Club Advisor Meeting 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm Leadership Conference Center (Outside of Siek Campus Center Room 210) Board of Trustees Monthly Meeting 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm Guenther Board Room Part-time Job Fair 10:00 am – 1:00 pm Siek Campus Center, First Floor Lobby Men’s and Women’s Golf Interest Meeting 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm McDonough Sports Complex, Room 202

Weather WEDNESDAY 01/17/18 High/Low 31/14

Editor-in-Chief of The Hudsonian, Julio Rodriguez.

Dear readers, Welcome to all returning and new members of the Hudson Valley community. Hopefully, our well-deserved time off will serve as a buffer for all of the work that’s on the horizon.

I hope that Vikings, both new and old, will feel inclined to join our organization. We’re actively searching for new members throughout the semester. Prior experience in journalism is not at all a requirement if you are inter-

ference every fall and spring semester. So although you may not qualify for compensation, you may have the chance to attend a college media conference for free.

It’s also important that I mention all Editorial Board positions open up at the end of the spring semester. Anyone seeking an editors position that is currently filled should join the club and run for the position for the upcoming academic year.

With my tenure as editor winding down, I felt it would be in my best interest to address the community with a letter because of a plethora of topics that have been prevalent throughout nearly all professional sectors of American society.

It’s more evident than ever that people in power often seek to keep the truth concealed, whatever it may be. Yet, despite their every effort, the truth is unveiled and brought to the public eye.

As a result, the news media is challenged with the task of spreading information and remaining unbiased and objective with every iteration published.

Remaining objective and maintaining a sensitivity toward all

involved parties comes at a time when we’re confronted with new allegations every day.

The Hudsonian strives to serve the community and spread the truth in an unbiased manner.

We appreciate the continued support of the community and the college over the years. We hope that you feel the same appreciation for our club and our initiative to disseminate information throughout the campus.

We are always thrilled to see new members at our upcoming meetings. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to visit our office in CTR 291 or simply attend one of our meetings. We’re more than willing to answer any questions you might have.

Remember to take risks. You might be uncertain right now about writing for a newspaper, but you shouldn’t be. We’re a family at The Hudsonian, and we will help guide you along every step of the way.

I’m anxiously awaiting to meet all of our new members.

Have a successful and healthy semester, Julio Eleazar Rodriguez Editor-in-Chief

LETTER TO THE COMMUNITY Student Senate President

Dear members of Hudson Valley Community College, Yes, it feels as though only a week has gone by. But believe it or not, it’s been a month since the Fall semester ended. I hope that everyone was able to find time to enjoy the holidays and visit with friends and family. With that said, welcome to the 2018 Spring semester at Hudson Valley Community College.

Congratulations to the returning students and to the firsttime students as well. I look forward to a great semester with all of you.

Hudson Valley offers various clubs, on-campus events, trips, and other activities that everyone can participate in. I encourage all of you to explore these opportunities and to find which ones match your interests and passion. For information on specific activities, please visit http://www.hvcc.edu/

THURSDAY 01/18/18 High/Low 30/18

The Hudsonian Hudson Valley Community College 80 Vandenburgh Ave. Troy, NY 12180 Phone: 518-629-7568 Email: hudsonian@hvcc.edu Editorial Policy All views expressed in this paper are those of the author, and not necessarily those of the The Hudsonian or the College.

Editor-in-Chief Julio Rodriguez Layout Editor Isabella Kokoszko Copy Editor Emmy Farstad

studentlife.html or the student activities office for more information.

If you’re interested in giving back to the community, here are three ways in which you can do so. Please consider donating non perishable food items to the HVCC food pantry (you can donate at student activities, CTR 210). In the same location, you can donate various used or new clothing items (hats, gloves, coats, pants, shirts, blankets, etc.) we only ask that undergarments and socks are new.

These items will then be brought to the Capital City Rescue Mission Homeless Shelter and from there will be given to the less fortunate. If you would like to help people in the Virgin Islands who were affected by hurricane devastation, you can do so by donating mosquito repellent, mosquito netting, hand sanitizer,

FRIDAY

01/19/18 High/Low 35/22

News Editor Hunter Wallace Creative Editor Grace Sgambettera Sports Editor Brian Dengler

Aleve, Advil, coffee, solar lights, solar lanterns, stick lighters, protein bars, beef jerky, tea, rice, and pasta.

