Roxy Jean Professional Blog

Valencia Voice 03/03/2010 - ‘Get Into Reading’ hosts second talk about ‘Winterdance’

2010-03-04T14:22:00.000-08:00

‘Get Into Reading’ hosts second talk about ‘Winterdance’
By Roxy Smith

Karen Cowden is a reading professor at Valencia Community College and delegates the Winterdance book discussion groups. Valencia’s West Campus had its second book discussion for the semester on Feb. 28, which lasted about an hour.
The discussion had about 15 students, not including online students who attended through the Internet and four faculty members.
Cowden was the professor in charge of selecting the book, which is the book being read for Valencia’s “Get Into Reading” program and “The Round Table,” Valencia’s literary club.

“I love this book,” said Cowden, who has visited Alaska, although not in the part where the book takes place.

Gary Paulsen the author of Winterdance generally writes for children. Cowden was reviewing children’s books when she came across the book.

Students who attended the discussion received free food and are going to be in charge of designing a shirt for the book.

During the discussion, students were immersed in terminology from the book and shared thoughts about what it takes to be a musher in the Iditarod.

Students also made lists of what the Iditarod means to them and watched videos from people who have participated in the Iditarod.

Students go through rough times and Cowden made it easy for students to compare the book to their own lives.

“I enjoyed that I was able to relate to the book more because of the discussion,” said Angelis Barrios-Montalvo, who participated in the event for a class.

Mushers have already left Anchorage, the starting point for the Iditarod, which officially began this past week. The Iditarod is more than just a race to people who live in Alaska; it’s a way of life.

For more information on the official race or the Iditarod itself visit www.iditarod.com.

Valencia Voice 03/03/2010 - Peer Educators show a little love

2010-03-04T14:20:00.000-08:00

Peer Educators show a little love
By Roxy Smith

“With a warm hug you can make someone’s day a little brighter.” That was the motto that Peer Educators on Valencia’s West Campus were striving for Feb. 23 during their “Free Hugs” event.

Roxanne Cobben is a senior staff member for west campus peer educators and is one of six peer educators on the west campus. Cobben who has been active member of the program for two and a half years wore her blue ‘free hugs’ shirt with open arms in hopes to bring the campus closer together.

“The west campus participated in a free hug day a few semesters ago and had a good turnout,” said Cobben. “Sometimes you give a person a hug and they say thank you,” Cobben added.

Students, staff and faculty were all encouraged to participate in the non-threatening campus-wide function.

Free shirts were given to the first 50 who signed up for the event. In total 80 students signed up to volunteer during the event not including the six members of peer educators who participated.

The event lasted from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Volunteers formed groups and went out during selected time blocks throughout the day offering free hugs to anyone who wanted one.

“When people see our shirts, they come up to us and give us a hug,” said 20 year old Rodney Thompson, a member of peer educators. “I have given out a lot of hugs,” said Thompson.

Thompson emphasized the importance of not forcing a hug onto anyone.
“Hugs were not given unless the person wanted one,” said Thompson.

“I think free hugs is great,” said Denise Elmore, 25, “I wanted to participate in the event, but peer educators ran out of shirts,” said Elmore. “This event really boosts morale around campus, ‘Free hugs’ makes you stop and recognize other people,” said Elmore.

Peer educators focuses on activities the help students make better decisions by promoting many different campus activities, that teach students how to make healthier and smarter choices.

The next event the peer educators will be hosting is safe spring break week, which will take place during the first week of March.

Valencia Voice 02/24/2010 - 'Shutter Island' strikes a too familiar tone

2010-02-25T09:42:00.000-08:00

'Shutter Island' strikes a too familiar tone
By Roxy Smith

Michelle Kung of the Wall Street Journal called Dennis Lehane “The author who aced Hollywood.”

Lehane, has already had two of his novels hit the silver screen and now his 1950s book “Shutter Island” has followed in the same footsteps. Shutter Island released Feb. 19 and was directed by Martin Scorsese.

“Shutter Island,” is about U.S. Marshals Teddy Daniels played by Leonardo DiCaprio, and Chuck Aule portrayed by Mark Ruffalo who are assigned to investigate the disappearance of a patient on Boston’s Ashecliffe Hospital on the secluded Shutter Island.

Ashecliffe Hospital is an insane asylum where almost all of the patients have murdered someone. Daniels is anxious to get to the island because he feels he can solve some of his own personal problems, but once he gets there he realizes that there is much more going on then the doctors, patients and workers are willing to tell him.

While watching the film I felt as though I was watching some weird mesh between, the 2006 version of “The Wicker Man” starring Nicholas Cage and the 2004 film “The Butterfly Effect” starring Ashton Kutcher.

In the article by Kung, author Lehane confesses that the idea for this book came from the movie “The Wicker Man.” I think that the movie didn’t just give him the idea for the book, but it created the entire book because the plots seem ridiculously similar.

In both stories the main characters are people of authority and they are both assigned to solve a missing persons case. The characters are then summoned to some recluse island that either no one has even heard of, or the people who have heard of it don’t want to talk about it.

In “Shutter Island,” Daniels begins to question everyone and he begins to second guess his partner and his one sanity.

This is where, “The Butterfly Effect” comes in. Throughout the course of the movie you get to know Daniels and you think that a particular scenario has happened, but then the doctors tell him that the things he is saying isn’t true and he is a patient and you see different scenes happening. Daniels then begins having memories that make what the doctor says to be true.

At the end of the film I felt totally cheated because it leaves you on cliff hanger and you are left wondering what scenario actually happened. After two hours I didn’t know which version to believe and now I guess I never will.

