The Vignette ~ Spring 2024 ~ Issue 2: May 17, 2024

Photo by Monte Devendittis

Photo by Monte Devendittis

Feeding Frenzy Continues: The Vignette Sits Down With Dr. Conzatti

By Alexus Heiserman

Features Editor/Design & Production Manager

As the campus’s dining dilemma continues to develop, The Vignette will update reports and continue the dialogue.

As our readers may recall, our previous issue shed light on the abrupt dining facilities closures across campus. It was said that moving forward having open conversations will lead to a better student experience. Dr. Maria P. Conzatti, NCC’s Chief Acting Officer, agreed to provide insight into the current dining situation in an exclusive interview with The Vignette.

Dr Conzatti explained,

“There was a seven year contract that was in effect with the food vendor, with the possibility of renewal for an additional 3 years However there were provisions that if there were food losses, meaning losses of revenue for that company, that the college would be responsible for covering those expenses That would have obligated the college to over 3 million dollars of additional debt ”

Negotiations between NCC and the food vendor had been ongoing, however when negotiations were not agreed upon, the food vendor decided to end their service on campus and declined to continue until the end of the semester

The Vignette reached out to the campus community on several platforms to gather questions and thoughts. A recurring question was regarding the lack of prior notification and the abrupt nature of the closures, with most students finding out the day of from word of mouth and employees only finding out 2 days before the closings Why wasn't the campus alerted sooner?

Responding to the concerns voiced by students The Vignette posed this question to Dr. Conzatti.

“We asked the vendor to stay until the end of the semester, they chose not to, they notified administration and as soon as we were notified, we notified the campus The vendor's decision to withdraw caught both students and administration off guard,” she stated.

Amidst the campus community’s growing concerns, students, faculty and parents gathered outside the Tower on April 22nd for a rally, aimed at addressing the issue and getting answers Students and faculty voiced their frustrations

One individual who wished to stay anonymous stated, “It's ridiculous that students are left in the dark without any explanations. It’s even more frustrating that there's no presence of administration or higher ups at this rally They should be here engaging with us, hearing our concerns and providing the answers we deserve ”

With NCC being a commuter school and a large majority of the student population relying on public transportation, there is a concern for how students will be able to access food. It would be difficult for students to leave campus just to acquire a meal The NEST, which is the food pantry at NCC, has noticed an increase in the number of students now relying on them for access to food

Dr Conzatti told us about the plans to provide food on campus until a new vendor is secured:

“We are currently working to bring food trucks on campus as an option for students, including halal options -

- There has also been a survey sent out to the campus community to see what kinds of foods they would like to have on campus If anyone needs extra assistance they can also contact the Dean of Students ”

At the time of this issue printing there have been several food trucks on campus. Among them, The Big Cheese food truck and the No Good Burger food truck will be available in the G building parking lot for the remainder of the Spring semester on select days The Campus Store (the bookstore on campus) has also opened a Grab & Go section of food featuring a selection of yogurt, sandwiches, and microwaveable soups The campus has also made microwaves available in the CCB and G building

“I think it's great to have outside options instead of having the whole school rely on the vending machines,” one student comments as she waits in line for The No Good Burger food truck.

Dr Conzatti affirms that she and the administration are actively working towards a more permanent food solution for the upcoming Fall semester The college has already solicited requests for proposals (RFPs) to secure a vendor who can cater to the campus’s dining needs, aiming for a resolution to the ongoing dining challenges

As the campus navigates these challenges, it is comforting to see proactive measures being taken to alleviate the impact on students. During this time, the solidarity of the college community shines through and emphasizes the importance of collective action.

Several of the college’s clubs and organizations have stepped up to provide free food to the campus community. With finals coming up several of NCC’s organizations will be holding study sessions and will be providing snacks, coffee, and food on select dates so be sure to look out for those dates to finish this semester off strong!

Photo Courtesy by Long Photo Courtesy by Long IIsland sland Business News Business News

by Hailey Layug

HAPPENINGS

Photos

EDITORIAL BOARD

Christopher Jean Editor-In-Chief

Joshua Watson Managing Editor

Shanice Brown Advertising/Business Manager

Hailey Layug Photography Editor

Alexus Heiserman

Features Editor/Design & Production Manager

Shayna Cristy-Mendez

Arts & Entertainment Editor/Staff Writer

Fatima Chavez

Social Media Manager Photographer/Reporter STAFF

Latrelle Eatman Cartoonist

FACULTY ADVISOR

Maudelyne Maxineau

The Vignette is the official student newspaper and student voice of Nassau Community College It is published throughout the fall and spring semesters Membership is open to all NCC students. The Vignette welcomes letters to the editor as well as Opinions articles Letters should be limietd to 350 words Opinions essays should be limited to 700 words Letters and Opinions pieces must be signed and contain the author’s telephone number or campus extension The newspaper will withhold names on request The editorial board reserves the right to edit stories or letters for clarity and length Views expressed in letters and Opinions essays do not necessarily reflect those of the editorial board

