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http://hccperspective.blogspot.

com October 2011


HOUSATONI C COMMUNI TY COLLEGE
News
H & S
Opinions
A & E
Sports
ICHIRO
SUZUKI
New Smoking
Policy
Enforced at
HCC
GUARD GOES
GOSPEL
ARE WE
RUNNING LOW
ON WATER?
DOES THE
WELLNESS
CENTER
HAVE IT ALL?
HORIZONS
2
Contents
H
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Horizons Staff


Editors-in-Chief
Lovanda Dava Brown

Editor-in-Chief Emertia
Tori Centopanti
Advisor
Prof. Steve Mark
News and Outrach Editor
Deb Torreso
Opinions Editor
Jennifer Claybrook

Sprts Editor, Editor-at-Large
T.J. Mallico
Web Developer
Adam Bello

Reporters
Mary Anderson
Kaitlyn Barra
Mark Bein
Tom Cahill
Ashley Campbell
Stephanie Castillo
Tamirah Collins
Mohammed Dafalla
Samantha Delgado
Chad Fisher
Chris Galli
Laura Gustafson
James Harlow
Darren Harris
Chris Heun
Vanessa Hylton
Keri-Ann Jackson
Isaiah Jefferson
Jay Lederman
Andrew Mathieu
Janette McClure-Kuhn
Raul Rodriguez
Sam Rosoff
Ashley Stephen
Jason Stover
Eric Swanson
Austin Vaughn
Ashley Walley
Dave Weidenfeller
Lauren Weinstock

Graphic Design Staff

Design Advisor
Andy Pinto

Design Directors:
Lauren Hartlett
Daniel Bourque
Abelardo Pulido
Design Staff
Vera Cotrim
Zachary Cowan
Samantha Dankulich
Romar Edwards
Sergio Escobar
Cassondra Fama
Carol Humbert
Michael Kelly
Tammy McMichael
Cassandra Mendoza
Alyssa Poplaski
Sharon Poplaski
Jean Salomon
Nicole Strazza
New Smoking Policy at HCC 3
By BoBBi Brown
Senior Staff writer


Do You Have Your ID? 3
By Sam roSoff
Staff writer


Students React to New Smoking Policy on
Campus 4
By Lauren weinStock
Staff Writer


HCC Budget Cuts Affect Enrollment 4
By kaitLyn Barra
Staff writer

Interns Experience Politics in Action 4
By auStin Vaughn
Staff writer

Hurricane Irene: 5
By BoBBi Brown
Senior Staff writer


Disaster Preparation Tips 6
By www.proVidentLiVing.com/preparing

Motherly Love 7
By rauL rodriguez
Staff writer


Honors Program Grows Rapidly: 7
By Laura guStafSon
Staff writer


Summer Days 8
By JameS harLow
Staff writer


9/11 Remembered at HCC 8
By aShLey Stephen
Staff writer


Who Dropped the Soap? 8
By Samantha deLgado
Staff writer


Succeeding in Online Classes 9
By mohammed daffaaLLa
Staff writer


Avoiding the Pitfalls of Transferring 9
By Brandon t. BiScegLia
contriButor


To Save Or Not To Save 10
By tom cahiLL
Staff writer


Tutoring at HCC 10
By aShLey campBeLL
Staff writer


The Trouble With Our Water 11
By eric SwanSon
Staff writer

Beauty? 12
By aShLey waLLey
Staff writer


The Ugly Truth About Beauty 13
By JaSon L. StoVer
Staff writer


Is it Getting Tight in Here? Global Population
Expected to Reach 7 Billion This Month 13
By Jay Lederman
Staff writer


Wellness Center Needs More 14
By t.J. maLLico
Staff writer


Feeling Secure At School? Read This! 15
By chad fiSher
Staff writer


Entertainment Industry on the Decline? 15
By mark Bien
Staff writer


Everything You Could ever Dream Of
Student Prole: Allen Petit Homme 16
By auStin Vaughn
Staff writer


Hip Hop Lives at Housatonic 16
By tom cahiLL
Staff writer


A Gospel Gangsta 17
By mary e. anderSon
Staff writer


How Are You Watching Television? 17
By andrew mathieu
Senior Staff writer


Its Not Just a Funny Movie:
The School of Rock Real 18
By daVe weidenfeLLer
Staff writer


Contract Issues: Ichirio Suzuki 20
By tJ maLLicoaLLico
Staff writer
































3
HORIZONS News
By BoBBi Brown
Senior Staff writer

P
atrica Davis, a nursing major at
HCC, was welcomed by a sign she
had never seen on HCC campus be-
fore. This sign directed her to a particular
place on campus to smoke. Although Pat-
rica Davis has never smoked a cigarette in
her life, she cracked a big smile and mum-
bled to herself Thank God.
Over the summer HCC was working on
getting a no smoking policy enforced on
campus. These signs have been the talk of
campus since school has been in session.
Many students and staff wonder what the
big fuss is about?
I am so happy to have seen that sign on
campus. This was a great relief! No disre-
spect to those who smoke but I learned a
long time ago that you dont have to ever
put a cigarette to your mouth to ever be af-
fected by it, said Davis.
A recent article written by the CDC (
Center for Disease Control) states that over
44,3000 people die each year prematurely
from smoking or being exposed to second
hand smoke. Another 8.6 million live with
serious illness caused by smoking. What
many students and faculty fail to under-
stand is that these numbers rise each year.
Michele Cohen, M.S., who is an assis-
tant professor at HCC in the Early Child-
hood Education department, has worked
countless hours and attended many meet-
ings to see that HCCs campus became a
smoke Iree campus. About fve years ago
Cohen joined the Action Committe at
HCC. Not long after, she became chair-
person of this committee. This committee
meets monthly, their task is to take issues
that have a great affect on the student pop-
ulation as well as the staII and fx them.
When I joined the action committee ,
I joined with a purpose. I wanted to bring
change to our campus , and one issue that
sparked my interest was the amount and ar-
eas that smoking was taking place on cam-
pus, said Cohen.
Cohen realized that the amount of
smoking that was taking on place on cam-
pus was becoming an issue to those who
did not smoke, yet passing the policy took
some time.
I remember when I brought up the
topic about certain smoking spots on cam-
pus, it seemed like a hard task but I didnt
give up, she added. I went through many
campus attorneys and did my own inves-
tigations for other colleges who had this
same policy.
Cohens efforts did not go unnoticed. It
was during the spring graduation of 2011
that she received news that Dean Tyler of
HCC brought the no smoking policy back
to the table after it had been dormant for
so long.
When I received the news that the
smoking policy was agreed on and I had
the support of my college, I was overjoyed!
My email was fooded with so much posi-
tive feedback that I got straight to work,
says Cohen.
Cohen has made it her duty to ensure
that the students she works with under-
stand the importance of this policythat
their health should be frst.
I have never smoked. My father was a
smoker ,and he died from heart disease due
to smoking. He found it too hard to quit,
she said.
I honestly believe this is where my true
inspiration and determination comes from.
Watching my father die was a traumatizing
experience, she added.
Although Cohen lost her father due to
smoking, she allowed this to push her into
keeping the people around her educated
about smoking and to enforce a policy that
can beneft those who smoke and those
who dont.
The action committee and I are still
tweaking some things on the signs placed
on campus. There has been some mis-
understanding as to where certain signs
should be placed. We are not perfect, but
we are working to accommodate everyone
on campus, she said.
I applaud Mrs. Cohen in her efforts of
getting this policy approved, Ive noticed
that a lot of places are becoming non smok-
ing areas in Bridgeport, and its good that
its taking place on my campus, said Dan-
iel Lane, Criminal Justice major at HCC.
I have been smoking since I was in
high school and the habit is hard to kick,
but coming back to HCC this semester and
seeing those signs has helped me limit a
cigarette every day, he added.
After a recent survey done at many stu-
dents who said they smoked, all agreed
that if HCC had some kind of future in-
tervention to go along with this smoking
policy students may be able to quit easier.
People smoke for all kinds of reasons
and I really want to see people live lon-
ger. It has crossed my mind to maybe get
some kind of support group for those who
smoke, who knows what the future holds,
Cohen said.
Although this policy has been approved
and active on HCCs campus, students have
learned to embrace it as well as respect it.
Signs have been placed in areas such as the
Daycare entrance in the Lafayette building,
in front of the main entrance on State Street
located in Lafayette building, and signs are
even placed as you exit and enter both caf-
eterias.
Although there has been great concern
on the amount of signs placed along cam-
pus, Cohen and theAction Committee
are still working to accommodate everyone
at HCC.
If I may say...I am proud to have
worked on getting this policy approved,
but most of all I am happy if I help one
student by saving another by limiting the
amount of smoking at HCC, Cohen said.
New Smoking Policy at HCC
Brings about a Positive Impact
ews
Here stands the front entrance of HCCs Lafayette Hall.
Photo By Bobbi Brown
By Sam roSoff
Staff writer
H
ousatonic Student IDs only take a
few minutes to get and have many
features, from restaurant discounts
to free college nights; however, many stu-
dents may not be aware oI their benefts.
Student IDs can be obtained in the Stu-
dent Activities OIfce, room BH 317. Stu-
dent worker Theresa Giorgio takes care of
the ID process. Students need to bring a
photo ID and class schedule with them,
fll out a short Iorm, take a picture, and the
card is printed on the spot.
Student IDs are available during the
fall and spring semesters for registered
students of credit classes, said Linda Bay-
usik, the Director of Student Activities.
Students also need to renew their ID every
semester by getting a new semester sticker
applied. In case of a lost card, the replace-
ment fee is only $1.
According to Bayusik, typically forty to
fIty percent oI students have student IDs.
The more student IDs that are out
there, the better; we know that theyre
students that way, said Bayusik. It may
be easier for campus security to keep the
school safe thanks to student IDs.
Aside from just being an additional
Iorm oI photo identifcation, IDs have
many benefts Ior students. Nearby busi-
nesses such as Dunkin Donuts and Cafe
Lulus offer discounts to students who
show their ID. If a club offers a college
night, a college ID might be what gets
you in the door.
On campus, students with IDs gain ac-
cess to the Wellness Center, TV area, and
game room. In order to check out a game
or TV remote from the student activities
oIfce, an ID has to be shown. The library
also puts bar code stickers on the back of
IDs so that students dont have to carry two
separate cards. Many school events will
charge entrance fees for non-students, but
its free if a student ID is shown.
For some, the beneft oI having a col-
lege ID may go beyond being strictly ma-
terial.
Its kind of a pride thing that you
would have an ID. I still have mine from
when I was a student here, said Bayusik.
More information about IDs can be
found on HCCs website. Hours for get-
ting an ID are Mondays and Thursdays
from 9:00 to 4:30, Tuesdays and Wednes-
days from 9:00 to 6:30, and Friday from
9:00 to 3:30. Hours are subject to change.
Do You Have Your ID?
Illustration by: Sergio Escobar
4
Interns Experience Politics in Action
HORIZONS News
By kaitLyn Barra
Staff writer
Y
ou may have heard about budget
cuts to the community colleges.
What do these budget cuts consist
of? How badly will this budget cut hurt
Housatonic Community College?
On the HCC website, it states that
on February 28, 2011, the HCC Student
Senate sponsored a bus trip to go to the
Appropriations Committee meeting, in
Hartford, in regards to state budget cuts
to community colleges.
The May 4 Connecticut Post reported
on about 100 students at HCC starting
a rally to protest the state budget cuts.
Kaitlyn Shake, 27, oI Fairfeld told the
Post, Its projected that 400 faculty
and staff will be cut from the Commu-
nity College System, and 187 oI those
will be full-time professors. Housatonic
will most likely see about 30 full-time
faculty layoffs. Shake also collected
2,000 signatures on a petition to protest
the budget, which was allowed by the
House of Representatives.
The Post also reported that Gover-
nor Dannel P. Molloy plans to budget
$143.5 million from colleges and uni-
versities in the next two years. For the
2011-2012 academic year, it will take
about $10 million from the states com-
munity colleges. Then, in the 2012-2013
year, another $3.5 million would be cut.
Shake also informed the Connecticut
Post on May 4, Budget cuts would hurt
low-income students who rely heavily
on the community college system. This
is an attack on the poor-- 90% of our stu-
dents are low-income.
Ashley Ulrich, 18, of Milford,
agreed. 'Without the help Irom fnan-
cial aid, I would never be able to go to
school. This is unfair to the people who
do not have the money to afford school.
According to the Post, community
college full-time tuition costs $3,024.
However, that will increase in the next
year. Next year, full-time tuition will be
$3,096. Then, the 2012-2013 year it will
cost $3,168.
Alyssa Tejada, 19, of Milford, said,
This is unfair to both the students and
the faculty. This budget cut is going to
cause overcrowded classrooms, less
professors, and little help for those in
need.
If this budget cut goes through, there
could be increased tuition and fees, cuts
in courses, programs and services, less
student labor hours, fewer faculty, and
less scholarship assistance available for
individuals.
This budget cut will hurt both the
students and faculty. Also, it will have
a huge effect on the community college
system. With less fnancial aid and in-
creased tuition and fees, HCC will be
losing a lot of students. Also, the stu-
dents will lose out on courses and pro-
grams that are being cut due to less fac-
ulty.
On October 2, the Post reported that
at HCC, which has seen enrollment
more than double since it moved down-
town 14 years ago, overall enrollment in
2011 is down 222 students, or 3.6 per-
cent, Irom Iall 2010 to 5,975. Full-time
enrollment at HCC is down 4.5 percent
from 2010 to 2,242 students. Part-time
enrollment is down 3 percent to 3,733
students.
HCC President, Anita T. Gliniecki,
told the Post that budget cuts forced her
to cap enrollment. We came as close as
possible to enrolling the same number
of students that HCC had last spring,
Gliniecki said.
HCC Budget Cuts Affect Enrollment
By auStin Vaughn
Staff writer
A
great way to move from po-
litical science to political
action. Invaluable oppor-
tunity to experience the political process
frst hand. 'Democracy in action. These
are statements expressed by students who
have had the amazing experience of in-
terning with Senator Richard Blumenthal.
In the past, students who were inter-
ested in political science or law were
given the opportunity to intern with state
senators in Hartford or with United States
Senator Richard Blumenthal in either his
HartIord or Washington, DC oIfces. They
were presented with hands on political ex-
periences to help them develop their skills
and learn more about the political process.
Participants learned about public service
and were able to work with politicians
and constituents around Connecticut. Now
these opportunities are available for stu-
dents at Housatonic and across the state.
In the state representative program,
students can work one on one with a state
legislator as a member of their staff while
earning college credit and experiencing
the Connecticut state legislative process.
Student[s] will be given many tasks such
as researching bills, preparing testimony,
and assisting constituents, says Steve
Marcelynas, the director of the Legisla-
tive Internship Program. Students will be
expected to work hard and take on respon-
sibility as a productive member of their
legislators staff. Participants will get a
good understanding of how public policy
is created, learn about job opportunities in
the public sector, and gain experience and
skill that they will need post graduation.
Senator Blumenthals program pro-
vides an excellent opportunity for students
to learn and serve through frst hand par-
ticipation, according to the programs
brochure. The program intends to provide
tools, skills, and experience for students
in order to better themselves and to be
ready for the future. According to the bro-
chure, the program expects a great deal
Students React to New Smoking Policy
on Campus
By Lauren weinStock
Staff writer

