2-28-2012

gora A

International Students - Pg. 2

THE

Aug. 26,28, 2010 Issue71 February 2012 Vol. Vol. 55, 56, Issue

MCCC student groups visiting landmarks around U.S. Pg. 3

www.mcccagora.com www.mcccagora.com

Presidential candidate visits MCCC David Topolewski Agora Staff

A presidential candidate visited MCCC on February 23, but few may have noticed.

Jerry White does not have hair like Mitt Romney and is not as well known as Newt Gingrich, but nonetheless is running for president.

White, 52, is the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) candidate. He does not support conventional political views and finds fault in the two major political parties.

“This government is hostile to the working class, Republican or Democrat,” he said.

The presidential candidate has attacked both President Obama and Republican leadership, saying they “want starvation wages.” He also does not view President Obama as any different than the previous photo by Miles Lark administration.

“They all agree, defending the elite against the Jerry White, the presidential candidate for the Socialist Equality Party, spoke to members of the International working class,” he said.

Students for Social Equality club on Thursday, Feb. 23.

White slammed the president, saying he was elect-

ed to repeal legislation such as Homeland Security and the Patriot Act, but has not fulfilled his promises.

“It is an absolute continuation of Bush,” he said.

He argues that America is made up of two classes, the working class and the capitalist elite.

He also wants people to know there is an alternative to this system and attacks the current state of politics.

“I appeal to ignorance backwardness politics dominated by billionaires,” he said.

Socialism is the alternative he offers; the SEP website describes socialism as “genuine social equality, on a world scale.” As a reference for this model White highlights the Russian Revolution and calls it the “greatest historical event.”

He also attacked President Obama and the people he has appointed to work in his administration.

“Obama has filled the White House with corporate heads,” he said.

Running as a strong anti-war candidate, he supports an immediate and unconditional withdrawal of

all U.S. troops from Iraq and Afghanistan as well as “disbanding” of the standing army. Recognizing foreign threats, he does understand the “working class” would have the right to defend themselves.

White, as president, would end support for Israel.

He criticized Israel’s possession of certain weapons, saying they “illegally have scores of nuclear bombs.”

White is critical of the wars in the Middle East and believes they have hurt the image of America.

“Bush’s wars discredited the United States,” he said, adding that Obama has not changed this and has only used “troop redistribution.”

The only way to stop war is if the working class takes political control, according to White.

“Wars have to do with elites,” he said.

As for the current uprisings in the Middle East, he said he supports the working class of those countries, but would not intervene. He also warned of an imminent threat of a new war with Syria and Iran.

See JERRY WHITE, Page 2

Should professors ‘friend’ students?

Kaitlyn Durocher Agora Staff

With the world of social media growing, there are new methods and concerns that come along with it.

When it comes to relationships between students and their professors, social media sites, such as Facebook, can be a controversial issue.

Social media sites allow people to communicate with and get to know others more freely than the more traditional options, such as emails.

However, is a professor adding a student on a social media site appropriate? Or is it crossing a barrier in student-professor relationships?

This question has been raised by people in colleges around the globe.

When it comes to MCCC, the opinions on this issue are divided. Numerous people support professors and students connecting via social media sites, while

[

others are against it.

“I don’t really see a problem with it, if the student allows it, then it’s their responsibility to conduct themselves in an adult-like manner,” said MCCC student Kyle Corollo.

Multiple students, including Ally Williams and Angelique Bedee, agree that it is a good method of communication, as long as the relationship is kept professional and mature.

“Facebook is a public website, so who is to say whom a person is allowed to friend or not?” Jamie Newcomber, another MCCC student, said.

Professors also hold opinions about this method.

David Reiman, professor of business, is one of the professors who has a strong opinion on the matter.

“This is a decision that should be left with each faculty member,” Reiman said. “I do believe that if a professor chooses to friend students, they should not be exclusive. If he or she accepts an invitation

Rachel Wehner I would say adding a student or professor is wrong because if a professor sees a student’s Facebook page, they might judge them.

]

[

]

David Reinman This is a decision that should be left with each faculty member. I do believe that if a professor chooses to friend students, they should not be exclusive.

from one student, they should accept any student.”

Personally, Reiman has a Facebook account, but has not “friended” any students on it. He suggests using LinkedIn, another social media site that is more professional for students and teachers to communicate.

Also, Reiman believes the relationship between a student and professor should start in the classroom, but social media sites can strengthen and maintain that relationship once formed.

While some people believe adding students or professors on social media sites improves communication and relationships, others think it is inappropriate.

“I would say adding a student or professor is wrong because if a professor sees a student’s Facebook page they might judge them, positively or negatively, based on their page and be inclined to give them a grade based on their judgment rather than their academic scores,” Rachel Wehner said.

“We have blackboard and student email for a reason; I like to keep my social media out of professor’s hands if I can help it,” Dylan Miracle said.

“I think they’re professional people and they shouldn’t be adding their students because that could lead to trouble within the relationship,” Marissa Kitts said.

Clearly, not everyone is supportive of professors and students building relationships or communicating through social media sites.

Other alternatives to Facebook include LinkedIn, which is less personal. Or people could always use email or face to face contact to prevent problems from arising.

Issues with this subject include exclusiveness, inappropriateness, and judgment, while the positives that come from it include such things as better communication and staying in contact outside of the college years.

Culinary program begins annual Winter buffet season Michelle Dangler Agora Staff

Chicken, beef, veal, oh my!

Culinary delicacies abound as MCCC’s secondyear culinary students and their professors are outdoing themselves again.

Last semester, many at MCCC were fortunate enough to try delicious new foods at Cuisine 1300.

This semester, the community is welcomed to join in a sampling of foods from all over the world – regional American, Mediterranean, and more.

Employing new cooking techniques, the students will be able to make meals that are beter than ever before.

One such technique, Sous Vide, makes even the toughest meat as delicate and yummy as choice cuts like filet mignon.

“Students can take the meat; put it into the package (a vacuum pack that sucks and seals out air) with seasonings and butter. They then put it in the vacuum, and cook it at a low temperature – around 150

Inside:

Campus News......................2, 3 Opinion...............................4 Features..............................5 A&E......................................6,7 Sports......................................8

degrees – over night,” explains Chef Vicki LaValle.

“Then they cook the meat on the grill to sesar it.

The flavors of the seasonings permeate the food totally,” she adds.

The meat that is cooked Sous Vide is made to near perfection – if it is cooked medium-rare, it is light pink all the way through, not just in the middle.

The first buffet of the season, Mediterranean, was a mix of foods from Italy, Spain, Greece, Morocco, and others, many of which are gluten free. It was on Friday, Feb. 24.

From cous-cous with lemon, cranberries and almonds, veal and beef, there was considerable variety.

The next buffet, on Friday, March 2, will be a “Global” buffet, offering foods from all over. Dishes from Australia, Germany, Italy, Greece, Hawaii, and many others will be available to tantalize the palate.

The third buffet, on March 16, is Ethnic Celebrations.

All the old family recipes from Germany, Poland, Jewish meals, traiditional Italian, etc., will be showcased.

See WINTER BUFFETS, Page 2

photo by Michelle Dangler

Culinary students prepared various desserts, such as colorful tarts, mini eclairs, cream puffs and other confections.

Check out The Agora online at

www.mcccagora.com “Like” us on

Follow us on

Bookstore Hours: Mon, Tues: 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Wed - Fri: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

LAL/Writing Center:

Mon: 7:30 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Tues - Thurs: 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Fri: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Serving Monroe County Community College since 1968

Library Hours:

Mon - Thurs: 8 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Fri: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Sat: 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Fitness Center Hours:

Mon - Thurs: 10 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Fri, Sat: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

campus news

February 28, 2012

Youth for Understanding students enjoy classes

Patrick Hemmen

Hwi-Ram Jeong

Patrick Hemmen, Netherlands Michael Mayzlin Agora Staff

Patrick Hemmen doesn’t wear wooden shoes and if the world was going to end tomorrow, he would eat everything he can today.

Patrick is an exchange student from Dalfsen, Netherlands, which is located east of Zwolle, one of biggest cities in the Netherlands.

He came to MCCC in August 2011 through YFU (Youth For Understanding), an organization sponsoring foreign students who want to study in high schools and colleges.

Patrick picked the U.S. over Argentina primarily because he already spoke English and wanted to learn about American culture.

Prior to coming here, Patrick studied English for seven years.

“The field of study wasn’t really important to me. I am interested in Engineering, which is primarily studied in English.

It was the whole experience of

going to the United States and learning the culture,” Patrick said.

YFU picked MCCC for Patrick and matched him with a host family living in Frenchtown Township. His host family has four children, two boys who still live at home and two others who are away at college.

Patrick’s major is Automotive Engineering at MCCC. He hopes to eventually study Aerospace Engineering when he goes back to the Netherlands this summer.

He says a fundamental difference between education in the Netherlands and the U.S. is that here he has a variety of classes to choose from. In the Netherlands, the educational direction is more structured from early on.

“It’s more of your own choice of what classes you want to take.

No one really cares if you take stupid classes that you don’t need,” he said. “The teachers seem to be more laid back as well.”

It was more difficult for Pat-

rick to adapt to an American lifestyle than he initially thought.

The language barrier was present and some cultural difference proved to be difficult, too.

For example, Patrick noticed that the United States is greatly dependant on cars. In the Netherlands, bicycles and motorcycles are a preferred method of transportation.

