SAN JACINTO TIMES
So long print newspaper e student publication of the San Jacinto College District
Vol. 23, No. 10
Times transitions online for Fall ‘13
Jeannette Jimenez Staff Writer
Digital media is now a driving force in society. That being said, say goodbye to the print newspaper at San Jacinto College. Coming this fall, the San Jacinto Times will go online. This change was provoked by the current demands of the media world. The call for multimedia journalists—vs. traditional journalists— is loud and clear. William MacTavish, lead filmmaking instructor at San Jac College Central campus, understands the multiple demands communication students will face once they enter the media industry. “I think it’s a great idea because
Boston Marathon bombing Two bombs exploded April 15 near the finish line of the Boston Marathon, killing three and injuring 178. As of press time, the perpetrator remains unknown.
See Print on Page 4
Artwork by Chris Gaviria
Crisis shows value of radio New district-wide paper Chris Villegas unified three campuses in 1990 Department Editor Jason McNeely Staff Writer
See Times on Page 4
From San Jacinto Times archives
The San Jacinto Times unveiled its official name and logo in the Sept. 24, 1990 edition.
The sounds of explosions sent Boston into a state of panic. Spectators scrambled to find any available information. At some point, bystanders, viewers, and listeners were left with a harsh reality. It was a planned attack. April 15, 2013, the day of the Boston Marathon, was supposed to be a time for runners to compete, while commemorating Patriots’ Day and honoring the lives lost at Sandy Hook Elementary during the last mile of the marathon. Instead, the event became its own tragedy. Moments after the calamity, every media outlet sprang into action, hoping to inform and be informed. Local radio station Sportsradio 610 dedicated the rest of the day’s broadcasts to collecting and dispensing information for their listeners.
A tragedy like the marathon bombings demonstrates that radio is far from being dead. In a crisis, radio is often the only available medium to disseminate information. Shortly after the bombings, the cell phone towers in Boston were shut down. Internet, email, and cellphone communication were unavailable, as they often are during disasters. Smart phones were suddenly stupid. On the other hand, live radio broadcasts were still available to everyone without access to another media choice. Its simplicity is its salvation. Radio relies on radio waves to operate. Even though radio is on the downslide in terms of popularity, it can be compared to the player waiting patiently at the end of the bench hoping to get in the game. He’s not your first choice, but in a pinch – he’s there when you need him the most.
Flamenco Festival Cosmetology clips locks for charity makes its way to South campus Flor Barrero Staff Writer
Naama Gouti Staff Writer
San Jacinto College South, the Consulate General of Spain, and Houston’s premier flamenco performance company, Solero Flamenco, will host the third annual Houston Spanish and Flamenco Festival May 22-25, 2013. The festival is a non-profit organization that celebrates the art and culture of Spain. Houston Mayor Annise Parker, the Texas Senate, and House of Representatives acknowledged the past success of the group. “Houston is proud of our diverse population. It makes us a stronger city and community. We’re happy to host the Houston Spanish and Flamenco Festival every year, as it exemplifies our celebration of culture and dance from Spain,” Mayor Parker said.
Workshops in flamenco dance, song, and guitar will be offered. The first day of the festival will feature interactive performances for K-12 students aimed at promoting self-confidence and discipline through the arts. Workshops begin May 23 and are free for all SJC students and faculty. This year the festival presents internationally acclaimed dancer La Tania, who will be joined by Jesus Montoya from Seville. Classical and flamenco guitarist Roberto Aguilar will join the performance, “Esencia,” on May 25 at 7:30 p.m. at the Proscenium Theatre. The Houston Spanish and Flamenco Festival will take place at San Jacinto College South campus’s Marie Spence Flickinger Fine Arts Center. For more information and the event schedule, visit http://www.hsffestival.com
World News Briefs
Explosion shakes town A fertilizer plant in West, Texas caught fire and exploded April 17 leaving an estimated 15 people dead and 160 injured. Nearly 80 homes and one apartment complex were destroyed in the blast. As of press time, emergency personnel continue to search for survivors.
it is a great reflection to what is happening in the world. Evidently, print newspaper is on its way out,” MacTavish said. With today’s technology, journalists are now required to know how to work a camera, edit film, audio, and put together online news. “There are skills that are needed to be a good reporter. It used to be one person focusing on one aspect of the media industry, now we have people that are having to be renaissance men, who can do a little bit of everything” he said. That sentiment is echoed in Crain’s New York Business, in an article that appeared on April 5th, 2013.
