Feb. 20, 2007
CityNews
City Times 3
Blind student inspires with wisdom
By Steven Burgers City Times
Josie Salazar / City Times Classified Senate’s Secretary Susan Gregory (right) hands out Valentine Goodies to student Cynthia Michalas.
Classified Senate sells sweets for Adopt-a-Family By Josie Salazar City Times San Diego City College’s Classified Senate held a Valentines Day bake sale on Feb. 14th to benefit this years AdoptA-Family program and various other projects. The amount raised made was not readily available. For the past four years, the
Senate has selected participants whose needs in qualifying for the program range from dire financial difficulties, to special circumstance and number of dependants. The proceeds from their various fundraisers will help sponsor a Family for the next Holiday Season and help with upcoming projects through out the year.
“It’s not just about the selling, it’s about interacting with others” said Susan Gregory, the Senate’s Secretary. The purpose of the Classified Senate is to enhance communication between classified personnel, faculty, administration, as well as the general welfare of SDCC through unity, shared governance and professional responsibility.
Members of the Classified Senate includes classified employees of the San Diego Community College District assigned to SDCC including permanent, probationary, and hourly employees, Members also include Operations, College Police and ABSO Service Staff, as well as selected students.
‘Veronica Mars’ makes appearance at City College By Brittany Arquette City Times Neptune, California may be the fictional town where college student/private investigator Veronica Mars resides, but it also might be where you hang out every day. That’s because the show is taped right here in sunny San Diego, including right here at City College. The film crew from the show “Veronica Mars” was on our campus Feb. 2, filming extras around the A and M buildings, and the Gorton Quad. Students taking intersession classes may have noticed extra “students” walking around, and the four large trucks occupying the student parking lot. Though the show’s studio is in Kearney Mesa, they’ve previously taped on San Diego State’s campus on several occasions, and various times here at City. The show is in its third season, and the production company, Stu Segall Productions, is always looking for fresh college faces to be extras in the show, and hold open auditions through out the year at their studio on Ruffin Rd. No word if Miss Veronica Mars herself, played by Kristen Bell, was present, but keep an eye on your television this year for City College’s 30 seconds of fame. For more information about becoming an extra and when the next audition dates are, you can call the studio’s prerecorded hotline (858) 974-8970 EXT 477 or visit their website http://www.stusegall.com
The CW Network / Courtesy Photo Kristen Bell stars as Veronica Mars, a smart, fearless 19-year-old apprentice private investigator in The CW’s drama series “Veronica Mars.”
Lawrence Walker is an exceptional student we can all learn from. Lawrence completed 16 credits last semester with a 4.0 average and he is legally blind. City College”s Disability Support Progrms & Services (DSPS) have helped provide the structure for Lawrence to make use of his extraordinary abilities. Lawrence, a 58 year old business major, returned to school in spring 2006 to further his education in what has already been an interesting, educated and successful life. He has been a licensed real estate agent, worked in financial markets and is now continuing his studies in business. He credits his high academic standing and achievements to Debra Wright and the DSPS team for assisting him in learning to use RFB&D (Reading for the blind & dyslexic) and other adaptive computer services for the disabled. He uses e-textbooks and prefers software with human voices as opposed to computer generated voices. He is presently achieving honors grades and is moving toward being a member of the Honor Society. He is also a member of the Alpha Theta Kappa fraternity which is an honors society for high achievers. “The important thing is to decide education is your goal and to pursue it with all your heart,” Lawrence said. Lawrence first overcame serious disability when he contracted spinal meningitis at the age of fifteen. He was told he would never walk again, yet after one year of hospitalization including physical therapy, he left the hospital of his own volition. Lawrence first made the National Honor Society in high school. He spent three years at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois and then served a tour of duty in Point Loma, for the United States Navy during Vietnam. He said he liked the weather here in San Diego and has resided here since. Lawrence said his 80-yearold father has been an inspiration in his life. He also credits Christopher Reeves with being a real Superman. Lawrence advises students not to postpone education especially with consideration of their economic futures. He enjoys school and its challenges.