Triton's Call – VOL 35 | ISSUE 1 | SEP 2013

Triton’s Call FREE | VOL 35 | ISSUE 1 | SEPT 2013 | UNIVERSITY OF GUAM

MOVIE NIGHT.

Yeehee! GIFF3!

10 Things I Wish I Knew When I Was a Freshmen

AFFLECK AS Batman?

TRITON’S CALL: Publisher: Aristides Pereira Editor: Jasmine Stole Co-editor: Kyle Santos

Staff: Ruzelle Amparo Catherine Bungabong Sabrina Garcia Colin Leon Guerrero

Nate Macaraeg Jesse Mangham Katrina Palanca Pauline Patacsil

Bingle Pizarro Asha Marie Robles Kyle Santos

www.tritonscall.net uogtritonscall@gmail.com www.facebook.com/thetritonscall www.twitter.com/tritonscall

10 W

ings th i wish i knew When I was a college

FRESHMAN

ith senior year in full swing, I canʼt help but

feel a little nostalgic. I remember moving into the dorms at the University of Portland, meeting my country girl roommate, and waving goodbye to my teary-eyed mother as she slipped into the complimentary shuttle and headed for the airport. " I spent my freshman year in Portland as an Environmental Ethics and Policy major. After a year of gray skies and lip-cracking cold, I returned home for a summer visit. A major disagreement with my parents turned a temporary visit into a permanent stay.

Determined to earn a degree without my parentsʼ help, I enrolled at the University of Guam. " Even though I had sophomore credits to my name, I felt like a freshman. I didnʼt know where anything was. I needed to re-declare a major. I felt like no one wanted to help me. " Next semester, I will be graduating with a degree in Communications—a far cry from what was once the medical track. In addition to finding my niche, I learned how to jump through the rings of fire known as UOG protocol.

Here are 10 things I wish I knew when I was a freshman:

THE FINANCIAL AID PROCESS IS ROUGH. Itʼs my last year at UOG, and I still canʼt get it right. Donʼt worry. If you follow my guidelines, youʼre only going to make one trip to the Financial Aid Office.

One. The first thing you need to do is visit http:// fafsa.ed.gov and fill out the FAFSA for school year 2013-2014. You only have to do this once a year. The application can take up to a week to process, but it usually only takes a couple of days.

By Katrina Palanca

" This is where it gets confusing. " Under “What Happens Next,” the site says, “Your FAFSA information was made available to the school (s) you listed on your FAFSA. Your school(s) will contact you if they need more information or to discuss your financial aid award. " No, UOG wonʼt contact you. The end of October will come around, and youʼll be wondering where your money is. So what really happens next? In a week, you should receive the results of the FAFSA by email.

Go back to the FAFSA website and print your Student Aid Report. Now go to http://studentloans.gov-- yes, a different website—and complete the Entrance Counseling and Master Promissory Note sections.

Entrance counseling takes the form of a quiz. The government wants to know that you understand what youʼre getting into by accepting their loans. They also need you to promise that youʼre going to pay them back. The Master Promissory note is essentially an “IOU.” " Print out the Entrance Counseling and Master Promissory Note sections. You should have three forms in your hand. Take all of this to the Financial Aid Office and fill out the Financial Aid Office Information Sheet. Turn in the package, and youʼre good to go.

COVER YOUR BASES. There are three things you want to do as soon as possible: get a student ID, set up your computer with WiFi, and get a library sticker. Bring a printed class schedule and get your student ID at the Enrollment Management and Student Services (EMSS) Deanʼs Office. Itʼs the small office next to the menʼs restroom at the Student Center. Bring the ID and the class schedule to the front desk of the library and ask for a sticker. Itʼll say Fall 2013. You need that sticker to

YO U M AY N OT

NEED ALL O F YOUR

TEXT BOOKS

borrow books and rent a conference room at the library. You also need it to get the student discount price at the movie theaters. Now for your last stop.

Bring all of your technology—phones, tablets, laptops —to the Computer Lab. If youʼre walking past the library in the direction of the English and HSS buildings, itʼs the building right after the library. Ring the doorbell to the office, hand over your technology and student ID, and get connected to the network.

to keep up with assignments, not procrastinate, work out, blah blah blah. In all the excitement, youʼre tempted to rush to the bookstore and gather everything you need—including all of the textbooks listed on your syllabi. Think again. The sad truth is too many professors donʼt actually use the textbooks they list on the syllabus. Spend a week or two feeling out the course. Share a book with a classmate for the first couple of weeks. If you feel like youʼre starting to be

When you’re spending thousands of dollars a year,,

being too cool for school

is not an option.

THE CASHIER IS NOT WHERE YOU’D THINK. You get billed at the Admissions and Records office, but you pay at the cashierʼs office across campus. The cashier is located in the one-story building between the School of Business and the Fine Arts building. For your convenience, the cashierʼs office has forms for transcript requests, which saves you a trip to the admissions office. If you followed my first guideline, this is also where you would pick up your loan refund check between the hours of 9:00 AM and 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday.