He also observed that the people here live extremely fastpaced lives and are constantly on the move.

“People in the Netherlands don’t work as much as they do here. Life in general is more laid-back,” he said.

Another major hurdle for Patrick was a difference in how Americans tend to present their opinions.

“In the Netherlands”, Patrick added, “you just state your opinion as a fact. Here you have to be more careful about what you say.”

As for Patrick’s hobbies, he loves soccer and Dutch music of all kinds.

mcccagora.com • The Agora

Jerry White speaks to ISSE members CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

On other social issues such as gay marriage rights and abortion, he takes a left-of-center stance. He calls abortion a basic democratic right. Social Security, according to White, should be included with rights such as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

“We believe retirement income is an essential social right, viewed as an inalienable right,” he said.

The rights to a job, livable income, quality healthcare, and a healthy and safe environment are inalienable, according to the SEP website.

The occupy movement did not come as a surprise to White, who

is a supporter of the movement.

He has written numerous articles defending the movement that can be found at the World Socialist Website.

President Obama has touted the auto bailout as a success. White does not agree, pointing out the number of jobs lost since the companies went bankrupt. He attacked the United Auto Workers (UAW) for “promoting wage cutting.”

The UAW worked with the administration to impoverish workers and restore corporate profitability, according to an article Mr. White wrote for the World Socialist Website.

“Potential of the working class is so under-tapped,” he said.

He is a fierce opponent of capitalism and blamed it for events such as World War II and the 2008 financial crisis. He claimed they were the inevitable outcome of capitalism.

White and Vice Presidential Candidate Phyliss Scherrer will be on the ballot where they can get on and will hold write-in campaigns where they cannot. He admits that his campaign is not conventional and is asking for donations.

“We need money. We’re not a Super-Pac, hedge-fund-backed campaign,” he said.

2012 Winter buffet season begins CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

The fourth, American BBQ, will be on March 30. This event, featuring all the barbequing favorites, is sold out.

The last buffet of the season is American Regional. Served on April 13, this will be a sampling of foods from across the U.S. New England fare, Tex-Mex, Floridian (with Cuban influence), Southern, and Midwestern meals will make for a delightfully scrumptious afternoon.

All the buffets will take place on Friday’s at 11:30 a.m. It is by reservation only, $18 per person.

To book a reservation, go to the Cashier’s office and ask for a form. Most major credit cards and checks will be accepted.

If students can’t make it to the Cashier’s office in the A building, they can make their reservation by phone at (734) 384-4272. photos by Michelle Dangler

Hwi-Ram Jeong, South Korea Shana Kritzer Agora Staff

Michigan’s harsh winters are nothing new for Hwi-Ram Jeong.

Hwi comes from Gang-Neung, Korea, a small city nestled in the mountains of South Korea. Because it’s in the mountains, it tends to snow a great deal.

“There is a lot of snow,” Hwi said, “Very deep, about waist high.”

Youth for Understanding (YFU) helped Hwi become an exchange student in the United States. Students don’t choose where they will go; YFU tells them about two months before moving.

Hwi arrived in Michigan on Jan. 3. This is his first time as an exchange student. The host family he is staying with lives in Temperance.

The hardest part of being an exchange student is the cultural and language barriers, Hwi said.

Every child in Korea learns English grammar, but speaking it is a

whole different story.

Hwi is majoring in mass media at MCCC. He already has spent one year at a Korean University studying marketing.

Korea has obligatory military service, which Hwi will have to take part in when returning home. Afterward, he hopes to return to the United States.

Life in Michigan is very different for Hwi. In Korea, parents support students while they attend school. Students ride the bus or the metro. Here, many students work while attending school. Students in America usually have their own cars and are much more independent, he said.

Hwi enjoys the Michigan landscape. In Korea, it’s hard to see past the tall buildings.

“Here, I can see very far. All the trees and the land,” he said.

“It is nice.”

Not everything is different in Korea. Hwi delights in many of the same pastimes as American students. Pop culture is the same

Mandi Davis Agora Staff

Insulting slurs are hurtful to those in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community.

To help make MCCC a safer campus, the Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) recently received a grant to order lunchboxes, which are essentially Safe Space kits.

The kits are designed to help a campus protect those in the LGBT community from harassment and bullying.

When the kits arrive, members of the Gay-Straight Alliance will be first to undergo training on how to use them.

Then the GSA hopes to get other clubs involved and trained.

Penny Bodell, one of three coadvisers for the GSA, said it’s important for the GSA to have the Safe Space Kits.

“These allies have to be trained in order to understand what being an ally truly means and the responsibility that goes hand-inhand,” Bodell said.

Amanda Bennett, another coadviser for the GSA, said members of the club really need the kits.

“It is important that we have allies for you guys everywhere. It is long overdue,” she said.

Many members of the group are

Above: Lemon marcapone cheesecake with an almond crust was served as a dessert at the buffet.

in Korea as it is here, he said.

Some of Hwi’s favorites are the television show, “How I met your mother,” the “Transformer” movies, and singers like Beyonce. Just like American students, Hwi passes his time studying and hanging out with friends.

This summer, Hwi is hopeful to do some traveling around the county. Places on his list to visit are New York City, Los Angeles, and Washington D.C. He is also going to take a trip to Florida, where he has family to visit. His goal while there is to visit Disney World.

Hwi is warming up to his new life in Michigan. Koreans tend to be very shy, especially compared with Americans. He enjoys meeting new people, so if you see him around campus, make sure to introduce yourself.

This April 9, Hwi will celebrate his 21st birthday. He can’t wait to get out and see some American clubs, make new friends, and experience the best of what America has to offer.

Safe Space Kits coming to campus

Left: Board member Margerie Kreps and her husband Roger Kreps (left) attended the buffet, and stopped to pose for a photo with MCCC President David Nixon (right).

Lower Left: Chocolatecovered strawberries were also served as dessert.

RT Program receives accredidation support Shana Kritzer Robin Lawson Agora Staff

also happy to hear that the club received an enhancement grant from the MCCC Foundation to order the kits.

Brandon VanBelle, one of the co-chairs of the club, said the kits are needed.

“We need to teach people that it is not okay to say certain things,” he said. “We have every right to disagree on something. To use just certain words toward a certain group just makes an unwelcoming environment.”

Terri Gower, secretary for the GSA, said the group needs to stand up against bullying.

“We should watch out for things like that because once you correct one, you can correct the others,” Gower said.

|2

MCCC’s Respiratory Therapy Program has reason to breathe a little easier after a visit from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoArc).

CoArc has recommended that MCCC’s Respiratory Therapy Program be granted continued accreditation status.

This announcement came after the CoArc team made its visit to MCCC on January 15-16. The team will be submitting its recommendation that MCCC continue accreditation without conditions, for the maximum period of ten years.

CoArc reported no deficiencies in the RT Program, as well as a number of strengths.

RT students were found to be enthusiastic about the program and have a clear understanding of the admissions process and program outcomes.

The program boasts an accommodating and energetic medical director, who is committed to not only the program, but to the students as well, according to CoArc. The program also has a spirited and passionate faculty, the report said.

Bonnie Boggs, the RT Program director, was recognized as an outstanding director and mentor.

Boggs is known for her passion, energy and concern for her students.

Nicholas Prush, instructor of RT/ director of clinical education, also was recognized for his exceptional skill and experience.

Dr. Grace Yackee, vice president of instruction at MCCC, also acknowledged Jack Woltmann as an important factor in the program’s achievements. Woltmann retired last year as associate professor of respiratory therapy/director of clinical education.

Woltman played a essential role in MCCC’s success by assisting with the self-study documentation, providing numerous reports, and aiding Nicholas Prush to transition into his new role, Dr. Yackee said.

The accreditation from CoArc is a valuable asset because it shows that MCCC is National Standard Appropriate. MCCC is one of only 400 accredited schools in the country.

Final action from the CoArc team will take place in March. The team will be submitting its recommendation to grant MCCC’s accreditation without conditions for the maximum ten year time period.

Briefly:

Sweetheart Ball at Toledo Zoo features dining, dancing, karaoke

MCCC Student Government is hosting a Sweetheart Ball at the Toledo Zoo on March 17.

The ball is open to all students, staff, and alumni; it will be held between 7 p.m. and midnight.

Tickets will be sold at the MCCC cashier’s office for $25.

The money covers the catered dining, dancing, event souvenirs, photo booth pictures, and a karaoke hour. Also, there will also be four hourly giveaways during the night.

A king and queen, duke and duchess and court jester will be elected at the end of the night.

Otis Day, The Outsiders and other bands to play at Meyer Theater

Badfinger, The Outsiders, Climax, and Otis Day will be presented on March 3 at the La-Z-Boy Center.

Badfinger, which was discovered by Paul McCartney, was the first group to be signed to The Beatles’ Apple Records.

The hit, “Time Won’t Let Me,” made The Outsiders a wellknown band.

One of the most famous love songs, “Precious and Few,” was recorded by Climax. And of course, Otis Day earned his fame from his performance in “National Lampoon’s Animal House.”

Tickets for reserved seating for this event will be $25, while VIP seating will be $35.

Keepin’ It Live

The MCCC Inside Out Dance Ensemble and Director Kellie Lajiness will present a concert of dance and live music collaboration. This performance will be a collective force of contemporary movement styles meshed with some of Monroe’s distinguished and recognizable music and vocal talents.