The Vignette accepts classified and display advertisements from campus and off-campus advertisers. Publication of ads in the newspaper does not imply endorsement of products or services

Address: Vignette Nassau Community College College Center Building, Rm. 347 Garden City, NY 11530

Telephone: (516) 222-7071 nccvignette@gmail.com thevignetteatncc.com

Meet the Editor-In-Chief

Greetings to all, reading the resurrection of the Vignette, I’d like to first start by saying thank you for keeping us cherished in your hearts. I speak for all the Vignette family when I say this, without our dedicated audience, we wouldn't be able to continue providing the most accurate news at Nassau Community College.

Now, a little about myself; My name is Christopher Jean, this is my second semester at Nassau; planning to graduate in Early Spring 2026. I’ve had no prior experience with news editing, however, I am a natural-born, fearless leader When I was offered this position, I was caught a bit off guard, nevertheless, I did not back down. It was not easy bringing back this beloved paper, through trials & tribulation, we are eccentric to release our first issue after being dormant for two years. With a young core, we are adamant on providing a voice for the students. We strive on being the most accurate news source for Nassau Community College for the long run.

Jellyfish Dresses, Legacy Burdens, and Finding Peace Amidst the Storm: The May 2024 Fashion

By Shayna Cristy-Mendez Arts & Entertainment Editor

May 3rd, 2024, marked a significant milestone for NCC fashion students: the opportunity to showcase their graduating collections The end-of-the-year fashion show isn't just a rite of passage; it's also a chance for emerging designers to unleash their hard work on the world After all, the garments sent down the runway are the culmination of countless hours hunched over sewing machines, late nights painstakingly attaching hundreds of beads by hand, and adding finishing touches amidst frenzied sewing sprints between classes.

Among the more elaborate pieces are Diana Ruiz Beaz's garments Her collection, which she describes as being inspired by her childhood in the Dominican Republic, looks like it could have come straight off a NYFW runway. Jellyfish, she tells me, were the first thing she thought about when sketching her collection and it shows

Interwoven between liquid organza that shimmers like the ocean under the sun, bubble hems, meticulous ruching, handstitched pearls, and sequins, are garments that embody the ocean's elements in a stunningly contemporary way The collection is no small feat, especially for a designer who entered the program without ever having touched a sewing machine However, whatever foundation was initially missing has been overcome with an impressive work ethic, humility, and persistence.

"A lot of the designers are here from when the lab opens to when the lab closes," Diana says. According to her, an essential aspect of why she could pick up the technical aspects of sewing was her determination to work hard. When asked how she overcame the challenges of lacking a solid foundation in sewing, she laughs, "You definitely can't be afraid to ask your professor questions "

Show is a testament to Exceeding Expectations.

One garment alone, Diana tells us, took over seventy-two hours to make Each graduating collection has five completed garments For those less math-inclined or less fashion-oriented, that's about threehundred-ninety hours for five pieces of clothing

The hours the graduating students spend on their collections are on par with couture designers. It may sound like an overstatement, but it's not According to British Vogue, the average number of hours required to create a simple couture dress from start to finish is one hundred fifty hours, with a whole team working on the garment

College fashion shows are often underappreciated and commonly overlooked despite their potential for showcasing emerging talent There seems to be a particular stigma attached to honing one's craft in front of an audience However, it's worth noting that some of the fashion industry's most legendary figures, like Alexander McQueen, have debuted groundbreaking collections on college runways.

Indeed, it's a rare talent that can generate the hype that makes people excited to attend a college fashion show, envision themselves wearing a garment from the runway, or, more impressively, request an emerging designer's work Diana Ruiz Beaz has already received several requests for her garments; Jellyfish have never been more in demand or looked this effortlessly cool before.

