2006_09_11 - Broward College

Transcription

Volume 21 Number 3
September 11, 2006
www.broward.edu/observer
September 11, 2001:
READ
what’s
inside
We will never forget...
Campus news
Rene
Pazmino,
Jr., is
the
new
Central
and WHC
Student
Government
President.
to end all wars, yet we certainly
repeated with another war “to end
all wars:” World War II. Shall we
September 11, 2001 marks the
repeat wars indefinitely until we
day America stopped, cried, and
are no longer here? Despite beovercame one of its greatest triing much smaller in scale, a mere
als our homeland has ever seen.
two decades ago the world as we
Despite the fact that two majesknow it was in peril. One can only
tic steel titans came thundering
imagine if the Cold War had escadown, up came the even grander
lated. Will World War III becomwill of the people. The want to
ing an inevitable consequence
recover and rebuild our habitual
of time, or an easily avoidable
need to overcome adversity was
conflict, one we can ascend past
present. Overcoming a national
and break the repeating cycle of
tragedy not only depends on the
history? As a nation, we must ask
economy, but how the country is
that question and understand why
affected; it depends on its people.
we must never forget.
September 11, 2001, may have
As we look forward in the
been the infamous day, however,
present, and guess about the fuit is the repercussions that folture, war has definitely changed
lowed that will dictate our future,
from the time of our fore fathers.
our children’s future, America’s
War is now a game of numbers
Photo courtesy of
future, and ultimately what the The Twin Towers
and statistics with shiny buttons,
Marcos Efron
world will become.
where a mere click and command
The United States may have been Israel are again making headlines. of a mouse can destroy an entire nathe country that was stricken, how- Just like in 1992, the war on Iraq tion. War is no longer restricted to a
ever, Al Qaeda as well as other ter- is a major factor in politics, and the battlefield or a flag. It is in our streets,
rorist organizations target the entire economy. Just like the 70’s, cars are in our phone lines, in our neighbormodern world. London, England, becoming smaller, and oil prices are ing nations, and especially now an
Madrid, Spain, and countless other skyrocketing. The country is divided unfortunate part of our daily lives.
nations have been targeted and be- on how to deal with immigration; is
September 11 was a very hard
came victims of terrorist attacks. it good or bad, have we met our quo- reminder of the horror of genocide.
Conflicts old and new are reemerg- ta? Or do we owe to those that came, Statistically speaking the casualing as we move deeper into the 21st and are still coming?
ties of September 11 are quite small
century, and our past seems to haunt
Where have we gone since the when compared to the 6 billion
us. In an endless repeating cycle of 70’s? Is the United States in Déjà vu people in the entire world or just
history, North Korea again becomes with another Gulf War? Ironically,
a threat, as Iran, Syria, Lebanon, and World War I supposed to be the war
▪ Tribute continued on page 7
By Phillip Campos
Staff Writer
▪ Page 3
Sports
See The
Preview
of the
Lady
seahawk
Volleyball
in our
centerspread!
▪ Pages 10-11
entertainment
The whole
world mourns
the loss of the
unforgettable
Steve Irwin.
▪ Page 9
Science and TEchnology
All about Nasa’s
Space Shuttle
program
update
and
The
Effects of
global Warming
on our world.
▪ Pages 12-13
Collegewide
P’an Ku, The
student literary
and art magazine,
is gearing up for
a new semester.
▪ Page 17
Features
Stacie
Turner
is a
model
for hope.
Hurricane Ernesto fails to impress
By Cami Carr
Staff Writer
▪ Page 16
Opinion
Students recall
their memories
and let their
feelings be
known on, about,
and after the
attacks of 9/11.
▪ Pages 18-19
Index
Collegewide................. 7
Central.......................... 3
South............................ 4
North............................ 5
WHC............................ 6
Entertainment............8-9
Sci-Tech................12-13
Features.................15-17
Opinion.................18-19
Sports..............10-11, 20
Though Tropical Storm Ernesto
filled South Florida with anxiety,
shut down all colleges and schools
in the Broward County School
District, the facts show the expected
hurricane was just a dud. Coverage
on the storm extended to all major
news channels and 24 hour coverage
on the Weather Channel. After last
year’s run-in with Hurricane Wilma
and then total destruction of Katrina,
the Southern states all feared for the
worst. All over Broward, Dade and
Palm Beach counties, lines could be
seen for blocks at gas stations and
hardware stores flowed with a steady
stream of customers stocking up
for a potential emergency situation.
Ernesto never bumped up from its
category as a tropical storm with
winds at a high of only 43 miles
per hour when it slid over Broward
County. As compared to the highs of
Wilma, which were a whopping 175
MPH at its most torrent moments,
Ernesto was just a heavy rain storm.
The first announcement for closure
The rush to gas up in preparation for Hurricane
Ernesto left many fuel stations backed up.
of all BCC campuses for Tuesday,
Aug. 29 came at 4:40 p.m. on
Monday, Aug. 28. The closure notice for Wednesday, Aug. 30 came at
1:20 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 29, both
comparably late when put against
Broward County schools and all
other colleges in the affected areas.
After Hurricane Rita and the incident of the campus non-closures, the
Photo by Chris Cutro
administration offices for all campuses was flooded with both faculty
and student complaints. High force
winds and beating rain forced many
students to stay at home, fearing rain
would impact traffic, not to mention
walking outside in the many outdoor
▪
Ernesto continued on page 7
Our big
problem
By Nathan Phelps
Sci-Tech Editor
The debate over global warming
is over. According to the National
Academy of Sciences the Earth’s
temperature has risen by about 1
degree Fahrenheit over the past
century. Scientists expect the average global temperature to increase
an additional 2 to 6 degrees over the
next hundred years. The evidence
is strong to suggest that much of
this change is due to human activities. Even though this does not
sound like much, it could be devastating to the Earth’s climate. At
the peak of the last Ice Age, 18
thousand years ago, the temperature was only 7 degrees colder that
it is at present and glaciers covered
much of North America.
Temperature is not the only
thing being affected by global
warming. Greenhouse gases,
which are essential for life on the
Earth, have risen to their highest
levels in the past 650,000 years
and are continuing to climb. The
use of fossil fuels is the major contributor to rising levels of carbon
dioxide in the atmosphere. Our
lives and lifestyles revolve around
the use of oil and oil-based products which account for over 80%
of the world’s energy usage. The
fact that we have made ourselves
so reliant on this type of energy
source has proven to be a huge detriment to repairing the damage we
have done to our Earth. Month after month, the effects of rising carbon dioxide levels become more
evident. These repercussions are
in the forms of killer hurricanes,
floods, droughts, and major wildfires. This is undoubtedly one of
the most imposing scientific and
technical challenges that humanity
has ever faced.
It is becoming ever more evident
that decreasing the current amount
of CO2 emissions is imperative in
order to help repair the damage
that has already been done. To hold
global emission levels constant
while the world’s economy continues to grow is a daunting task. The
technology to accomplish this already exists, but it will take tenacity and determination to bring it
to fruition.
less on
energy
▪ BrainsWasting
continued
pageis7
the quickest, least expensive way
to stem carbon emissions. Simple
solutions such as adding sufficient
insulation to buildings, highly efficient windows and doors, as well
as illumination, compressed air
systems and heating and cooling
systems can reduce the demand for
▪ Global warming
continued on page 12
Central
September 11, 2006
Central SGA has new leader
By Daniella Dorcelus
Central Bureau Chief
Rene Pazmino Jr., President of
BCC Central Campus and WHC
Student Government, has lived in
Fort Lauderdale since the age of
13. He gained most of his political
knowledge and experience early
in life by observing his father at
work. Rene Pazmino Sr. was a
commissioner for the city of Santo
Domingo in Ecuador. During that
time, Pazmino took advantage of
the opportunity afforded to him
in the field of government by
shadowing his father and helping
out with campaigns.
“He was a great example for me
because he loved to help people,
and that inspired me to become
president of Student Government
to help out the students also,” he
said.
Pazmino worked with the
Student Government Association
(SGA) prior to being elected to his
current position. He served as a
senator for SGA and vice chair for
its Public Relations Committee.
As vice chair he was responsible
Students psyched for
annual comedy show
Cenral Bureau Chief
Rene Pazmino, Jr., the new Central and WHC SGA
President.
for reporting the activities of that
committee to the Senate. Pazmino
hopes to make SGA more visible
to the student body by working
with that particular entity of the
organization.
“I’m all about growing,
expanding, and putting in new
ideas for the growth of Student
Government,” he said.
The leader also went to
Tallahassee and spoke to the
Florida House of Representatives
Photo submitted by
Rene Pazmino
about students who were denied
certain rights because of their
immigration status this year. The
group that works on such projects
is called the Student Legislative
Council (SLC).
“The reason I wanted to
become Student Body President
was to have a great environment
for the students where they can
feel comfortable studying and live
happy at BCC,” Pazmino said.
Kenpo Club holds tournament for
the best of the best
The BCC Kenpo Club and the
Martial Arts Foundation, Inc.,
teamed up to coordinate a martial
arts tournament held on July 29,
2006. The event took place at
the gym of Broward Community
College Central Campus. An array
of people showed up: children,
youth and adults alike lined up to
either compete or just observe the
talented practitioners.
Some of the movements the
competitors were required to
execute included forms, sparring
and self-defense. The younger
generation amazed the crowd with
their overwhelming proficiency in
their skill and style.
Ritchie Guillaume studies Goju
Ryu and has been doing so since
July of 2006. He is 11 years old
and is currently practicing under
the instruction of Sensei Herbie.
Additionally, he also received
first place for sparring. “It took
a lot of work. You have to make
sure that you are disciplined and
if you’re not, they will make you.
You must make sure that you do
not talk back to the instructor,”
said Guillaume. This young man
started training in Karate after
being recommended for the Stay
in School program. The purpose
of this initiative is to help students
of disadvantaged backgrounds
to remain in school, by helping
them to become focused and selfconfident through martial arts and
other activities. Coordinators of
this project work with the MetroDade Police Department to
target at-risk youth. There were
a handful of students who took
home prizes for their talent.
Justin Rodriguez is 11 years
old and has been studying Kung
The Observer
Michael Nolan, the Sensei and advisor of the BCC
Kenpo club, demonstrates a head lock technigue.
Fu for 2 and a half months at the
Po Chi Lam Training Center.
Rodriguez mentioned that he has
practiced before but stopped for
a while. He decided to get back
to training again after his parents
urged him to do so. This young
man received first place for forms
and second place for sparring. “It
takes a lot of practice because if
you go out there and do not know
what you will do, then you’ll get
hurt. Always keep your hands up
because they can always go for the
face anytime,” said Rodriguez.
There were other students who
practiced the same style as him.
Emily Marett has been training
in Kung Fu for 2 and a half years.
She competed in the intermediate
level, received second place for
fighting and third place for forms.
She mentioned that her friend
inspired her to get into karate
and now she absolutely enjoys
it. “It’s really good exercise. It
helps with muscle tone. It also
helps primarily self-defense. It
teaches you how to stay focus and
be disciplined.” The BCC Kenpo
Photo courtesy of
Michael Nolan
Club generously sponsored the
tournament and the Martial Arts
Foundation was responsible for
promoting it.
The Broward Community
College Kenpo Club was founded
in the summer of 2002, by
Sensei Michael Nolan. Some of
the ideals that the organization
embodies include: integrity,
humility and self-control. The
Martial Arts Foundation was
founded by Larry L. Mabson on
1993. He is currently the head
instructor of Mabson-do Goju
Kan Karate Association in Fort
Lauderdale, Florida. At present, he
is the highest-ranking practitioner
within the USA Goju Organization
and is the appointed successor by
Chief Master Instructor William
A. Liquori. In addition, Mabson
is the recipient of the 1995 Florida
Hall of Fame and the 1996
Martial Arts Congress Memorial
Hall of Fame. Not to mention,
he also is one of the founding
fathers of Brotherhood Martial
Arts (WBMA) and RAM Martial
Arts Events.
The Student Programming
and Development Entertainment
Series (S.P.A.D.E.S.) will host the
Laughapalooza Comedy Show
on Sept. 23, 2006. The event
will feature Benji Brown, Rob
Stapleton and Buzz Sutherland.
The show is held annually at BCC
Central Campus.