The event will be at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 24, with a matinee performance at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 25. The cost of attendance will be $15.

campus

3

February 28 2012

mcccagora.com • The Agora

Redwoods tower more than 300 feet to the sky in the John Muir Woods north of San Francisco — one of the sites that will be visited by the MCCC Math and Science Club in April.

Photo by Michael Schweppe

MCCC on the

Go Clubs and classes are visiting both Coasts, along with local restaurants and conferences.

Math-Science students checking out redwoods, earthquakes Christina Cusumano Agora Staff

MCCC’s Math and Science Society Club [MASS] is headed to the Northern Coast of California, with the help of an enhancement grant provided by the MCCC Foundation.

Students will be accompanied by advisers to the MASS club, Kathy Shepherd, assistant professor of mathematics, and Lori Bean, associate professor of chemistry and biology.

They will visit the John Muir Woods, a redwood forest, the San Andreas Fault, the California Academy of Sciences, and potentially the Berkeley National Lab, Yosemite National Park, and the San Francisco Bay. “We wanted to go somewhere ecologically different than Michigan,” Bean said.

“We’re hoping that taking students to see these different places will reinforce or offer new interests toward their career

paths.”

Fifteen students will be attending the trip this year, including Kasie Miehlke, president of MASS, and secretary Eryn Meeker.

“The four-story rainforest at the California Academy looks really cool,” said Elizabeth Puvy, a student in Bean’s Organic Chemistry class.

“I also hear there are earthquakes there all the time, which is crazy.”

Although science, geography, and ecology-related destinations are the main focus of the trip, Shepherd said students interested in math can benefit from the trip, reasoning that math is the invisible force behind all sciences.

MASS allows anyone with a curiosity and appreciation for math, science, or the natural world to join.

“We have mix of a little bit of everyone this time, including an art major,” Shepherd said.

Shepherd and Bean agree that the trip is an excellent way for students to socialize outside of the classroom, gain valuable experience in their fields of interest, and extend their classroom experience.

“Since this is a commuter campus, students need an opportunity to meet on a social level,” Shepherd said.

In addition to learning with their peers, this trip will allow students to talk to professionals in the field, peruse thoughtprovoking exhibits, and explore Northern California’s environment and ecology, which is very different than Michigan’s temperate climate.

Also, students will be better equipped to connect science and math experienced in the classroom to actual working fields.

Finally, students will benefit from a richer, firsthand experience that cannot be compared to simply reading a textbook.

“This trip is something you would never be able to do on your own,” Shepherd said. “It’s definitely something students will remember forever.”

When asked what MASS members will accomplish on this trip, Shepherd mentioned that students can be introduced to emerging job opportunities or jobs stu-

“This trip is something you would never be able to do on your own. It’s definitely something students will remember forever.”

Kathy Shepherd, Assistant Professor of mathematics dents have never came across.

“I was going to be an accountant my freshman year of college,” Shepherd said.

“Then I read a book, Dilemmas and Decisions, and it taught me to follow what I really want to do, and that, of course, was teach.”

“I’m hoping that this trip will open student’s eyes to all the possibilities out there.”

Bean said she is most excited for her students to see the giant redwoods of Muir woods, all of which tower over in-

digenous Michigan trees. The tallest are above 350 feet in height, making them the largest living things on this earth. “[Going there] is kind of like being at the Grand Canyon,” Bean said. “Once you see nature at that magnitude, it really reminds you of how small we are.”

MASS has been doing large amounts of fundraising for the trip, which will cost up to $10,000. Currently, MASS is hosting a bottle drive; students can recycle cans and bottles around campus as a “green” way to fundraise.

They are also selling Little Caesars Pizza orders and candy bars.

This trip to Calif. is MASS’s ninth as a club, and no trip has ever been repeated.

MASS has traveled to Washington DC, New York City, Chicago, Cleveland, Toronto, and Cape Canaveral, Fla. It has taken other small trips around Michigan, including the Sleeping Bear Dunes, Bodies: The Exhibition, and Ann Arbor’s Natural History Museum.

If you’d like to donate cans and/or bottles, you can drop them off in receptacles around campus or you can email Lori Bean at lbean@monroeccc.edu to arrange a date to pick them up.

International Studies heading to UN, Ground Zero in New York Nicki Kostrzewa Agora Staff

Photo courtesy of Professor Joanna Sabo

The International Studies class at the United Nations two years ago.

MCCC’s International Relations class takes its next trip to New York this April to visit the United Nations.

In addition to class members, anyone in the International Studies Club also is welcome to join the trip, making the student count between 20 and 27, according to Professor Joanna Sabo, who teaches the International Studies course.

The trip will include tours of the United Nations Headquarters and the Ground Zero Memorial.

During the tour of the UN, students will see the main chamber, where world issues are debated,

Agora staff also visiting the Big Apple

The staff of The Agora also will be visiting New York this spring.

They will be attending the College Media Spring National Convention March 18-20 at the New York Sheraton.

A MCCC Foundation grant also helped finance the Agora trip.

Nine Agora staff members are participating. as well as displays of works that include imagery of children with guns, landmines, and a statue that was in Hiroshima, Japan.

The statue shows the damage done by the radiation, making visitors think deeply about how that effected the city’s residents.

Also while in the UN, students usually hear an informative briefing, Dr. Sabo said. During this visit, the briefing may be on the

Cultural Night attracts 25 to Hungarian restaurant Michelle Dangler Agora Staff

Good food and great company were highlights of the International Studies Club’s Cultural Night.

The IS Club held a dinner Feb. 17 to share and celebrate foreign culture with students and others. Eating at the Hungarian Rhapsody restaurant proved to be a wonderful chance to try something new, club members said.

“I have never been to a restaurant like that before,” student Mandi Lynn Davis said.

“So to go and try something new was a great experience.”

Among the 25 or so students and their guests who showed up for Cultural Night were Linda Lauer, MCCC Board of Trustees member, Joanna Sabo, Political Science profes-

sor and IS Club adviser, and Julie Billmaier, the administrative assistant to the Director of Administration and Guidance Services.

Another student, club member Joyceelaine Cutliff, also said she enjoyed herself.

“It was great! Good food, good service. Lighting was my only issue,” she said.

A charming restaurant with a warm atmosphere, the Rhapsody had much to offer in the way of showing guests the food and culture of Hungary.

One of the first sights greating guests when entering the restaurant is a unique, almost shrine-like museum dedicated to the culture of Hungary.

The décor features paintings of various landscapes and cityscapes, soft lighting, cream-colored linen table-

Arab Spring.

“There is a lot of that real-life sadness, and then the real-life attempts at trying to fix that,” Dr. Sabo said. “ I think a lot of people, till they go there, think the UN is sort of useless.”

Students who have attended this trip have been visiting Ground Zero since 2002. In the early days, Dr. Sabos said, there wasn’t much to the memorial, but the

feeling and atmosphere was still fresh from what happened Sept.

11, 2001.

The trip received a $1,500 grant from the MCCC Foundation, and students are working to raise more money. Dr. Sabo is the only faculty member on the trip.

“The truth is, because there is so little funding by the school, I end up paying my own expenses myself, so to ask another teacher to go, is like going ‘Yeah, so you want to come, but I don’t have any money for you’,” Sabo said.

Besides the tours of the United Nationa and Ground Zero, Dr. Sabo said she also hopes to let the students see some of the many other multicultural experiences in New York City.

Business students attend Ethos week at Eastern Mich.

Taylor Pinson Agora Staff

Photo by Lorrie Mayzlin

About 25 students and guests attended Cultural Night at the Hungarian Rhapsody restaurant in Southgate Feb. 17.

cloths, and charming clusters of red peppers hanging from the ceiling.

The smells of delicious dishes like Goulash or Chicken Paprikas wafted through the building.

The menu offered many items to tempt hungry visitors,

including Fettuccine Rhapsody, a Hungarian spin on the classic Fettuccine Alfredo, Veal Paprikas, and Shrimp Budapest.

There also was a selection of cakes and other confections, like double chocolate cake, cheesecake, and others.

This year’s Ethos week holds an important first for MCCC. This is the sixth year of the event, but it marks the first time students from MCCC will be attending.

Ethos week is March 12-16 at Eastern Michigan University’s College of Business. Students are taught the values needed to be ethical business professionals.

“It’s a huge event,” said Pat Nedry, MCCC Professor of Business. “They probably have a thousand people.”

Nedry spoke about the work MCCC’s faculty members have done to allow students to attend Ethos week.

“There were some different components to it. One was how do you

get students involved with this, and how do you select them” said Nedry.

“The other part was we had to see if we could get some money.”

The money for the project came from a $1,000 enhancement grant from the MCCC Foundation.

EMU’s College of Business also invites people from the business community to talk about applying ethics to various business situations.

Previous guest speakers have included Robert Bobb, the Emergency Financial Manager for Detroit Public Schools, and Barbara McQuade, the US Attorney and Chief Federal Prosecutor for the Eastern District of Michigan.

“They have some pretty top-notch people that they bring in,” The entire interview with Professor Nedry can be heard at www. mcccagora.com

opinion

4

February 28 2012

mcccagora.com • The Agora

Leave drafting to actual NFL experts Football season may be over, but that doesn’t mean preparations for the next season aren’t under way.

I love football. Nothing gets my blood pressure on the rise faster than a close football game. Truth be told, college football is my favorite. However, I still enjoy a good NFL game.

Football season brings tailgating on brisk mornings, parties with friends, and some friendly rivalry.

