Vol 45. Issue 1

OutLook Students Excel at Beacon Conference STUDENT PRESS

Vol. 45 Issue 1 June 18, 2012 Facebook.com/Outlookpress

Monica Powell

Special to Outlook

“As summer begins, most students have one thing on their mind; how am I going to pay for everything I plan on doing this summer? ” Amanda Van Ryn, Student

Everyone should be able to find something to do, using this list of Top 10 summer jobs.

Opinion 7 “It’s scary what some girls are blogging about. If you were looking for a community of girls that support eating disorders, you wouldn’t have to look far. ”

SEE BEACON PAGE 2

Outlook Student Press

Features 5

Eight students from Rockland Community College attended the 2012 Beacon Conference, and two of them were selected as the best presenters in their categories.

Westchester Community College, hosted the 20th Annual Beacon Conference for two-year community college students. This event is traditionally held on the first Friday of June each year and is a celebration of student scholarship and research.

Students and their mentors work to prepare and then submit research papers to the conference that deal with a variety of subjects, and span across numerous disciplines.

The process of selection is stiff, for each paper is read and then ranked by readers from various colleges and universities After ranking, the writers of the top three papers in each category are invited to present their work at the conference in competition for the title of “Most Outstanding Presenter” as well as a $100 award for both the student and his/her mentor. The papers presented at Beacon are also published.

Karen Breslin won with her paper “Sherman Alexie: What the Indian Saw” and Yasuyo Tatebe with her paper “Demand of Green Public Space in Urban Design.”

In addition, Monica Powell has been invited by Dr. Arlene Spark, RCC students at Beacon 2012: Yasuyo Tatebe, Navid Safaie, Monica Powell, and Lisa Michelle Brandler.

Gabriela Gonzalez, Student

Don’t let a desire to be thin lead you into making unhealthy choices.

Graduates Celebrate Moving On Kristen Loretoni

Editor in Chief

Sports 12

Tyler Silver / Outlook Student Press

“Despite barely making the playoffs, L.A. absolutely dominated in the postseason. Goalie Jonathan Quick was almost impenetrable. ” Devon Keane, Student

After 45 years, the L.A. Kings finally won the Stanley Cup.

Tyler Silver’s friends and family came to the Fieldhouse to celebrate his graduation from RCC

More than 1,100 students gathered in the Field House with friends, family members, and faculty to celebrate their graduation this year.

Students reminisced about their studies and activities at Rockland Community College and talked about their excitement about moving away from home and going on to four-year universities to continue their education. As names were called to receive diplomas, the sense of accomplishment and joy was on every graduate’s face.

One graduate of the M/TS Honors Program, Elizabeth Maze, said, “It’s a great feeling to know that all of the hard work we all put into these past two years has paid off. Most of the people I know are going on to great four-year schools and I know that

none of us would have been able to do it without the help of all the great professors here at RCC.” Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey served as the guest speaker for this year’s commencement.

Lowey, who has been serving in Congress for 12 years, discussed how she never thought “a girl from the Bronx” could end up in Congress and encouraged students to follow their dreams.

She said she believes that Rockland Community College is one of the best educational institutions in New York State and a great place for students to start their educational journey after high school.

Senator Charles Schumer made a surprise appearance and spoke to graduates about his experiences growing up. He stressed taking advantage of the opportunities that each person is given and encouraged students to continue to achieve in their educational goals.

News

June 18, 2012

BEACON FROM PAGE 1 the Director of Nutrition Studies at Hunter College, to publish her research paper titled “Messing with Mother Nature: The Practice of Genetically Modifying Food” in Dr. Spark’s upcoming book. The students from RCC who presented at the Beacon Conference were: Lisa Brandler, Karen Breslin, Navid Safaie, Monica Powell, Yechiel Erps, Susan Lowy, Yasuyo Tatebe, and Miriam Greco.

When students arrived at Beacon, they registered and made their way to listen to an hour and a half of presentations in different categories, like “Popular Culture,” “American Literature,” “Social Justice and “Education.” Later in the day, other students presented their papers in a poster session format. At the end of the day, the best presenters in each category were announced at an awards ceremony.

The Beacon experience is undoubtedly an invaluable one, lending to its participants the opportunity for intellectual and professional growth. Below is feedback from several of the RCC

students who attended this year’s conference and left with great memories: Lisa Brandler: “Beacon was amazing! I had so many intellectually stimulating conversations, and the people there were awesome. I had a conversation with a moderator on philosophy about what makes a human being and I think we talked for a half hour, maybe more! I learned so much; Beacon was an amazing experience. What more can I say?”

Yasuyo Tatebe: “My first experience at the Beacon Conference concluded with a happy ending. The level of the presentations by the other two students in my category were really high; the presenters were sophisticated, and their speech was professional. Regardless, I was chosen to receive the ‘Most Outstanding Speaker Award’! I’m amazed, because I changed 2/3 of my presentation the day before according to advice; it was a big challenge for me to edit it in the last minutes, but it proved to be a good decision. I really wish to thank everyone for their time, support,

and encouragement throughout this preparatory process. I am so lucky to have been a part of this team.”

Karen Breslin: “The Beacon Conference on June 1, 2012 was an exceptional educational experience from start to finish. The opportunity to conduct research and write my presentation with the assistance of my mentor, Dr. David Lucander, and then to present my work at the Beacon Conference was very beneficial.

The Beacon Conference was an excellent opportunity to meet many educators and fellow students from RCC and the mid-Atlantic region and to share thoughts and ideas for future work. I wish to thank Dr. Lucander for his assistance and all the faculty and staff that made Beacon possible.”

Miriam Greco: “Beacon is a unique opportunity to be heard.

Merely being invited makes you feel as if your thoughts and ideas are interesting and valuable.

Through presenting a poster, I was able to discuss my ideas with others and receive feedback on my work. Overall, it was an enriching experience, and I can’t wait to submit work next year!”

Outlook Student Press

Students Win Awards at Beacon 2012

Professor Katie Lynch and Yechiel Erps discuss his presentation at Beacon.

News

June 18, 2012

Many Taking Summer Courses to Balance Out Studies Students Hit the Books Instead of the Beach

Amanda Van Ryn

The campus is busy as many students take advantage of the summer classes offered here at Rockland Community College.

