SAN JACINTO TIMES The show went on... for two e student publication of the San Jacinto College District
Vol. 23, No. 9
Top photo credits: Naama Gouti San Jacinto Times
Clear skies and rock climbing highs coaxed students and faculty alike outdoors to enjoy refreshments at Coyote Day on South campus (pictured above) March 27. On the other hand, thunderstorms and lightning left Raven Fest participants scrambling indoors on Central campus Wednesday, April 3 (pictured below). No worries, Hot 95-7 (pictured below right) turned up the heat with a live broadcast getting the Ravens rockin’. Gator Day on North Campus was postponed until Monday, April 8.
Shine for Coyote Day
Bottom photo credits: Flor Barrero San Jacinto Times
Rain for
Raven Fest Gator Day postponed
San Jac features immigration roundtable
Student honored for local serial killer research
Jeannette Jimenez Staff Writer
The Texas Folklore Society will publish Marissa Gardner’s theory of the mysterious murders that have plagued I-45 since 1971.
A mysterious killer has roamed the I-45 corridor since 1971. Former San Jacinto College student Marissa Gardner constructed her own theory about this unknown killer. Gardner is a 25-year-old single mother who is now a nursing student at UTMB. She finished her prerequisite courses in May 2012, and began at UTMB’s School of Nursing the following
teams in Austin. No Texas team participated in the NCAA tournament this year, ending a streak that began 1977. On March 17, the NCAA announced the 68-team bracket, completely excluding Texas teams from play.
Only three years ago, The Lone Star State matched the NCAA record for the most teams participating from a single state in a season by sending seven teams. Texas also holds the record for the most teams to ever participate with 23 teams that have ap-
Monica Davila
Department Editor
The Texas Association of Chicanas for Higher Education hosted an Immigration roundtable at San Jacinto College Central campus on March 27. The roundtable featured several speakers including Saul Zarco, an educational planner and regional representative for the group; Maria Jimenez, an immigration activist that develops programs for immigrant workers and immigrant rights; Jannel Robles, who works as a policy analyst for Texas Criminal Justice Coalition Immigration in Harris County communities; and, Aysar Al Shamsy, an Iraqi-born San Jac student who offered the immigrant perspective. Zarco kicked off the roundtable discussing the struggles of his undocumented parents from Mexico City. His father was deported nine times and his mother was deported once. Zarco said it is easy for natives to say “send them all back”, but they fail to realize the economic consequences. Sending 11 million people, that although are not in the tax registry, pay sales tax, sometimes state taxes, and many times federal taxes would have an impact. On the other hand, Jimenez spoke about migration on an international level. According to Jimenez, every country in the world has immigrants
See Discussion on Page 4
Courtesy of Marissa Gardner
fall. While attending San Jac, Gardner was enrolled in an English Composition class where she was required to write a research paper. She chose the topic of the I-45 killings. “In 2010, when I started my research assignment in Dr. Smith’s English Composition class I did not know what I wanted to write about. Dr. Smith suggested various topics, and the I-45 Serial Killer intrigued me
See I-45 Killer on Page 4
Missing March Madness makes Texans angry Aaron Preston Staff Writer
The only March Madness that took place in Texas in March was the maddening effect of outof-state fans cheering on their
peared in the tournament. The 14-year streak came to a screeching halt for the Texas Longhorns (16-17) after losing in the first round conference tournament game to 11th-ranked Kansas State Wildcats.
See NCAA on Page 4
‘Shake’ and ‘Plank’ fads burn bright, fizzle fast
Amanda Beard Staff Writer
It doesn’t discriminate, pick favorites, or distinguish itself to one particular group. Instead, the free floating unorganized movement sweeps the nation, latching onto one person after another until everyone has seen or heard, if not participated in, the trend. From Planking to the Harlem Shake, people jump on the bandwagon as it slithers through Youtube channels and other social media websites. San Jacinto
contributed to one of the latest viral videos with our very own Harlem Shake. Following a trend is part of a natural tendency to mimic the actions of other human beings. According to an active trading and frugal living website, Investopedia, “most people are very sociable and have a natural desire to be accepted by a group, rather than be branded as an outcast. Therefore, following the group is an ideal way of becoming a member.” Herd mentality, or making decisions based on the actions of
others, Psych Central says, only requires “just five per cent to influence a crowd’s direction – and that the other 95 per cent follow without realizing it.” Although it does require some thought to record and upload a video, the desire to emulate an action after viewing the positive feedback from other people diminishes further contemplation. Blindly boarding a majority thought train does not always end in everyone dancing. Groups of people have unified to create havoc instead of harmony using religion or opinion
as a foundation for destruction. From the polls to clothes, popular opinion rules in America. Television and social media allows trending topics to be shared, watched, and repeated at electric speeds. Rense.com contributor Alex Ansary says, “Audiences are mimicking what they see and hear because the current ‘norm’ is selling this behavior as cool or ‘chic.’” After media sells this behavior or trend, “these forms of content are considered the norm, anything else seems either bizarre or uninteresting.”
April 8, 2013
World News Briefs
Same-sex marriage The French senate will be reviewing a bill that will allow same-sex couples the right to marry and adopt. Legislators in the United Kingdom are also debating on legalizing same-sex marriage. Uruguayan senators had a majority in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage, despite opposition from the Catholic Church. Justices of the United States Supreme Court began voting on the matter at the end of March. The Roman Catholic Church and social conservatives are leading opposition groups against same-sex marriage and adoption rights.