These items can be donated in FTZ 250 every Monday from 12-4 p.m. I encourage everyone to get involved in HVCC activities,

SATURDAY 01/20/18 High/Low 43/34 Staff Writer Skylar Blankenhip Faculty Adviser Rachel Bornn

give to the community, and to enjoy your time here at Hudson Valley.

I wish everyone the best of luck this Spring semester. If you have any questions or ideas, please reach out to me at n-savasta@hvcc.edu.

PHOTO BY GRACE SGAMBETTERA | HUDSONIAN

Student Senate President, Nathanael Savasta.

SUNDAY 01/21/18 High/Low 48/39 Letters to the Editor Letters can be delivered to CTR 291 or emailed to hudsonian@ hvcc.edu. Readers may have their letters published anonymously as long as their identity can be verified. Letters will be edited for grammar, style, libel and length.

MONDAY 01/22/18 High/Low 55/33

The Hudsonian is the exclusive student newspaper of Hudson Valley Community College. It is published every week. To join The Hudsonian, attend our weekly meeting on Mondays at 2 p.m. in ADM 107.

January 17, 2018 FROM PAGE ONE

WELCOME

Breakfast (Assorted Pastries and Whole Fruit) at Williams Hall and Siek Campus Center Lobby Noon to 1 p.m. — Hot Chocolate and Assorted Cookies at Siek Campus Center Lobby 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. — Coffee and Assorted Cookies at Siek Campus Center Lobby, Science Center and Williams Hall Wednesday, Jan. 17: Music and Food 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. — Free Breakfast (Assorted Pastries and Whole Fruit) at Siek Campus Center Lobby and Williams Hall 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. — DJ Cool Cat, Games and Karaoke at Siek Campus Center Lobby

NEWS Noon to 1 p.m. — Pizza and Beverages at Siek Campus Center Lobby 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. — Coffee and Assorted Cookies at Siek Campus Center Lobby, Science Center and Williams Hall Thursday, Jan. 18: Music, Fun and Food 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. — DJ Cool Cat, Caricatures and Games at Siek Campus Center Lobby Noon to 1 p.m. — Penne with Chicken, Penne Marinara, Cookies and Beverages at Siek Campus Center Lobby For more information on Welcome Week, contact Student Activities by phone at (518) 6297348, by email at studentactivities@hvcc.edu or in person at Siek Campus Center, Room 210.

COURTESY OF HVCC.EDU

Professor Bill Darling uses the Augmented Reality Sandbox to work with students in Hudson Hall.

FROM PAGE ONE

TECH

construction lab and other areas.

Other faculty members added their expertise in programming.

The sandbox, which cost an estimated total of $3,000, made its debut last semester and immediately became popular with students. Faculty members are still discovering new uses for the sandbox, but Professor Bill Darling said it’s a perfect fit for the Civil Engineering Technology’s hydraulics and drainage classes, as well as for teaching the basics of topography.

Drone Last semester, Karl Hoege-

mann, a certified drone pilot, collaborated with various faculty members on ways to integrate drones into their coursework. For example, students in the Civil Engineering Technology Transportation class are asked to perform traffic studies every semester.

What used to be a manual process was changed this year when Hoegemann’s personal drone hovered over the intersection of Vandenburgh and Morrison Avenues and students remotely counted cars as they passed through the intersection.

“I have to either control the drone or watch while someone else controls it,” Hoegemann said.

“This drone actually came with

3

TEXTBOOK RENTALS ARE HERE! Textbook Rentals have arrived at HVCC!

Be assured that you will get the correct book and save money at the same time by renting your books at Viking's Cove Bookstore!

You can even rent books through our website www.hvcc.edu/bookstore.

• You will need a credit card (not debit) to secure your rental when you complete the transaction.

• You use the book for the entire semester, then return it

by May 10th (the last day of classes).

• If you would like to keep the book, all of your original rental payment will be applied to the purchase of the book.

Over 100 books are available through our textbook rental program! Simply come into the bookstore or search the website to find out which courses offer the opportunity to rent or buy.