While the campus is noticeably quieter than in the fall and spring semesters, students are using their summer months wisely to get ahead and lighten their loads for the year ahead.

“It feels good to know that I won’t have to take a class like statistics during the school year along with calculus,” Devon Keane, a second year RCC student, stated. “I feel like I am using my time wisely and making the most of my summer break.”

Keane went on to say, “Even during the summer, professors have devoted their time to benefit their students’ learning experiences.”

The college is offering a variety of classes for the first summer session, including classes in: accounting, art, biology, business, chemistry, economics, English, history, math, management, marketing, music, nursing, pluralism and diversity, physical education, philosophy, psychology, sociology, Spanish, and speech.

A large portion of students taking summer classes here at the college are from other colleges around the country. Many students are looking to have credits transfer so that they can spend their summer at home, while still taking the classes they need for their degree.

One SUNY Purchase student, Caroline Trugman, is taking a history class here at RCC during her summer break.

“RCC has been a great place to take a summer class. It is so close to home, and even

The RCC Library stays busy as the campus begins summer sessions.

though I am here most days of the week, I still have time to balance a job and hang out with friends,” she said.

Rockland Community College offers three different summer sessions, so students are able to participate in summer classes while also enjoying traveling and vacations during their time off.

The first summer session, which is also the shortest, began on May 29 and ends on June 28.

The second summer session, the longest fo the three summer terms, began on June

4 and finishes on July 26. The third session begins on July 2 and ends on August 2.

This means that even if you participate in all three summer sessions you still have most of the month of August off before the fall semester begins in September.

Students at Rockland Community College choose to take summer classes for many different reasons. Some summer students at Rockland Community College are actually current high school students using their summer off to gain college credits before they leave for a four year

Outlook Student Press

Managing Editor

college or university.

This summer at Rockland Community College, students are making use of the advantages that are available to them when they take summer classes. Even though, they are all on campus taking different classes for different reasons, summer students at Rockland Community College are all in agreement that taking summer classes has many advantages.

Students at Rockland Community College this summer, are enjoying summer fun while also getting ahead in their academic goals.

Musicians Take Over Provident Bank Park Amanda Van Ryn

Managing Editor

This year Provident Bank Park begins to host its first ever summer concert series.

This is the second year that Provident Bank Park has been open. The Town of Ramapo Parks and Recreation department teamed up with Provident Bank Park, the home of the Rockland Boulders, to host a summer concert series that all of Rockland County is excited about.

The stage is set in the outfield with general admission floor tickets on the outfield going for $45 to $60. The Seated bowl tickets available are sold for $35 to $45 and general admission tickets are sold as low as $25. For the people of Rockland County these concerts are close to home, with the stadium right off Exit 12 on the Palisades Parkway. A venue that is so easy to get to and prices that are extremely reasonable make Provident Bank Park’s Summer Concert series something that everyone can enjoy.

On June 7 the stadium pre-sold over 4,000 tickets to see platinum recording artist Gavin DeGraw and multi-platinum, singer-songwriter Colbie Caillat, winner of two Grammys, with special guest Andy Grammer. Grammer is a graduate of Monroe-Woodbury High School, which is

right outside of Rockland County.

Many fans ventured from Orange County to see Grammer perform so close to home.

The gates opened at 5 p.m. for a 5-6 p.m. happy hour with the concert starting at 7:30 p.m. Fans arrived early to get as close to the

stage as possible, and they were decked out in homemade t-shirts supporting DeGraw, Caillat, and Grammer.

The artists sang some of their greatest hits including “Brighter Than The Sun,” “I Do,” “Not Over You,” “Sweeter,” “Keep

Your Head Up” and “Fine by Me.” Many fans made a night of the concert by bringing blankets and enjoyed food in the outfield. Vinny Loretoni was impressed by the low priced tickets. “Being able to come to a concert by such great artists and only having to pay $35 per ticket was awesome.”

The next night, multi-platinum singer and songwriter, Five For Fighting, took over Provident Bank Park with special guests Kris Allen, winner of American Idol Season 8, and Ryan Vosler. With only 700 pre-sold tickets, the crowd was noticeably smaller than the previous night’s concert, and all concert goers were invited to “join the party” and go to the outfield to get closer to the stage.

Kris sang his hit song, “Live Like We’re Dying” and Five For Fighting sang some of their most known songs, “Chances” and “100 Years.”

The summer concert series continues on July 12 with award-winning country star Gretchen Wilson and Jason Michael Carroll.

On July 13 country group Big & Rich performs along with Cowboy Troy and Bradley Gaskin.

On August 17 hit band Smash Mouth takes the stage along with Soul Asylum.

Tickets start at $25 and go as high as $60 with special “combo-pack” tickets for the July 12-13 concerts. Anyone interested in purchasing tickets can go to rocklandboulders.com for more information.

FEATURES

June 18, 2012

BEST BEACHES OF 2012 Amanda Van Ryn

MANAGING EDITOR

One of the best things about summer is that it is finally beach season. Everyone is ready to break out their bikinis and beach chairs and hit the beach.

If you’re looking for a calm beach day or a place with great restaurants and fun for a night out after the beach, you can find a beach that’s close by and exactly what you need. Some of the best beaches are in our area, so if you’re going for the day, weekend, or even the week, you can find the beach that best suits you.

Long Beach Island (LBI) LBI is the perfect place to spend a week at the beach. At about two hours

and 45 minutes away, the drive is the perfect distance, so you feel like you’re getting away, but you’re not too far from home. Most houses on the island are rentals and have fairly reasonable weekly rental charges if you’re splitting the cost amongst family or friends.

The island is perfect for people of all ages, with a small amusement park and water park on the island, as well as great restaurants and shopping. You can always find a spot on the beach that’s not too crowded, and most rental houses even have chairs and umbrellas you can use so you don’t need your own. If you’re looking for a beach vacation without a large price tag Long Beach Island is the place for you.

Long Branch At an hour and a half away, the short

drive to Long Branch in New Jersey makes it the best place to go for a day at the beach. Even if the weather is not perfect, the pier which has many shops and restaurants, will be a great place to wait out a storm.

With such easy access to bathrooms, stores, and food, many find Long Branch to be the best beach for the whole family.