Deadly floods in Argentina Argentina's president declared three days of national mourning on April 3 after 13 inches of rainfall claimed 48 lives and forced 3000 to evacuate from La Plata, Argentina and another eight deaths were reported from storms in Buenos Aires, the capital. "In 12 hours it has rained what it normally rains in the entire month of April," said Santiago Martorelli, cabinet chief of the city. Nuclear threat North Korea accused the United States of pushing the region to the “brink of war”. South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin announced to a committee in Seoul that the North has moved a missile to its east coast. The United States announced on April 3 that they would be sending missile defenses to Guam, a U.S. naval and air base, which could be the target of a North Korean attack.
Saudi sentenced to paralysis A Saudi court has sentenced a man, Ali AlKhawahir, to be paralyzed if he can’t pay one million Saudi Riyals for a crime he committed when he was 14. He reportedly stabbed and paralyzed his best friend 10 years ago. Amnesty International, a human right group, has condemned the ruling saying it was “outrageous” for one man to be paralyzed as punishment for having paralyzed another man.
Exxon pipleline bursts An Exxon Mobil Corp. pipeline burst March 29 in Mayflower, Arkansas, spilling around 5,000 barrels of diluted tar sands, forcing 22 homes in a nearby neighborhood to be evacuated, and causing local streets to be shut down. Mitigation and clean up efforts are underway. The incident comes just two days after a train in Minnesota derailed, spilling 30,000 gallons of crude oil.
— Briefs compiled from multiple media sources
San Jacinto Times
April 8, 2013
Opinion/Commentary
Page 2
Minx Thinks: Internet community takes tech employee firing as excuse to punish feminism
Asher Minx
Department Editor
Hey so, if someone makes a sexist comment at a tech conference, they will get fired. The person who complained about the sexism, on the other hand? They’ll also get fired. Unemployment for everyone. So goes the tech industry, where internet juries decide employees' fates and integrity
goes to die. In short, Adria Richards was sitting in at PyCon (Python Conference, not as cool as the name implies) when two men behind her began making racy jokes and using tech terms like "dongle" and "forking" in an apparently sexual manner. Thinking the comments sexist and inappropriate in a professional environment, she posted some tweets about the incident with an attached picture of the giggling friends and asked if attendants could quiet them. The men were escorted from the area, PyCon representatives thanked her for bringing the disruption to their attention. FIN. But oh, Internet. Feminists, and people who just generally think women shouldn't have to feel like they've walked into a "boys' club" when entering
science or technology-based segments of the workforce, had mostly negative things to say about the two implicated men. Their company Python, being a corporate machine with no inclination to solve employee problems on a moderate case-by-case basis, put this criticism into their binary code and—beep boop—one of the semi-anonymous conference jokesters was out of a job. For full disclosure, they maintain the firing came as a result of further investigation into the employee's history within the company. Either reason would not be uncommon in the United States, and unless someone with inside knowledge comes forward or more information is released about the employee there won't be any way to know for sure what prompted the deci-
sion to terminate him. If you’re Adria Richards, the real motivation isn't nearly as important as what those following the story believed it to be. An offshoot of hackers claiming allegiance with Anonymous took the man's layoff very seriously, wasting no time to ensure Richards paid a price, and fast. While Adria dealt with doxing (a practice of finding as much personal information about a targeted individual as possible and releasing it over the internet) along with threats of murder and rape, her employers at SendGrid waited patiently for angry users to stop breaking their site with denial-of-service attacks. Around this time, a pastebin document turned up online that transcribed an alleged message/threat from an undis-
closed source directed at SendGrid's management. The document warned of various breeches of privacy, data manipulation, harassment, and general trouble that would fall on SendGrid, their customers, and all their affiliates should they stall in firing Adria Richards. Because of the falsifiable nature of pastebin content, we will possibly never know the veracity of this message. What we do know is that Sendgrid quickly dropped Richards, and everyone involved patted each other on the back. An eye for an eye, as the saying goes. Except, well, PyCon is still unscathed. Some of the action taken by this latest internet mob is hideous any way you spin it, but at a minimum one would think people who can
put so much effort into a career-ending campaign would direct their rage at the responsible party. Of course, upper management isn’t always so clearly defined. It’s easier to make a monster out of an individual, to say they’ve poisoned an industry not with money or privilege but with the power of their words. All that harassment-based vigilante justice? Those personal information dumps for any interested person to take note of? Those death threats, sometimes accompanied by such thoughtful addendums as Adria’s home address or a photograph of a decapitated woman? The successful joint effort to get another person fired? It was all payback for, stay with me here, posting a couple of tweets. What the hell, guys?
If the shoe fits: Tech wunderkinds, Hollywood stars show no college necessary
Caty Christy
Department Editor
Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, and Steve Jobs. We all know these billionaires as computer geniuses. However, these three individuals all have one more thing in common- they dropped out of college. High school was supposed to be preparation for college. Often, we were asked questions about what we planned on doing with our prospective degree plans, and many times we could not answer.
