Bring on the bachelor`s

Www.broward.edu/observer
Volume 25, issue 8
Back page
Historic WWII pilot visits
Entertainment
The Sing-Off
A real ‘Tiara Girl’
Tex Meachem came to Broward
College to share her experience
of being a female pilot
An exclusive interview
with Nick Lachey, host of
“The Sing-Off”
Broward College student tells
about her life in pageants and
her life mottos
Center spread
Features
New Year’s resolutions
Have you broken
yours?
Page 8-9
Jan. 10, 2011
Page 7
Page 13
Page 16
Bring on the bachelor’s
Graduation makes Broward College history
losing her job at the firm instead
of being discouraged Kalinoski
enrolled as a full-time student at
Broward College (BC) held BC.
their graduation ceremony at the
“She believes her positive
Broward County Convention outlook and commitment to
Center on Dec. 17. This graduation accomplishing the goals in her own
marked BC’s 50th anniversary life will be an inspiration to her
graduation and appropriately students. I could not agree more,”
made college history with the first marveled Kanter.
graduating bachelor’s students.
Yielding a similar situation,
Bachelor degrees were awarded Angus also was an individual who
to 10 out of the 3,419 students that believed he would not have the
graduated last fall semester. This time to attend classes with a fullgroup marked the first graduating time job in motion.
class from the teacher education
“His passion to achieve his
program, a bachelor’s program dream overtook his reservations . . .
headed by Dean Aline Sarria and when he learned about the flexible
Associate Dean Julia Vattiato.
programming and personalized
BC began to hold upper level support of Broward’s teacher
degree paths starting in January education program,” said Kanter.
of 2009 with their Bachelor’s of
According to Kanter, 65,000
Science degree, according to the students reside on Broward
Sun-Sentinel.
campuses, not to mention the newly
The teacher education program enrolled for this winter semester.
started out with 60 students and Diversity is one of the most evident
has grown overtime to over 200 features of the thousands upon
students.
thousands enrolled.
Guest speaker, Dr. Martha J.
“Broward College is a shining
Kanter, Under Secretary of the example of how our country has
U.S. Department of Education embraced multiculturalism,” she
praised BC throughout her speech said.
and took a special interest in the
Something often disregarded by
teacher education graduates.
many who look upon the college is
“You will now have an the range of professionals who have
extraordinary opportunity to make graduated from the school.
a significant impact in the lives of
A familiar name known
children, help serve in our neediest throughout the world and in
school and neighborhoods, share the record books is Barrington
your knowledge, and build a Irving, the youngest and first
rewarding career,” expressed Kanter black pilot to fly around the world
to the education graduates during unaccompanied. Rita Mae Brown,
her remarks.
famous American
The value of the
A light was
novelist,
also
education we now
shined
on
belongs
with
celebrate will be
two
particular
some of the
gauged by how well
education
exalted graduates.
it equips and ingraduates, Sharon
Aside
from
spires you to conKalinoski
and
fame, BC has
tinue to improve
Hector
Angus.
a large number
yourself and your
She
described
of distinguished
place in the world,”
Kalinoski
as
alumni. Kanter
a “model of
pointed
out
- Dr. Martha J. Kanter
perseverance”
that more than
Under Secretary U.S.
because of her Department of Education 80 percent of
arduous
hours
the
healthcare
of work at an
professionals
accounting firm and her persistence working in Broward County were
to finish the associate’s degree that educated at BC, as well as all of the
took her nine years to earn. After county’s law enforcement officers
By Jillian Goltzman
Editor-in-Chief
Photos By Von Clinton
(Above) President J. David Armstrong Jr. awards students their degrees. (Below) President J. David Armstrong
Jr. during his speech at the graduation ceremony.
who train at BC’s Institute of
Public Safety.
Among the 570 in attendance
graduate Michelle Twarkins, now
an FIU student seeking a degree
in Criminal Justice, felt that her
education at BC was a silver lining
she never expected.
“My education at BC was more
than what I had expected. The
classroom size was small which is
what I preferred and the professors
really cared about our progress and
success in the class,” she noted.
Twarkins
described
the
ceremony as a “great experience” to
be a part of. “I felt accomplished
and the professors and people there
made me feel successful. There
was an incorporation of the 50th
anniversary which made it even
more special,” she said.
Graduation is something that
will remain an important part of
every student’s life while paving a
path for their future.
“The value of the education we
now celebrate will be gauged by
how well it equips and inspires you
to continue to improve yourself
and your place in the world,” said
Kanter.