Whether you stay for a day or a week, Long Branch has something for everyone.

Because Long Branch is less than an hour and a half away from Rockland, you can save money on gas as well as tolls because you avoid all the Long Island bridges and traffic!

Point Pleasant If you want to spend a weekend at the beach, Point Pleasant on the Jersey Shore

is the place to go. It’s only about two hours away, so it’s not a really far drive, and there’s plenty to do once you get there.

There’s a ton of hotels and motels that are perfect for a night or two and wont empty your wallet. Besides the beach, there is a boardwalk with activities and something for everyone.

There are thrill rides for the older crowd, but there’s also a kiddie area with rides for younger kids. There are restaurants and different kinds of food all over the boardwalk, with pizza, ice cream, funnel cakes, and all of your basic boardwalk food.

Games line the boardwalk so anyone can win a humongous stuffed animal.

When you have a free weekend this summer and want to hit the beach, Point Pleasant is waiting for you.

How RCC Changed This Student’s Life Gen Rollins

Photo Editor

Rockland Community College is a stepping stone in the path of many successful students.

Former RCC student Gulienne Rollins, has gone on to a bright career as a Boston College alumni and an editor of her very own online magazine.

She began her RCC career in both the Early Admit and Honors programs. Having formerly been a student of Clarkstown North High School, she wanted to branch out from her high school education and step into the world of college.

Since middle school, Gulienne struggled with Attention Deficit Disorder. Although she had always been a high achiever in academics, her ADD made it difficult for her to reach her full potential.

In high school, the majority of her classmates and friends were at least one grade above her, so come senior year, she decided to join them in attending college.

It was a tough decision, she said, not knowing what college would be like, and taking that jump at a younger age than most.

However, once she arrived at RCC, the welcoming orientation staff, and her mentor, Dr. Hazelton, made Gulienne feel right at home. Learning of her attention deficit disorder, Dr. Hazelton helped Gulienne put in place a 504 plan, which aids students with learning impairments in having alternate testing times and environments, as well as other modifications.

Having Dr. Hazelton as both a mentor and an English teacher, Gulienne was provided the luxury of support and understanding.

When asked about her mentor, Gulienne said, “Dr. Hazelton was very helpful, and pushed me where I needed to be pushed.”

In addition to the support that Gulienne received from RCC staff, the flexibility of a college schedule offered Gulienne more control over her ADD. Having just come from a high school which required 7 ½ consecutive hours of academics, beginning early in the morning, Gulienne found it productive to divide her time into an easier schedule.

Rockland Community College granted her that opportunity, which is not awarded to many high school seniors in this country.

The more flexible academic schedule gave this young student time to gather her thoughts, and complete all of her work without feeling flustered.

Being at RCC truly improved Gulienne’s self esteem. As a student, she had frequently felt as if she were playing catch-up. The feeling of urgency in high school got in the way of the learning process for Gulienne. The ability to take her time into her own hands made for a much more advantageous educational career.

However, not everything was about the academics. Upon transferring to RCC, Gulienne noticed the great sense of community in a diverse setting that existed at the college. Growing up as a young biracial girl in a relatively constricted small town, Gulienne’s sense of self was underdeveloped.

Coming to RCC, Gulienne experienced a very open social setting, that was welcoming and made her feel as though she was not alone. In her time at the college, Gulienne met a great group of people.

After continuing to a four-year university, Gulienne still keeps in touch

with many of her former Rockland Community College peers. Being able to identify with a diverse population, Gulienne gained firm footing in who she was and who she wanted to be.

After finishing her career at RCC, and graduating from Boston College, Gulienne writes and publishes her own e-zine for

multiracial and biracial families. It is entitled “Swirl World Magazine,” which can be found at www.swirlworldmagazine. com.

Not every student knows their path as they enter Rockland Community College, but many successful people find it on their way.

June 18, 2012

FEATURES

TOP 10 SUMMER JOBS Amanda Van Ryn

MANAGING Editor

As summer begins, most students have one thing on their mind; how am I going to pay for everything I plan on doing this summer? For most, a summer job can provide the extra money needed to take part in all of the extra fun that summer can bring. Others realize that they need something to keep them busy since they’re no longer stressing over papers and finals. Everyone is different, so finding the right summer job or activity can be hard, but everyone should be able to find something that they’re able to do in this list of the Top 10 jobs for summer.

CAMP COUNSELOR A camp counselor job looks great on resumes for future teachers or childcare providers and is the perfect job for anyone who loves kids. Most camp counselors make minimum wage, depending on age and how long they have been with the camp. As an added bonus, many camp counselors receive end of the summer tips from their camper’s parents for a summer of kindness and compassion for their children. Another benefit that is great for both counselors and campers are camp trips. Many camps go on trips to the movies, water parks, bowling, arcades, and sometimes theme parks. When not on trips, campers and counselors are usually playing games or doing arts and crafts.

Who wouldn’t love that? While it can be hard work to deal with rowdy, cranky, or annoying campers, the benefits of being a camp counselor outweigh all of the negatives.

LIFEGUARD What’s better than sitting by the pool and getting paid for it? Lifeguards are always needed during the summer at town pools, beaches, and resorts or hotels. While it takes some time to get certified to be a lifeguard, the payoff is huge. Most lifeguards make around ten dollars an hour, and some make even more depending on where they work.

Certified lifeguards can also make money in more creative and individual ways. Many parents will pay a lifeguard to come to their children’s pool parties, so they can worry about the party and let a professional worry about the safety of the children. Another way many lifeguards are making money on their own are “learning to swim parties”.

Parents all chip in to pay a lifeguard for private swimming lessons for their kids. When lifeguards work at private pool parties or “learning to swim parties” they are their own boss and can determine how much they get paid and where and when they work.

INTERNSHIPS Many students use their summers to boost their resumes and get ahead by doing summer internships. Doing a summer internship can give students an opportunity to network, meet new people, and make connections. The people you meet at a summer internship can be the people that help you find a job after graduation. Depending on the internship, some students get paid almost ten dollars an hour, on top of the edge an internship gives to your resume. Even though you might not make as much money if you had a different summer job, getting a summer internship has different benefits that can stay with you for years to come.