Proceeds from the Viking’s Cove Bookstore and FSA are used to support HVCC and enhance the student experience. Be sure to rent or buy locally at the Viking’s Cove Bookstore! two controllers. One is called the ‘master,’ and that’s the one that actually pilots the drone. The second controller controls just the camera. So, the second operator is able to pivot the camera 360 degrees while in flight and can control any photos or videos or infrared imaging that may be taken from his controller.”

While drones are not completely ready to handle the intricacies of certain work such as land surveying, they can create a three-dimensional map of a targeted area with a few hours.

“The drone is nothing more than a high tech tool, but what we’ve been doing this semester has been proof of concept,” said

William Darling, professor of Civil, Construction, Industrial and Mechanical Technologies.

“We have an idea and see if the drone can help us do it better or easier.”

Technology’s Future Role Faculty members have noted the significance of technology like Augmented Reality Sandboxes and drones in education.

“Finding ways to reach the students and engage learning is always a challenge,” said Christine LaPlante, department chairperson of Construction, Industrial and Mechanical Technologies.

LaPlante continued, “In this new technological society, the ability to see, touch and feel be-

comes necessary for understanding difficult engineering concepts.

The department is finding that use of these tools has assisted student success in understanding many of course concepts.”

“I’m looking forward to what’s coming because I can see that if there’s any piece of technology that’s remotely possible to get into, you can bet we [will] have it,” Hoegemann said. “We want the biggest bang for our buck for our students, and I believe that staying on the cutting edge of technology is a big step in doing that.”

Interested in writing? Photography? Sports?

JOIN THE HUDSONIAN!

GET PAID TO:

Meetings every Monday @ 2pm in the Administration building (ADM 107) For more information, stop by the Hudsonian office in the Campus Center (CTR291),or email us at hudsonian@hvcc.edu

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January 17, 2018

CREATIVE

4

Tips and tricks to Hudson Valley COURTESY OF WWW.MOSAICA.COM

By: Isabella Kokoszko Layout Editor Hudson Valley is full of many hidden opportunities. The school offers a wide array of benefits that can help make your semester more manageable and your time here worthwhile. For both returning students and new comers who may not be too familiar with the campus and its facilities, here are a few tips and tricks to make your first few weeks run smoothly.

Figure out your schedule beforehand If this is your first semester, come a little earlier each day on the first week to walk around and get to know the campus. It can be intimidating at first, but after a few weeks you’ll get to know your way around very quickly.

Parking The first few weeks of every semester are brutal when it comes to parking. Spaces tend to fill up quickly after 10 a.m., so if you’re able to, arrive on campus at least 20 minutes before your class so you can look for a spot. Usually during the beginning of the semester, public safety opens an overflow lot and the lots near the Joe Bruno Stadium if spaces are filling up quickly.

If you’re still unlucky and can’t find a spot, drive past the stadium and towards Williams hall where you will find some extra lots. Also, take advantage of the parking garage. Although spots can still fill up quickly, some students have better luck scanning for a space in there.

Leaving After a day of classes, trying to get back home can also be a struggle. The roads turn into parking lot and you’ll find yourself just sitting at stoplights waiting for everyone to go. If you commute, the worst times to leave

The Science Building, finished in 2013, is a visual highlight on campus.

are between 1-2 p.m. If you can afford 20 minutes, just wait and grab a bite to eat or catch up on an online quiz. It can be a lot easier and quicker to leave if you avoid that time frame.

Buildings You can’t really pick which buildings you get when you sign up for a class, but you can prepare to spend your time in there. Brahan is the smelliest of buildings, so arm yourself with some extra cologne or perfume before you enter.

Also, it tends to get a little warm, so it’s wise to dress in layers. The Science Building and BTC are by far the nicer buildings on campus. If you wind up with classes there, you’ve won the

classroom lottery.

Computers The library has a lot of computers that you are always able to use, but what do you do if all are taken? There are computer labs hidden around campus that are also available to students.

There is a computer lab with computers and printers on the first floor of the Siek Campus Center. Digital Media computers capable of using the Adobe Suite are available in BTC and the Science building also has a lab/study center for students.

Food Hudson Valley is surrounded by a wide variety of restaurants within walking or driving distance. Prime by Mazzone, the

on-campus option, can be very convenient, but is also pricey and not always the healthiest option.