It first started three years ago
in September 2004 and included
comedians such as Gary Owens
and Shang. The idea was initiated
by Adrian Carter, Student
Life Director. Although it was
Carter’s idea, S.P.A.D.E.S. has
been the major force behind its
production. They are in charge of
finding comedians and setting up
schedules for the event. Most of
the comedians have been featured
in BET’s Comic View. “We have
a great choice of line up,” said
Beatrice Blanc, Programming
Chair.
S.P.A.D.E.S. and Student Life
has received positive feedback
from students in the past. “I
think it’s great. I look forward
to coming to it again this year,”
said Nadine Rust. The comedians
that will perform have made their
mark among audiences all across
the U.S.
Benji Brown has performed at
various comedy clubs, colleges
and Universities in addition to
large auditorium venues. He has
worked with some of the most
recognizable names in comedy
such as Tommy Davidson, Mike
Epps and Finesse Mitchell.
Brown co-starred in a film
entitled A Miami Tail, which
was produced by Lions Gate
Entertainment. Other television
and film appearances by Brown
include Queens of Comedy,
Sommore and College Hill. The
other two comedians scheduled to
Benji Brown, one
of the comics.
Photo courtesy
of Benjibrown.com
appear also have made their faces
recognizable to many people in
the nation.
Rob Stapleton was born and
raised in the Bronx of N.Y. Some
of his jokes are based on his
observations while growing up
in such a huge and diverse city.
Stapleton has assisted Tracey
Morgan in writing sketches for
NBC’s Saturday Night Live.
His experience on the big screen
has included a starring role as
rapper Jay-Z in the film Death
of a Dynasty. The work portrays
the hostile break up of Roc-a
fella records founders, Jay-Z and
Damon Dash.
Buzz Sutherland has an
impressive track record also.
During the past five years, he
was named Comedian of the
Year by the National Association
of Campus Activities (NACA).
Sutherland was also named
Entertainer of the Year by the
NACA. In addition, Sutherland
has been acclaimed as Performer
of the Year and Comedian of the
Year by Association for Promotion
of Campus Activities (APCA).
His television appearances have
included HBO’s Comic Relief,
MTV’s Half Hour comedy Hour
and he was also the host of
Disney/KPLR Kid’s Connection.
Club Rush Week
Many student and community
organizations were represented
at this year’s Club Rush held on
Aug. 28, 2006. One of the groups
that participated in the event
was the Gay Straight Alliance
(GSA). The purpose of GSA is
to raise awareness and to promote
tolerance among people of various
sexual orientations. They are also
involved in community outreach
projects. Last year GSA collected
food, clothing and medical
supplies for victims of Hurricane
Katrina. Intervarsity Christian
Fellowship was also present to
promote their club.
The organization strives to
share the doctrine of Jesus Christ
with students through witness and
fellowship. “It’s a place where
students can grow spiritually as
they learn about the Christian
faith,” said Jeannette Silva.
Another religious organization
was there willing to provide
insight on their mission.
The Hillel Jewish Student
Union is there to give social,
cultural and religious support
to Jewish students at Broward
Community College.
“For
Jewish students at BCC, it gives
them a way to meet other Jewish
students,” said Jennifer Kryshka.
Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the
international honor society was
also actively informing students
of their organization.
The group initiate activities
that encompass their four
hallmarks: scholarship, service,
leadership and fellowship. One
can become a member of PTK
after completing 12 collegelevel credits and earning a 3.5
cumulative grade point average.
In addition, the BCC KenpoKobudo club encouraged new
faces to experience the physical
and mental challenge offered
through martial arts. Kenpo helps
one develop courtesy, integrity,
humility and self-control.
The Observer
South
Welcome Week still a success
September 11, 2006
Ducks gone wild
BY Heather Dulman
South Bureau Chief
By Bill Leban
Staff Writer
This year, Welcome Week
kicked off during the second
week of school. “Students get
bombarded for the first week
of school such as dropping or
adding classes, buying books and
dealing with financial aide. They
don’t get to enjoy the novalties.
So we did it the second week so
more students can get involved in
student events,” said Rose Ortega,
Student Life Director.
The anticipation for Welcome
Back Week has been postponed
thanks to Ernesto. It became clear
on Monday, Aug. 28 at 4 p.m. that
the school was going to shut down
the next day and that the activities
for Welcome Week would have
to be rescheduled. Well that did
not stop the Monday BBQ. All
the activities were to be held
two times, one for the morning
and the other for the people
who take night classes. The first
get together was from 11 a.m.1 p.m. The second get together
was from 6-8 p.m. There were
a lot of people for the first one,
however the second event people
were probably filling up their
gas tanks and going crazy about
the hurricane warning. When it
was time for the night BBQ, the
people serving the food had to
improvise on the hotdog buns by
substituting white bread.
The events that were planned
before Ernesto were the Monday
Kick off BBQ and meeting the
campus Administrators. Tuesday
was Got Game, to get the
students involved with intramural
sports and to test student’s test
taking skills. Wednesday, free
food, prizes, Power 96 and
personalizing Digital Caricatures.
Thursday, make your own DVD/
Video and choosing a student’s
major and career.
The kick off BBQ went well.
There
were
hotdogs,veggie
burgers,
cheeseburgers,
all
kinds of potato chips, chocolate
chip, white chocolate cookies,
including free cans of soda. “I
enjoyed giving food to the new
and returning BCC students,”said
BCC Student Life worker James
Mdelva.
There were tables representing
As a car pulls into the BCC
South Campus it is greeted by a
parade of feathered spectators
that surround the lake in front of
the campus. Not a day goes by
that somebody isn’t seen feeding
the resident waterfowl that live
near the water. These birds are
not afraid of people and often
walk in front of cars and up to the
joggers who run around the lake.
There are several different types
of birds living at the lake with the
most prolific and least appealing
being the Muscovy Duck.
The Muscovy, is a non-native
species of duck originally from
South and Central America that
were originally domesticated as a
source of food. They eventually
made it to Europe by the way
of Spanish explorers and then
ultimately brought to the United
States by settlers. They reproduce
constantly and leave large
amounts of droppings behind.
Adult ducks can produce between
five and six ounces of manure per
day, dramatically reducing the
water quality of the lakes they
live around. These non-native
ducks are one of the main causes
of the duck plague in wild ducks,
having been linked to outbreaks of
avian tuberculosis, chlamydiosis,
fowl cholera and paratyphoid.
For these reasons the population
must be controlled by periodic
visits from Critter Control.
South Campus clubs are set to recruit
during Welcome Week.
Intramural Sports, Student Life
and Healthy Student Living
Educators. There were free five
-in-one highlighters shaped like
a flower with the BCC logo, web
address and Student Life South
Campus number. There were
free little stress balls shaped
like a happy face with writing
on the back that said volleyball
Tuesday 7-10 p.m. The other
one was shaped and looked
like a basketball. On the back it
said basketball Thursday 7-10.
However, the Volleyball game
did not happen since we were in
a so called hurricane but it would
most likely be re-scheduled.
Welcome
Week
brought
people together and made a fun
experience for the new and recent
students at BCC South Campus.
“Welcome Week is the best week;
you can learn everything in onethree weeks. You meet friends,
find out about the honors program.
People have no idea until they
arrive here. Plus there are free
give aways like food,” said BCC
student Carlos Alvardo.
Despite the so called tropical
storm, Thursday’s event from
11-1:30 p.m. and at 6-7:30 p.m.,
had free drinks including free Red
Bull and popcorn as well as make
your own music video on DVD.
The theme was Become an Idol.
So the students would pick over
3,100 songs to choose from and
would sing along to the music.
The background was the theme
from the hit FOX show American
Idol. “It probably broke the ice
for the first year students…I
wouldn’t want to try out for
American Idol, I would not want
Students enjoy the food from the Welcome Week BBQ.
Photo by Johnny Louis
to be embarrassed by Simon,” said
BCC student Lonnika Robinson.
Another BCC student, Asheley
Baeaumont said, “It’s a great way
to meet new people since this is
my first year here…I’m too shy to
sing in front of people.”
“I thought this event was
fun, I wish everybody would
be brave enough to do it,” said
BCC student Amizaday Mercado.
She sang “Mickey” and “I will
Survive.” Shawn Morley was the
one producing the music videos.
Working in the business for 16
years, he now has a contract with
FOX Network to send tapes of
people singing for American Idol.
The company Wet Dog Events
travel around to large college
campuses. “Two or three out
of 25,000 people get to see the
judges… they waiver their rights.
Only very few make the process,”
said Morley.The next local tryouts
will be at UF around spring time
of March. For more information,
go to www.wetdogevents.com.
Mostly all the events that
Student Life produces are meant
to be a fun and learning experience
for all the students at BCC. It is
the student’s choice to be and get
involved. No one makes anyone
do anything at BCC. It’s not like
high school where students are
most likely forced. It’s the student
that has to motivate themselves.
Students can choose whether or
not they want to make community
college a great experience and
take advantage of the activities
Student Life produces or just
go straight home after class
excluding yourself out of the fun
that BCC has to offer.
South Campus’
wildlife.
Photo by
Johnny Louis
On July 18th the BCC South
campus was visited by Critter
Control and proceeded to remove
approximately 25-30 ducks from
the lake area. This type of action
is necessary with the Muscovy
ducks and is one way to humanely
control the population. The ducks
have become a nuisance in part,
because of the actions of some
people who feed the Muscovy
in the area. Every day it seems
that there is somebody at the lake
tossing bread to the ducks and
other birds who live there. It is
this behavior that helps the nonnative bird population get out of
control. The people who do this
are not helping the birds either.
By having a constant supply
of food, the ducks loose their
natural instincts to forage for
food and become dependent on
the unnatural food source. So, for
the safety of the students, faculty
and native birds that inhabit BCC
South Campus, please DO NOT
FEED THE DUCKS!!!
North
September 11, 2006
By Anthony Perrucci
North Bureau Chief
The Observer
Hurricane Ernesto crashs welcome week
activities, leaves hole in schedules
Tropical Storm Ernesto blew
through South Florida in the
wee hours of Aug. 30, spreading
neither death nor destruction, but
wreaking havoc on the schedules
and nerves of BCC students.
Coming a year after Hurricane
Katrina blew through South
Florida and ten months after
Hurricane Wilma destroyed 153
windows at the North Campus,
Ernesto brought up to two inches
of rain and removed a single
limb from a tree with its 45 mph
sustained winds.
Judy Srygler, the Director of
Facilities for North Campus,
characterizes
the
Ernesto
experience as a practice run for
possible more powerful storms
in the future. While the campus
itself suffered no damage, she
warns that there is still plenty of
time left.
“We are just now in the peak
of hurricane season,” Srygler
said. The storm and its related
preparations necessitated the
closure of all public schools in
Broward County on Tuesday,
Aug. 29 and Wednesday, Aug. 30.
The cancellation of two days of
classes threw the plans of most,
if not all, students into disarray.
Freshman Caroline Martinez, a
Hurricane Ernesto brings a little bit of chaos to the
North campus activities.
French major, and Jody Dyer,
a nursing major, shared their
opinions of the storm. When
asked how it affected her, Dyer
said, “Not at all, just got pushed
back with the work we had to
do.”
Second-year student Heidy
Vazquez shared a similar opinion.
“I hate missing class, so it threw
me off,” she said. “Missing
something you pay for sucks.”
Vazquez’s son, three-year-old
Kai, was similarly affected.
She said that Kai is “used to
routine, so it threw him off.” The
inconvenience of school’s being
closed “was a waste,” she added,
“but better safe than sorry.”
The closure of BCC also
forced the cancellation of two
days of Welcome Week activities,
File Photo
which had been slated for the 29
and 30 of August. The third day,
however, proceeded as planned.
The Welcome Week cookout
is scheduled to take place on
Thursday, Sept. 7, according
to North Campus Student Life
Director Mareta Sizemore. After
Ernesto had moved on, allowing
for classes to resume and life at
BCC to return to normalcy, the
legacy of the storm seems to
be little more than puddles of
standing water and a chance for
students to practice the usual
motions necessary whenever a
storm threatens.
“I think they did the right
thing,” Srygler said about the twoday closure of BCC. “They didn’t
have any way of knowing.”