Yet as graduating seniors, everyone was ready to move away and start over. The reality is that in this generation having a college degree is usually a deciding factor on whether or not a person can have a successful career. The big money jobs, like becoming a doctor or a lawyer, do require a vast amount of formal education. There are also teaching careers and psychology careers, and many more careers that all require you to have a college degree. However, that doesn't mean that everyone has to have a degree. More and more these days, we are seeing that you do not have to have a college degree to be successful. A lot of times the best education you can get is from real world experience. Rachael Ray from Food Net-
work had little to no formal cooking training at all. Instead of college, she jumped straight into working in New York in various food service jobs. Will Smith could have gone to MIT to study engineering, but started making music instead. Ambition drives dreams, not education. On the more practical side of things, going to college is expensive. If you're going to pay for an education you need to take it seriously. If not, then it's just a huge waste of money and time. If you want to be a writer, start writing. If you want to be a singer, start singing. If you want to be an actor, start acting. If you want to be a chef, start cooking. You can always go back to college later. Nola Ochs, 95, the world's oldest college graduate, is just an ordinary old lady from Kansas.
Artwork by Sandra Meza
San Jacinto Times San Jacinto College Student Publications
ADVISER
Hellen Papadacos
PRODUCTION MANAGER Sara Quintana
ADVERTISING Sara Quintana
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Leif Hayman
DEPARTMENT EDITORS Caty Christy
Monica Davila Asher Minx
Chris Villegas
PAGE DESIGNERS Sara Quintana Christopher Shelton
CIRCULATION MANAGER Christian O’Connor
STAFF WRITERS
Flor Barrero Amanda Beard Jonathan Chapa Naama Gouti Keili Harrison Jeannette Jimenez Jason McNeely Alex Moore Annette Moore Joseph Payne Vanessa Piña Aaron Preston Angelica Rodriguez Christopher Rodriguez Rebeca Valdez Elton Wilson
The San Jacinto Times is published five times a semester by the journalism students at San Jacinto College Central, 8060 Spencer Highway, Pasadena, TX 77505. Opinions expressed herein are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the staff, its adviser, the administration or the Board of Regents. The Times encourages letters to the editor. Letters must be in good taste, accurate, free from libel, malice or personal controversy. Letters must be limited to 200 words in length. Letters submitted
without the author’s signature will not be accepted. The staff reserves the right to edit the letters for accuracy without altering the general meaning. Letters can be e-mailed to Hellen.Papadacos@sjcd.edu. Letters must include name and phone number for verification. The digital edition of the Times is available at http://issuu.com/sanjacintotimes. Advertising space is available for $5.00 per column inch. Special rates are available. For news tips and information on advertising, contact the Times at 281478-2752.
April 8, 2013
San Jac’s Fashion Icon Contest:
Cycle Four Winners
San Jacinto Times
Page 3
Lifestyle & Entertainment
‘Orpheus’ showcases students’ talents
Jason McNeely Staff Writer
Student showcased their talents at the Orpheus Student Composers Concert held by San Jacinto College Central’s Society of Composers. Orpheus is a character from Greek Mythology considered the greatest musician and poet. The concert, held Tuesday, March 26 in the Dr. Monte Blue Music Building, featured ten different compositions written by San Jac students. The show included a tribute to the late John Cage (1912-1992)
who was an American composer famous for using “Radio Music” (1956). During the concert, twenty or so participants around the room held radios in hand while scanning the radio waves to create a buzz of mixed stations, music and static. The final composition demonstrated the chaos people hear on a daily basis. Some students prepared multiple compositions. Cindy Vasquez’s work included two pieces included, “Fanfare of the Underworld” and “Señora Mortis (Skellington Circus)”. Vasquez’s interest in composing began about six months ago, al-
though she was involved in orchestra since the age of 10. Vasquez’s compositions are based on a narrative. “I never have a piece without a story,” she said. Vasquez is now going to school to become a professor so she can teach music. “I plan to keep composing,” she added. Another featured student composer was Scott Butler with “I am a Sick Man”. “I was inspired by a book I read called Notes from Underground,” he said. “I tried to write a piece that was mirroring the personality of the man in each piece.” He accomplished this through
the use of a piano and a bass. Butler said he was trying to capture the beauty of the man’s thoughts, while trying to show off a broad observation of one’s psyche. Like Vasquez, Butler is new to composing music. He began this semester, although he is in his fourth semester of music classes. Butler also plans to teach music and wants to earn a doctorate in music education from Stephen F. Austin University. The next Orpheus concert is scheduled for Thursday, April 25 at 7 p.m. in the Dr. Monte Blue Music Building.
International horns perform at symposium
Christopher Rodriguez Staff Writer
Mayra and Miriam Munguia Major: Medical Assisting (both) Central Campus
Top brass musicians from across the world gathered April 5 and 6 at San Jacinto College Central Campus’s Corbin Hall for the Music Department's Brass Symposium. Event Organizer and Band Director Dr. Karen Marston brought the solo trombonist for the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra in from Germany, as well as players from Baylor, LSU, UT, Prism Brass, and the Maniacal 4 Trombone Quartet. Dr. Marston received grant funding from the San Jacinto College Foundation, the Brown Foundation, Gulf Coast Intercollegiate Council, and support from the San Jacinto College music department. "I gathered together all of the funding sources, contacted the clinicians and put the schedule together for the purpose of giving students here an opportunity to perform on a world stage that we created right here... and for them to see all these other artists from around the country." Dr. Marston said. This is the second Brass Symposium ever held at San Jacinto College. The first one was in 2011, where Allen Vizzutti—a worldrenowned trumpet player—drew in audiences from all around the area. "This time people know more about it because we've done it before, it's the second one
so I feel like this one is going to be even more successful," Dr. Marston said. "There are a lot of student volunteers that are coming in to perform.” Music major Carlos Olazaba was one of the student performers featured at the symposium. Olazaba played a solo piece as an award for winning a departmental solo completion. Olazaba played with the brass choir, which is comprised of all of the clinicians at the symposium, including Dr. Marston. Olazaba preformed the first Movement of the “Concerto for Tuba” by Edward Gregson. Stefan Sanders, Assistant conductor of the Austin Symphony Orchestra, conducted the performance. "It's a big opportunity for me...it's not just playing a solo in front of artists," Olazaba said. "I'm going to do the best I can, try to put a performance out there and entertain people." In addition to current music students, San Jac alumni were also invited to perform at the symposium. “Our students that will be featured are the members of our brass choir,” said Dr. Marston. “I think everyone is doing it out of a love for brass music. That's what my goal is—to promote brass repertoire and knowledge about teaching brass at the highest level for this area. That's what I'm passionate about
Christopher Rodriguez San Jacinto Times Dr. Busselberg conducts a rehearsal before the performance.