Jan. 10, 2011
Features
page 3
Motivational in and outside the classroom
Passion, intellect, humor, and love are all
characteristics that a great professor should
have, however not all professors possess those
qualities. The best professors treat students
like people, not numbers; they go beyond
their call of duty in terms of helping students
and holding office hours; they not only
know their material, but they also know how
to teach it well. To his students, Rudy JeanBart, an African American history professor
at Broward College (BC), fits the mold.
Jean-Bart, born and raised in Miami, did
not always have his sights set on becoming a
teacher. A graduate of Charles W. Flanagan
High School and later on Florida A&M
University (FAMU), he had dreams of
business. “At first my major at FAMU was
business administration, but in my second
year I decided to change my degree to public
relations,” said Professor Jean-Bart.
After graduating college in 2006, JeanBart traveled to Washington D.C. and New
York. During his time in New York he went
to the Schomburg Center for Research in
Black Culture, in Harlem, where he had
an “epiphany,” and discovered that what
he really wanted to do is help blacks and
minorities, further leading him to teach
African American history today. “I am a
strong believer in [the fact] that in order
to understand your present you have to
understand your past,” said Professor JeanBart. After his trip to New York he went back
to FAMU for his master’s degree in history
and graduated in December 2007.
The major influences in professor JeanBart’s life are his parents and his “creator”
which have helped to motivate him to where
he is today.
Following his master’s degree, Jean-Bart
began to teach African American history at
BC. “My favorite part about teaching is the
students. I know it sounds cliché but it’s just
the students, pushing them to desire more,
to make themselves better. It’s all about the
impact I have on the students’ life, it means
more than anything. History is cool, but it’s
more about inspiring the students today, in
their present and in their future,” he said.
If an impact on the students is what he
aims for he certainly achieved that with his
last semester’s classes. The students from
Jean- Bart’s Fall semester class in 2010 had
positive things to say about him and his class.
Different from many traditional classes,
he awards extra credit if a student brings a
friend or family member to his class, which
allows people outside of the course to learn
from him.
“I am not even in his class, but from
attending his class just once I have already
made the decision to take his course next
semester. From what I saw he makes learning
enjoyable. He really puts things in such great
perspective for us and pushes his students to
expand their minds. I don’t think I have ever
been so inspired by a professor before,” said
Rakeedah Megget.
Not only does Jean-Bart play a role
in the life of his students, but also in the
lives of others at his church, local jails and
places where he publicly speaks to inspire
others. As of November 2010, Jean-Bart
‘
Love is the
order of the day
and I hope my
students see that
and understand
that’s my
approach.
‘
By Skylar Siegel
Central Bureau Chief
- Rudy Jean-Bart
Photo Courtesy of Rudy Jean-Bart
Professor Rudy Jean-Bart teaches African
American history at Broward College and
practices motivational speaking throughout
the community.
has officially been incorporated as a business
owner, speaking mostly in churches and
jails. He wants to get more involved through
YouTube, other speaking events and venues.
Jean-Bart has received a lot of positive
feedback from the jails he currently speaks at
to help motivate incarcerated black men. “At
the jail I conduct what I call a motivational
corner where I take motivational books
and DVDs for the inmates to see, and then
we read and discuss what was covered. It’s
all about getting them to be motivated. I
let them know [that] even though you are
incarcerated, your freedom is always within
you,” said Jean-Bart.
He plans to expand his motivational
speaking business and hopes to one day write
speeches. “I want to work with athletes to
sharpen their speaking abilities. I believe they
can make even more money if their speaking
abilities were improved, it would make them
more marketable,” said Jean-Bart.
Sometimes poking you with a sharp
stick called truth, Jean-Bart believes in his
students and finds joy in leading people to
the next plateau. “Most professors have a
love for their subjects where as I have a bigger
love for students. The main thing I want to
get across is [that] it’s very important to love,
and I think that we were placed on this earth
to be different thinkers, to inspire others,
we are all here to make each other better,”
expressed Jean-Bart earnestly. “Love is the
order of the day and I hope my students see
that and understand that’s my approach and
that’s why I love what I do.”
Features
jan. 10, 2011
Full of drama at BC
By Joshua Hernandez
Contributing Writer
Each year on Halloween, it’s typical for
people to dress up in costumes and play
make believe. However, Halloween is not the
only reason Broward College (BC) professor,
Chris Guzzardo, and his friends can be
found dressing up in costumes.
He is the founder of an acting group
called All the People from Drama (ATPFD).
Guzzardo, who spent 11 years in the Marine
Corps, has worked for BC as an adjunct
professor since the summer of 2006 in the
continuing education department after
receiving his associate of arts degree from
the school in December of the previous year.
He is planning on going back this January
for his bachelor’s degree in Supervision and
Management.