The Observer
Willis Holcombe Center
September 11, 2006
Despite hurricane, students enjoy rush
Campus activities successful in midst of schedule interruption
By Emily Cornwell
WHC Bureau Chief
Last week, the WHC campus
had plenty of fun activities for all
BCC students to enjoy. Although
a portion of the parade was rained
on by Ernesto, the rest of what
was lost was rescheduled to
continue through the following
week. Monday through Friday
was full of prearranged activities.
Photo book marks, US Army,
and student government tables
were all present outside the WHC
building the first of the week.
Thursday offered personalized
comic book covers with favorite
superheros, while Friday was the
first movie night of the semester.
These movie nights are offered
two to four times a month on the
WHC campus to all BCC students
with proper ID. Meet and greet is
in the student activities center at
approximately 6:30 p.m. and free
tickets are given there after. Last
week, students were able to go
to whatever movie they chose.
Popcorn’s on you though, guys.
The WHC actually has a
number of weekly and monthly
activities that are always fun to
enjoy. Another example are the
Coffee houses every Monday and
Thursday night from 5:30 p.m.
until around 8 p.m. In room 221,
BCC students can stop by and
enjoy a flick, some mingling,
and of course free food. From
dunkaroos, to celery sticks.
The rest of the Welcome Week
festivities that were interrupted
by class cancellations continued
Tuesday with “Fun certificates.”
These were certificates specifically
for individual students and all
about them. They could have
included birthdays, to personality
traits. Wednesday was sponsored
by Coyote Ugly with unlimited
complimentary sour pucker
powder. Watching people bounce
around after eating pure sugar is
always a good time.
Another occasion that was
effected by the storm was
WHC Administrative Artspace
Exhibition
Opening.
This
exhibition
featured
female
designers from the south Florida
area, and also included pieces
from the Florida Museum of
Natural History. The exhibit
was scheduled for the Aug. 31
but was pushed to Sept. 7 at the
downtown center. Unfortunately,
the first “hurricane” of the year
affected class schedules more
then necessary.
Students gettting Photo by SHEENA
involved in Club Rush. FERNANDEZ
Students enjoy Welcome Week activities.
Photo by SHEENA FERNANDEZ
Collegewide
September 11, 2006
The Observer
Tribute to
September 11, 2001
▪ continued from page 1
the millions that die every day.
But those that died were not a
statistic, nor were they at war, sick
or being affected by the countless
factors that may kill us. They
were not strangers on a far away
land. They were our Dads, Moms,
Uncles or Aunts, our Brothers,
our Sisters. They were just like
our family that is now in Iraq, and
other parts of the world.
The turn of the century may
begun on Jan, 1, 2000, but the
United States turned to the new
millennium on September 11,
2001. We will not forget those
that died working in the towers,
or the ones who were saving the
souls inside of them, our heroic
fire fighters and police officers,
our soldiers fighting for freedom
in Iraq, or the UN Ambassadors
of Peace. As a global community,
we must strive for peace. War has
no positive outcome; war must
be avoided at all costs, or waged
relentlessly to justify it. We must
protect ourselves, yet also stop
and reflect upon our actions.
Personal defense is welcomed,
and as Roosevelt had once said,
we must “carry a big stick.”
However, the consequences of
doing so may not justify the
“I can’t afford
my gasoline”
Phillip Campos
Staff Writer
“I can’t afford my Gasoline”
“The Prices have really become
obscene” are satirical excerpts
from a popular online flash
movie; I can’t afford my gasoline,
by Dominic A. Tocci. Tocci’s
movie depicts a funny outlook on
an otherwise grim reality many
Americans are facing today. A
shared sentiment that is especially
strong by those that own gas
guzzling SUV’s.
While Hurricane Wilma, plus
damaged Texas pipelines, plus
the war on Iraq, and various other
factors shoot gas through the $3
barrier, gas today is still a problem,
despite the fact it’s somewhat
leveling off. Minimum wage has
already
been increased to
deal with
the problem.
However,
minimum
or
low
wage workers
have to deal with
a very serious
problem.
Is it worth
working hours
and hours to
only pay for
the gas bill?
Then why not
just stay home
instead? Most
middle class
Americans
work to pay bills,
however whatever is
remaining is normally spent as
fruits of labor, or at least as casual
relaxation, or entertainment.
However, the price of gas drives
up, product prices, insurance,
transportation, helps depreciate
vehicles, especially V8’s, or
trucks etc.
And to those going from
paycheck to paycheck, that can
mean the difference between
eating a warm meal, or Ramen
noodles, if not anything at all. The
federal government has already
intervened by lowering taxes,
and creating incentives. However
the bottom-line is simple, if gas
goes any higher than it already
is, and/or breaks $4 a gallon, then
“I can’t afford my gasoline.” Oil
companies are reporting record
profits, while most Americans are
reporting major grumbling. Where
does the buck stop; apparently
with a turkey at Thanksgiving.
Analysts predict that by
Thanksgiving gas prices will be
closer to $2 per gallon. Gas and
$2 haven’t been in the same
sentence for a long time, and
thus will be emphasized. Two
dollars per gallon, or two-thirds
cheaper than what we’re paying
now, exponentially would save
billions of dollars. Wholesale
prices of gasoline are
dropping due
to supply and
demand, and
Americans
are more
alert
on
the price
of
gas.
SUV sales
are down,
and
you
can spot a
hybrid car
every few
blocks. AAA
estimates that
national gas prices should
lower around 10 cents by the end
of the week. Whether prices will
come down and stay down is
yet to be seen. Hopefully, by the
end of the decade, an alternative
fuel source may become viable,
otherwise prepare for the next
coming of the Ugo, Hybrids or
anything in between. Because
simply “We can’t afford our
Gasoline!”
means. We have the technology,
where any one individual can be
connected to any other part of
the world. Hopefully someday in
our global civilization we can all
be connected as one. Most of us
were here or near to September
11; our pain went through the
entire world, felt as it shockwaved
across the globe. Many things
changed and many things stayed
the same. War—and history—is
still repeating. The only way we
can move on is to remember as a
Nation that we will not forget...
we will not forget....
Though September 11, 2001
has past, society is still adapting
by Buzz Lamb
STAFF WRITER
to the effects—some were caused
by September 11 and others
catalyzed by it. Regardless, we
can only overcome the cycle of
history by learning from and
refusing to repeat our mistakes.
To look into the past and evolve,
to put our differences behind us,
to move on, yet not forget who
and what came before us. We all
know what happened September
11. It is now our job to do what’s
next. It’s been over five years since
the attacks. How will the United
States be on the 10th anniversary
of that day, two decades, or even
a century into the future? It’s in
your hands, just don’t forget....
Hurricane
Ernesto
corridors of the various campuses.
Adrian Fernandez, a BCC
student, had this to say. “I don’t
see how they can expect us to just
wing it in the rain. Driving is bad
enough without having to go 30
miles below the speed limit on
95 just to stay safe. I’m glad that
even though it was a small storm,
they had enough sense to close
down classes.” With just short
time left in the Hurricane season,
Florida, and its college students
wait nervously for yet another
storm on the horizon and for the
decisions to come from BCC.
Constitution Day
President George W. Bush
signed House Resolution 1848
on Dec. 8 2004, officially
marking Sept. 17 as “United
States Constitution Day” in
commemoration of Sept. 17,
1787 when the 39 delegates of the
Constitutional Convention met
in Philadelphia for the last time
to sign the document they had
created.
General Colin Powell will
lead the country in a coordinated,
nationwide recitation of the
Preamble to the United States
Constitution on Monday Sept. 18
at 2 p.m. Eastern Time. BCC’s
Division of Student Affairs has
printed bookmarks with the
Preamble of the Constitution
on them for distribution on all
campuses so that students can
participate. Sue Hawk-Finn,
Student Life Director for the
Willis Holcombe Center, said that
there will also be a replica of the
constitution on display during
the week of Sept. 18 at the WHC
Activity Center. Additionally,
there will be an evening
coffeehouse at the Activity Center
on Sept. 18 and a booklet entitled
“About the Constitution of the
United States of America: We the
People” will be available for staff
and students.
The national celebration will
conclude with “Bells Across
America” at the Freedom
Foundation at Valley Forge, PA
in honor of the First Amendment
which guarantees Americans
freedom of speech, religion,
press, and the rights to petition
and assemble. Students may
view the live ceremony online at:
www.constitutionday.com.
The Observer
By Amanda Fernandez
Staff Writer
Entertainment
Hollywood remembers 9/11
worked on perfecting his New
York accent and spent hours in
a deprivation tank. Pena, who
We remember it as a morning plays Officer Jimeno, moved
like any other. The coffee tasted into Officer Jimeno‘s house in
the same as it had the morning New Jersey. The acting in this
before, the traffic flowed the film was remarkably incredible
same as the previous day. Some considering that the majority of
of us were in school, others at the two star‘s screen time was
work when we heard the news. spent on their backs. They were
It was a day no one has ever also very well supported by the
forgotten. Five years later, Oliver two actresses playing their wives,
Stone would have a vision for a Maggie Gyllenhaal and Maria
film which would illustrate the Bello. “It’s a story that had to
true story of John McLoughlin be told” said Oliver Stone on E!
and William J. Jimeno, two Port news. Stone, who has graced us
Authority officers who were two with other legendary films such as
of the 20 survivors that were The Doors, Natural Born Killers,
pulled from Ground Zero and the Born on The Fourth of July and
men who made it their mission Wall street is known for his
to get them out. Nicolas Cage incredible vision and impeccable
stars as Sergeant Mcloughlin and ability to capture his characters.
Michael Pena as Officer Jimeno
While many have strayed
in this true story about courage from seeing this film because
and survival told through the they believe it to be too soon
eyes of the two officers and their after the tragedy of 9-11 or they
families.
simply think the film was done
To prepare for the film, Cage in poor taste, I found it to be
“Step Up” doesn’t
measure up
By Heather Dulman
South Bureau Chief
In the movie Step Up, Channing
Tatum from She’s the Man plays
a guy named Tyler Gage who
lives on the streets and has foster
parents. Jenna Dewan from the
upcoming movie The Grudge
2 and from the movie Take the
Lead, plays a ballet dancer named
Nora Clark who’s always had an
easy life.
The beginning of the movie
was well filmed. It shows a day
in the opposite lives of the two.
Gage hangs out with his buddies
and gets caught at the Maryland
School of Arts, where Nora goes
to school, destroying all the props
for the theater. Gage is sentenced
to community hours where he did
the deed, and he has to help out
the janitors. Clark has to do her
final showcase and her partner
gets injured. She needs someone
to be a replacement and no one
will do until Gage offers to fill
in. He has a secret passion to
breakdance and he tries to mix it
up with Clark’s dance moves. Of
course throughout the time they
September 11, 2006
The duo dance
together.
Screen Capture
both have obstacles to overcome
individually and together.
The movie could have been
better. It was like a mix of
different movies on one screen
with different music and actors
onstage. Step Up was similar to
the recent movie that came out
in April, Take the Lead. It is also
a mix of the two movies Center
Stage and Save the Last Dance.
It is like all the other dance flicks
that have been out. Step up and
see if it’s good enough. It’s just a
usual dance movie with drama.
Nora Clark and Tyler Gage (Channing Tatum
and Jenna Dewan) prepare for their showcase.
Screen Capture
very accurate and hair raising.
The misconception is that this
film was made to elicit tears for
the deceased as well as the story
being told throughout the movie.
While it was made to honor
those who lost their lives, this
film is all about hope, strength,
the good of humanity and the
will to survive when face to face
with adversity. It is clear that
the purpose of this film was to
honor these two men who faced
incredible odds and prevailed
by faith. Port Authority Officers
John McLoughlin and William
J. Jimeno were very involved in
the making of the film and even
appear in the final scene where
the two men are coming home to
their wives, children and friends.
I remember sitting in the theatre
just as the movie was starting, my
box of tissues in my lap, expecting
to cry tears of sadness. However, I
found myself being brought to the
peak of emotion throughout most
of the scenes. It was more like
New York’s finest watch the world collapse.
being choked up, overwhelmed
with emotion so much so that
tears happen to escape. You find
yourself holding your breath as
if you, yourself are also trapped
underneath all the rubble that was
the World Trade Center. And of
course, if you have seen the film,
tears form in your eyes and a
chill raises the hair on your arms
sCREEN cAPTURE
when remembering the Marine
who found the two men, yelling
from above the rubble “We‘re not
leaving. We’re the Marines, you
are our mission.” If you haven’t
seen this film yet, you should. It
is truly, a story about courage and
survival and could be considered
as the film that will inspire many
and bring America to it’s knees.