A
new policy at HCC currently bans
smoking except in designated ar-
eas of the campus, and several
students that wanted nothing more than to
voice their opinions and reactions to these
newly passed restrictions.
Vivian Guzman is a non smoker who
believes that the smoking ban on campus
should be okay. Smoking is banned in
respectable places such as hospitals and
restaurants, as well as other public areas.
School is a place oI educationa place oI
learning; it is just as respectable as a hos-
pital or restaurant, and therefore shouldnt
have the negativity of smokers around,
she said.
Guzman has always been against
smoking cigarettes. She said her mother
smokes like a chimney, and she has al-
ways hated the second hand smoke she
experienced living in their home. So when
Guzman comes to school she also hates
the second hand smoke by the smokers
outside the door of Beacon Hall, as she is
tries to walk into the building to get to her
class.
In a designated smoking area, HCC
student, Scott Day smoking. Day, being a
smoker himself, wanted to voice his opin-
ion. As he takes a long slow out drag, he
admits he has a high level of respect for
non smokers.
What made him start smoking in the
frst place? 'I wanted to look and seem as
cool as possible to all the upperclassmen
when I frst started high school.
As far as the smoking ban, he took a
minute to answer as he thought about his
response. While he admitted it would be
easier for the staff to clean cigarette butts
in just one place rather than all the des-
ignated areas on campus, he insisted, I
personally enjoy smoking. I think smok-
ing should not be banned and it actually
makes me pretty pissed off. He feels that
him having a cigarette helps him to be
less stressed out from the daily stress of
school. He believes that cigarettes calm
him down if hes feeling anxious.
If I cant go outside to smoke one af-
ter class I will become even more stressed,
anxious and frustrated, he said.
The Secretary for Health Services,
Jhanna Rodrigueasy, feels differently. Her
daily responsibilities include recording
students health records and information.
Rodrigueasy doesnt believe the colledge
could have done anything more benefcial
for the students of HCC. I hate smok-
ing, she said. I cant stand when people
smoke in front of me or even around me.
She feels that HCC is a place for learning
and for students to better themselves.
It is not a place to get suffocated by
smoke before entering a building, she
said.
Day argued, Some students like to
smoke cigarettes because it calms them
down and makes them feel more chill and
makes them believe they can cope with the
stress of school life.
Rodrigueasy doesnt believe this is true
and was adamant in saying, No, I believe
plain and simple that is a bunch of crap. Its
like smoking weed, they say weed calms
people down, but really it is all in their
heads. Smoking a cigarette does nothing
more than ruin your lungs and result in
cancer. It doesnt calm any student down. I
believe that is simply just an excuse. She
Ieels the new policy will be benefcial to
HCC and its students. This is a place to
learn and grow as a student. If you want to
smoke, that`s fne, smoke, but do not do it
on our own time where it is only causing
a distraction tothose around who do not
smoke, she added.
For more information on the smoking
policy, read Bobbi Browns article in this
issue.
5
Hurricane Irene:
Prepared, or NOT Prepared?
HORIZONS News
By BoBBi Brown
Senior Staff writer
K
ayla Dennis was all set Ior her frst
day at HCC as an incoming fresh-
man, ready to start her frst college
semester. She was all set until she woke up
Monday morning without power, enabling
her to call friends. Her cell phone had died
the night before from updating everyone
on Facebook and Twitter about the storm
known as Hurricane Irene.
On the Morning oI August 27, 2011...
Connecticut residents witnessed gusty
wind and hours of rain. Many residents
and HCC students prepared for a storm
that was said to cause massive damage.
From Facebook and Twitter updates to
live news reports from local towns, the
news about Hurricane Irene was getting
out fast. With large winds reported to be
80 mph, it seemed Irene was approaching
fast. Although many people said they were
prepared, truth be told, many residents and
students were unaware of what to do in the
event of a natural disaster.
I was really scared. Everywhere I went
people were talking about this hurricane. I
didnt know what to expect, said Jariah
Gomez, Political Science major at HCC.
Yes, I didnt know what to expect ei-
ther, but one thing I knew for sure is that
the safety of my family and friends was my
major concern, agreed Khili Pettway, a
Human Services major.
While it might have seemed to be a
normal day for others across the world,
on the East Coast, it was a day flled with
chaos. People Irantically began fooding
the grocery stores and appliance stores.
They grabbed anything that seemed ft Ior
a natural disaster.
I am not even going to lie, I was grab-
bing anything in my sight, [including:]
batteries, candles, bread and water. Funny
thing is, I dont think I have ever owned a
fashlight in my liIe until that day, ' said
Joshua Kennedy, a performing arts major,
shaking his head and gesturing to the mini
fashlight attached to his book-bag.
You got that right! Natalie Sumo said,
laughing and slapping Kennedy on this
shoulder.
It felt like black Friday, and iPods
were on sale, but in this case it was batter-
ies and food, added Sumom smiling.
According to local newscasters, Hurri-
cane Irene was going to hit the east coast
like Hurricane Gloria did in 1985. Houses
were damaged and massive fooding took
place.
I remember Hurricane Gloria, [partly]
because my name is Gloria. I remember
driving in my car during that storm. I had
to pull over and pray I would be safe, said
Gloria Brown, a Bridgeport resident and
HCC student.
The Devastating Days that Followed...
Before the storm, people who lived in
low areas or near waters were asked to
evacuate their homes and move to higher
ground. One of the local high schools in
Bridgeport, Harding High, was open to
any resident who was asked to leave their
homes due to the storm.
I really couldnt believe that a real
storm was coming to Bridgeport ,let alone
the east coast. I was home when the Bridge-
port cops knocked on my doors telling me
I had to evacuate because I live near Strat-
ford and that was consider a low ground
area, said Dawn Rodgers.
'I was terrifed! When I got to Harding
High School, I saw many of my neighbors
so we all stayed together and kept each oth-
er company as the storm came and past,
said Rodgers.
Many residents understood that their
lives could have been at stake if they didnt
heed what the oIfcers were saying. How-
ever many people stayed home or joined a
family member for the night.
I spent the evening with my brother
and his family, and we were safe but happy
that we were all together, said Fredrick
Weeks.
Prior to the storm, Mayor Finch along
with many Bridgeport residents held natu-
ral disaster programs preparing residents
for what to do in case of a storm. Many
residents were, once again, unprepared
for the tornado that took place on June 24,
2010 of last year. Many people watched
their homes fall apart.
What Do We Do Now?
Many political leaders have made it
their duty to ensure the safety of all resi-
dents. The state of Connecticut was under
a curfew due to Hurricane Irene. Streets
and businesses were to be closed at 8 p.m.
Many organizations such as FEMA (Fed-
eral Emergency Management Agency),
was in full effect for Connecticut residents
who experienced massive damage to their
home and needed on-the-spot care. A re-
cent article printed by the Stamford Cur-
rent explains how the FEMA located in
Greenwich came to assist Bridgeport due
to Hurricane Irene.
Many people are really unaware of the
help that is truly out there when it comes to
a natural disaster. I have spent time volun-
teering for the city of Bridgeport by knock-
ing on peoples doors, and by asking them
to sign up for natural disaster information,
saie Kory Walker, an HCC student and hur-
ricane relief volunteer.
My group was a part of day of train-
ing which educated people on what to do if
their city was in danger of a natural disas-
ter. I really felt like I was helping someone
out, or better yet saving someones life!
added Walker.
With all the running around people was
making to prepare for Hurricane Irene, one
thing seemed to remain the same. People
tuned into their radio and TVs.
I never really watch the news, but after
hearing the constant talk about this storm, I
began to quiet down everyone in my home
so I knew the status of this storm, says
Dalen Frances, a Bridgeport resident.
Hurricane Irene caused major food-
ing, and damaged homes, streets and busi-
nesses. This storm was the talk of town. It
caused a major decrease of items in many
appliance and drug stores; however, it also
caused a major increase in revenue for
many businesses.
One word to describe the week at work
preparing for Hurricane Irene is WOW!
says Pettway.
Khaili Pettway not only a student at
HCC but is the manger at a local Walgreens
in Bridgeport. He has witnessed frst hand
on how people react when their lives are
in danger.
I was not only shocked but in amaze-
ment at how fast our shelves were cleared!
People were buying water, batteries, food,
and candles. The amount of stuff they
grabbed shocked me. These people looked
like they were preparing for the end of the
world, said Pettway, shaking his head.
I would like to tell you how much we
made that week, but trust me, it would
blow your mind iI you only saw the fg-
ures, he added.
Walgreens is only one out of many
stores that saw a major increase in proft
during Hurricane Irene, or better yet any
natural disaster.
According to an article published by
FEMA, they have approved over 3.2 mil-
lion people for aid. What many people
have failed to realize is that there is as-
sistance and ways to educate yourself on
how to prepare for a natural disaster. There
are other organizations that give immedi-
ate assistance such as The American Red
Cross, an organization that has partnered
with FEMA in order to cover more fami-
lies and communities. FEMAs govern-
ment assistance has been able to start
FEMA Housing Portal over that last few
years. This branch of FEMA allows people
whose homes have been severely damaged
by a natural disaster to receive home as-
sistance. This assistance places families in
homes until they are able to fnd relatives
to house them or fnd a permanent home
of their own.
Although it is impossible to stop a natu-
ral disaster, there is no better feeling than
being prepared for whatever is to come.
People may never forget the damage that
Hurricane Irene has caused, but they will
always know what to do in case their city
or town is ever in danger of a natural di-
saster.
To learn how to apply for FEMA and
further assistance, simply log on to www.
FEMA.gov/assistance.
Shows American Red Cross assistance along with FEMA.
Photo courtesy of: blogalcom
Shows the actual Hurricane Irene moving into the East coast.
Photo courtesy of: blogalcom
6
HORIZONS News
Irenes Damage
This picture depicts an old tree uprooted during Hurricane Irene.
Photo courtesy of: blogalcom
This photo shows how one man prepared for Irene by boarding up building.
Photo courtesy of: blogalcom
This local store was raided by customers who left shelves empty.
Photo courtesy of: blogalcom
Disaster Preparation Tips
According to an
article published by FEMA, they have
approved over 3.2 million people for aid.
The following information was provided by www.providentliving.com/preparing for home emergencies and natural disasters.
To prepare for future hurricanes, here are a few things to keep on hand:
1. Supply of prescription and other necessary medications.
2. Flashlight with extra batteries.
3. Portable, battery-powered radio for receiving emergency communications.
4. Waterproof matches, and either long-burning candles or a kerosene-type lamp with extra fuel, all properly stored.
5. Fire extinguisher, ABC or dry-chemical type Ior all classes oI fres. Check the expiration date and be sure you practice and
know how to use it.
6. Electrical fuses, if needed, for your home.
7. Rope ladder to hold your weight iI you need to exit upper foors oI your home to ground level, and some additional length
of rope for multipurpose use.
8. First aid instruction book.
9. Blankets and sheets. These can be used for warmth, for splints, and for transport of injured persons.
10. First aid supplies such as bandages, sterile pads, and antibiotic ointment. (For more information visit the web site above.)
This picture shows a man gathering water in
preparation for Hurricane Irene. Water was one
of the main supplies that went quickly.
Photo courtesy of: blogalcom
7
HORIZONS News
By rauL rodriguez
Staff writer
W
ith homework, tests, quizzes,
and fnancial security, college
is no easy chore for anyone.
What`s even more diIfcult is being a par-
ent and making sure youre raising your
child properly. In a recent study, statistics
show that 23 percent of college students
in the U.S. have dependent children, and
53 percent of dropouts cite family respon-
sibilities as their reason. But, doesnt this
make you wonder what its really like to
be a young parent while trying to fgure
out who you are going to become as an
adult?
One such young parent did not want
her name to be shared publicly, so for this
article well call her, Jane Doe, and her
daughter Sylvia. Doe, age 23, is a sci-
ence major at Bridgeport University and
has a 3-year-old daughter, Silvia. Her boy-
friend is working full time as a security
guard at a shopping mall to support his
girlfriend and their child. She discloses
the challenges of balancing homework
and worrying about the childs safety, Its
hard to focus on the books when the kids
running around. It`s even more diIfcult
when the father is at work all the time. I
remember studying for a biology test go-
ing over vocab terms and hearing a loud
thud in the kitchen. Thank god, it was just
a toy my kid dropped. But that just goes to
show how hard it really is, she said.
Doe also spoke about her family and
how they are with her having a daughter.
They help with money sometimes mainly
for my education. They feel like since its
my kid, me and the father should be the
ones paying for it. But I cant say too much
against them since they babysit when I
need them to. At the same time, whenever
they do help, Im relieved but I also feel
like Im not the mom I should be, she
said.
She went on to explain that when she
frst told them she was pregant they were
angry while trying to be somewhat under-
standing, since she was an adult when it
happened. They were proud that she de-
cided to keep her child, due to her religion.
Her boyIriend was scared at frst, but
soon acted responsibly and went out to
look for a job. As the years progressed, he
would gradually switch up to higher pay-
ing jobs in support of his family.
Her advice for young mothers out there
who are going to college, or who are un-
sure if they should go is to persevere.
Think of of the opportunities youll create
for not only yourself, but also your kid.
Would she change anything about
her life, looking back now? She almost
seemed a little perturbed by the question,
but once she really thought about itm she
began slowly saying, well, I mean-- I
dont know. I mean I regret being reckless
when I was in such a pivotal time in my
education, but I dont regret having my
kid.
Many mothers have been going through
this sort of ordeal for a long time. It is not
something new that started out of nowhere.
Michelle Morales, 39, went through the
same thing years ago at the University of
Maine. She currently has a boyfriend who
shes been dating for 2 years, and who gets
along very well with her son, Jon.
Getting through college, she says, was
very stressful to say the least. I had to go
through school and go to work and raise a
child. I had her during my sophomore year
of college and it was like, just my luck.
She went into greater detail about the
issues she faced: Not only having to sac-
rifce the college Iun and Iriends, I had
to sacrifce college time, because I didn`t
have anyone to take care of my kid. I did
not have anyone to watch Jon because I
was adopted. So, I wanted to prove to the
family that abandoned me that it is not im-
possible to take care of a child.
The stress of going to college and hav-
ing a kid was tough on Michelle, but having
a job wasnt that much easier. I worked at
Macys at the mall and at Dunkin Donuts
to make ends meet, she said.
The childs father wasnt there to help
out. He was immature and would not help
out and kept on stressing abortion. He de-
cided it would be cheaper to move away
than to have a kid. He had no regards to
anyones feelings other than his own, she
added.
All oI this was exclusively diIfcult, but
in the end it payed off. She told me she is
currently working as a Loss and Mitiga-
tion`s specialist, making around $75,000 a
year. She says that her son is a sophomore
at the University of Maine. Its truly a rags
to riches story.
Her advice to young mothers is to use
protection when theyre young. Its better
to live in the mentality of work now and
play later. Having said that, I dont have
any regrets of my past. I love Jon more
than anything, she said.
In a world where having kids at a
younger age has become a trend, people
tend to forget what it really means. It
means giving up your normal life and put-
ting everything aside for the baby. It seems
like more girls are having kids at younger
ages. In a Time article published in 2008,
17 girls in Gloucester High school became
pregnant which is more than 4 times the
amount the previous year. People blamed
flms like Juno and Knocked Up Ior glam-
orizing unwed moms. What does this mean
for the future of women? I only hope that
the lesson from these two ladies is enough
to prove that our own youth should be em-
braced while we still have the chance.
Motherly Love
Honors Program Grows Rapidly:
How to Get Involved
By Laura guStafSon
Staff writer
D
o you consider yourself a good
student, one who is dedicated to
their academic success currently
and in the future? If so, The Elizabeth
Lombardi Doane Honors Program could
be the answer to your calling and can
become an outlet for applying your
scholarly achievements.
This special academic program is
meant for the outstanding student. As the
catalog reads, the Honors Program at
Housatonic Community College offers an
enriched learning experience that stresses
intellectual challenge, in-depth analysis
and creative thinking.
Program Coordinator Kirk Hughes
describes the program as a wonderful
way for student and faculty to work closely
together. Honors students demonstrate
their ability through seminars and an
independent project, applying the skills
they learn and channeling their ideas into a
fnished product at the end oI the semester.
Within the past year, the program has
witnessed a substantial increase in student
participation, which Hughes attributes to
word of mouth. This was exactly right.
When students witness success amongst
their peers, it is hard not to pursue higher
goals for yourself as well.
The number of students involved in the
Honors Program had a signifcant increase
and the participation more than doubled.
The program went from approximately 24
scholars to nearly 50. As Hughes puts it,
Were getting better students. Its getting
more competitive.
In 2009, Housatonic witnessed six
Honors Program scholars graduate and go
on to four-year universities. Aside from
the accreditation of withstanding a high
GPA, excellent grades and a maintained
academic record that will only induce
future endeavours, four-year colleges have
an itch for exceptional students.
With this in mind, a student that
demonstrates their intelligence through
the program has an even better chance
in receiving scholarship rewards, being
accepted into schools they look to apply
and may even gain strong internships in
their felds oI study.
To be applicable for The Honors
Program at HCC, students must attain
and maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher, have
completed at least 12 credits (beyond the
developmental level), receive at least two
recommendations from faculty members
and earn letter grades of B or higher in all
honors courses.
To successfully complete the program,
students must take the following four
classes: an Honors Seminar (HN 200), an
Independent Study (HN 225), and two in-
class honors - described in the catalog as
regular degree program courses that the
Honors student takes at a more personally
challenging pace.
These courses are described in the
program literature: The two in-class
honors classes give you opportunities
to work closely with faculty in your
chosen feld. The Honors Seminar HN200
introduces a range of research and
academic presentation skills in order to
prepare students to take on the challenge
of designing their own semester-length
project of study in HN 225.
Although the program does require
an adequate amount of work, each step
prepares the student for the following one
as we see in the description above. The
academic work matters, Kirk Hughes
stated.
How can you get involved? The process
is fairly easy. In order to meet with the
Program Coordinator, Kirk Hughes, you
must frst set up an appointment. He will
inform you of your requirements, which
are two faculty references, an information
sheet, a brief interview and a copy of your
college transcript.
After the completion of these simple
steps, you will be embarking on a benefcial
academic journey to achievement and
future success.
Contact Information:
Kirk Hughes
The Elizabeth Lombardi
Doane Honors Program Coordinator
Beacon Hall RM 229
Inquire about oIfce hours/availability
Email: kirkthughes@gmail.com
Scholarship Information Sessions on Transfer to Three Prestigious Womens Colleges
Women over the age of 21 are cordially invited to participate in a Scholarship Information Sessions on Transfer to Three Prestigious Womens Colleges on Monday,
November, 7 at 11:00 a.m in the Beacon Hall Events Center. A luncheon will be provided.