PRIVATE BABYSITTING/ PET SITTING During the summer kids are off from school, but most of the time parents are not. Lots of parents don’t want to have to send their kids to day care facilities and would rather they be able to be at home, so many parents pay private babysitters to stay with their children while they are at work. Private babysitting can be like being a camp counselor at a much smaller scale. Instead of a group of 20 or 30 kids, a private babysitter usually takes care of two or three. Similarly, many people go on vacations during the summer and are unable to take their pets with them. Instead of sending pets to a kennel, a lot of people choose to pay friends and neighbors to take care of their beloved pets while they are away. For someone who loves animals, this job is perfect.

ICE CREAM STANDS Local ice cream stands and stores are noticeably busier during the summer months. Some are even only open for the summer so they are always looking for extra staff to help with the summer rush.

This job can be for anyone, since most people know how to scoop ice cream.

Most people working at these places are paid minimum wage and make just

this job is that you are in charge. You schedule when and where you work , and you control your payment.

TOWN POOLS AND PARKS Even if you are not a lifeguard, town pools and parks have other positions that they need to fill for the summer. There are jobs in the snack stand, at the gates and in many other areas of running a park. If you love to be outside, this job is great for you because you get to spend your day in the park. There of course is work involved, but you can get tan while also making money.

enough extra money to pay for the extra costs of summer fun.

VOLUNTEER WORK Similar to interning, volunteer work over the summer looks great on any application or resume. While there is no pay, there are countless other benefits of volunteering. Finding a group to volunteer with can stay with you for years to come.

Animal shelters, community centers, and many other non-profit organizations are always looking for new volunteers to help them help others. The gratification that you get from helping others may not pay for your summer fun but it does make you feel like a better person all around.

P R I VA T E S P O R T S / M U S I C LESSONS Since kids are no longer busy with school parents allow them to take on extra activities. Many students have special talents in sports or music. They can take their talents and use them to their advantage to schedule private lessons in whatever sport or music they are good at. Parents are always trying to give their child the extra edge in their talent so they pay people for private lessons. One thing that is great about

THEME PARKS In the summer, theme parks are much busier; therefore they need more people to work there. Haven’t you always wanted to be the one running the roller coaster?

People spend a lot of money to get into theme parks and if you work at one, you get to spend the whole day there and get paid. Even though you are working , you get to enjoy the atmosphere of an amusement park and probably go on a ride here and there.

RETAIL If none of the above jobs seem like they would work for you, then there is always the option of working in retail.

If you go to the mall there’s bound to be at least one store or restaurant that is looking for someone to work for them. While working in retail may not be the most fun job, it does help pay for everything that you plan on doing this summer.

OPINIONS

June 18, 2012

Outlook Student Press Kristen Loretoni, Editor-in-Chief Amanda Van Ryn, Managing Editor Vanessa Pastorelli, Production Manager

Gabriela Gonzalez, Opinions Editor Gen Rollins, Photography Editor Devon Keane, Sports Editor

Outlook Student Press is published every other week except during exam periods and summer. It is an independent newspaper and public forum produced by students and paid for by advertising revenue and student activities fees.

Outlook Student Press invites you to submit your opinions and ideas for publication. We strongly encourage letters to the editor.

Content does not necessarily reflect the views of the Outlook editors or staff. Submissions may be edited for clarity, length, style, and taste. Outlook does not accept anonymous submissions.

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U O Y O D T WHA R E M M U S . . .

T U O B A K THIN CLASSES? Kristen Loretoni

Gabriela Gonzalez

Devon Keane

Amanda Van Ryn

I think that summer classes are a great way to stay ahead of the game when it comes to academics. I know that for many the courses offered here over the summer are beneficial. My summers are always jam packed with balancing multiple jobs, and having time to visit the beach with family and friends. I make sure to load up my schedule during the fall and spring semesters to ensure my free time over the summer months. Although this summer did not allow me to have enough time to take any courses, I am sure that in the next few years I will want to take classes over the summer so that I have less to stress over during the fall and spring semesters.

I’ve never taken a summer class, so I don’t really know what they’re like. While I know that they are very convenient for many people, they are not that appealing to me. I like having summer all to myself, even if that just means working until school begins again in the fall. I also don’t think I’d be able to concentrate in a classroom when there is beach day weather outside. I realized, though, that this means I have to be extra careful to play my schedule just right so that I successfully graduate on time. I figured that if I needed to, I could take a class during the winter semester. It would be unfortunate to spend an extra semester here when it could be avoided. While summer classes are not for me, I would still encourage others to take them, since they can help make your fall and spring semesters a lot easier.

Summer classes are a great way to get ahead in the fall and spring semesters of college. I am currently taking statistics in Summer I with Professor Magaram. Without the summer class, I would have to enroll in two math classes in either the fall or spring semesters because I missed a semester in math my first year. That would be extremely stressful, especially because I’ll be taking calc one and calc two. The class itself is fairly easy but since it’s a four credit class, it’s brutally long. I’m in class three hours a day, four days a week for five weeks. Summer I started on May 29 and finishes June 28. Since I did my first two semesters as an early admit student, most of my friends are still in high school and the summer class ends right around graduation time; so I’m not missing much of summer compared to my high school friends. I highly recommend summer classes if you are looking for less work in the fall and spring.

In my opinion summer classes seem like a great way to spend some of the extra time we have over the summer. If you take classes in the summer then your class schedule in the fall and spring is much lighter. When you are only taking one or two classes at a time you are able to better focus your attention on the class and as a result your grade will be higher. This year I unfortunately was not able to take any summer classes because of my busy summer schedule with vacations, college visits, and work. However, in the future I would love to be able to take a couple of summer classes so I do not have to take as many difficult classes together in the fall and spring.

June 18, 2012

OPINIONS

THE DESIRE TO BE THIN FOR SUMMER Gabriela Gonzalez

OPINIONS EDITOR

I don’t usually keep up with the latest celebrity news or get monthly issues of Vogue or Seventeen mailed to my house.

Sometimes however, when flipping channels on the TV or scrolling through the internet, things like this capture my attention.

The other day, I was on my computer and came across an InStyle link that said, “See Taylor Swift’s nautical two piece, Kim Kardashian’s teeny-weeny bikini & more hot star swimsuits!” Of course I clicked it and started checking out the pictures. Then I asked myself, “Why am I looking at this? Why do I care what Taylor Swift or Kim Kardashian look like in a swim suit?” I also realized that I was in fact, subconsciously comparing myself with them.