Candlebox lights up culture room
By Cami Carr
Staff Writer
On Thursday Aug. 17
Candlebox returned to South
Florida after nearly a decade of
absence. Many thought that the
post grunge rock band had finally
disappeared, but having felt
the energy of the fans and band
members at The Culture Room
on Oakland Park Blvd that night,
it would be hard to say that rock
and roll is dead for Candlebox.
The band’s members, Kevin
Martin, Peter Klett, Bardi Martin,
and Scott Mercado, rocked it like
it was just the beginning of their
careers.
Among the titles that the band
played were “10,000 Horses,”
“Far Behind,” “Change,” and
“Sometimes.” The audience was
abuzz with the lyrics as they sang
in time with the singer, enraptured
by the return of their favorite
grunge rockers. Formed in 1991
in Seattle, Washington, the band
broke the boundaries of grunge
and brought a more mainstream,
though still certainly edgy,
sound to the public ear. Though
the band members have each
embarked upon other projects
since their unofficial breakup in
1996, their three-month summer
tour, which began on July 1, has
been extremely well received.
Candlebox rocks out!
Photo by
Cami Carr
The entire rock world waits with
bated breath to see what the
band’s new album will bring and
how they’ll stand up in the new
indie dominated rock scene.
Entertainment
September 11, 2006
BY Heather Dulman
and Jessica Krieger
South Bureau Chief
and Co-managing Editor
By Nikita Ramlogan
Staff Writer
The famous Steve Irwin will be missed by
people and animals all over the world.
usually not life threatening but do
need to be treated immediately.
There is an estimation of only five
people who have died in the last
ten years from a stingray and that
included our beloved crocodile
hunter.
The First broadcast was in
1992, Discovery network aired his
segment series of his adventures.
He became well known for being
one of the craziest guys. Irwin’s
movie came out in 2002 called The
Crocodile Hunter: Collision
Course. He is well known to do
daring stunts such as putting his
whole head in a crocodile’s mouth
If you’re an adrenaline junkie,
this is the movie that you have to
see. This movie keeps the viewer
Jason Stratham trying to keep his
heart rate up.
on their toes, never knowing what
to expect.
Jason Statham better known in
films such as the Italian Mob and
Transporter 1 and 2, plays the
role of a hit man (Chev Chelios)
Screen Capture
By Anthony Perrucci
North Bureau Chief
Photo courtesy of
Getty Images
and feeding a 13 foot crocodile
inside a zoo pen while holding on
to his month year old son Robert.
“Steve was one of those guys, we
thought of him as invincible,” said
Jack Hanna wild animal expert.
Irwin who was 44, left behind
his wife Terri also known as his
Crocodile Huntress, his daughter
Bindi who is eight, and his son
Robert who would be three in
December. Visitors showed up
in Australia Zoo at Beerwah and
laid flowers. He will be missed all
around the world and his crazy TV
show segments will be cherished.
Get cranked up
Snakes on a Plane lives
down to its name
World bids farewell to
an unusual hero
Crikey, devastating news
happened on Labor day, Monday
September 4, 2006. The well
known TV wildlife personality,
Steve Irwin also known as the
Crocodile Hunter died. Ironically
he did not die from a crocodile
as some might have bet but from
a stingray. Irwin was filming a
segment for his next series in
which was to be titled The Oceans
Deadliest; he was filming at the
Great Barrier Reef in Australia.
Irwin was swimming only a few
inches above a stingray when it
got scared and speared him threw
the chest piercing his heart. Irwin
proceeded to remove the barb
from his chest, while bleeding to
death his team which included his
best friend and a trained doctor Dr.
Ed OLoughlin, tried to resuscitate
him. “He came on top of the
stingray and the stingray’s barb
went up into his chest and put
a hole into his heart,” said John
Stainton a friend of Irwin’s. “He
had a penetrating injury to the left
front of his chest. He had lost his
pulse and wasn’t breathing,” said
Dr. Ed OLoughlin.
Stings from a stingray are
The Observer
who freelances for a major West
Coast crime syndicate. Chev is
about to begin his morning with
an unexpected wake-up call.
When he awakes, his vision is
blurry and his mechanics are not
all in working order. Stumbling
around his apartment, he comes
across a DVD labeled “F***
YOU.” Not thinking twice, he
pops it in and comes to find out
that he has been injected with a
lethal dose of a Chinese serum
and only has one hour left to live.
This all happens because of
a run-of-the-mill job the night
before that was supposed to
be like any other hit, but went
unexpectedly awry.
A high speed chase now begins
in order to find the antidote, Ricky
Verona and save his girlfriend
Eve, played by Amy Smart.
The finely chiseled Jason
Statham runs through the city
of Los Angeles wreaking havoc
wherever he goes. He must keep
moving or have to face death.
Although this is characterized
as a high speed, blood pumping
and heart wrenching film, there is
a slight comic relief to it.
Some of the dialogue and
antics that Jason does in the
film are absolutely laughable.
It is not a very serious film. For
those wanting to go see this with
a significant other, it’s worth
paying the $9 to see it. Take it
from me, it’s money well spent.
This is Kiki saying 2 thumbs up
to the cast and crew of “CRANK”
and happy viewing.
By the time this review has run
off the presses and made its way
into your hands, Snakes on a Plane
will have been out for a few weeks,
but we all pretty much know what
the score is with this movie. We
know how the title hit the Internet
a year ahead of its anticipated
release date. We know about the
unprecedented groundswell of
homegrown hype that followed.
We were all there on myspace.
com as bulletins from horror
movie junkies, action movie fans,
and other connoisseurs of schlock
commiserated. We know about the
week of retakes designed to raise
it from a PG-13 film to a solid R.
More snakes! More profanity!
More nudity and gunplay! We
knew about Samuel L. Jackson
and his “line to end all lines.” You
know the one, the one my editors
won’t let me print. We all knew
what we were getting into. We
were the ones who demanded it.
And yes, it delivered. The
movie’s plot is immaterial. Some
guy witnesses a murder. The
gangsters responsible need to
“take care” of him and decide to
do so by filling the cargo hold of
a 737 carrying the witness from
Hawaii to Los Angeles with
poisonous snakes. Snakes, mind
you, which have been all hopped
up on pheromones. No, plot is not
important. Context is, however.
Snakes is a solid three star action
flick, on par with Die Hard III.
But it’s also got a four star sense
of humor that pushes the movie
into territory previously mined
only by 1995’s Sudden Death, in
which Jean-Claude Van Damme
winds up playing in goal for the
One of many
snakes on a plane.
Screen Capture
Penguins while trying to rescue
the vice president from terrorists.
The genuinely and intentionally
funny script keeps Snakes from
being dull or heavy-handed.
Jackson and Todd Louiso’s
portrayal of self-aware archetypes
of themselves (Louiso’s egghead
snake expert is the highlight of the
on-the-ground secondary plot),
David Koechner’s channeling
of his Champ Kind character
from Anchorman, and a grab
bag of other characters, the cast
is designed to further the plot
more than to represent believable
people. There are a couple dozen
scenes of snake-induced mayhem,
ranging from gruesome to hilarious
(the scenes in the bathrooms, in
particular, are highlights). There
are a few excellent one-liners to
take the edge off, and Samuel L.
Jackson doing what he does best:
screaming, firing guns, and being
menacing. So what we’re looking
at here is a funny, action thriller.
By all means, go see Snakes
on a Plane. It’s the sort of movie
best digested with a group of
people, in an atmosphere where
yelling at the screen is not just
accepted but encouraged. This is
a film that will live on for years,
spawning drinking games and
being screened at parties. While
no Oscar winner, it is a rousing
good time.
10
The Observer
September 11, 2006
BCC’s Lady
BROWARD COMMUNITY COLLEGE SEAHAWKS
2006 VOLLEYBALL ROSTER
Numerical
No.
1
2
4
5
6
7
8
9.
10
11
Player
Class
Kortney ThriftFr.
Esther Minino
So.
Lisa Butler
So.
Marisa Moolsiri
So.
Nancy WilliamsFr.
Melodee Pryce
So.
Melissa Furey
So.
Amanda Lewis
So.
Jamie Wenzel
So.
Sarah PayneFr.
Pos.
RS
LIB
LS
S
MH
MH
RS
RS
LS
RS
Ht.
5-10
5-4
5-7
5-9
5-9
5-7
5-7
5-10
5-11
5-10
Hometown/High School
Coral Springs, Fla./Coral Glades
Hollywood, Fla./Hollywood Hills
Brooksville, Fla./Central
Cooper City, Fla./Cooper City
Hialeah, Fla./Colegio Coomeva
Punta Gorda, Fla./Charlotte
Miramar, Fla./Pembroke Pines Belle Glade, Fla./Glades Day
Punta Gorda, Fla./Charlotte
Sunrise, Fla./Nova
Head Coach: Maite Furey (1st year)
sports!
Furey takes Seahawks
under her wing
A new era begins for the Broward
Community
College
volleyball
team with Maite Furey taking over
the program as head coach. Furey
brings 21 years of coaching and
playing experience to a team needing
leadership. She has spent the last
several weeks getting acquainted with
her new team and also getting each
player to adapt to her philosophies,
techniques and strategies. Furey’s
challenge this season is to turn a
month of instruction into a season of
improvement.
Furey’s previous link to the
Seahawks was when her daughter,
Melissa, played for BCC as an outside
hitter in 2004. After taking a year
off to concentrate on her academics,
Melissa Furey returns to the court,
devoting her last year of eligibility
toward helping her mother’s first year at
BCC become a success.
The Seahawks return two starters
from last year in left side Lisa Butler
(Brooksville/Central H.S.) and libero
Esther Minino (Hollywood/Hollywood
Hills H.S.). There is no mystery on who
is targeted to become the team’s leading
attacker. Butler is the primary suspect
after notching 95 kills as a freshman.
Butler also is a scoring threat on serves,
leading the team with 40 service aces
last year.
Minino is the shortest Seahawk at
five-feet, four-inches, but made big
contributions as a freshman to keep
play alive after posting 157 digs in
2005. Minino’s role to prevent points
and continue rallies is invaluable to the
team’s hopes to stay in contention.
BCC has height advantage with six
players standing at least five-feet, nineinches tall. Two of them include returning
players Marissa Moolsiri (Cooper City/
Cooper City H.S.) and Amanda Lewis
(Belle Glade/Glades Day). Moolsiri,
who appeared in 36 games last season, is
slotted as the team’s setter and also could
see action at right side. Lewis’ freshman
year was cut short to injuries (19 games),
but she is fully recovered and ready
to challenge for the starting right side
position.
The tallest player on the team is
sophomore Jamie Wenzel (Punta Gorda/
Charlotte H.S.) at five-feet, eleveninches. Wenzel, a transfer from Manatee
Community College, joins Butler as a
starter on left side. Another newcomer
tabbed to start at right side is freshman
Kortney Thrift (Coral Springs/Coral Glades
H.S.). Freshman Sarah Payne (Sunrise,
Fla./Nova H.S) will compete for playing
time at right side.
The middle hitter positions feature
newcomers in sophomore Melodee Pryce
(Punta Gorda/Charlotte) and freshman
Nancy
Williams
(Hialeah/Colegio
Coomeva [Colombia]). Both Pryce and
Williams possess the agility and athleticism
to attack and block shots above the net.
The Seahawks could surprise teams with
each player having the versatility to attack
and defend. The lessons learned from
last season’s 3-17 finish, should motivate
Butler, Minino, Moolsiri and Lewis to
leave a lasting impression with inspiring
performances and helping to bring BCC
back to respectability.
GO SEAH
#6 Nancy williams
Head Coach:
Maite Furey (1st year)
#4 lISA BUTLER
#8 Melissa Furey
G
O
Support our Lady
Come watch
SE
A
H
AW
K
#7 Melodee Pryce
!!!
S!
September 11, 2006
SeaHawks
Player Profiles:
#8 Melissa Furey
5-7 Right side
Class – Sophomore
Hometown – Miramar
Major – Mathematics
2004: Played in 74 games for BCC…Posted seasonhighs for kills (nine) and service aces (four)
against Palm Beach Atlantic University on Sept.