He started ATPFD in 2010 after being
involved with the drama department at
BC. He helped put on shows, including
“Bat Boy: The Musical” and more recently
“Getting Out.” The ex-Marine found he
loved to entertain, not just audiences but
himself, as well.
“Everybody knows we need laughter in
society, so we just try to bring that, along
with some drama, action, creativity, all while
having a good time,” explained Guzzardo.
He has focused his free time not only
on writing, acting and editing, but also on
finding new members.
“We are looking for anyone from 18 to
80. Anybody that is interested in restoring
the arts and putting drama back into society,
as well as those who love theater, performing,
video, having fun and who have an open
mind,” said Guzzardo.
They are also looking for people
experienced in editing programs, such as
Final Cut Pro and Adobe After Effects to
help with some of the post-production work.
The group ordinarily meets on weekends,
spending a whole day improvising, coming
up with ideas, writing, and finally filming.
page 5
College hosts first photo and
video contest on campus
Winners announced:
Grand Prize Photo Winner:
Constanza Gallardo -“I am
Broward College”
Category Photo Winners:
Broward College Life: Pablo
Alvarez -“Camila Reading”
Beauty of Broward College:
Pablo Terraza -“Central Library
Staircase Solar System”
Adjunct professor, Chris Guzzardo, and
founder of acting group All the People from
Drama.
“I appreciate how passionate they are
about developing their craft and trying to
take it to the next level,” said BC professor,
Bruce Weinberg, who taught Guzzardo in
Acting 1.
Guzzardo is hoping to bring ATPFD to
BC. “Myself and a couple of other faculty
members have spoken about talking to them
about the South Campus theater, because
we feel that it could have so much more
potential. Not only in bringing in revenues
for the college, but for also creating awareness
of the arts and giving people something else
to do other than staying at home and just
watch TV.”
While Central Campus has a theater
program, ATPFD is not looking to conflict
with them. They are instead looking to
enhance and add to it by continuing to offer
their full support.
“I’ve always been into the arts but haven’t
had the time. Now that I’m having time to
go back to school and not work 20 hours
a day, I can actually take time out to help
society again,” said Guzzardo.
If anyone is interested in joining ATFPD,
contact them at Allthepeoplefromdrama@
hotmail.com or look them up at the All the
People from Drama group page on Facebook.
International Flavor of Broward:
Esther Chuang - “DSC0011”
Photo By Constanza Gallardo
Grand prize photo taken by Constanza
Gallardo entitled “I am Broward
College.”
Grand Prize Video Winner:
Andrew Rivera - “Student Life at Broward College”
Broward College Life:Maicon Desouza “A Friend Like Wolf”
The Beauty of Broward College:
Robert Davis - “The Beauty of Broward College”
Fred Snyder - “One Day”
Broward College challenged students to a photo and video
contest to find beauty within the school. Students submitted
their photography and videography at the end of the fall
semester. The categories available for submission were
“Broward College Life,” “The Beauty of Broward College,” and
“The International Flavor of Broward College.” Winners were
announced and all grand prize winners in both the photo and
video categories received an iPad while category winners each
received a $200 voucher to be used at the college bookstore.
BizTown brings students together to learn
By David Dulak
Contributing Writer
Members of Phi Theta Kappa
(PTK) participated in an event
that gave middle school students a
chance to see what it would be like
to live in the “real world.” Students,
from Coral Springs Middle School,
had the opportunity to spend a day
at the Junior Achievement Center.
In the simulated world the
Junior
Achievement
Center
created, usually referred to as
BizTown, students were placed into
groups that represented a different
job sector, and each student was
assigned a job along with a salary.
They were put to the test by having
to budget their salaries in order
to pay their bills. PTK members
worked hand in hand with the
students to teach them about the
important fundamentals of career
building.
Each BizTown is an indoor
center that contains a mini city
filled with hypothetical businesses,
sponsored by real local businesses
with authentic logos, and the
actual marketplace appearances.
Doing this allowed the experience
have a realistic, practical feel for the
students. Some of the sponsoring
businesses included the Miami
Dolphins, IKEA, the Sun-Sentinel
and Bank Atlantic.
Students have to learn how to
deposit their paychecks, manage
bank accounts, have a job interview,
run companies and complete store
tasks.
With careers in retail, business,
medicine and journalism, the
young students get to face the
reality that BC students are
facing today in looking towards a
profession.
PTK member and volunteer,
Marco Garcia, was impressed with
the program, and wanted to help
make an impact not only in the
community, but also in the lives of
the students.
Garcia believed that the project
would be very beneficial for the
students. “The kids will not only
achieve how to operate a business,
but they will also learn how to
demonstrate leadership skills that
will further their future in society,”
he stated.