Valencia Voice 02/24/2010 - Valencia presents 'a play within a play'

2010-02-25T08:33:00.000-08:00

'A play within a play'
Marat/Sade

By Roxy Smith

Valencia Community College’s East Campus is home to many entertainment programs like, “Live Show Production,” “Entertainment Technology,” and “Music Production.” It is also home to the “Theatre Department” where students can learn about the art of theater, gain valuable acting skills and learn stage design techniques.

“This is a student centered program,” said Professor John DiDonna, who teaches theatre and acting.

“By the time students leave this program I want them to be working professionals,” said DiDonna.

The BlackBox Theatre, located directly inside building three on east campus, received a lot of attention this past weekend. Feb. 18 was the opening night for the play ‘Marat/Sade’ by Peter Weiss, who is now deceased.

The plays full name is, “The Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat as Performed by the Inmates of the Asylum of Charenton Under the Direction of The Marquis de Sade.” The ‘play within a play’ as it is called has a dark undertone and is not suitable for young children and has content matter that may be offensive to some.

Performed by Valencia students, staff and community actors, the play has been in rehearsal since Thanksgiving. In total the cast has 27 actors and about 50 student technicians.

“This production enabled students to learn and practice their craft,” said Michael Shugg, a professor and director for the Entertainment Design and Technology program at Valencia. Shugg is also the director for ‘Marat/Sade.’

Students were responsible for building the set, props, and costumes as well as hanging lights and setting up audio effects for the show.

Taking place after the French Revolution in France around 1808, ‘Marat/Sade,’ is about a man named Marquis de Sade who is locked up in an asylum. While in the asylum he decides to put on a play about the life of Jean-Paul Marat. The inmates agree to perform the play but it is only a matter of time before chaos breaks loose among them.

“A production like this is only possible because of our already strong Theatre and Entertainment Technology programs,” said Shugg.

Productions of this measure cost Valencia between $2,800 and $3,000 to produce. That price includes about $1,200 spent only on scenery, and another $900 for costumes. Other funds must be spent on lighting, audio and props used for the play.

“So far we have received two amazing reviews,” said DiDonna, who is playing as Marquis de Sade in this particular performance. “The daughter of the playwright attended the performance on Sunday and loved it,” said DiDonna.

‘Marat/Sade’ has already sold out two shows; so don’t miss out on the last shows.

A life in Horses

2010-02-25T08:27:00.000-08:00

A life in horses

By Roxy Smith

OVIEDO, Fla. – Located only a few miles away from the University of Central Florida, Brookmore Farms spreads out across ten acres of land and is home to 32 horses and counting. Owner Peggy Stevens has been working with horses for nearly 25 years and doesn’t plan to stop.

Brookmore Farms offers full boarding where all horses are cared for, even if the owner is not there, and are under 24/7 supervision. Clients can participate in riding lessons, purchase horses and learn methods of horse breaking and training.

“At Brookmore Farms, we offer more than just riding lessons,” said Stevens, “We offer friendship.”

Most of the horses at Brookmore Farms are called hunters, which means that they are show horses and are judged on form, style and attitude. Students typically go to horse shows about twice a month and reach all levels of achievement in the sport.

16-year-old, Devon Auervach has been training with horses for 11 years and has been a student of Stevens for four years.

“I really like the bond you form with the horse,” said Auervach. “Riding horses is exciting and I enjoy the competitions.”

For Stevens, who has participated in her share of competitions, safety is a major concern when owning so many horses, which is why all horses receive shots twice a year and a worm treatment every other month.

“You can tell when a horse is not feeling well because their coat isn’t as shiny and you can start to see their ribs,” said Stevens.
Colic, which is pain in the abdomen or belly, is the number one killer in horses and when symptoms are prevalent, horses are taken to the hospital immediately. All of the horses at Brookmore Farms are insured for surgery and other medical expenses.

Since the majority of the horses on Stevens farm are hunters, they have to be shaved down regularly. In order to protect them from the cold weather all horses wear multiple blankets and neck covers to help prevent sicknesses.

Cold weather isn’t the only thing that Stevens has had to deal with in recent months. The slump in the economy has caused her to lose a few clients, but her horse business still thrives. Although Brookmore Farms is listed in the Yellow Pages, most of their business comes from “word of mouth,” as Stevens describes it.

There are things to consider before purchasing a horse. “Take lessons first and if you do purchase a horse, always take a professional with you,” said Stevens.

“It is not required that you have a license to own a horse but adequate turnout for horses to exercise is a necessity,” said Joshua Smith who has worked for Stevens for ten years.

“Owning a horse is not like owning a cat or dog, it requires much more time and patience,” said Smith.

For more information on Brookmore Farms, visit Brookmorefarms.com

Get your laugh on

2010-02-16T20:02:00.001-08:00

Get Your Laugh On

By Roxy Smith

Orlando, Fla. – Valencia Community College east campus hosted a comedy show Friday Feb. 5 called “Come Get Your Laugh On.”

The event was paid for by student development and was free to all Valencia students with a valid student ID card, faculty and the general public had to pay an admission fee. Transportation was also available for students who were coming from either the West or Osceola campus.

“It’s time to laugh you’ve been too serious,” said Victor Collazo, Valencia student development coordinator.

Collazo attends a showcase every year for college activities presented by the APCA (Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities.) Collazo discovered the talent of the comedians, Kelly Macfarland, Ron G and Louis Ramsey while attending last year’s showcase.