and I want to spread that to others. I want other people to have a chance to hear and see great artists." San Jacinto College Vocal and Choir Director Dr. Paul Busselberg debuted a new composition titled "Songs of Mercy, Settings from the Book of Isaiah”. "Composition is something I've started to dabble in a little bit more," Dr. Busselberg said, "I had a very influential teacher when I was going to school who advised me to always write for my ensembles, and not so much that I consider myself a composer but I really like the process."
San Jacinto Times
April 8, 2013
From the Cover Discussion Continued from Page 1
and every county in the world has developed immigration policies and border policies. “When speaking to old agents from 1924, they say that their mission was to keep the Chinese out, because if the Chinese could not legally migrate then they would go to Mexico and come through Mexico into the United States, ” Jimenez said. Furthermore, she discussed the immigration policy allowing investors with 1 or 2 million dollars to invest in the United States. Most immigrants do not have those means so instead they pay the “coyotes” to smuggle them into the country. Additionally, Robles discussed the agreement between Harris County law enforcement and Immigration Customs Enforcement. Harris County signed up for 287G and Secure Communities, two jailscreening programs that identify undocumented immigrants. If illegal immigrants are found, they are processed and deported. Since 2008, Harris County has deported 30,000 immigrants. However, 287G is inconsistent and unreli-
I-45 Killer
Continued from Page 1
because I had just moved to Houston, and had never heard of the killings before. Because the victims of the killings were mostly young females, I empathized with them, and wanted to know more about the subject,” Gardner said. Gardner’s work grabbed the attention of the Texas Folklore Society, and her thesis story will be
able. According to Robles, the county claims to have minimal cost; but they are actually subsidizing the federal government and using jail money to detain undocumented immigrants. Jail screenings were sold as a way to protect the public, but she claims the immigrants being deported are committing “low level non-violent crimes and in a lot of places, didn’t commit any crime.” Robles added, “I think a lot of folks agree that we should be focusing our resources on people we are afraid of and that are a danger to the community.” Al Shamsy shared his life experiences emigrating from Iraq. He grew up in a war-torn country, but eventually moved to Holland. There, he could not attain legal status until the age of 21, which prevented him from working or continuing his education. In 2005, he moved to the United States. According to Al Shamsy, “being an Arab is not fun in the United States.” He was not welcomed at times in the US because he was Arab, but he was also not welcome in most places in Iraq because he is part Sunni and part Shia. According to Al Shamsy, immigrating to the US is for many, a matter of life or death. “People in third world countries hate being there. They see the US as Heaven. I’m an immigrant because I want to live,” he said.
published in their book this year. “Upon the suggestions of Dr. Smith, I submitted requests to present my paper at the Gulf Coast Intercollegiate Consortium 2011 Annual Honors Conference, and the 95th annual Meeting of the Texas Folklore Society. I was accepted for, and presented my paper at both” Gardner said. “Sometime during the summer of 2012, Dr. Smith urged me to submit it to the Texas Folklore Society to be published in The Publications of the Texas Folk-
lore Society #69” She began her research by looking at different websites where the killings were being discussed. She looked over articles and read criminology books. “I also interviewed two Houstonians who lived in Houston during the time of the killings; these residents followed the stories closely for years,” Gardner said. After over a month of research and reviewing evidence, Gardner realized that the serial killings could not reasonably be the work
NCAA
Continued from Page 1
Texas is disappointed in the season we had this year, but our team is very young,” University of Texas Freshman Nick Hashem said. “We have a lot of freshman with good potential.” The Longhorns made regional finals in 2006 and 2008, and participated in the Final Four in 2003. Baylor (18-14), who attended two NCCA regional finals in the past three seasons, made the 32team NIT bracket. The Bears were the NIT runner-up four years ago. Following a huge blow out win over conference champions, University of Kansas, Baylor was seen as an at-large bid because of the 81-58 victory in the regularseason finale, and entered the Big 12 tournament as No. 3 seed. “I was disappointed,” Baylor freshman Gillian Jackson said. “I felt that the men’s team had defeated some tougher teams that should have put them into the NCAA tournament.” of just one person. “My thesis is that there was more than one serial killer in the I-45 killings. There is a myth believed by some residents that the killings were the work one perpetrator, but I do not believe that is true” Gardner said. The majority of the victims disappeared from the stretch of the highway that runs from San Jac South campus to the Tiki Island area. The killings began in June, 1971 when 13-year-old Colette Wilson disappeared. Her body
Page 4
Baylor was also given March Madness custom made uniforms by sporting good giants Adidas, and debuted the uniforms in the conference tournament. The uniforms were seen as a basic guarantee for the six teams receiving them to get a bid. “We all knew that we didn’t play well enough to deserve a bid,” Baylor sophomore Steve Jensen said. “We didn’t have a good enough resume for the tournament.” The Bears accepted a bid to the NIT Tournament, and will face University of Iowa for the NIT Championship title. Prairie View A&M (15-19, 8-10 Southwestern Athletic Conference), and University of Texas Arlington (19-13, 11-7 Western Athletic Conference) both participated in their conference championships, but both lost with automatic NCAA berths at risk. PVAM lost 45-44 to Southern University, UT-Arlington lost 6455 to New Mexico State. Other teams around the state never expected bids to the tournament after rough regular seasons.