The date is September 17, 1990. The Soviet Union still exists, Wilson Phillips hits number on the music charts with “Release Me”, The Simpsons are about to begin their second season, and the San Jacinto Times is born. Before 1990, each of the three San Jac campuses had their own newspaper. North campus had The North Star, Central campus had The Texian, and Southern Exposure was published on South campus. In spring 1991, then-Chancellor Dr. Sewell decided to combine all three papers into one, to save the district money. Royce Walker, who began her career at San Jac as adviser to the North Star in 1977, became the adviser of the new, centralized newspaper and unified journalism department. “Originally we had a journalism program with different formats and different advisers,” she said.
April 22, 2013
April is a month of love and sharing at San Jacinto College South campus. The Cosmetology Department collaborated with Locks of Love for the third consecutive year by offering free haircuts for donations of at least ten inches of hair. Locks of Love is a private nonprofit organization that provides hair pieces to children in the United States and Canada under 21 suffering from short-term, and long-term medical hair loss. Their mission is to return a sense of self-confidence and normalcy to children suffering from hair loss by using donated hair to provide the highest quality hair prosthetics to financially disadvantaged children. “We are helping people who are in need, and we feel very fortunate to be able to cut someone’s hair in order to help a kid who needs it,” cosmetology student instructor Sabrina Garcia said. This year, more than fifty students were involved in making the event a success. The first do-
Flor Barrero San Jacinto Times
Alana Marroquin is shown before and after donating 11 inches of hair to Locks of Love.
nation was received from 5-yearold Alana Marroquin, who donated 11 inches of hair to help other children. “To all the girls and boys, men and women who make donations to help these children, thank you for your unselfish act of kindness,” instructor Duvelza Marro-
quin said. “Your generosity helps keep the Locks of Love organization running. Participating in Locks of Love allows the students to give back. Every student who participates takes pride in taking a part of an organization that helps these children.”
Suicide attacks abroad A slew of deadly suicide bombings rocked the Middle East resulting in large casualties: nine dead at an election rally in Pakistan April 16; 27 dead in Baghdad April 18; and, 15 dead and 53 wounded in Syria April 8.
Bird flu outbreak In China, 17 people are dead and 82 sickened after contracting a new strain of the bird flu known as H7N9. While some fear the virus could be spread through human-to-human contact, the origin of the pathogen remains unknown.
Iranian earthquake A 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Southeast Iran on April 16. Iran’s seismology center said it was the most powerful earthquake to hit the country in 40 years. Iranian officials reported 300 killed and more than 4,500 injured. Several neighboring countries, especially Pakistan, felt the tremors, which hit at 3:14 p.m. local time.
Palestinians in turmoil Salam Fayyad, Palestinian prime minister, resigned April 14 due to internal power struggles. This leaves the Palestinian government in a state of chaos. The Obama administration has been trying to restart peace negotiations between Israel and Palestine, however the resignation of Mr. Fayyad has allowed Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, an opportunity to reconcile relationships between Hamas, the Islamic militant group that controls Gaza. Peace efforts between Israel and Palestine are likely to be complicated. Election unrest Violent protests erupted on April 16 over election results in Caracas, Venezuela. Students hurled rocks and concrete at the National Guard who fired plastic bullets and tear gas to disperse protesters. Protesters demanded a vote recount, claiming the results that elected Chavez’s successor Nicolas Maduro, were skewed. The protests led to 30 arrests, 7 dead, and 61 injured. — Briefs compiled from multiple media sources
San Jacinto Times
April 22, 2013
Opinion/Commentary
Minx Thinks: More than meets the eye in our dark universe
Asher Minx
Department Editor
We now have a picture of what the early universe looked like, and it isn't what we expected. Most of us learned in school that everything in our universe is made up of atoms—over a hundred different types, categorized into what we call elements— which were first set in motion by a universe-generating explosion called the Big Bang. These atoms are governed by forces like gravity and electromagnetism, which are in turn informed by the atoms’ innate bonding properties. In practice, mankind used this understanding of microscopic activity to invent products as invaluable as the microchip, and as devastating as the nuclear bomb. But, while this understanding was accurate enough for us to conduct useful scientific experiments, physicists had only put a nick in what was still a mountain of unknown information about our universe. How, for example, could we explain black holes: massive post-star "objects" in space that create indentions in spacetime and trap even light itself in their gravity? What started the Big Bang (in a contextual sense; literally it was probably caused by extreme pressure at a single point, but what led to those conditions is still something of an educated guess)? We know everything with mass is an accumulation of atoms, but what causes the atoms themselves to have their mass? More complications come up when we try to wedge relatively recent discoveries into our older models of thinking. Dark matter—invisible matter whose charge is exactly the opposite of normal matter— and dark energy—whose mysterious properties continue to push galaxies far-
San Jacinto Times San Jacinto College Student Publications ADVISER
Hellen Papadacos
PRODUCTION MANAGER Sara Quintana
ADVERTISING Sara Quintana