I mention all of this because this just shows how the media influences the way we feel about our appearance whether we’re aware of it or not, especially in the summer. Now that the extra layers of clothing are coming off, and people are getting ready to put on their swimsuits, the pressure to look thin and perfect is stronger than ever. The hot weather means we get a whole new wardrobe that can put us at risk for a drop in

confidence. For this very reason it’s important that we don’t let ourselves get carried away and make unhealthy choices that could seriously hurt us.

It’s scary what some girls are blogging about on sites like Tumblr and Twitter. If you were looking for a community of girls that support eating disorders, you wouldn’t have to look far.

These girls don’t aim

to get in shape; they simply encourage each other in their attempts to achieve flat stomachs and thigh gaps in a very Machiavellian fashion.

I’m just like any other girl— I’ve had my fair share of thinking I’m fat. What I never did though, was blame the media for the way I felt.

I thought that the media can’t tell me what to feel. But looking back, I think, how could it not? It’s everywhere.

Otherwise, why did I go

on my first diet at the age of 11? Why did I think that I needed to be skinny to have more friends? Or why did I feel super accomplished if I refused to eat “unhealthy” foods that day?

Now, a few years later, I have a very different outlook on the way I look at food and body image. What helped me? I decided to take steps to remove external influences as much as possible. I studied nutrition and the workings of the body on my own. I learned a bit about the right way to fuel the body and nourish it in a healthy way, and I surrounded myself with people who aren’t obsessed with how much they weigh.

The problem is that summer tends to make it more difficult to stay level headed and avoid feelings of insecurity.

It makes you feel like there’s a time limit to when you can get in shape. What everyone needs to keep in mind is that, if you’re going to change your diet and exercise routine, you should do it for health. You should be motivated by the idea of committing to a healthy lifestyle, not because you want to fit the standard of beauty. Never push yourself too far.

Instead, stay positive and set small goals for yourself. Most importantly, you should never underestimate the power of the mind. You have the power to choose what you expose yourself to. You can achieve a healthy lifestyle. Anyone can.

The Man Who Won Over America Gabriela Gonzalez

OPINIONS EDITOR

After months of competition, Phillip Phillips was crowned as the winner of American Idol Season 11 on Wednesday, May 23. The 21-year-old from Georgia won after a record breaking 132 million votes, proving that he had won the heart of America. He easily triumphed over runner-up Jessica Sanchez, the 16-yearold diva who no doubt had a powerful, stunning voice. In fact, he impressively breezed through the entire competition without ever being in the bottom three.

Phillips’ victory was no surprise to me at all; it was pretty much a given from the start. From the very first moment he stepped in front of the judges and delivered a Dave Matthewsish performance of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” I knew that he was destined to win “American Idol.” His passion for music and pure joy was genuine and completely evident in every performance that followed. As Jennifer Lopez stated, “It was like he had electricity running through him when he sang.”

Mostly though, Phillip Phillips was just so darn cute. Whenever given the chance, he had no difficulty letting his goofy personality shine through. The way he established a silly bromance with fellow contestant Heejun Han and the way he made silly faces when he sang made him that much more lovable. He also retained his humble, self-effacing

demeanor till the very end. His southern charm, his modesty and yes, his dashing good looks are all factors that led to his success.

The former pawn shop worker had qualities that made him more than simply a good singer, qualities that made him a musician. He may have been the fifth consecutive WGWG­—or White Guy With Guitar—to win ‘Idol’ but he differentiated himself with a rougher, more soulful music style that allowed him to stay on top all season long.

The gritty quality to his voice made him edgy and original. On several occasions, he made music choices that went against the advice of the judges and mentors, only to be praised for it afterwards. He showed that he wasn’t going to give up his guitar or “amp up his style” just because he was told to do so.

He was all about the music and did not care about what other people thought.

American Idol judge Stephen Tyler even said, “Phil has grown over the course of the season, from I don’t care, to finding who he is and still not caring.”

His rebellious and risk-taking approach to the competition made people realize that he knew exactly who he was and where he fit in the music world.

Phillips’ devotion and dedication to his music was not fully appreciated by the public until after he won. It was announced early on in the competition that Phillips had kidney problems.

His doctors had advised him to leave the competition and go into treatment

immediately but he repeatedly refused to leave until he finished the show. What nobody knew until after the show’s finale was that Phillips’ went through eight operations since the start of the show.

Phillips played down just how much pain he had been in the whole time. He had an extra challenge to overcome that the other contestants did not, yet he did not make a big deal about it. He toughed it out and notably did not use his health problems to gain sympathy votes. He was rewarded for all his efforts simply because he was a great person, not because he tried to make everyone like him. He is truly deserving of the title of American Idol.

Currently, Phillips is scheduled go into surgery and spend his six week recovery period at a California estate that an “Idol” executive has opened to him and his family. It appears America will have to wait a while before their Idol runs his victory lap.

He has, however, been doing great career-wise. He has become the only “Idol” to have his debut single “Home” hit No. 2 on Billboard‘s Digital Songs chart. He also made “Idol” records by coming in at No. 10 on Billboard’s Hot 100.

Right now Phillip Phillips is focusing on taking care of himself and his wellbeing. Once he recovers, he still plans on joining the rest of the finalists on their on the American Idol 45-date U.S. tour.

He is especially excited for after the tour, when he will begin making his own

music. “I’m excited to do my album,” said Phillips. “I know it’s going to be challenging because a lot of opinions will be coming my way, but it’s like the show, I know my music. I know how I want it. I’m not trying to win Grammys or be famous or anything.”

I certainly hope that all goes well for Phillip Phillips and that he recovers soon.

Until then, I will be waiting excitedly for his own original music to finally come out. I know he will not disappoint.

June 18, 2012

STYLE & ENTERTAINMENT

WHY WE LOVE... summer edition

Kristen Loretoni

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Summer is the perfect time of year to try out new looks and dare to be different! Wearing the right makeup can make all the difference in the world when it comes to putting your best foot (or face) forward.

Make a great impression this summer season, and don’t be afraid to make a bold statement with your look. A little confidence goes a long way!