“I saw them and had to have them perform at Valencia,” said Collazo.
Macfarland, full of colorful language was the first act to appear. Macfarland was a contestant on NBC‘s “The Biggest Loser” a weight loss show, where she lost 80 pounds.

Macfarland has also appeared on talk shows such as The View, The Tyra Banks Show and was a first runner up in the Boston Comedy Festival in 2009.

Macfarlands skit was about her making fun of herself when she was overweight and her experience in the race to get skinny. “You ever wonder where all the fat people come from,” said Macfarland, “they come from Chili’s.”

Ron G, originally from Calif. was a finalist on the “Last Comic Standing” and won College Comic of the Year. Ron G joked about the recession, friends and his past relationships and experience with women. “Some woman are just dream snatchers,” said Ron G.

Also a contestant on “Last Comic Standing” Louis Ramsey enlightened the audience with everything from world travel to a person’s race to sexual encounters he has had. Ramsey referred to Valencia as being on the set of, Disney’s “High School Musical.”

“It was hilarious,” said Meta Northrop a freshman at Valencia. “I really enjoyed the show, it was a mixture of style,” said Northrop.

Typically all events and seminars are free for Valencia students with the exception of performances from the theatre and acting department. “Student development gets the money for events from student activity fees,” said Collazo.

“They need to do this again, it was a fun free night,” said freshman Karyn Meekins.
“Come Get Your Laugh On” is just one of the many events that student development and school clubs host every week on the various campuses.

To see what events and seminars are happening at Valencia go on the Valencia website and from the homepage click on “Quick Links” and then on “calendars.”

Left-handed delima

2010-02-16T19:57:00.000-08:00

Left-handed delima
The struggle of living in a right handed world

By Roxy Smith

Orlando, Fla. – Being left-handed can be a challenge for students at Valencia Community College. According to Fox News, 11 percent of the population writes with their left hand.

Left-handed student, 20-year-old Jenny Stripling of Orlando, is a sophomore as a journalism major at Valencia. In a career that revolves around writing, writing can be trifling experience. “My hand always gets ink on it and my notes get smudged,” said Stripling.

Even something like finding a desk to sit in can be hard. “There are never enough left-handed seats in the classroom,” said 18-year-old freshman Amanda DeCarlo from New York. “Society is geared towards right-handed people,” said DeCarlo who is also pursuing a career in journalism.

“I have to turn my paper to write on it,” said Tiffany Abalo, “I’ve fallen out of my chair before just trying to adjust.” 18-year-old Abalo, originally from Miami is a sophomore at Valencia studying marketing.

Finding the appropriate seats is only half of the troubles that left-handed students run into. In some aspects left-handed students must learn to be ambidextrous in a right-handed world.

“Water fountains have the handle on the right side,” said Abalo. “Students who are left-handed must learn to do simple things like getting a drink of water or using scissors with their opposite hand,” she continued.

Eating at a restaurant should be relaxing but it can quickly become a hassle. “Eating out is a challenge,” said Stripling. “When I’m at a restaurant, I’m always bumping into the person next to me,” said DeCarlo.

School systems should be more aware of how many left-handed students they have on campus, so those students can be better accommodated. Left-handed students are forced to adapt in an environment where the majority of people are opposite of them.

Valencia Voice 02/10/2010 - Get Into reading picks 'Winterdance'

2010-02-16T19:49:00.000-08:00

Get into reading picks ‘Winterdance’
Reading program reaches west

By Roxy Smith

ORLANDO, Fla. — Funded completely by Student Development, Valencia Community College’s West Campus is the host of a program called “Get Into Reading.”

The focus of this program is exactly what it implies; to get students into reading. “Not enough people read for pleasure,” said Regina Sequin, a librarian at the campus.

“Get Into Reading” has only been at Valencia for the last three semesters. “So far the program has been successful in its mission to get more students involved in reading for leisure,” said Sequin.

The West campus is the only campus that has this program and is also home to the Valencia book club, “The Round Table.”

“The Road,” by Cormac McCarthy, a Pulitzer Prize winning novel, was chosen last semester. “I think it’s awesome,” said Valencia sophomore Remena Ram referring to The Road. “It’s a really dark book.”

“The faculty members involved in the program decide on books and cast votes for which book will be read,” said Sequin.

This semester students will be reading “Winterdance” by Gary Paulsen. Eight faculty members participated in the program last semester with a total of about 900 students involved in the program.

“It is yet to be determined the total number of students involved in the program this semester,” said student development faculty member Pat Lee.

Typically the students who take advantage of the program are those currently enrolled in either English or journalism and mass communications courses, however being enrolled in either class is not necessary to be a part of the program.

Students participating in the program can go to book discussions and talk to other students and faculty members who are reading the book. Generally, free food and drinks are provided for students who attend the meetings.

“120 students showed up for the first discussion last semester,” said Sequin. “We had to move to the auditorium to make room for everyone.”

Get Into Reading is open to all students who wish to participate. Students interested in reading “Winterdance” may stop by the student development office to pick up a free copy.

Valencia voice 02/03/2010 - Surviving the Iditarod

2010-02-04T18:30:00.000-08:00

Surviving the Iditarod
Paulsen’s ‘Winterdance’ describes the perils of this epic race

By Roxy Smith

Gary Paulsen, a widely acclaimed American writer, now in his seventies, has written books for the greater half of his life.

Although Paulsen has not published anything recently he deserves to be mentioned because Valencia has selected his book “Winterdance” to be read for Valencia’s, “Get Into Reading” program.

“Winterdance,” published in 1994 serves as Paulsen’s memoir as he recollects memories of racing in the invigorating 1,180-mile sled-dog race, “The Iditarod.”