ther and farther apart—should not exist according to the old rulebook. Yet, our surroundings don't have to answer for what should or shouldn’t be. They simply are. It's up to humanity to make sense of the puzzle pieces this world throws out to us. Now, the puzzle has gotten a light shake. The European Space Agency recently used their Planck telescope to successfully map out the universe in its primordial stage. This CMB (Cosmic Primordial Background) prompts more questions than it answers, but offers a rich new context in which to consider them. The telescope spent months tracking the oldest light in existence, creating a graphic that encompassed the composition of the entire observable universe and offering a direct window into how it behaved billions of years ago. The map confirms the presence of a big bang in the past that led to rapid inflation, and suggests the universe is expanding slower than previously thought. Its age is 13.81 billion years, about 100 million years older than the modern consensus. Based on the CMB, the whole of physical reality in our universe is about 5% ordinary matter, 27% dark matter, and 68% dark energy. A noticeable difference in fluctuations between the left and right hemispheres of the sky marked the most surprising find of all. Prior to this study, it had been predicted that inflation would cause equal temperature pattern distribution across the universe (think of a perfect sphere multiplying in size). However, upon actual examination there is a slight but visible difference in heat composition between the two hemispheres. This inconsistency allows scientists to finally feel comfortable abandoning more complex models of inflation and instead give new emphasis to the chronic impact of “quantum fluctuations” – randomized appearances of particles out of complete nothingness. As mentioned before, one of the longstanding questions in the scientific community is why mass has mass. If the results of this primordial map do imply stronger focus being warranted in the field of quantum mechanics (such as the Large Hadron Collider warranted upon proving the existence of the Higgs
Boson), we have no shortage of possibilities to explore. At a quantum level, we find we’re presumptuous to even take as a given that electrons hold a position in space, much less have literal and absolute mass. If that sounds silly to you, you’re not alone. Many physicists met quantum physics with a healthy skepticism when it was first introduced. Nonetheless, today it serves a vital role in explaining more bizarre particle behaviors that can’t begin to be assessed using traditional theories or algorithms. Consider this: The smallest of particles, when indirectly observed, exist as a wave of probability in multiple places at once. When scientists use tools to observe them precisely, they collapse into a more tangible, singular existence. This observation has been made, time and again, by experts both inside and outside the study of quantum mechanics. If you’re wondering, this is not a symptom of poor measuring tools. Researchers use non-linear methods to measure the exact activity of microscopic entities. This observation is a symptom of the particle not engaging in an exact physical activity at all. It exists as little more than a placeholder until the moment external factors dictate that it’s time for it to come do its part as a physical object that is supposed to influence and be influenced by other objects. The recurring theme in physics, the implications of which nobody quite understands, is that space-time may be propelled by the abstract, the conceptual. Like lines of code in a computer, life little more in principle than an overambitious video game. The question is, how far will that thinking really take us. Are quantum fluctuations, black holes, biological life, what… blips in the computation? Micro crashes? Yes. Well, okay, we don’t know. No one does. Expect the extinction of all life before we get bored of asking these questions. The receding debris won’t care how clever we were, emerging star clusters will never be wowed by how many gigabytes we were able to fit in a cell phone. Knowledge is not a journey with an ultimate destination, it’s just a ride to enjoy until the machine breaks down.
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
STAFF WRITERS
DEPARTMENT EDITORS
Jonathan Chapa
Leif Hayman
Monica Davila Asher Minx Chris Villegas
PAGE DESIGNERS Sara Quintana Christopher Shelton
CIRCULATION MANAGER Christian O’Connor
Page 2
Flor Barrero
Amanda Beard Naama Gouti
Keili Harrison
Jeannette Jimenez Jason McNeely Alex Moore
Annette Moore Aaron Preston
Christopher Rodriguez Rebeca Valdez
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 au-
thor’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 281-478-2752.
San Jacinto Times
April 22, 2013
Page 3
Lifestyle & Entertainment
San Jac Chooses Fashion Icon Contest Winners! After four cycles the San Jacinto Col-
lege Fashion Icon Contest has gotten to
its end. We are proud to announce the top
winners. Meet San Jacinto College stu-
dents Alanna Garcia (right) 21, English
major, and Mayra Lopez 19, nursing major.
Both have a very different and exquisite
taste when it comes to fashion. While Mayra believes that the way she dresses
depends on her mood, Alanna thinks that “beauty is pain.”
Photos Credits: Naama Gouti San Jacinto Times
Mayra Lopez
Q: Tell me a little bit more about your style. Has it evolved throughout the years? A: My style has definitely evolved throughout the years. I used to like my whole outfit to match, same color of accessories, shoes, and shirt sometimes. Now I've learned to mix colors and have fun with my outfits and be more relaxed with it. Q: Did anyone in your family influence the way you dress? A: Yes, I love the style of my mom and one of my aunts. I tend to take after them. Q: Is there any type of clothes that you don’t like? A: Certain jumpsuits I wouldn't wear just because I think they aren't very flattering on me. High waisted shorts are one of the trends I've always liked, and I am glad they're back.