1. Coppertone Sensitive Skin Faces sunscreen lotion SPF 50 This sunscreen is perfect for anyone with sensitive skin.

It won’t clog your pores and will give you a clean, protected feeling while wearing it. My biggest problem with most sunscreens is the oily residue that is left on my face after most of the sunscreen has washed off. This sunscreen does not leave unwanted residue on the skin. Because it is made specifically for faces, this sunblock is designed to be

gentle on the skin. With an SPF of 50, it will most importantly protect you from the sun’s harmful rays.

2. Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture Combination Skin One important part of summer is making sure you have glowing, flawless skin. This daily moisturizer does just that. Neutrogena has a fantastic line of

daily moisturizers that cater to every skin type. My favorite one this year is the Oil Free Moisture for Combination Skin.

According to Neutrogena’s website, it will make sure all of the dry parts of the face get the moisture they need, while also limiting and reversing shine in oily areas. This moisturizer layers great underneath makeup or can also work great alone on skin to give you a natural, glowing look.

3. Boi-ing Concealer There is nothing worse than feeling like you simply cannot hide blemishes.

During the summer, there are times where our skin is great in some areas, and blotchy or discolored in other areas.

To make sure my entire face blends and looks great I use Boi-ing Concealer. They have 3 different shades that go great with all different skin tones. I will not use any other brand after knowing how great this product is. Users with sensitive skin will absolutely love this concealer because it doesn’t clog pores and is gentle enough to sleep in!

4. Forever 21- Eyeshadow Palette Making bold statements with your eyes is something every girl should be doing this summer. Forever 21 makes it very affordable to make your eyes pop with their many different eyeshadow palettes. You can blend, play, and experiment while staying on a low budget. While most department stores sell expensive eyeshadow palettes, Forever 21 will definitely be making a statement with their affordable and eye catching makeup additions.

5. Clinique Chubby Stick Lip Wear Having a good lip balm should be an

essential to every woman’s makeup bag.

My new favorite is Clinique’s Chubby Stick Lip Wear. It is great for a small amount of color, and is also great for layering under a bold, statement lipstick.

One thing that I love about this lip balm is the lightweight feel it has on my lips.

I can barely tell that I’m wearing it, but am pleasantly surprised when I look in the mirror and see such great lips!

7. Nicki Minaj OPI nail polish line Nicki Minaj never fails to make a bold statement anywhere she goes. Even her nails are loud and eye-catching. It is now possible for women everywhere to have that barbie look Nicki made that we’ve grown to know and love. My favorite part about summer is getting away with nails that make a statement!

T h e s e fabulous colors will look great with a tan and have e ve r yo n e loving it!

STYLE & ENTERTAINMENT

10

June 18, 2012

Summer Concert Review: Electric Daisy Carnival Jason Segall

Special to Outlook

The Electric Daisy Carnival is a massive rave carnival that brings thousands of people together to have the experience of a lifetime. Electric Daisy Carnival has grown into a one-of-a-kind entertainment experience. It combines the world’s most renowned performers and electronic dance music talent with leading-edge production, art, and special effects to create an unmatched experience of sight and sound that you will have to encounter for yourself to believe.

The first EDC took place at the Shrine Expo Hall in Los Angeles, California in 2009 as a one night event. The Expo Hall held 30,000 people. According to EDC’s website, it has grown to a massive threeday event whose main event takes place in Las Vegas. Las Vegas EDC saw almost 240,000 people in 2011.

The Electric Daisy Carnival is put on by Insomniac Events, started in 1993. Since 1993, Insomniac has been producing experience-based events and festivals for electronic dance music lovers all over the world. In Las Vegas in 2011, EDC became the largest electronic music festival in North America, according to electricdaisycarnival.com.

This past May, Insomniac Events brought Electric Daisy Carnival to the New York metro area for the first time.

It took place from May 18-20 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Originally, it was only supposed to be a two-day event, however after a strong support, they decided to add a third night. The event had four different stages set up around the stadium in parking lots, as well as one inside the stadium. It took place from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. on Friday night.

EDC is something that you could never experience anywhere else. It was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity to see.

There were over 30 carnival rides, people dressed in crazy costumes everywhere, art installations, and amazing man-made stages that were remarkably big.

Everywhere you turned inside of the Electric Daisy Carnival you encountered a menagerie of performers. Teams of dancers, stilt-walkers, clowns and freaks were there to entertain and amuse you.

EDC has many major DJ’s that headline the event, however Insomniac stresses that you are the headliner. Throughout the entire festival, there are signs everywhere thanking you for being there. Every DJ at the end of their set thanks you for being able to make the event happen. According to EDC’s website, “Electric Daisy Carnival is built by and for the fans! Your creative participation is the key ingredient in making EDC an unforgettable experience.”

The three headlining DJ’s for EDC NY were Armen Van Buren, Avicii, and Afrojack. While every DJ that performed at EDC was a big name, those three closed out the nights and were the most advertised

DJ’s at the festival.

Saturday was the day most festival goers thought to have the best DJ’s and what most projected to be the best day. The major DJ’s who performed Saturday were Avicii, Sebastian Ingrosso, Calvin Harris, Alesso, Steve Angello, Carl Cox, as well as Friday night’s headliner, Armin Van Buren and many others. While most people view Avicii as the top DJ to perform on Saturday, we also had 2/3 of the Sweedish House Mafia perform, Angello and Ingrosso. Not only did they both perform separately, but Ingrosso joined Angello during his set to close out the night. That was an incredible experience to see live.

Since there were so many amazing artists performing on Saturday, you had to pick and choose carefully who you saw.

Max Mautner, a 22-year-old at his first EDC said that, “I stayed towards the back of the stages most of the time so I would be able to go see multiple sets. When Angello, Avicii, and Van Buren are all performing at the same time, rather than choose one of them I decided to just see 30 minutes of all of them.”

Sunday’s EDC ended up being a surreal experience for most fans. Afrojack performed a total of 3.5 hours. He had a two hour set, took an hour off than did another hour and a half set. “It was unreal,” said Tom Buckley, a 21-year-old at his first festival, “Usually when a DJ performs it’s for maximum of an hour and a half, but to see my favorite DJ Afrojack perform for so long was the greatest experience.”