Become an Inspiration
Volunteers go through
special training to be able
to equipt students with:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Photo Courtesy of Ronald Bray
PTK members and officers volunteer in different areas of BizTown on
their visit while interacting with young students.
The
objective
of
this
challenge was to create a healthy
balance between their financial
responsibilities and the wages they
were assigned. Not only that, but
they could not have a balance
lower than zero. Giving back to
the community is an important
value for members of PTK, whom
are also very passionate about
setting examples for the younger
generation.
PTK member and elementary
education
major,
Adriana
Contreras, was thrilled to have
had the chance to volunteer as it
relates to her future career goals.
“It’s truly amazing what these kids
Analyzing
Critical Thinking
Problem Solving
Teamwork
Budgeting
Planning
Setting Goals
Responsibility
Interviewing
Visit
www.jasouthflorida.org.
are being taught at such an early
age. What JA is doing is wonderful
by ensuring more responsibility
and creating ‘ready’ leaders of our
nation,” Contreras expressed.
For more information on the
Junior Achievement center and how
to become a BizTown volunteer,
visit www.jasouthflorida.org.
jan. 10, 2011
Features
page 7
WWII’s revolutionary pilot pays a visit to BC
Woman pilot, Tex Meachem, speaks about her past
By Clayton Gutzmore
South Bureau Chief
Condemned to the basic activities of
washing, cooking and the many chores of
being a housewife, women in the 1940s
rarely sought after adventurous careers. All
of that changed when a group of determined
women created the Women Airforce Service
Pilots (WASP), an organization that had
a total of 1,100 women pilots who flew
military aircrafts during WWII.
Broward College (BC) had the chance
of meeting one of the most monumental
figures in female rights and creator of WASP,
Tex Amanda Brown Meachem.
Meachem, 92, was invited to the Miramar
Town Center on Dec. 2 to speak to the
students of the Air Traffic Control Program.
Her stories of flying aircrafts, like the large
DC-3, and the many obstacles she faced
while being a female pilot was inspirational
to the many students with a passion for
aviation.
“She embodies all the reasons why
women should pursue aviation,” said Kenya
Aguilar, Vice President of the Student Air
Traffic Control Association (SATCA). “Tex
is composed of all the things we learned this
year. To have one of the few people who
Tex Meachem holds honor from BC.
broke ground in aviation history be here
and tell her experiences is breathtaking,” said
Aguilar.
Meachem was born on Feb. 6, 1910 in
Tallahassee, Fla. and now resides in Pompano
Beach. Her strong passion for flying is what
drove her to join the U.S. Air force back in
the 1940s.
“Everyone that I knew was going and I
got the chance to fly. When you get a job
doing what you love you never have to work
a day in your life,” said Meachem.
Segregation was still present during that
time so she was not allowed to join the
services because she was a woman. Her and
several other female pilots came together to
create WASP in 1942.
The original purpose of WASP was to take
over the flight duties of men while they were
at war. Soon that changed after Meachem
and her other fellow WASPs proved that
their flight skills were just as good.
Unfortunately, WASP was disbanded two
years after they were assembled and it wasn’t
until 66 years later that they were honored
for their services during the war.
Meachem’s visit was made possible by the
work of Shelia English and the other faculty
members of the BC aviation program.
“Tex is an uplifting person; she gives
students a bird’s eye view into aviation,” said
English. Meachem overwhelmed by all the
attention she has received over the years,
enjoys meeting interesting people who are
inspired by her stories.
Meachem will always be proud of her
past and enjoy her encounters with people
in the community. “I am just so happy I got
a chance to serve my country and I am sorry
that it took 66 years for us [WASPs] to get
our recognition because not all of us are here
to enjoy the medal,” said Meachem.
Photos Courtesy of Karen Young
Tex Amanda Brown Meachem was the creator of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP).
Organization takes steps to cure lung disease
By Kyle Rambo
Contributing Writer
While sitting on the couch
watching almost any television
program it’s not uncommon
to see motivating commercials,
promoting a healthier, drug-free
and cleaner world.
Some people look at these
advertisements and think nothing
of them, while others have an
emotional connection and decide
to take a stand against the harmful
threats of maladies and problems
like cancer, pollution and drug
abuse. Of those people there are the
rare ones who take a step further in
making in the decision to go out
and help a worthy cause.
There are many ways to get
involved and one of the main
events that not only contributes
to solving the problems but also
excites people who are helping are
fundraisers like marathons and
walkathons for diseases and causes.
The American Lung Association
(ALA) has put their own twist on
that formula in what they call the
Fight for Air Climb.
On Dec. 11 the Fight for Air
Climb, headed by event coordinator
Julia Selvaggi, took place in the 110
Tower located in Fort Lauderdale.