Q: You were selected as a San Jacinto College Fashion Icon. What was your first reaction? A: Being selected as a San Jacinto College Fashion Icon feels really good. When I was pulled aside just to participate in the contest it felt really cool. I was in such a good mood the rest of the day and felt really good about myself because it felt nice to be recognized.
Alanna Garcia
Q: Is there any clothing trend you would never wear, if yes, why? A: Trends.. It’s funny that you say that. I never stay up to date with trends, even working in a shoe store, we have to have some knowledge of trends. I saw some trends online I was looking at and apparently there was a trend with Metallic. I'm not fond of metallic.
Q: Speaking of trends, Is there any trend you wish would come back, or would you just dare to bring it back? A: I kind of like the whole 60's look. I like how the vibrant colors and the prints just stand out. It's extremely cute and different to our usual style, with floral prints, animal prints and so on. I'm very fond of color blocking, and with the 60's trend it has a lot to do with color blocking. Q: Do you have any beauty rituals? A: Beauty rituals? I can't say I have any. I stick to simple things like face wash and scented lotions, but the scented ones that are good for your skin. I try to keep up with what's good for your hair and all of that, but I'm just a busy person I don't follow anything. I'm such a sad excuse for a girl.
Q: What would you like to say to all of the San Jacinto community? A: I hope that my outlook on how I wear what I want gives others the confidence to do the same! You can have fun wearing what you want. It's not about what people say about what you wear, it's how you wear it, with confidence and a fun loving attitude.
April 22, 2013
From the Cover & More News
San Jacinto Times
Page 4
Texas House committee approves guns on campus Times Rebecca Valdez Staff Writer
Concealed handgun license holders are one step closer to being allowed to carry weapons into college buildings as a result of an almost unanimous vote taken by a Texas House panel on April 11, 2013. The House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee’s Chairman, Joe Pickett, was the
only member of the panel to oppose the bill rendering a vote of 7-1.As one of the strongest gunrights states in the country, Texas has allowed concealed handguns since 1995. Anyone 21 years and older who passes a training course can obtain the license. The bill passed just two days after a mass stabbing incident at Lone Star College’s-Cy Fair campus. According to ABC News,
Dylan Quick went from floor to floor in a science building randomly choosing his victims. Using a razor utility knife, he left fourteen people injured. Earlier this year, a shooting at Lone Star’s North Harris campus left another three injured. Gun rights supporters say the bill is a self-defense measure that will deter campus shooting and assaults. However, gun control
advocates argue that point, claiming that letting guns onto college campuses will only increase the chances for more violence. State universities have opposed laws allowing guns on campuses in the past. The new bill would apply to all public colleges and universities, but each can individually opt out if their school’s policy bans weapons.
Know and tell: Fun facts for amusing friends
Amanda Beard Staff Writer
After learning something new, a person has not only satiated a knowledge-hungry brain but becomes loaded with fun facts to fire at friends. However you choose to use this new information; for a conversation starter, witty response or to provide amusement, these random facts will surely liven things up. Dive into deeper depths whenever you’re in science class because classmates and future mariners will appreciate knowing that according to Wtffunfacts.com, “A blue whale’s fart bubbles are large enough to en-
Continued from Page 1
close a horse.” Not surprisingly, the large mass of gas belongs to the largest animal on Earth, a contributor to Howstuffworks.com said, “Measuring 75-100 ft. from head to tail, and can weigh as much as 150 tons.” If the heavy morning drag keeps you from being on time for class, tell teachers it’s Dysania, or according to fun fact #1137, “The state of finding it hard to get out of bed in the morning.” Dysania’s original name, Clinomania, sprouted from the Greek term clino (bed) and mania (addiction), literally meaning an addiction to bed. Ac-
“Clearly, we want people who have multimedia skills and understand the transition from print to digital,” Virgil Smith, Vice President of talent acquisition and diversity at Gannett Co, said. Following industry trends, San Jac is revamping its media programs to offer students the essential skills they need in order to be successful once they leave college. With online news, students will be able to deliver
cording to Factualfacts.com, Dysaniacs knowingly avoid life’s daily challenges even though “Sufferers wake readily enough, however they find the task of rising from bed extremely difficult.” Fun fact #1123 says elongated sleep is understandable for cats, which spend 70% of their lives asleep. According to PetMD.com, “Cats sleep an average of fifteen hours a day, and some can sleep up to twenty hours in a twenty-four hour period.” More eruptive in society than a whale fart, fun fact #1288 says “There was a Russian game
news packages that provide audiovisual elements to support their news. “The internet is more than just printed words from the newspaper to a screen, it’s now interactive as digital media. The idea of what is a television station, a newspaper, magazine, or a movie, it is all coming together in a way that we’ve never seen before,” MacTavish said. There are many different outlets through which society can retain its daily news, whether it’s by TV, Radio, news apps, Internet and even social networks such as Twitter and Facebook. “You see the news media all kind of coming
show that would have you steal a car and if you didn’t get caught within 35 minutes, you win the car. Otherwise you would be arrested.” The majority of contestants were arrested on this real life version of Grand Theft Auto. According to Askmen.com, The Intercept was “Originally conceived as propaganda to show Russians how great its police force is.” Chaos brought on by the show drove it to cancellation. For the short amount of air time it was still able to cause a stir, “At its peak, the show had 85 million viewers.”