The following schools will be on campus to meet prospective candidates to transfer to these prestigious four-year Massachusetts Colleges: Smith, Mt. Holyoke, and
Wellesley.

These schools will be discussing the scholarship opportunities available to you to further your academic education.
Please R.S.V.P. to either Professor Pam Pirog at 203 332-5124, email ppirog@hcc.commnet.edu
or Professor Joan Lloyd at 203 332-5211, email jlloyd@hcc.commnet.edu by Monday, October 31th, 2011

The annual Open House for Mt. Holyoke and Smith Colleges will be held on November 11, 2011.
See their websites for details, if you are interested in attending.
8
HORIZONS News
Summer Days
Who Dropped the Soap?
9/11 Remembered at HCC
By JameS harLow
Staff writer
S
ummer is regarded as one of the
most exciting times of the season
for many reasons. Some enjoy the
the weather, while others enjoy the festi-
vals that open shop. Add 4th of July Fire-
works, beautiful weather, trees and plants,
and all were missing is one huge answer
to why summer is the most exciting times
of the season. No school!
Ever since elementary school ,students
have been counting down the days until
they can trade in homework for fun in the
sun, and the students here at HCC are no
exception.
Cathy Migliazza, a student in her frst
semester at HCC, made this summer
worth it. Migliazza got a job working with
younger kids in her hometown of Mon-
roe, called Summer Fun Days . She made
some new friends and learned a lot from
them.
However, it wasnt all work, Migliazzi
also made it to NYC to see some of the
best that Broadway has to offer, including
How to Succeed in Business.
It was really cool to see Daniel Rad-
cliffe on stage and then see the last Harry
Potter movie. It made the movie more real
to me, she said.
Cathy said she was glad to have a
break this summer because she had the
opportunity to see some friends who go
to college in other states: Vicki is my
best friend, and the summer gives me the
chance to hang out with her because she
goes to school down in Maryland. Migli-
azza said that she had a great summer, but
she couldnt wait to get started at HCC.
Tj Donovan, another student here at
HCC, said I really enjoyed my summer
and was excited to go back to school.
Over the Summer, Donovan said that he
went to Six Flags and had a great time
with his friends. He also made sure that
he went to the beach to enjoy the sun!
Donovan has fnally returned Irom his
vacation and is ready to get the semester
rolling.
So, whether you spent the summer
working, vacationing, or learning, heres
to hoping that this school year fies by Ior
yet another beautiful 2012 summer.
By Samantha deLgado
Staff writer
A
fter an astonishing 41 years of
being on air, the soap opera All
My Children was cancelled last
month, while another ABC soap One Life
to Live, which has been on for 45 years,
will be cancelled in January 2012. The
news came in April when ABC execs
made the announcement that the network
could no longer keep the shows running
due to declining ratings. All My Children
will be replaced by yet another talk show
called The Chew while One Life to Live
will be replaced by, The Revolution whose
concept is still unknown. But a new online
network called The Online Network, pro-
jected by Prospect Park, will be picking
up both soaps in the hopes to bring view-
ers to their website.
All My Children aired its last episode
on September 23rd with a literal bang, and
leaving a frustrating cliffhanger but an
enticing incentive for viewers to continue
watching the show once it comes back on
the internet in January. According to an ar-
ticle posted on the website, Fierce Online
Video, actors have already been contract-
ed to start working on the soaps again. But
not all our favorites will be returning. Su-
san Lucci, who played Erica Kane on All
My Children since it frst aired, is upset
about the cancellation of the soap and has
so far refused a deal with Prospect Park.
She explains in her memoir All My Life
who she blames for the demise of the
long-time running soap.
Since the Soap Opera movement in the
1970`s began, the stories have been geared
toward housewives who could use soaps
to forget about their own troubles for an
hour. Delilah Diaz, a student here at HCC,
says All My Children was a comfort for
her: Soap Opera was part of my peace. It
helped me cope with life, with the things
going on. Id just go in my room, close
my door, [and] watch my soaps. What-
evers going on out there, Im just into my
soaps.
Although extremely unrealistic at
times, most story lines hit close to our
hearts. They have also been known to be
the frst to explore sensitive and serious
topics such as the use of date rape drugs,
domestic violence, and tolerance of the
LGBT community.
By aShLey Stephen
Staff writer
T
en years aIter the fames and de-
struction of 9/11, the lives of the
ones who were lost still stand tall
in the hearts of Americans. On September
6, 2011, our memories of that tragic day
were once again evoked here at Housa-
tonic Community College, as the Student
Activities Center displayed photos, art,
and a quilt to remember the fallen angels
of that day.
The event took place on the third foor
of Beacon Hall where there were many
speakers, such as President Anita T. Gli-
niecki, Congressman Jim Himes, and Fire
Chief Brian Rooney. The event also pre-
sented a frefghter who was present at the
scene of the World Trade Center attacks. A
moment of silence was shared throughout
the crowd as Arian Pagan, an HCC alum-
na, sang You Raise Me Up. The Names
written by Billy Collins was read by the
Assistant Director of Student Activities,
Kelly Hope. Some shed tears, and others
stood lost in their memories of that day.
Linda Bayusik, Director of Student Ac-
tivities, organized the event. This wasnt
the frst tribute Ior 9/11 that has been held
here at HCC, and that Bayusik took part
in organizing. She stated that, we are still
in a time of healing, and we need to work
together in unity as a nation. With that
being said, she also stated, I felt like I
needed to do something for the school. As
a college we should come together, always
remember and never forget.
9/11 ended all back and forth I was do-
ing in my mind about joining the military,
and wish I could have attended the event,
said Christopher LaBrecque, a United
States Veteran as well as a student here at
HCC.
For anyone else that was unable to at-
tend, the photos are still spread out on the
walls of Beacon Hall outside the Student
Activities Center as well as the quilt.
9/11-- always remember
Like Horizons on Facebook and Follow Us on Twitter!
Visit the Housatonic Horizons Facebook fan page to read the latest
about what`s going on at HCC as well as articles you won`t fnd in the
paper, and to send us links, comments, and suggestions.
Follow us on Twitter at @HCCHorizons, and search the hashtag
#hoccnews to learn about campus news as our reporters discover it!
9
HORIZONS News You Can Use
Avoiding the Pitfalls of Transferring
By Brandon t. BiScegLia
contriButor
M
any HCC students will choose to
transfer to four-year schools. For
them, the process is an essential
part of their overall academic trajectory.
The smoothness of that transition can
make the difference between reaching new
heights and being stalled on the launch pad.
This summer, I experienced that
transition frst-hand. I graduated Irom
HCC in the spring, and am currently taking
classes at the University
of New Haven. Though I
prepared as much as I could
for the change, there were
plenty of surprises along the
way.
No matter what you do,
you will probably encounter headaches
when you transfer. However, there some
things you can keep in mind to avoid
problems:
Apply early: Many colleges have set
application dates for each semester. Some
have rolling dates, meaning you can
apply at any time, and your application will
be reviewed within a set range of weeks or
months.
Even if you apply to a college with
rolling admissions, however, you should do
it early. Youre going to have to complete
plenty of other paperwork before you enter
your frst class. II you seek fnancial aid,
there are deadlines for that assistance that
impose a de facto due date for your college
application.
The best reason to apply early is that
you will save yourself frustration and have
plenty of time to make other decisions.
Get to know the website: Navigating
a college website can be like trying to fnd
your way through a maze. Home pages
are often designed to attract the attention
of prospective parents and students,
with fashy pictures and prominent press
releases. The practical needs of students,
meanwhile, tend to take a back seat. Links
may be disorganized or nonexistent.
Just as you would want to get to know a
colleges campus before you start attending
classes there, it pays to spend some time
familiarizing yourself with its website.
Useful information about advisors,
professors, administrative policies, and
student requirements may be lurking
somewhere you wouldnt expect.
The information available on a colleges
website will help you know where to go if
you have a problem. It can also prevent
unwelcome surprises.
Finally, knowing how to use a colleges
website gives you a leg up when classes
start. Many class activities are conducted
via internal programs (such as Blackboard
at HCC). Most colleges also have student
email accounts, and correspondence with
professors, student organizations and
administrators is conducted through these
accounts. Get to know all of these features.
What will transfer: Different colleges
have differing criteria for what credits
theyll accept. Chances are that a fraction
of the credits you earned at HCC will not
make it onto the transcript at your new
school. If too many are rejected by one
institution, you may want to consider
applying somewhere else.
There is some wiggle-room, though. As
soon as the college tells you how many of
your credits it is willing to take, fnd out
which classes werent included. Also take
a look at where the credits are applied. A
history requirement at one college might be
counted under political science at another.
For instance, my initial assessment
did not include my credits for a course in
Intercultural Communication that I had
taken online through Naugatuck Valley
Community College. Yet the required
classes for my major listed a similarly-
named class. Furthermore, the NVCC
class was taught at the sophomore level,
while the UNH course was intended for
freshmen.
I pointed all of this out to my adviser at
UNH, and he agreed that the
credits should be included.
Because I made the case for
myself, I avoided rehashing
old material.
Check your health
records: Almost all colleges ask incoming
students for some information about their
health, although the requirements vary
widely from state to state and institution to
institution.
If you havent checked your health
records in a while, you should do so as soon
as possible. Doctors appointments usually
have to be scheduled in advance, and
some tests can take days or weeks to get
results back. You dont want to be barred
from entering a new school just because
youre missing a vaccine or havent had a
tuberculosis test.
In 2010, Connecticut added new health
requirements for all degree-seeking college
students. With certain exceptions, all
students must now show proof of having
two doses of vaccine against measles,
mumps and rubella (MMR). They must
also prove that they have either received
the vaccine against chicken pox (varicella),
or have had the disease at some point in
their lives.
For more information on state
regulations, visit the Department of Public
Health website at www.ct.gov/dph.
Institutional culture: One of the most
annoying things Ive encountered at UNH
is the assumption that all students are being
taken care of by their parents. Every form
I flled out Ior the university indicated that
I was employed, married, and living on my
own. Yet Ior the frst time since I became
independent over a decade ago, I started
receiving mail addressed to the parents
of.
Institutional culture may not seem like a
signifcant hurdle, but it was the single most
diIfcult aspect oI my own transition. HCC
caters to such a diversity of races, ages,
and nationalities that its communication
with students is intentionally neutral. Other
colleges werent historically designed to
reach out to such a wide array of people.
Most have gotten better at not alienating
groups, but some assumptions persist at
nearly every school.
You can make some guesses ahead
of time about the culture of a college by
visiting the campus, reading statistics on
such things as median income, the ratio of
residential students to commuters, and the
racial diversity of the population. These are
only clues to the culture, though. You cant
really know if youll be comfortable until
youre there.
The key to success is patience. You are
almost guaranteed to fnd some aspects oI
institutional culture that you dont like.
You will get used to some. If others feel
completely unjustifed, you can make
efforts to change them. Cultures are, after
all, refections oI the people who participate
in them.
ews you can use
The key to success is
patience.
Different colleges have differing criteria
for what credits theyll accept.
Succeeding in Online Classes
By mohammed daffaaLLa
Staff writer
H
ow can one succeed in an online
class? What are the diIfculties and
how can a student overcome them
to succeed in their class?
Online classes are very important, and
perfectly convenient for a student who
cannot take classes on campus. There are
many reasons for a student being unable to
take a class on campus. It could be family
reasons, fnancial reasons, job related or
simply taking care of a family member. Or
for time convenience, which means just sit
home and take your time, instead of taking
the trouble of coming to school.
But why take online classes in such cir-
cumstances? It is simply to advance ones
education for a better future. We know that
to get a better job and a better pay, a better
social status, one needs to have a degree
or a certifcate to enable him to compete.
Classes are not for fun, as an article in the
Wall Street Journal, said, While college
can be a great time in ones life, most peo-
ple arent just going to school for the fun of
it. Career opportunities, like Iulflling jobs
and better earnings are often on the minds
of college-goers.
Some students just dont have the time
to attend classes on campus, but they still