YOU DON’T NEED ALL YOUR TEXTBOOKS. Weʼre all pumped up at the start of the school year. “This year will be different,” we say. Weʼre going

the annoying classmate who never has a book, that means you actually need the book. Go and buy it. If you find yourself hardly ever sharing, and if the quizzes youʼve taken so far are based on lecture notes, you probably donʼt need one.

NEVER ASSUME THINGS ARE GETTING DONE. Always check up on the forms that youʼve turned in. Donʼt assume that because youʼve done your part, the administration is doing theirs. Forms get lost all the time. Things move slowly. Call. Check on the status of a form. Always, always, always ask for the name of the person you talked to. The information you get from them will probably be denied later, and the name of a specific person will really help your case.

“10 THINGS I WISH I KNEW” CONTINUED//

solved: the financial aid process C l ic k

NO ONE CARES ABOUT WHO YOU WERE IN HIGH SCHOOL. They donʼt. Iʼm sorry if you spent four years building your reputation. Thatʼs a thing of the past.

Remember how getting good grades was reserved for the losers in high school? Not so much here. People in college want to do well and graduate as soon as possible. When youʼre spending thousands of dollars a year, being too cool for school is not an option.

GET WITH THE PROGRAM. You are the only one responsible for your graduation. Youʼre not going to get a call from anyone whoʼs concerned that youʼre missing credits for graduation. Many required classes are offered every other year, which means one class could you set back at least a couple of semesters. Keep up with your program.

Talk to people.

Look around. These are the future professionals of this island. Theyʼre the future bankers, senators, journalists, business owners. Make connections and start networking. At the very least, grab a homework buddy or buddies in every class. Youʼre bound to miss at least one. Hint: Professors donʼt accept the excuse “I wasnʼt in class that day.”

h e r e

GET INVOLVED. I know, I know. Your parents forced you to come to UOG. You donʼt want to be here. You want to be off island in Seattle or Honolulu or San Diego or somewhere far away from Guam. You know what UOG is? An underdog. Weʼre underestimated by students who canʼt see the opportunities they have at their fingertips. Thereʼs a student exchange program that lets you study in the mainland for a semester.

This past summer, students studied culture in Bali, practiced Mandarin in Macau, and dug for artifacts in the Philippines. College is what you make of it.

BE PICKY WITH YOUR SCHEDULE. Registration is a pain. You donʼt have time to plan out a new semester—especially not at the end of the current semester, while youʼre scrambling to finish last minute projects and papers. Suck it up and register early. For freshmen, early registration for Spring 2014 runs from November 12 to December 6. You wonʼt regret it. Youʼll get almost first dibs on class (seniors have priority), all the professors that come recommended, and a schedule that has slots for nap time.

Welcome to college. Itʼs survival of the fittest around here. May the odds be ever in your favor.◆

Exchanging Students & Enriching Lifestyles: Why the NSE Program Could Be Essential to the College Student’s Growth

By Sabrina Garcia College kids everywhere can agree with the idea that college life is essentially about three E’s: exploring, experimenting and experiencing.

Typically, they students explore the unfamiliar territory that is their campus, experiment with their newfound freedom as students of higher education, and consequently experience the inevitable independence that comes with college life firsthand, among other things. However, as college students on Guam, most, if not all, will never get to experience “dorm life” or even “the big move” to college, as both institutions of higher education are placed in the heart of Mangilao, and there is no place that is really “too far” of a drive on the island from home.

In fact, one might say that the transition from high school to college on our island isn’t so much of a rough one. Here is where that age-old saying “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone” comes into

Students interested in the program Not only can they choose a university to attendto study in the United States, they are also able to choose to study in Canada, Puerto Rico, and or the U.S. Virgin Islands. NSE Program Coordinator Joan Swaddell enjoys recruiting students who are hit with the travel bug and introducing them to the program that can aid them in their pursuit for a new location. “It attracts students and gives them options. That excites me. I myself like traveling and sympathize with

the students who want to see something different,” said Swaddell.

Not only is location an important factor that attracts students to the NSE, but it is also the desire to enrich their academics that draws them to the program. UOG Triton and Business Major David Leon Guerrero saw the NSE as an opportunity to get him closer to his dream of becoming an architect.

“I wanted to do Architecture for a degree, but they do not offer it at UOG,” said Leon Guerrero. He then used the program to get into the California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo to pursue his interest in architecture.

UOG Elementary Education Major Meagan Terlaje reflected on her college experience on the island and realized that she would like to broaden her horizons. “I might just forever have an island girl perspective because this island is all I’ve ever known. I wish I could be exposed to different views to expand my thinking in a way,” said Terlaje. That is not necessarily true, however, there is no question that a little change of scenery could do a lot of good for the college student’s soul, wherever they may be. Recognizing that trutha little change of scenery could do a lot of good for the college student’s soul, the National Student Exchange provides students with the opportunity to venture.

David Leon Guerrero

With more than 200 schools to choose from, the prospective student is not limited to a small sea of similar universities and their corresponding lifestyles.

play. Is it safe to assume that college students on Guam do not get the full college experience that others get with moving off island? Perhaps college students on Guam do not get the full “college experience” that others get with moving off island.