I even have my own fantasy team, and I love every Shana moment of the Kritzer football season.

Agora Staff Everyone has opinions, and people want their opinions to be heard. There comes a point when giving an opinion becomes too much for me.

Some things about sports leave me confused. I don’t yell at my television, I am not that crazed naked fan sprinting through a stadium, and I don’t try to tell anyone who will listen how the NFL should draft their players.

Should it matter to me who a 40-yearold garbage man thinks is best for the draft. Should I care that a retired teacher believes one quarterback is superior to another? Honestly, I don’t.

I have gotten so sick of listening to long-winded rants regarding football.

Maybe I just misunderstand. But when a person is not currently an NFL player, a coach, a general manager or a team owner, they are not a football expert.

For instance, if I spent hours researching players, teams, and statistics, then put these findings together in a report, who would actually want to read it?

I’m sure someone, someplace would find my thoughts interesting. But that doesn’t matter. The NFL is not looking to hire me for my utter brilliance. They already have on their payroll employees

“...when a person is not currently an NFL player, a coach, a general manager or a team owner, they are not a football expert. ”

whose entire job revolves around drafting players.

Now if John Madden was to work up a mock draft, I may be interested. I would consider him a football expert. An annoying football expert, but still he has the experience and insight to have a valid opinion.

Joe Shmoe from down the street is not in any way a football expert. Watching games, trolling the internet, and having a fantasy league does not qualify anyone as a professional football critic. If Joe was so great at football, why is he not playing for the NFL? Why does he not work there?

I understand, it’s merely for fun and it amuses some folks. It just irritates me. I would never tell an attorney how to do her job, and I would never tell a professional NFL player how to do his job. My thought has always been if you think you can do better than the person you are criticizing, then prove it, or shut-up.

I guess what it comes down to is that it’s a judgment of another person. When people criticize football players for the way they played a game, they are making a judgment about the player that is really not fair. Everyone has good days and bad days. Yes, the players are out in the public eye, and they are representing a team, but

we could give them a break sometimes.

There has to be an enormous deal of pressure to stand out on a football field in front of thousands of people. Fans expect these men to be invincible, when in fact they are only human.

I should admit that this whole editorial started because I read the mock drafts that my fellow Agora staffers had written. If you are interested, please go to the sports page and read them. The guys who wrote the drafts are wonderful journalists. I just think that mock drafts are ridiculous.

Maybe if we had more sports at MCCC to cover, we wouldn’t have to run a page full of mock NFL drafts. We should start a sports program. Anything is better than nothing. Wait, I take that back, we have volleyball.

Moral of the story: if you feel the need to criticize NFL players or anyone else, make sure that you can do their job more efficiently than they can.

Time to start planning for Spain For the next few weeks, I’ll be working to make an awesome trip to Spain seem, well, awesome.

It’s time for students to start thinking seriously about joining MCCC’s next Study Abroad trip, which will be to Portugal and Spain in May of 2013.

I’m working now on marketing materials – you know, brochures, posters, videos, slide shows – the stuff that will give students all the details they need to make a decision.

In one way, marketing this trip will be easy. I really believe it will be an incredible trip, an experience of a lifetime for everyone who joins.

I’m confident of that partly because I tagged along on MCCC’s 2011 trip to Central Europe. I’ve traveled quite a bit – 49 of the 50 states and 15 countries – and none of my travels compared with the overall experience of that trip.

Part of what makes study abroad so wonderful is the camaraderie. In Central Europe, Dan Shaw we weren’t just seeing forts, castles, museums, cathedrals, Adviser death camps, Turkish baths – I could go on and on – but we were experiencing them as part of a group. All 26 people were sharing, learning, laughing – and sometimes crying – together.

Another aspect of college study abroad that impressed me was the quality of the tours. Time and again, local guides were provided who offered insight into the history, culture, politics and art that simply isn’t available to regular tourists.

They helped the professors on the trip – Joanna Sabo and Gary Wilson – connect students with the politics and art of each country in a way that simply isn’t possible in a classroom.

The Alhambra, a fort and palace located on a hilltop outside Granada, was built in the 14th Century by the Moors, who occupied parts of Spain for nearly 800 years. It’s one of many historic and cultural treasures on the itinerary for MCCC’s 2013 Study Abroad trip to Spain and Portugal.

The research I’ve done preparing for the Spain/ Portugal trip has me excited – and convinced the 2013 trip will be just as incredible as Central Europe in 2011.

Portugal and Spain offer essentially the same mix – walk down one street and see amazing history and culture; turn a corner and you’re in a modern, hip

city full of trendy shops and great restaurants.

Spain was a major player in the development of Western Civilization. The Spanish Armada patrolled the seas of the world while its rulers built spectacular castles and cathedrals and filled them with gold and art.

Before that, the Moors – Muslims from Northern

Africa – occupied parts of Spain and Portugal for 800 years, building their own monuments and putting their stamp on the culture. Even earlier, the Roman Empire dominated Spain, leaving its own artifacts behind.

The Prado in Madrid is one of the world’s great museums; the Alhambra in Granada and the Mezquita in Cordoba are among the world’s best examples of Moorish architecture; the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona is one of the world’s most spectacular cathedrals.

All of these will be stops on the MCCC trip in 2013, along with many more.

And, of course, there’s the food – Spain is famous for its ethnic dishes. And the beaches – Barcelona is known for some of Europe’s best. And the music – ever hear of Flamenco dancing?

As I work on the marketing materials – choosing which pictures and videos best tell the story of Spain and Portugal – I can’t wait to start talking with students and other members of the MCCC community about the 2013 trip.

It seems like a long time away – May 2013. But professors Sabo and Wilson, who will be taking their fourth MCCC Study Abroad trip – tell me it’s important for students to starting planning now.

Stay tuned. In March and April, there will be several chances to attend meetings, watch videos, peruse brochures and otherwise learn about the May 2013 trip.

Students can begin signing up soon – so they can start planning, saving money, getting passports and otherwise preparing for an incredible trip in May 2013.

Viva la Spain.

(Dan Shaw teaches journalism at MCCC and is adviser to The Agora. He is leading the 2013 Study Abroad trip.)

College needs uniform attendence policy MCCC has an academic policy governing all classes. As an example, if you are taking an English class, you will be learning the same thing in that class offered by one professor as you would being taught by another professor.

The differences come into play with how an instructor delivers this to the student. As an example, in addition to the academic standards for English 151, an instructor may choose to supplement or incorporate Greek literature, and have the students apply Lorrie skill sets to relate it Mayzlin to current events in their lives.

Agora Staff This, according to MCCC President David Nixon, is called academic freedom. Instructors must meet the minimum academic standard established by the college, but are

allowed to deviate beyond that minimum to customize their agendas to their own personal standards of teaching.

It is my belief that there should be a standard established campus-wide regarding attendance. Most instructors on campus do have their own version of attendance requirements, which generally involve a lower grade for missing more classes than allowed. Most of us are adults with families and lives outside the classroom. There are many things that can occur outside the classroom that might affect our attendance, and because we are adults, is it really justified to fail a student if they miss three classes?

The “miss three classes and fail the class” attendance policy, has to be the harshest policy I have yet to hear about on this campus. To do the simple math on this policy, if the course meets twice a week for fifteen weeks, and is not the type of course that builds on the previous lessons of the class, missing any three classes during the course of the semester is the equivalent to ten percent. That’s crazy – miss three classes, get a zero on your semester grade.

“It is always healthy to question policy and procedures, and it’s good that students have the freedom to do so” said Victoria McIntyre, English professor and administrative assistant to MCCC President David Nixon.

I believe the best assessment of your academic achievement is shown through testing, and not whether you come to 100 percent of your classes. In the real world, even employers are more forgiving and lenient than this ludicrous policy; granted, you might get a written reprimand for calling off three shifts in a row, but most employers would not fire you for three call-offs.

There are many instructors on this campus who would like to see MCCC come up with one overall attendance standard, a supremacy clause. Much like the Supremacy Clause of the United States, which guarantees that no state law will supercede the federal law, and maintains that the federal is the minimum base law that all states must follow.

MCCC should create their own supremacy clause, whereby instructors must follow a set base standards for all

things regarding students and programs, but may also deviate from for their academic freedoms.

As an example, if MCCC had issued their supremacy clause stating that all students attending classes on the campus are required to attend at least 70 percent of all their classes or they would face grade reductions of 25 percent for every occurrence beyond six absences, that would be the “base” from which all instructors could deviate (but not make more stringent).

At this point, the instructor may change the policy for attendance, stating that if you miss six classes, the student would lose 15 percent of their grade; for seven absences they would lose 25 percent; and if the student had eight absences, they would fail the course.

Another instructor may have a syllabus that reflects that students must attend 70 percent of all registered classes, but if they miss seven classes (for any reason), they would suffer a grade reduction of 10 percent; missing nine classes would result in a grade reduction of 50 percent; or missing 10 classes would result in au-

tomatic failure of the course.

With the present polices in place, as long as the instructor puts his version of attendance in his syllabus, he is good to go.

Unfortunately, most students do not receive this syllabus until after the start of the semester, which means that if they do not agree with it, they would have to drop that class and hope that they can register for another lateral class.

This presents a problem if the classes meet once a week, however, because by the time a student receives the syllabus, it is too late to get into a different class if they do not agree with the instructor ‘s syllabus.

I think the college should take a hard look at what it considers its “constitution” and adjust it to cover all things that affect students.

