March 2014 - Howard Community College

Stream Clean-up Underway pg 9
Alternative Spring Breaks
pg 20
Games Page
(Back Cover)
HCC TIMES
THE OFFICAL STUDENT NEWS SOURCE OF HOWARD COMMUNITY COLLEGE
March 2014
ISSUE IV
VOLUME 21
Photo Credit: Andrew Yu
T R AG E DY I N
MOLLIE ROSE TRAIL
editor-in-chief
January 25th, 2014 at 11:15 AM marked a shocking moment in Columbia’s
recent history. Brianna Benlolo and Tyler Jackson were murdered senselessly
just down the street at the Mall.
May Brianna and Tyler rest in peace, and may their family and friends find
love and healing.
Unfortunately, public shootings have been all too common in recent years.
Few thought that it would hit us here in Columbia, though. But, it did.
At the time I will be turning in this article (and likely for quite some time
still), the motive is still unknown. So, instead of hurtful speculation, let’s
break down some key components to situations like this mall shooting. Let’s
look at how the police responded initially, then at the investigative process,
and then finally at what you should do if you were to be in a situation like
the Mall shooting.
Initial Police Response: I talked to Sherry Llewellyn, spokeswoman for the
Howard County Police Department; Patrick O’Guinn, associate professor
of criminal justice here at HCC; and Laura Cripps, professor of forensic
anthropology, for some insight.
Police get a call of a shooting in a highly public and crowded place. What
is the first thing that the Police Department does?
Patrick O’Guinn: It is important for the police department to quickly assess
the nature and level of reported threat in order to deploy a superior response
and adequate resources that will protect the public, eliminate the threat and
minimize the risk of harm to life and property.
In all instances the police will seek to promptly ask the reporting party:
SEE TRAGEDY IN COLUMBIA | PAGE 4
2
editorial
March 2014
HELLO!
THE HCC TIMES
Editor
Mollie Rose Trail
Assistant Editor
Ji Hyun Ryu
Advisors
Llatetra Brown, Jennifer Garner,
Mike Scrivener
Head Photographer & Layout
Manager
Daniel Cummuta
Staff Writers
Scott Hommel, Deborah
Stempien, Taylor Montford,
Rebecca Jonas, Austin Luk,
Allysha Romero, Lena Hayes,
Kia McNeil
Contributors
Andrew Yu, Meghan Sochowski,
Joe Hanfman, Anna Katz,
Robert Marietta, Steve Garfiel
(Flickr), Farida Guzdar, Margret
Garroway, Laura Cripps, Tara
Hart, Mike Scrivener, Brittany
Budden, Fulvie Djatche (French
Language Month), John Petro
Have a question or story idea?
Contact the HCC Times at
newspaper@howardcc.edu or
I, Mollie Rose Trail, am the new Editor-in-Chief. Ji Hyun Ryu is our new
Assistant Editor. We are the Editors. It
is our wish to really reinvigorate this
paper. We want to offer more material that is relevant to the students,
the school, but also to our surrounding community and the much bigger
world we live in.
From now on, in the coming issues
for this Spring, I will be setting this
editorial up so that it’s almost like a
reality TV show. In each issue, I will
update you on what’s been going on in
the office and in our lives. The point:
to show you all that we are just like
many of you reading this. Ji Hyun and
I are students just like you. We have
our ups and downs, our failures and
successes. I want to get this message
across so that no one is afraid to come
see us and talk about the newspaper.
We want your feedback and we want
your involvement, whether you write,
take photos, submit art, or just tell us
what you’d like to see in the paper.
Mollie Rose Trail:
The HCC Times is published monthly
by students of Howard Community
College. All opinions expressed are
those of the individual authors, and
not necessarily those of The HCC
Times or the college administration.
All submissions, including but not
limited to articles, photos, and letters
to the editor, become the property of
the Times upon receipt, and may be
edited for length, clarity, or otherwise
as determined by the Editor. The
Times reserves the right to deny
publication of any letter for any
reason.
I’m 23, tall, white (Irish) with average
build and I have three tattoos. Favorite author: Karen Chance. Favorite TV
shows: Supernatural, Sons of Anarchy,
Doctor Who, Sherlock, Downton Abby,
etc, etc. Favorite Movie: Dirty Dancing though I LOVE Quentin Tarantino. Favorite Music: 70’s and 80’s rock,
country (Luke Bryan, Dustin Lynch),
danceable music, and indie. Favorite
Food: Burgers and Milkshakes. Pastimes: eating, writing, trivia.
I’ve been struggling a lot. It seems
that at the beginning of every semester I have a miniature breakdown that
has me wanting to give everything
up. I never remember how I made
it through the last time either. This
time, I made it through by realizing
the cause for some of the reasons I get
overwhelmed, stressed out, and emotional. Knowing the reason helped me
better understand how to fix some of
it. I will go into more of that in the upcoming April Issue.
Besides that, the semester has started
out great. I’m taking four exciting
classes that are really going to help
me out in so many ways. I’m hoping
to self-publish a book in April so my
Entrepreneurship class will help with
that. Creative Writing will help me
with my writing in general. Global Archaeology is with Dr. Cripps and that
should explain everything. To elaborate though, Dr. Cripps is an amazing
professor and she is also offering plenty of out of the classroom opportunities. I can’t wait. I’m also taking Math
070. If it weren’t for my awesome professor Eugene Rose, I probably would
dread going to class.
So, the semester seems like it’s going
to be pretty great. Hopefully I’m done
with the breakdowns though I might
have an uproar if this keyboard keeps
sticking.
Ji Hyun Ryu:
I’m just a shy, small, 19-year-old Korean girl. I don’t necessarily have “favorites,” but I do enjoy pretty much anything from contemporary romance
novels to fantasy, dystopian novels.
Some shows I enjoy are Supernatural,
Howard Community College
Vampire Diaries, and... Korean dramas. I mostly listen to R&B and ballads, alternatives, sometimes pop. To
be specific, I’ve been listening to a lot
of Passenger and Andrew Allen. My
favorite food has to be ICE CREAM!
Vanilla, cookies and cream, mint
chocolate chip, chocolate, yum.
I recently just started working in the
newspaper, maybe two or three weeks
before winter break, and I’ve been volunteering as the Associate Editor for
a few weeks prior to becoming the
Assistant Editor. The transition was
tough, especially because I was still
new to HCC and there were some
misunderstandings on what I was
supposed to do and not supposed to
do. It’s the first time I’m working on
the newspaper from its start to its end,
and I’m definitely looking forward to
seeing it completed!
The class I’m looking forward to most
is Creative Writing (I’m actually taking it with Mollie). I have to admit,
I didn’t get into writing until senior
year, so I don’t know what to expect
from my writing, but I sure am excited! The class that I’m most worried
about has to be my Intro to Speech
class. I think this is pretty self-explanatory... Ji Hyun + crowd + speaking =
disaster. I never imagined a day where
I’d be able to speak well, but I’m hoping that this class will change that.
Other classes I’m taking are Sociology,
Oceanography, and Intro to Journalism.
I’m finally getting the hang of the new
semester and learning to cope with
the overflowing stress yet again, but I
can’t say that I’m not looking forward
to Spring Break!