Texas A&M (18-15) finished the inaugural season to the Southeastern Conference with a loss to Missouri 62-50. “I don’t think our guys really ever make the NCAA tournament, so people weren’t really shocked,” Texas A&M freshman Kalli Kallies said. “But, our women’s team made it, and they’re fun to watch anyways.” Texas Christian University (1121) only won two conference games in their inaugural Big 12 season. Texas Tech (11-20) won three conference games with interim coach Chris Walker. The University of Houston (1912) won it’s first CBI Tournament game versus Texas, winning 7372, but fell to George Mason 8884 in an overtime shootout. “I felt like overall we had a good season,” UH freshman Nya Caldwell said. “We had a decent conference record, and beat UT. I feel like that’s an accomplishment in itself.” Rice University (5-26) only had one Conference USA win early in the season, defeating UH 79-69.
was later found near I-10 and highway 6. Four bodies were discovered in an area now known as the Texas Killing Fields in League City approximately 20 minutes south of San Jac South campus. Debbie Ackerman, Maria Johnson, Georgia Geer, Brooks Bracewell, Heidi Villerial Fye, Laura Lynn Miller, Laurie Lee Tremblay, Janet Doe, Diana Rebollar, and Laura Kate Smither were victims whose bodies’ were found near South campus.
Many more victims’ bodies were discovered in other areas. Gardner’s thesis will appear in The Publications of the Texas Folklore Society that will be published later on this year. Busy with the UTMB nursing program, Gardner is putting her pen down for the time being. “I love writing, and plan to do more of it in the future. I am in the bachelor program right now and barely have enough time to eat and sleep some days” Gardner said. “My writing is currently on a hold.”
San Jacinto Times
April 8, 2013
8 DAYS A WEEK North
Monday, April 8 • Gator Day, 10 a.m., ILC Courtyard • Robotics Club Meeting, 3 p.m., N7.261
Tuesday, April 9 • UH Transfer Recruiter, 9:30 a.m., ILC Lobby • Active Shooter Film Presentation, 10 a.m., Student Center Lobby • Movie Presentation “Jack Reacher,” 12 p.m. & 2:30 p.m., N12.200 ª• Webb Society Meeting, 1:15 p.m., N7.108
Wednesday, April 10 • University of St. Thomas Transfer Recruiter, 9 a.m., Student Center Lobby • Financial Literacy Session, 10 a.m. & 6 p.m., N6.108 • TSU Transfer Information Fair, 11 a.m., Student Center Courtyard • Men of Honor Meeting, 12 p.m., N6.108 • HVAC Club Meeting, 3 p.m., N10.113
Thursday, April 11 • Veterans Meet & Greet, 10:30 a.m., N8 Lobby • Anime Club Meeting, 2 p.m., N9.133
Friday, April 12 ª• Math & Engineering Club Meeting, 10 a.m., N8.251 • Science Club Meeting, 12 p.m., N8.201 • Robotics Club Meeting, 1 p.m., N2.219 • Phi Theta Kappa Induction, 5 p.m., N1.103
Saturday, April 13 • No Scheduled Activities
Sunday, April 14
Central
• No Scheduled Activities
Monday, April 8 • Logos Meeting, 11:30 a.m., C14.212 A/B
Tuesday, April 9 • English Club Meeting, 2 p.m., C14.212 A/B • NSCS Meeting, 3 p.m., C1.233
Wednesday, April 10 • Anime Society Meeting, 1 p.m., C15.215 • Robotics Club Meeting, 3 p.m., C20.320
Thursday, April 11 • Webb Society Meeting, 7:30 a.m., C2.224 • Phi Theta Kappa Meeting, 11 a.m., C1.230 • College Republicans Meeting, 12:30 p.m., C14.212 A/B • N2L Meeting, 1 p.m., C14.212
Friday, April 12 • SGA Meeting, 11:30 a.m., C1.115 • TACHE Meeting, 12:30 p.m., C2.210
Saturday, April 13 • Martial Arts Club Meeting, 10 a.m., C18.117
Sunday, April 14
South
• No Scheduled Activities
Monday, April 8 • Philosophy Club Meeting, 3 p.m., S7.102 • SOS Brigade Anime Club Meeting, 3 p.m., S10.112 • Mixed Martial Arts Meeting, 8:30 p.m., S21.120
Tuesday, April 9 • Student Bible Fellowship, 12 p.m., S6.196 • T.I.E.S. Meeting, 2:30 p.m., S6.196 • Game Enterprises Guild, 3 p.m., S8.1062
Wednesday, April 10 • GSA Meeting, 2:30 p.m., S9.250 • Coyote Future Teacher’s Club Meeting, 3 p.m., S7.102 • EDG Meeting, 3 p.m., S13.274 • SOS Brigade Anime Club Meeting, 3 p.m., S10.112 • Writer’s Block Meeting, 3 p.m., S9.214 • ESOL Meeting, 4 p.m., S8.1014 • Geo Jac’s Meeting, 5:30 p.m., S7.148
Page 5
Reading series opens microphone to poetry lovers
Rebeca Valdez Staff Writer
Some find music soothing. For others, art has a calming effect. The poets who take part in The Tranquil Thursday Poetry Reading Series every week in the Student Center Café on Central campus, find peace with poetry. Wordsmiths sign up between 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. for a chance to read poetic works. One by one, they stand on the Student Center Café stage and read out loud whatever piece they’ve chosen. Sometimes they read from something they have written themselves, other times they read someone else’s work. “If you have words to convey, pronounce and project!” event host, Zack Weiss said. A play on his own name, he creatively goes by the pen name Z.M. Wise. An English major, Z.M. Wise has attended San Jacinto College for six years taking a two year break in between to attend the University of Phoenix. His love of poetry started at childhood and followed him into his college years where he joined the Creative Writing Club. Upon
discovering there’d never been a poetry reading at San Jacinto College, Z.M. Wise saw this as an opportunity to create history. “I decided to call the reading Tranquil Thursday because it seems that many people save their energy for Fantastic Friday,” he said. On the last Thursday of each month, the poetry reading takes a different turn. For the first thirty minutes of the night, a featured poet or poetess reads some of his or her work. After the featured poets finish their presentations, the event returns back to an open mic. The themes vary from religion, to economics, to romance. This event allows poets to express how they feel about their daily lives. “I am happy to say that I have helped a few poets come out of their metaphorical shell and become more confident in both their writing style and the way they perform. Each poet/poetess possesses their own unique type of poetry, each one more different than the next. This event is about them.” In addition to showcasing San Jac talent, the reading offers students an outlet for their artistic
