Summer/Fall 2013 Spice: Harmful And habit-forming P.6 Confident: the new skinny P.9
Summer/Fall 2013
EDITOR IN CHIEF John Parks
Owl Magazine Wins National Honors
ART DIRECTOR Brianna Breece
CHIEF OF PRODUCTION Stephanie Perkins
MANAGING EDITOR Will Martin
PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR Joshua Eller
ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR Laurise McMillian
BUSINESS MANAGER Rachel Mitchell
EDITORIAL STAFF Matt Dippel, James Greene, Nadia Kaczkowski
WRITING STAFF Alexandra Lotz, Nick Dement, Joey Privett, Karen Watson
PHOTOGRAPHY STAFF Jennifer Hawks, Jennifer Lewis, Leanna Wheatley, Helen Reimand, James Trudeau
DESIGN STAFF Danielle Frater, Gabriela Kostadinova, Grayson Karr, Tobias Pilachowski, Eliana Pisciotta, Manuel Reyes, Antwain Shaw
CHIEF ADVISER Claudia Brown
TECHNICAL ADVISER Philip Roszak
BUSINESS ADVISER Joseph Cunningham
PRINT PUBLISHER Stockson Printing Company
CONTRIBUTED IMAGES AncientKale, arcticjuniper, EmberFiremane, Kool and the Gang
FRONT PAGE AND BACK PAGE PHOTOGRAPHY John Morin
CONTACT US:
Harfowl@harford.edu
Join the Staff
Our first obstacle as a newborn
With each issue we ask ourselves,
magazine was a dead horse named
“Who are we as a student magazine?”
Dubar II.
and “How can we get better?”
As strange as that may sound, it’s
Answering these questions has led
entirely true. We had covered this
us to some amazing opportunities:
story about a legendary racehorse
interviewing Elizabeth Smart, covering
buried on campus and now we had to
the Occupy Wall Street movement in
figure out how to design the front page
NYC, and discovering investments in
to showcase it. We discussed, debated,
asteroid mining.
plotted and debated again how we
the
recent
would present our premier issue. We
Association
At
Apple
College
even pulled a passerby in the hall into
Magazine won 2nd place for Best Two-
one of our meetings to get his unbiased
Page Spread for our “Crash Course
input.
in Counterculture” piece from our
Awards,
Media Owl
“The Owl Magazine staff has been on a tremendous journey of struggle, hard work, and discovery.” Ironically enough, we led with a
Summer 2012 issue and 2nd place in
different story that we thought would
the Best Magazine Cover category for
have more student appeal. That’s not to
our Winter 2012 issue. It is an honor to
say that we didn’t get mixed feedback
have all of our hard work recognized at
anyway. The important thing, however,
the national level!
is that we had worked together to create it; this magazine was ours.
We are still growing as a magazine, discovering our “identity,” but through
Ever since, the Owl Magazine staff
dedication and the input of our valued
has been on a tremendous journey of
readers, we know we can get better.
struggle, hard work, and discovery.
And we prove that with every issue.
Owl Magazine | Table
4
Hungry for Sports Whatever team you’re rooting for this season, enjoy our staff’s take on three great sports bars.
8
Dropping Out to Rise Above the Rest Being a high school dropout doesn’t necessarily hurt your future.
6
Spice: Harmful and Habit-Forming
A student’s cautionary tale of synthetic marijuana addiction should make you think twice about using this legal alternative.
10
Proud to Be a Brony
Will Martin delves into his life-altering experiences as an unexpected fan of My Little Pony.
5
of contents
A Night Out at The Fillmore Share the experience of Maryland’s most bassdroppingly awesome musical venue.
12 Challenges of the Third Returning to college after years out of the classroom? Find out that you’re not alone.
Confident: The New Skinny
9
Discover the unlikely source that helped one student feel better about her body and ultimately herself.