campus calendar 3
Arts & Entertainment Calendar Health & Personal
Wellness Calendar
March 2014
March 1st
Columbia Film Society presents “Stories We Tell” (5:30-7:20PM, 8:3010:20PM, Smith Theatre)
William Bolcom and Joan Morris in Concert (7:30-9:30PM, Monteabaro Recital Hall)
March 6th
A Few Good Women (12:30-2:00PM, Kittleman Room DH-100)
ACDC – AC’s Dance Company (8:00-10:00PM, Smith Theatre)
March 7th
Salon Russe (9:30AM-12:00PM, Monteabaro Recital Hall)
Salon Russe: Anna Akhmatova – The Voice of the People (9:30AM12:00PM, Monteabaro Recital Hall)
ACDC – AC’s Dance Company (8:00-10:00PM, Smith Theatre)
March 8th
HCC Jazz Festival (12:00-2:00PM, Monteabaro Recital Hall)
ACDC – AC’s Dance Company (3:00-5:00PM, 8:00-10:00PM, Smith
Theatre)
HCC Jazz Festival and Faculty Jazz (7:30-9:30PM, Monteabaro Recital
Hall)
March 9th
Candlelight Concert Society presents “Stuart Little” by Theatre IV
(2:30-6:30PM)
March 12th
Women & Music (1:00-2:30PM, Monteabaro Recital Hall)
March 13th
Windows to the World (11:00AM-12:15PM, 2:15-3:15PM, DH Lobby)
March 14th
36th Annual Irish Evening (7:30-11:30PM, Smith Theatre and Horowitz Center Grand Hall)
March 15th
Howard County Dance Festival (11:00AM-5:20PM, 7:00-9:00PM,
Smith Theatre, HPVA-110, HPVA-115, Studio Theatre, and Horowitz
Center Grant Hall)
March16th
Howard County Dance Festival (2:00-6:00PM, Smith Theatre, HPVA110, HPVA-115, Studio Theatre, and Horowitz Center Grant Hall)
Octtava Piano Duo – Once Upon A Time (4:00-6:00PM, Monteabaro
Recital Hall)
March 22nd
Candlelight Concert Society presents Veit Hertenstein, violinist (8:0010:00PM, Smith Theatre)
March 23rd
An Afternoon with Some Famous B’s (4:00-6:00PM, Monteabaro Recital Hall)
March 29th
Celebration of the Arts in Howard County (6:00-11:00PM, Smith Theatre, Studio Theatre, The Rouse Company Foundation Gallery, and the
Horowitz Center Grand Hall)
March 5th
Food for Thought: Sexual Responsibility (12:00-12:50PM. HSB 114)
March 6th
Sexual Health Clinic (10:45AM-12:30PM, Wellness Center CL-178)
March 11th
Blood Drive (3:00-8:00PM, Game Room)
March 12th
Blood Drive (9:00AM-3:00PM, Game Room)
March 19th
Food for Thought: Social Media (12:00-12:50PM)
Learn the Vitals about VITA (12:00-1:00PM, Back Galleria)
March 20th
Sexual Health Clinic (10:45AM-12:30PM, Wellness Center CL-178)
Sustainability Lunch & Learn presents “Native Plants in the Home Landscape” (12:00-1:30PM, Kittleman Room DH-100)
March 28th
Decision Day (10:30-2:00PM, Galleria)
Recurring Events:
Auricular Acupuncture
Tuesays/Thursday 9:00-10:00 Wellness Center CL-178
Midday Mindfulness
Mondays 1:00-1:50PM Wellness Center CL-178
Zero Balancing
Wednesdays 12:30-3:30PM Wellness Center CL-178
Zumba
Mondays 3:30-4:30PM Game Room
Thursdays 12:00-1:00PM Athletic and Fitness Center
Student Involvement
Calendar
March 12th
Silas Craft Information Session (7:00-9:00PM, Transfer Center RCF-242)
March 25th
SGA Debate/Taco Tuesday (12:30-2:00PM, Galleria)
Recurring Events:
SGA Meetings
Every other Tuesday (4th and 18th) 1:00-2:00PM CL-163
SPB (Stuent Program Board) Meetings
Fridays 2:00-3:00PM SA-201
HCC Times Meetings
Every other Thursday (13th and the 27th) 1:00-2:00PM) SA-201
Howard Community College
4
campus news
Tragedy in Columbia
March 2014
(Continued from page 1)
What happened? How did it happen? Where did it happen? The identity of
known suspects? The number of suspects? A physical description: male/female,
race, height, weight, clothing, hair, etc. of each suspect? Whether the suspects are
armed? Suspect location? Whether there are any victims/injuries? And the name,
number and location of the reporting party?
This information is quickly transmitted to the appropriate police units for a coordinated response consistent with department policy and available resources.
They mentioned on the news that the Police Department had prepared for a
situation like the shooting. So, what is the protocol, the steps the police take
in handling a BIG situation, and what
have they been practicing?
scene in great detail. For crime scenes exposed to the elements, speed can also
become a priority.
O’Guinn: The basic steps of a preliminary investigating officer or first responder is identify the suspects, to secure the scene, provide aid to victims, eliminate
the threat, conduct an investigation (e.g. interview witnesses) and accurately
document the department’s investigative findings.
We saw that the police took precautions when they found a bag full of
ammunition on the body of the shooter. They used a robot to search the
bag first and found two crude explosives. What can you tell us about
that; the decision making process to
take the precaution and the use of
robots?
O’Guinn: Local police are continuously
planning, practicing and preparing for mass
live shooter, hostage and community disaster incidents and have developed specific
protocols to mount effective responses to incidents such as the mall shooting incident.
All departments would also be expected to
have mutual aid agreements with surrounding police departments to ensure that all
necessary personnel, equipment and tactical
units (e.g. swat teams) needed to address the
threat are available for a quick response.
O’Guinn: The underlying purpose in
any investigation is to save lives. The
police followed proper procedures in
handling what was perceived to involve the existence of a potential explosive device and to diffuse the device to
prevent further loss of life or property
damage.
Robotics play an increasing role in preserving life under circumstances of this
nature.
Once it is known that the identified
shooter/attacker is secured, what are the
Photo Credit: Andrew Yu
next steps taken? We saw on the news that
they made sure to clear the mall after they established that the shooter had
shot himself.
The police are to be commended for
their skill, patience, calm and focus in
not rushing through the investigation to ensure that all known facts were fully
developed before publicly reporting the findings of their investigative efforts.
O’Guinn: Every situation is different. However, standard protocol requires police
to go through all steps to secure any physical location, such as a mall, to ensure
that no hidden threats exist. That means each area, business and room must be
searched before the area can be deemed to be clear and safe for a return to business by the public.
The identity of Brianna Benlolo and Tyler Johnson was established relatively quick and then released to the media. The identity of the shooter,
Darion Aguilar, took a great deal longer. What, do you think, were some
of the issues in establishing his identity and what are some of the ways
that the police used (or probably used) to identify him?
A mall crime scene is an enormous undertaking to secure for any police department and takes a significant time to complete in accordance with safety protocols.
Can you explain the procedures for crime scene investigations?
Sherry Llewellyn: Because the suspect had ammunition on his person, police
had to approach carefully, using explosives experts. That process takes time.
Once officers were able to get close, they were able to search for and confirm
his ID.
Laura Cripps: Whenever you have a tragedy involving the loss of life, securing
the scene is essential. From a forensic anthropologist’s perspective, the enclosed
nature of this scene would have allowed investigators the time to fully analyze the
The time it is taking to unravel this case, piece by piece may seem slow
to everyone following the case through the news, crime shows being so
popular and misleading. What is it like in real life investigating a case?
Howard Community College
campus news 5
Maryland Birders Flock
to Catch a Glimpse
of the Snowy Owl
March 2014
Llewellyn: Many processes take time and some require warrants, detailed
computer forensics, numerous interviews and analysis of many pieces of
evidence.
Many news programs were speculating and reporting theories for the
motive of the Mall Shooting. Can you explain the importance of why
the Police follow through a lengthy investigation before reporting any
‘theories’ or ideas about motive?
Llewellyn: We cannot speculate about a possible motive in any case until
we have information to confirm.
O’Guinn: Any homicide investigation involves a delicate balance to maintain the integrity of the investigation until the final facts are determined.
Llewellyn: The people inside the mall did exactly what we’d want them to
do—get out if they could or shelter in place in a locked, confined area, when
possible. We used social media to communicate directly with the people
inside the mall. From their cell phones, they could follow our Twitter feed
and get information. We were able to reassure them when the threat was
over and encourage them to stay in place until officers arrived to escort
them out of the mall.
There were a lot of heroes that late morning of January 25th. I watched
the WBAL Channel 11 News much of the afternoon and evening, and it
was filled with stories of witnesses trying to help each other out. It was
reported how many employees of stores in the Mall herded customers to
storage rooms in the back. There was an interview of a 19-year-old who
first hid under a table in the food court with a family and another stranger. The 19-year-old, having seen the employees of a nearby restaurant flee
through their back door, helped the family and stranger hop the counter
and escape the Mall through a back route of the food court.
January 25th, 2014 will stand out in the memories of many of us. Let us
remember Brianna and Tyler, the stories of heroism, and that we are all
one community.
“
Local police are continuously planning...
and have developed specific protocols to
mount effective responses to incidents
such as the mall shooting.