The Idiatarod is an extreme dog-sled race that travels through harsh terrain of Alaska’s wilderness. The mushers are forced to travel through severe weather conditions such as: below zero temperatures and occasionally suffer from frostbite.

Although Paulsen’s main audience has been young adults, Paulsen has published over 175 books and 200 articles and short stories that reach out to children and adults.

Many of his books come in sagas, the most famous being, “Brian’s Saga,” based on his novel, “The Hatchet,” which won the Newberry Honor Award. Paulsen has won several awards for his writing including, Publishers Weekly best books of the year and Parents Magazine best book of the year.

The overall theme of Paulsen’s books is nature. The books are geared to make the reader care about the environment and the world by touching on the human spirit.
“Winterdance” displays the delicate balance between nature and animals and how even wild animals can be calm if only for a minute.

Paulsen has spent much of his life outdoors, therefore these types of themes comes natural. The end result is that many of his books make in on the best books list by the American Library Association.

“Winterdance” isn’t just for dog lovers; it is a compelling story, full of seriousness and humor as an amateur sled-dog racer tries to tackle, “the fine madness of running the Iditarod” as Paulsen describes it.

Paulsen is a fool as he goes into one of the most dangerous and risky races completely blind. Only having the foggiest idea of what to expect from the race, Paulsen is determined to finish the race no matter how extreme the weather conditions may be or how short on supplies he may get.

In some aspects Paulsen considers himself halfdog because he eats, sleeps and spends all of his time with them. Paulsen give up all aspects of the real world, including his family to live his life among dogs.

“Winterdance” shows how one man’s love for running dogs and spending time with his 20 best friends can prove to be a true passion and not just a hobby.

The novel is if nothing else a guide for rookies on what not to do while racing in the Iditarod.

Valencia Voice 01/27/2010 - The Lovely Bones

2010-01-27T17:58:00.000-08:00

'The Lovely Bones' not all it can be
By Roxy Smith

Having a versatile cast, “The Lovely Bones” included Golden Globe nominee Mark Wahlberg (“Four Brothers”) who has received awards for his standout roles in films and for his role as an execute producer for HBO’s hit series “Entourage.”

Directed by Peter Jackson (“The Lord of the Rings”) who is better known for his action movies, “The Lovely Bones” is based on the widely acclaimed and national best seller book by Alice Sebold.

The film hasn’t proved to do exceedingly well at the box office, only raking in an estimated $31,624,000.

Susie Salmon (Saoirse Ronan, “City of Ember”) was 14 when she was murdered and within the first few minutes of the film, the audience already know who killed her.

The viewers are led to believe that the film may be of gruesome nature because of the horrific images are seen as Susie is remembering her final moments, but this is the only somewhat gruesome scene in the entire movie.

The pace of the movie is ridiculously slow and I found myself itching for the movie to get to the climax and the killer to be caught.

The film had strange sequences where Susie is in the inbetween dancing and twirling, running alongside flowers and clouds in her perfect world. Every time this happened I felt like I was looking through a kaleidoscope as I was brought into a different world and out of the actual film.

These maneuvers made it hard to really connect with anyone in the rest of the film. For the most part I genuinely enjoyed the film, but would not dare compare the film to the book.

Valencia Voice 12/09/09 - Professor Spotlight

2010-01-04T19:41:00.000-08:00

VCC professor is dog's best friend
By Roxy Smith

The most valuable asset Valencia Community College has to offer to the students is its professors; without them Valencia would have no purpose.

Professor Patricia Boyle has been teaching 20th Century Humanities at Valencia for 12 years and enjoys every minute of it. “I genuinely like the subject matter,” said Boyle, “if I wasn’t teaching it, I would be reading about it and studying it.”

Boyle received her degree from Montclair State College in New Jersey and has taught at other institutions like the University of Central Florida, Seminole Community College and on United States Navy ships during the Gulf War in the early nineties.

Humanities isn’t just about art and history, it is about people. “I have a natural curiosity about what makes people tick and why things happen,” said Boyle.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower believed that you can “promote peace through understanding.” Humanities is sought to do the same thing, by understanding people and the history of a different culture we can learn to respect and appreciate the people and land.

Boyle’s real love is in helping animals and being kind to the Earth, which is the main focus of the Humane Education class she teaches.

Humane Education has only been offered at Valencia for the last three years and has just recently become an official class that is now recognized statewide.

“This class isn’t just about helping animals,” said Boyle, “it is about how humans relate to each other.”

The class frequently has guest speakers and goes on different field trips throughout the semester. Some of the field trips include going to the Orlando Science Center, The Holocaust Center, the pound, animal shelters and the humane society.

Boyle has given humane education presentations at elementary and high schools. The presentations focus on how to treat animals properly and the importance of preserving the environment.

In 2003, Professor Boyle and a few of her friends got together to form their own organization to help and rescue animals. Buddies for Life, Inc. is about humane education and the importance
of pet adoption.

Buddies for Life’s motto is, “A vision of a loving, permanent home for every pet.” They have rescued and successfully adopted 1,012 animals.

The organization mostly rescues dogs, but they occasionally get a few cats. When they receive an animal they get them updated on their shots and have groomed before they are put up for adoption.

“I love animals and I want to do what I can to help,” said Boyle.

Professor Boyle strives to make a difference in the life of her students and animals through teaching humanities and humane education classes.

Professor Spotlight Valencia Voice Issue 12/09/09

2010-01-04T19:39:00.000-08:00

Professor Patricia Boyle teaches humanities and loves dogs

By Roxy Smith

The most valuable asset Valencia Community College has to offer to the students is its professors; without them Valencia would have no purpose.