Let’s Get Physical
14
Our take on the new HCC Fitness Center: reliable, convenient, and free.
restaurant review | Summer/Fall 2013
Hungry for Sports
The Cowboy Burger ($10.49) is a delicacy at The Greene Turtle, but it’s far from the only game day meal in town. By Matt Dippel and Joey Privett | Photography by Helen Reimand | Owl Staff The big game is coming on and you’re
that other wing chain in town,) and tossed
recipes to shame. The cream of crab soup
tired of watching at home; you want to
in one of their many delicious homemade
is made fresh in house daily, the constantly
get out and enjoy it with your friends. You
sauces. Ask for the sauce you need to sign
changing seafood selection is always fresh,
want someone to share the same excited
a waiver to eat; it’s really good.
and the vegetables are locally grown.
or depressed feelings you get when your
The Greene Turtle is the perfect place
But the real treats at Bitner’s are the
to go for a big, crowded, social atmosphere
steaks and burgers. Cut from a massive slab
Harford County sports some great
while enjoying some standard bar food
of top round, the steaks are individually
places to eat and enjoy the game with a
and cold beers. They offer your standard
seasoned and grilled to order. The Deer
choice for every taste. C.R. Wings has
bar fare; chicken tenders, steamed shrimp,
Creek Burgers are a specialty, and with $5
team triumphs or fails.
“Harford County sports some great places to eat and enjoy the game with a choice for every taste.” the hookup for the best wings buffalo
fries, mozzarella sticks and the like. Being
specials, you can’t go wrong with one of
style, The Greene Turtle provides the big
a chain, though, the food is somewhat
the many signature burgers like the BBQ
crowded bar atmosphere complete with
lacking. If you’re looking for some good
Bacon Cheddar or Chipotle Burger.
an unreasonable amount of giant TV’s,
eats and a more subdued atmosphere,
and Bruce Bitner’s Café and Grille serves
then Bruce Bitner’s is the way to go.
up gourmet food with an “everybody knows your name” atmosphere. C.R. Wings is located behind Chili’s and Taco Bell in Bel Air. They serve up the best
4
Possibly the best part of Bitner’s is the friendly atmosphere. A small, consistent
Bruce Bitner’s Café and Grille is an
staff will learn your name immediately
underappreciated culinary gem in Bel
and bring you back for more. The highly
Air with a down home atmosphere of
social regular bar crowd will get you
friendliness and familiarity.
involved in the conversation no matter if
buffalo wings in Harford County, fried to
Bitner’s prepares nearly everything
crispy perfection when you order them
from scratch, including a delicious crab
(none of that weak, baked business from
fondue appetizer that puts other bars’
you are a familiar or fresh face. Harford County sports bars offer up something different for everybody.
Owl Magazine | Night
out
The Fillmore
A Night of Lights and Magic
By Nick Dement | Photography by Jennifer Lewis | Owl Staff
There is a semi-local venue that has
The building is separated into three
there in front of them most of
captured a place in my beating heart. The
floors. The bottom contains a bar (one
the time. This also is, admittedly,
Fillmore in Maryland is a great place to
of three bars, actually) and bathrooms,
because I love Primus and their
kick back and relax at the bar or dance
the middle houses the stage where most
performance is so captivating.
your heart out.
of the magic happens (as well as another
Located in Silver Spring, The Fillmore
The frontman, Les Claypool, is
bar), and the top is a balcony
a maestro of all things bass, and
is a little over an hour’s drive away from
overlooking the stage –
the guitar work and drumming
Bel Air, which for anyone who enjoys a
great for escaping all the
in between his shenanigans was
night out is quite a short drive. The venue
people crowded below.
spectacular. Imagine a glowing
is fairly priced with many acts about $50
(Also upstairs is another
space gnome flying down on
a ticket - ideal for college students who
bar!)
you, grabbing your attention.
“Imagine a glowing space gnome flying down on you, grabbing your attention. Now he shoots you with a vortex gun, sucking you in.”
Now he shoots you with a vortex gun, sucking you in. This is the combination I felt at the time. The twenty or so feet between was shrunk to feel like twenty inches. The Fillmore does not limit their events to music, either. While I have seen artists such as Primus, Alanis
tend to have money going in many direc-
Despite the large area,
Morissette, and Between the Buried
tions such as car payments, bills, and
I didn’t feel much inti-
and Me on their fliers, they also host
food.
macy was lost. A howler
comedy acts like Adam Sandler.