want to get preferable future jobs; that is
why they take online classes.
Online courses are an excellent way
for busy people to gain advanced train-
ing or certifcation, said, Stephen Gillian,
President and CEO of Gillian Education
Services.
With that being said, one needs to over-
come some diIfculties to succeed in online
classes.
One diIfculty is how to manage the
time. Its important to always be on time
in your study. So, time is a big factor here.
Another factor is the easy connection with
the professor to resolve any problems that
may occur. When taking classes on cam-
pus, students meet with their teacher face
to face every day, which is not available to
students taking online classes. One other
thing is the availability of Internet service
and support staff always being handy and
ready for work and support. One more fac-
tor is taking the class seriously, like a stu-
dent on campus. If a student gets lazy one
time, then things might get out of hand.
To conclude, as long as one has the will
and perseverance to do something and to
succeed in it, one has to work hard to do it.
Online classes are not an exception. They
are not easy. They require a student to take
them seriously. The best thing to do is in-
sist on overcoming all oI these diIfculties
and you will succeed.
Students successfully take online classes.
Photo by Cassandra Mendoza
10
HORIZONS News You Can Use
By tom cahiLL
Staff writer
T
hat is the question. But why save
money? The list of excuses can run
longer than your credit card bill did
this month. So how can you save money
when you have rent, car insurance and cell
phone bills to pay, while feuding with in-
fating Iood and Iuel prices?
It costs me more in gas to drive to work,
school and back home than I make in a day
at work. We know the drill. In a time where
jobs are scary and wages are scarier, bal-
ancing a budget as a student couldnt be
more valuable.
According to msnbc.com, approxi-
mately one-third of all Americans have no
savings and no retirement funds. From
personal experience alone, that statistic
doesnt seem to hard to fathom. My re-
search on our school grounds refects that
percentage of those who save, but even
lower.
After speaking with approximately
30 students, only two claim to be saving
consciously for the future, money saved
beyond just bill paying. The majority fnd
saving for the future to be easier said
than done.
I have two jobs for a couple of rea-
sons, says Jesse Seno, a second semester
marketing/advertising major at Housa-
tonic, One, I love money and, two, I
love fnancial stability. I`m cautious about
spending, but a good portion of my money
is spent before its earned.
Stop. So theres the dilemma; who
knows how to save money youve spent
before youve earned. Yes, I had to
reread that a few times
also. Its no easy
task for sure,
but as full-time
working, full-
time college
s t ude nt s ,
prioritiz-
ing our
spendi ng
can be the
frst step.
You have
to know what
money is going where
at all times, said
Seno. Just being
aware still doesnt
solve anything
though, does it? Seno still spends roughly
$70 a week getting between his two jobs in
the valley and school in Bridgeport.
Cut down on the partying, Mike Mil-
lea said on a lighter, but still equally practi-
cal note. Between home in Ansonia, work
in Shelton and school in Bridgeport, Mil-
leas commuting costs are considerable. I
try to eat at home or at work as often as I
can, he added.
Mike is lucky enough to at least receive
a discounted meal from Chilis, his current
employer. Paying his own bills, including
rent, Mike feels it just like the rest of us.
My monthly bills add up to
about $1000, including
rent. Bringing in about
$1500 a month leaves
little leeway for sav-
ing.
You have to bud-
get, prioritize. I make
sure all of my bills
are paid monthly, but
of course there is side
spending, said Mil-
lea. You still have to
live your life.
This live your life to
the fullest motto can still
be healthy when held re-
sponsibly like Millea, but
high expenses leave little
room for a lavish life style. You cant re-
ally live it up when the bank is about to
overdraft your last $20 in your account for
your $90 car insurance bill, said Maribeth
Lepri, a 21-year-old in her fourth semester
at HCC.
Everybody has their own preferred
penny-pinching practice, and its important
continuously be aware of your spending
habits, along with the fuctuating prices oI
the products you use daily.
Lepri, an avid fea market patron, grew
up with the habit of store brand over name
brand, a tactic she attributes to money
saved during these economic times. I
dont buy anything in stores if I havent
looked at the fea market Ior it frst, Lepri
explained.
Choosing quantity over quality when
it comes to your personal expenses is one
way to fght heavy spending. However,
there is no sure answer, but being aware of
your options seems to be the overall con-
sensus to solving this problem, and having
the ability to recognize a bargain when you
see one.
Our economic times seem to be grow-
ing worse with no looking back. Looking
and living lavishly might not be top prior-
ity when school and work consume a large
portion of your day. On the other hand,
some will do whatever it takes to get that
look.
For those familiar with The Nappy
Roots, you may too need to start fnding
yourself ballin on a budget.
To Save Or Not To Save
Illustration by Carol Humbert
Tutoring at HCC
By aShLey campBeLL
Staff writer
T
aking advantage of any little oppor-
tunity to reach success is the best
thing a person can do. Its good to
use the resources that are given to you to
improve yourself, especially when these
resources are free. Why not use them?
Tutoring is a great resource for any stu-
dent to improve themselves in any subject
they have problems in. Even if you are do-
ing well in all your classes, why not get
extra help just to be a step ahead? The Aca-
demic Support Center is where students
at HCC can
go have tutor-
ing sessions.
Students can
have one-on-
one sessions
with peer and
master tutors,
masters in math and English.
In addition, self-Paced iMath Lab coor-
dinator, Sherry Harris, was able to provide
information about iMath and what happens
in the lab. Students are able to move at their
own pace. IMath is not a college class, but
it is to improve a students academic skills.
A professor in the lab is able to see where
a student is, and check their work on the
computer. The lab doesnt always focus
on math, but also on English. The lab is
available for ENG 013, ENG 043, MAT
075 and, MAT 095. There is no need Ior
a student to sign up. It is simply used on
a walk-in basis. A student can just come
in and start working. The available hours
are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Wednesday from
1 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Our goal at the Academic Support
Center is to empower students by help-
ing them learn how to help themselves
says Mona Mitri,
the Tutoring and
Bridges Coordi-
nator. By having
one-on-one ses-
sions, the tutor
is able to learn
about the strong
and weak points
of their students to help them improve
their skills. Its all about asking questions
when having these sessions. Making sure
that the student understands the material is
very important. Most students come to the
tutoring center for help in math, science,
and English.
Not only can a person have one-on-one
sessions, but you can also form study ses-
sions. You can study with students in your
class who also needs help in the same area.
This is a great way to interact with people
and help each other. The tutoring center
will provide a place to meet and a tutor in
which area you wish to study. The tutoring
center also provides Mega-Math Fridays
where you can study any area in math. Ap-
pointments for tutoring are done in person
(or by phone) in room B116 of Lafayette
Hall.
Tutoring is available in the Academic Support Center.
Photo By Cassandra Mendoza
Our goal at the Academic
Support Center is to empower
students by helping them
learn how to help themselves
Happy Halloween!
from the Horizons Staff
11
HORIZONS Health & Science
By eric SwanSon
Staff writer
W
ater. We use it to quench our
thirst after exercise, to make
our coffee in the morning. We
use it to shower, to cook, and to swim. It is
quite possibly the most important aspect to
human life on Earth; without it ,we would
never have come into existence. With so
many uses, one would expect water to be
safeguarded with the utmost care. On the
contrary, current actions strongly suggest
that the future of our fresh water is at risk.
According to National Geographics
April 2010 issue and the UN water quality
report of 2011, it is estimated that just
under 1 billion people around the world
lack access to a freshwater supply. Thats
1 in 7 people worldwide. In 15 years, that
number is expected to reach 1.8 billion. In
most third world countries each individual
is living off a supply of 1 gallon of water
per day, compared to America where it is
estimated that we use about 150 gallons
of water per household in a given 24 hour
period. Only 2.5% of our planets water
is Iresh and potable, while 97.5 is salt
water. So what exactly is going on with our
water?
There are many issues at hand putting
our water supply in jeopardy every day.
A recent World Health Organization
publication has noted that In the last
decade, traces of pharmaceuticals,
typically at levels in the nanograms to
low micrograms per litre range, have been
reported in the water cycle, including
surface waters, waste water, groundwater,
and, to a lesser extent, drinking water.
It is noted that these trace amounts are
unlikely to cause health risks in humans, it
is however of growing concern.
The 2010 Documentary Gasland
by Josh Fox, highlights many revelations
about hydraulic fracking, the process
of extracting natural gas from below
the Earths surface by fracturing shale
(sedimentary rock). The process is
achieved by pumping millions of gallons
of water mixed with a concoction of over
500 different chemicals, most of which are
not a part of public record, into the ground,
possibly contaminating nearby water
systems. It is not yet known the full extent
of damage that this process can cause, but
recent media attention has brought about
moratoriums on fracking throughout the
country until further investigations can be
launched to assess the damage in whatever
form this causes to the environment. As
of August 24, the EPA is requesting data
on well construction, design, and well
operation practices for 350 oil and gas
wells that were hydraulically fractured
from 2009-2010, according to the
Environmental Protection Agency website.
Rainwater surge from storms also has
the potential to contaminate a citys water
supply. The sewage systems become
backed up with the overwhelming amount
of rainwater and treatment plants at max
capacity are forced to release untreated
sewage into local waterways. Regionally
this water eventually fnds its way into
Long Island Sound. This obviously isnt
something that we want to be swimming in
on a hot summer day.
It is also important to be aware of what
is going on outside of our own region as
what happens in another state can have a
direct effect on what we drink out of our
tap. Waterways all over North America
are connected, some by reservoirs and
water shed areas and on a larger scale by
rivers and streams. For example, weve all
heard praises about how clean New York
Citys water is, but it might not be that well
known that this water fnds its way there
by way of Upstate New York. A pollutant
dumped into a waterway in this area has
the potential to fnd it`s way into the pizza
dough in a New York City restaurant.
To see what could be in store for us
,we must look at other regions already
suffering from water scarcity. Imagine
for a moment that when you awoke in the
morning, instead of taking a hot shower
and brewing your coffee, you quickly
gathered your Jerry Can (sealed container
commonly used to transport liquid) and
trekked for an hour to reach the nearest
supply oI Ireshwater. You fll this container
to the brim which gives you about 6 gallons
of water, weighing in at around 50 lbs.
This is your supply of freshwater for the
day, unless you are willing to make another
two hour trip there and back. This is what
is happening in many parts of Africa, as
reported by National Geographic. It is no
surprise that the lack of water goes hand in
hand with the lack of food and prevalence
of disease. If our water supply isnt secured
and we continue down the path that we are
on it isnt outlandish to assume that food
crops could become scarce or contaminated
here. So what can be done?
For starters, the most important thing
to remember is that it is not too late.
The obvious answer for what we can do
domestically is to start by conserving the
water we have. There have been great
advances in the water saving market. Most
new household appliances come aIfxed
with an Energy Star emblem signifying
that they use less water than they did in the
past. The government has even offered tax
incentives to homeowners to install these
new eIfcient devices. Locally, the city
of Bridgeport has gone about replacing
all recycling bins. With this came some
materials on storm water runoff. Its a
simple process, you place a rain barrel at
the base of your gutter. Instead of rainwater
fowing into the sewers and overloading the
treatment plants, you store the rainwater
and use it to water your lawns. Its a win-
win situation, not only are you helping
prevent the backup of sewage, but you are
conserving water by not running your tap
to hydrate your yard.
Public interest plays a big part in
preserving our water. If we arent paying
attention to what is going on with our
waterways then what is there to stop the
degradation to the environment. It is easy
to overlook something as consistent as the
water pouring from our kitchen faucet,
but it is of particular importance that we
make sure this can continue. To do this we
must stay vigilant and informed. National
Geographic, Water.org, and Unwater.org
all contain informative and interesting
documents and articles on the above
topics. If you have the time, the 2010
documentary GasLand by Josh Fox is
an excellent source for information on the
hydraulic fracturing going on all over the
country.
The Trouble With Our Water
cience ealth and
Villagers in Kenya replenishing their water supply.
Photo by Lynn Johnson Courtesy of National Geographic
DESTINATION GRADUATION