Professor Patricia Boyle has been teaching 20th Century Humanities at Valencia for 12 years and enjoys every minute of it. “I genuinely like the subject matter,” said Boyle, “if I wasn’t teaching it, I would be reading about it and studying it.”

Boyle received her degree from Montclair State College in New Jersey and has taught at other institutions like the University of Central Florida, Seminole Community College and on United States Navy ships during the Gulf War in the early nineties.

Humanities isn’t just about art and history, it is about people.

“I have a natural curiosity about what makes people tick and why things happen,” said Boyle.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower believed that you can “promote peace through understanding.” Humanities is sought to do the same thing, by understanding people and the history of a different culture we can learn to respect and appreciate the people and land.

Boyle’s real love is in helping animals and being kind to the Earth, which is the main focus of the Humane Education class she teaches.

Humane Education has only been offered at Valencia for the last three years and has just recently become an official class that is now recognized statewide.

“This class isn’t just about helping animals,” said Boyle, “it is about how humans relate to each other.”

The class frequently has guest speakers and goes on different field trips throughout the semester. Some of the field trips include going to the Orlando Science Center, The Holocaust Center, the pound, animal shelters and the humane society.

Boyle has given humane education presentations at elementary and high schools. The presentations focus on how to treat animals properly and the importance of preserving the environment.

In 2003, Professor Boyle and a few of her friends got together to form their own organization to help and rescue animals. Buddies for Life, Inc. is about humane education and the importance of pet adoption.

Buddies for Life’s motto is, “A vision of a loving, permanent home for every pet.” They have rescued and successfully adopted 1,012 animals.

The organization mostly rescues dogs, but they occasionally get a few cats. When they receive an animal they get them updated on their shots and have groomed before they are put up for adoption.
“I love animals and I want to do what I can to help,” said Boyle. Professor Boyle strives to make a difference in the life of her students and animals through teaching humanities and humane education classes.

Conference with David Nixon

2009-12-08T10:11:00.000-08:00

Conference with David Nixon
By Roxy Smith

ORLANDO, Fla. – Valencia Community College students were able to listen to Orlando filmmaker David Nixon speak about his upcoming film, “Letters to God” on Dec. 3.

The film is based on a true story about a little boy who is suffering from cancer. During his struggle, the boy, Tyler, sees how his illness affects those around him. In seeing this, he doesn’t pray for himself but he prays for those around him all while writing letters to God.

“Possibility Pictures was created just to make faith based films,” said Nixon. After Mel Gibson’s film, "The Passion of the Christ" turned out to be such a huge success movie executives realized that the Christian community needed films.

“Letters to God” was filmed in central Florida and plans to be released on April 9, the weekend after Easter. The world premier will be held in Winter Garden Fla. on April 8.

All of Nixon’s films have been independently produced, so the means for advertising funds that you have in a more traditional Hollywood film, are not available. However, all of his films have been extremely successful at the box office and in DVD sales simply though word of mouth.

The film contains both aspects of religion and cancer. “Cancer touches everyone,” said Nixon “we made the movie to put out a ray of hope.”

Although different aspects have been added to the film to give it a more in-depth plot line, the father of the real Tyler remained on set during the filming for authenticity of the story.

“I feel it is my call in life,” said Nixon “movies have such a power to touch peoples hearts.”

Nixon has other films that are in the prospects of being made all within the next few years all of which are also Christian based films.

Valencia Voice 11/18/09 Issue - 2012 Review

2009-11-28T19:10:00.000-08:00

By Roxy Smith

CGI- Crammed '2012' Enjoyable
Emmerich's latest film destroys world using Mayan calendar

Roland Emmerich, the director for “2012” has killed off the greater half of humanity once again. When it comes to films, this seems to be the director’s M.O.

Emmerich was also the director for “Independence Day” and “The Day After Tomorrow” which were also so-called doomsday films.

“2012” is about the ancient predictions made by the Mayan civilization’s calendar. The last day of the calendar is December 21, 2012. The Mayan calendar doesn’t say that the world will come to an end at this time this is just the last date in the calendar, although the movie portrays it as being the end of the world as we know it.

A scientist in India, Dr. Satnam Tsurutani (Jimi Mistry) is an astrophysicist researcher who discovers that the Earth’s core is heating up and could lead to cataclysmic events. Dr. Tsurutani teams up with geologist Adrian Helmsley (Chiwetel Ejiofor), who pushes forth the matter to the government, so they devise a plan to try and save humanity.

Separated novelist and limo driver Jackson Curtis (John Cusack) plans a camping trip in Yellowstone National Park with his children when he first hears about these prophesies from a hippie radio broadcaster, Charlie Frost (Woody Harrelson) who does his radio show from his camper in Yellowstone.

Curtis is a skeptic when Frost tells him what he knows about the government and their plans to build top secret spaceships in China that will save a small portion of humanity as Earth meets its destruction and comes to an end.

As he realizes that Frost really was onto something, he quickly grabs his family as they fight for their life to make it to China before they are struck with doom as the end of the Earth comes closer.

People fight for their life as the world is coming to an end but it doesn’t matter because unless you are one of the lucky few that manage to get aboard the ship, only the rich are going to survive because they could afford a ticket to get aboard.

The film is a sci-fi thriller with a high budget for special effects. The film cost $200 million to make and made $225 million at the worldwide box office opening weekend, grossing about $65 million nationwide.

I personally enjoyed the film even though “2012” follows every stereotypical standard Hollywood picture. “2012” mixes every possible disaster; earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes into one film and I feel if the world is coming to an end then it should be more depressing.