Kristine Tuazon, pictured left

Swaddell recognizes the important role the NSE has as a part of the University of Guam as a tool to better students’ academics and ultimately their overall experience in college. “The NSE Program offers a wider range of choices in courses that a student needs for a particular fielled that we are limited in offering. The benefit to the institution is now we can offer not just the few hundreds of courses at the University of Guam, but thousands of courses to our students by giving them access to the exchange program,” said shared Swaddell.

Another UOG Triton that used the program to develop her skills is Kristine Tuazon, an ESL Major and Japanese Studies student that ventured off internationally to Japan for a semester. There she was able to apply and add to what she hads learned in her concentration.

Craig Kallian

Pascale Martin

Tuazon stated, “Being immersed in the [Japanese] culture was a really good opportunity to use what I learned,.” said Tuazon. In addition to exploring the Japanese culture, Tuazon found herself dabbling in the struggles that come with independence. “Not being with my parents, I had to make decisions on my own. I also learned that vegetables are really expensive back there. That taught me how to budget.”

Not only has the NSE program given UOG students the opportunity to experience new cultures, but it has also given students from off-islandother countries the opportunity to experience our island’s unique culture. Pascale Martin, a student from the Universite du Quebec a Montreal, is currently attending UOG through the NSE program.

Martin took an interest in the island lifestyle Guam has to offer. “The reason I really wanted to do the exchange program is mostly because at home, they promote it so much. They tell you how important it is to change your way of thinking, to really experience not just another culture, but also another academic point of view. You don’t just stick to what you learn at home with your culture. They really want you to be somewhere completely different and apply everything you’ve learned at home and to just transform it completely, to learn how another culture deals with the same concepts and realities,” shares Martin. .

The NSE program can also be an eyeopener in ways other than cultural perspective, as made known by Craig Kallian, a Business Major from the Univer-

sity of Wisconsin-Stout. Kallian, also currently attending UOG along with Martin through the NSE Program, was placed out of his comfort zone. Kallian reflected on how the small conveniences of his familiar lifestyle were not fully appreciated until he came here.

“Things like transportation and not having a cell phone within the first week were big issues,” said Kallian. However, Kallian and Martin decided to make the best of their situation and rent a car to get more acquainted with the island.

Whether it be the desire for a change of scenery, the need to get a dose of travel, or the motive to seek academic fulfillment, the experiences that await the interested National Student Exchange candidate will undoubtedly enrich their college experience and help them grow. Everyone knows there is no place like home, but allow Einstein to chime in and give you something to ponder: “A ship is always safe at the shore - but that is NOT what it is built for.” Venture out and broaden your horizons. Exploring, experimenting with, and experiencing yourself in a different setting is what college is all about. Take your higher education to the next level.

practice proactivity:

avoid wasting time and seek advisement BY catherine bungabong

T

here is a good portion of college students that start attending school uncertain of what degree they want to pursue. They take some general education courses with some prospective majors that they may be interested in getting into to test the waters, see if it始s something that they want to pursue. It始s okay to explore your interests, but not for a prolonged amount of time. Numerous students are unaware that they may be wasting their time and money and are being inefficient in working toward a degree. As a new college student, the need for advisement is vital.

Although it should be the responsibility of the student to seek help, a newbie getting into a whole new ball game is not sure where to turn to. Colleges must let students know that

advisement is available and vital for a successful college experience " Gibson Lopez, 18, a brand new student at the University of Guam knew what major he wanted to pursue from the getgo. Although he had already decided on his major, the official nursing student was not satisfied with the advisement he was given in regards to devising a set track for his education.

His adviser gave him basic information such as informing him about the waiting list that nursing students have to face to get into the actual nursing program, but was not able to answer many of the questions looming in Lopez始s mind.

Gibson had to learn what prerequisites are and how it will affect his college track from a friend.

Although he was a little upset over the situation, he said what could始ve made the issue better is if his adviser forwarded him to someone who would know the answers to his questions and be able to help him plan out his education.

TRITONS CALL FILE PHOTO

“They should provide a list of contacts of people who know about the subject,” he says. !

Some students prefer to take things into their own hands. R.S., a sophomore, has not received any advisement and, she does not plan to seek advisement until a year before her expected graduation date. The only thing close to advisement she received was having guest speakers from prospective school departments in her ID180 class.

In regards to her decision to why she personally chose not to seek advice, she says, “I have confidence that I can do it myself.” ! !

She uses the school catalog and reads up on the requirements to devise her schedule. In full control, R.S. has all her classes setup from her

beginning semester to her last. When she first started studying at the University, she was like many freshmen-not sure about what degree she wanted to pursue. At first, she wanted to major in English, but after taking the English literature course she changed her mind. After changing her mind two more times, she finally decided on consumer and family science. ! J.B., a computer information major is in an agreement with R.S. He had received a single session of advisement, which he did not find very helpful. He says that he is satisfied with using the Universityʼs Web Advisor as a guide to let him know which classes he needs and other information such as prerequisite requirements. He also says that if a student needed advisement then they should go and seek it. !