The first thing that caught my eye
monkey screaming at
when I walked through the doors of
you from 30 feet is scary,
fair bunch, allowing all the moshing
the Fillmore was its size. The only
but one that is 30 inches
and crowd surfing one could wish
word to describe it is spacey, both in
away is terrifying.
for. I left the place with a satisfied
As far as security goes, they are a
size and atmosphere; the area is large,
Although I was in the
soul and a very strong urge to find
the air hazy. Nowhere the size for an
center of the crowd, I had
this elusive space gnome again. I
arena-worthy band like Queen, but also
a clear view of the band.
recommend everyone to find their
far larger than the smaller venues in
And since the Fillmore has
space gnome experience as well,
Baltimore like the Sidebar, which is the
a huge screen behind the
and for 50 bucks, it doesn’t get much
size of a living room.
stage, I felt as if I was right
better than this.
55
Summer/Fall 2013
SPICE: Harmful and Habit-Forming
How Synthetic Substitutes Nearly Destroyed Me
By Anonymous | Photography by Jennifer Hawks | Owl Staff
hat does addiction mean to
Divonorum
have
been
commercially
These
products
contain
dried,
you? What constitutes being
available for over a decade, used originally
shredded plant material and chemical
an “addict”? A heroin user desperately
by Mazatec shamans during spiritual
additives that are responsible for their
roaming the city streets, willing to commit
healing sessions. Salvia has traditionally
psychoactive effects… i.e. absolutely
any petty, pathetic act for his fix? A
been looked at as marijuana’s slightly
nothing natural like cannabis or salvia.
cigarette smoker nervously walking about,
more psychedelic counterpart, and most
The reason I started smoking spice
chewing her fingernails, snapping angrily
tokers will attest to having tried it.
regularly
at anyone in her path, having gone mere hours without a dose of nicotine?
Spice has been available for a couple of years now, hidden about head shops and
(multiple
times
daily)
is
irrelevant, but the story I wish to tell is anything but.
These are two of the most common
some of the seedier gas stations around
examples of addiction, but my own
Harford County. Spice is a psychoactive
legal drug that was a
experiences with substance abuse showed
designer drug, a combination of herbal
drive from home, no worries about
me that addiction is a relative term and is
mixtures
experiences
availability or illegality. It was sold two
not so easy to define.
similar to marijuana that are marketed
ways as I remember it; the less potent
as safe and legal—and dubiously labeled
4g jars for around $20, the strong stuff
“not for human consumption.”
in 1g bags for $25 and up.
Synthetic substitutes for marijuana are nothing new; products labeled Salvia
6
that
produce
At first it was nice, really. A cheap, five minute
Owl Magazine | HEALTH
It gave me a nice, even high for sure: Elation, giggles, music sounded better,
front porch where I collapsed in the fetal position.
This continued for months. I slowly came to realize that I was spending
and munchies. But that was the stuff
The cold brick felt so good on my face.
over a hundred dollars a week on a
that came in the jars. You couldn’t really
I vomited (a lot, and for a long time).
drug that was making me hate myself.
smoke enough to get messed up, but it
My heart continued to race even faster,
I couldn’t sleep, eat, or socially
was okay. Aside from the nasty taste it
my vision faded to black, and I began to
function without my frequent fixes. I
left lingering in your mouth for hours
cry, still feeling nauseous. I swore I was
was sneaking behind the dumpster at
and headaches that came after a heavy
dying. I guess this is the high that I had
work to get a quick puff in between
night of smoking.
been looking for.
cigarette breaks. I gained weight; I
After a while, it just stopped working.
So after that night, I threw away the
began forgetting things I shouldn’t
I chalked it up to tolerance and sprang
spice and went about my business and
have, and on the whole I just felt...
for a bag of Spike Max: one gram for
never looked back. I was better without
dull.
$25 (estimated street value of marijuana
it – it was dangerous.
is $20/gram). This was the potent stuff
Every day consisted of wading
Except, that didn’t happen. I kept
through molasses. Going through the
smoking, carefully gauging the amount I
motions was now second to smoking
It was a mistake.
smoked so as not to get sick; to get to that
spice.
I vividly remember that night. It
perfectly intoxicated spot between reality
that could really f*** you up.
was cold out, close to Christmas. I
and insanity that spice could provide.