”
Partrick O’Guinn
Professor of Criminal Justice
Photo Credit: Meghan Sochowski
Were a situation like this to happen again, wherever someone reading this may be, what should someone do to protect themselves—keep
them and their loved ones safe? We heard a lot about sheltering in
place on the news that day.
SCOTT HOMMEL
staff writer
“I’ve been working with raptors all my life and this is the largest Snowy Owl irruption I’ve ever seen,” says David Brinker, central regional ecologist for DNR
Wildlife and Heritage Service. “The last big irruption I remember was in the
60’s in Wisconsin. Back then there was no e-bird or internet however, so birding
records were confined to personal journals.”
The Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) typically spends its winters in the Arctic
hunting lemmings in the frozen tundra. However, just as this past holiday season was getting underway and the term “polar vortex” was being introduced
into our vocabulary, excitement amongst Maryland bird-watchers began to
build as a mass winter migration of Snowy Owls was making its way across the
Free State.
This “irruption” of Snowy Owls, as it is called by ornithologists, descended from
northern Canada and Greenland down into the northeastern United States. Besides being spotted in Maryland, other states such as New York and New England have seen a flurry of activity, with extremely rare sightings being reported
as far south as Jacksonville, Florida. So what causes this irregular winter migra-
Howard Community College
6
news
March 2014
the adults so they cross the boreal forest, arriving down in
southern Canada and the States in search of food.”
tion or “irruption” of Snowy Owls?
The primary reason for the irruption is neither belowaverage temperatures nor a low food supply in the Arctic as some have suggested. “I have heard the shortage
of lemmings theory,” says Joe Hanfman of the Howard County Bird Club, “but I think the real reason for
the irruption is that the owls had a very good breeding
season up north. This forces the juvenile owls to travel
farther in search for food.”
While birders are encouraged to embrace the rare opportunity to marvel at the Snowy Owl’s beauty, Ranger Sochowski
recommends proceeding with caution. “You want to give the
owls at least 100 feet of space, as they are not accustomed
to human interaction. Their talons are quite sharp, and flying away from humans expends extra energy which certainly
does little to benefit the owls.”
As more and more sightings are being confirmed around
Maryland, and even in downtown D.C, local birders continue to flock to these hotspots in hopes of catching a glimpse
of these mysterious owls. For more information on the irruption of Snowy Owls and to help fund ongoing research, bird
enthusiasts are encouraged to visit www.projectsnowstorm.
org, where ornithologist David Brinker and his colleagues
track Snowy Owls to learn more about their winter migration habits.
“So far this winter I have seen reports of Snowy Owls
in fourteen of Maryland’s twenty three counties, personally spotting them in nine of those counties,” adds
Hanfman, who is an active contributor to the Maryland
Biodiversity Project. “Carroll and Somerset counties
have now recorded their first ever Snowy Owls, but we
are still hoping for one to show up in Howard County
this year. The only records of Snowy Owls in Howard
County date back to 1947, 1960, and an unconfirmed
sighting in 1985.”
“
These Arctic birds of prey have been spotted near the
Bay Bridge, Assateague State Park, and at BWI airport.
Snowy Owls flock to airports because the flat runways
resemble the Arctic tundra they are accustomed to. Assateague State Park Ranger Meghan Sochowski credits
Assateague’s ideal habitat and abundance of prey, such
as rabbits and waterfowl, to the recent influx of Snowy
Owls.
reports of Snowy Owls in
fourteen of Maryland’s
twenty three counties...
Ranger Sochowski concurs with Joe Hanfman’s irruption theory stating that “the lemming population
was very high during the summer of 2013 in northern
Quebec. Breeding was so successful and there was such
a great population of Snowy Owls, which is why we are
seeing so many juvenile owls in search for food. This is
by far the largest irruption I’ve seen here at Assateague
State Park.”
Joe Hanfman
”
Howard County Bird Club
“
“The myth has been that the owls have been starving to death in the Arctic, and that’s just not the case,”
elaborates David Brinker. “As a bird-bander you realize when you put your hands on these owls that their
weight is normal and they are very healthy birds, not
emaciated at all.
They are territorial owls and if you have a lot of birds in
one region, eventually some will have to migrate elsewhere to find food. The juveniles cannot compete with
Carroll and Somerset counties have now recorded their
first ever Snowy Owls...
This is by far the largest
irruption I’ve seen here at
Assateague State Park.
”
Meghan Sochowski
Assateague State Park Ranger
Photo Credit: Joe Hanfman
Howard Community College
news
March 2014
Didn’t We Abolish
Slavery in America?
DEBORAH STEMPIEN
Source: Imagens Evangélicas (Flickr)
staff writer
For far too many people, human trafficking is something that mostly happens in other countries and not “In Our Own Backyard,” but this popular
misconception is what Nita Belles has helped to contradict. On January
28th, this Christian author of “In Our Own Backyard” spoke here at the
college and highlighted the nature of human trafficking, how to decipher
victims, the devious practices of the predators, and how one can help.
Human trafficking does not just occur in big cities like New York, Los Angeles, or Las Vegas, but also in the suburbs. There are known cases in Howard
County. The very manicurist who may have done your nails can possibly be
a victim of human trafficking, along with the landscapers who “manicure”
the beautiful lawns we see in Columbia. Of course, not everyone we see is
a victim, but there are local agencies to contact in Howard County and an
888(373-7888) number to call to report a possible situation.
Ms. Belles spoke about labor trafficking which is prevalent in the agricultural and landscaping industries as well as service industry jobs. Many
are recruited from a foreign country with the promise of a dream job in
America. Because a lot of them have families to support, the hope of an
opportunity motivates these individuals to enter a program which would
later turn out to be bogus. The predator instills fear in them, threatening to
harm their families or turn them over to immigration and so, they become
slaves. Physical abuse and being forced to surrender any passports are also
common. Usually, victims have to pay a fee for being illegally smuggled into
the country and later the trafficker inflicts a large debt on them as leverage.
They are promised good living conditions but end up in overcrowded environments with poor food.
Another big area is sex trafficking. Although many victims were runaways,
predators also try to lure victims from social media sites, congregating in
places such as malls, schools, homeless shelters, and bus stations. They especially prey on vulnerable 12-14 year olds, mainly females. They are gradually lured into pornography and prostitution. These predators have been
known to actually fly out to a prospect. They pretend to be their boyfriends
and may also offer them modeling jobs.
Many girls are underage and are issued fake IDs; when forced into pornography, their age is disguised by special software that makes them look older.
These girls get moved around a lot and are trained to lie. The predator keeps
them isolated from their families and eventually forces them into prostitution.
7
A question was raised as to why they do not escape. Many victims and their
families have been threatened with violence, feel they owe money, and in many
cases, feel ashamed and blame themselves. There is also the case of Stockholm
Syndrome, a way captives end up being bonded to his/her predator.
Telltale signs that someone may be a victim: they often have a fearful demeanor,
lack knowledge of the local community, not even knowing where they are, and/
or do not speak English. They fear contact with the authorities and will not look
you straight in the eye.
Ms. Belles became involved in this cause when she was doing research towards
her Masters degree in human trafficking. This issue disturbed her greatly, so she
was inspired by her Christian faith to write a book to educate the public about
this atrocity and is actively involved in outreach programs. She is the Central
Regional Coordinator for OATH (Oregonians Against Trafficking Humans).
She lives in Oregon with her family, but travels all over the country to speak on
behalf of this cause.
In her lecture here on campus, Nita Belles introduced Ms. Sara Cochran, who
is from the local agency called AGAST, which is Howard Country Advocacy
Group Against Slavery and Trafficking1. Ms. Cochran spoke briefly at the end
and mentioned their work at Samaritan Women2, which is a local rescue mission for survivors and where students can volunteer and look into internships.
Why has this industry flourished though? It is because we have a buyers’ market
in the sex industry, and who buys? 37 is the average age, 41% are married, 42%
have a bachelor’s degree, 35% went to college, 81% are employed full time.
This is a big issue that cannot be ignored. Even President Obama has addressed
this growing problem in a speech he made on September 24, 2012 to the Clinton Global Initiative.