together, where now newspapers have video stories only, television stations now have print stories . . . because cost is down, and availability. It’s a neat thing, It’s the wild west of changes and the dynamics of how things are changing,” MacTavish said. There are plans to coordinate the news publication with the Reporting class, along with the Television and Film classes. This will give journalism students an opportunity to learn skills needed in front and behind the camera. San Jac is keeping up with the demand of technology, and helping students become more marketable in a very competitive industry.
Continued from Page 1
The school was able to bring together one primary newspaper to cover the whole district instead of relying on three separate, declining publications. According to Jerry Callahan, then-Central campus fine arts division chairman, all three papers were fledging. “We hope to have one much better paper, rather than three struggling papers,” he told the San Jacinto Times in 1990.The new Department recruited students from the original three papers, as well as incoming freshmen interested in journalism. However, many students attending the North and South campuses did not want to make the drive to Central campus. “We had a drawback because students didn’t want to travel,” Walker said.
In response, Walker created three new editor positions to cover the news on each campus. “The students did a really good job covering all campuses and keeping things fair,” she added. After holding a district-wide contest to decide the paper’s new name, students chose the San Jacinto Times over the San Jacinto Sentinel and the San Jacinto Press. The Times went to a six to ten page broadsheet format published weekly. In addition to the paper, San Jac also put out a general interest magazine, but the college eventually dropped the magazine as a cost-cutting measure. After 23 years, the student publication of the San Jacinto College district is once again changing addresses- this time to an online presence. Starting in the fall of 2013, the San Jacinto Times will be published in a fully digital format. The paper’s new address will be revealed in September 2013.
From San Jacinto Times archives
The first issue of the new paper appears without a name.
San Jacinto Times
April 22, 2013
8 DAYS A WEEK North
Monday, April 22 • Robotics Club Meeting, 3 p.m., N7.261
Tuesday, April 23 • Etiquette Lunch, 11 a.m., N12.200 • WEBB Society Meeting, 1:15 p.m., N7.108 • Spring Jazz Band Concert, 7:30 p.m., N1.103
Wednesday, April 24 • Men of Honor & Ladies of Integrity Meeting, 12 p.m., N6.108 • Movie Day, 12 p.m., N12.200 • Movie Day, 2:30 p.m., N12.200
Thursday, April 25 • Anime Club Meeting, 2 p.m., N9.133 • New Student Orientation, 5 p.m., N1.103 • Art Gallery Opening, 6 p.m., N1.106 • New Student Orientation, 9 a.m., N1.103
Friday, April 26 • 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
Saturday, April 27 • No Scheduled Activities
Sunday, April 28
Central
• No Scheduled Activities
Monday, April 22 • Logos Meeting, 11:30 a.m., C14.212 A/B
Tuesday, April 23 • English Club Meeting, 2 p.m., C14.212 A/B • Philosophy Club Meeting, 2:30 p.m., C2.106 • NSCS Meeting, 3 p.m., C1.233
Wednesday, April 24 • Anime Society Meeting, 1 p.m., C15.215 • Robotics Club Meeting, 3 p.m., C20.320 • Student Awards Ceremony, 6 p.m., Student Center Ballroom
Thursday, April 25 • 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 26 • SGA Meeting, 11:30 a.m., C1.115 • TACHE Meeting, 12:30 p.m., C2.210
Saturday, April 27 • Martial Arts Club Meeting, 10 a.m., C18.117
Sunday, April 28
South
• No Scheduled Activities
Monday, April 22 • Anime Club Meeting, 3 p.m., S10.112 • Philosophy Club Meeting, 3 p.m., S7.102 • Mixed Martial Arts Meeting, 8:30 p.m., S21.120
Tuesday, April 23 • Student Bible Fellowship, 12 p.m., S6.196 • Game Enterprises Guild, 3 p.m., S8.1062 • Student Awards Ceremony, 6 p.m., Fine Arts Building
Wednesday, April 24 • Art Club Student Art Sale, 9:30 a.m., Building 8 • GSA Meeting, 2:30 p.m., S9.250 • Anime Club Meeting, 3 p.m., S10.112 • EDG Meeting, 3 p.m., S13.274 • Future Teacher’s Club Meeting, 3 p.m., S7.102 • 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
Blind author inspires San Jac with 9/11 tale of triumph
Monica Davila Staff Writer
The first time Micheal Hingson set foot in the World Trade Center, he wondered what would happen in the event of an emergency. He found out on Sept. 11, 2001. One of the triumphant tales of 9/11 is of a blind man and his guide dog helping others escape from the 78th floor of Tower One. On April 15 and 16, Hingson visited San Jacinto College’s North and South campuses to share the inspiring story told in his New York Times’ bestseller, “Thunder dog: The True Story of a Blind Man, His Dog, and the Triumph of Trust.” At 8:45 am that morning, Hingson was in his office with his colleague David Frank when he heard a muffled explosion. The building shuttered and began to tip. “These building as tall as they were, were made to be able to be struck by an airplane, flex and bend, and bounce back,” Hingson said. Growing up in California, he was taught if a building starts to move, stand at the doorway. “A lot of good that would do when you are 78 floors up, but I stood there anyway,” Hingson said. When the building got back to its vertical position, he retrieved his then-guide dog, Rosel. Suddenly, the building dropped 6 feet. Frank started shouting that there was fire and smoke, and millions of pieces of burning paper. “We have to get out of here right now, we can’t stay here!” Frank yelled. Hingson could hear chaos and destruction around him, but he was observing something that Frank was missing. The dog next to him wasn’t afraid of anything happening. She sat wagging her tail. At 8:50, they calmly headed