Joan Swaddell, the counselor at the EMSS office suggests that students get advisement as soon as possible. Incoming freshmen are all required to take the ID180 course, which is designed to help students figure out what careers they are interested in and what degrees correspond to them. Swaddell says that these classes emphasize advisement so students should be aware that it is available and where to get it, as well as be informed of the importance of it. She says that even if a student is unsure about what major they want to pursue, an advisor should be

Students learn about the Sociology degree program at a major fair last fall.

consulted so that they may help the student to figure out what they want to get into. !

She mentions that there are multiple resources that students can use. !

The course catalog, for example, includes lots of helpful information about what degrees are offered, the course requirements, as well as the list of courses needed to fulfill degrees. The WebAdvisor site also helps students to devise their schedules appropriately.

Another helpful tool she says that students should look into is a free online career interest inventory. !

These consist of a short test that asks questions about the studentʼs hobbies, interests and even personal habits.

This information is then used to analyze the studentʼs personality and

what they really want. Coming in to see an adviser is vital. !

When counseling a student, she gives them some scenarios or asks questions that help them to become in tuned to their interests and desires. “They just need an idea or spark. They need to be inspired,” Swaddell says. !

Seeking higher education can really open up many opportunities. We all, at one point, aspire to be something when we “grow up.” !

Throughout our lives and experiences, our interests may change. Although some of us are sure with every bit of ourselves what we desire in life, there are still those of us that are in the exploration process. Even so, we take the initiative to take that first step into figuring that out-which for some of us is to start attending college despite the fact that we are unsure in hopes that we will figure it out eventually. ! There are enough concerns in the minds of students as they make their way through college, abilities, which is then Swaddell says. and wondering what kind processed to find careers of degree they should that match the data found. pursue shouldnʼt be one of !

Although these tools may them. An effective university be helpful, she does not advise student will make the effort to that students rely solely on them seek advisement to ensure that and that advisement of an actual they get the most out of their counselor is imperative. She “encourages education in regards to getting the classes students to seek information and to be they need and getting their degree in a timely assertive” rather than be comfortable by thinking that they manner. The help they need is available to them, but they have a lot of time to figure it out. She adds that although just need to take the initiative to take it. Taking the time to the exploration process will be beneficial, students explore their interests and potential careers will benefit shouldnʼt take too much time doing so as they end up students greatly. wasting time. In doing so, students may take longer to !

Students are highly encouraged to be proactive and to graduate, which will also put their financial being at risk. take advantage of all resources available to them to give Many students have experienced wasting time and money them the best and functional college experience. ◆ due to constantly changing their majors. This could be avoided if students put time and effort into figuring out

“They just need

an Tidea or spark. hey need to

be inspired,”

By Ruzelle Amparo For a long time, it was believed that it isn't possible to become a filmmaker here on Guam. "You can't be a filmmaker," people would say. "Go off-island!"

So aspiring filmmakers would leave the island.

Screening films such as "We Are Pagat" and "Lina'la Lusong" GIFF has been able to educate viewers on a few of the cultural aspects of the island. GIFF is also no stranger to reaching out to the island's community, having members of the community involve themselves by However, over the years local filmmakers' either submitting films or joining the volefforts have been proving that it is comunteer force. A number of those were pletely possible for future filmmakers to students. stay right where they are — on an island where the scenery is perfect, the ideas In 2011 Niel Romero, filmmaker and felare raw & outrageous and the comfort of low Triton, submitted feature length film being with family. One of those efforts is iHeartGU took home the award "Best the Guam International Film Festival or Made in the Marianas". Since then, Ro"GIFF". mero has been creating more films with his production group Project: Inspire. In Founded by the Muña Brothers, Don and fact this year, Project: Inspire's short film Kel, the Guam International Film Festival "Pizza Boy" is up for the award "Best aims to not only entertain but also to Made in the Marianas". educate and reach out to the community.

Thus far, they have succeeded.

“That experience has not only helped me become a better filmmaker, but also a better person,” stated Romero. “Not only

is GIFF great for exposing you to artists and their films, but it also helps spread awareness to the rest of the world that Guam has so much more to offer.”

GIFF isn't just for existing filmmakers but also for those who are considering becoming filmmakers. This past summer Colin Leon Guerrero, another fellow Triton, joined the GIFF crew for its first film to be produced by the Guam International Film Festival as an organization.

Of course, working on films isn't the only way to get involved with the film festival.

The volunteer staff as well as the organization staff is just as important as the filmmakers whose movies showcased.

A heavy part of the festival is the amount of culture involved. GIFF allows audiences to explore the world through film as well as allows Guam to bring its own

unique culture into an arena that the rest of the world is participating in.

tional Film Festival is offering more to be excited about.

Not only does it put Guam’s local talent on the map but it also puts Guam’s culture — as well as the island itself — on the map. Too often, talk about the island usually is met with the question “what is Guam?”