Plan your schedule by knowing the exact courses you need to graduate
Just follow these simple steps below:
CFADUATION EVALUATION. Cci a coy of iIc Evaluaiion
FECISTEF. for Winicr 2011 and/or Sring 2012 classcs
WHEFE. aFcgisirar's Offcc Foon D109 in Lafayciic Hall
TIME. Tucsday, Nov 1si 9.00 an - 6.00 n
Wcdncsday, Nov 2nd iIrougI Friday, Nov 4iI
9.00 an io 4.00 n
Faculiy advisors will lc availallc in iIcir offccs ai osicd offcc Iours.
12
HORIZONS Health & Science
Beauty?
By aShLey waLLey
Staff writer
B
eauty-- one word, and many
meanings. Webster defnes beauty
as the quality or aggregate of
qualities in a person or thing that gives
pleasure to the senses or pleasurably exalts
the mind or spirit.
However, many can say that they
have their own meaning on what this two
syllable word really means. Some think
that beauty is really only skin deep, while
others believe that if you are not beautiful,
you are nothing. Whatever the thought
might be, its good, bad, and ugly.
Beauty isnt something that should
be restricted to black and white, so why
does it always turn out to be that way? Has
there ever been a time in grade school that
people rated you on a scale of one to ten to
determine if you are beautiful or not?
Sijourney Miranda, a 19-year-old from
Milford, explained that she did not even
know when she was considered beautiful.
Ive never cared about how I looked until
three years ago, she said.
For some, the thought of being
beautiful should not escape us because
we grow older, but it should stay with us
as we mature. Lilia Ricci, an 18-year-old
from Bridgeport, said that beauty should
always be with us. She thanks her mother,
Lilia Figueroa, for her knowing to this day
that she is beautiful, and it all started with
her pinkie.
When I was young, I had a lot of
insecurities. My mom [told me to love
myselI| to the smallest fnger nail. She
grabbed my pinkie, held it up to her face,
looked me in the eyes, and she said, You
have to love yourself to the smallest
fngernail.; |Then,| she grabbed my fnger
and kissed it. For Lilia, that meant a lot
when she was younger to have someone
go down to her level, and tell her that she
was beautiful.
Lilas story was
something we may
not even hear that
much anymore.
Instead of mothers
and fathers telling
their child that he or
she is beautiful, the
images depicted on
televisoon are doing
it. The media is
opening up our eyes
to not only female but
males too. Some men
might even think that
if they dont have a
thing called swagg
they are not popular.
Shanea Dobson,
18, also from
Bridgeport, taught
me a little about
swagg. To me,
everybody has their
own defnition oI
Swagg, most people
would say its about
the way they dress,
but everybody can
look one way on the
outside and different
on the inside. To me,
its about the way
they dressed and
the way they carry
themselves. It can be
about [a guy wearing]
the freshest pair of Jordans, but we can go
deeper, she said.
Even asking her about whether she
would want someone that had swagg or
intellectually smart made her think her a
little. I rather look at the inside to see if
the inside is okay. I dont want him to have
full on swagg because he will only care
about what he looks like and not what he
thinks. A little swagg is good though but I
want him to be smart as well, she said.
What do men think about swagg? Is
swagg a state of mind, or is there a set
defnition to defne 'swagger? Tyrone
Walker, 23, thinks that swagg is actually
charisma.
Swagg is an innovated way of saying
charisma./ I think swagg has to do with
the way you think and how you carry
yourself, he said.
So should every man have swagg?
Walker answered, Not only that, but if
they do have it, they just need to realize
it.
Do all guys think this way? Is swagg
really as deep as it has been explained, or
is really just skin deep?
Tavoughn Jones, 18, answers that
question. He tells me that swagg is just
about the clothes, and it has to deal with
the way that people dress and nothing
about the personality.
So, is beauty & swagg the same thing?
Will Nunez, 22, tells me otherwise:
Beauty is swagg, plus everything else.
Beauty is only skin deep, while swagg is
a state of mind.
Beauty and Swagg-- Two words many
meanings. While beauty before was
already easily defned, 'swagg still isn`t.
But quite honestly, neither is beauty. Ask a
room full of college students, both young
and old, and each person will tell you
what they think of beauty. Some might
say its skin deep, while others might say
its a state of mind. Either way, beauty is
simply beautiful.
Distorted perceptions of beauty often cause cosmetic enhancements.
Photo courtesy of earrblogblogspotcom
Visit HCC Online!
Curious about the services, courses, and programs at HCC? Go to
http://www.hcc.commnet.edu, the colleges home page. From there
you can navigate the various departments, search for courses, or
follow links to other useful sites, such as MyCommnet and the HCC
Foundation.
13
HORIZONS Health & Science
By JaSon L. StoVer
Staff writer
I
n a multi-billion dollar industry of glitz
and glamour, its hard to accept the
idea of ugly. Not ugly in the physical,
but in the psychological state. Individuals
oI this fawless world are distinguished by
ugly characteristics and shallow standards
of beauty.
Who and what defnes beauty?
We all fall victim to the media
industries adopted standards of beauty.
Beauty as an industry consists of a
multitude oI subfelds to make it whole;
cosmetics, modeling, fashion, actors,
singers, and the behind the scenes jobs.
Each have a set of standards that are not
realistic to our society to uphold.
So where do we as a society draw
the line? Where do you as an individual
draw the line? Is it okay to make physical
alterations to your body for a certain
career feld?
All that glistens is not gold, as the
old saying by William Shakespeare goes.
We look at these images on the TV,
walking down the runway and posted on
huge billboards and perceive it as beauty.
What did that man or women have to do
in order to look that way? Is this even
their natural appearance? We never know
because this is what we are being sold -
a false representation of beauty, which is
damaging to our society.
Lets take a look at beauty in a
psychological perspective. Beauty is
subjective, and it is based entirely on
perception.
If your self esteem is so low that
you view yourselI through a flter oI selI
rejection, all the surgery in the world isnt
going to make a difference. If you dont
change the [eyes] through which you
look when you see yourself in the mirror,
youll never be happy, Dr. Phil told US
Magazine.
Is cosmetic surgery forced upon
individuals in the beauty industry? If so,
youre having cosmetic surgery because
of what someone else thinks. Youre
letting others determine your self worth.
What message would you be sending by
converging your
sense of self for the
beauty standards of
others?
The beauty
industry was once
targeted towards
women in particular.
Over the years
men have been
steered down this
path oI superfcial
absurdity. One of
the most common
issues caused by the
industry pertaining
to both sexes are
eating disorders.
According to the
American Anorexia
and Bulimia
Association about
1,400 women die
of anorexia each
year. D. Farley of
FDA Consumer
Magazine reported
that men account for
15 to 25 percent of
bulimia and anorexia cases in the United
States
I think its similar for males and
females, but I think there is much more
emphasis on females, says Psychology
and Human Services Professor Claudine
Coba-Loh.
There has always been a pressure on
women to be thinner than all the models
on the runway. It seems as though men are
now feeling these pressure as well. To be
the strongest, most powerful and to have
the best build to compete with the athletes.
Is it possible to be completely happy if
you want to alter your body for anything
other than medical reasons?
According to Coba-Loh, A person is
not happy or satisfed with their appearance
if they want to alter it. Going to drastic
means - i.e., unnecessary plastic surgery
to fx something - is oIten times more
deeply rooted in low self esteem issues
and dissatisfaction with their appearance.
This oxymoronic industry of beauty
and perfection, is the reason for our young
societys low self esteem and plague of
insecurities.
The Ugly Truth About Beauty
Perceptions of beauty are often distorted.
Illustration by: Vera Cotrim
Is it Getting Tight in Here?
Global Population Expected to Reach 7 Billion This Month
By Jay Lederman
Staff writer
T
wo thousand years ago the worlds
population was roughly 300 million
people. 2011 will mark the dawn
of a historical event, as the worlds pop-
ulation is expected to rise past 7 billion.
This sudden rise in population is known as
a J-Curve, and its a harsh indication that
the worlds future population may grow
to an unsustainable amount, which raises
concerns that we will have consumed all
of our natural resources.
Though it is diIfcult to determine just
how much space, food, and energy, the
earth has left to offer us, one thing is for
certain--its very limited.
According to The United States Census
Bureau and the United Nations population
division, the Department of Economic and
Social Affairs has assisted in collecting,
processing and analyzing population
statistics from all over the globe. They
collect their data and create population
projections. A population projection is a
frm indicator oI how many people will
be living in a certain area at a given time.
The Department of Economic and Social
Affairs has estimated that by the year
2050, the worlds population will reach 11
billion.
Population Connection, an anti-growth
population organization based in the
United States with over 130,000 members,
set forth with one goal in mind: they
hope to educate as many young people
as possible about the sudden surge of
growth throughout the global population.
Though it may seem crass to tell a young
woman not to bear children, Population
Connection simply educates young
woman, informing them of the dangers of
an overwhelming population problem that
faces our planet in the future. What choice
they make is their own decision.
According to the organizations website,
population growth rates have fallen around
the globe since the group was
formed in1968, yet there is
a global fertility rate of 2.5.
Population Connection insists
this number must fall to a
replacement number of 2.1 in
order to stabilize the global
population.
University of Washington
paleontologist Peter Ward
wrote a book in 1994 called,
The End of Evolution. He
was asked about the human
population in an article posted
on the World Population
Awareness website. He
responded, Unless we do
something about human
population, I doubt we will
be able to do anything. Ward
blames the advancement of
modern medicine, which is
responsible for longevity in
life-span and promotes fewer
deaths. This may sound like a
great thing, but when youre
counting on each generation
to replace itself you run into
a huge problem.
Yet there are those who argue
overpopulation is merely a myth, a ploy
to control the population itself. The
Population Research Institute has been
fghting to debunk the overpopulation myth
since the late 1970`s. The group`s president
Steven W. Mosher, a Pro-Life advocate
who was the frst American social scientist
to be allowed in the Peoples Republic
of China to conduct research, stumbled
upon the most gruesome population
control scheme in the history of mankind.
For over 30 years the government of
China has enforced a One Child-policy
in efforts to control population growth.
In a documentary video streaming on
the groups website, Mosher begins to
describe what he saw when visiting China
in 1979: 'I was present when women 7,
8,and 9 months pregnant were forced to
lay down on an operating table and in
some cases they had to be held, while they
were given lethal injections into the whom
to kill their unborn child. These inhuman
acts are still continuing in China today.
HCCs Professor of History, David
A. Koch agrees that it may be diIfcult
to determine whether population will
continue to increase or decline. When
youre talking about increasing the
population of any organic or biological
being whether it be man or animal, its
inevitable that they will face a sudden
crash, Koch said.
Yet, Koch adds, Generally when a
population rises too high something is
bound to go wrong. To illustrate his
point, he referred to an experiment that
was conducted using rats.
They placed rats inside of a box, and
continued adding more and more rats, he
explained. Something strange happened
once they added too many rats, though.
They began killing one another simply
because they ran out of room. Researchers
could not explain why.
Professor Koch believes there will be
a major catastrophic event in the future
that would cut down the global population
signifcantly. When asked where he
thought the human population was
heading, Koch replied, I cant tell you,
there`s never been 7 billion people on the
planet before.
How long will the Earth support an expanding population?
Photo Courtesy of Ourbreathingplanetcom
14
HORIZONS Opinions
pinions
Wellness Center Needs More
By t.J. maLLico
Staff writer
T
he Wellness Center has been a great
success to our thriving community
college. With HCC having over
5,000 students this fall semester and lin-
gering budget issues, the Wellness Center
getting the required amount of space, gym
materials, and hours students are looking
for will be a tough task at hand.
When they told me about the Wellness
Center my freshman year at HCC, I was
thrilled. The lady said hours were extend-
ing and the only thing I had to do was
watch a 30-minute video about safety. I
was expecting a decently sized complex,
with stuff most gyms would carry.
This isnt the case. The gym is pretty
small for a school that has plenty of space
to put a well-crafted gym. There were
some treadmills, a couple of ab machines,
and machine-weighted workouts, but
thats all this gym had to offer.
Back in my high school days, my
gym was bigger and had a ton of more
weights. This Wellness Center is cramped
up, and there isnt enough equipment to
go around,says HCC student Alex Orban.
He makes an amazing point,; there are no
free weights at all.
The only manly workout they have is
a machine curler. This gym looks like it
was designed for a long distance runner,
explains former student Tim Eager.
With the Wellness Center having little
equipment it also raises wait time for each
machine.
I have gone in there and sometimes
seen two or three people waiting for one
machine. Its ridiculous, they say its
available whenever, but if theres always a
line then why bother going? says HCCs
own Julian Rendon.
With clear problems surrounding the
Wellness Center, maybe its time for the
HCC community to come together and
build an ultimate gym, one that can appeal
to any type of athletic body, from students
looking to shed a couple of calories to
some gym buffs that are on their bis and
tris Wednesdays.
If HCC is going to be serious about a
potential expansion in the Wellness Cen-
ter, then there are some issues that have to
be taken seriously.
The frst issue surrounding a poten-
tial expansion of the Wellness Center is
health. With over 5,000 students, there are
plenty of scary scenarios every semester,
let alone in the gym facility. So, if more
free weights and bench bars were added
with a bigger gym then two major things
would take place:
An increase in students at the gym
and more chance of injuries. Not many
people in this world today know how to
work out properly, so imagine what some
of our students would get themselves into.
With already enough problems HCC faces
daily, maybe they wont want to deal with
potential injuries to students. That would
just lead to more spending and potential
court cases.
However ,they can take the health side
affect of a potential expansion of the Well-
ness Center and make it work out if they
really wanted to. Enforcing stricter sign
up rules such as a longer wellness center
101 video, personal trainers, and gym tests
would defnitely decrease injuries.
If they expand the Wellness Center, the
frst rule should be a longer and more Iac-
tual Wellness Center Introduction Video.
A longer video can show students more
workout movements and how to react to
potential workout injuries. I think this
alone would lower in the injury rate.
HCC could also get more experienced
gym advisors,. This would lower the in-
jury expectancy and increase results for
all members. If there are a couple of fully
trained body builders watching our move-
ments, and making sure were working
out correctly, then everybody will beneft.
They could stop that student trying to max
out 10 more pounds than he needs to or
show students smarter eating methods.
The last solution to lowering health
risks would be gym tests. Imagine when
you sign up for the new Wellness Center
and in the contract it stated youre obligat-
ed for random gym tests. How would you
handle it? Lets say its Tuesday and your
working out in the new-expanded Well-
ness Center, and one of the personal train-
ers comes up to you and tells you to show
him a proper bench technique. If you have
proper technique, you stay, wrong form
results in a strike and three strikes youre
out. Gym tests will get those students who
do not know what theyre doing out of that
gym; this will vastly beneft health and
safety for the Wellness Center.
Another issue with a potential expan-
sion is, do we have the budget for a bigger
Wellness Center? According to www.ct-
post.com Community Colleges across the
state are Iacing $27 million in budget cuts
this year alone and $9 million the year af-
ter that. Is that good for a Wellness Center
rebirth? Obviously, its not. And when
youre having a harder time getting white-
lined paper and staplers, maybe
a brand-new $5 million gym
doesnt sound to wise. With
budget cuts looming, maybe in-
stead of building a whole new
gym complex we could move it
to a larger room in the school
and then make the Wellness
Center a computer area, food
dispensary or anything that the
school could beneft Irom.
The school would save tons of money,
and students would rejoice over the Well-
ness Center additions. If they moved the
Wellness Center to a larger room, so many
more people would come. They would
have room for squat and bench machines,
and barbells. It would be a zoo in here,
says Randy Gerlander.
The Wellness Center also needs to
make their hours even more benefcial to
students. They are only open on Monday
to Thursday from 9 AM to 5 PM and Fri-
day
AM to 11 AM. While that is a reason-
able time frame, there are hundreds of stu-
dents, who take night classes because of
work in the morning, that would love to
use the gym.
I work 5 days a week from 8 AM to
4 PM, and take classes starting at 7, iI I
could go to a gym at HCC, that had more
availability with weights and hours, itd
be a dream come true, explains part-time
student Matt Orlando.
There seems to be so much potential
in the Wellness Center. The possibilities
could be endless and all of them would
beneft the school so much. II we can get
the health and budget aspects under con-
trol, then expanding the gym would lead
to possibly gym memberships, student in-
creases, and school profts. The students
want to see a change. Lets see what we
can accomplish.