Instead, consider choosing from different places off campus, like Chicken Joe’s or Panera, that also tend to be more fairly priced. You can also find a variety of other options, ranging from fast food or pizza to Chinese or deli sandwiches.

Clubs Have big gaps in your schedule? Fear not, because Hudson Valley has over 100 clubs that you can join! If you don’t see a club you want to join, you can even start your own! If you go to Student Activities, located on the second floor of the Campus Center, they will provide you with a list of all

the possible clubs available. Keep in mind that a lot of club meetings are on Mondays at 2 p.m.

Student Perks As a perk of being a Hudson Valley student, Student Activities offers discounted movie tickets on Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for only $10. Each student is allowed 2 per week and can only pay with cash.

In addition to those spicy savings, Student Activities gives out free pizza in the Campus Center at 12 p.m. on Wednesdays!

This is an easy way to grab lunch for students on a tight budget. Just be sure to get there early to make sure there’s a slice left for you.

GRAPHIC BY ISABELLA KOKOSZKO AND JULIO RODRIGUEZ | HUDSONIAN

THEHUDSONIAN.ORG

January 17, 2018

By: Julio Rodriguez Editor-in-Chief Transferring to another institution can be filled with grief, frustration and confusion. However, those feelings can be avoided if you establish and follow a well-constructed plan. Consider this a go-to guide that aims to help students who plan to eventually transfer after Hudson Valley.

Apply to a number of schools It’s important that you are applying to a number of schools to ensure that you have enough options upon making your decision.

Two to three reach schools: These schools are hard to get into as a first-year and as a transfer. These schools accept a small number of transfer students, but you consider these your “dream schools.”

You may or may not meet the requirements for admission to these schools. Colleges will claim that their admissions requirements are “holistic” in nature. This means that they take the applicants entire profile into consideration when making their decision.

So, there’s always the chance you just might “wow” admissions offices at your reach schools with factors unrelated to GPA or test scores.

It’s also important to re-

CREATIVE

member that the importance of high school grades decreases the longer you’ve been out of high school.

Two to three target schools: You likely meet or even exceed the requirements for transfer admission to these schools.

Two or three safety schools: You are very confident you’ll gain admission to said schools. They serve as safeties in the event that you’re not accepted to your target schools.

Remember, don’t waste your time or money applying to schools you don’t want to attend.

Take a look at Hudson Valley articulation agreements A number of undergraduate institutions in and out of NY allow for students to transfer seamlessly to their four-year programs.

The full articulation agreements can found at the Career and Transfer Office in the Siek Campus Center at CTR 290 or by visiting http://www.hvcc.edu/ career-transfer/transfer/articulation_byprogram.html Utilize the SUNY application The SUNY Transfer Student Fee Waivers: Fees for seven (7) campus choices will automatically be waived for transfer students graduating with an associate degree from a SUNY or CUNY two-year college and who apply directly to State University four-

year campuses for baccalaureate programs.

I was shocked to learn how easy the process is to apply directly from a SUNY two-year to a SUNY four year. SUNY AA or AS graduates transferring to a SUNY four-year campus can even qualify for “guaranteed admission.”

According to SUNY.edu, transfer students are obligated to meet only those admissions requirements to institutions or to a particular program applicable to continuing and returning students.

The applications ask basic questions about your address, high school attended, two-year school and other personal information.

Shockingly enough, the application does not require any recommendations, essays or any sort of college report. The college report is a required part of the transfer application by many predicate schools. We’ll discuss the college report later on.

Requesting transcripts A college transcript from every undergraduate institution attended since high school graduation is usually required of all students applying to another college.

An official copy should be requested online on Wired. After the request is made, the transcript is sent from Hudson Valley and the college can compile the infor-

5

mation to make a decision.

The arduous and comprehensive private school application, The Common App. Private colleges and universities will usually require much more of their applicants. You can expect to compile an application on the Common App. The Common App gives transfer students the opportunity to apply directly to their choice of over 700 colleges and universities around the world with one application.

The application is much more comprehensive than the SUNY application. Essentially, The Common App requires questions about every aspect of your academic life thus far.

Recommendations play a vital role The academic evaluations and recommendations that accompany your common app are a vital part of the application.

Typically, schools will ask that the recommendations come from a college professor with whom you’ve taken a course or series of courses.