“It ought to concern every person, because it is a debasement of our common
humanity,” said Obama. “It ought to concern every community, because it tears
at our social fabric. It ought to concern every business, because it distorts markets. It ought to concern every nation, because it endangers public health and
fuels violence and organized crime. I’m talking about the injustice, the outrage,
of human trafficking, which must be called by its true name—modern slavery…
Our fight against human trafficking is one of the great human rights causes of
our time, and the United States will continue to lead it...The change we seek will
not come easy, but we can draw strength from the movements of the past. For
we know that every life saved—in the words of that great Proclamation—is ‘an
act of justice,’ worthy of ‘the considerate judgment of mankind, and the gracious favor of Almighty God.’”
For More Information
For more about AGAST, visit www.facebook.com/HoCoAGAST. For
more about Samartian Women, visit www.thesamaritanwomen.org.
Howard Community College
8
issues
March 2014
Open Your Eyes: Homeless in HoCo
JI HYUN RYU
Photo Provided By: Anna Katz
assistant editor
You grab a jacket from your coat rack and step outside. The icy wind hits
you, like hundreds of icicles piercing your skin. In an attempt to warm
yourself ever so slightly, you zip up your jacket and place your hands into
your pockets, jumping up and down, swaying side to side. At the same
time, your body is sending signals to the brain to keep your temperature
under control, so you don’t encounter the wrath of pneumonia. You start
to shiver. You either quickly run to your car or run back to your home.
A homeless man sits outside. Newspapers, cardboard boxes, an old, ripped
up jacket his only sources of warmth. The cold air keeps him up at night,
the busy streets keep him up during the day. No money, no home, no car,
no food. He watches people walk by, not diverging from their busy lives to
give him a second glance, to stop and talk to him, to give him some change.
A little girl wearing a pink fluffy jacket comes up to him, smiles, and gives
him two dollar bills, three quarters, a nickel, and six pennies. This little
girl gave him the hope he thought he’d lost, gave him back the life he once
adored. With that, he smiles and remains strong for another day.
There are many without homes all across the country, all across the world,
even in Columbia, Maryland, which is known primarily for its wealth. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, a survey conducted
in January 2013 found that “about 610,042 people experience homeless-
ness on any given night in the United States.” In 2012, there were about 200
people homeless in Howard County which had a total population of 299,430,
according to Vidia Dhanraj, Coordinator of Community Partnerships at
Howard County Department of Citizen Services.
I spoke with Anna Katz, the Business Manager and Administrative Coordinator at Cold Weather Shelter, about what Grassroots does to help the homeless. Grassroots is an organization who serves those in need: “[It] has a 33
bed shelter for families and women. We have an 18 bed shelter for men. We
have a cold weather shelter that can provide an additional 20-25 shelter beds
from late November to late March. Our motel program provides 15 days
of emergency shelter for homeless families,” says Katz. She states that some
of the main causes of homelessness are job loss and the lack of affordable
housing. Other reasons are medical conditions and thier costs, and for the
chronically homeless: addiction and mental health.
There are many volunteering opportunities at Grassroots, from collecting
items for the shelters to coming in for various one time/ongoing projects such
as cleaning, organizing, and landscaping to making meals for dinner and bag
lunches every third Thursdays. If you wish to help and donate, Grassroots
has a wishlist of items that they require on their website, grassrootscrisis.org.
Howard Community College
issues 9
March 2014
Stream Clean-up Underway
pond, the team will also remove invasive plant species to allow native shrubs
and herbaceous species to flourish.
Maryland became the first state in the nation to require environmental literacy of its high school graduates back in 2011, and getting middle school
students involved with the project was a required part of the grant. These
students will help restore the watershed while learning about conservation
and environmental sustainability. Riparian buffer projects are among the very
best management practices for effectively controlling pollution from entering
waterways and these students will perform water quality testing throughout
the project, creating data sets that will demonstrate the impact of their efforts.
SCOTT HOMMEL
Photo Credit: Robert Marietta
staff writer
“Governor O’Malley’s Stream Restoration Challenge is a competitive grant
to establish 1,000 acres of streamside forests by 2015” says Gabe Cohee, restoration project manager for Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
“The State and its partners made $6 million available to plant forested stream
buffers with the goal of improving Bay water quality while creating opportunities for middle and high school students to engage in service-learning and
environmental literacy activities.”
HCC’s Green Building Council Club and Environmental Club have been
working with middle school students from Bonnie Branch, Clarksville, and
Patapsco Middle Schools as this collective “Stream Team” to restore an impaired Little Patuxent tributary since September of 2013, with the goal of
completing the project by December 31, 2014.
This tributary, located along both sides the five acre middle stream valley
on campus, is a section of the headwaters for the Patuxent Watershed and
will undergo a much-needed renovation this year. The project will include
relatively heavy construction to remove years of accumulated sediment as
well as the planting of trees and native plants to help restore the stream bank
ecosystem. Along with the construction of rain gardens and a bio-retention
“This tiny stream is part of the headwaters of the Little Patuxent River which
flows into the Chesapeake Bay, and state water quality studies show it to be
in failing health,” says Robert Marietta, safety and sustainability manager at
HCC. “Being on the HCC campus makes it a perfect demonstration location to show all Howard County landowners what they can do to their own
properties that can help to replenish our own ground water and help to save
the bay and its tributaries which can impact the quality of life for everyone in
Maryland. Volunteering is encouraged by the entire college community and
students may participate through classes, service learning projects, and club
activities. Students and others can also participate through local conservation
organizations like the Sierra Club or at Howard County’s annual GreenFest.”
In his words, the college has “a goal to not only educate our students, but to
set an example for our community.” Echoing the ancient Native American
proverb; we do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from
our children, Marietta reiterates that sustainability means “ensuring that future generations will be able to enjoy the same resources that we use to support ourselves today. Every person living in, or even visiting, the Chesapeake
watershed is directly impacted by our environment, as we all breathe the air,
drink the water, and view the beauty of nature around us. Taking care of the
land and environment around us and seeking to remedy the damage our civilization has inflicted upon it are what it means to be environmentally sustainable.”
Funding for Governor O’Malley’s Stream Restoration Challenge is made possible in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Trust, the Maryland State Highway Administration, and through the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays
Trust Fund. Students can contact Robert Marietta at the HCC Sustainability
office in Plant Operations for additional stream restoration opportunities.
GREENFEST 2014
April 5, 2014 10:00AM-4:00PM Howard Community College, Burrill
Galleria and Quad
Howard Community College
10 issues
March 2014
Job Search on Campus
TAYLOR MONTFORD
staff writer
A job is one of the most important aspects of a human’s financial life. Everyone, and their mamas, stress the importance of having a job. It puts food in
our mouths, clothes on our backs, shelter over our heads, and shopping money in our pockets. The most exciting time of a student’s college career is right
around the corner. That’s right; it’s graduation and the first thing that usually
comes to any and every graduate’s mind is “I need to find a job.” Even if you
aren’t graduating soon, and are just hoping to find a job opportunity around
the area, this article is for you. Searching for a job, getting résumés together,
and preparing for interviews are not always easy-peasy, but we’re here to help.
Did you know that HCC has several Job Bulletins posted around the campus?
HCC’s Counseling & Career Service office maintains the job bulletin boards
that are posted around campus. They are located in Duncan Hall, and inside
and outside of the Career Services office (RCF 302). Local employers are encouraged to post their job openings on the board as well as on “HCC Job Connection” located on HCC’s webpage.
HCC Job Connection is a database full of local employers who are currently
looking for future employees, either for full-time work, part-time work, and
internships. David Tirpak, the Assistant Director of the Career and Employment Counseling in the office of Counseling & Career Services, says,
“All you need to do is register for an account, and you will have access to
active positions. Within “HCC Job Connection,” there is also a convenient
feature where you can sign-up to be e-mailed every time a position that fits
your desired criteria is posted (e.g., internship in graphic design).” To register, visit myinterfase.com/howardcc/student.
A resume is a vital document that every serious job will require. When filling
out a resume, it is always important to update your resume often with new
information, including dates of job titles, locations, responsibilities, awards
and volunteer activities that you’ve gathered over the years. Remember to
use action verbs (for example: Stocked food); don’t make resumes longer
than two pages and don’t add personal information (age, marital status, salary, social security..etc).