...Connecticut has one of the largest differences
between high-income and low-income schools in
the nation.
More gvm equipment would greatlv beneht HCC
Photo Curtosy of: Decidetostayt.com
I think that the [HCC] Wellness Center...is a great idea
because it lets students go to the gym between class and
best of all it is free and convenient.
15
HORIZONS Opinions
Entertainment Industry on the Decline?
By chad fiSher
Staff writer
C
oming and going from school, you
mind your own business. You go
to class and you leave. No one
ever bothers you. You see security oIfcers
every day. You feel safe, but, believe it or
not, you may not be as safe as you feel.
According to the Clery report,
Housatonic has been a crime-free campus
as far back as the year 2008. This report
is a government crime database of almost
every college campus in the United States
and is available to the public online.
The report consists of how many
criminal cases there were in the categories
of murder/manslaughter, forcible sex
offenses, non-forcible sex offenses,
robbery, aggravated assault, burglary,
motor vehicle theft, and arson, among
other criminal acts.
But, are we really as safe as this report
seems to state?
Bridgeport isnt such a safe place
according to usa.com. For every 100,000
people in Bridgeport, there are nine
murders, 42 rapes, 500 robberies, 571
assaults, 938 burglaries, 2,481 theIts, 709
vehicular thefts, and 31 arson attempts
annually. This was above not only the
Connecticut average for each crime, but
the U.S. average also.
Out of the 435 U.S. cities with
populations over 100,000, Bridgeport
ranked 58th in violent crimes, 32nd in
murders, and 54th in rapes.
You might say, so what? According to
the Clery report our campus is safe, right?
BeIore the year 2007 this was the same
case for Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA.
According to usa.com, Blacksburg has a
much lower crime rate than Bridgeport.
On April 16, 2007, Virginia Tech`s
safe campus was turned upside down by
two killing sprees committed by the same
man. Seung-Hui Cho managed to bring
weapons on campus, using them to kill 32
people and then himself.
This was all on a campus which
statistics show to be in a much safer town
than Housatonic.
I sometimes get the impression anyone
can walk onto our campus. There are no
gates and there isnt anyone checking
I.D.s in the parking garage or academic
buildings, said student Ashley Velez.
II you compare HCC to Fairfeld
University, which has about the same
number of students, security measures
are much diIIerent. At Fairfeld, there are
guards at the entrances and there are gates
at entrances which do not have guards.
If you take a quick look around the
Housatonic campus, you can clearly see
there is no gate around the perimeter, and
the buildings do not require you to swipe
an I.D. card to get in.
According to Fairfeld University
student Lauren Wuennemann, during later
hours academic buildings at Fairfeld do
require you to swipe an I.D. card to enter
buildings, an I.D. card which every student
is required to carry at all times. Here at
Housatonic, the school does not even
require students to acquire a student I.D.,
let alone carry one on themselves at
all times.
Other students seem agree
Housatonic is not as safe as it
seems.
Im sure I could be kidnapped
walking in the garage, especially
walking in the basement where it
is dark, said HCC student Dana
Souza, 21. Not my favorite place
to walk day or night. I have had
some guys who I didnt know walk
pretty close to me in there. At times
the security doesnt seem like it
exists. Souza added that she has
taken security measures of her own
and now carries pepper spray.
With this information, do you
feel safe? I know I dont. Im not
saying our school needs to pat
everyone down before they enter,
but maybe taking a couple extra
steps to beef up security wouldnt
hurt.
Feeling Secure At School? Read This!
By mark Bien
Staff writer
N
etfix, Hulu, Facebook, Twit-
ter, Youtube, Xbox Live, DVRs,
iPads, iPhones; There are more
forms of entertainment than there ever has
been before. The window of how long a
company or artist can proft oII a piece oI
work or a flm is shrinking along with all
of our attention spans. In other words, the
ones that appeal to as many people as pos-
sible, the ones that spell every single word
out to the mass audience, will pull in the
most money.
There seems to be a much bigger gap
between the music and movies that people
consider to be quality works of art and
what makes money than there used to be.
I have never gotten behind the Music and
movies and video games all suck now, and
everything that is old is better way of
thinking because I dont believe that most
entertainment industries are worse than
they used to be, but I can understand why
it appears that way to many.
In todays world, people simply dont
want to think anymore when watching a
flm. They like simple upbeat music that is
catchy and gets to the point in under three
minutes, and dont like video games that
are too hard, which is why so many hold
your hand the entire way through. If you
dont dumb things down and spell out ev-
erything, it turns off too many people to be
considered good business.
We live in an instant gratifcation so-
ciety now and because there are so many
different forms of entertainment, if some-
one isnt enjoying something right away
or are confused at all by it, then they are
going to look elsewhere to be entertained.
That is why the big budget movies that get
heavily advertised or songs that are played
on the radio and television all the time are
very easy to digest and arent as complex
or thought provoking as the things get
critically acclaimed or win Oscars for any-
thing other than best special effects.
For example, the biggest flm recently
was Avatar. This flm clearly threw story,
plot and logical character development
aside in favor of visual set pieces and ac-
tion sequences. Everything in the flm was
spelled out for the audience to a ridiculous
degree, so much so as to call the rare ele-
ment the humans were searching for un-
obtainium. There were the evil humans
and the nice lovable blue Navi who could
do no wrong, all led by a one-dimensional
protagonist who tells the audience at every
turn how they should feel about situations
rather than let them interpret things for
themselves.
He never once tried to bridge the gap
between the two groups of people to at
least attempt to bring things to a peaceful
resolution, other than a scene where the
main protagonist looks longingly into a
webcam and laments about how he feels
conficted Ior two whole minutes beIore
deciding for the audience that all the hu-
mans not on the Navis side need to be tak-
en out. Despite the fact that if he did not
get the experience of living with the Navi
and learning their culture by getting the
rare opportunity of jumping into an avatar,
he would be standing right along side the
side of the Sergeant blowing the Navi tree
to smithereens. There are no grey lines of
morality; you always know who the good
guys supposedly are and who the bad guys
are and their simplistic motives, because
looking at anything deeper than what can
be taken at face value would make the gen-
eral public have to think while watching is
a task that is simply asking too much. It
confuses them and confusion means less
money.
To show how it seems the industry
has altered over the years, E.T: The Ex-
tra Terrestrial (98% by critics on Rot-
ten Tomatoes) had a box oIfce gross oI
$792,910,554, which was by Iar the high-
est of the 1980s. It did contain many stan-
dard Hollywood flm conventions, but it
was not afraid to take risks in many areas
as well. E.T. was the star of the show yet
he was a very ugly weird looking little
creature, which could have easily turned
many viewers off, because if the audience
doesnt like the character that drives the
story, then they dont like the movie (Jar-
Jar Binks being a prime example of what
happens when you have a character like
E.T. gone wrong).
However, his appearance played a part
to the plot development and the overall
moral to the story; that good can come
from things in unappealing forms and you
shouldnt draw conclusions on anyone or
anything based on how it appears; though
that is a very condensed version of the
story and how the characters develop and
play off of each other.
Avatar designed everything to appeal
to as many people as possible, even down
to the character design of the Navi. They
had cute cat like noses and ears, and big
wide eyes to convey innocence to appeal
to the children. They were also tall, strong
and tough so they would appeal to the old-
er more mature members of the audience.
What they looked like had absolutely no
effect on the plot development. The Navi
could have been giraffes with baseballs
for heads, and it wouldnt have affected
the way the story would have played out at
all. The intentions of the studio and mak-
ers of the movie were very clear, We need
a bunch of cool action scenes and make
up whatever excuses you can in order to
make a big fght happen at the end.
What really sets the entertainment in-
dustries of today and the ones of 20-30
years ago is how they are presented and
distributed, not just the flms and music
themselves. You have to search harder in
order to fnd the good stuII. It isn`t pre-
sented to us on a silver platter like it once
was, but that doesnt mean it isnt there.
There is still a lot of quality out there, in
fact there is now more than ever.
There are more people making music,
movies, video games, writing books, com-
ics and so on, than there has ever been in
the past, but the more independent flm-
makers or musical artists just have a diIf-
cult time competing with the ones that can
afford multimillion dollar marketing cam-
Gain Some
Perspective
Visit www.hccperspective.blogspot.com
Continued on page 16
Security Guards are often recognized based on their
elite badges.
Photo courtesy of americawearcom/Badgeshtml
16
HORIZONS Opinions
paigns; because marketing powering their
product is what gets it the most attention
regardless of its true quality.
The lower the budget or the less people
a certain artists aim their music or art at,
the more creative they can afford to be.
Pleasing a massive audience is not their
prime directive, they dont have to dumb
down the quality of their products, for
their investors arent forcing their hands
to alter things out of fear of loosing what
they have invested because of the artistic
directions.
However, because of their lack of high
priced investors, their only chance at get-
ting recognition is to make the best piece
of art they can because they dont have the
backing of multimillion dollar investors
that spend a lot on advertising to let people
know their product exists. They also dont
have to be a multimillion dollar main-
stream breakout in order to proft and be
considered a success fnancially. So many
have the false belief that the most adver-
tised products are indicative of the highest
quality works from that certain industry,
which is what causes the divide between
those who claim that entertainment died a
long time ago and those who believe the
others are just blinded by nostalgia.
There are more popular flms out today
that are exceptions to the way the indus-
try normally manages its products such
as Inception(86% RT critic rating, $292
box oIfce), and 'The Dark Knight(94
RT critic rating; $533 million box oIfce)
but there will always be exceptions much
like the industries of the yesteryear, which
had a lot oI very popular flms that were
less than stellar to put it lightly (Top
Gun anyone?).
Avatar is not the only culprit of sacri-
fcing story and characters Ior mass audi-
ence appeal and searching for any excuse
to show us big action scenes. I could sit
here and pick apart the plots to the re-
cent big budget flms like 'TransIormers
3 (35% RT critic rating; $352.2 million
box oIfce) and 'Pirates oI the Caribbean:
On Stranger Tides(33% RT critic rating;
$241 million box oIfce) all day, but that
is beside the point. There have always
been popular flms and artists that have, in
many ways, sacrifced their artistic quality
to make more money, but it just seems in
recent times that rate has greatly increased
to become very noticeable for some.
They have been forced to because of
how much competition there is now for a
persons time and their $11 ticket. E.T.
was a fantastic movie but when it was
released people were not nearly as enter-
tained as we are now; there wasnt much
else for people to do back then if they were
bored of playing The Smurfs on their
Colecovision or if they ran out of jeans to
acid wash.
Word oI mouth about really great flms
spread like wildfre, which is why it was
really likely iI you put out a great flm,
it would make a lot of money even if it
had its faws or was a bit slower paced or
more confusing than what the average Joe
would have liked.
Word of mouth just doesnt spread like
it used to because we are constantly told
what to see. That fact that we barely talk
to each other anymore doesnt help either,
because we are too busy playing Angry
Birds on our iPhones or caught in some
musical La-La land, so we dont socialize
in random situations, like at the bus stop
or the library and gossip about what good
movies we saw recently or the best new
album that came out, was with someone
you encounter there just to pass the time.
For everything you have missed, you
have gained something else, and for ev-
erything you gain, you lose something
else, wrote Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Things just change over time, and
change isnt always a bad thing; it is just
different. Things need to adapt to the
changes around them or else they will
never survive; flms, music and television
are no different.