18…Tallied a season-best 12 digs against Hillsborough on Oct. 9…Registered a season-high
three blocks against Brevard on Sept. 23.
Graduated from Pembroke Pines Charter High
School…Named most valuable player as a senior…Graduated with silver cord for volunteer community service…Nickname is “Furby”…
Born February 14, 1985…Daughter of Maite and
Brian Furey.
11
BROWARD COMMUNITY COLLEGE SEAHAWKS
2006 VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE
DAY DATE OPPONENT
SITE
TIME
Fri.
Aug. 25 Lake-Sumter Community College#
Tampa
1:30 p.m.
Fri.
Aug. 25 Palm Beach Community College#
Tampa
4:30 p.m.
Sat.
Aug. 26 Hillsborough Community College#
Tampa
10:00 a.m.
Sat.
Aug. 26 Pensacola Junior College#
Tampa
12:30 p.m.
Wed. Aug. 30 Northwood University
Home
7:00 p.m.
Thurs. Sept. 7 Brevard Community College*
Home
7:00 p.m.
Thurs. Sept. 14Palm Beach Community College*
Home
7:00 p.m.
Sat.
Sept. 16St. Johns River Community College^
New Port Richey 1:00 p.m.
Sat.
Sept. 16Pasco-Hernando Community College^ New Port Richey 3:00 p.m.
Tues. Sept. 19Indian River Community College*Ft. Pierce
7:00 p.m.
Tues. Sept. 26Miami-Dade College*
Kendall
7:00 p.m.
Thurs. Sept. 28Brevard Community College*
Melbourne
7:00 p.m.
Wed. Oct. 4 Northwood University
West Palm Beach
7:00 p.m.
Tues. Oct. 10 Palm Beach Community College*
Lake Worth
7:00 p.m.
Thurs. Oct. 12 Indian River Community College*
Home
7:00 p.m.
Fri.
Oct. 13 Lake Sumter Community College+
Lake Worth
1:00 p.m.
Fri.
Oct. 13 Johnson County Community College+
Lake Worth
3:00 p.m.
Sat.
Oct. 14 St. Johns River Community College+
Lake Worth
11:00 a.m.
Sat.
Oct. 14 Palm Beach Community College+
Lake Worth
1:00 p.m.
Tues. Oct. 17 Miami-Dade College*
Home
7:00 p.m.
Thurs. Oct. 19Florida Christian College
Kissimmee
7:00 p.m.
Fri.
Oct. 20 Lake-Sumter Community College<
Leesburg
1:00 p.m.
Sat.
Oct. 20 Polk Community College<
Leesburg
5:00 p.m.
Sat.
Oct. 21 St. Johns River Community College<
Leesburg
9:00 a.m.
Sat.
Oct. 21 Pensacola Junior College<
Leesburg
3:00 p.m.
Tues.-Sun.
Nov. 2-5FCAA State Tournament
TBD
TBA
*Southern Conference Opponent
#Hillsborough Community College Tournament
^Pasco Hernando Community College Tri-match
+Palm Beach Community College BMH Classic Tournament
<Lake-Sumter Community College Tournament
Blue denotes home matches
All home matches played on Central Campus at George E. Mayer Gymnasium
sports!
#4 Lisa Butler
5-7 Left side
Class – Sophomore
Hometown – Brooksville
Major – Criminal justice
oomeva
2005: Played in 66 games for BCC…Topped all Seahawks in service aces with 40…Finished third on
9
the team in kills with 95…Posted a season-high
nine kills against St. Johns River on Sept. 1…
Matched her season-high of nine kills and also
registered a season-best 21 digs against Gulf
Coast on Sept. 3…Recorded a season-high seven
service aces against Brevard on Sept. 27.
Graduated from Central High School in Brooksville…Competed in volleyball for two years
and one year of softball…Played volleyball
for coach Vicki Weaver…Set school record for
service aces during her junior year…Earned
first team all-county honors in her junior and
senior years…Team was district champion and
regional finalist in 2004…Academically, earned
highest honors five times and high honors
once…Born December 9, 1986…Daughter of Leni
and Fred Butler.
The Observer
HAWKS!!!!
#11 Sarah Payne
#9 Amanda Lewis
#10 Jamie Wenzel
S!
!!!
#1 Kortney Thrift
O
#2 Esther Minino
SE
A
H
AW
K
ady Seahawks!
watch “the” Game!
PRC
12
The Observer
Science and technology
Science
& Technology
Global Warming
debate is over
more energy. Even though this
is an important part it is by no
means is the total answer to the
problem.
In today’s society there are
many new ideas being put forth
as energy alternatives. Some of
these are new twists on old ideas,
while others are breaking the
mold of conventional thinking.
Renewable
energy
sources
have been around for decades,
however, with today’s technology
dramatic improvements have been
made. Solar cells, wind turbines
and biofuels—ethanol and other
fuels derived from plants—are
becoming more appealing to the
consumer. The environmental
benefits along with the escalating
costs of oil and natural gas have
made renewable fuel alternatives
an idea whose time has come
again.
Hydrogen will play an
important role in developing a
sustainable energy alternative.
The potential for this unique
energy source is excellent. It
burns almost entirely pollutant
free and can easily be produced by
electrolysis. However, this is not
a quick replacement for oil. Many
changes will need to take place
before this is a viable alternative
as a fuel source. It would be
extremely costly to change over
to a hydrogen based economy
and it would take several decades
but it may well be the fuel of our
future.
These are just a few of many
options that are being studied
in an effort to help preserve our
future. But it is not totally up to
the scientist, the average person
can also help. The average
house is responsible for more air
pollution and CO2 emissions than
is the average car. By converting
to energy efficient products, such
as appliances, heating and cooling
equipment and even shower
heads, a single person can help
reduce CO2 emissions by over
2480 pounds per year. This, in
addition to xeroscaping, recycling,
car pooling, and purchasing fuelsmart vehicles can make a huge
impact in our world. Ultimately,
it’s the individual’s choice. The
world is in this together, so it’s
everyone’s best interest to let the
Earth win.
September 11, 2006
Space Shuttle Program
Nears Completion
By Rick Davis
Staff Writer
Space
Shuttle
Discovery
landed on July 17 after a long
and complicated mission. The
next liftoff, scheduled for the
end of August, will be one of
the final 16 shuttle missions.
After 115 missions and a fleet of
seven original craft, the shuttle
program was always a point of
controversy for the government.
Two disasters that destroyed
their respective crafts as well as
the entire crew became fuel for
politicians’ fire to spend money
on other things. Nevertheless,
the program has lasted more than
30 years, from design to testing
and soon to retirement, and has
contributed to countless advances
in science, technology, medicine,
and modern living.
The fleet is scheduled for
mandatory retirement in 2010,
at which time the program is
estimated to have cost nearly
$180 billion. Before the shuttle
retires, the remaining missions
hope to complete the International
Space Station as well as test
new systems and methods for
upcoming missions.
As the shuttle begins to phase
out, the new system for manned
exploration of space will start
to emerge. Named Project
Constellation, the new system
is centered on a newly designed
Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV).
The CEV, along with a separate
service module to hold supplies,
will draw heavy influence from
the Apollo program with a coneshaped module to house the
crew and a cylindrical shape for
the lower service compartment.
In addition, designs are already
in progress for a lunar module
that would bring a crew to the
lunar surface and back. All of
these sections are designed to
be compatible with currently
deployed technology and will
reach beyond the Earth on one of
two new launch systems called
the Ares I and Ares V rockets.
Experts predict that the
transition from the current shuttle
program to the new CEV would
come slowly, allowing the most
use from both programs while
giving engineers as well as
politicians much needed time to
sort out funding issues. The most
optimistic estimates from industry
experts hope for the CEV to have
successful unmanned flights
before the shuttle retires and then
a successful manned flight within
a year of that date. In theory this
could lead to a manned lunar
landing as early as 2018, which
would open the door for serious
planning to begin for a manned
mission to Mars.
The shuttle program will leave
service having made way for a
new system of space travel with
the goals of returning to the moon,
reaching Mars with a manned
craft, and countless missions
to explore the solar system and
beyond.
Science and technology
September 11, 2006
The truth in the
blue
By Anthony Perrucci
North Bureau Chief
I’m not sure how it is that
we’ve managed to survive as a
species this long. Homo sapiens
sapiens has found itself in the
driver’s seat of Planet Earth for at
least several thousand years or so.
Despite our own best efforts and
the forces of nature, the human
race refuses to go back into the
trees from whence we came.
And it’s nothing less than
shocking that we’ve survived
innumerable wars, a handful of
ice ages, the Black Death, the
Spanish Inquisition, and the three
latest additions to the Star Wars
canon, yet we may not survive
cellular phones.
Maybe we don’t deserve
to. Consider the fact that we
daily see grown people happily
piloting their two-ton vehicles
along the road at 70 miles per
hour and above with a phone
wedged between their shoulder
and their ear. Driving has become
an adventure, which the people
around me will attempt to cut
across three lanes of traffic to
make the exit they haven’t seen
since they’re busy on the phone.
I don’t buy the argument
that a Bluetooth earbud is safer
than a hand-held phone. There
are three good reasons for this.
Firstly, you’re still engaged in
a conversation and not the road
you’re driving upon. Secondly,
they look ridiculous. When
you walk around all day with
one on and nobody calls you,
you’re asking for the derision of
your peers. And finally, only the
people on one side of you know
you’re having a conversation with
someone else. Those of us who
can’t see it just assume you’re
talking to yourself and keep a
wide berth.
Much of today’s technology
seems designed to kill us, when
combined with the human
capacity for inattentiveness. Your
laptop battery, as you’ve probably
discovered by now, gets really,
really hot. Not “Hey, maybe I’ll
put on some shorts,” hot. Most
laptops get to the sensible threshold
of pain rather quickly; this is
“What’s that smell, venison?”
hot. So it shouldn’t be much of a
shock to find out that your laptop
is overheating. The fact that the
batteries have been developing
a nasty habit of bursting into
flame when the computer is not
properly ventilated is, sure, kind
of out-there, but it’s not a great
mental leap to make. Hot things
burn. Yet it required urologists
from the State University of New
York at Stony Brook to raise the
point that prolonged use of hot
electronics near sensitive human
organs might negatively affect
sperm production in men.
Maybe the problem is that we’re
just a little short-sighted. The
Food and Drug Administration’s
recent approval of a vaccine
against various strains of human
pappilomavirus was met with swift
opposition from religious groups
drawing a correlation between
the eradication of cervical cancer
and a coming groundswell of premarital promiscuity.
Albert Einstein once remarked,
after the detonation of atomic
bombs in World War II, “It has
become appallingly clear that
our technology has surpassed our
humanity.”
It might not be a stretch to add
that, depressingly, our technology
has surpassed our good sense as
well.
The Observer
13
Celestial Events This Week
Viewable events in the sky
Things to Look for
September 22 - The Moon is at its apogee the farthest
point from Earth in its orbit. This occurs at 1:20 a.m.
September 22 - The New Moon phase occurs at 7:45 p.m.,
this phase is when the moon in orbit is directly between the
earth and the sun. This year it will cause a solar eclipes for
the southern hemisphere unfortunately not viewable by us.
September 23 - The Autumnal Equinox occurs this year
at 12:03 a.m. This officially changes the season to Fall.
Planets this month
Jupiter, Uranus, and Neptune
are visible all this month
bUEHLER planetarium AND
OBSERVATORY SCHEDULE
Planetarium Show times Stargazing times
Wednesday
1:30 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m. 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. , 8 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Friday
7:00 p.m.
Saturday
1:30 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m. 8 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Sunday
1:30 p.m., 3:00 p.m.
8 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Not Open
Features
September 11, 2006
The Observer
15
Rene Pazmino gets personal Stars Academy
By Emily Cornwell
WHC Bureau Chief
Rene Pazmino; your new student
body president for Central and
WHC. Although a very difficult
man to get a hold of, I was given
the pleasure of speaking to him
one on one. After interrupting his
rescheduling of the 14 judges that
were planned to speak at Central
Campus last Tuesday, (due to the
expected hurricane) I realize that
Rene has a lot on his plate at the
moment. But thankfully he gave
me a portion of his precious time
to get to know him a little more
personally.
From the first few minutes
of our conversation, I could
already sense the motivation and
generosity that 22 year old Rene
clearly embodies. In his second
year at BCC, as well as his
second year involved in student
government, Rene has been
elected the new class president.
for Central and WHC.