Valencia Voice 11/18/09 - Death Penalty

2009-11-20T10:02:00.000-08:00

By Roxy Smith

Death penalty is not a solution, but an empty threat

“An eye for an eye.” That is what Valencia student Carly Maddux said when I asked for her opinion of the death penalty. “I believe in it, but it depends on the situation,” said Maddux.

I think the death penalty is more of a joke than a horrific thought for anyone, even those not already sitting on death row, however, I wouldn’t be too worried about it because some people sit on death row for years before a verdict is reached.

If evidence is compelling enough to convict someone for committing an especially heinous crime such as murder, then I feel why should I place mercy on them? Kill and be killed, not kill and maybe be killed.

A plentiful amount of our tax dollars goes towards the prison systems, feeding the lives of felons and killers.

If you are in prison you not only have a roof over your head, but you’re in a building that has modern heating and cooling ventilation, in most cases access to a gym and library and you receive three square meals a day.

Other than being confined to a cell and wearing the same state issue uniform as the person next to you, where is the suffering in that?

Ted Bundy admitted to killing 30 women, but police believe there were more victims not accounted for. Bundy died of electrocution under the death penalty in 1989.

John Normal Collins rapped, tortured and murdered seven woman in Michigan and he was only sentenced to life imprisonment.

The famed Charles Manson was the ring leader of a group which killed nine people. Although he didn’t actually “kill” anyone, he was responsible for their death and was sentenced to life imprisonment.

Where is the justice in stone cold murderers still getting to live?

Capital punishment should be less of a threat and more of a consequence.

Valencia Voice 11/11/009 - Cancer

2009-11-20T09:52:00.000-08:00

By Roxy Smith

Companies see cancer as marketing tool
Breast cancer awareness is a serious and common topic in today’s society. I feel that it is an even bigger topic among large companies.

Do you ever wonder if a company really supports breast cancer awareness or are they just using the disease as a pedestal to advertise from?

There are several companies that say a percentage of all proceeds they make will be donated to breast cancer research and will go towards finding a cure for this life threatening disease.

I often wonder if these companies really care about finding a cure and raising breast cancer awareness or do they just want to get there name out there?

Breast cancer is a growing conserve among men and women from all over the world.

Often if a company says an event they are hosting goes towards breast cancer research more people will attend even if they don’t care about the event itself.

Large companies like to affiliate themselves with this kind of topic because it is a matter of public relations. Simply put, companies will look better if they are donating to charities and pretend to care about different organizations.

In a sense this makes the company feel more down to earth because they “care” about the everyday man and woman.

By supporting different causes that affects a large number of people in a population, the company itself is being promoted and gaining more customers or followers.

However, I think that companies that don’t advertise through commercials but just have the breast cancer logo on their product may actually care about finding a cure.

Statistically breast cancer affects more women than men and many of the products the logo is advertised are on products only women would need, but it still appears on products that are not gender specific.

Hopefully one day enough companies will jump on the cancer band wagon and a cure will be found.

Valencia Voice 11/04/09 - E-nough

2009-11-20T09:39:00.000-08:00

By Roxy Smith

Why technology is useless

Over the past few weeks there have been many discussions about the new options for e-readers coming out this holiday season.

Amazon has the Kindle E-Reader, which is already available for purchase, but other companies like Sony, Samsung and Fujitsu will be launching their own versions or already have them on the market, according to James Stewart, a columnist for SmartMoney magazine.

Barnes & Noble even has its own brand of digital book now.

I think it’s absolutely ridiculous how something that is as simple as a book has now become technologically advanced, and is trying to become the next best thing.

I feel great joy when I walk into a bookstore and browse the shelves, scanning titles to see what jumps out at me.

Grazing the aisles of a bookstore, I discover more authors than I would just randomly look at books to purchase over the internet.

For me, there is nothing better than walking into a library and the second the door opens you are wrapped in the smell of old, aged paper that is filtering in the air.

My favorite is when you stumble upon a book that is so old the pages have turned the color of coffee.

I just wonder has society become that lazy that there just isn’t time to stop at a bookstore or library to browse, or are books just not “cool” anymore.

It is quite baffling how everything has to become electronic.

The Kindle E-Reader already has competition waiting around the corner, as other companies advertise their version of e-readers, which are presumed to be better and more efficient.

A book will never go out of style because a book can only be one thing; a book, complete with paper and text.

I for one will not be in line this holiday season to purchase an e-reader.

But, I will have a long list of good classic, plain and simple books on my list to Santa Claus.

Valencia Voice 11/04/09 - Fall Festival

2009-11-20T09:19:00.000-08:00

By Roxy Smith

East Campus rings in fall

Valencia held its annual Fall Festival and canned food drive Oct. 30. The evening was a fun filled children's event that took place in the mall area of the east campus.

Although the event was mostly geared towards children, all were welcome. The festival was a free event for parents to bring their children to; the only request was that visitors please bring canned goods.

Yary Garcia coordinates the event every year.

Kids and parents alike came dressed up in Halloween costumes. Children fled the mall area dressed as fairies and princesses while some came as superhero’s, vampires and pirates.

Children were able to fill their trick or treating goodie bags at each activity they participated in. Games ranged from a mini obstacle course to basketball and ring tosses, to jumping in a bounce house or sliding down a giant inflatable slide.

There were activities for kids of all ages including an arts and crafts table where parents could design their own trick or treating bags with their children.

“The event is nice,” said Damaris Guadalupe, “my kids love the bounce house and crafts the most.”