HORIZONS Prohles
By auStin Vaughn
Staff writer
I
n 1999, at the age of 19, Allen Petit
Homme left his native Haiti with his
father and stepmother to explore new
opportunities in the United States. This is
a story shared by thousands of immigrants
throughout the ages, but for Petit Homme,
which in French means little man, it was
the true beginning of his life.
[It was] everything you could ever
dream of, said Petit Homme of New York
City, his new home after arriving in the
U.S. Having only seen Haiti since his birth
in 1980, New York must have seemed like
heaven to Petit Homme.
He expressed the amazing opportunity
free schooling provided, and he even said
he felt safer in New York than he did in
Haiti. In 2000, Petit Homme and his fam-
ily moved to Bridgeport where he attended
and graduated Bassik High School. Soon
after he was accepted to the University of
Bridgeport, where he studied business ad-
ministration. However, after three years,
Petit Homme felt a patriotic duty to his
new home and joined the United States
Marine Corps.
Petit Homme served in the Marine
infantry from 2004-2010, where he per-
formed three tours of duty, two in Iraq and
one in Afghanistan. He said that he had a
good life in the Marines and while over-
seas, despite being involved in a lot of
combat situations, Petit Homme said, I
dont get scared.
He says he has contemplated going back
to the Marines, but since 2010 he has been
attending Housatonic working towards a
Criminal Justice degree thanks to the ben-
efts oI the G.I. Bill. He plans to transIer to
the University oI Connecticut to fnish his
education, but Petit Homme doesnt know
where life will take him. However, wheth-
er he goes back to the Marines or pursues
a career in criminal justice, he knows that
he will enjoy the best that life has to of-
fer in his new home and be able to live the
American Dream.

Everything You Could ever Dream Of


Student Prole: Allen Petit Homme
By tom cahiLL
Staff writer
J
ay Moss, 19, a freshman business
management major here at Housaton-
ic, spends almost all of his free time
in the studio. If he isnt working on some-
thing school related in his full schedule or
pushing carts at Stop and Shop, hes writ-
ing his own music and even producing his
own beats. The Shelton native has been
rapping since before high school.
When asked about his infuence, Apa-
thy, another Connecticut artist came to
mind frst. The list went on, naming many
legends such as Jedi Mind Tricks, L.O.X,
Nas, Slaughterhouse and Big Pun.
'My main infuence comes Irom the
underground, the East Coast. Im proud of
where Im from and my music represents
that., he added.
Jay plans to have his debut EP release
sometime in the spring of 2012 titled, Ex-
cuse Me. Its all 3about the lyrics, beats
come second. Ive got both, he said. The
album will be produced under BFAM Re-
cords, a local label and production studio
out of Derby.
He hasnt been pushing his music to
the public yet, waiting to have a full length
project to spread the word. Ill be sure to
look out for the name and for Jay Moss
again on campus to get my own
Sitescopy of Excuse Me.
In the meantime, you can catch Jay
live at several local spots, including the
Acoustic Cafe right here in Bridgeport, or
again at the legendary Toads Place in New
Haven.
Hip Hop Lives at Housatonic
Jay Moss at BFAM Studios in Derby, CT
Photo Courtesy of Tim Smith
Continued from page 15
17
HORIZONS Arts & Entertainment
rts and
ntertainment
A Gospel Gangsta
How Are You Watching Television?
By mary e. anderSon
Staff writer