I kicked the habit after a week spent laying in bed shivering, sweating, and
tore open the bag voraciously, looking
But it was such a thin line; I overshot
just being generally miserable. I’ve
forward to my fix (at that point it was
it plenty of times and relived that cold
had friends and even relatives who
“My heart continued to race even faster, my vision faded to black, and I began to cry.” already a “fix,” whether I knew it or
night over and over, sweating and sick,
have been through the same situation,
not), and dumped a full bowl’s worth
heart racing. I found that as the days
who have witnessed the side effects of
of the herbal mixture into my glass
and weeks went by I needed to smoke
prolonged use of spice firsthand.
pipe. I flicked the lighter and inhaled,
more and more to feel normal. I smoked
The irony of the whole situation
savoring the cloyingly artificial sweet
fewer cigarettes because they made me
is that the general opinion on spice
flavor.
nauseous while on spice.
is that its legality somehow lends
I finished the whole thing in about
I rationalized this as a good thing. I
credibility to the product’s safety,
five minutes, and felt damn good, too.
got horrible chills if I had to go more
making it an especially attractive
A nice heady high with some relatively
than a few hours without a smoke. I
alternative to marijuana.
pleasant bodily effects. I remember
remember that I’d smoke an obscene
Spice is marketed as “not for human
feeling floaty. So I smoked a cigarette
amount before bedtime, and when I
consumption,” and is sold in bags
and went inside to watch TV.
inevitably woke up to use the bathroom,
marked “herbal incense” or “organic
I couldn’t fall back asleep without a
sachets.” Regardless of the name, the
couple puffs.
product is a blatant legal alternative
Then, things got weird. The room started spinning; I began sweating. My vision started to blur, break, then return
The first thing I did upon opening my
to marijuana, and many consider it a
to normal. My heart was racing and my
eyes in the morning was reach for my
safer alternative. This is obviously not
stomach turning. I vaguely remember
glass pipe and jar of spice. Then, I’d try
the case and people need to be aware
stripping off all of my clothes, save for
to find my glasses. It made me that kind
that “legal” does not always entail
boxers, and stumbling outside to the
of backwards.
“safe.”
7
VOICES | Summer/Fall 2013
Dropping Out to Rise Above the Rest By Stephanie Perkins | Photography by Leanna Wheatley | Owl Staff How do you remember your time
After receiving my GED, I enrolled at
everyone under a certain age. I strongly
in high school? When I talk to most
HCC when I was 17. I rose through the
believe it should be dealt with on a case-
of my friends about their high school
ranks of the student newspaper staff
by-case basis.
experience, many of them look back
and became the Editor in Chief as well
If they continue to keep the dropout
with fond memories. Lunch with friends,
as a charter member of the Journalism
age at 18, I think that anyone under that
senior prom, graduation day – you name
club during my time in college. While
age should be able to have a hearing
it. However, I never remembered my
I was able to accomplish all of this, the
with school officials if they want to drop
brief time in high school in such a way.
opportunity is dwindling for current
out. I agree that not every student under
students in Maryland’s school system.
the age of 18 should have the right to
A majority of my time between my two high schools was spent either relentlessly
In 2015, Maryland will enforce a law
drop out of school, but I believe that if
being made fun of and bothered by
that requires a student to be 17 in order
they present good enough reasons and a
“I know I wouldn’t be as successful as I am today if I was not given the opportunity to drop out of high school.“ my peers or staying at home to avoid
to drop out; that age will increase to 18
well-thought out plan for their future, it
said harassment and assignments that
by 2017. Maryland is currently the only
should at the very least be considered.
I never completed. I let my depression
state that responded to President Obama’s
The point is high school isn’t for
pretty much consume my life for about
recommendation to raise the dropout age
everyone. I know I wouldn’t be as
half of my schooling career, and my
in his State of the Union address from
successful as I am today if I was not
classmates who didn’t understand and
January 2012.
given the opportunity to drop out of
felt the need to make me the object of
While I understand the intention of
high school and pursue my GED, and I
their jokes didn’t really help much either.
wanting to keep teenagers in school, it’s
would hate for that to be out of reach for
After considering all of my options and
not helping those who would actually
students who would genuinely benefit
consulting with several adults, I dropped
benefit from dropping out by barring
from doing so.
out right after my 16 birthday. th
There’s this ugly stereotype that high
school
dropouts
are
moronic,
unmotivated individuals that are content with working minimum wage jobs and leeching off the government for the rest of their lives. However, many who buy into this stereotype don’t bother to accept how successful I am because I’m a high school dropout. I took my GED test five months after I dropped out. Not only did I pass the test, but my score was equivalent to graduating high school with honors.