An academic evaluator will answer a series of questions related to your academic abilities, intellectual promise, initiative and other characteristics compared to that of your peers.

The professor have the opportunity to write about your

character, work ethic and performance in and out of the classroom.

Asking a professor you’ve had a connection with would be in your favor since they’re writing about your capabilities. It also helps to ask a professor that’s taught within the major you’re planning on applying to at your four-year institutions.

Colleges and universities will usually provide guidelines, but generally they require at least one or two recommendations.

FAFSA and CSS Profile These financial information forms should be submitted online after you’ve applied to each school. Colleges will usually have prescribed due dates shortly after the application is due.

The FAFSA is a part of the U.S. Department of Education. It is the largest provider of student financial aid in the nation.

At the office of Federal Student Aid, their are more than 1,300 employees to help make college education possible for every dedicated mind by providing more than $120 billion in federal grants, loans and work-study funds each year to more than 13 million students paying for college or career school.

The application can be found online and can be completed and submitted directly to each institution.

GRAPHIC BY JULIO RODRIGUEZ | HUDSONIAN

The following undergraduate institutions hold articulation agreements with Hudson Valley that can be reviewed online or at The Center for Careers and Transfer.

THEHUDSONIAN.ORG

FEATURES

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January 17, 2018

Commentary: Why homeschoolers need HVCC By: Grace Sgambettera Creative Editor Day one at Hudson Valley was a total culture shock for me, but I cannot recommend it enough to the homeschooling community.

I had never set foot in a classroom of any kind until the fall of 2015. My parents homeschooled me for most of my life, but at the age of 16 I went to college.

There’s a lot of stereotypes about homeschooled kids being socially awkward or sheltered, and while those stereotypes aren’t necessarily true (people do a double take when I say I was homeschooled), it still took a little time to get used to it all: the campus, the other students, answering to a professor, even homework. These were all new experiences for me.

I did not have the typical “high school experience.” Instead, I started attending Hudson Valley my junior year and ended up “graduating” high school through Hudson Valley a year early. I had heard such terrible things about public high school, so I was happy to have the opportunity to do something different.

I studied more or less what I wanted, I was on a college campus and I did not have to ask to use

the bathroom. It’s an underrated way to finish high school, in my opinion.

There’s a lot of homeschooled or formerly-homeschooled students on campus, and while our opinions and backgrounds might differ, I personally believe that we benefit immensely from time at institutions like Hudson Valley.

Being in this environment exposes us to people who might look different, have different life experiences and different opinions than we do.

As a homeschooled student in rural upstate New York I did have a social life, but most of my friends looked like me, thought like me and were homeschooled for similar reasons.

That all changed when I got here.

Community college helped to make my transition into “the real world” much smoother.

I try to recommend this path to other young schoolers I know whenever I’m asked, but I understand that for a student who’s considering making this transition, it can seem really intimidating. The biggest thing I try to tell potential students to keep in mind is that places like Hudson Valley are not high schools.

In my experience, the pressures that homeschooled students

might face in high school to socialize and fit in are not nearly as prevalent here. I felt that I was able to socialize and make friends without having to pretending to be someone I wasn’t.

I’d advise homeschoolers who are looking for new friends on campus to get involved as much as possible. It may sound like a cliche, but personally, I only made new friends by going out, getting involved in clubs and events around the school and stepping out of my comfort zone a little. Getting involved in the community here is the easiest way for anyone to make friends, and that’s not limited to homeschoolers.

Getting used to speaking up and actively seeking help or advice are helpful skills to learn for homeschooled kids transitioning to a new environment. I found that participating a lot in class, visiting professors during office hours and generally putting in extra effort made everything easier as I was adjusting.

When I needed help, I knew of faculty members to go to, and a lot of my professors worked with me to close any gaps that might have been left in my education before attending. If you need help, there’s always someone willing to

PHOTO BY JULIO RODRIGUEZ | HUDSONIAN

Sgambettera provides helpful advice to any homeschooled students making the transition to college.

help you, but you absolutely have to ask.

Most homeschoolers I’ve met tend to be self-sufficient people, but for newbies, I can’t stress enough that opportunities and assistance are not going to just happen without a certain amount of proactivity on your part.