The Counseling and Career Services office offers “Walk-In Resume Reviews” for any students that need help creating a resume, or want to do a
mock interview. It also provides feedback on resumes to make them truly
appear professional. Schedule an appointment with a career counselor in
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Howard Community College
issues 11
March 2014
RCF 302 or call (443) 518-4855.
It’s interview time. Here are some tips to keep in mind. When you’re in an
interview, you want to make a positive impression on the employer. Make
sure to come prepared, which means arriving 5-10 minutes before the set
interview time. Dress appropriately, no short miniskirts, slouchy jeans or
sneakers. Make sure clothing is clean, pressed, color coordinated as well
as tasteful. Make sure hair is neat, cut, combed and presentable. Be careful
not to wear any strong cologne or perfume, or overly gaudy jewelry. Once
you’re sitting down with the employer display your confidence. Make sure
to stay positive regarding past experiences and strengths as well as be honest about them.
Paul Martin, a Career Counselor here at HCC recommends, “Be ready to
answer the question, “Tell me about yourself.” Answer this question within
30-60 seconds, and summarize your experience, education, and strengths.
Do not include personal information, such as birth place or birth date, ethnicity, marital status or whether you have children. Keep the answer focused on the key points that show you have the ability to do the job.”
The interviews over; you feel good about your performance; but are you
done yet? Of course not! Following up after an interview is just as important as the interview itself. Get back to your interviewer within 24 hours after your meeting. Either a handwritten thank you note or an electronic correspondence that expresses your gratitude is an excellent finishing touch. In
the note, highlight something you found interesting during the interview
and how you might fit the job opening. It may also be a good idea to reiterate ones appreciation for the job opportunity.
Now that you are armed for future interviews with all the tools available at
HCC, go out there and take that job. Happy hunting!
Interview Tips:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Arrive 5-10 minutes early
Clean clothes, color coordinated, and tasteful
Stay positive about past experiences
No mini skirts, slouchy jeans, or sneakers
No strong perfume or cologne
Be CONFIDENT
Resume Tips:
• Don’t add personal information
• Keep it updated
Howard Community College
Howard Community College
photo contest 13
March 2014
Congratulations Caitlin
Martin! You are the photo
contest winner for the March
2014 issue! Thank you for
entering, and we hope you
submit again!
Do you want to see
your photo featured
in the HCC Times?
Submit your best images
to hcctimesphotocontest@
gmail.com by March 19 and
you could be featured in the
April issue!
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Howard Community College
14 technology
March 2014
Bitcoins
REBECCA JONAS
Photo Credit: Steve Garfeild (Source: Flickr)
staff writer
If you’ve ever seen a James Bond movie, you have an idea of the kind of transactions that bitcoins, a new form of virtual currency, are being used for. Imagine
this: you are in a luxury five-star hotel in Paris. A man you don’t know comes up
beside you and hands you a manila envelope that reads “TOP SECRET. CLASSIFIED.” He doesn’t know anything about you either, other than the secret code
name you’ve given yourself. The envelope contains a hotel room key and a slip
of paper with a 10 digit code on it. You enter the hotel room and find that it is
empty except for a silver briefcase. You punch the code into the keypad and the
briefcase clicks open. Inside the briefcase is $1,000,000.
able, it’s much safer for a consumer to purchase illegal goods using bitcoins.
Bitcoins really are today’s form of blood money.
Now transpose this scene to the Howard Community College cafe. You’ve just
received a text alert. A stranger has just transferred 1,500 bitcoins, the same as
$1,000,000, to your account. They are entirely anonymous, and so are you. All
they know about you is the wallet code that you provided for them to forward
the money. All you know about them is the address they typed into the note,
accompanying their payment, where they want you to send the product you’re
paying for.
One site that made huge use of bitcoins was Silk Road. Silk Road was the
leading online black market, sometimes even referred to as “the Amazon.
com of illegal drugs.” In October 2013, it was shut down by the FBI. One
month prior to it being shut down, however, a few journalists from Forbes
ran a test to see how untraceable bitcoins really are. The journalists bought
a gram of marijuana off of Silk Road and two other black market websites
using bitcoins. They then asked a computer scientist and Bitcoin expert to
try to trace back their purchase. The result? She found them (although it deserves to be noted that law enforcement never did). She stated after finding
them that the only reason she could find them is because she was looking.
Her centralized approach worked for finding three transactions, yes, but
would not be useful at all in inspecting general transactions. Essentially, the
test showed that while Bitcoin transactions can technically be tracked, they
are just about impossible to trace on a large scale.
Bitcoin is a currency that was created in 2008 by an anonymous person or group
who goes by the name “Satoshi Nakamoto.” Bitcoins didn’t start being used
by the general public until 2010, when the first transaction was made: a user
bought two pizzas for 10,000 bitcoins. Soon after that first transaction, another
user tried to auction 10,000 bitcoins for $50. Today, one bitcoin is worth $800.
The biggest problem with bitcoins and the reason they probably won’t start
being used as a form of regular payment is a lack of stability. On February
5th, one bitcoin was worth $800 while on February 11th, one bitcoin was
worth only $600. Obviously, with fluctuation that wild, bitcoins can’t currently be used by retailers in place of U.S. dollars.
With the growing number of easy payment options out there, from credit
cards to Google Wallet to PayPal, it’s hard to imagine how Bitcoin gained such
huge success. There are two explanations to this phenomenon. The first is the
definition of what a bitcoin actually is. Imagine 1,000,000 monkeys typing on
1,000,000 computers, trying to accidentally come across a password that unlocks a little piece of information. That little piece of information is a bitcoin.
At first, there was a huge number of these pieces of information and very little
demand. As demand grew, people unlocked more and more pieces of information. Now, it’s much harder to find unused pieces of information and the demand continues to grow. This is one reason the price has risen so much.
All new currencies come with some natural concerns and confusions. Paper bills and credit cards were both weird concepts at first that many people
found difficult to accept. After all, the paper and plastic themselves aren’t
worth anything. Maybe Bitcoin will be the start of a new payment revolution. Look ahead; maybe 100 years in the future, people will be unable to
imagine a world where we never used Bitcoins.
Why, though, has demand grown so much? This brings us to the second reason
that bitcoins have grown so much in worth. The anonymity of Bitcoin has made
it a hugely successful form of payment on black market websites. It has gained
success being used for anything from drug deals to the purchase of illegal firearms to poached meat sales. Since Bitcoin transactions are virtually untrace-
“
”
Bitcoins really are today’s form of
blood money.
Howard Community College
Rebecca Jonas
Staff Writer
16 perspectives
March 2014
Living with Autism
AUSTIN LUK
staff writer
My mom has always said that there is a place for my brother and me in this
world. There has to be, right? Everyone has a place—or at least, that’s what
we’d all like to think.
Whether my brother and I really have a place is a tense subject; though few
have reason to be concerned, we are autistic. High functioning autistic, yes,
but autistic all the same. With the world as it is, whether or not we’ll be able to
“make it” out there is a source of constant tension in our house. The problem
is, most people just don’t get us. Autism is becoming more prevalent, having
gone from 1 in 150 children in 2000, to 1 in 88 in recent years, according to
Centers and Disease Control Prevention (CDC)1. Yet, the world is still not
very accepting of us, and it isn’t making great strides toward doing so either.
Autism manifests across a wide spectrum of health problems and behavioral
issues. However, our society tends to view autism from two polarized ends:
either you have no problem at all and don’t deserve any accommodation, or
you are completely disabled and should be shunned. Thus, people with autism
are mistreated, no matter how high or low functioning they are, all because
people don’t understand us. So, I want to help you understand.
What is autism, then? The disorder of autism is defined as “a wide range of
developmental disorders, and includes five classifications”2. However, that
definition, while accurate, does not help us understand the PEOPLE who are
autistic. The definition casts a wide net, and it is not easy to understand that
every case, every person, is different. Autism can affect social interaction, intelligence, learning, and all sorts of other things. You can’t generalize its effects and say you understand the disorder because its effects are too broad for
that to be possible.
My brother and I are good examples. My brother’s autism affects the speed
in which he learns, sort of like having less processing speed than the average computer, though he has great software! My autism affects how I handle
social interactions. I really don’t feel they’re all that necessary, so the lack of
motivation means social situations usually don’t go well for me. Autism also
affects the way I see things, leading me to hold differing opinions than the
crowd. I cannot begin to tell the many times in my life when being the nail
that stood out got me in trouble. So you see, autism manifests itself in such
different ways, even between two brothers; the same goes for autistic people
all over the world.