T
he Bible describes gospel as,
good news. For James White of
the HCC Security Department, it is
that plus so much more.
White, better known as Brother White,
fnds gospel to be'a light in dark places,
and a lifeline for those drifting in seas of
uncertainty. Brother Whites Awesome
Firewalker Ministry strives to encour-
age others, as he shares how he over-
came many obstacles by delivering his
testimony with a powerful blend of rap
and song. He has been recording Gos-
pel rap music for two years now, and is
often joined by his wife Veronica. She
favors traditional Gospel, but also has
been known to spita rap verse to reach a
wounded heart.
White grew up in Bridgeport and is
troubled by the violence in the streets
that many have come to accept as a part
of everyday life. It is a darkness that
is enveloping not only this city, but cities
around the world. His ministry is about
reaching into communities [by] singing,
rapping and witnessing. He is hopeful
that the seed of his lyrics may take root,
and help someone who is on the wrong
path.
But why rap? Brother White reveals
that he has been rapping since the age of
15 and as a Minister of Music can now ef-
fectively reach those hard to reach, and
in a language they can relate to. Having
had the opportunity to hear one of Brother
Whites recent compositions entitled, Sor-
ry Lord, it is easy to appreciate his potent
delivery of haunting lyrics, accompanied
by a professional soundtrack, and most
importantly a sincere expression of faith.
Brother White is a member of Faith
Revival Center of Bridgeport, Connecti-
cut under the leadership of Pastor James
Shannon. Pastor Shannon has watched
Brother White mature over the last fIteen
years, and deeply appreciates his and wife
Veronicas beautiful Gospel Rap minis-
try along with their day-to- day faithful
service.
What is key is that he works very well
with people and his ministry is having a
great impact on others, Shannon elabo-
rates.
Anyone interested in obtaining Whites
music can email him at jameswhite2004@
gmail.com or phone him at (203) 243-
6768.
One aspect is leIt to refect how per-
fectly Brother Whites musical career
complements his role here at HCC--here,
he helps to protect others from physical
harm, and through his music ministry he
helps to protect souls.
By andrew mathieu
Senior Staff writer
T
elevision has evolved so much in
the last years. With constant inno-
vations, cable television isnt the
only way to watch TV.
Thanks to DVR, we can go to work
and not have to worry about missing a
beat on our favorite television series.
Various On Demand services allow us to
get the shows we want to watch at any
time. While some websites like Hulu and
Netfix stream our Iavorite programs, old
and new, on our computers, video game
consoles, and portable handheld devices
like smart phones. Other websites allow
us to upload our own videos at any time
like YouTube and Viveo. With so many
options to watch just about anything, how
does the average student watch TV?
For me, television is still a part of my
regular routine. Call me old-fashioned,
but I like watching shows at a certain
time; it frees me up to other things I have
to do. Im not a big fan of Internet TV, as
it can be a hassle to stream, especially on
my low-tech computer. However, since
I work and go to school part-time, DVR
has been a great way to make sure I never
miss my favorite shows, and always have
access to my favorite episodes.
I watch TV on weekdays...I watch less
since school started, comments HCC stu-
dent Ashley Benitez. Benitez fnds DVR
convenient to record new episodes or her
favorite shows, and isnt into online alter-
natives like Hulu.com.
Another student, Rayan Kerr, uses
Hulu, I watch mostly anime on it, he
said. Hulus vast-library includes quite a
few Japanese animated program, great for
fans of this style of animation, which is
not very prevalent on American television.
Maria, another HCC student, also
watches Hulu, not only on her PC, but on
her smart phone and her game console. I
watch it on everything, she said. Like
Ashley, she also makes use of her DVR
to record her favorite shows, since her
schoolwork has limited her TV time.
Full-time jobs can also eff
ect how much time can be spent watch-
ing television. Neysha Feliciano, and
employee of Goodwill Industries, hasnt
had as much time for television due to her
job. She does, however fnd time Ior her
favorite show, Storage Wars, as well as
videos on YouTube and Facebook, viewed
exclusively on her smart phone.
TV has certainly grown in the last few
years thanks to advances in technology.
Even with limited free time, there are
more ways than ever to catch a few good
shows, (and even more commercials!)
Students watch television in the Student Lounge.
Photo by: Zach Cowan
Jim White with wife, Veronica.
Photo Courtesy of Jim White
18
HORIZONS Arts & Entertainment
Horizons Wants to Hear from You!
Write to us at housatonichorizons@yahoo.com to:
Share your opinions
Submit ideas, articles, and information about upcoming events
Request interviews or other information from the Horizons staff
Its Not Just a Funny Movie:
The School of Rock Real
By daVe weidenfeLLer
Staff writer
A
s a kid hanging around with my
friends at the music shop, all we
ever wanted to be were rock stars.
My eye and heart had been captured on a
black Gibson SG, my god of a guitar. I
soon began begging my parents each and
every holiday for it.
I fnally got my frst guitar and it was
a unforgettable, a red Memphis of course
in perfect imitation of the famous Fendor
Stratocaster.
Why the trip down memory lane? I
grew up. Adult responsibilities stacked up
higher than I could see, and my big break
seemed nothing more than a pipe dream.
Music, though, was always in earshot and
still very important to my life. I have also
been given an opportunity to explore a dif-
ferent aspect of the growing community of
young musicians, The School of Rock.
It was a smash hit at the box oIfce
and one oI my Iavorite Jack Black flms.
It`s only ftting to fnd out that the flm
School of Rock and Jack Blacks char-
acter are based on the actual founder of the
real School of Rock, Paul Greene. Greene
founded this one of a kind music school
in Philadelphia in 1998. Why wasnt the
genius of Paul Greene around when I was
a teenager with Rock N` Roll fowing
through my veins?
The school of rock, is well just that.....
a school of music focusing on all things
rock and roll, individual tastes and style
will of course vary and is encouraged. At
the School they have professional musi-
cians teaching guitar, drums, bass, key-
boards and even vocal training. So, what
is so exciting about this music school?
What makes them rock above the rest?
According to the school`s oIfcial web
site, the School of Rock employs a perfor-
mance based teaching model. A program
is created for each individual according
to desire and skill level. Students attend
weekly one on one instruction, but also a
weekly group session. An article on Ex-
pressnightout.com with Paul Green also
revealed another perspective as well, ...
We teach cover songs to teach music, not
vice versa, so one oI the frst
shows we ever did was Zappa
because I needed to teach my
students time signatures and
playing modes. This is the
opposite of my experience
with traditional music in-
struction where the mechan-
ics basics were the forerunner
of the learning process.
The goal is to apply what they learn, in-
crease confdence, and working as a group
adding to stage experience. The instructors
at the School of Rock utilize this to such a
degree that students of the School of Rock
actually work towards performing at real
Rock n Roll venues, such as the multi
-generational CBGBs and The Whiskey
to BB Kings Blues Club of Times Square
going as full tilt as performing at Lolla-
palooza and as far away as Zappanale in
Bad Doberan, Germany. Can Rock N Roll
be taught?
The subject is a school that teaches
rock and roll. To some it is just another
variation of music but to others, like my-
self, it is an attitude a lifestyle border-
ing on existence. Sure lessons in chords,
scales and theory can be taught, but what
about everything else that goes along with
Rock N Roll?That spirit of self expres-
sion and personal freedom like riding the
open road on a vintage Harley Davidson
motorcycle?
Music has the power to shape culture
and perceptions, it is a release and an es-
cape; The only international language,
Divine glory, the expression to quote
lyrics from Mother Love Bones Man of
Golden Words. So again how does one
teach Rock N Roll?
I decided to refect on this story and
Rock N Roll at the source, my favorite lo-
cal music venue, the Acoustic Caf and a
performance of my favorite rock infused
reggae band I Anbassa, why this is rele-
vant? The performance will shed light to
the caliber of musician that works at the
school. Bassist Mike Tepper is a newly
hired instructor and a very highly respect-
ed and accomplished musician in the local
music scene. Tepper declined to comment
on the School of Rock because of his new-
bie status at the school, but seeing him on
stage, under the hot stage lighting, letting
his soul thump out through his fngers and
into his bass guitar is better still in envi-
sioning the caliber of musicians that work
at the school. It seemed better than imper-
sonal and often non-revealing bios on a
website.
Paying my cover and fnding a com-
fortable seat the familiar textures of a rock
show begin to emerge, the smell of beer,
and cigarette smoke wafting in as people
enter the small dimly light lounge. A few
of tonights performers sit around the bar
chatting with friends waiting for the rest of
the band to show. The small simple stage
is full of equipment, electric guitars sit in
there stands one on each side of the frame,
while a pair of bongos and a drum kit com-
plete the background. The lighting bright
and concentrated on center stage. The rest
of the venue is painted in abstract arts with
enigmatic faces and swirling colors, of
psychedelic fare oI the 1960`s. To me its
true art/ music house fashion, though dim-
ly lit, the heat from the small array of stage
lighting keeps the temperature a rather
bit steamy. The electric energy in the air
picks up as more and more people begin
to show. Seats fll and the buzz oI antici-
pation become clear. I watch a man close
the door to the sound booth, behind me
nine performers take there places on stage,
close and intimate with the crowd and each
other. The magic begins, I smile as I feel it
too, wondering how can this phenomenon
called rock and roll be taught.
My interview At the school of Rock is
a few hours away, I took a brisk walk to
the Fairfeld library Ior some last minute
preparations. Through the wooded open
space area leading to the marina I even-
tually glance at my frst destination. My
mind puzzles its way through ideas of
The School of Rock. Will it be staffed by
a heavily tattooed man with stage scarred
leathery skin with scraggly long hair, don-
ning cheap jewelry in the images of drag-
ons and demons? Or, will it be a clean cut
over achiever who retired from the stage
for a simple or fulling life of teaching fu-
ture rock n rollers? Maybe its just a cou-
ple of average dudes or ladies who have
dedicated their lives to the passion of mu-
sic following their dreams while investing
time in the young minds of musicians to
come.
Deciding to conduct some undercover
research, I stopped in a local music store
offering music lessons in guitar, drums
keyboards and the usual school band ar-
ray of instruments, working in traditional
teaching methods conducted in cramped
back rooms. The walls were the stained
color of time like back in middle school
gyms. There were only poster size ad-
vertisements on the walls, nothing inspi-
rational, nothing rock and roll about this
place. It was just business as usual. The
atmosphere was dull, and I could tell that
the focus was on making the sale, though I
do not doubt the passion, or ability of any
music instructors here, I knew in my heart
there was no teaching of rock and roll
here. Now a bit pessimistic, I headed to
my fnal destination.
It was almost time, maybe fIteen
minutes to, and I was walking down the
Post Road, downtown Fairfeld, every-
thing looked just as I remembered it last
week, store fronts remained the same,
things were dull, street lights
were dim, traIfc seemed a bit
muIfed, nothing new. Pass-
ing Rawleys Hotdog Sand, it
fnally came into view. I was
looking at a small white house
of average dimensions, noth-
ing out of the ordinary and
well kept for a business dis-
trict. The School of Rock looms over the
store front entrance like the ominous neck
of a guitar neck over fans. I cant help but
have the movie poster Irom the flm jump
in and out of my minds eye, with its clas-
sic Rolling Stone font and actor / come-
dian Jack Black in full on rock star pose. I
try to keep the two separate.
Walking in, I could see drum kits and
amplifers in a room oII to my right, and a
simple, true to rock and roll reception area,
a small glass counter top with some hemp
jewelry and School of Rock pamphlets.
Behind a sign offering to all who looked
Your Teachers are Rock Stars Too! in
black cut out construction paper above
the computer printouts of names, obvi-
ously teachers from the School of Rock
Fairfeld. CD`s Ior sale Irom musicians
stacked in their blank paper envelopes in
true EP fashion. Working musicians are
teaching rock and roll. This to me offers
up my frst bit oI prooI that this is not just
a money making gimmick, but something
a bit more real. To the right of this optical
piece of evidence were the names of these
musicians but the feel is different, this
portrayal of names is more like those of
teachers of music not creators of rock and
rolll, but it is the School of Rock after all.
The wall next to
this is a white
wall covered
in one foot by
one foot vinyl
records in their
respected jack-
ets. All the clas-
sics and most
of my favorites. Pink Floyds The Wall
and Never Mind the Bullocks by the Sex
Pistols, mingling with The Who, AC/DC
and Tom Petty to name a few. What really
made this wall of rock headliners all the
more interesting and coincidentally more
appealing were the random 11 x 9 photo-
graphs of students on stage, rocking out
just like the big boys do. To me this is an-
other piece of evidence, and I was feeling
closing to clearing the air to exactly what
the School of Rock is and how they could
teach rock and roll?
I then had a sit down with the Gen-
eral Manager oI Fairfeld`s school, Todd
Springer. This sit down took place av-
erage room with over sized couches and
coffee tables. Inspirational posters in rock
and roll theme hung on the walls. I would
later fnd out that this lounge is just as im-
portant as the main rehearsal room and in-
structional rooms upstairs.
Springer isnt a teacher, or performer,
but I could feel his internal passion for all
things that are rock and roll. Springers job
is to hire teachers and handle the adminis-
trative duties, . He is very knowledgeable
about the programs and his passion for
music certainly emanates through his per-
sonality. He is the man behind the scenes
when all said and done. He takes care of
everything so that the teachers can focus
solely on what there here to do, teach rock
and roll.
Springer began telling me some back
ground history of the School of Rock, my
Iphone on the coffee table archiving this
interview, a well-constructed conversa-
tion. It started by musician and music
instructor Paul Greene in Philadelphia in
1998. Instructing them he realized that
these kids were good and passionate about
both rock music and playing their instru-
ments. He also realized that as talented as
they are they lack experience and even the
opportunity to play as groups, working to-
gether as a fowing unit, and playing Ior
an audience. What Paul Greene says was
his epiphany was that if these kids could
apply this knowl-
edge of music
Music has the power to shape culture
and perceptions, it is a release and an
escape.
The School or Rock looms over the
store front entrance like the ominous neck
of a guitar.
Continued on 19
19
HORIZONS Arts & Entertainment
and develop a skill set through a perfor-
mance based curriculum and be social
with their instruments. They would then
tbe more confdent about perIorming and
playing in groups, instead of just knowing
how to play stuff in their bedrooms. He
began inviting these kids to his personal
band rehearsals and where theyd play
along. From this they gained experience,
and the fundamentals for the School of
Rock were born. Springer also added that,
though an unintended consequence, kids
around the country often use this new-
Iound and developed confdence in other
aspects of their lives such as school and
even athletics.
These kids, not just here, are so
pumped about rockin, that they just carry
that enthusiasm into everything! Spring-
er said. With this, I saw why this school
of music was gaining much popularity
among parents, even leading into the adult
programs.
I think for many this paints a picture
for just how broad a spectrum the love af-
fair with Rock and Roll music really is,
but also how infuential a man be with his
a passion Ior music. With over 70 stores
nationwide, two in Mexico, and new fran-
chises opening all the time that infuence
seems to be taking root as well. In fact,
Fairfeld is the second largest School oI
Rock in the nation, and Fairfeld County
is the School of Rock hub for New Eng-
land, with one in New Canaan, and one in
Shelton. The next closest in New England
is Carver Mass, then Boston.
Springer talked about how lessons
cater to all levels of skill, and that each
level has their own group. Each respec-
tive group is working on their set of songs.
Springer also broke down how the shows
are grouped out. The more advanced
All-Star group is formed from kids re-
gionally and tour during school breaks,
he said.
He added how Fairfeld hasn`t had any
of them yet, but locally, were the talk of
the schools Besides the actual instruction
these kids are hearing the classics played
by the legends who wrote them, they have
a better understanding of the music. They
hear the song, and their own individual
parts, and then at rehearsal they play it
together in there groups. While one group
is playing their songs the rest of the gang
hangs out in the lounge, eating, sometimes
doing home work, practicing their parts or
sharing ideas with new friends. These re-
hearsals last three hours and the groups ro-
tate so they can keep stress and frustration
levels to a minimum. We joked momen-
tarily about parents that vocalised their
jealousy of the program even if in jest. The
adult program is later at night beginning
about 10 p.m. I pictured retired hippies
returning to their roots with tye-dye shirt-
sand patruli markings making a comeback
in Fairfeld County.
Man, was I wrong. They are people
who played at one point in their life, and
felt like they lost there groove, or felt to
old to rock and roll. Some are even think-
ing about returning to the stage. Normal
parents, taking a few hours once a week to
feel like a kid again, see themselves as the
long haired, torn denim clad rockers from
their youth. Regardless.rock music now
seems to bond children and their parents. I
cant believe that this program exists and
seems to be a growing steadily. I cant
take anything away from this , but it still
doesnt answer my question, Can Rock N
Roll be taught? Certainly the needle is
leaning towards the yes column, but Im
still not convinced.
They put shows on in area venues!
Several shows had just been played at a lo-
cal bar, Neutral Ground, on Fairfeld Ave,
smack in the middle of the Black Rock
music scene. Vincent, who did request his
last name not be used in this story, and co-
owner of the establishment, told me that
even though the shows were held much
earlier than there busy hours, the turn out
was much larger than he had expected.
Much of the audience were parents, sib-
lings and family friends, a mixture of lo-
cals and regulars were along for the ride,
with pleasant results.
Now I know that most parents will sup-
port their children and give them positive
encouragement, but it was the locals that
made the difference. Vincent told me that
it was the regulars and locals that inquired
about the performers, asking who they are,
and are they playing again, oblivious that
these kids were actually part of a legiti-
mate program of music instruction. They
had clearly rocked the crowd. Time to take
this adventure to the next level, buy my
own concert tickets and see the show.
I feel as though I have only unlocked
the true nature of this progressive school
of music instruction and the effect on mu-
sic today. Besides seeing the students per-
form, and hearing for myself, the next step
is to try and speak to Green and take a trip
to the patriotic city of Philadelphia. Visit
the very frst, the original School oI Rock,
and possible pay homage to a new infu-
ence on Rock N Roll.
TRANSFER FAIR 2011
Wednesday, November 9
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Beacon Hall Event Center, Beacon Hall
COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES ATTENDING AS OF PRESS TIME
Questions? Contact Marilyn Wehr, HCC Counselor
203-332-5042 or mwehr@hcc.commnet.edu
Adelphi University
Bridgeport Hospital School of Nursing
Bryant College
Central Connecticut State University
Charter Oak State College
Connecticut Community College/Nursing Admissions
Fairfeld University
Hofstra University
International University of Nursing
Johnson & Wales University
Long Island University/Brooklyn Campus
Mercy College
Mitchell College
New York Institute of Technology
Post University
Quinnipiac University
Sacred Heart University
Sacred Heart University/University College
Saint Joseph College
Southern Connecticut State University
St. Johns University
St. Vincents College
Trinity College-IDP
University of Bridgeport
University of Bridgeport/IDEAL Program
University of Connecticut
University of Hartford
University of New Haven
University of New Haven/Center for
Adult & Professional Studies
Western Connecticut State University
Wheelock College
New York University
continued from page 18
20
ports
HORIZONS Sports
By tJ maLLicoaLLico
Staff writer
I
chiro Suzuki has been the most prolifc
hitter in baseball the last ten years. Su-
zuki has averaged a .326 batting aver-
age, an incredible 219 hits, and 38 steals
a season.
This year, however, in the fnal year
of his 5 year/$90 million deal, Suzuki is
struggling in every offensive category,
and at 37 years old, who knows what
lies ahead Ior the Iuture frst ballot hall
of famer.
Ichiros numbers are not terrible from
an average major leaguers standards,
but hes on pace for career lows in bat-
ting average, on base percentage, hits,
triples, and games played.
His one bread and butter offensive
statistic were infeld singles, but even
those are down this season, some sports
writers around the league believe Seattle
will let Suzuki slide in the upcoming off
season, points out ESPNs Jim Caple.
However, either way you put it, ana-
lysts around the country are not sure
what lies ahead for Ichiro. Do the Mari-
ners give him a one or two year exten-
sion in the neighborhood of $16- 20
million? Does he test the open market
where he`ll fnd a deal with ease? May-
be Ichiro goes back to Japan and plays
for the Yomiuri Giants, and the last pos-
sibility, retirement, which everybody
always has to consider. There have
been plenty of players whove retired
with some left in the tank. Paul ONeil,
Tiki Barber, and Keyshawn Johnson are
athletes that have followed this path.
There isnt a chance the Mariners will
give Ichiro Suzuki a big multi-year deal
at this point in his career. And while his
offensive numbers are down this season,
he still has hall of fame statistics and that
will at least command him a 1 year/$6
million dollar deal. If Ichiro wouldnt
accept an offer like that, then maybe his
willingness to crave more money will
push Seattle out of the bidding?
With the season fnally over, the Mar-
iners Front OIfce and Ichirio have some
business to take care of.
Testing the open market is another
reasonable option for Suzuki, with the
Free Agent Outfeld Class topping out
at Carlos Beltran and Josh Willingham,
Ichiro would easily fnd a deal. Teams
looking Ior a starting corner outfelder
like the Rangers, Reds, and Cubs would
love to bring in the silver slugger. Would
Ichiro want to pack his bags and move
to Texas or Chicago? Personally, I do
not think Ichiro will take a contract offer
from another team unless it is something
untouchable.
Theres still a chance that Ichiro goes
back to his former team, the Yomuri Gi-
ants in Japan. With other players having
done this in the past like Hideo Nomo
and Hee Sop Choi, maybe Ichrio would
see no problem? Why wouldnt Ichrio
want to go back to his homeland where
he is basically the president? Fans would
love to get the chance to watch him play
again, and with the competition being
much weaker overseas, Ichiro would put
up monster numbers.
The last option Ichiro has is retire-
ment. I believe this might be the most
likely scenario. At age 37, he doesn`t
have too much in the tank. Hes been
on the same team for his whole career
and maybe hes not up for playing some-
where new. Think about it, 162 games a
season, plus spring training, and winter
workouts takes a lot of toll on an ath-
letes body after a while, and maybe
Ichiro has had enough. If Ichiro were
to leave the game today, hed be leaving
a hall-of-fame-like legacy which would
easily get him in the Hall of Fame and so
many other honorable mentions.
Say what you want to say about Ich-
iro Suzuki; the man can compete. Hes
been the most successful player to ever
come from Japan and will possibly be
the greatest all time. The Mariners fans
have been spoiled the past 12 years.
From his rookie season where he earned
most valuable player to breaking the re-
cord for most hits in a season, Suzuki is
one of the greatest to ever play the game.
Contract Issues: Ichirio Suzuki
Ichiro stepping into the box for the hrst time in the
2011 Season.
Photo Courtesy of sportshistoryhistoryguycom
Ichiro making a diving catch at Safeco Field.
Photo Courtesy of http://wwwfreewebscom
Tell Us What You Think!
Would you like to voice opinions, questions, or story
ideas to the Editor?
YOU CAN!
Contact us at: housatonichorizons@gmail.com!
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