This year, the festival is featuring its very first theme which is "Beyond the See". As explained by Kel Muña, the theme is "part longing and part discovery. It coincides with the threads of most independent films on the festival circuit today; where these great stories take you beyond the surface of what you think you see and help you to dive much deeper into hidden depths of discovery within the film, its characters and yourself.”

Filmmakers get to help show the rest of the world who and what we are. Guam gets the opportunity to shed some light on not only the aesthetic beauty of the island but also the cultural beauty of the island. Over the centuries, Guam has been influenced by a variety of other cultures. This is a great chance for the island to influence the rest of the world.

So what's new for GIFF3?

Other than the amazing films that are going to screen, the 2013 Guam Interna-

The festival is also adding to their ecofriendly initiative by ditching the paper program altogether and replacing it with the GIFF App for iPhones and Androids.

On the app, GIFF-goers will be able to check out screenings, create a personal festival itinerary, and buy their tickets. In fact, GIFF-goers who do buy their tickets

on the App will be able to save $2.50 than if they were to purchase their tickets at the door.

Finally, GIFF3 will not only be stretching its festival from 3 days to 6 but will also be stretching their festivities from the theatre to the center court of the Agana Shopping Center.

Not only will festival patrons be able to watch films from around the world but will also be able to enjoy themselves in the center court with events and entertainment, such as an open mic.

The 2013 Guam International Film Festival will be running from September 24th thru September 29th at the Agana Stadium Theaters in the Agana Shopping Center. For more information or get involved with the festival, go to www.guamfilmfestival.org or check them out on Facebook!

By Bingle Pizarro

Students attend college behind different intentions including simply being with their friends, taking advantage of scholarships or solely trying to fulfill their parents' satisfaction. Motivation to graduate on time does not come easy to many students.

What with the many technological distractions, tedious work, social networking, access to alternative routes like joining the military and working full-time, the 'college is not for everyone' speech, or indecisiveness about what career to pursue, the absence of motivation can really push buttons. Some undergraduates try to find or maintain motivation in taking adderall pills, which is supposed to help you focus on all your work, or dating someone with the similar major.!

Students who have little to no motivation often forget that the ideal prospect of a college degree is to fulfill today's requirements of surviving with a successful career, which is what drives 20-year-old Damian Arceo. "Of course there are jobs that will make money, but I'm looking towards the long run about retiring with a secure job that's always needed," explains the University of Guam computer science major.

Aside from being a student, Arceo is also a local, budding DJ which might be an improbable relation to his academic goals, but it is his own way of diverting from being overwhelmed with school. Additionally, the fuel for motivation comes from his parents. "They're paying for college and giving me the life opportunity they didn't have so I'm not going to throw away the education that back then, they would kill for." So instead of having the DJ life as a distraction, it has taught him the importance of time management with work and play.!

From a dubstep DJ to a radio DJ, motivation also comes in different forms. University of Guam graduate Roselle Romanes fed off her passion to major in Communication to nourish her motivation. "I was motivated to go to school because I was interested in learning everything I can. I loved going to class every day and learning more things that would help me."!Romanes!graduated college in three and half years, which is not as easily attainable to most students. "I just wanted to graduate early, make my parents proud, be a role model to my little sisters, eager to start my career, professional life and be independent." She used up her electives for Communication classes that she didn't need which in turn rewarded her greatly including a favorable paying job.!

When work seems endless and alcohol starts to seem like the only medicine to get through another day, take time to find what fuels your motives. Some advice from Romanes would be to keep a goal and stay focused. "What do YOU want to do? Because if you lack motivation in your major, you're in the wrong one. Find something you love and go for it."

Final Countdown: Graduation

By Colin Leon Guerrero

The end of summer brings in fall 2013.

While for some this will be their first semester at the University Of Guam as they begin a new chapter of their lives, for others it’s time to say good bye and graduate.

For those just starting they have a little time to figure out who they are and what they want to do before their time here comes to an end as well. As we know all good things must come to an end, and because graduation is just 124 credits away.

For seniors that time is now. Not so long ago they were freshmen eager and nervous about facing new challenges, making new friends, getting the right classes and deciding on what major they will be declaring.

There are countless obstacles they had to overcome such as financial aid, registering for classes, work, relationships, Web Advisor, and the constant fear of not having enough credits to graduate.

Rarely do seniors graduate with the feeling that they learned everything that they could.

“It’s bittersweet because did I really learn, but it’s exciting once I get that paper,” said Ayshalynn Perez a health science major who also expressed that she wants to make this semester her best yet. “I want to boost up my GPA and hit a home run,” said Perez who knows that is her last chance to leave a good impression with her teachers and the school.

Recent spring 2013 graduate Darlene Balagot shared the same mentality as Perez about her last semester, “I wanted to do my best, because you’ll never get a second chance at a last semester,” said Balagot who graduated Summa Cum Laude (for freshmen that is the highest honors a student can graduate with) with a degree in criminal justice.

For most planning on graduating this fall, the semester will probably be the hardest they will ever go through. One of the many reasons is the looming cloud of final projects, papers, or internships that stand in the way of the goal that hundreds have been studying tirelessly for. Making deadlines and the task of gathering all the knowledge one has learned in four or more years into one project or paper is stressful if not horrifying.