Now, making assumptions based on what you know about something is fine.
Sometimes it’s the only way to predict what something or someone might
be like. The problem is, most of us don’t rethink our assumptions in the face
of evidence that says our views might be flawed. By default, we continue to
treat who and what we come across according to our old views. A layman’s
mistake, you say? What if I told you that even those whose jobs require a
thorough understanding of autism make the same mistakes?
I’m eighteen, very soon to be nineteen, and other than the aforementioned
social dysfunction and the fact that multiple iterations of IQ tests indicate
that I have a genius level IQ, I act like a normal young man, and I lead a normal life. Last year during a visit with an OT (that’s occupational therapist;
they are professionals whose job it is to help people with disabilities lead
relatively normal lives), the lady talked to my mother and me for well over
half an hour about my autism and then proceeded to ask my mother—not
me—whether I was capable of bathing myself independently. Now, I am not
saying that she should have been impressed with my smarts, but I have never
displayed any physical or mental afflictions that suggest I am severely physically or intellectually disabled to warrant such a question. To quote an oftrepeated phrase: was it something I said? Or did she not appreciate the fact
that autistic people are all different?
In contrast, my brother Ian—the one with slow CPU but great software—has
incredible spatial abilities and is incredibly creative. He is very popular in
after school care programs because he invents his own pipe cleaner figurines
and animals. He casually twists them into life and gives them to other kids
(yes, he is also exceedingly generous). Our living room is covered in increasingly complex 3-D origami creations with every day that goes by. A scorpion
poised to strike with its stinger, a crab with raised pincers in defense (I am
not your dinner!), a Japanese Koi with articulated body and tail, a treasurehoarding dragon, wings spread (they can be folded too), roaring and rearing
to fly. How about Master Yoda himself, complete with his walking stick? Not
impressed, you say? Have you ever seen an origami surfer dude running his
board in front of a gigantic wave, while a shark stalks him from behind, all
of them made from one single piece
of paper? Ian has even been asked
to teach his fifth grade class on the
subject because of his mastery of
making creatures and objects come
to life.
Yet, the school would not allow him
to join a robotics project because of
his disability, and another parent has
told my mom that he doesn’t belong
in the class with her child, because
according to her, he is slowing the
entire class down.It is a travesty that
people are so quick to automatically
equate autism with intellectual disability.
Howard Community College
Photo Credit: Austin Luk
perspectives 17
March 2014
No, having autism might mean learning disabilities, but it does not make
us idiots. Perhaps the people who think that way should look in the mirror?
Contrary to their unproven assumption, a common effect of the disability is
that it actually gives people increased aptitude in certain subjects. What they
might excel in can vary widely. I have a younger autistic first cousin who, at
age 9, memorized the entire city’s bus routes AND timetable. To this day, he
never needs to read the same book twice.
As for myself, my IQ clocks in at very close to ‘genius’ level, and I excel academically. My final grades are almost always A’s, with only a smattering of B’s
acquired throughout my life, and never anything below that- ever. Despite
this seeming advantage, I was explicitly banned from working with groups in
many school occasions because the teacher didn’t want me slowing anyone
down, much like the way my brother is treated. Since when was exclusion
encouraged?
My family and I are not alone. My mother has a few good friends with autistic children (which, as a side, speaks to how widespread autism is), and they
have also encountered similar problems. The point is, again, people don’t get
us, so they treat us based on their view of what autism is.
With people willing to spread awareness (that’s you, hopefully), it will eventually
happen. Don’t just do it for other people. It helps you, too, because you undoubtedly know someone—probably more than one—who is autistic and that you care
about. You see the kid who’s sitting on a weird looking seat, that could be your kid
one day. If that happens, don’t despair. Treat them with your love and care, and
they are perfectly capable of returning the same love and care, like normal people.
Perhaps that’s the real message I have for you.
For More Information
To learn more about autism and how you can spread awareness,
visit:
• www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html
• www.autismcenter.org/autism_faq.aspx
• www.autismspeaks.org
Now the question is, why do people not understand? Autism is so common
nowadays that you hear about it all the time, and you frequently meet other
people who are autistic. No one can say they haven’t heard of it, but challenge anyone to tell you what it is (no looking at my definition above!) and
they will come back with all sorts of distorted facts. Perhaps in everyone’s
busy life, there is no interest in paying attention to something that they don’t
think is related to them or impacting them? The key, therefore, is to get the
words out and increase awareness (and since you have already read this far
and probably intend to keep going, I thank you!).
Now, what can YOU do about this? Even if you don’t have the time to make a
difference, and there’s a lot on your plate as it is, there are at least some easy,
smaller things you can do.
Some basic courtesy would be nice; that’s something you should offer to everyone, isn’t it? Perhaps you can speak up for someone who is autistic, if others are cracking hurtful jokes behind their backs. Don’t condone such labels
as “idiot”, “weirdo”, “misfit”, etc. Jokes like that aren’t just offensive, they’re
intentionally so. Don’t allow that sort of talk to perpetuate, joke form or not.
You have nothing to lose by being kind.
For those of you with more time on your hands (and who have hopefully
been convinced this is a cause worth fighting for), there are better options.
Autism Speaks3 holds awareness walks, provides information and research
for those who wish to inform others (or just understand the disorder better
than this little article can), raises money for research, and just in general is a
good place to go if you’re interested in helping.
Howard Community College
18 perspectives
Women’s History Month
March 2014
JI HYUN RYU
assistant editor
March isn’t just St. Patrick’s Day or Pi Day; it’s a month to celebrate the successes of women in the past and the present. Students are taught about women like
Rosa Parks, who refused to give up her seat on a segregated bus; Harriet Tubman, who led slaves through the Underground Railroad towards freedom. But what
about the women who’ve made a change in the world yet lived in anonymity and humility?
For Women’s History Month, the National Women’s History Project (NWHP), an organization that showcases women’s achievements throughout history, commemorates women who strived and achieved something for the whole of society. Last year, the theme was Women Inspiring Innovation Through Imagination:
Celebrating Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, and this year’s theme is Celebrating Women of Character, Courage, and Commitment.
The NWHP’s list of 2014 Honorees include Chipeta, Anna Julia Haywood Cooper, Agatha Tiegel Hanson, Katharine Ryan Gibbs, Frances Oldham Kelsey,
Roxcy O’Neal Bolton, Arden Eversmeyer, Carmen Delgado Votaw, Ann Lewis, Jaida Im, Tammy Duckworth, and Lisa Taylor. How many of these women do
you know? Who are in your top ten? To get an idea of who people are most influenced by, I interviewed a variety of female staff members here at HCC who
have also made an impact in our community. Here is what they had to say:
Photo Provided by: Farida Guzdar
NAME
Kathleen Hetherington
POSITION
President of HCC
ACHIEVEMENTS/ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Graduating from a community college, becoming the first dean of student services in a community college in Philadelphia (only
woman in the committee), becoming the first vice president of student services at HCC, becoming president of HCC.
WOMEN WHO INSPIRED/INFLUENCED HER AND WHY
“Women who were the first to do something,” says Hetherington: Edith Wharton, Amelia Earhart, Sandra Day O’Connor, Joan
Benoit, Madeleine Albright, Rosa Parks, and women who fought for voting rights (Susan B. Anthony, Alice Paul, and Elizabeth
Cady Stanton)
Through their courage and efforts to obtain the same opportunities as men, these women inspired our school president to get to
where she is today. By becoming the first dean, only woman in the committee, first vice president, and president, she saw a chance
to make changes and provide chances for other women to advance in their own careers.
Photo Provided by Margaret Garroway
NAME
Margaret Garroway
POSITION
Associate Professor of English, Acting Co-Chair of the English Department, Co-Director of the First-Year Experience Program
ACHIEVEMENTS/ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Working for almost 25 years at HCC, becoming the Director of Academic Support, earning a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership
for Changing Populations; awards: Outstanding Administrator Award from HCC in 2004, Outstanding Researcher in Developmental Education Award from the Developmental Association of Maryland in 2010, Inspiring Faculty Member of 2011-2012,
Outstanding Advocate for First-Year Students by the National Resource Center
WOMEN WHO INSPIRED/INFLUENCED HER AND WHY
“My mom has inspired me most. She was the first woman in her family to receive a high school education,” says Garroway. Her
mother graduated from college and became a teacher, always believing in her daughter and having high expectations, which
ultimately influenced Professor Garroway to set higher goals for herself.