This was the second annual climb
in the 110 Tower and featured 500
participants coming together to
climb up 30 flights of stairs.
There were a variety of different
participants including high school
students, dedicated gym members,
firefighters, and even a man dressed
as a banana.
Although the differences in the
many participants were apparent,
they all had two main goals in
common: to climb every single
step in the 30 flights of stairs and
more importantly to help fight
lung disease.
All participants were welcome
and the Fight for Air Climb offered
spots to corporate teams, family
teams and single individuals.
Some of the climbers just felt the
disease was a huge problem while
some saw it as a personal, close to
the heart issue. Gabriel Borges, a
student at Western High School in
(Left) The 110 Tower was the
location for the 2010 Fight for Air
Climb. Participants climbed 30
flights of stairs to reach the top
and fundraised money for the
American Lung Association.
weblogs.sun-sentinel.com
Davie, has dealt with lung disease
first hand.
At a young age, Borges lost
his mother to lung cancer. Borges
believes events such as the Air
Climb are extremely important and
encourages everyone to participate
and get involved in the fight against
the disease. Being in his school’s
National Honor Society, he tries
to get the school involved in these
events as much as possible.
Whether the participants were
heavy contributors or simply paid
the $25 registration fee each person
walked away with a Fight For Air
Climb T-shirt, medal and towel.
All participants were also invited
to the after-party to celebrate the
cause.
Fundraising incentives will
also be given to participants who
have the deadline of Jan. 11 to
raise money for the cause. Prizes
range from useful objects like
pedometers and bike lights to bigticket items like a Samsung 32”
LCD television.
According to the ALA’s website,
81 cents of every dollar donated
goes to “education, research, and
advocacy” of lung disease. They
head many projects to promote
healthy lungs and cleaner air
including the Better Breathers
Club for lung patience and Our
Freedom from Smoking for people
trying to quit the use of tobacco.
Plaques are given every year to
the first, second and third climbers
in their age and gender division, as
well as to the fastest team, largest
team, and highest fundraising
team.
Firefighters even have their own
set of plaques given to the fastest
climber wearing their bunker gear.
Winning times have yet to be
released by Alta Vista Sports.
For more information of future
events from ALA visit their website
at www.action.lungusa.org.
changing resolutions in
New Year’s, the one day of the year where
society has an epiphany to change their
biggest vices. With 2011 just beginning
students across campus have set their hopes
on goals for the semester in fitness, studies,
health and more, but the question is how
many will actual keep them?
10... 9... 8... 7...
Where did you spend your
countdown to 2011?
“[On New Years I had] a big
dinner at my house with my
family.”
Yendi Puentes
Aerospace Engineering Major
Nabil Salem
Accounting Major
Anisa Hoseien
Nursing Major
“[I want]
to try to quit
smoking.”
“[I want] to lose
weight and leave
Broward College”
Marion Bula
Psychology Major
Josh Warner
Computer Literacy
Major
“[I want] to try
to visit Japan.”
“I want to
finish what I
start this year”
Nico Jaramillo
Music Major
“To do well in
school.”
“I spent time with my family
on New Years at my house.”
Cecelia Armada
Psychology Major
Photos By Von Clinton
Interviews By Clayton Gutzmore
Designed By Jillian Goltzman and Richard Perez
Jan. 10, 2011
page 11
Feature
South Campus has their own rock star
By Jeffrey Martinez
Staff Writer
When you think about Broward College
(BC), you usually think about upcoming
tests, a list of homework and long lines
inside the financial aid office. Little do
people realize, deep within such a hectic and
stressful environment is a student body rich
in talent and inspiration.
Meet Marcell Benevento, a psychology
major in his first semester of college. He is
a typical college student with great friends,
good grades and a taste for music. Yet, what
separates him from the rest of the beatbopping populace at BC is that Benevento
not only loves music, but makes it.
Benevento is the lead guitarist for the
band, Secret Resolve. The band was recently
formed five months ago after his previous
band disbanded. Secret Resolve has a diverse
taste in music.
According to Benevento, they play
somewhat of “a mixture of Fall of Troy,
Coldplay and Four Years Strong.” He writes
all the driving riffs for the band, as well as
some of the bass parts, but allows the rest of
the band to input ideas and contribute.
“I don’t want to take control of the band.
I give everyone a chance to put in his or her
say and ideas. It really is a group effort,” said
Benevento.
Not only does he handle the guitar aspect
of the songs, but he also co-writes some of
the lyrics alongside the band’s lead singer,
Barbara Garofalo. The lyrics they write hold
different messages, but show the diversity
and fun they have when devising them.
Examples of songs they have written
include one that retells the story of
Shakespeare’s Hamlet through the eyes of
Ophelia to another about a guy who can’t
support his family.