One of the most daunting challenges in creating garments like these is apparently timing During the Vignette’s visit to the fashion lab, we had the privilege of chatting with some of the graduating designers Milton Ochoa, whose collection was featured in the fashion show, candidly shared his perspective regarding the constraints they're up against, "There's never enough time in the day to just sew "

It's a sentiment shared by most of the designers in the room: No matter how much time you think you have, there's never enough

Ochoa’s openness about his struggles and how they’ve influence his creative process is surprising as well as refreshing He strikes me as the type of person who wears his heart and his work on his sleeve, and his collection is a beautiful reflection of this aspect of him

The collection, primarily influenced by his journey navigating mental health, is representative of finding peace amidst the storm He guides us through the significance of the colors he selected for each garment and ends on the note of ivory representing the "airiness of relief " The feeling of exhaling; It's a fitting metaphor because, in many ways, this particular graduating collection is also a victory lap "Serenity," like Ochoa, is a testament to exceeding expectations, overcoming legacy burdens, and diving headfirst into the moment regardless of prior fears

Remarkably, Ochoa isn't alone in pouring his heart into his art; it's a quality each designer in the lab seems to share They also all share a sense of urgency. Everyone is brimming with excitement for what the future may bring In the fashion lab, the future is now.

Every person in the room is dedicated in a way that exceeds expectations The energy and the drive to succeed are palpable; It’s also reflected in the remarkable success of the graduating class Almost all of the seven students we interviewed have secured a spot at FIT or snagged a coveted summer internship Some of them have even managed to do both

Photo by Joshua Watson Photo by Joshua Watson

Photos by Joshua Watson

Your Situation Doesn't Determine Your Destination

By Vignette VP Joshua Watson

In "Your Situation Doesn't Determine Your Destination," I share my journey of overcoming life's challenges and finding hope. Growing up in difficult circumstances and navigating the foster care system, I faced many struggles. But through determination, support from my foster family, and the kindness of those around me, I discovered that my situation didn't have to define my future. This book is a testament to resilience and the power of never giving up. I hope my story inspires others to face their challenges with courage and realize they can also shape their destiny. For updates on the book and to purchase, follow me @joshuaphotoshow on Instagram

LUNALAUNCHPARTY

On May 7th, the Creative Writing Club hosted the Luna Launch Party at the 11th floor of the Tower.

Showcasing poems, short stories, screenplays, nonfiction pieces, and even stunning art and photography, the event held an open microphone show, allowing students to share their work to an audience.

The Creative Writing Club publishes the award winning student literary magazine, Luna, each spring.

Anyone interested in submitting work for the next edition can reach out to the Creative Writing Club at creativewritingclubncc@gmail.com

Photo by Joshua Watson Photo by Joshua Watson

Photo by Shayna Cristy-Mendez Photo by Shayna Cristy-Mendez

Dance The Night Away! A Masquerade Spring Banquet

By Hailey Layug Photography Editor

On May 9th, Jerricho Terrace lit up in dazzling and vibrant colors as Nassau Community College’s Student Government Association’s Programming Board hosted its annual Spring Banquet. The banquet is meant to be an end-of-the-year celebration for students and alumni to have fun, dance, and create memories that will last a lifetime This year’s theme was a Masquerade

With stunning feathered centerpieces, lively music, exciting awards to hand out to attendees, a selfie photobooth, delectable food, and a surprise birthday cake for club advisor, Professor Demetrius Watkins, the SGA Programming Board was successful in creating a memorable event for both students and alumni to enjoy

President of SGA’s Programming Board, Celine Jean explained the choice of having a masquerade-themed banquet this year, “I wanted a fun, interactive theme where everyone could come up with a creative outfit and dress their best ”

Awards were presented as part of the celebration Such awards allowed attendees to recognize the accomplishments of fellow hard-working students Some of the awards presented included “Best Dressed,” “Best Duo,” “Most Influential,” and “Best Club Advisor” which were given to Ariel Silberman, Destiny Alvarado and Makayla Braskey, May Thant Sin Tun, and Professor Demetrius Watkins respectively

SGA President, Nathan Cheong commented on the importance of student life events “Events like this are so important because they enhance the college experience and benefit the students through their social skills,” he said, “This was my last spring banquet as a student, and being there with my friends was the best part.”

While the awards were one part of the night, the dancing and celebratory atmosphere following the dinner allowed students to mingle with others and build a community with familiar faces--

--as well as take a break from their usual academic routine

Other attendees thoroughly enjoyed the event, fellow Executive and Advertising Manager of Vignette, Shanice Brown said, “My favorite part of the Spring Banquet was observing all the different interactions and the happiness brought to the students The combination of music, decorations, and dancing added an electrifying layer of excitement! I would like to attend another event like this in the future ”

The night started winding down to an end when the dancing crowd dispersed to eat a slice of cake from Professor Demetrius Watkin’s birthday surprise SGA Programming Board President, Celine Jean made her rounds to thank attendees for coming to the banquet It truly was a night of fun, dancing, and creating memories that will last a lifetime

Students and alumni were able to buy tickets using a QR code or from the Student Activities Office in Room 150 of the College Center Building on campus Students who volunteered at Spring Fest in April had their tickets paid for by SGA’s Programming Board Executive Board members of clubs were able to use their club budget to attend the banquet

The SGA Programming Board’s mission is to create and organize memorable events for everyone at Nassau Community College. Their office is located in the College Center Building in Room 343

To keep up to date with the SGA Programming Board events or are interested in joining the organization, follow their Instagram page, @sgaprogramming, or reach out to them by email at programmingboardncc@gmail.com.