Perez is aware of the stress and lack of sleep, but is up to the challenge, “You feel that you’re not ready to go into the real world, but hopefully I’ll graduate with all the knowledge I learned in my undergrad career,” said Perez who will definitely be smiling big at graduation.

“Everything is all you, and you wouldn’t have gotten there without pushing yourself,” said Perez who explained that graduating from college is different than high school.

As for myself, the goal for this semester is to make this semester one I will never forget.

Yes I will strive to do my best but also give back to the teachers that have taught me so much, and help classmates or any other student any way that I can. Because you only get one shot at a last semester, better make it count.

NEED FOR THE CATALOG

By Jesse Mangham Books are essential to the lives of every student. Many of them are costly and some students can get away with not buying them for certain classes, though the feat is rare. But there is one book that all students need and, thankfully, it’s free - the catalog.

The school catalog is packed with information about every aspect of student life. Students can find the answers to most if not all their questions if they are willing to read it. The catalog is a manual of student life.

But a sad fact is many students don’t even think to open it.

Some only look insider this manual once or twice to see what their required classes are or to try to remember their course name and number. There are things in the

catalog that are absolutely need-to-know and many students have no other way of learning about them.

believes that if she had checked the calendar in the latest catalog she would not have been so unprepared.

She refers to the catalog as Anisa Hanser, a 28-year-old her bible but this once she junior majoring in Social gave it no attention and Work, knows personally what learned never to do that kind of problems one can again encounter without the book.

Upon returning from a sumFellow Palauan student, mer trip home to Palau, she Deidli Subris, feels the same discovered that she only had way about the book. Perone day to add the required haps even more so for an classes to her schedule. To incoming freshman such as make matters worse, all herself. Subris, a 23-year-old three of them were closed, Business Administration mathus requiring overriding jor, didn't have as rough a requests. "It was hectic and time with registration as did frustrating," Hanser laments. Hanser, receiving an ample "Very last minute." Luckily, at amount of assistance from 4:45pm on the last day of the office of the Dean. But Drop and Add, Hanser was even with her good fortune able to secure all her she feels incomplete. She classes. hasn't been able to pick up her catalog yet and can't She admits that it was her wait to get her hands on it. own fault that she was "Of course I will read it. It caught unaware. Hanser gives all the information you

need. It's helpful and all students should read it."

Subris speaks sound advice for such a new student. Although she has yet to give it a glance, she is wise enough to know how important it is to understanding the ins and outs of school.

Holidays and deadlines on the calendar, withdrawal policies, and financial aid information are just some of the essential things that can be found in the catalog. Taking the time to read about these things and more can answer most of the questions and ease some of the fears that many students are bound to have.

This makes the catalog the most essential book that will carry students throughout their academic life and it won't cost a dime.

Tweets on the new Batman: Richard Dreyfuss @RichardDreyfuss

You read for a part, you feel good about it, you feel confident, then they cast Ben Affleck.

Elizabeth Crews @libbycrews

Y'all think George Clooney gave Ben Affleck tips on how to suck as Batman?

Alex

@thisisalexbeck Affleck is the next Batman? I hope the villain in that movie wins.

Adam W

@atomargyle the venn diagram of "good movies ben affleck has been in" and "movies ben affleck also directed" is a single circle.

meeses @meeses

"man who directed the latest Oscar winner for Best Picture is going to be directed by the man who did Sucker Punch"

Five Good Reasons We Shouldn't Dismiss Affleck Just Yet

By Pauline Patacsil

Warner Bros. has recently stepped up to the plate and is more than ready to give Marvel a run for their money. According to the Associated Press, the movie Man of Steel made over $125 million dollars on its debut weekend.

That puts Man of Steel, the top grossing film for June, even beating Pixar's Toy Story 3, which only made $110 million in 2010.

Though Man of Steel was only released this summer, it was announced shortly after at this year’s Comic Con that in addition to a sequel already being confirmed, it would include a Batman/ Superman crossover.

Superman and Batman fanatics joined in excitement to see, unarguably, the two most well known superheroes together in the big screen.

The excitement that surrounded the news quickly faded late last month. On August 23rd a press release announcing that Ben Affleck was to join Henry Cavill in the

new Man of Steel sequel as none other than Batman had social media critics ablaze. Heated reactions quickly spread throughout the Internet, with many opposed to Affleck’s casting.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, there was more than 90,000 tweets about Affleck within the first hour

The news brought much speculation as to who was next to play the after the news was released. one and only Caped Crusader.

Even Hollywood celebrities freely expressed their opinions of the matter.

Here are five good reasons as to why you shouldn’t dismiss Affleck just yet.

1. We have to realize that there will always be another Batman movie.

The first Batman movie was made in the early 1940s and since then has been one of the most profitable franchises ever.

Not only are

there movies being made countless times over, but different comic books with different stories arcs that include different sides of Batman are also being produced. Batman is and will always be a timeless superhero. He's never going to lose his appeal because well, let's face it, the guy's a badass. He's a complex guy with a damaged past.