Community college can be a fantastic alternative to high school for lots of homeschooled

students. I cannot speak for every homeschooled kid’s experience here, I can only speak from my own experience.

For me, it has been a good fit.

Proactivity and an open mind are the best tools for homeschooled students to do succeed here as they transition into the “real world,” whatever that means to them.

‘Lady Bird’: A coming-of-age story with stand-out performances By: Emmy Farstad Copy Editor Greta Gerwig’s directorial debut, “Lady Bird”, is at times both endearing and frustrating.

The movie centers on Christine, who rebelliously insists on being called Lady Bird, a high-schooler grappling with her identity in a world that doesn’t always allow her the space to find herself.

Saoirse Ronan was the perfect choice to embody this character.

Her performance encapsulates a young adult who, throughout the movie, goes back and forth between wanting to stand out and wanting to fit in.

Much of the story centers on Lady Bird’s romantic interests and her subsequent heart break. In these moments, the audience sees a girl who only wants to be loved.

This desire is better understood as we see the relationship unfold with Lady Bird and her mother. Laurie Metcalf, of “Roseanne” fame, plays the immensely complicated mother Marion, who admittedly comes off as borderline-unhinged.

Marion is a difficult character to pin down and her treatment of

Lady Bird is unpredictable and volatile. At one moment, she is transparent and raw, but in the blink of an eye she becomes tense, mean and guarded.

In one of the more moving scenes, Lady Bird breaks down and asks her mother if she even likes her. Her mother responds, “I want you to be the very best version of yourself that you can be.”

Lady Bird pauses and answers, “What if this is the best version?”

To me, this scene was indicative of Lady Bird’s quest to be loved, but also displayed her deep-rooted feelings of inadequacy. It feels that although she makes such an effort to rebel against everything and everyone around her, she just wants someone to tell her that she’s fine as-is.

Throughout the movie, I frequently found myself annoyed with the characters and was internally screaming, “Why can’t you just communicate in a normal, healthy way?!”

While the narrative really centers on Lady Bird’s amorous conquests and constantly butting heads with her mother, the take away for me was to look at the relationships she has that really

matter.

Her best friend, Julie, is consistently supportive, loving, fun and embracing. Even after Lady Bird treats her poorly, Julie welcomes her back into her arms and Lady Bird realizes that this is the kind of relationship any high-schooler would be lucky to have.

Lady Bird’s father is also one of the more likeable characters, a gentle man who works hard to counteract the severity of his wife with softness and support.

The message of the film stood out to me most: In life, we often spend so much time chasing an idea of the perfect life or relationship or surrounding. Yet, a lot of the time it’s been under our nose as we try to chase something that, in the long run, doesn’t fulfill us.

I enjoyed the complexity of the characters and the superb acting skills of the people who play them. Because of my tendency to be easily frustrated, it probably is not a movie I’m dying to see again. However, I am glad to have seen it and I would still recommend it to anyone because it is quite poignant and moving.

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January 17, 2018

Vikings Sports Schedule Thu. Jan 18 Men’s & Women’s Basketball (Away) Mohawk Valley Men’s @ 5 p.m.

Women’s @ 7 p.m.

Sat. Jan 20 Men’s and Women’s Basketball (Away) Fulton-Montgomery Men’s @ 3 p.m.

Women’s @ 1 p.m.

Men’s Bowling

(Away) Blue Orange Classic @ 12:00 p.m.

Sun. Jan 21 Men’s & Women’s Basketball

(Home) Dutchess Men’s @ 2:00 p.m.

Women’s @ 12:00 p.m.

Men’s Bowling

(Away) Hawk Invitational

Vikings Scoreboard

SPORTS

7

Men’s & women’s bowling begin seasons over break COURTESY OF ATHLETICS.HVCC.EDU

By: Skylar Blankenship Staff Writer Hudson Valley’s men’s and women’s bowling teams both placed in their tournaments as they began their season over the winter break.

Their first match was the Roto Grip Keystone Classic in Allentown, PA. The men’s team placed 28th out of 35 teams and the women’s team placed 9th out of 12 just a few days after Christmas.

The men’s bowling team had a total of 7,735 pins, a high game of 921 pins and a high series of 2,632.

Joshua McCart had a high game of 208 pins and a high series of 583. In five games, McCart amassed a total of 947 pins.