Photo by Hailey Layug

Photo by Hailey Layug

Photo by Hailey Layug Photo by Hailey Layug

Haitian Hertiage Celebration

Photos by Fatima Chavez, Hailey Layug, & Joshua Watson

Academic Fair and Award Ceremonies

Photos by Hailey Layug & Joshua Watson

Blood Drive by New York Blood Center at NCC

By Azmain Mugdha Contributor

New York Blood Center organized a blood drive on March 28th at CCB from 9 am to 5 pm. It was a rainy day. According to NYBC, “They had a very successful blood drive at campus despite the gloomy weather They ended up collecting 91 units of lifesaving blood which might save 273 lives”.

NYBC representative talked about the importance of blood donations Mellissa added that the number of 16–24-year-old donors in our nation has decreased by around 50% in recent years.

The stability of our blood supply is long-term threatened by this extremely alarming development Youth contributions used to make up about 25% of the nation's blood supply, but they currently only make up 10% of donations

Younger donors must stand up to replace older donors as they age out of the donor pool. Blood drives, held in high schools and colleges throughout our communities, are essential to reestablishing the pool of donors from this age group and fostering a lifetime of blood donation

On May 8, The New York Blood Center had a blood drive at the campus where Mellisa mentioned they collected 66 units of blood on that day She also mentioned, “ In July NYBC will host a blood drive at campus”

Kyle, a blood donor said, “Mom is my motivation to donate blood” He also talked about his experiences of donating blood, “It was fine” Kyle also shared his personal story He said, “My grandma needs blood She is in critical condition So I am here to donate blood for her ” First-time blood donor Danny gave tips to new donors, “ Drink a lot of water There is no pain in taking out blood Don’t hesitate to donate blood because it saves lives!”

Another blood donor, Taylor Bosten said,” I felt to donate because it is an easy way to seriously help others It does feel good to help others through and it’s one of the simplest ways I know.”

They gave “Thank You” T-shirts to the blood donors Melissa Gatto was the representative of the New York Blood Center at the blood drive on campus.

Photo by Azmain Mugdha Photo by Azmain Mugdha

Photo by Azmain Mugdha Photo by Azmain Mugdha

Student Government Association Election Results

Jessialy Avilez is the next SGA President. Currently, she is a Criminal Justice major. She is a volunteer at the NEST and evening activity hours. She promises to provide filters on each water fountain on campus so that students can have clean drinking water.

This semester an election was held to vote for Student Government Association Officials. The students have voted and NCC has a new President, Vice President, and Trustee!

Dr. Conzatti shared some words of encouragement for the new editions of SGA:

“Leadership is an important quality to possess, it also requires a lot of time The new candidates should have great time management skills. Remember to not put this work above your education and no concerns should arise.”

Photo by Joshua Watson Photo by Joshua Watson

Photo by Hailey Layug Photo by Hailey Layug

CARTOONS

The Library Fiasco

By Latrelle Eatman

Cartoonist

Volleyball Coach Kristine Abrams’ Retirement

By Christopher Jean Editor-In-Chief

“Get it together sis!” can typically be heard during women’s volleyball practices and games.

Kristine Abrams started her college coaching career 16 years ago Her coaching story started in the Fall Semester of 2008 when she led the Nassau Lions to an immaculate win-lose record of 165-108, which major league coaches struggle to achieve. After 12 years with the Nassau family, she has decided to hang up the ropes, choosing to be surrounded by those who looked at her as a coach and a mentor The last game she coached was a tournament-styled volleyball game between the 16-year amass of her students. Loved ones across Long Island flocked in droves to participate in her honor.

Current Student Government Association Vice President Coralie Forest said, “Kristine Abrams is one of the best people I have met She is an amazing teacher, coach, motivator, friend, and mom When I arrived in August 2022, I was timid and unsure if I could fit in. Coming from another country made it hard to connect with people, especially because of the language barrier. I had skills that needed to be sharpened, so Coach Abrams helped fine-craft my skills and ability to perform at the highest level I’m going to miss her so much ”

She and Assistant Coach, Olive, will always be adored, honored, and missed here at the Lion's Den.

Photo by Christopher Jean Photo by Christopher Jean

Photo by Christopher Jean Photo by Christopher Jean

Photo Courtesy of Nassau Photo Courtesy of Nassau