If guests wanted to sit down and relax they were able to enjoy popcorn while watching Disney’s, "The Haunted Mansion." The movie is a family orientated film that everyone could enjoy.

The fall festival gets more popular every year. “It is really nice that the college would put on a free event for the community," said Michelle Griffin.

Valencia Voice 10/28/09 -Beloved Marijuana

2009-11-20T09:02:00.000-08:00

By Roxy Smith

Beloved Marijuana
The Case for Legalization

Legalizing marijuana isn’t a topic that I would normally care about because I don’t smoke it, so amending the law wouldn’t affect me.

I am what you would call “straight edge.” This is a term given to those individuals who prefer not to drink or smoke anything. That includes a sip of wine at a church communion, a toast on New Years’ Eve and of course smoking the beloved marijuana.

This therefore makes me somewhat biased on the subject.

Even though I am opposed to smoking marijuana, I am not opposed to having it legalized. In all actuality, the possibility of this happening is pretty slim to none.

Legalizing marijuana is probably as close to happening in American society as the drinking age being lowered to 18.

I don’t see it happening because the government has no way to tax it. Even if it were legalized it’s not something that you could go into the gas station and purchase it.

Marijuana is already legalized in Canada. I feel that the officials and police officers in Canada are out fighting real crime, or arresting people with a more serious offense than having a small amount of weed on them.

However because it is legalized,that doesn’t mean you are allowed to just stand on the street corner and light up. If you have an obscene amount on you, then you can still get in trouble for it.

I think cracking down on people for smoking marijuana is ridiculous.

A lot of our tax dollars goes towards government buildings like a prison or county jail. Many of these people are in jail for something like having weed on them.

I would feel better knowing that my tax dollars went to something more beneficial to me, like health care. This money could even go towards feeding the homeless, or to organizations that volunteer their time to city projects.

I may not smoke marijuana, but I don’t see it being legalized as a bad thing.

Valencia Voice 10/14/09 -Social Networking

2009-11-20T08:48:00.000-08:00

By Roxy Smith

Social Insecurity
Online networking destroys personal interaction

Do you remember the last time you received a letter in the mail from a friend? What about a postcard from someone who went on vacation?

Social networking and the ever growing, need for speed has deteriorated real human interactions.

As the internet expands and social networking sites continue to grow, the value of friendship is decreasing.

If someone thought about you while they were on vacation, they would write you a letter;it used to be personal.

With the invention of Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and blogger accounts, nothing is personal anymore.

Now when someone is doing something, they leave you a comment on one of your accounts. There is nothing special about a comment on one of my homepages.

There are just way too many social networking sites. I just don't see where people have the time to keep track of all of these pages; it is really just getting monotonous.

It used to be you'd ask someone for their phone number if you needed to get a hold of them and now the question is, "What is your URL?"

I understand the importance of maintaining some of these sites for professional purposes, to get your name out there and to stay in contact with people you might not otherwise talk to.

It's nice to get on the internet and see what a friend is doing without even picking up a phone. With the expansion of social networking, I don't think people really talk to each other anymore.

Are you really staying in contact with someone because you click on the "Liked" option to something that they are doing, or just simply acknowledging that they are still there?

Social networking is great because it makes it easier to find an old friend, easier to send them a message, but wouldn't it be nice to get a letter in the mail or if some things remained personal?

Valencia Voice 9/30/09 -Stress

2009-11-20T08:34:00.000-08:00

By Roxy Smith

Stress is the new cure for apathy in school

Stress is a strain felt by the body, which can be mental, emotional or physical; usually caused by anxiety or overwork. While long term stress causes severe damage to your body, not all stress is bad.

To some, academic stress can take over your life and become all that you think about. However to others, stress can be somewhat of a blessing because stress is what keeps us motivated.

Stress can be a good thing in moderation, but you can’t let it control your life.

Dr. Lynne Tan of Montefiore Medical Center in New York City says, “Stress is a burst of energy, it’s our body telling us what we need to do.”

I completely agree with this statement because personally I do better in school when I’m boggled down with homework and assignments.

Keeping busy with school work keeps me focused on the main goal. That doesn’t mean not having any fun, you have to know what your priorities are.

When your body is stressed it will react in one of two methods, fight or flight.

During these situations the heart rate increases and it can sharpen your senses, ultimately improving your memory.

For me, life would be boring without academic stress. When I finish a major assignment,I have a sense of achievement and it gives me the drive that I need to keep going.

What do you do to relieve some of the stress when it gets to be too much? Embracing stress isn’t always easy, it takes endurance.

There are ways to calm down when things are piling up on you and school is overwhelming.

It may be as easy as taking a walk around the block to clear your thoughts, taking a yoga class, or lighting incense to have an allure of aroma therapy to freshen your mind.

For those who lavish in the finer things, you may participate in sessions of massage therapy. Evidently, some outlets are more expensive than others, but everything is worth a try.

I choose to listen to the classical scales of Beethoven, Pachelbel, Bach and Mozart.

While this may not melt away the stress for some like a session of massage therapy, every little bit helps.

Surviving the Holocaust

2009-11-19T09:27:00.000-08:00

Guest Speaker

By Roxy Smith

ORLANDO Fla. – “Every minute was like hours during the Holocaust,” said Greenspun, “we didn’t pray to god that we should be alive, we prayed to God that we wouldn’t feel the pain.”

Valencia Community College students enrolled in Professor Boyle’s, 20th century humanities class were given the opportunity to listen to the devastating stories of a Holocaust survivor, Mrs. Helen Garfinkel Greenspun.