Howard Community College
March 2014
perspectives 19
Photo Credit: Laura Cripps
NAME
Laura Cripps
POSITION
Assistant Professor in Anthropology
ACHIEVEMENTS/ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Relocating to the USA, graduating school
WOMEN WHO INSPIRED/INFLUENCED HER AND WHY
“Women who strived and often risked their lives toward the emancipation of women,” from Emmeline Pankhurst to Malala
Yousafzai. However, her mother is the woman she admires most. Having lost her own mother at the age of 9, Cripps’s mother
started working full time at the age of 16 instead of attending an art college. She worked three jobs to support Cripps and her sisters and went back to college upon retiring, graduating in 2012 with a Bachelor’s degree in History from Oxford University. “She
has taught me the power of hard work, and that you are capable of anything as long as you persevere!”
Photo Credit: Tara Hart
NAME
Tara Hart
POSITION
Professor of English, Arts & Humanities, Coordinator of Creative Writing and Fine Arts, Co-Chair of the Board of Directors of
the Howard County Poetry and Literature Society (HoCoPoLitSo)
ACHIEVEMENTS/ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Completing a Ph.D. in English Language and Literature from the University of Maryland, College Park, being named an Outstanding Teacher on Campus by the University of Maryland Center for Teaching Excellence in 1993, having her essay, “Still Points:
Mary Austin’s Compositions and Explanations,” published in the book Exploring Lost Borders: Critical Essays on Mary Austin in
1999, receiving an International Exemplary Leader from the Chair Academy for Organizational Leaders in 2006 and the Pushcart
Prize for Poetry in 2011
WOMEN WHO INSPIRED/INFLUENCED HER AND WHY
“The women in my family and my female friends inspire me and influence me the most. They’ve shown me many different ways to
live a strong and graceful life,” says Hart. She was also influenced by the “first young, female English professor” she had in college,
Dr. Catherine Craft. Through her, she learned about the professional and intellectual path she wanted to pursue. Other influences
include literary women such as Jane Austen, Virginia Woolf, Isak Dinesen, and Gertrude Stein, along with their characters, women
at HCC such as Dr. Helen Mitchell, and the “late, great poet Lucille Clifton, whose poems have changed so many lives and given
voice to so many previously unspoken experiences.”
Photo Provided by: Mike Scrivener
NAME
Llatetra Brown
POSITION
Director of Student Life
ACHIEVEMENTS/ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Observing the achievements of students she works with – “The gift that keeps giving”
WOMEN WHO INSPIRED/INFLUENCED HER AND WHY
Josephine Baker – Having the same birthday as Josephine Baker is what led Brown to learn more about her. She says that Baker’s
career in entertainment “blossomed” in Europe during times when African Americans were living with challenges in the United
States and admires her desire and ability to “focus on her success, despite the barriers.”
Malala Yousafzai – Yousafzai’s pursuit and advocacy of education for girls has also influenced Brown, who understands the importance of education and how it contributes to independence and growth, which also reinforced her desire to assist and guide
young women.
Howard Community College
20 PERSPECTIVES
March 2014
Photo Provided by: Brittany Budden
Chenwi: I arrived in the United States the same year [as his first alternative
break] with a grateful heart and was willing to give back, but didn’t know
how to. I chose to volunteer at HCC because I needed someone to guide me
through the process. The spring break trip to Michigan was a great idea and I
still remember it as if it was yesterday. It was such a great memory that I decided to volunteer again for the winter break trip to the Dominican Republic.
Volunteering is such a huge part of my life because I love staying on my feet
and serving the less privileged.
A Different
Kind of
Spring Break
Reinhard: I wanted to do something for somebody else, not just for myself. I
saw a great opportunity and I took it.
This last winter break, HCC students traveled to the Dominican Republic
for a week to teach English to and mentor underprivileged children. Chenwi and Reinhard went on this trip. This spring, students will be traveling to
New Jersey to work with Habitat for Humanity in Hurricane Sandy recovery projects. The United Way of Central Maryland’s alternative break this
spring will have volunteers helping out “at community kitchens, homeless
shelters, local food programs and other local nonprofits to support United
Way’s work around housing, financial stability and access to healthy food”
(United Way Press Release).
MOLLIE ROSE TRAIL
editor-in-chief
Spring Break. The first thing that comes to mind for many of us: parties, alcohol, going wild. Last year’s movie, titled after the notoriously crazy break from
academic life, is a prime example of the legacy that spring break has. There is
a movement of the extreme opposite that has been growing over the last some
years though—Alternative Spring Break. ASBs, as it is abbreviated, are growing
in popularity. The unique way of spending the beloved week off from school is
not new to HCC, either. The Service Learning Center, located in the MH hallway, has been running ASBs since 2005 and their popularity spawned Alternative Winter Breaks as well.
Why spend your break off volunteering, though? You’ve been working your
butt off with schoolwork and maybe a job on the side, too. So, what’s so great
about ASBs? I asked Herman Chenwi and Jacob Reinhard, HCC students who
have gone on an alternative break through HCC; and Christiana Mercer, Howard County resident and staff coordinator of United Way of Central Maryland’s
student group.
Mercer: Alternative Spring Breaks provides college students from across the country with the opportunity to use their time off from school for something productive—bettering our local communities—while meeting new friends and forming
bonds that will last a lifetime.
The tricky part for us HCC Students is that our spring break falls in April
where many other colleges and universities have their Spring Break in
March. This has many alternative spring breaks falling in March, like United Way’s ASB. I still mention the United Way’s opportunity, though, because we all have friends outside of HCC that could be interested. Now, the
deadlines will have passed to participate in HCC’s ASB too, but I bring this
idea up in general, not to recruit you for these trips. I do this because many
of you may still be planning or haven’t even started planning how you’ll
spend your Spring Break, and I want the alternative to at least be an option
that you think of.
Spring Break doesn’t have to just be about partying.
Making a difference doesn’t have to cost you a lot of time or a lot of money,
and ASBs can be pretty expensive. You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars or commit a whole week. Small things matter.
Look up restaurants that are designating a day where proceeds of the money they make will go to a charity and pick that restaurant to go eat at with
family, friends, or a date. Go to the grocery store, spend some money on
non-perishable food that’s on sale, and donate it to the local food bank.
Spend a day during your spring break to go out and volunteer your time,
maybe do some spring cleaning and donate some old clothes lying around
the house or stuff you don’t want anymore. Maybe you can give back by
spending some time picking up litter around your neighborhood, helping
a friend clean out their attic/garage/basement, or going for a hike that supports national parks and reduces energy if your alternatives were being at
home using lights and the TV.
Howard Community College
March 2014
arts & entertainment 21
Musing about The Muse
ALLYSHA ROMERO
staff writer
2013 Cover of The Muse provided by: Tara Hart
The growth of a community can truly be summarized by the growth of creative arts in the area. The creative arts are able to document significant moments through words or art. Over the past eleven years, the growth of the
arts on campus has been compiled and documented in HCC’s literary magazine, The Muse, an on-going project intended to celebrate creativity.
Editor-in-chief, William Lowe, explained that The Muse is meant to showcase the wide range of talents offered by the Howard County community.
“I think we have met that goal well thus far, but it is a goal that never really
ends. Each year brings new voices and new visions…and a new issue of The
Muse,” stated Lowe.
The Muse is a collection of art, prose, and poetry submitted by people in the
community. Anyone from HCC students and faculty to high school students
and retirees are welcome to submit their work to the magazine. “It is more
than just a ‘student magazine.’ It is a community publication,” commented
Ryna May, chair of the prose editorial committee. “It’s an artifact that HCC—
and all of Howard County—can be really proud of.”
The conception of The Muse came to be when an ambitious Lowe spoke with
the head of the English and World Languages division, Tara Hart, about
reviving the school’s literary magazine. “Over ten years ago, William Lowe
was hired full-time within the English/World Languages division, which I
chaired, and so I worked with William to support his vision of reviving a
Howard Community College literary arts magazine,” explained Hart. Lowe
commented, stating, “She was very supportive, and the rest is history.”