This is a title that he works
very had to live up to.
But hard work seems to be
a prominent trait that Rene has
practiced throughout his life.
Originally from Ecuador, Rene
moved to Miami at the age of
eight, knowing less then two
words of English. “I practiced
my English day and night.” One
year later he was enrolled in all
grade level classes. By his junior
year in high school he was taking
advanced placement courses.
“What have you been up to
lately?” I ask Rene. “Just work,
school and presidency,” is his
nonchalant reply. But I later learn
that on top of his full-time school
schedule and along with his new
responsibilities as class president,
Rene works as a loan officer and
realtor full-time as well. “That’s
amazing,” I say, truly surprised at
the drive this man projects. After
learning of his experience in the
real estate business, I share with
Rene my own very recent need
for a new home. And with in two
minutes he was already offering
to show me specific listings in my
area. It becomes apparent that it’s
simply never enough for Rene,
no matter how buried he is with
other projects or engagements, he
doesn’t turn down the opportunity
to help one more person.
When asked what inspired him
to become our class president in the
first place, Rene referred to a trip
he made last year. With the other
members of student government,
Rene had the opportunity to travel
to Tallahassee. While there, he and
the other members got a chance
to speak to senators on behalf of
Rene and
Photo submitted by
President Calderon.
Rene Pazmino
non-citizen students whom had
been denied scholarship money
as a result of resident status.
After the senators heard our
student government’s argument,
the students were given their
rightful scholarship funds. That
experience seemed inspirational
to Rene, pushing him to peruse
the class presidency this year.
It’s obvious that Rene Pazmino
is a very goal oriented man. One
who sets goals and achieves them,
every time. When asked what
plans he has for our next school
year, Rene didn’t look toward
changing much, but improving
specific areas. He hopes for more
student involvement in general.
“I want to expand student
government, and committees.”
Rene tells me, “And I want to
Want to help change the
life a needy child? If so, the
STARS Academy (Steering
Teens Toward Academic Reward
and Success) provides the
opportunity to do just that. It is a
mentoring and tutoring program
targeting students in grades 6-12
that come from disadvantaged
backgrounds.
Mentors are expected to meet
with their assigned student two
Saturdays a month and participate
in skill-building activities. The
STARS Academy has been
around since 1994.
It was
supported through grants from
the BCC foundation, ChildNet
and other local agencies. Since
it was founded, there has been
great improvement in the success
rate of participating students.
make student elections two times
better then last year.” With the
number of different committees
(public
relations,
student
concerns, finance etc.) and
opportunities available through
student government, (trips to
speak to senate in Tallahassee)
Rene’s goals don’t seem very far
fetched.
After graduating from BCC,
Rene has more ideas set for his
Jose Lopez, the program’s
coordinator mentioned that he
has seen tremendous progress
in some of the mentees’ attitude
and self-esteem. “It gives them
a sense of belonging because
they’re able to participate in
a program that’s going to be
there for them,” said Lopez. In
addition, participants from foster
homes have a lower drop-out rate
compared to non-participants
in the same category.
The
probability of them graduating
from high school increases by 15
percent.
This is a great opportunity
for college students majoring in
education and social work to get
hands-on experience by working
with children.
Any student
wishing to be a mentor should
contact Jose Lopez at (954) 2016419.
future. “I first hope to own my
own real estate business, and
then become more involved in
politics.” After the experience that
Rene is currently receiving, along
with all of the past obstacles that
he has overcome, there is no doubt
that Rene Pazmino can achieve
whatever he puts his mind to, for
himself, but also for our student
body.
16
The Observer
Where’s
the
bargains?
By Buzz Lamb
Staff Writer
Woe is the college student who
has just paid the tuition bill. Woe
is the student trying to juggle
school and work. Woe is the
student just trying to make ends
meet. How can that almighty
dollar be stretched to cover
everything needed?
Open 365 days a year, rain or
shine, the Fort Lauderdale Swap
Shop is the answer. Started by
Preston and Betty Henn in Nov.
1963 as the Thunderbird drive-in
movie theater, it’s reported to be
Florida’s second largest tourist
draw and the world’s largest
indoor and outdoor entertainment
and bargain shopping attraction.
Prominently located on 88 acres
between I-95 and the Turnpike
on Sunrise Blvd, it’s not hard to
identify. Bright yellow buildings
and blaring red signs notify
passersby of its presence.
In 1966 Mr. Henn, borrowing
on an innovation he had seen
in California, began to use the
property as a weekend flea
market. In 1979 he added the main
building with an open-air food
court and vendor booths around
the perimeter. The idea grew in
popularity. so Henn then began to
remain open Wednesdays through
Sundays.
In Dec. of 1988 the building
was enclosed and air conditioned
and was kept open six days a week.
Growth continued, and attractions
were added. Over the years, the
stage at the Swap Shop has seen
the likes of Willy Nelson, KC and
the Sunshine Band, Loretta Lynn,
and Three Dog Night. Now there
is an amusement park complete
with rides, a farmer’s market,
countless indoor businesses, and
a daytime parking lot filled with
flea market vendors.
The Swap Shop is where
students can stretch their dollar.
Let’s say a new lamp is needed
for the desk in the bedroom. A
trip to one of the big box stores
will bring on a severe case of
sticker shock. How about a trip
to the Swap Shop on a Thursday
or Sunday morning? The parking
areas around the outdoor movie
screens teem with vendors whose
wares are spread out on tarps and
tables. Haggling and bargaining
takes place at every booth. “I was
asking ten dollars, but for you,
eight dollars,” one vendor who
had a desk lamp for sale said.
Thursday is an excellent day
to find a bargain because vendors
who arrive at the facility before
5 a.m. are allowed in for free.
New and used furniture, clothing,
appliances, tools, and bric-a-brac
can be found down every aisle.
Flea market shopping might
not only be good for the wallet
but for fitness as well. Put on a
comfortable pair of shoes and
come join the fun.
Features
September 11, 2006
Overcoming adversity:
The success of Stacie Turner
By Emily Moorhouse
Staff Writer
In this unpredictable roller
coaster ride of life, we will
run into both, misfortunes and
triumphs: one phone call, accident,
diagnosis, decision, can change
everything. BCC student Stacie
Turner’s roller coaster launched
her into a professional singing
career at age 19, planted herself
on a couch to wait for death at age
29 and recently landed here at the
age of 33, at BCC’s Professional
Development Day as a keynote
speaker. Her story is one in which
the fragility of a human life is met
with amazing resilience.
After graduating from high
school in 1991, Turner enrolled at
BCC to study music. Even though
she never finished her degree, she
credits what she learned from her
music professors for giving her a
career in singing. “I kicked butt
with what they taught me,” she
says. After starring in musicals
and leading “a world entertainer
lifestyle, I thought the world
revolved around me.... I was
selfish,” admits Turner. In 1997,
she took a hiatus from her singing
career to get married and take care
of her newborn son. However, after
getting divorced and attempting
to reenter the music business,
her health began declining.
At 29 years old, Stacie Turner
was diagnosed with Lupus. An
autoimmune illness which is
often fatal when it gets into major
organs, Lupus had spread to her
kidneys. The disease was also
damaging her joints and causing
her tremendous pain. Doctors told
Turner that her kidneys would fail
and that she was not a candidate for
a transplant. “No one was falling
at my feet to make me better. I
wasn’t a performer anymore.”
Once hyper and restless, she was
now bound to a wheelchair, and
she “had a lot of time to think.” For three years, bed-ridden
Turner weltered in angriness
and depression it wasn’t until a
slow self-discovery, that finally
triggered a light bulb, and she
told herself “get your butt up and
go back to college.” Turner had
realized that “a hand of God” was
the only thing that would save her.
“When you realize this, the world
stops revolving around you,” she
explains. “Going from spoiled
diva to wheel-chair, Lupus patient
with failing kidneys, it wakes
you up. If God does give me the
opportunity [to live], I better be
ready to accept it and be ready
to do something worthwhile with
it.”
Last fall, Turner re-enrolled
at BCC and has since completed
one year in paralegal studies with
straight A’s. “I can’t settle for a
B – I’ve got to know my stuff.”
Today, doctors say Turner is in
complete remission. Able to use a
walker or a cane since last term,
she has reconnected with her roots
in music as the choreographer for
the BCC Seahawk singers. In a
performance in which her nineyear-old son came down from
Orlando to watch, she was able
to get up from her wheelchair to
dance and sing with the group.
She refers to this as her proudest
moment because she proved to
herself and the world that, despite
Stacie Turner
her condition, she could perform
on stage.
Newly rejuvenated and fed up
with being unable to go to the
places, she wanted to go because
of her wheelchair, Turner, started
contacting stores to get wheelchair
ramps in them. However, the
stores were unreceptive. She
describes, “They would look at my
wheelchair and think I’m stupid
- that pissed me off.... a disabled
body does not equal a disabled
brain.” So, Stacy proclaimed
that if they weren’t going to do
anything, she was. Though she
does not know how far her health
will let her go, she plans to attend
law school and become a lawyer–
her own lawyer. While she is
lucky enough to be able to use a
walker or a cane, other wheelchair
Photo submitted by
Stacie Turner
users are unable to get up and
maneuver in ramp-less facilities,
so she wants to advocate on their
behalf. She also plans to help
accomplished Polio survivor and
good friend of hers, Bill Norkunas.
Turner raves that Norkunas was
the first person with a disability
to carry the Olympic Torch, was
a contributor to the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA), and,
although he does not have a law
degree, was invited several times
to teach about disability law at
Harvard University.
On February 24, 2006, Stacie
Turner brought a positive spirit
and an inspirational story about
breaking through life’s barriers to
BCC’s Professional Development
Day. Her mission was to make
the “audience realize that their
boyfriend being a jerk or needing
a baby-sitter is not a barrier.”
Turner has also touched many
lives by sharing her story with
various classes at BCC. In fact,
while riding the bus one day,
Turner saw a woman who had
heard one of her recent speeches,
with her little girl at her side.
The woman told Turner, that she
was on her way to class with her
daughter because “not having a
babysitter is not a barrier.”
By letting life’s misfortunes
hold us back, we might never
know the triumphs we could
achieve. Whatever your barrier
might be: a disability, an illness,
a job, children, your partner or
spouse, Turner asserts that “There
is no barrier that can stop you
unless you allow it to.” As goes
the clichéd, yet ever-true, quote
of success public-speaker and
author, Brian Tracy, “You cannot
control what happens to you, but
you can control your attitude
toward what happens to you, and
in that, you will be mastering
change rather than allowing it to
master you.”
Features
September 11, 2006
South campus
welcomes a new
Intramural Coordinator
By Nikita Ramlogan
Staff Writer
Students passing by Student
Life on South Campus recently
probably noticed a new, fresh
face on campus. That would be
Jared White, the new Intramural
Coordinator.
As
Intramural
Coordinator, White runs the
sports program, the ID office and
the gym at South Campus.
White was born on January
18, 1982 in New York and lived
there for his first three years
of life, then his parents moved
down to Florida and settled in
Miramar. He attended Stranahan
High School and graduated in
2000. As a young child, his first
career of choice was to become a
veterinarian, but when he took a
biology class he realized just how
boring life would actually be if he
chose that as a profession.
“All I ever did was study for
that subject,” he said.
After high school, he attended
Nova Southeastern University
and received his MBA and
Bachelors in Sports Management
and graduated in December of
2005.
He chose that career path and
BCC he wanted a job that he
enjoyed.
“I have a natural love for sports.
I played baseball my freshman
year in high school and I loved the
atmosphere and togetherness that
sports brought to the field. My
reason for choosing BCC as my
work place is because I thought
this would be a good opportunity
to grow professionally. At BCC,
I can acquire and perfect my
management skills. The students
here are so friendly and outgoing
and it’s a great surrounding to
work in.”
At BCC, his goal is to try and
put a new spin on things at the
school and spice things up a bit.
He wants to make BCC South
Campus’s Intramural Program a
successful one. Although one’s
first impression of White is a very
shy and reserved person, when
he gets out there in the crowd he
becomes one with his surroundings
and like a chameleon adapts and
Jared White, the
new Intramural
Coordinator on
South Campus.
Photo by Nikita
Ramlogan
blends in.