expression.. “Poetry is my life’s calling,” Z.M. Wise said. “It is my destiny.”
Staff Writer
Dance has long been considered a form of artistic expression. In recent years, it has picked up momentum as an activity for maintaining a healthy body and mind. Students can participate in this popular movement by joining the Dance program at San Jacinto College. Professors Rebekah Chappell and Jamie Zahradnik offered insight into the physical and spiritual power of dance. Every story has a beginning. So does San Jacinto South Campus Dance professor Rebekah Chapell’s relationship with dance. “When I was in kindergarten, one of my classmates brought a video of her tap dancing for show and tell. I promptly caught the dance bug. I continuously asked for dance classes, and finally in 2nd grade, my parents gave in and enrolled me in tap and ballet classes once a week at Hampton Roads Civic Ballet in Virginia. As a child I loved to learn, and was drawn to the specificity of dance. My success as a dancer was completely up to me, and I liked having that control over a situation. I didn't really get serious about dance until high school, and started taking classes every day. From there I went to college and received my BFA in dance,” Professor Chappell said. Furthermore, she states she loves dancing because there are infinite possibilities. “As a dancer, you have to be in tune with your body, the people you are dancing with, the space, the music, and a thousand other
things. The body alone is amazing, and there are so many movement options to explore. I have taken regular classes in ballet, modern, jazz, and improvisation. I am always willing to jump in and try new things though,” Professor Chappell said. Professor Chappell considers herself a dancer, choreographer, and teacher. All three factors influence who she is as an artist. “I keep working as an artist because it is fulfilling. I get the opportunity to work with a diverse population, and share what I love. It hardly ever feels like work! I love performing because I can express myself and take on different personas. I love teaching because I get to help others to learn and fall in love with dance. I love choreographing because I get to share my voice through movement,” Professor Chappell said. Similarly, San Jac South Campus Dance Professor Jamie Zahradnik began her relationship with dance at an early age. She started dancing in a studio when she was two. She especially likes the works of choreographers Jiri Kylian, Pina Bausch, and Alvin Ailey. “Dancing provides me with an outlet; sometimes it is easier to express thoughts, ideas, and emotions through movement than it is to express in words. When I create work, often it is a therapeutic and healing experience because so much of who I am goes into the dances I create. I also simply enjoy moving in my own body. I love taking class because it helps me to feel grounded and centered spiritually and physically,” Professor
8 DAYS A WEEK North
Monday, April 15 • DeVry Recruiter, 2 p.m., Student Center Lobby • UHCL Transfer Recruiter, 2.p.m., ILC Lobby • Robotics Club Meeting, 3 p.m., N7.261
Tuesday, April 16 • UH Downtown Transfer Recruiter, 9 a.m., Student Center Lobby • Center Point Speaker, 10 a.m., N10.128 • Men of Honor Meeting, 12 p.m., N6.108
Wednesday, April 17 • Army National Guard Recruiter, 9 a.m., Student Center Lobby • Make Your Own Crystal, 11 a.m., Student Center Lobby
Thursday, April 18 • Annual Kiddie Concert, 10 a.m., N1.103 • Anime Club Meeting, 2 p.m., N9.133 • Phi Theta Kappa Meeting, 5 p.m., N12.112 • Open House, 6 p.m., Welcome Center Lobby
Friday, April 19 • Robotics Club Meeting, 1 p.m., N2.219 ª• Math & Engineering Club Meeting, 10 a.m., N8.251 • Science Club Meeting, 12 p.m., N8.201
Saturday, April 20 MCT Campus
South profs offer insight into the power of dance
Jonathan Chapa
Around Campus
Zahradnik said. “As a performer, often I am asked to evoke a character. It’s not enough just to pretend to be someone else, I have to dig deeper and find within myself some semblance of the character I am being asked to play. I have to draw on my own life experience to make the role a genuine one,” Professor Zahradnik said. Professor Zahradnik says her role models are choreographers and dancers Amy Llanes, Courtney Jones, Laura Gutierrez, and Jane Weiner, because they exude the giving and generous spirit of art. “Art should not be a competition or a contest; it should be freely given and shared with one and all. Everyone can dance,” Zahradnik said. According to Zahradnik, dance has taught her who she is. “It has taught me how to be flexible and spontaneous and also how to be punctual and precise. It has taught me that everyone is different, but everyone has a unique gift to give if they are only given the opportunity. It has also taught me about having no fear, something I am still learning,” she said. “To me, the hardest thing about a life in dance is wanting to accomplish so much in so many different areas all at once. For instance, I want to be a renowned choreographer, I want lots of experiences working as a performer and dancing for different choreographers, and I also want to make a great difference teaching dance at the college level. It is a lot of standards to live up to all at once,” Professor Zahradnik said.