It would provide instructors with a base to follow, as a guideline of what the college expects as a minimum standard. It also might put an end to the crazy attendance policies that some instructors are presently subjecting students to.

The Agora Editorial Policy The Agora is published by the students of Monroe County Community College, 1555 S. Raisinville Rd., Monroe, MI, 48161. The editorial office is located in Room 202 of the Life Sciences Bldg., (734) 384-4186, agora@monroeccc.edu.

Editorial policy: Unsigned editorials represent the majority opinion of The Agora staff. Signed columns represent the opinion of the writer. All letters to the editor must include a signature, address and phone number for verification purposes. The Agora reserves the right to edit for clarity, accuracy, length and libel.

The Agora is a student-managed newspaper that supports a free student press and is a member of the Michigan Community College Press Association, the Michigan Collegiate Press Association, the Michigan Press Association, College Media Advisers, Associated Collegiate Press and the Student Press Law Center.

Story suggestions are welcome. Let us know what you’d like to see in The Agora - it’s your newspaper.

Submissions of stories or photos also are welcome. Email them to agora@monroeccc.edu or bring them to our office.

Editor Tyler Eagle Assistant Editor Nicki Kostrewza Adviser Dan Shaw

Staff Members Ted Boss Christina Cusamono Mandi Davis Michelle Dangler Kaitlyn Durocher Shana Kritzer Miles Lark

Robin Lawson Lorrie Mayzlin Michael Mayzlin Taylor Pinson Tyler Rogoff Jacob Thompson David Topolewski

f

eatures

February 28 2012

mcccagora.com • The Agora

5

Ex-priest discusses faith, beliefs

Kaitlyn Durocher Agora Staff

Marvin Josaitis, a former Catholic priest, came to MCCC’s Meyer Theater to talk about his two books: “Breaking Grand Silence: A Former Priest Stands Out,” and “Pennies From a Heav’n: The Joy of Making Family.”

Josaitis’ presentation brought out a large crowd of citizens from around Monroe County.

People gathered in the theater to hear his story of why he quit the priesthood and the reasoning behind his two books.

After being a pastor at St. Michael’s Church in Monroe from 1967 to 1969, Josaitis resigned and became a professor of philosophy and English at MCCC. However, after seven years of teaching, he then went on to work in corporate positions all around America.

In 1998, Josaitis retired to focus on his other interests, which include writing, and being a volunteer and Realtor.

In December of 2011, the former priest released both of his books within a week’s time.

The second book, “Pennies From a Heav’n: The Joy of Making Family,” is a story of his family that Josaitis wrote to tell his first granddaughter about the family members she did not get to meet.

“This book is my love story to the world,” Josaitis stated about his second book.

However, his first book, “Breaking Grand Silence: A Former Catholic Priest Speaks Out,” is what Josaitis returned to MCCC to speak about.

This book was written about the reasons why Josaitis left the Catholic Church and priesthood.

It is a controversial subject that he addressed both in his book and to his audience during his presentation.

Due to philosophical reasons including sex, celibacy and views about women and men, Josaitis decided he could no longer be a priest because he did not support or believe in what he was preaching.

These three topics were viewed as paradigms by Josaitis, which is basically our way of thinking that we are taught and that shapes the way we behave as we

grow up.

Since Josaitis did not agree with these ways of thinking, he did not want to continue being a priest.

Although these topics are controversial and people believe different things about them, Josaitis presented a great speech that made his audience think.

“The presentation was very interesting and thought provoking. I bought both books and am halfwqay through the second one; his theories make you think,” William Bacarella, chairman of MCCC’s Board of Trustees, said.

“I was impressed by Dr. Josaitis’ teaching ability,” MCCC President David Nixon said.

“As he would in a classroom discussing extremely sensitive topics without offending anyone in the audience; and each one of us learned something about ourselves and the paths we have taken.”

While these topics may never be completely agreed upon, it is clear that Jophoto by katie Durocher saitis’ speech raised a lot of questions and Marvin Josaitis signed copies of his books “Breaking Grand Silence: A Former Priest thoughts for the people in the audience. Stands Out” and “Pennies from a Heav’n: The Joy of Making Family” after his presentation.

Robotics competition inspires students Christina Cusamono Nicki Kostrzewa Agora Staff

For the first time, MCCC hosted a national and world-qualifying robotics tournament.

The VEX robotics tournament was hosted by the college’s Society of Manufacturing Engineers and FIRST Team Virus; both robotic teams meet in the West Tech Building.

The Feb. 11 event gave MCCC a chance to highlight its technology programs and the new Career Technology Center, which will house them.

The center is designed to support the needs and devices necessary for developing the skills for high-demand, highskill jobs for the future.

MCCC’s current technology buildings, East and West Tech, do not have enough space for this constantly growing field.

“Coming here to see what MCCC has to offer and the schools affordable nature can only assist in getting good students to attend,” said Jeff Demaray, mentor and coordinator for Team Virus.

Sixteen high school and middle school photo courtesy of Elizabeth High robotics teams from around the state Students from across the state converged on MCCC for the competition. College students mentored the high school students gathered to present their robots and com- who competed. pete to qualify for the 2012 VEX National Competition in Nebraska, and the to the SME robotics club on campus, in- skills.

Four robots compete at a time, two ro2012 VEX Robotics High School World troduced Team Virus, Monroe’s entry in bots on the blue alliance and two on the The name of the competition is GateChampionships in Anaheim, Calif., in the competition, and explained MCCC’s way, played on a 12-by-12 square field red alliance. The alliance with the highApril. growing engineering and technology divided into three zones: the interac- est score wins.

Members of MCCC’s Society of Man- programs.

The robots pick up barrels or balls and tion zone, and the red and blue isolation ufacturing Engineers (SME) volunteered place them into the high and low goals.

Monroe’s team was formed through zones. their time to help coordinate the event the Technology First organization, which Nine balls and fourteen barrels are Thus, the game requires precise and efand provide space in their lab for the allows any high school-aged Monroe on each side, four floor goals are in ficient movements of the robots. younger students’ robots.

County student to join the robotics team. each corner, and nine circular goals sit Besides winning points, judges also Chad Martin and Nicole DeFelice, look at each team’s design innovation, VEX offers students a chance to learn throughout the field. students in Marty Dubois’ Nuclear En- about career opportunities in the fields The game begins with a 20-second programming, presentation, strategy, gineering and Technology class, volun- of science, technology, engineering and autonomous period, where the robot is and teamwork. teered to help coordinate the event as math.

Judges included First Solar representaprogrammed to control itself by senswell.

On top of exploring these careers, the ing white stripes on the floor of the field, tives and technicians.

Bob Leonard, assistant professor of VEX Robotics project teaches team- followed by two minutes of driver-conThe teams of high school students manufacturing technology and adviser work, leadership and problem solving trolled play.

each develop an 18-by-18-by-18 inch robot, which can cost upwards of $2,000.

Some time is needed to build the most innovative robot.

“We see if the group really preformed as a team, or if one person did all the work,” Jason Shaaer, a First Solar judge said.

“A creative approach to winning is important.”

Athena Rising from Cranbrook Schools in Bloomfield Hills won the Excellence Award and the Tournament Championship.

Athena Rising, has previously placed in the Vex World Competition, and has been planning its model since the summer of 2011.

“We start out by working with legos,” a member of the all-girl team said, “We try to come up with a more efficient design, building off our friends past ideas.

Our robot is our own, and we take a lot of pride in it.”

Orderly Chaos from De La Salle Collegiate High School in Warren won the other Tournament Championship and Design Award.

Monroe’s Team Virus won for its Programming/Documentation Skills. Virus used Autodesk Inventor, an advanced software package to design and develop its entry.

The Fighting Polar Bears from Highland Park Public Schools won the Judges Awards.

Other schools that participated in this competition were Youthville High School and George Washington Carver Academy, from Highland Park, Detroit International Academy for Young Women, and De La Salle Collegiate High School from Warren.

Sponsors of the event were Technology First, Autodesk Company, leaders in 3D design, engineering, entertainment software, and MCCC.

A Look Around Campus

Photos by Miles Lark

Above: Sam James, a student at MCCC, played his music in the cafeteria to entertain students during Black History Month.

Right: The Big Gig, at MCCC’s Meyer Theater on Saturday, Feb. 25, highlighted the 25th anniversary of Monroe County Library’s Black History Month.

A &E rts

ntertainment mcccagora.com • The Agora

February 28 2012

6

Collin Raye hypnotizes crowd with music Shana Kritzer Staff Reporter

Audience members sang along as Collin Raye mesmerized them with songs both old and new.

Country singer Collin Raye played at MCCC’s Meyer Theater Feb. 18. He brought to the stage an energy many entertainers lack.

Playing a mix of his most remembered hit songs, some great cover songs, and some songs from his new Christian CD, Collin had the crowd’s attention for all of his 90 minutes on stage.

The show was almost sold out the night before the concert.

Tom Ryder, event coordinator, was enthusiastic that the show would sell out before starting time.

“There are about 125 tickets remaining, with sales in the afternoon, and some door sales, it should be close to a sold out show,” Ryder said.

Collin Raye has sixteen No. 1 country hits, as well as 44 top 10 hits. Raye’s new album, ‘Undeafeated,’ is his first Christian album.

It was written after Raye had lost his granddaughter to a rare neurological disease. It’s about being strong when you feel like giving up.