“We usually write the lyrics first and once
we have it down, we all get together and play
until we have something good to go along
Photo By Jeffrey Martinez
Marcell Benevento, a pyschology student at Broward College and guitarist of his band
Secret Resolve, sits in the breezeway playing his guitar.
with it. Sometimes Barbara writes it down,
other times she’ll just call me and tell me,
‘Hey, we need an inspirational song’ and I’m
off writing it,” said Benevento.
Secret Resolve isn’t Benevento’s only
experience with a band. He was previously
apart of the band They Would Say. The
band’s music was simpler and the vocals were
less emphasized.
He described the band as more like an
experiment gone awry than anything else. It
was apparent the band would not hold for
long as it fell apart due to internal conflict
once the lead singer got romantically
involved with two of the bandmates.
The band officially ended during a
Christian event in which They Would Say
was performing. While not a Christian
band, they took the gig as a means for
exposure. Unfortunately, more was exposed
than intended. The lead singer dressed in
a very provocative manner and changed a
couple of lines in their songs into swears.
While they weren’t reprimanded by the
event coordinators, the embarrassment that
ensued was too much and the band went
their separate ways.
Benevento would then enter a hiatus for a
month and a half until he got together with
his friends Michael N’Dong (the current
bass player of Secret Resolve) and Andres
Rizo, a drummer. They would play together,
with Karim, from They Would Say, filling
in as rhythm guitarist every so often, and
eventually formed Secret Resolve.
Things were looking good, but the new
band still needed a singer. After posting
flyers all over various schools and BC, nine
students auditioned for the position as singer.
The position was given to Barbara and
back-up vocals were given to another singer,
Chirstopher Joel Rodriguez. With everything
back on track, Benevento was ready to get
the band moving, with a “No inner-band
relationship” policy firmly in place.
Benevento’s goal with Secret Resolve is not
unlike any other band: to become famous.
Not necessarily for the money, Benevento
does however hope to get a couple of songs
recorded and a CD made for Secret Resolve
in the near future.
On a temporary off time, the band is
currently writing lyrics and practicing their
skills while they find a solution to replace
their ruined drum set, which recently faced
rain damage.
Benevento also works as a guitaristfor-hire, playing for bands in need of a
temporary guitarist. He has recently worked
at Big Dawg’s Blues Bar, playing with bands
and occasionally getting paid depending on
the turnout.
Despite such a rich history in music,
Benevento’s true purpose in life is not with
a guitar but in psychology. Benevento is
following a degree in psychology with a
focus on behavioral psychology.
He hopes to one day create and teach
newer and more efficient methods to treat
patients. He believes that the current
methods are “outdated and they’re not really
doing such a good job.”
His interest in music, at this point in
his life, is because he believes that people
generally do not take young psychologists
seriously.
By focusing on music now and studying
to become a psychologist along the way, he
plans to show the world his methods after he
would have gained the seniority and respect
of his colleagues.
Benevento wishes to practice psychology
purely because he enjoys “seeing people
happy.”
Aside from his studies and music, he still
finds time to maintain his other passions.
Benevento currently is a martial artist and
will receive his teaching degree in martial
arts when he reaches the age of 20.
He will be transferring to FIU to continue
his psychology degree after obtaining his
associate’s of arts degree from BC.
Jan. 10, 2011
Entertainment
page 13
Behind the
curtains of
By Melissa Simons
Staff Writer
Vocal competitions have always been the guilty pleasure of primetime television.
With American Idol running years strong and shows like “Glee” making song and
dance popular, it is no wonder that a competition for acapella groups would be
a huge success. “The Sing-Off” aired on NBC as a four-episode event back in
December of 2009. What started as a trial struck big and the second season ran
in 2010 from Dec. 6 until Dec. 20. The two-hour premiere for the five-show series
averaged a little over 8.5 million viewers, and did especially well with viewers in
the prized 18-49 demographic. Judge Nicole Scherzinger even went far enough to
call this year’s groups a real-life version of “Glee.” “The Sing-Off” was composed of
judges Shawn Stockman of Boys II Men, Scherzinger, and singer and songwriter
Ben Folds. The finale consisted of numerous performances including performances
by the judges and host Nick Lachey, and was concluded with the victory of the
Alabama acapella group Commited. Lachey, of former boy band 98 Degrees,
returned as the host and shared his feelings on “The Sing-Off,” his past and his
new fiancé.
Q: Do you ever
get the feeling
after watching the
performances that
you want to get back
to those days again?
A: Yes, I think if you’re a
musician at all, watching
them and the passion
they have for music and
hearing the exceptional
performances, it does
make you kind of itch to
perform.
I think that if you’re a
musician, that’s just kind
of human nature.