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• No Scheduled Activities
Sunday, April 21
Central
• No Scheduled Activities
Monday, April 15 • Logos Meeting, 11:30 a.m., C14.212 A/B
Tuesday, April 16 • Blood Drive, 9:30 a.m., C14 Lounge A • TSEA Meeting, 1 p.m., C20.261 • NSCS Meeting, 3 p.m., C1.233
Wednesday, April 17 • Anime Society Meeting, 1 p.m., C15.215 • Robotics Club Meeting, 3 p.m., C20.320 • Clearly You Crystals, 9:30 a.m., C14 Lounge A
Thursday, April 18 • WEBB Society Meeting, 7:30 a.m., C2.224 • Phi Theta Kappa Meeting, 11 a.m., C1.230 • College Republicans Meeting, 12:30 p.m., C14.212 A/B
Friday, April 19 • SGA Meeting, 11:30 a.m., C1.115
Saturday, April 20 • Martial Arts Club Meeting, 10 a.m., C18.117
Sunday, April 21
South
• No Scheduled Activities
Monday, April 15 • Michael Hingson and Thunder Dog, 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. & 7 p.m., Fine Arts Theater • SOS Brigade Anime Club Meeting, 3 p.m., S10.112 • Mixed Martial Arts Meeting, 8:30 p.m., S21.120
Tuesday, April 16 • Clearly You Crystals, 9:30 a.m., Student Center Atrium • Student Bible Fellowship, 12 p.m., S6.196 • SGA Meeting, 2:30 p.m., S11.228 • Game Enterprises Guild, 3 p.m., S8.1062
Wednesday, April 17 • Health Fair, 10 a.m., Student Center Atrium • GSA Meeting, 2:30 p.m., S9.250 • EDG Meeting, 3 p.m., S13.274 • SOS Brigade Anime Club Meeting, 3 p.m., S10.112 • Writer’s Block Meeting, 3 p.m., S9.214 • ESOL Meeting, 4 p.m., S8.1014 • Geo Jac’s Meeting, 5:30 p.m., S7.148
Thursday, April 18
• Game Enterprises Guild, 3 p.m., S8.1062
• SVA Meeting, 2:30 p.m., S8.2066 • Game Enterprises Guild, 3:30 p.m., S8.1062 • Art Club Meeting, 5:30 p.m., S8.2002
Friday, April 12
Friday, April 19
• Mixed Martial Arts Meeting, 9 a.m., S21.105
• Mixed Martial Arts Meeting, 9 a.m., S21.105 • Phi Theta Kappa Meeting, 1 p.m., S6.152
Thursday, April 11
Saturday, April 13 • American Girl Tea Party by Sparklez, 9 a.m., Building 13
Sunday, April 14 • No Scheduled Activities
Saturday, April 20 www.issuu.com/ sanjacintotimes
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Sunday, April 21 • No Scheduled Activities
April 8, 2013
San Jacinto Times
Sports & Fitness
Astros snag number one spot at season opener
Alex Moore Staff Writer
Page 6
The Houston Astros are projected to be one of the worst, if not the worst, teams in Major League Baseball. However, they didn't look like it on Opening Day beating the Texas Rangers 8-2. On a night where much wasn't expected, one of Houston's favorite athletes walked out on the field to throw out the first pitch. J.J. Watt hummed a fastball across the plate to open the 2013-2014 baseball season. With the Astros in a new tougher division, many had projected them to go 52-110. This would be the Astros third straight 100-loss season. However, they combined some great pitching, defense and hot bats to grab the win. With such a young team and the lowest payroll in the MLB no one was expecting much, but the fans Alex Moore San Jacinto Times got a pleasant surprise. With the win, the Astros earned a first place J.J. Watt throws the first pitch on the Astros’ Opening Day. standing in the entire MLB. This also didn't help that the starting pitcher Matt Harwas the first time the Astros were in sole posses- rison gave up five runs in 5.2 innings pitched. sion of first place since April 20, 2007. It was also The Astros were moved into the American the 4,000th win in franchise history. League this year prompting many to automatically The Astros played some solid defense including place the Astros in the category of "worst team in two major catches from center fielder Justin baseball." Maxwell, who also went 2-3 from the plate with The L.A. Angels are revamping this year. They two triples and two RBIs. Maxwell is only the 6th grabbed Josh Hamilton, a key piece from the player in the past 90 years with multiple triples on Rangers, as well as Mike Trout and Albert Pujols Opening Day. Houston also got some help off of anchoring the line up. its bench with a three run shot from pinch hitter You also have the Rangers, the resurgent Oakland Rick Ankiel off of Rangers pitcher Derek Lowe in A's and the Mariners with King Felix the star the bottom of the sixth inning. The pitching staff pitcher. On the other hand, the Astros combine a had a strong outing with Bud Norris going 5.2 in- young team and the lowest salary in the MLB renings and only giving up two runs, with Erik Be- sulting in a perfect recipe for ending up at the botdard closing the last three innings out strong, tom of - not only your division - but the entire earning his first career save. league. The Rangers struggled on the offensive side and Perhaps it was J.J. Watt’s first pitch, the Astros had a fairly rough night on the field. Though they looked inspired. On Opening Day, the Astros were only had one recorded error, the team couldn't the toast of the league; if only for a day. seem to hang on to the ball. Ian Kinsler had a few As of press time, the Astros are sitting at .500 slip through his hands and Nelson Cruz couldn't coming off of a brutal 7-0 loss to the Texas handle one that was hit out to him in right field. It Rangers.