Garrett Bartlett had a high game of 937 pins, a game high of 214 pins, and a 545 series high.

On their go-around, the women’s team had a total of 7,492 pins, a high game of 849 pins and high series of 2,403.

Gina Patricelli, a freshman in the polysomnography program, placed 23rd with a total of 891 pins, a high game of 198 pins and a high series of 561.

Sophomore criminal justice major Kyla Day placed 25th with a total of 882 pins, a high game of 213 pins and a high series of 526.

Their second match was the Lehigh Valley Collegiate Classic,

Men’s bowling finished 28th out of 35 at the Roto Grip Keystone Classic.

taking place the day after the Roto Grip Keystone Classic. The men’s team place 23rd out of 32 teams and the women’s team placed 8th out of 14 teams.

The men’s bowling team had a total of 8,161 pins, a high game of 941 pins and a high series of 559.

McCart had a total of 957 pins, a high game of 233 pins and a high series of 524.

Bartlett had a total of 909 pins, a high game of 216 pins and a high series of 559.

The women’s bowling team had a total of 7,993 pins, a high game of 961 pins and a high series

of 2,705.

Day placed 5th with a total of 1,056 pins, a high game of 262 pins and a high series of 559.

Also placing in the top-25 was freshman Shannon Bristol, an individual studies major, boasting a total of 935 pin, a high game of 243, and a high series of 546.

COURTESY OF ATHLETICS.HVCC.EDU

Men’s Basketball Tue. Jan 9 HVCC v. Columbia-Greene

76-85 Women’s Basketball Tue. Jan 9 HVCC v. Columbia-Greene

69-84 Men’s Basketball Thu. Jan 11 HVCC v. Clinton

85-91 Women’s Basketball Thu. Jan 11 HVCC v. Clinton

93-33

Women’s bowling finished 9th out of 12 at the Roto Grip Keystone Classic.

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8

January 17, 2018

SPORTS

Men’s basketball continues four-game losing streak

COURTESY OF ATHLETICS.HVCC.EDU

By: Skylar Blankenship Staff Writer The men’s basketball team’s string of losses continued this past week after suffering defeats to Columbia-Greene Twins Community College on Tuesday, and Clinton on Thursday, dropping this season’s record to 4-10.

Tuesday With only five team members, the men’s basketball team fell to the Columbia-Greene Twins Community College, 8576, on Jan. 9, making their overall record 4-9.

In the first half, Hudson Valley scored 24 points and Columbia-Greene scored 42 points.

As the game continued into the second half, the Valley scored an impressive 52 points, but ultimately not enough to beat Columbia-Greene, who scored 43 points.

Sophomore Mitchell Dame, a guard and forensic science major, contributed 24 points.

Sophomore forward Raheem Duncan, a criminal justice major, also added another 24 points Throughout the second half, Dame and Duncan scored a combined total of 31 points.

Freshman guard Eddie Kwaw, a business administration major, also contributed 16 points for HVCC. Overall, the team had a total

The men’s basketball team finished 85 to 91 against Clinton this past Thursday.

of 19 turnovers, 14 assists and 44 rebounds. Columbia-Greene had 12 turnovers, 18 assists, and 40 rebounds.

The Valley had a field goal percentage of 38.7 and a free throw percentage of 63.2. Their opponent had field goal and free throw percentages of 43.2 and a 75.0, respectively.

Thursday Hudson Valley couldn’t overcome the offensive play of Clinton on Thursday Jan. 11, racking up another L with a final score of 9185.

The Vikings, despite the disadvantage of a fewer number of teammates, entered halftime with a 45-40 lead over Clinton.

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For details, email hudsonian@ hvcc.edu or stop by our office at CTR 291 in the campus center.

Unfortunately for the Vikings, the second half was not as prosperous defensively as the first. Although they were able to score almost as many points as they did in the first half, Clinton came back firing, scoring 46 points. Clinton toppled Hudson Valley with a final score of 91-85.

Leading Hudson Valley

that night in scoring was freshman human services major Steven Clarke, with 19 points, 12 of which were made in the first half.

Sophomore forensic science major Mitchell Dame followed up Clarke with 17 total points, impressively snagging 13 of them in the last 20 minutes of the game.

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