A relatively unknown DJ group, Shermanology, also stole the show on Sunday. Shermanology is a group of two brothers and a sister, the sister sings the lyrics to songs while the two brothers DJ. Since EDC NY, Shermanology’s song with Afrojack, “Can’t Stop Me Now” has flown up the charts.

When I asked them about EDC, they said, “EDC NY was one of the best gigs of this year! The energy was crazy. Now we know what “Jacked” means in New York.”

Sunday also saw some other great DJ’s perform. They consisted of R3HAB, Bobby Burns, Bassnectar, Dirty South, Chuckie, NERO, Quintino, and many others. If you like electronic house music or trance, the Electric Daisy Carnival is definitely the place to go. It was an experience of a lifetime that everyone should get to see at some point.

June 18, 2012

SCIENCE & HEALTH

11

Top Four Ways to Get the Abs You Want This Summer Devon Keane

SPORTS EDITOR

“I don’t care how many sit ups you do in the gym or at home, if you do not have a solid and consistent diet, those abs will stay hidden.” - Ben Booker The first official day of summer is on the horizon and many people are still trying to achieve their perfect beach body. These people are specifically focusing on their abdominals, as they are one of the hardest muscle groups to sculpt and maintain.

Everybody wants six pack abs. I think it’s safe to say both males and females find a nice, toned, midsection attractive.

It is the epitome of physical fitness. Not only do you have to train them hard like you would with any other muscle, you have to watch your diet strictly.

One day, I read online on some health website, “Abs are made in the kitchen.”

I believe this is 100 percent true because without a good diet, that six pack will not show up unless you lower the body fat covering your stomach.

Many people believe that it’s impossible to get a six pack because of their genetics. Others think no matter how many exercises, crunches, and reps that they perform, there is no hope for a lean midsection. That’s because these specific people are most likely only doing half the work. A low carb and low calorie diet is ideal to achieve six pack abs. It’s important to stay committed to a diet like this in order to maintain them.

Below I’ve listed my favorite ab exercises that help me maintain my midsection. Some may be hard to do at first, and some may be easy. Make sure you don’t just stick to one workout; mix it up and confuse your muscles for better results.

Planks Planks (below, center) are my alltime favorite abdominal exercises. Start off small and do 30 second intervals and repeat five times. There are many ways to further challenge yourself with planks.

You can lengthen the time, elevate your feet on a bench or medicine ball, or add weight on your back (it’s important to have a spotter with you when you add weight). Not only do planks workout your core, but they also strengthen your back. Superset these with side planks to workout your obliques as well.

Hanging Leg Raises This exercise is definitely not for beginners, as it requires a great amount of upper body and core strength. It’s important to keep your legs straight in this exercise, or you can make it easier and keep your knees bent at a 90 degree angle. You can also pick up a pair of arm straps if your upper body isn’t strong enough. Another way to make it easier is to perform the same exercise on a

roman chair which is provided at most gyms.

Seated Bar Twists This exercise is exactly what it sounds like. sit on a bench, grab a light but long barbell that allows you to extend your arms when rested on your back and twist from one side to another. This exercise really works all of your abdominal muscles from different angles. Make sure you control your breathing and momentum for better results.

Decline Bench Sit-ups This exercise is simple, but intense.

Don’t cheat yourself and maintain your form throughout the whole exercise.

If you begin to have bad form, take longer breaks in between sets or slightly decrease the incline, These exercises aren’t supposed to be a walk in the park. Motivate and challenge yourself. If it was that easy to have abs, everybody would have them.

Make sure you follow a strict diet with intense workouts.

SUMMER DIET REVIEW Kristen Loretoni

EDITOR IN CHIEF

One thing that constantly lingers in most young women’s minds is the desire to be skinny, especially when summer is here. We all want to look great in our bikinis this season, and there are many diets out there that promise to give us the results we want.

A very important piece of information that goes along with dieting, is the health risks involved. There are many diets out there that can do more harm than good to our bodies. Many diets make us cut out whole food groups in order to lose weight faster. I don’t recommend this because in order for our bodies to fully adjust to our new diet, it must get used to a routine we have with eating. When entire food groups are excluded, it is unlikely that the weight will remain lost after dieting is finished Many celebrities give advice to people about diet and exercise, but it is hard to take that advice seriously when most young women cannot afford a personal trainer and nutritionist that can cater to their every individual need.

Although we all want results fast, our bodies have made it clear to us that when it comes to long-term weight loss,

slow and steady definitely wins the race.

The only diet I came across that seemed healthy enough to last was Weight Watchers. When I looked at the Atkins Diet, South Beach Diet, NutriSystem and Slim Fast diets, I realized that all of these diets would work, but only as long as you are on them. The diets that have you on strict eating schedules with exact foods that they produce will only last as long as you eat the foods they demand. It is very unrealistic to have those specific foods everywhere you go, especially during the summer months when we all travel.

Weight Watchers makes it easy to stay on track because there is nothing you cannot have. The only restriction is how much of it to have. Weight Watchers is more of a teaching method rather than a diet itself.

It is important that the young people in our nation be aware of the amount of food they’re consuming. With moderate exercise and portion control, our lives spent dieting would cease to exist.

One problem I always have had with dieting is that I will be really good with eating for a week. Once I decide to eat a bagel or something “bad” for breakfast, I think that the whole day is ruined and I might as well eat a cheeseburger for lunch, and pasta for dinner since I already went off my diet in the morning.

Until I went on Weight Watchers, it never

occurred to me that I could eat a bagel, or cheeseburger, and still be on a diet.

The United States of America is one of the most obese nations in the world.

There is a strong correlation with portion sizes Americans are now having, and the

obesity rate among U.S. citizens.

If anyone, no matter the age, has a desire to feel healthier and lose even a few pounds, the healthy way to do so is to follow the rules of eating and living that Weight Watchers gives.

SPORTS

12

June 18, 2012

L.A. Kings Win the Stanley Cup They were seeded eighth, but they dominated the playoffs

Devon Keane

Sports Editor

Los Angeles, California, has easily become a city for successful sport teams these past couple of years. The Los Angeles Clippers, Lakers, Angels, Dodgers, Galaxy, and of course the Kings, have each made it to the playoffs at least once in the past three years.