8
In 2015, Maryland will enforce a law that requires a student to be 17 in order to drop out; that age will increase to 18 by 2017.
Owl Magazine | VOICES
Confident: The New Skinny By Alexandra Lotz | Photography by John Parks | Owl Staff At least three of my friends have been diagnosed with anorexia. Two of these friends have recovered from it, but the other friend has been struggling with it for over a year. Another friend’s mom took drastic measures to lose weight and decided to undergo gastric bypass surgery. Now, she is severely malnourished and eating a cup of food makes her ill. Her daughter, who is very close friends with the anorexic girl, has been on-and-off dieting ever since I met her in the third grade.
“I thought I would never be as confident as those girls on Chubby Bunnies, but the longer I followed the blog, the more confident I became.” It’s a shame that we push each other to points where we are so unhappy with ourselves, and then we blame that pressure on society. Newsflash: we are society, so it is time to make a change. Instead of obsessing over personal appearance, embrace your own personal style with pride.
Bodies can do amazing things. Our bones may break, our tissues may tear,
In high school, I felt like I did not fit
body positivity, the school of thought
and we may go through a great deal
in. While other girls would wear brightly
that accepts all body types as healthy,
of pain, but our body handles all those
colored, tight-fitting clothes from stores
beautiful, and worthy.
things and then heals itself. And here we
in the mall, I would sit in class wearing
After scrolling through a few pages
the same hoodie every day to cover up
of the site, I decided to follow the blog.
the fact that I was ashamed of my body.
At first, I felt awkward and ashamed
Back in high school, those things
Today, I am a different person.
because I thought I would never be
didn’t even occur to me. Instead I was
My “transformation” began when I
as confident as those girls on Chubby
too busy feeling ashamed that my
discovered the blog Chubby Bunnies on
Bunnies, but the longer I followed the
torso was thick and my butt was big. I
Tumblr, a blogging platform. The blog
blog, the more confident I became.
feel much more confident today than I
features tons of pictures of “chubby”
While
I
found
comfort
are, spending our time worrying about how much we weigh.
and
did when I was 16. Now, when I wear
women who show off their style and
encouragement
chubby
a hoodie in class it’s not because I feel
confidence. The bloggers are a great
bloggers, I know many people who have
insecure; it’s just because the classroom
community of people who support
fallen prey to just the opposite.
is a little chilly.
in
fellow
9
proud to Be
How My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Changed My Life
P
By Will Martin | Photography by John Parks | Owl Staff onder the following: a Flash-animated television
for quality entertainment brought us together in a way perhaps
series intended for six-year-old girls reboots a long
only the Internet could. We are Bronies.
derided 1980’s property about colorful ponies. The series ends
My introduction to Bronyism brought me out of, as
up several thousand times better than it has any right to be. It
mentioned prior, a very dark place. Familial issues including
comes to the attention of a bitter, cynical young man and in a
alcoholism and divorce tore my family apart. Political and social
very short time enraptures him and alters his very outlook on
conflicts seemed to divide the world beyond repair. The future
humanity.
seemed hopeless, with acts of kindness regarded as futile and
Would anyone truly believe such a story upon initially hearing it? Perhaps not, but I intend to provide proof. Living proof in fact, for I am that young man. I am a Brony.
attempts to bridge humanity’s rifts not only failing but also seemingly undesired. I wept for the future day after day. Then, everything changed out of nowhere. In late 2011, I
Something that began with a few online jokes has evolved
was visiting my best friend and he mentioned that My Little Pony
into a cultural phenomenon: a loyal fanbase of adult men and
had been rebooted into a legitimately good cartoon, My Little
women, animation enthusiasts, artists, writers, and musicians
Pony: Friendship is Magic, airing since late 2009 on The Hub.
whose open-mindedness, bizarre sense of humor, and desire
Looking back, what could be more fitting than to be introduced
10
a Brony through a friend’s advice? Trusting his
good the show was – animation, characters,
judgment, I sat down to watch the two-part
writing, music.”
pilot online and, by the end, realized I was
Thousands have already “joined the herd”
not only laughing harder than I had in a
due to how varied fan activities are, not
while, but also feeling bliss.
to mention recognition by outside parties.