down the stairs. On the way down, he could smell the odor of burning jet fuel, and burn victims were carried past them. He realized the magnitude of the carnage. Further down, they found a woman gasping, “I can’t breathe, I can’t go on, we are not gonna make it out of here, we can’t go on. It’s not gonna work, I can’t do it.” Hingson and others encouraged her to continue. “Eight or Monica Davila San Jacinto Times nine of us were Michael Hingson, with his current guide dog, together and surcaptivates listeners with his survival story. rounded her, and literally had a be, is the best way to describe it,” group hug on the stairs,” he said. Hingson recounted. “This torrenInstead of hugs, Rosel offered tial noise, this white noise sound her kisses. The woman continued of the building collapsing.” down the stairs. Rosel turned right, took one When they finally made it out of step, and suddenly stopped dead the building, Tower Two was on in her tracks. She would go no fire and ready to collapse. He further. turned Rosel around, and started Hingson soon realized it wasn’t running. the surrounding destruction that He could hear debris falling all stopped Rosel; she had gone back around when he thought, “God, I to work. Undeterred by the devcan’t believe that you got us out astation, Rosel had resumed her of a building just to have it fall on post as a service animal notifying us.” As soon as he did, he clearly her blind boss he was about to heard a voice in his head telling head down the steep stairwell of him, “Focus on running with a subway station. Rosel, and the rest will take care Shortly after they left the trade of itself.” center complex, Hingson heard They were quickly engulfed by the odd waterfall sound again. He the suffocating dust cloud of de- knew it was Tower One collapsbris from the collapse of Tower ing. Two. “You can hear glass break“To think that three hours being at first, and metal clashing, fore, we had gone to that complex and then this white noise sound just to do our work.” Hingson like this incredible water fall. said. “And in the blink of an eye, Like Niagara falls I guess would it was gone.”
Library gets tech savvy with new texting service
Christopher Rodriguez Staff Writer
The San Jacinto College Library system has made technological advances, rolling out a brand new way for students to receive information through one common gadget, the smart device. The library now offers a service for students to text or instant message (IM) a librarian questions about research materials, book inquires, or basic library information. These features can be accessed free of charge, via a mobile device or the San Jacinto Library Website. The messaging service is available while librarians are at their stations. "You can text us a question from anywhere, we answer you back immediately during library hours," systems’ librarian Pamela Wells said. If a message is received at a time other than the library hours, the message will be kept in the system for the next day. “It’s manned by all three campuses, and we take turns and rotate on who answers the questions. If you do text us at midnight, we will get the text the next day when we sign in,” Wells said. Library Supervisor John Brower has a good feeling about the new service. "We're very excited to offer any kind of service
that we can to help people get a hold of us, especially during a time when we're under construction and moving the entire library," Brower said. "We actually answer quite a few questions through chat and also through texting. It's very helpful." Previously, the Library used an instant messaging service called Meebo, which has since been acquired by Google. Money for this upgrade comes from a Student Success Initiative Grant provided by The San Jacinto College Foundation. "The grant paid for the fees. For the first year, it paid for all the publicity and materials we've been giving out," Wells said. As part of their publicity campaign, the library distributed pencils, pens, and flyers to bring attention to their new messaging service. The flyers contain a QR code that can be scanned by an app on a mobile device. Once the QR code is scanned, it gives the user the option of texting the library or opening up a browser for IM on the device. Students are able to use the service from any location, making use of the library easier than before. "You can ask us a question anywhere; you can do it from home, at the store. If you were just thinking about a book and wanted to see if we had it, you can just ask on the go," Wells said.