“We are the last generation that will have the opportunity to hear a Holocaust survivors story because many of the survivors will be dying in the years to come,” said Valencia student Erin Neer.

Greenspun was not even 16-years-old when the Nazi’s invaded Poland. She wasn’t even old enough to be at a concentration camp, but was accidentally pushed onto a Nazi truck with her sisters and sent to a labor camp outside of her small town in Chmielnik, Poland.

Greenspun considers this event to be a miracle because although she was too young, if she had stayed at home with her parents she would have been killed along with her two younger siblings.

“Hitler was my matchmaker,” said Greenspun, “if it weren’t for the Holocaust, I never would have met my husband.” Those were Greenspun’s last words as she finished her speech to Valencia students recalling the tragedies and deaths she witnessed during the three years she spent at different concentration camps.

Greenspun, who is now more than 80-years-old, is a tiny woman with a thick Polish accent. She has shared her story more than a dozen times in schools, churches and other community forums. Greenspun and her siblings were the inspiration to the book Sara’s Children by Suzan E. Hagstrom.

Sara’s Children is about five siblings who survived the hardships they endured during the Holocaust, and how they worked together to stay alive and were able to overcome slave labor camps, starvation, beatings and typhus. “I survived because I had my sisters,” said Greenspun.

April 29, 1945 was when Greenspun and her siblings were liberated from the labor camps. Afterwards she spent four years in a Displaced Persons Camp until she was healthy and able to move to the United States.

Justin Johnson another Valencia student said, “it was a great speech about the horrors of the Holocaust that will never be forgotten.”

The Lion, the Mouse and the Author

2009-10-29T08:01:00.000-07:00

Book Signing

By Roxy Smith

Orlando, Fla. – Award-winning artist and children’s book illustrator, Jerry Pinkney gave a presentation on his new book, “The Lion & the Mouse” at the Orlando Museum of Art.

New York Times Co. placed Pinkney’s book on the 10 best-illustrated lists. "The Lion & the Mouse," which was published in September, is one of over a hundred books that Pinkney has illustrated including, “The Ugly Duckling” and “Black Cowboy, Wild Horses.”

Pinkney’s illustrations are often focused on African American motifs and are all based on reality and research. He often hires people to pose for pictures so he can use them as models to base his drawings off of. By doing this Pinkney says, “each picture can be true to life and realistic.”

Dorothy Hinde, a fan of Pinkney’s artwork, referred to him as being, one of the great artists of our time. “He has such talent and discipline to keep working alone in the studio with nothing but his vision,” said Hinde.

“The Lion & the Mouse” is Pinkney’s first wordless picture book, taking place on the Serengeti in Africa, and is about a lion that is saved from hunters by a mouse. The moral of the book, as Pinkney describes, is that all animals are living in harmony together.

“Mr. Pinkney is my inspiration,” said Anna McCambridge, an aspiring artist who plans on illustrating and writing children’s books of her own someday.

The Orlando Museum of Art displayed an exhibit dedicated to Mr. Pinkney called, “Aesop’s Fables and Other Tails.”

“The presentation of the book was not geared towards children,” said Hinde. However afterwards a Storybook Tour was given of the gallery followed by a related art-making activity for kids.

Pinkney suffered from dyslexia as a child, struggling with reading and writing. At age four he started drawing, his parents encouraged him to focus on his artwork and to never give up.

His first job was selling newspapers at a busy intersection; when it was slow, he would sketch pictures of people walking past. It was during this time that John Liney, a local artist, discovered him drawing.

“Mr. Liney was my inspiration,” said Pinkney. “Mr. Liney introduced the possibility of becoming an artist.” Liney pushed him to continue his artwork.

In the future, Pinkney plans to write and illustrate more children’s book using memories that he pulls from his own childhood.

Photo of book cover for "The Lion and the Mouse" published on Pinkney's website.

A Paranormal Investigation

2009-10-07T21:24:00.000-07:00

By Roxy Smith

ORLANDO — The most unique tour in the southeastern region of the U.S., Orlando Ghost Tours has been entertaining and enlightening guests for almost eight years.

This tour is designed to let its participant’s study parapsychology, or partake in a paranormal investigation, using an electromagnetic field detector.

Departing from the French Quarter section of Church Street Station in downtown Orlando, the Ghost Tour is a two-hour walking tour, rich in history, culture and ghosts.

“Orlando Ghost Tours are not intended to be scary,” said tour guide Rob Davis, “nor do we hire actors to jump out, it is not a theatrical event.”

While on the tour, guests learn about the different types of haunts whether it be a genuine haunt, object, residual or poltergeist. Guests can hear the ghost stories about places thought to be haunted, the history and go inside some of the buildings, when permissible.

Albert Einstein was one of the first people to propose the idea of an after-life. Ironically, he denied this existence. However, Einstein’s 'Law of Conservation of Energy' states that energy can neither be created or destroyed.

“Ghosts are essentially a ball of energy," Davis said, "when a person dies their energy leaves their body and that energy goes somewhere."

Carla Davis considers herself to be a veteran for ghost tours and has been involved in them for nearly three years. “You never know what to expect from night to night because every tour is always different,” said Davis.

Orlando Ghost Tours, as noted in their website, is a dedicated organization, committed to pursuing the truth as it pertains to paranormal phenomena.

Ghosts tours an extraordinary experience that shows its guests into a different realm, where seeing is believing.

These tours are open year round, although Halloween is their busy season. Ghost Tours are also available in Lakeland, Clearwater and at the Greenwood Cemetery in downtown Orlando.

Learn more about ghost tours at hauntedorlando.com.