By 2012, I was watching regularly, my
Besides the show’s staff having nothing but
love for this series only strengthening. I
respect for us, various Brony conventions
began keeping contact with many Bronies
have been meticulously (and expensively)
on official forums and even had the golden
organized in major cities.
opportunity to meet a multitude of them at
The counterculture has swept the globe;
a meetup at Baltimore’s Otakon in July of
between 4.0% and 6.8% of the Internet-
that year.
using U.S. population presently identify as
“All it takes is perusing some wonderful pony fan art, fan fiction, and forums to understand why so many are attracted to this immense following.”
Meet the herd
Devin Konstans Major: General Studies Best Pony: Twilight Sparkle “She highlights a realistic consequence of being praised for talent rather than effort.”
But a funny thing happened: as I became
Bronies, with the highest age range standing
a hardcore Brony, I found my whole attitude
between 21 and 29, according to survey
changing. My astonishment at the show’s
results on herdcensus.com. By experiencing
character depth and hilarity was matched
a culture with nurturing acquaintances living
only by lasting elation, a feeling brought on
by an unwritten policy of “love and tolerance”
by the attitude the series presented. I’m also
(an oft-debated phrase but one I highly
Carly White
far from the first to feel this way.
appreciate), my days of anger and depression
Major: General Studies Best Pony: Rainbow Dash “She is fun and outgoing just like me.”
“My outlook on life…is changed,” says
seem mostly behind me. MLP: FiM is more
sixteen-year-old Dominic Rotter of Texas,
than cute escapism. The moralistic aspect of
who was also introduced via friendly
it has genuinely helped many, from struggling
conversation. “Being a part of something that
students to active-duty soldiers, cope with
is so hated or looked down upon by others
problems and deduce means to fix them.
has honestly helped me learn to tolerate
There will, of course, always be those
things more. If something bothers me, I just
who do not understand us. But as more
let it pass by. Just because someone is into
continue to “join the herd,” I perceive that
something I’m not, or vise versa, doesn’t
wide acceptance of disparagement may
mean we still can’t get along.”
actually be dying. Some might call me
Then, there are some who simply found
overly optimistic, but all it takes is perusing
an outlet for creativity. Angela Jacklin, 20,
some wonderful pony fan art, fan fiction,
of Wyoming says, “I kind of don’t like the
and forums to understand why so many
majority of full on Bronies; they…freak me
are attracted to this immense following. To
out sometimes. [But] I was surprised how
those that are, brohoof!
Thomas Ebel Major: Mass Comm. Best Pony: Fluttershy “She protects what she cares about fiercely.”
11
Summer/Fall 2013
Challenges of the Third Balancing School, Work, and Family as a Returning Student By Karen Watson | Photography by Joshua Eller | Owl Staff
ou might think of college as
only had to learn new concepts, but
Marine who is also a first time student
an explosion of youth, but
also refresh my mind to what I had
at HCC pursuing a major in Paralegal
according to the Office of
already been taught years ago. I had
studies, began attending college after
Institutional Research, one third of the
to remember what an adverb was and
working construction jobs for many
student body at Harford Community
in which way it should be used. I had
years. Although she is grateful to be
College is over twenty-five years of
never used Microsoft Word before now!
back into an educational environment,
age. However, as a new student in my
I knew what a book report was, but not
the exper ienc e c omes wi t h a new
thirties, I had no idea if I was going to
an essay. I had to learn the “new ways”
problem. “They did not have Internet
be accepted by my peers when I first
of a school environment.
the last time I wrote an essay. Now
began my journey at HCC.