Raye did an amazing cover of Elton John’s “Rocket Man” as well as two songs originally sung by Bob Dylan.

The audience danced, sang and laughed along with Raye.

His songs bring to mind memories of long ago, buried deep in the past. Songs like “Love Me” and “Little Rock” have a wonderful meaning behind them, helping the audience to feel a kinship with the artist.

Photos by Lorrie Mayzlin

Collin Raye, left, and his guitar player, above, had the audience dancing in the aisles.

Students prepare for DiffrACT, McCloskey to direct Ted Boss

Staff Reporter

Scott McCloskey likes to keep theatergoers on the edge of their seats.

McCloskey is directing a series of eight, 10-minute plays that will be presented at MCCC March 16-17.

He said one advantage of short plays is that nearly everyone who tries out can get a part.

“I like doing the shorts because I can cast more people,” he said.

McCloskey began directing about 10 years ago. He enjoys acting, although he didn’t start until college. The creativity in the art is what brought him to directing.

Of the short plays in the DiffrACT collection, he thinks that he might like “The Last Tennis Shoe,” by Shel Silverstein, the best.

He said he often has been required to play a part in a production that he directed.

“Sometimes I am sort of forced to, if not enough people try out,” he said.

“A couple of years ago I had to play a part – in fact I had to play two parts – I want to say. And that’s fun, too. It is a different thing when you are acting and

directing in the same play.”

He said it is hard to see the big picture when you are on stage, making it more difficult to direct.

Nearly 20 people tried out for DiffrACT, so McCloskey had a good pool of actors to choose from.

In the beginning of actors’ careers, Scott said, they tend to rock back and forth from nervous energy. It’s an easy adjustment to make, however, with practice.

McCloskey said if you are interested in acting, just audition. You will likely not get a lead roll, but if you watch the leads you can learn a lot from them by just being a part of it.

He said he often enjoys working with actors who seem to have no talent. They may just lack experience and training. He said it’s worth spending time to help improve their acting, so they also can have more fun.

He has written a play himself, but has yet to direct it. He said he thinks it would be wonderful to premier the play, but it is years away.

DiffrACT will premiere in the Little photo by Ted Boss Theatre at 7:30 p.m. March 16 and 17. It is free and designed for mature audiences. Left to right: Actors Joshua Rains, Jake Drouillard, Ryan Reynolds and director Scott McCloskey rehearse scenes from DiffrACT.

Whitney Houston remembered, honored at Grammy’s Kaitlyn Durocher Staff Reporter

The weekend of the Grammy Awards, America lost one of its legendary singers. The “diva of pop,” Whitney Houston, died on Feb. 11 from unknown causes.

A member of Houston’s entourage found her in her hotel bathtub at the Beverly Hilton Hotel just moments before she was to perform for a pre-Grammy show.

It may take weeks for the coroners to determine Houston’s cause of death and then even more time for officials to release their statement to the public.

While the cause of Houston’s death is unknown, the police say they are not ruling out any possibilities including fowl play.

However, they say that heart attack seems to be the main possibility.

Houston was a six-time Grammy winner. To honor her death, the Grammy’s devoted a lot of their time to a memorial for the singer.

Bonnie Raitt, Stevie Wonder, and Jennifer Hudson were among the celebrities who honored Houston during the show.

Hudson closed with “I Will Always Love You,” a song by Houston herself, to respect and remember the life of the singer.

Sunday morning Houston’s daughter was taken into the hospital to be treated for stress and anxiety and then released later that day.

At this time, Houston’s family and especially her daughter, Bobbi Kristina, are asking for privacy and time to grieve their great loss.

By age 48, Houston had already achieved six Grammy Awards, four U.S. No.1 albums, two Emmy Awards, six People’s Choice Awards, seven Soul Train Music Awards, 11 No. 1 songs, and numerous other awards and nominations.

Over 170 million of her albums, singles, and videos were sold worldwide by the time of her death and that number continues to grow as her most famous song was the most downloaded single on iTunes following her death.

The death of this well-known singer has impacted many Americans. However, her legacy and music will continue to live Whitney Houston performs on Good Morning America on Sept. 1, 2009. on in her remembrance.

Death of pop-star prompts suggestion for alternative sound

I don’t intend on sounding insensitive, but why are we still talking about Whitney Houston’s death?

A death of any person is tragic, especially a FORMER pop music icon. However, we need to carefully look at the circumstances leading to her death: careless lifestyle, alcohol, drugs, and Bobby Brown out of all people.

The media doesn’t mention the fact that Houston was on a path to self-destruction for several years. Instead, they describe her as an “inspiring role model.”

The world may never know exactly who she inspired beyond her singing triumphal of the endless pop and RnB hits, but the reckless train that was Whitney Houston of the late 1990s and after has finally hit the brick wall and ended tragically. We need to remember

and forget.

On a positive note, 19-year-old Frances Bean Cobain, a daughter of Nirvana former frontman Kurt Cobain and his always unpredictable wife Courtney Love, turned out alright.

Michael She recently reMayzlin leased some modeling pictures and Agora Staff is being scouted

by Christian Dior.

Winter 2012 is turning out to be a great season for electronic music. With new re-

leases from Armin Van Buuren and Dash Berlin, it sounds like it’s going to be a great year for progressive trance.

There are some hidden gems to discover in addition to big ticket names. I recently came across some electro tracks that were not only inspiring in sound, but also monumentally epic in production.

First, there is Jochen Miller, a DJ turned producer from the Netherlands. This guy has been DJ-ing since 2003, but only recently started producing his own tracks. His latest, “Bamm!” and “Flashback”, are clubready electro monsters that are rich in innovative sounds and mind-boggling basses.

Also, Dakota, a somewhat unknown entity, was introduced to the world by Marcus Schultz, a leading DJ and radio personality.

Dakota produces progressive dance music, but some of the mixes that were released last month are nothing more but banging electro tunes.

Klauss Goulart’s remix of Dakota’s “Terrace” takes the cake in that category.

There is a lot more great music to adore this month, so here is my Top 10 list of what electronic music had to offer in the last two months: 01 - Cerf Mitiska Feat. Jaren - You Never Said (Dash Berlin Remix).

02 - First State feat. Sarah Howells Reverie (Dash Berlin Remix).

03 - Headstrong feat. Kirsty Hawkshaw - Love Calls (Original Mix).

04 - Armin Van Buuren pres. Gaia Stellar (Marlo Remix).

05 - Marcel Woods - Advanced (Tiesto Remix).

06 - Jochen Miller - Bamm! (Original Mix).

07 - Jochen Miller - Flashback (Gregori Klosman Remix).

08 - Suspect 44 - Japanese Schoolgirls (PROFF Remix).

09 - Dakota - Terrace (5am Klauss Goulart Remix).

10 - Lange vs. Gareth Emery - This Is New York (Heatbeat Remix).

A non-stop mix of all these songs and many more can be heard at: http://www. divshare.com/download/16732184-22d.

I’m off to CNN’s iReport section to post how I am going to mourn Whitney Houston’s death.

February 28, 2012

arts and entertainment

mcccagora.com • The Agora

Atlanta’s southern rock

|7

‘The Fight of Our Lives’ Review David Topolewski Agora Staff

Students hear sounds of Atlanta Rhythm Section Lorrie Mayzlin Agora Staff

The Atlanta Rhythm Section graced Meyer Theater on Feb. 10, and rocked the house.

Well over half of the attendees were members of the baby boomer generation who seemed to appreciate ARS and its southern rock roots.

While the crowd appreciated the entire band for its performance, you could hear thunderous applause for the variety of drum and guitar solos that scattered throughout the event.

After the band had exited the stage, the crowd refused to leave until band members came back for an encore.

The Atlanta Rhythm Section began in 1970 in a small town northeast of Atlanta, Georgia. It is billed under the Southern rock influence and modeled its sound after .38 Special, Starbuck, Lynyrd Skynyrd and B.J. Thomas.

Originally, the members came together as a house band at Studio One, and later became a session band. They reached the height of their success between 1977 and 1980, and diminished quickly when music began to move toward harder rock and roll (hairbands).

While ARS did not reach the commercial success of Lynyrd Skynyrd or The Allman Brothers, they did have several charted hits, including “Imaginary Lover” in 1978 and “Spooky” in 1979.

The Atlanta Rhythm Section’s original lead singer, Ronnie Hammond, died on March 14, 2011 in a Georgia hospital at age 60.

Overall, it was a nice trip to the past for much of the audience, and it’s nice to see that southern rock is making a comeback.

The MCCC International Studies Club sponsored a 50/50 raffle at the event to raise money for its upcoming trip to the United Nations in New York City.

The Atlanta Rhythm Sectionrocked Meyer Theater on Feb. 10. Above are Dean Daughtry on keyboards and Jim Keeling on drums; far left, Steve Stone on guitar; and left, David Anderson on guitar.

Photos by Lorrie Mayzlin

FF XIII-2 disappoints players Tyler Rogoff Agora Staff

Final Fantasy XIII was by far my least favorite Final Fantasy game. But I decided to give XIII-2 a shot, and I ended up honestly shocked.

The sequel, although keeping the same battle and level-up systems as the predecessor, doesn’t have the same feel that XIII had. I found myself unable to keep going in XIII at multiple points due to boredom with character development and the story.

I’m not saying XIII-2 has a fantastic story that made me reminisce of my many playthroughs of FFX, but the storyline is respectable enough to keep you playing, and at points doesn’t allow you to put the game down due to unexpected twists and unforeseen events.