Q: What made you
want to be apart of
the show?
Photo courtesy ofGoogle.com
Nick Lachey with fiance Vanessa Minnillo, former MTV host of Total
Request Live.
Q: How do you
help them (the
performers)
backstage deal with
the emotional stress
of singing their
favorite song in front
of a live audience?
Q: With everything
going on this year
[and] with your TV
cameos on One Tree
Hill how do you find
time for your newly
engaged fiancé,
Vanessa?
A: It’s encouragement.
I’ve been blown away by
how poised the groups
have been. I think you’ve
got to trust what got you
there. What you did in
rehearsal, you’ll do on
stage.
A: Anyone who balances
their professional life
knows that you have
to make time for both,
no matter what your
profession, there’s
always a balance for a
fine line we all have to
walk.
A: Acapella music has
always been near and
dear to my heart and I
love to see it celebrated
in anyway, shape or
form, and this show does
a great job of it.
Q: Do you think
shows like this will
remind people of this
Q: Are there any
plans for a 98 Degree kind of music and
bring it more into the
reunion tour?
spot light?
A: We remain in contact
A: I certainly hope so,
with each other and
throw the idea out there It’s the music we hear
every now and then but on the radio, it’s just the
treatment of it. Instead
I don’t think there are
of a singer and band this
any imminent plans to
is more reinterpreted
get back together, but
and sometimes
it’s certainly something
reinvented to the sound
we’ve all set the door
we’re going after.
wide open on.
Sports
page 14
Jan. 10, 2011
Plink?
Teams look to make metal bats more like wood
Think metal bats are packing
too much punch? Apparently
the National Collegiate Athletic
Association (NCAA) and the
National Federation of State High
School Associations (NFHS) agree.
Since metal bats have been
introduced at the college and
high school levels in 1973, they
have proven to come with many
advantages over wood bats. They
last longer, more cost effective,
environmentally sound since it
doesn’t involve chopping down
a tree to create, and the most
blaring advantage is they launch
a ball further than their wooden
counterparts.
In the sense of competitive play
and the fact that many student
athletes in high school and college
go on to professional baseball
where only wood bats are used, it
was determined by the NCAA and
NFHS to reduce the potency of
metal bats and create a much more
balanced game for all players.
This led to the adoption of
a new standard called Batted
Ball Coefficient of Restitution
(BBCOR) which will go into effect
in 2011 for the NCAA and NJCAA
‘
If this rule
saves one
kids life it’s
obviously
worth it.
‘
By Steve Levin
Staff Writer
- Bob Deutshman
Athletic Director
and in 2012 for high schools.
The idea of BBCOR is to
regulate metal bats to mimic the
same performance of a wood bat.
The main advantage metal bats
have over wood is the fact that they
are hollow inside and thus tend
to compress like a spring when
striking the ball. This “trampoline
effect” is what makes metal bats so
advantageous over wood and what
the new BBCOR standard will
address.
BBCOR will measure the
amount of energy lost versus the
energy created by the bat striking
the ball. Confused? Think about
it like jumping up and down on a
hard floor. It takes a lot of energy
to get off the ground. Compare
that to jumping on a trampoline.
Even with little force, the
trampoline flexes with the impact
and then springs back to its original
shape, launching you into the air;
thus, the trampoline effect.
BBCOR will force bat
manufacturers to reinforce the
walls of the bat so they don’t give
quite as much either by inserting
a block behind the sweet spot or
by simply adding thickness to the
walls itself.
What does this mean for college
and high school baseball? Well, it
seems as though everybody wins in
this topic. It creates a more equal
balance of bat performance from
the high school and college game
to professional levels which was so
desired.
It will provide bat manufactures
an abundance of business as schools
will have to order all new bats for
their teams since the bats they
currently have are now considered
illegal, and it will result in creating
a safer environment for the players
on the field.
It’s true that slower balls will
also result in fewer injuries. It won’t
necessarily make you a whole lot
safer as we still see injuries occur
even with wood bats, but every
little bit helps.
BBCOR-certified bats are
already available for use and
Broward College (BC) Athletic
Director and head baseball coach
Bob Deutschman has already
equipped his team with them.
“I’m in favor of it from the
perspective of if this rule saves
one kids life it’s obviously worth
it which goes without saying,” said
Deutshcman.
While
Deutschman
did
acknowledge that BC has
historically recruited bigger players
to give more power to the lineup,
he feels this new rule closes the
advantageous gap the Seahawks
once had over many of the teams
they face.
However, as Deutschman puts
it, “At the end of the day the
best players are still going to be
productive and a great player will
still be a great player relative to the
[others] around them.”