they expect me to know what I am
After jumping from one warehouse job to another, I realized that I was not getting any younger. With each passing year, this type of work became more taxing on me and I realized I needed to do something else with my life. My dreams of being a teacher were slipping through my fingers, and with two children at home looking at me for more, I had to make a decision. So I enrolled into Harford Community College as an English major. During my time at HCC, I have faced ups and downs. I enjoy being a member of this community. I have met a lot of people I have come to admire, and I have learned so much. However, it is not easy when I have been away from a
doing, but I don’t. I need help through
“Older students often have more outside responsibilities than their younger classmates, but this tends not to prevent them from doing their work on time and well.” - Professor Andrew Kellet
school environment for over ten years
Kelly had to learn the mechanics of being a college student. She adds that the professors at HCC have been very helpful in aiding her in the right direction to correct this problem. She visits the Tutoring Center in Fallston Hall and receives help from her professors during their office hours. Another adult student, Maureen Forbes, shares a different kind of challenge for older students. She explains, “College can be challenging because of adult responsibilities. I have two jobs, a mortgage, and many other bills. I am no longer living a carefree life under my parents roof.” This tends to be a problem for any student that is
and the challenges faced are not always familiar.
that process.”
holding a job, raising children, paying These challenges that I have faced
bills, and going for a degree.
I had forgotten most of the math-
are not subject to one individual,
Though if students work hard and
ematics I learned in high school. I not
though. Kelly Walbeck, a former U.S.
give it their all, they can not lose.
12
Owl Magazine | Community Assistant Professor of History Andrew
Harford Community has set all of
Kellet adds, “Older students often
their students up for success. Whether
have more outside responsibilities
one gets aid from their professors
than their younger classmates, but this
or through resources available on
tends not to prevent them from doing
campus, help is only a building away.
their work on time and well.� He says
HCC has many resources available to
that students who take their education
all students that are in need of help
seriously will succeed in college, which
through gaining their degrees.
is what I think we all aim for. Hopefully, through our challenges, older students can set an example for some of our younger peers. Although adult students do face some challenges that younger students may not, that does not mean that we cannot learn from each other. All students have a goal of receiving their degree and having a solid, desirable future.
RESOURCES * The Tutoring Center in Fallston Hall offers free tutoring in writing, math, and any subject as needed. Contact Diana Pinargotte at 443-412-2427 for additional information. * Student advising in the Student Center can assist with scheduling classes to fit your busy lifestyle. Walk-in hours are Monday-Friday or contact by email through www.harford.edu. *College Life offers an adult orientation each semester. Contact Sharon Adams at 443-412-2140 for details.
14
Owl Magazine | sports
LET’S GET PHYSICAL
New Harford Fitness Center Now Open
By James Greene | Photography by James Trudeau & John Parks | Owl Staff
No matter what time of year it is, it can be tough for busy
Treadmills, rowing machines, exercise bikes, and other
students to find time to get to the gym, not to mention facing the
machines allow for a superior cardio workout. In addition, there
challenges of a tight budget. While local gym memberships vary
is a new swimming pool and auxiliary gym.
in price, the HCC fitness center offers a free alternative.
The staff of the fitness center is there to provide guidance and assistance for maintenance and equipment use. Tim Schneider,
“It’s a great place to work out and nicer than any gym I’ve ever been to.”
a facilitator, says that the abundance of windows allows for more natural light to come through. “The light allows for a more positive mood and workout,” says Schneider. HCC student Kirby Kelbaugh appreciates the approachability of the fitness center staff. “They showed me how to use the equipment and helped make a fitness plan,” shares Kelbaugh. He
Conveniently located in HCC’s Susquehanna Center attached to the new APGFCU arena, the fitness center is open to students and employees alike. The interior of the new center increased in size to about five thousand square feet, which is about 50% more space than the old center.
also agrees that the new center has everything mainstream gyms do at nowhere near the cost. Criminal Justice major Kyle Condon adds, “It’s a great place to work out and nicer than any gym I’ve ever been to.” Don’t forget that there is no charge for the multiple benefits
Among the equipment are new, professional weight machines
that the fitness center offers; just remember to bring your student
to allow for a dynamic strength workout. There are bench and leg
ID. So whether you’re preparing for swimsuit season or getting in
presses, several pull-up bars, two professional squat bars, and so
a last-minute workout to prepare for the holidays, it’s not too late
much more.
to get into the best shape of your life at no cost.
15
Owl Magazine’s staff thanks the Harford Community College Foundation for a Gifts of Innovation grant for attendance at the National College Media Association Convention in New York City.
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