Scan the QR Code to read the digital edition
Thursday, April 25
Around Campus
8 DAYS A WEEK North
Monday, April 29 • Robotics Club Meeting, 3 p.m., N7.261
Tuesday, April 30 • Spring Wind Ensemble Concert, 7:30 p.m., N1.103
Wednesday, May 1 • Outstanding Student Luncheon, 11:30 a.m., N12.200 • Spring Choir Concert, 7:30 p.m., N1.103
Thursday, May 2 • New Student Orientation, 9 a.m., N1.103 • Phi Theta Kappa Meeting, 4:30 p.m., N13.208 • New Student Orientation, 5 p.m., N1.103
Friday, May 3 • No Scheduled Activities
Saturday, May 4 • No Scheduled Activities
Sunday, May 5
Central
• No Scheduled Activities
Monday, April 29 • Blood Drive, 9:30 a.m., C14 Lounge A • Logos Meeting, 11:30 a.m., C14.212 A/B
Tuesday, April 30 • Blood Drive, 9:30 a.m., C14 Lounge A • TSEA Meeting, 1 p.m., C20.261 • NSCS Meeting, 3 p.m., C1.233
Wednesday, May 1 • Anime Society Meeting, 1 p.m., C15.215 • Robotics Club Meeting, 3 p.m., C20.320
Thursday, May 2 • 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, May 3 • SGA Meeting, 11:30 a.m., C1.155 • TACHE Meeting, 12:30 p.m., C2.210
Saturday, May 4 • Martial Arts Club Meeting, 10 a.m., C18.117
Sunday, May 5
South
• No Scheduled Activities
Monday, April 29 • Future Teacher’s Club Fundraiser, 10 a.m., Building 6 • Anime Club Meeting, 3 p.m., S10.112 • Mixed Martial Arts Meeting, 8:30 p.m., S21.120
Tuesday, April 30 • Future Teacher’s Club Fundraiser, 10 a.m., Building 6 • 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, May 1 • Future Teacher’s Club Fundraiser, 10 a.m., Building 6 • GSA Meeting, 2:30 p.m., S9.250 • Anime Club Meeting, 3 p.m., S10.112 • EDG Meeting, 3 p.m., S13.274 • 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, May 2 • Future Teacher’s Club Fundraiser, 10 a.m., Building 6 • 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
• Game Enterprises Guild, 3 p.m., S8.1062
Friday, May 3 Friday, April 26 • 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
Saturday, April 27
Saturday, May 4
• No Scheduled Activities
• No Scheduled Activities
Sunday, April 28 • No Scheduled Activities
www.issuu.com/ sanjacintotimes
Sunday, May 5 • No Scheduled Activities
San Jacinto Times
April 22, 2013
Sports & Fitness
Page 6
No woman finer than Griner SJC churns out star athletes
Aaron Preston Staff Writer
Any ball you can shoot Brittney Griner can shoot better. The 6-foot-8 Baylor University senior center became all the rage among NBA fans April 2, after Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban tweeted Griner, and talked about the possibility of drafting her as a second round pick. Immediately, Baylor Nation and avid NBA fans force trended the idea of Griner playing in a men’s sport. “"If she is the best on the board, I will take her," Cuban told ESPN. "I've thought about it. I've thought about it already. Would I do it? Right now, I'd lean toward yes, just to see if she can do it. You never know unless you give somebody a chance.” “I would hold my own! Lets do this,” Griner tweeted in response to Cuban. Griner scored 3,283 points (second all-time NCAA scorer among women) a career 748 shots blocked, an NCAA record among both men and women, and 18 dunks in her four year career at Baylor, which are three more
dunks than every dunk ever made by all women combined. Quickly, Brittney Griner fans and supporters of the idea of a woman as dominant as Griner to play in the NBA filled Twitter, using #Griner4NBA to show their support. “The WNBA is where I’m at. That is where I’m going. After that, if I get a shot, why turn down something like that? That’s big, even if you don’t make it,” Griner told the New York Times. “Hey, at least you tried. Somebody pushed the envelope.” Griner mentioned size and skill as challenging factors of her being the first woman in the NBA. “I’ve never backed down from a challenge, and never will… I would finally see what everybody feels like against me, a taste of my own medicine, I guess,” Griner told the Los Angeles Times. Griner retweeted several supporters of her joining the NBA, as #Griner4NBA trended in Texas. “Try out 4 an NBA spot. U don’t progress if you don’t push limits. There is victory even in defeat. Don’t be afraid to fail,” Griner’s Twitter follower Ronald Brown tweeted.