Who doesn't like that kind of stuff?

2. It's not too soon for a Batman movie.

Though Batman will always be a timeless superhero, his fellow DC counterparts are quickly fading into the background of Marvel’s box office successes.

Marvel already has quite a collection of movies under their belt that star Iron Man, Captain American, the Hulk, and the thunder god himself- Thor. If DC wants to stand a chance against Marvel, the time to strike is now, especially if a Justice

League movie is to be made.

3. It's not another Dark Knight movie.

Get over it and accept it. We had our time to relish in the awesomeness of the Dark Knight trilogy but it's done and has been for some time now. We need to realize that Chris Nolan has happily moved on and has other projects to attend to, like his latest Interstellar. Some

may argue that Joseph GordonLevitt could possibly play Batman, but this is an entirely different enterprise with an entirely different director. Remember that.

4. Ben Affleck is actually a good actor. peras an are easily forgettable, he's

Though his early formances actor

learned since then as a director. He's developed perspective and gained knowledge as one and because of it has grown as an actor. Have you seen the recent movies he's directed?

The Town? Argo? If you haven’t, take some time out to watch them. If that doesn't convince you, check his credentials.

Affleck has not one, but two Oscars to show for his talent.

5. The Internet wasn't so crazy about Heath Ledger too.

When it was first announced that Heath Ledger was casted as Joker, the Internet was outraged. But Ledger blew everyone away with his amazing performance. If his portrayal of Joker in The Dark Knight wasn't proof enough, Ledger also won an Oscar for “Best Support Actor” for the film. Let's not forget that even though he got the most hate for being casted as the Joker, he did outcast every other actor before him that played Joker.

Ben Affleck has proven how much he's matured as an actor as well as a director.

We might actually be surprised by his performance in the upcoming Man of Steel sequel. I think, at the very least, we can give him a chance to suck at it before we rule him out altogether.

Metal Rises

By Kyle Santos

Guam’s local music holds an abundance of island and reggae talent. Also on the rise are alternative artists, acoustic artists, as well as rappers. However, when it comes to rock music, we are limited to a handful of bands that mostly gig regularly in age-restricted bars.

Though some of these bands play a heavy style of rock, it’s nothing like the punchy, screaming, in-your-face, moshing type of rock. Guam’s rock scene has been diminished and condensed to only the adults with free time and money to frequent this scene.

Seven years ago, a heavier side of music thrived on our island. In house par-

ties, ColdStone Teen Nights, Battle of the Bands competitions, and do-ityourself band shows, different styles of rock music could be heard. It was live rock music, played by local people.

Shows were spread and shared through word of mouth, SMS texting, posters at the local mall, and early social media services. Avid followers ranged from early high school students to college undergraduates.

These followers came to hear rock bands, including: Ellipsis, Mochang, Sound of the Stereo, Warhead, Nzeexruos, Anchorfist, Riot!, Run Don’t Walk, Build-a-Boy Workshop, Axs Denied, and Fairy Tale Heroes. There were also many different metal bands at the time.

Twenty-two year old Daniel Soto, local musician and former guitarist of the

metal band PETROS, recalled bands paving the way “Adherence, Camo is My Favorite Color, and Minatatnga, really pushed the hardcore movement,” Soto said.

“Bands like Dismember the Shepherd and Hymn for the Tortured [also] showed the death core and death metal talent on Guam,” added Soto. Currently, these bands described are inactive or have disbanded since then.

These heavy rock groups were a great way for people of all ages to get together and enjoy music. Crowd participation played a big role in shows. Soto described his favorite part of these metal shows to be the hardcore dancing, moshing, and head banging. He added that although most people may see it as weird and probably danger-

PHOTO COURTESY OF ANTONIO JOYCE

ous, “in actuality it is part of the crowd’s enthusiasm for the band.”

tive in order to hold more local rock shows.

Although this type of reverence for the bands are dangerous – the definite probability of being punched, kicked, and bruised in a mosh pit – it is an activity that is mutually understood as fun.

Audience members know the consequences, and may choose whether or not to participate.

“Those were my personal favorite because people always came out to them.

Underage people could go to them unlike the bar shows...The environment is different at a bar compared to a public, all ages show, which I prefer,” recalled Soto fondly.

The many DIY band shows were paramount to this heavy music scene. Metal focused shows such as, “Halloween Hellraise” and “The Descent,” as well as a regular showcase series, “Weekend Warriors,” gave rockers of all ages an opportunity to showcase or enjoy the live talent. Six or more local rock groups would grace the stage for these shows. They were hosted primarily by Jayton Okada, who founded The Initia-

Hope has arrived in the form of a regime. The Unholy Regime is a new, local metal band that formed from members of past metal bands: Hymn for the Tortured and By Blood. They played their first show at Old Traditions Bar in mid-August of this year. The great success of the show became a sort of kick starter for more plans of metal shows and bands in the near future. Eric Cortez, an undergraduate at Guam Community College, said that he

and a few friends are in the works to hold more open metal shows. Additionally, Soto added that Okada has been in touch with him and others about starting up regular shows again.