After the first issue of The Muse was published in 2003, Hart stated she wanted to decorate the halls of the new building, now Duncan Hall, with poetry.
The poetry framed and seen in Duncan Hall are living examples of the creativity the Howard community has to offer. “I’m often surprised to discover
the hidden talents of my current and former students or my colleagues during the review process,” expressed Lowe. “I take particular pleasure in seeing
the work of such individuals featured in The Muse.”
Although patrons are able to submit different types of prose, poetry, and visual submissions, May and Lowe both agree that poetry takes the lead, closing in on about 100 to 200 submissions each year. Hart explains that during
the review process, each committee member admires different approaches,
topics, and styles in the works. However, she stated, “There are always a few that
we all feel excited about, and yawp a universal ‘Yes!’”
May added, “We have started to see much more sci-fi/fantasy as student-writers
tend to emulate the styles they read and admire…I like this trend—I think popular literature can be good literature, and we should write about things we know
and love.”
The most apparent growth to the magazine, according to Lowe, is the physical
appearance of the magazine. “Each year, The Muse takes on a more polished and
professional look, and this can be attributed to the design work of Stephanie
Lemghari. Each year, I wonder how she will top her previous efforts, and somehow she always manages to do so,” Lowe reported.
“As I look through previous issues, what stands out to me, and what I realize is
my favorite thing about editing, is that each issue has a certain quality of heft and
emotion that is not to be duplicated. The voices and images come together in a
sort of magical, alchemical process that produces a unique thing, like a person
composed of many experiences and influences,” added Hart.
Throughout the life of The Muse, Hart, Lowe, and May have all been exposed
to a plethora of writing styles and genres. However, through the hundreds of
submissions they have read, there are always those few stories or writers that
make their mark on the committee. Jim Karantonis is a name commonly heard
amongst those familiar with The Muse. Karantonis has submitted and been published in the magazine several times but made his mark with his short story
entitled “David.” “He’s such an animated reader, and this story about a wounded
soldier in the medical ward of an Army hospital gave me chills to hear it aloud.
It reminded me that literature is an art that can be appreciated in different ways,
and storytelling is certainly one of those ways,” May observed.
The next issue of The Muse can be seen during their annual publishing in May
2014. Lowe states that in the future of The Muse, he hopes to see even more
submissions from the community gracing the pages of the magazine. “Thus far,
however, I think we’ve done a better job tapping into the literary talents of the
college and community than we have with the artistic talents.”
Howard Community College
22 arts
& entertainment
Spring Accessories
March 2014
has such a classic cool look.
Shoes! We all love shoes. Some of us are sneaker heads, some of us are heel
heads (me). As a girl, the first thing I look at is a man’s feet. So, let’s all come
to a mutual agreement and say flip flops must go. (May they rest in peace).
There are so many styles of sandals out there for both men and women that
thongs no longer do. As Tom Ford once said, “Dressing well is a form of good
manners.” What is on your feet is also good manners.
Since the 1950s fashion has been recycling itself. However, I want you all to
imagine a world where everyone loves accessories and no one is afraid of
change. In a short period of time, there would be so much variety and fast
evolution.
Illustration by Lena Hayes
LENA HAYES
staff writer
When you’re in college, you don’t have time to shop around for the best accessories. This spring, you don’t have to worry. As a fashion consultant to many
close friends, hunting for the latest trends is my hobby. In the next 10 minutes,
I’ll be bringing you the ins and outs of the latest and greatest fashion “accessory” of today.
Ladies and gentlemen, I bring you...the mask, the newest accessory in fashion
since yesterday. In fact, it’s so new that you can’t find them anywhere. Rare,
unique, outrageous, perfect. The problem is that they’re not mainstream, yet.
This means it takes a very different/brave individual to wear one, something
I believe our fashion world desperately needs.
We all know her, the super cool girl with the super cool sunglasses. Now that
the sun is coming out more and more, sunglasses are becoming a must. Coolest style? Ones that cover half your face. Not only do they instantly make you
look like a celebrity, they also add to the ultimate sense of mystery.
Americans usually associate masks with horror movies or robberies. Perhaps
that is why they don’t like to cover their faces. In other countries, masks are
parts of every woman’s dress code. George Bernard Shaw said, “Fashion is
nothing but an induced epidemic.” If enough people like a trend, it could
potentially become the new norm. If you are a trend setter and not a trend
follower, this is the trend for you.
Hats! Hats! Hats! They’re quickly becoming one of my favorite accessories on
both men and women. There are so many hats out there to choose from, so it’s
all about preference. However, one that looks good on everyone? The fedora. It
Change is inevitable, but how fast change occurs is up to you. May you have
the courage to try what you like regardless of how long it’s been on the market, and have the courage to change fashion forever!
In honor of International Francophone (french speaking country) and French Language Month:
Ça va – How are you
Quoi de neuf – What’s up?
Salut – Hello
A plus tard – see you later
Au fait – by the way
N’importe quois – whatever/anything
Oh mon Dieu – Oh my God
tais-toi – shut up
sérieux – seriously
la nana - chick
le mec – dude
ma meuf – my girl
le thon – ugly person
le fric – money
le richard – rich person
Merde – shit (expression)
J’ai la dalle – I’m starving
dégueulasse - disgusting
J’ai la pêche – I feel good/I’m peachy
J’ai le cafard – to feel depressed or upset
l’intello – nerd
Howard Community College
arts & entertainment
Signals
in the
Noise
23
Right: “Enter at your own risk” by John Petro.
March 2014
KIA MCNEIL
staff writer
Noise is defined as sound that is loud, unexpected,
or undesired. Signal is described as an indicator, or
a means of communication. John Petro displays this
concept through his exhibit, Signal in the Noise.
He describes Signal in the Noise as something that gives an indicator and
allows the viewers to “see” art despite its surrounding distractions. This
exhibit features a variety of photographs that were taken in various places,
from Maryland to North Dakota to France.
!
e
l
p
m
i
s
Ready to transfer? It's
Petro originally hails from Southeastern Pennsylvania but currently resides
in Howard County, Maryland. As a retiree from the United States Air Force,
he believes that the military influenced his photography by exposing him
to a “larger world.” In a blog published by Petro in July 2013, he explains in
detail the significance of his exhibit. He also has various additional blogs that
feature his artwork1.
One of my personal favorites by Petro is called “Enter at your own risk,”
which features a graffiti drawing of a man outside of Good Times Liquor. It
makes me think about the implications of drinking, including both its long
and short term effects. I would definitely recommend viewing this art to an
enthusiast or even to someone who is new to observing art. It’s simple, but
stimulating. I thoroughly enjoyed the viewing.
For More Information
Read more about John’s work at johnpetro.zenfolio.com/blog.
Be transformed at Notre Dame of Maryland University's Women's
College. We make it easy to transfer credits and complete your
degree on time. We offer programs in business, communications,
education, international studies, nursing, marketing and more. Go
to ndm.edu/academics for a full list of our programs.
VISIT US:
Transfer Evening: March 5
Register at ndm.edu/visit
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ndm.edu/womenscollege
Howard Community College
4701 North Charles Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21210
ndm.edu | 410-532-5330
24 seasonal
By Daniel Cummuta
March 2014
SUDOKU
CrossWord
DON’
T
WEAR FORGET
TO
MARC GREEN
O
H 17
TH F N
ST. P
ATRIC
O
KS D R
AY!
HCC Incident Reports
January 28, 2014 – 8:00PM
A parent reported a male who grabbed her
daughter’s butt while she was walking into the
building from the East Parking Garage.
January 30, 2014 – 3:50PM
While in class (CL162), a student’s Samsung
Galaxy tablet was found missing from his desk.
Mo
non
ce: A
Sour
February 1, 2014 – 5:45PM
At the corner of Campus Drive and Lot F, nonstudent’s husband hit her and took the keys to
their vehicle.
iki C
os (W
February 9, 2014 – 1:32AM
Ceiling tiles fell on top of a computer and desk
in ST109.
ons)
omm
February 11, 2014 – 4:28PM
A student’s wallet in an unsecured backpack
was stolen from the men’s locker room at the
Athletics & Fitness Center.
Source: Radellaf (Flickr)
Howard Community College