His hobbies follow the same
line of his job; he loves playing
sports, video games and likes to
go out to clubs with friends and
have some good, clean fun.
His long term goal is to manage
teams such as the Dolphins and
Panthers.
So if you haven’t gotten the
chance to stop by Student Life,
here’s your opportunity. Go see
Jared, sign up for the basket
ball team and join in on the
BCC spirit. See what the new
Intramural Coordinator on South
Campus has to offer; he’s more
than willing to help out.
The Observer
17
Return of P’an Ku
By Jessica Krieger
Co-Managing editor
BCC campus-wide literary and
art magazine is kicking it off once
again. Since 1964, its purpose has
been to promote and encourage
the creative efforts of the college
student body in all aspects of art.
For the last twenty years, Dr.
Patrick Ellingham, the advisor,
and the P’an Ku staff have been
working hard to deliver its readers
new and unique content.
Students of any campus can
contribute in any way, whether it
be submitting art work or joining
the editorial staff.
Something
like this could be ideal for art
majors. “It’s a chance to get
your work out there, whether it
be literature or the visual arts.
Even if your major leads you in
a different direction, if you like to
write poetry, stories, or to draw,
it’s a great way to share your
work with fellow students and a
portfolio-stuffer for the future,”
The Spring 2006 edition of P’an Ku; the
cover is entitled “Man looking ahead.”
said Dr. Ellingham. “P’an Ku is
forever,” he adds.
It’s important as a college
student to get involved in extracurricular activities, and P’an
Ku is a great club to expand on
abilities. Not only can students
share work with their fellow
classmates, but they can also get
to work as a staff member with
and make new friends while
Photo by johnny Louis
putting together the magazine.
Scholarship opportunities are
available for editors on a limited
basis. If interested in submitting
or editing, contact Dr. Ellingham
on South Campus, Building 68
(above Student Life), room 246,
or call 954-201-8858. The P’an
Ku website can be found online at
www.broward.edu/panku.
18
The Observer
Opinion
“Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin
will be missed by millions
By Mike Gonzalez
Sports Editor
“Oh, crikey! Ain’t it a
beauty?”
Those were the famous words
of “Crocodile Hunter” Steve
Irwin as he fatally died earlier this
month. The cause of death was
when Irwin pulled a stingray’s
serrated barb from his chest while
filming a documentary on the
Great Barrier Reef before he lost
consciousness and died. Irwin
was one of Australia’s best known
personalities internationally and
a valuable ambassador for the
nation and its wildlife.
I remember watching him on
“The Late Show with Jay Leno”
and “Late Show with David
Letterman.” He would bring
animals from all over the world
for America to see as he would
do his wonders working with the
sometimes poisonous creatures.
I thought to myself “I hope he
doesn’t get poked unexpectedly”
although he did survive some
close calls at times. Irwin spoke
in rapid-fire bursts with a thick
Australian accent and was almost
never seen without his uniform of
khaki shorts and shirt and heavy
boots.
Millions had seen Irwin
flirt with death many times
as he stalked and played with
crocodiles, sharks, snakes and
spiders. Without a doubt, his
antics were entertaining, but on
the other hand, were they filled
with recklessness at times? Many
questions were asked when his
public image was dented in 2004
when he caused an uproar by
holding his infant son in one arm
while feeding large crocodiles
inside a zoo pen. Irwin claimed at
the time there was no danger to
the child, and authorities declined
to charge Irwin with violating
safety regulations.
If you are interested in some
of Irwin’s work, he has made
almost 50 documentaries which
appeared on the cable TV channel
Animal Planet. With his approach
different from traditional wildlife
documentaries, It kept filmmakers
and observers at a safe distance
without close interaction with
animals.
Aside from his brush of death
with animals on a daily basis,
Irwin was also a passionate
conservationist and believed in
promoting environmentalism by
sharing his excitement about the
natural world. He was concerned
with conservation of endangered
animals and land clearing leading
to loss of habitat, something
that you do not see many people
involved in. He considered
conservation to be the most
important part of his work.
Irwin has also helped founding
a number of other projects, such
as the International Crocodile
Rescue, as well as the Lyn Irwin
Memorial Fund, in memory of
his mother, with proceeds going
to the Iron Bark Station Wildlife
Rehabilitation Center.
Whatever one thinks of Irwin’s
larger-than-life persona, he was
a man who seized life with both
hands and applied hard work and
focus to achieve great ends, which
he then applied to the service of
wildlife and humanity. He was a
proud family man and role model
and died doing what he loved.
September 11, 2006
Men of honor
By Cami Carr
Staff Writer
In the midst of a war, nothing
really seems to have changed in
the daily lives of the American
people aside from gas prices that
like to dance up and down. For
the lives of the enlisted men and
women of the armed forces, life
is a very complicated dance of its
own kind.
On television, the military is
broadcasted as a beautiful life
choice, a heralding and privileged
honor in which “only the strong
survive.” In the Army, you too
can be “an army of one” and in the
Marine Corp you can be polished
into “the few, the proud.” In fact,
there were over 1,433,000 Active
Duty Forces, 850,000 in the
Reserve Forces, 80,700 Active
Reserve Personnel and 636,000
Civilian Personnel employed by
the U.S. Armed Forces in late
2005 (stats via citizenjoe.com).
The few? The proud? More like
the duped and the dying.
With over 2,974 deaths in the
three years since the “Iraqi War
on Terror,” the war and the deaths
caused by it have caused terror of
their own for the family and friends
of the slain soldiers back home.
War seems faceless for those of us
here safely on American soil, but
for the seemingly doomed armed
forces of our country, death is all
around them.
With no end to the conflict in
sight, some military speculators
and researchers predict that the
war will go on perhaps even well
past 2011. With this, the third year
of the Iraqi war, and it being the
highest in death tolls, how much
longer can the killing of innocent
teenagers and young adults go
on? How much longer can our
Government play chess with the
lives of their faceless pawns?
With not much hope on the
horizon, all we can do is pray
for the safety of those who
have pledged their lives to keep
freedom alive by giving up their
freedom to show us that there still
is good in this world.
O say, can you see?
By Wardah Khan
Contributing Writer
Everybody has their story; in
our minds we all have our own
individual anecdote of where we
were and what we were doing
on September 11, 2001. This
day was not only marked with
historical and global significance
but rather it affected me on a
personal one-on-one basis. I was
a freshman; a freshman to high
school and a freshman to the
world. Yet the moment that plane
hit the World Trade Centers, I was
forced to grow up and learn what
the word “backlash” meant. I was
put on a balancing scale, one end
firmly weighing with my roots,
my America, my New York where
I was born and thus held a special
happiness for, it was not only my
hometown but also my escape.
However on the other end was
my way of life, my self-chosen
faith of integrity and uprightness,
my Islam. Yet in the streets and
in the stores, in the schools and
at the stop lights, it wasn’t the
violence which pained me but it
was much deeper than such –it
was the treatment and looks of
opposition. Suddenly, I was not
only a victim but rather I was a
target. I continued high school
and graduated with this reality,
worse than being an enemy I was
a question mark. For some, this
would intimidate and frustrate,
but for me I took advantage.
Coming from a family of
activists, “settling” wasn’t an
option. Whether they know it or
not, my parents raised leaders
and people of action. As my dad
often remarks to us “It is not what
you know, but what you do.”
As a result, we transferred that
question mark into an exclamation
mark. September 11 put the
spot light Muslims as everyone
unconsciously asked who are
these people? I was determine
to be more than a stereotype and
still today that is my mission. Yes
I am a Muslim and yes I am an
American. I am also a journalist
and I have a voice and knowledge
to support it. And as I patiently
wait for others to guess which
Middle Eastern country I come
from, I eventually explain that
I am from Guyana, “No not in
Africa” I would express, “the one
between Brazil and Venezuela,”
as the looks of confusion show
as they walk away thinking “I
though she was Muslim?” This
is the ignorance of our Florida
and our BCC. Are we settling
as students, settling for being
uninformed? I think the lesson
that Sept 11 has taught the people
of this country is the evil face
of humanity. It disguises itself
in all forms and in all times. Yet
more than that, it has empowered
those who look beyond it. It has
motivated me to do more and show
how much I care for all humans,
show what my faith really has to
offer. We must all reflect past our
trivial happenings and look into a
broader world and think, what if?
What if Sept 11 never happened,
how would my life change? Did
this wake me up to realize that our
lives are sacred and our voices
are still audible? We watch the
memorials, re-live our stories of
the who’s and what’s, but do we
even really stop and give Sept 11 a
due moment of silence? September
11 affected me as a Muslim, as a
student, as a journalist but most
importantly as a human. We need
not only realize that the world
will never be the same, but more
importantly OUR world will never
be the same. I still receive those
looks and mistreatments, but I
counter ignorance with a smile,
and racism with a laugh. The only
problem remaining is not that the
world is changing but the fact that
people are not. I refuse to fall into
that category but instead choose
to take the good and leave the
bad. I pray for all those past to rest
in peace. My scale is no longer
active because I refuse to choose, I
shall maintain the beauty of South
Florida by wearing my scarf as I
vote humming our song to all “O,
Say can you see?”
Want to be heard? Make a difference!
Want to be heard, want to try and make a difference? Submit a letter to the editor and have it published
in The Observer. E-mail us at [email protected] or visit the newsroom on South Campus, Building 68/Room 268.
“Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima”
Photo courtesy Joe Rosenthal / AP
Opinion
September 11, 2006
The Observer
19
Religious wars in the Middle East
By Martin Bater
Staff Writer
By now, unless you have
been living under a rock or were
stranded in the middle of the
Atlantic for the past 2 months,
you know about the conflict in
the Middle East between Israel,
Lebanon and the terrorist group
Hezbollah. Hezbollah kidnapped
a couple of Israeli Soldiers, Israel
retaliates, Hezbollah unleashes its
Katyusha rockets in the northern
part of Israel and then about a
month ago they were forced to
reach a “truce” by the UN, which
didn’t last long though.
Isn’t there a way to end all of
this madness? Nobody seems to
be able to throw their differences
aside and live in peace. Many
people want to, but they are not
the ones in power.
Israel is living in the toughest
neighborhood of the world,
surrounded by countries like
Iran and Syria that would like to
quickly erase it from the map,
under the misguided and blind
rage that has been a part of their
society for thousands of years
and the only country willing to
help them is on the other side of
town. I agree with Bush’s policy
of supporting Israel all the way.
Instead of relishing something
that’s not theirs right now, why
doesn’t Iran, Syria and every
other country involved, instead of
trying to make Israel disappear,
take care of their own people? As
a replacement for guns, why not
give their children books? Instead
Broward
Community College
2005 FCCPA General
Excellence Award
Beirut after Aug. 15 bombing.
of sending them to terrorist boot
camps and kill people by teaching
them how to handle a rifle, why
not send them to a summer camp
to learn how to set up a tent?
All children, regardless of their
Photo by IRINNews
ethnicity or race need to be taught
how to live, respect and tolerate
others and it may not guarantee
immediate resolution but it will
be however a positive start peace
and unity.
Plea from a self-proclaimed angry Arab
by Belal Jaber
BCC Student
I am hereby declaring myself
the only patriot left in America.
Perhaps I am even a martyr
against tyranny and injustice
because I am an American Arab
who happens to work at one of
the busiest airports in the U.S.,
and on the runway no less. No
big deal, right? Wrong! Because
of my heritage, my background,
and who my ancestors were, I’m
labeled. We’re labeled terrorists.
Terrorists. I’m a terrorist! Well
it must be true. It’s got to be true
because it’s right there in black
and white in all the newspapers
and all over television.
I understand what happened,
or didn’t happen, to London. I
By Jessica Krieger
Co-Managing Editor
know the men responsible, or
the accused at least, are Muslim.
They’re Arab. I don’t support
them. If they are responsible
for the plot, then may justice be
served. But because of the fear
that the media has put in all of
you people, I have been denied
my God-given right to pursue
the profession of my choosing,
to pursue the American dream. I
have been denied my basic rights
as an American citizen. I was
born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
I am a proud American, a proud
American who also happens to be
Arab. You know, that shouldn’t
be a big deal, but when someone
hears me playing Arabic music in
my car at a red light or if I decide
to grow a beard, I get dirty looks
for either, and it makes me think.