The L.A. Kings won the Stanley Cup on June 11, for the first time in franchise history. They have been waiting a long 45 years for their first championship. L.A. fans were cheering and banging on the glass as the Kings rocked the New Jersey Devils 6-1 in game six of the finals. It was a very historic night for Los Angeles.

The Kings were definitely not expected to win the Stanley Cup; let alone make it past the first round of the playoffs. They were the eighth seed of the Western Conference. They beat the number one, two, and three seeds; the Vancouver Canucks, St. Louis Blues, and the Phoenix Coyotes to advance to the finals.

The Kings struggled early in the season, firing head coach Terry Murray as a result. They were 13-12-4 before firing Coach Murray. The Kings hired Darryl Sutter as their coach and finished 40-2715 with 95 points at the end of the season, good enough for the eighth seed.

Despite barely making the playoffs, L.A. absolutely dominated in the postseason.

They lead each best of 4 series 3-0 and outscored their opponents 57-30. Goalie Jonathan Quick was almost impenetrable.

He allowed just seven goals in the Stanley

ten shutouts.

The Kings failed to close out the final series in Games 4 and 5, as the Devils hung on and won the games 3-1 and 2-1 with the help of arguably one of the best goalies of all time, Martin Brodeur. Many

Cup Finals, and was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy for MVP of the NHL playoffs. Quick is also in contention for the Vezina Trophy, which is given to the league’s best goalie. He had a huge season for the Kings, breaking the team’s record in save percentage and led the league with

believe that the 40-year-old goalie will likely retire after this season, but there has been speculation that he may stick around. The four-time Vezina Trophy Winner reportedly was leaning toward returning whether his team won or lost.

Brodeur has helped the Devils win three

SUMMER OLYMPICS 2012 Devon Keane

SPORTS EDITOR

People and athletes all around the world are preparing for the Summer Olympics as the torch enters its fourth week of the 70day journey from Greece to London. The Olympics bring unity and morale to diverse nations across the globe. It is an interesting time for viewers to watch sports that they have never considered participating in.

The Games will take place from July 27 and end August 12. There will be 26 different sports played and over 300 events in sixteen days. Around 10,500 athletes from roughly 200 countries will be participating in this year’s games.

The 2012 Olympics will have a hard time beating the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. There were 43 world records broken in Beijing,

including four individual world records by United States swimmer Michael Phelps.

Phelps also broke the record for most gold medals in one Olympics with eight medals.

Those are tough records to beat. The USA brought home the most medals overall, but China won the most gold medals with 51.

The London Olympics will definitely put on a good show. There are many athletes that will be exciting to watch. Athletes such as Rafael Nadal, Usain Bolt, Lebron James, and of course, Miachel Phelps will help their respective nations bring home gold medals. I will be most excited to watch Todd Rogers and Phil Dalhausser compete for another gold medal in beach volleyball. I’m also excited to see the USA indoor volleyball team compete in London.

This year’s games will be extremely fun to watch as the world’s best athletes will be competing in a variety of sports.

Stanley Cups, and if he does return, he is definitely capable of leading them to another championship.

In the final game of the series, the Kings scored three goals during a five minute power play in the first period. New Jersey’s Steve Bernier was ejected for boarding Rob Scuderi, which put them in a huge hole. “I wish I could take that play back,” said Bernier. “I didn’t want to hurt my team. I wanted to help them.”

After that, the Devils were clearly outplayed and fans finally anticipated L.A.’s first Stanley Cup Trophy. Players paraded the 36-pound “Holy Grail” around the rink. The Kings are the first eighth seed team to win the Stanley Cup in NHL history.

Rockland Boulders Summer Schedule Devon Keane

SPORTS EDITOR

6/18 - 6/21: Grand Prairie Air Hogs vs Boulders **6/18: Kids 12 & Under Eat FREE! **6/19: All-You-Can-Eat Tuesday **6/20: Centrum Night, Provident Pay Day, & Fireworks Extravaganza 6/22 - 6/24: Quebec Les Capitales vs Boulders **6/22: $1 Beer Night, Springsteen Cover Band **6/23: Fireworks Extravaganza, Mardi Gras Night **6/24: Kids Run the Bases, “Bark in the Park” 7/3 - 7/5: New Jersey Jackals vs Boulders **7/3: 3-D Fireworks Extravaganza **7/4: 4th of July Fireworks Extravaganza, $1 Hot Dogs **7/5: Provident Pay Day, Fireworks Extravaganza, Italian Heritage Night 7/7 - 7/10: Quebec Les Capitales vs Boulders **7/7: Fireworks Extravaganza, Irish Heritage Night **7/8: Baseball Giveaway, Kids Run the Bases **7/9: Entenmann’s Knapsack Giveaway, Kids Eat Free 7/15: New Jersey Jackals vs Boulders ** Kids’ Baseball Giveaway, Kids Run the Bases 7/17: Newark Bears vs Boulders ** All-You-Can-Eat Tuesday, Camp day, Boulder Bird’s Birthday

7/19-7/22: Worcester Tornadoes Vs Boulders **7/19: Provident Pay Day, Fireworks Extravaganza **7/20: $1 Beer, Travel Bag Giveaway **7/21: Fireworks Extravaganza, Christmas in July **7/22: Kids-Run-the-Bases 7/24: Newark Bears vs Boulders **All-You-Can-Eat Tuesday 7/26: Newark Bears vs Boulders ** Fireworks Extravaganza 7/30 - 8/2: Newark Bears vs Boulders **7/30: Kids Eat Free **7/31: $1 Hot Dogs **8/1: Wacky Wednesday, Heroes & Villains Day **8/2: Provident Pay Day, Fireworks Extravaganza 8/3 - 8/5: Kansas City T-Bones vs Boulders **8/3: $1 Beer **8/4: Fireworks Extravaganza, Squishy Baseball Giveaway **8/5: Boulder Bird Bobblehead Giveaway, Kids Run the Bases 8/9 - 8/11: New Jersey Jackals vs Boulders **8/9: Provident pay Day, Fireworks Extravaganza **8/10: $1 Beer **8/11: Fireworks Extravaganza, Saratoga Springs Day 8/24 - 8/26: New Jersey jackals vs Boulders **8/24: $1 Beer **8/25: Fireworks Extravaganza, Oktoberfest **8/26: Jewish Life Night, Kids Run the Bases