The linearity of XIII’s story was the main downfall. Players were forced to do exactly what was expected to advance the main story. XIII-2 rids this fault through the Historia Crux. Noel and Serah, the main characters, travel through time using gates that lead to the Historia Crux. Players are able to choose where to go next and will find Artefacts to open up new gates. Gates that lead to new story areas open up by finishing the story, but players will have the option to explore areas that aren’t story-required as well.

The battle system is a direct copy of XIII with one improvement: Players now are able to capture monsters to act as their third-party member. This adds a new level of strategy to the game, as at times players should grind an area in an attempt to capture monsters. All monsters have their own

FF Xiii-2 is the lastest installment of the Final Fantasy game series. Like FF X, the game is a continuation of a previous release.

capture rate, so many of the best monsters in the game will take a good number of battles to capture.

I went into this game expecting that the demo just got my hopes up and that I’d get the same burnout as I did with XIII, but I ended up playing the game nonstop in my free time.

I won’t spoil anything about the ending, but I will say that it was the first game in a long time to have me screaming more colorful versions of “What the heck?” multiple times at the television. I cannot recall a time when the ending left me staring at the screen in shock for as long as I did with XIII-2.

The story is not overly long, but with the amount of sidequests, many hours can be spent. Downloadable content also has been promised, and some have been released. Multiple endings also are in the game at different points in the story, which opens up new areas as well.

I was expecting this game to be a time filler and holdover until Kingdoms of Amalur and Mass Effect 3 are released, but I found myself picking up a game that I’m ready to play through again with the new unlocks that are received after completing the story.

Any role-playing game fan should give this game a chance. Even if you never completed XIII, it is worth picking up. Those who are playing XIII and have yet to complete it should wait until finishing XIII, as even the early parts of the game show scenes from the end of XIII. For those with no connection to XIII, a primer is available to read that sums up each part of the story for you.

I’ll give Final Fantasy XIII-2 a 8.5 out of 10. The drawbacks are that the story can be confusing at times and that it is somewhat short if a story run is done, but the game more than makes up for these weaknesses.

“The Fight of our Lives” is a book dedicated to explaining the threat “radical Islamist terrorists,” pose to America.

Bestselling author William J. Bennett and Seth Leibsohn co-authored the pro-War on Terror book.

The writing is a criticism of both the Bush and Obama administrations, but also gives praise to both as well. The authors are much more critical of the Obama administration, however.

Bennett and Leibsohn open with the tragedy of Fort Hood. Readers may be surprised to know Nidal Hassan (the terrorist who killed 14 Americans at Fort Hood) gave a Powerpoint in which he was supposed to have discussed a “medical topic,” according to the Washington Post.

Instead, his presentation highlighted the war on terror. Hassan concluded with a quote from Osama Bin Laden, “We love death more than you love life,” just two years before his attack on Fort Hood.

Saddam Hussein’s horrific human rights record is also acknowledged, explaining what a former Clinton administration official wrote: “This is a regime that will crush all of the bones in the feet of a two-yearold girl for her mother to divulge her father’s whereabouts. This is a regime that will hold a nursing baby at arm’s length from its mother and allow the child to starve to death to force the mother to confess.”

While discussing the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the authors explained the country became war weary and why.

“President Bush stopped casting the vision, and the nation’s vision became consequently obscured,” they said.

“The Fight of our Lives” praises early rhetoric by Bush — phrases such as, “Smoke them out of their holes,” “bring ‘em on,” and “wanted dead or alive.” This praise is followed with disagreement of rhetoric during the later years of the Bush presidency.

With the exit of President Bush, President Obama brought a new vision to the “war against radical Islam.” This was much criticized by the authors, because they believed the president’s new vision was, “Ending the wars abroad, not winning them.”

The cited a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson, “The corruption of man is followed by the corruption of language.”

Also discussed is the threat that Iran poses to the security of the world and the need to stop the country’s nuclear ambitions. Bennett and Leibsohn write that if Iran does obtain a nuclear weapon, it will be much regretted

by America and the world.

They conclude that if Iran succeeds, a book titled “While America Slept,” would explain how America allowed it to happen.

“The Fight of Our Lives” is a defense of America’s initiative to take the battle to people who intend to harm America and its citizens.

“Lifting our veil and engaging the fight, as both a matter of military and civic strength, is our greatest task.”

Journey through NES land, saves Nintendo’s Aboboy Jacob Thompson Agora Staff

It’s a peculiar game with the peculiar name, and odds are very good you haven’t heard of “Abobo’s Big Adventure” before.

Well, that’s a shame.

While most gamers are taking a leap forward with groundbreaking titles and their shiny new Playstation Vita, this game allows you to take a step back.

From 1985-1995 the NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) graced U.S. shelves, spawning over 700 titles and single-handedly saving the medium after the “gaming crash of ‘83.”

A self proclaimed labor of love, “Abobo’s Big Adventure” sets out to let the player relive all 10 years of glory at once. The end result is utter chaos… in the best way possible, the type of thing any veteran of the old system would come to expect.

What sets it apart from these games of yore? While those cartridges cost a beefy $60 a pop, “Abobo’s Big Adventure” is absolutely free!

Who is Abobo anyway? A good question; he is the first boss of the NES title “Double Dragon.”

Why is he the main character of this grand adventure? Another good question… So, when his son Aboboy gets kidnapped by, well everyone, you must set out on a journey through NES land to save him.

The first level plays as a standard ‘beat ém up’ affair through the landscape of “Double Dragon.”

However when you encounter Goombas of Mario Bros. fame and the like outside their home turf, you know something is amiss. The subsequent levels come from other flagship NES titles such as Megaman II, The Legend of Zelda, Contra, etc.

The true beauty of this game is that the controls and perspective change to fit those of the title it is currently emulating.

To put it simpler, when you are in a dungeon from “The Legend of Zelda,” you are playing “The Legend of Zelda.”

Bursting at the seams with nods to virtually every NES title there is, and even Xbox style achievements, this game is almost too much to handle.

Expect to lose lives frequently… but then that’s what the Nintendo Entertainment System was all about!

sports

8

February 28 2012

mcccagora.com • The Agora

MCCC students take to the slopes Christina Cusumano Agora Staff

This 2012 winter semester, there was enough interest on campus to create four ski and snowboarding classes teaching students how to “Shred the Gnar,” or for the rookies, just ride down the slopes without wiping out.

The classes, beginning ski and snowboard and intermediate ski and snowboard, offer winter fun, a great way to exercise during the sluggish days of winter, and five weeks of cheap private lessons at the Mount Brighton Ski Resort.

Each class counts as a Health and Physical Education credit, and like most classes offered at MCCC, are transferrable to four-year universities.

Mark Dushane, a retired Summerfield teacher of 33 years, directs the class and supervises the six snowboarders and two skiers.

Dushane has been with MCCC since the fall of 2010 as a replacement for Al Thom, a once full-time physical education teacher.

“Mount Brighton is really good with providing instructors,” Dushane said. “They stay with the same student each lesson, which is really nice. That way time isn’t wasted trying to see what level the students are at.”

Michigan weather this year hasn’t been very conducive to optimum ski and snowboarding conditions.

The first class of the semester was rescheduled because of heavy rain and more often than not, students were riding on man-made snow, which some consider different than fresh “pow” aka (powder snow).

Beginners like Jennifer Mushung and Katie Jacobs are quickly learning what the best conditions are to snowboard.

“I think real snow is definitely better,” Mushung said. “The fake snow makes more ice-chips, and you fall more often, so it definitely makes a difference.”

Advanced skiers like Dushane do not seem to no-

Six students joined instructor Mark Dushane at Mount Brighton Ski Resort for beginning and intermediate ski and snowboard courses this semester.

tice a difference.

The majority of Dushane’s students were new to the sport when they joined the class. Other students, including Chris VanWinkle and Audra Vanbrant, can perform at the intermediate level.

“I’m good, but I’m ages away from Shawn White,” snowboarder VanWinkle said. “I know how to hit the jumps and rails. The best I can do is probably a 540 rotation, which is rotation and a half. I can do a Rodeo too (turning front-side 180 degrees while completing an inverted 360 degree rotation).”

Vanbrant, a math teacher at Bedford schools, brings her kids, 6 and 8, along to ski with her. This class allows her to keep up a certification in physical education.

The physical aspect of skiing and snowboarding is an effective way to keep moving during the winter season. Strength training and balance is promoted, and upper body, quads, and hamstrings are also being worked. The class has physical exertion written all over it.

“Sometimes, when you’ve skied all day, you’re

just worn out,” Dushane said. “We make sure students are careful and know when to stop.”

Dushane encourages everyone to join his classes and take advantage of the many benefits.

“You’re getting about $250 worth of private lessons for $150, which is the lab fee. If you don’t have equipment and need to rent, it’s about $195 for snowboarders and $185 for skiers (total for the five weeks). It’s a really good deal.”

Renting at Mt. Brighton costs $28 a day for skis, and the same amount for snowboard and boots. Helmet rental is only $6 dollars, which all students are required to wear.

The Shell gas station in Dundee also has a deal going on for skiers and snowboarders through April 6.

All you have to do is buy 10 gallons of gas and you’ll receive a voucher for one free lift ticket to Mount Brighton and other ski resorts in Michigan.

The vouchers are valid at Mount Brighton on Monday-Tuesday, all day; Wednesday-Friday, day only; Saturday after 6 p.m. and Sunday after 5 p.m.