COMICS AND PUZZLES
page 15
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Jillian Goltzman
Central Bureau
Chief
Skylar Siegel
South Bureau
Chief
Clayton Gutzmore
North Bureau
Chief
Ronald Bray
Broward college
2009 FCCPA General
Excellence Award
Managing Editor
Richard Perez
Layout Editor
Karen Casilimas
staff Writers
Alexandra Martinez Alexis Martinez
Anthony Foglia
Brandon Wright
Buzz Lamb
Donna Levasseur
Jeffrey Martinez
Steve Levin
jan. 10, 2011
Adviser
Jennifer Shapiro
Adviser’s
assistant
Chris Cutro
Contributing
Writers
David Dulak
Joshua Hernandez
Kyle Rambo
Photo editor
Von Clinton
designer
Rodrigo Pardo
Copy Editors
Alejandro Lozano
Photographers
Crystal Vander Weit
The Observer is a bi-weekly consolidated newspaper
produced by students of Broward College. Our office
is located at South Campus, Bldg. 68-268, 7200 Pines
Blvd., Pembroke Pines, FL 33024. The newsroom can
be contacted at 754-273-LEAD, or Observer@mail.
broward.edu.
E-mails to the editor are encouraged. The writer’s
name must be included, although requests for
anonymity may be honored at the editor’s discretion.
E-mails must 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 BC
students, staff, faculty and administration.
Underneath the
Crown
Broward student holds title of Miss Teen Florida 2010
By Esther Chuang
Contributing Writer
& Photographer
Have you ever wondered who is Miss Teen Florida of 2010? You
are about to find out that the winner of this coveted title is a member
of our student body and is in her second year at Broward College.
Isn’t that exciting?
Joan Mee-Ladie Delgado first impressed me as being a very
professional young lady. As we talked, I found her to be also very
genuine and humble.
What do you do for a living?
My work and what I’m dedicating myself to doing is supporting many programs
and societies. The two main programs that I’m focusing on is walking for the
cure of cancer awareness and Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) in
developing the minds of the youth of tomorrow.
I enjoy helping my community: recycling, being involved with school, with
children, and charity work. I like to give back to the community and impact lives.
What do you consider the best feeling in the world?
Photo By Esther Chuang
Happiness is the best feeling--when you are pursuing your dream, what you
want in life, and what you can do to help others. This is what brings the greatest
satisfaction and happiness in your life that God has given you to live.
Joan Mee-Ladie Delgado, winner of Miss Teen Florida
in 2010, donates her time to the community and finds time to dedicate
to her family and religious beliefs.
What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas is my favorite, not just because of the presents. It is more because
of the family—a time for cherishing each other. The world seems to be more in
harmony at this time. A lot of people focus more on the family, which should be
the most important thing in our lives every day.
Tell me about your relationship with your parents.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
At first, I wanted to be a mechanical engineer, but later, I decided I want to help the
juvenile delinquents, to encourage them and to give them the second chance.
What do you recall about your first date?
Outstanding! I think that in this 21st century, we don’t value our parents
anymore. My parents are my best friends. They always strive to make me better;
it is amazing! As I go on my pathway of life, they are always with me, showing
me what they have learned through their own experience. They can guide us
better than anyone else in this world. Parents want you to succeed!
(Laughs) My first date, I don’t remember. The way I live is very family-oriented.
Whoever was in my life had to participate in what my family did…
It could have been fishing; going to the beach, barbecue… it was always a family based
relationship.
Describe what you consider most important in
friendships.
What were the most memorable family vacations or trips
you can recall?
To be very loyal, kind, trustworthy-- a friend who will be with you through the
good and bad times, supporting you, your ideas, and your goals. When and if I’m
doing anything wrong, they will tell me the truth. True friends will tell you. I rely
on my family to be the ones I go to for guidance and comfort.
What did you learn in school that you would like to
pass along to the next generation?
I learned that high school, you leave in the past; you graduated and had your
fun; now the real work begins. College is where you begin to grow up, focusing
only about school, studying, education, and preparing for your career.
I learned to grow up at a very young age and to focus on my education. It is
something that no one can take away from me. Set your own limits and be
untouchable. I love to stand out.
It would be when we went to Panama. We went to different agricultural cities; we saw
the mountains, valleys, and historical places [like] the Panama Canal. I gained a different
perspective of people…sharing with them at dinner. They are very religious and family
based!
Any sad, tragic or difficult time you’d care to share,
such as losing a loved one, a job, or something you cared
about?
When I lost my grandmother to cancer, it was a difficult time for my family. My
grandmother was the absolute best role model. That made me reflect on my mother
and how important it is to show appreciation to her each day and not wait until it is
too late. We need to be more open to each other.
Designed By Jillian Goltzman