I think that all these ignorant
people looking at me in disgust
have forgotten what this country
was founded on. I think they have
forgotten that their ancestors
fought for their freedom. They
gave their lives for their freedom.
Whether they were black, Irish
American, Italian American,
Jewish American, or Asian
American, they gave their lives
for their freedom.
What’s next? What’s next?
Anytime anything goes wrong
in this country, it’s the Arabs.
When a plane crashes, it’s the
Arabs. When a bomb goes off,
it’s the Arabs. The blackout a few
summers ago: it was the Arabs.
Hurricane Katrina, the tsunami
in Indonesia: must be the Arabs.
You people say what you want
because I have a right to be here.
I have a right to say what I want,
and what I’m going to say you
may or may not agree with, but
my name is Belal Jaber. I am an
Arab American and I am very
proud of my heritage. But as an
American, my first amendment
rights have been trampled, and
I publicly announce before all
of you that I am ashamed of my
country. In the holy Quran; the
same holy Quran that I live my
life by, it says that those who
preach Islam preach peace, and
that’s all I’m asking for. I’m not
asking for compassion because I
don’t need it. I’m not asking for
sympathy because I don’t want
it, and I’m not asking for respect.
I’m demanding it!
Living in New York on 9/11
September 11, a day that will
never be forgotten. Most people
can quote where they were and
what they were doing when they
learned that the Twin Towers
were hit. It’s kind of like when
you were in elementary school
and your teacher would tell you
to ask your parents where they
were when they learned JKF was
assassinated.
I was in the 11th grade, it was
around noon time, and my friend
Matt came running up to me in a
panic. “Yo, Jess, the twins were
just hit... we’re under attack.” He
was always known for pulling
pranks so I really didn’t believe
him. A few seconds later it was as
if everyone heard the chains lock.
No one was allowed in or out of
the school; we were on total lock
down.
Soon after we were all rushed
to an emergency meeting It was
here everyone’s nightmares were
confirmed. The principal of our
school, or as we liked to call him,
Coach, got on the stage in our tiny
auditorium and said something
that went like this. America is
“NYC Skyline After 9/11”
under attack. Two planes flew
into the WTC and another hit the
Pentagon. He then instructed us
if we had family in that vicinity to
go call them.
By this time, hardly any phones
could get through; most of the
phone lines were down. But for
those people who could reach
there loved ones, their faces had an
expression like no other I’ve ever
seen - worried, scared. They knew
this phone call might impact the
rest of their lives. I was one of the
Photo Courtesy of Harry Orr
people who had to make a phone
call, but I thankfully didn’t hear
bad news. But for other people
it wasn’t okay. I saw friends of
mine dropping to the floor crying,
one just learned his father was
MIA (later he found out he didn’t
make it out). Another learned her
uncle was in one of the first fire
squads to arrive on the scene and
he didn’t make it out either.
NY had been traumatized;
traffic was crazy. It took two hours
to move one city block! And most
bridges were suspended with
fear they were the next target.
Everything was in turmoil. It was
like hell had risen to earth and no
one knew what to make of it.
I remember going into “the
city” (Manhattan) the first time
and looking up to the sky line
and just busted out crying. It was
gone, there was a tug on my heart.
I knew New York would never be
the same again.
Publications Advisor
Jennifer Shapiro
Editorial Staff
Editor-in-Chief
Grant Abraham
Managing Editor
Lauren Velazquez
Co-Managing Editor
Jessica Krieger
Layout Editors
Alex Vaos
Copy Editors
Stephanie Encin
Jonah Tiguelo
Sports Editors
Martin Bater
Michael Gonazalez
Photo Editor
Johnny Louis
Central Chief
Daniella Doreclus
WHC Chief
Emily Cornwell
North Chief
Anthony Perrucci
South Chief
Heather Dulman
Sci-Tech Editors
Nathan Phelps
William Breim
Staff Writers
Phillip Campos
Cami Carr
Rick Davis
Buzz Lamb
Nikita Ramlogan
Bill Leban
Emily Moorhouse
Photographers
Sheena Fernandez
Web Designer
Chris Cutro
Contributing Writer
Amanda Fernandez
The Observer is a bi-monthly
consolidated newspaper produced
by students of Broward Community College. The editorial office is
located at South Campus, Bldg. 68268, 7200 Pines Blvd., Pembroke
Pines, FL 33024. Bureau Offices are
located at North Campus, 1000 Coconut Creek Blvd., Coconut Creek,
FL, 33066, and Central Campus,
3501 SW Davie Rd, Davie, FL.
The Observer can also be reached
by phone at 954-201-8877 or e-mail
at [email protected].
Letters to the editor are encouraged. The writer’s name and phone
number must be included and the
letter signed. Unsigned letters will
not be accepted, but requests for
anonymity may be honored at the
editor’s discretion. Letters must be
typed and not exceed 300 words.
The Observer upholds the right to
edit for style or length or to reject
publications of letters deemed inappropriate.
For information concerning editorial policy or advertising rates, call
954-201-8035. Opinions expressed
in this publication are those of
the writers and do not necessarily
reflect those of BCC students, staff,
faculty and administration.
20
The Observer
Team USA
falls short again
By Martin Bater
Sports Editor
The 2006 Basketball World
Championship in Japan last
August came and went, and with it
team USA’s sky high expectations
came up painfully short with only
a bronze medal to show for what
was supposed to be the most
talented team since the 1992 Dream
Team that featured monsters like
Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and
Patrick Ewing. “We’re happy with
the progress we’ve made,” Team
USA Forward Carmelo Anthony
said to Fiba.com. “Unfortunately,
we couldn’t do what we came here
to do, which was win the gold.”
In 1992, international players
were so awed by NBA superstars
that they would literally ask people
in the stands to take pictures of
them guarding Jordan or Barkley
“Mommy look! I can jump just as
high as Michael Jordan does! Are
you looking? Are you looking?”
Dwayne Wade, Team USA,
co-captain, attempts to
put his team ahead before
the half.
That dream team inspired the
rest of the world to get better. 14
years later, the NBA has almost
100 foreign players and All-Stars
like Argentina’s Manu Ginobili
and Germany’s Dirk Nowitzki will
drive to the hoop against LeBron
James without even flinching,
much less posing for a picture
The tournament didn’t really get
started until the Semifinals. To get
there, the U.S had blown out minor
squads like China and Senegal,
labored to beat a scrappy Italian
team 94-85 behind Carmelo’s
record setting 35 points and
finished the preliminary round with
a seemingly spotless 5-0 record.
After that, everything changed to
a “win or go home format”. In the
Round of 16, Australia went down
113-73, and in the Quarterfinals
the Germans lost 85-65.
Finally, the top four teams in the
world were set to face each other
in a dog fight that no Vegas expert
could have foreseen. The matchups were: USA v.s. Greece( 2005
European Champion and Spain
v.s. Argentina(2004 Olympic
Champion).
Team USA seemed to have
everything under control, but in
the blink of an eye the Greeks
took over with a 14 point lead
midway through the third quarter
behind Sofoklis “Baby Shaq”
LeBron James looks for a
charge against Argentina’s
Andres Nocioni.
Schorsanitis’
explosiveness.
An awful performance from
the perimeter (9-28 from three
point range), and a Shaq like
performance from the free-throw
line (59%!) did the team in, not
even Anthony’s 27 points could
save them from a 101-95 loss.
What did that loss teach us?
First of all, three weeks are not
enough to form a team, not when
you are facing teams like Spain
and Argentina that have been
together since 1999. Second of
all, get perimeter shooters! The
fact that someone is talented
doesn’t mean he can shoot. For
international basketball you
need players like J.J Redick
and Kevin Garnett, not Shane
Battier and Joe Johnson. Not
to mention adding Kobe and
Chauncey Billups.
The other Semifinal was a
classic that as an Argentinean
was a punch in the stomach for
me. First Germany eliminates us
in a Penalty Kick shootout in the
World Cup, now this: 10 seconds
left, 74-74, Spain has the ball
and Forward Jose Calderon is
at the free throw line, he makes
one of two. 75-74, Ginobili gets
the ball, kicks it out to Nocioni
for the three… and he misses.
Spain wins. Ouch.
The U.S would beat Argentina
96-81 for the Bronze, and Spain
would blow out Greece 70-47
for the Gold and an automatic
spot in the 2008 Olympics in
Beijing, with Center Pau Gasol
being named the tournament’s
MVP.
Team USA will have to
qualify for the Olympics next
year, but don’t worry, these four
teams haven’t seen the last of
each other yet, they are not even
close to being done.
Pau Gasol, Spain’s center, was
tournament MVP.
SPORTS
September 11, 2006
Seahawks look to fly high
By Mike Gonzalez
Sports Editor
Buckle your seatbelts and hang
on tight, sports fans! The 20062007 Seahawks basketball season
is around the corner.
With eight sophomores leaving
the team, Sixth year Head Coach
Bob Starkman will have plenty of
shoes to fill. With a 14-15 record,
the Seahawks lost in their first
round tournament game against
Palm Beach Community College.
The players who are coming
back are Guards Anthony Clarke,
who is a returning starter, Francis
Agenor and Rocky Pierre. There
are a lot of new faces for the
Seahawks this upcoming season,
which Starkman has expressed
confidence in.
“We have several new
players, most coming from great
programs”, said Starkman.
Some of that new talent
includes Shamair Williams, a
forward from Brooklyn, New
York, Mikey Szabo, a center from
Hungary adding international
flavor to the team, Tony Dennison,
a guard from Queens, New York.
In addition, the Seahawks will be
adding height to the team with
acquiring forward Adam Walker
and forward Lamont Walker,
The Seahawks practice for the upcoming
basketball season.
both from Manhattan, New York.
Starkman believes that this year’s
team will be full of energy and
excitement.
“As quick as they buy into our
system and believe in themselves,
we’ll determine how good we can
be,” said Starkman.
Other
additional
players
include Joe Vecsey, a guard from
Long Island, New York, Guard
Ryan Kardok from Parkland,
Florida, Forward Aaron Shapiro
from Coral Springs, Florida, and
Forward Craig Blair from Coral
Springs, New York. Starkman
has also added two new coaches.
Jay McCormick from Wellington,
Florida and Frank Mulzoff, a
former St. Johns University
Coach.
“McCormick and Mulzoff
bring years of knowledge to this
program. Hopefully, we will get
student and faculty support this
season,” said Starkman.
With last year behind, the
Seahawks look to start a clean
slate. Will the flight of the
Seahawks resume once again
during this brand new season? We
shall have to wait and see.
Volleyball in transition with
new head coach
By Amanda Fernandez
Staff Writer
BCC welcomes Maite Furey,
the new women’s volleyball
coach. Furey comes to us from
Pines Charter High School in
Pembroke Pines. She has been
coaching volleyball for about
seven years and is very excited to
start coaching at BCC.
In addition to her experience as
a volleyball coach, she also played
volleyball throughout middle
and high school as a center and
outside hitter.
By Mike Gonzalez
Sports Editor
Maite Furey, volleyball
coach.
File Photo
Furey says that coaching and
playing volleyball are both equally
rewarding experiences, but while
she truly enjoyed playing the sport
while she was in school, coaching
is where her heart has been for the
past seven years. She also says
that she would like to establish a
relationship on and off the court
with her players.
Her goals for this year are to
have the players come together
as a team and take them to
the
Volleyball
Conference
Tournament.
1-800-COACH
With the upcoming season
approaching for the Lady
Seahawks, the departure of
Jennifer Diaz led to a vacant Head
Coach position. Scott Hermansen,
a former assistant coach, will be
on the sidelines leading the Lady
Seahawks to a possible conference
championship.
“Hermansen was a
former assistant for the
Lady Seahawks a few
years ago, We offered the
position to Krista Ross,
but she couldn’t take it
because of a variety of
reasons. We’re happy that Scott
has come
back to
BCC,”
said
Athletic Director John Giordano.
Although
losing
six
sophomores, the Lady Seahawks
will look to improve from their
8-20 record. There will be plenty
of room for improvement with 10
projected sophomores to return to
play.
Returning players include
leading scorer Guard Jenny
Erickson and leading rebounder
Forward Victoria Caballaro.
Other players include Guards
Geatgens Cherizol, Ivette
Brau, Keonna Frazier,
Ianna Ahyoung and
Forwards
Karena
Jackson and Marla
Drew.

2006_09_11 - Broward College

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