Division One schools serve up offers to lady volleyball sophomores
Keili Harrison Staff Writer
Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte, Steve Francis and Sam Cassell are all distinguished athletes who began their careers at San Jacinto College. Each went on to become a celebrated professional in his respective field, putting San Jac athletics on the map of college sports. As community college athletes are becoming the coveted recruiting option of four-year universities, San Jac continues to provide ready athletes to those institutions. The Ravens volleyball team, a NJCAA National Tournament attendee eight years running, is sending five of its six sophomore members to Division I schools. Stacked with nationally ranked stats, these sophomores led their team to a 36-3 record, conference and regional championships, and a third place finish at the 2012 NJCAA Division I Volleyball National Tournament. Their outstanding achievements caught the attention of Division I university scouts, hoping to add one of these aspiring ladies to their 2013 team roster. French native and starting outside hitter, Marie-Pierre “Mapie” Bakima, will be continuing her volleyball career at the University of Mississippi. Middle blocker Marlaina Pleydle of Victorville, Calif. received a full scholarship to Colorado State University-Pueblo. Both ladies obtained honors as San Jac freshmen, Newcomer of the Year for Bakima and All Conference for Pleydle, setting a precedent for an even more successful sophomore year. Pleydle, who broke San Jac blocking records and led the nation in
blocks per set this season, also earned the title of two time All American, All Region, All Conference, First Team NJCAA, and Second Team AVCA (American Volleyball Coaches Association). Pleydle said playing San Jac volleyball “made her a stronger player” putting her on the road to many Division I options. Competing in every match this season, Bakima obtained a leading kill percentage. As a result of her on-court success, she was awarded Region MVP, two-time All American NJCAA, AVCA First Team, as well as to the prestigious National All Tournament Team. She looks forward to her future at Ole’ Miss and the opportunities it will provide. “It will help me achieve my goal, which is to play for the French National team at the 2016 Olympics,” Bakima said. Oni Lattin, a San Diego State transfer, complimented the Raven’s season with nationally ranked numbers in block and kill percentages. She has accepted an offer from the University of Colorado Boulder. “It was a great fit for me,” Lattin said, “I love my coach and the competition in the PAC 12.” A Houston native, Lattin encountered her initial collegiate volleyball experience at San Diego State, but returned to her hometown where she successfully finished with the Ravens. “Coach Sharon [Nelson] helped me gain the confidence back that I had lost at my old school.” Lattin was also named First Team All Conference and to the National All Tournament Team. Krista Koopmann, a right side hitter with a tricky left-handed swing, will be wearing the Bear-
kat colors at Sam Houston State University this fall. A two-time All Region player, Koopmann did more than enough for the Ravens with her aggressive serves and scoring kills on the right side. Koopmann credits her coach for her success. “Coach Jeff [Pearce] helped me fix my swing and become the even better player that I am today.” When asked about her choice of Sam Houston State University, Koopmann said, “I instantly felt a connection with the team. They have heart, drive, and are very competitive just like me!” Still considering her options for the next volleyball chapter, Julia Menhart of Hormannsberg, Germany, wore the libero jersey for the Ravens this season. In that position-defining uniform, she broke San Jac defensive records, was named First Team All Conference, and scored the Libero of the Year title. “The coaches did a really good job keeping us motivated through preseason and beyond,” Menhart said, “I had a really successful season myself, and am thankful for the coaches always expecting the best and the teammates helping me stay busy in defense.” Shelbee Pier, a definite Division I prospect, chose to attend Texas State University in San Marcos. Helping out the Ravens on right side, middle, and left side, this diverse player twice earned the Second Team All Conference title. The sophomores of the San Jac Ravens volleyball team leave behind, not only multiple winning titles, championships, and individual records, but each leaves a set of footprints. Footprints for others to fill and footprints for others to follow.