Just days after Baylor’s narrow Sweet Sixteen defeat to the Louisville Cardinals, Griner achieved the honor of becoming The Associated Press Player of the Year. This makes her just the third person to be awarded in consecutive years, joining Louisiana State University’s Seimone Augustus, and University of Tennessee’s Chamique Holdsclaw. “Those names are pretty big; to have my name in there is an honor,” Griner told the Associated Press. Brittney Griner would not be the first woman to try-out for a men’s team. University of California Los Angeles alum, and basketball superstar, Ann Drysdale became the first woman to tryout for the NBA following a three-day tryout with the Indiana Pacers. Griner’s ability to play the game has even drawn the attention of Miami Heat small forward LeBron James. "She's dominating that sport, the women's side of the game," James told ESPN. "There's really no one that can match her right now." Griner was the top pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft on April 15, going to the Phoenix Mercury.
Richard W. Rodriguez/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/MCT
Brittney goes up for a shot (left), and cuts the net after Baylor’s championship win over Iowa State.
Alex Moore Staff Writer
San Jacinto College has produced a number of successful athletes, ranging from MLB World Champions to NBA AllStars. Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte, and Brandon Belt have all won a World Series. Sam Cassell won three NBA Championships, and Steve Francis was a three time NBA All-Star. As far as baseball goes, San Jac has been a power house since 1984. Roger Clemens attended North campus during 1980 and 1981. He moved on to the University of Texas to help the Longhorns win the College World Series in 1983. That same year, Clemens was drafted by the Boston Red Sox where he found immediate success. He went on to win seven Cy Young Awards for pitching, two World Series Championships, and made 11 All-Star appearances. Clemens retired in 2007 but made somewhat of a comeback pitching for the Sugar Land Skeeters in August 2012. He pitched two games for a total of 8 innings and didn't allow a run in either appearance. Rumors circulated he would attempt a return to Major League Baseball, and that Astros’ management supported the move. Nothing of the sort materialized. As of press time, Clemens is still in retirement and remains silent about a comeback. Andy Pettitte was drafted by the New York Yankees in 1990 but opted to join Coach Wayne Graham at San Jac after he compared him to Roger Clemens. Pettitte won eight out of ten decisions during his time at San Jac before finally signing with
the Yankees. Pettitte is a threetime All-Star, five-time World Series champion, and in 2001, he was the American League Championship Series MVP. Pettitte is in his 17th professional season and is a main starter in the Yankees’ rotation. Brandon Belt is the first baseman for the reigning Word Series champions, the From San Jacinto Times archives San Francisco Giants. At San Sam Cassell appears in a 1990 Times article. Wizards. Jac, Belt was a Steve Francis came to San Jac left handed pitcher, but was moved to first base when he for the 1996-1997 season and transferred to the University of led the Ravens to the National Texas. There, he started 58 out Championship game which they of 61 games at first base. He lost. Then, Francis attended the was drafted by the San Fran- Allegany College of Maryland cisco Giants in the fifth round of for a year before transferring to the 2009 draft making his Major the University of Maryland for his junior and senior years. In League debut in 2011. Sam Cassell attended San Jac 1999, Francis was the second from 1989 to 1991 where he overall pick by the Vancouver was known as a major scorer. Grizzlies who promptly traded After San Jac, Cassell attended him to the Houston Rockets. He Florida State University. He was the point guard for the was drafted by the Houston Rockets for five years. During Rockets with the 24th overall his stint in Houston, Francis was pick in the 1993 NBA draft. named NBA Rookie of the Year, Cassell won two championships and earned three appearances as with the Houston Rockets be- an All Star. In total, Gator and Raven fore bouncing around the NBA playing with seven different alums have accumulated three teams over a 10 year span. In NBA championships, eight 2008, he won a third champi- World Series, seven Cy Young onship, coming off of the bench awards and 16 All-Star trips. In 1991, Cassell proudly told to provide veteran leadership to the Boston Celtics. Cassell re- the San Jacinto times, “I’m glad tired in 2008 and, in 2009, he I came to San Jacinto. Playing began a new chapter as an assis- here will help me when I’m tant coach to the Washington ready to go on with my career.”