Besides the winter classes, Dushane is also hoping to add on another health and physical education class not currently offered at MCCC, Adrian College, or Siena Heights University — a class that would qualify students for a Michigan High School sportsofficial certification.

“I think it’s a good way for students to make some extra money,” Dushane said.

“I’m actually an official for high school baseball and football. We’re hoping to get the word by next semester and see how many people are interested.”

The Mount Brighton Ski Resort is located in Brighton, just a few minutes from I-96, Exit 145.

From the MCCC campus, the trip takes about an hour and five minutes.

If you’d like more information pertaining to the classes or Mount Brighton, you can contact Mark Dushane at mdushane@monroeccc.edu.

You heard it here first: NFL draft report The 2011 football season is beginning to be a distant memory, but that hasn’t cooled interest in the NFL. Across America, experts and expert wannabes are building their mock drafts. Here are two from Agora staff members:

Lions will pick ILB Vontaze Burfict Tyler Rogoff

Agora Staff

Indianapolis: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford. Luck has the look of a future annual All-Pro quarterback. Has Hall-of-Fame potential.

St. Louis: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State. Blackmon can start as a top receiver for a team like St. Louis, and St. Louis needs a major threat at WR for former top pick Sam Bradford.

Minnesota: Matt Kalil, OT, USC. Kalil can defend the blind side of last year’s first round pick, Christian Ponder, right away.

Cleveland: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor. Griffin has loads of potential and athleticism, but is coming out of a spread offense and should spend a year sitting behind current QB Colt McCoy. Tampa Bay: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama. Running backs aren’t usually drafted this early any more, but Richardson has the potential and lack of mileage to be a impact player for years.

Washington: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU. Claiborne is the best man-to-man coverage corner in the draft. Washington needs talent all over the field, and Claiborne is

the most talented player available.

Jacksonville: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina. Jacksonville had the lowest sack total in the NFL last season. Coples is the best defensive line prospect in the draft and can boost the pass rush.

Miami: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa.

Right tackles aren’t normally high picks, but Reiff is a mauler who can open up the run game for Miami instantly, and provide decent enough pass protection.

Carolina: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU. Carolina’s defensive line hasn’t been a strong point since Julius Peppers left, and Brockers is a start to rebuilding.

Buffalo: Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama. Buffalo is transitioning to a 4-3 defense this season, and Upshaw fits the mold as a prototypical outside LB in the 4-3.

Kansas City: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford. After blocking for Andrew Luck in college, Martin has developed into a solid left tackle with room to grow.

Seattle: Devon Still, DT, Penn State. Still can step in and help retool the defensive line if Red Bryant does not resign.

Arizona: Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia. Arizona has not spent an early pick in recent history on an offensive lineman, and the weakness has become glaring. QB John Skelton has talent, but needs protection to make reads and use his accuracy and arm strength.

Dallas: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama. Dallas has one of the worst secondaries in the NFL, and Kirkpatrick can help instantly.

Although not very strong in man coverage, Kirkpatrick is the best

Lions go for tackle Kelechi Osemele Ted Boss

Agora Staff

Indianapolis: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford. Luck has stated in interviews that he would be fine sitting and learning behind Peyton Manning in Indy if the Colts draft him.

St. Lewis: Matt Kalil, OT, USC. This big left tackle is the best tackle in the draft and the biggest position of need for the Rams. Kalil would be able to assume the left tackle position, moving Rodger Saffold to right tackle, adding protection to Sam Bradford’s blind side.

Minnesota: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU. Claiborne will fill a gaping hole at corner. Claiborne would be a perfect replacement for #26 Antoine Winfield as he brings a similar physical style in the running game. Claiborne has excellent quickness, speed and coverage abilities

Photo by James Santelli

Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State inside linebacker, is one player projected as a possible first round pick of the Detroit Lions.

zone coverage corner in the draft.

Philadelphia: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College. Kuechly may not have the athletic tools, but he has the best instincts of any linebacker prospect in years.

New York Jets: Melvin Ingram, OLB/DE, South Carolina. The Jets biggest weakness last season was their pass rush. Ingram can

and is much larger than Winfield.

Cleveland: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor. This is the most interesting prospect in the 2012 draft. It is highly unlikely that the Browns will trade up for Griffin. The Browns could trade out of this pick if Robert Griffin III is snapped up with the second, or third pick.

Tampa Bay: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama. Richardson is an amazing player and will be a radical upgrade over current starter LaGarrette Blount.

He is in his comfort zone whether he is powering through defenses or by using his speed and elusiveness.

Washington: Justin Blackmon: WR, OK St. Blackmon is one of the most consistent receivers coming out of college football. He runs his routes well, and his reach makes him an extraordinary target.

Jacksonville: Jeremy Mincey, DE, UNC. Mincey has developed into a good pass rusher, leading his team with 8 sacks, four Forced Fumbles and an interception. He will be a good addition to

step in and help improve on that instantly.

Cincinnati: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama. Jenkins has had a troubled past, being kicked out of the University of Florida, but he is still a top ten talent. Cincinnati has a history of ignoring intangibles and going for talented players, and Jenkins is no exception.

a struggling Jaguars defense.

Miami: Riley Reiff, LT, Iowa. The Dolphins selected LT Jake Long in the first round in 2008. Four years later, they’re looking to find help on the right side. Reiff is a balanced athlete, being as strong in pass protection as he is in the run game.

Carolina: Devon Still, DT, Penn St. Still is a very competent pass rusher.

Next to Johnson he could revitalize the Panthers defense that looked lack-luster at best for much of the 2011 season.

Buffalo: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame. Michael Floyd isn’t Megatron, but he is big at 6’3”, and is athletic enough to out-jump and out-muscle defenders in the red zone. Floyd was a consistent receiver in receptions per game with 7.7.

Seattle: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois. The Seahawks need to beef up their pass rush. Clemons, it seems, is the only one that can get to the quarterback.

Mercilus will have no problem in the pro’s as he posted 16 sacks and attained

San Diego: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame. If current WR Vincent Jackson is not resigned, a big play WR will be their biggest need. Floyd has the talent to contribute right away, although questions remain about his maturity.

Chicago: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State. Jay Cutler, the current quarterback, ended up on the ground far too often last season.

Adams can step in and help protect Cutler’s blind side.

Tennessee: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois. Tennessee had the second worst pass rush, and drafting the NCAA leading sack man can only help the team out.

Cincinnati: David DeCastro, G, Stanford. Having already worked on the biggest weakness in their secondary, the Bengals can look to help out the offensive line. A mauling guard like DeCastro will help out in the running game.

Cleveland: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor. If Cleveland drafts Robert Griffin III with the fourth pick, this pick makes even more sense. Wright was his top target and the chemistry will already be there.

Detroit: Vontaze Burfict, ILB, Arizona State. Although secondary is the team’s biggest need, the linebacker corps is awful against the run. Burfict is a run stopping beast.

Pittsburgh: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis. Pittsburgh’s lack of depth on the defensive line showed in their playoff game against Denver. Poe can learn the NFL game for a year or two before being inserted into the starting lineup, and will contribute well early in a rotation.

nine forced fumbles, second highest numbers for a season in NCAA history.

Kansas City: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State. Adams can play either tackle position in the NFL. He has very good footwork, but can lose battles when in a zone blocking scheme. He will likely be the starting right tackle for the 2012 season. If he is developed well he could challenge Branden Albert for the left tackle Position.

Arizona: Jonathan Martin, LT, Stanford.

Dallas: Dre Kilpatrick, CB, Alabama.

Philadelphia: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College.

New York: Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama.

Cincinnati: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford.

San Diego: Dont’a Hightower, LB, Chicago: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers.

Tennessee: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin.

Denver: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State. Denver is also weak on the defensive line, and Worthy can help fill a hole as a rotation player.

Houston: Reuben Randle, WR, LSU. Losing Andre Johnson to injury for half of the season exposed how weak the entire receiving corps is. Randle can instantly become a stretch No. 2 and be a threat in one-on-one coverage.

New England: Nick Perry, DE/ OLB, USC. New England has not had much talent on the defensive line, and Perry will help contribute early in a front-seven rotation.

Green Bay: Mark Barron, S, Alabama. Green Bay could use depth in the secondary and Barron is talented enough to start.

Baltimore: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin. Centers are not often taken in the first round, but Konz looks to be a career starter in the middle of the offensive line.

San Francisco: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina Jeffery has been a top wide receiver in the NCAA since stepping on campus as a freshman, and will help shore up the 49ers’ biggest weakness.

New England: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska New England has drafted corners early in the draft the past few seasons, but none have turned out. Dennard can help out and maybe be a day one starter.

New York: Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson. The Giants’ lack of depth at tight end showed in the Super Bowl when injuries struck.

Allen is the best tight end in the draft and can contribute instantly in a two TE set like the Patriots’.

Cincinnati: Janoris Jenkins, CB, N. Alabama.

Cleveland: Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina.

Detroit: Kelechi Osemele, OT, Iowa St. Pittsburg: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis.

Denver: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi St. Houston: Kendall Wright,WR, Baylor.

New England: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska.

Green Bay: Nick Perry, DE/LB, USC. Baltimore: Vontazo Burfict, LB, Arizona St. San Francisco: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech.

New England: Chandler Jones, LB, Syracuse.

New York: Mark Barron, SS, Alabama.