Though Guam does have a big rock following, part of the problem why the scene is so small is because of the lack of promotion. Some people who love rock are unknown to the bands and the events that happen. Some of them may also be underage to attend the more known shows at local bars. This is where it comes down to us, the public, the youth, to be open to the heavier side of this hard rock and metal scene.

We must move forward to assemble more all-ages concerts and promote them forward.

kings

make a

Comeback

By Asha Marie Robles The Kings have returned and are making the biggest comeback to regain their thrown.

Those long nights locked up in that house paid off. Fans of KOL already want more after having a taste of what has already been leaked. "It After 2 years of silence, Kings makes me excited to hear of Leon are making a return what the rest of the album is with their sixth album "Megoing to sound like", says 22 chanical Bull", which is set to year old fan Jose Untalan of release September 24 of this UOG. year.

The first single, titled "SuperWith two new songs leaked soaker", highlights the bands online and already averaging ability to start off a rock song over 4 million views on Youstrong and keep that upbeat tube, KOL's latest album is off tempo going throughout the to a great start. And although entire track while the second their future is looking bright, it single, "Wait for Me”, is softook hard work and long tened down with more poetic nights to get there. lyrics. Though these two tracks may sound a lot differIn an interview with Rolling ent from one another, Untalan Stone's reporter David states that, "Kings of Leon Browne, the band's drummer has a distinct sound and Nathan Followill told the style, and these two singles magazine that; "This is the are the perfect examples of first record where we didn't showcasing what KOL is all have a chance to write on the about". road. At soundchecks we used to break in new mate"Whether the rest of this alrial, and by the end of a tour, bum is awesome or rusty, I'm we'd have ten or 11 new just glad they reunited," ideas. This record, we had to shares fellow UOG student go back to the blueprint of and long time Kings of Leon what we did on our first alfan Michelle Burger. "It would bum, when we locked ourhave been a shame if they selves in a house and rolled didn't”. the dice."

The Kings had a falling out back in 2011 while on tour.

After front-man Caleb Followill walked off stage while performing in front of thousands of fans, the family band canceled the rest of their tour.

The singer admitted to have been in a bad place at the time and just needed a break.

And though fans were shocked and believed that the band may never reunite again, Nathan would disagree, stating, "Even if the band stopped, we're still a family and would see each other. So that wasn't a thought in any of our minds.

We all knew we needed a break, but we knew it wasn't over".

It’s a good thing it wasn't over. KOL is considered to be rising back on the top, according to Rolling Stones, as the band already has a tour coming up this September starting in London and finishing in Las Vegas.

For those who are interested in hearing the two new singles from "Mechanical Bull", they can be heard at www.youtube.com/KingsOfLe onVEVO along with older songs from previous albums.

Photo courtesy of Rolling Stone

RON’S DINER

By Nate Macaraeg

Every college student needs a place to relax and chow because Ron’s Diner provides free Wi-Fi for everyone to down. But everyone wants to try something new and worth enjoy their food and to surf the web. purchasing. That’s what the new burger diner around the corner is for.

When ordering food in Ron’s Diner, you will definitely get more than you can hope for. Their portions are good to Ron Fejeran, owner of Ron’s Diner, opened the restaurant feed two people for just one meal. They have choices of early this year. Ron has been dreaming for the day to open burgers, salads, and even local foods. a diner since the 90s and now it became a reality. Since its opening, the business has been great and hopefully con- The recipe is, of course, custom made by Ron and his tinues to grow more and more in the future according to staff to make sure everyone is happy. The most popular Ron. item on the menu is the infamous Ronster Burger. This burger contains onion rings, tomatoes, lettuce, danansi By choosing the locamayo and custom tion in the F&J buildmade beef patty. This ing near the University huge juicy burger gets of Guam, it only takes the customers wanting a few minutes for a more. And if people student to get there want something sweet, and try their selection the milkshakes are the of food. Ron stated way to go because of that the location was their sweet and creamy an ideal place for his taste with the selection business because he of vanilla, chocolate, lives near the area. and strawberry.

Ron also stated that the location was not to Unfortunately, some target mostly students students think that and teachers but the Ron’s Diner will not residents in the area make it far because of because residents other businesses that come more often and were unsuccessful in stay longer. The resthe past. taurant mostly encounters residents of Ron is aware of the the area in the mornpast businesses not ing and people from making it and stated the University of that the menu being Guam in the aftermore on the residential noon. side and the big portions that they give out can be enough to break that chain As soon as entering the restaurant, you can instantly feel of past businesses going out. Ron is determined to keep the atmosphere of a burger diner. With the old signs, the the business alive and hopefully get future promos to sound of the iPod jukebox, and the smell of the burgers Ron’s Diner. Ron mentioned that if the business continues coming out of the kitchen, it almost makes you go back in he will consider sitting down with the University of Guam time where diners were more popular. It is a good place to and come up with something to keep students, teachers hang out with friends for a good time or to do school work and even residents to keep coming.