Governor Crist

ORLANDO, Fla. — A dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony was held on Thurs. at 9 a.m. to celebrate West Campus' opening of its new facility, the University Center, or also known as building 11.

At $23 million and 100,000 square feet, the center provides classes offered by both the University of Central Florida and Valencia, with 40 classrooms, a testing center, computer labs, study areas, faculty and staff offices, and a cafe. When opened in August, it welcomed 775 UCF students to the Valencia campus.

The design and consultation of the building was created by the collaboration of the architectural firm C.T. Hsu and Associates, along with the builder PPI Construction Management Inc.

Special guest, Florida's Governor Charles "Charlie" Crist, Jr., came to support the event with the cutting of the ribbon and to speak on education, Florida's school system, Valencia evolving into a four-year degree school, and the new building. Crist has been governing, specifically as a representative of the Republican Party, since 2006.

Crist said he is "proud and privileged" to dedicate the facility because of it's significance, which he said he believes is "to provide world class education for the young people of Florida, so they can have a very bright future."

"I feel great about being able to be here today," Crist said. "This is a great opportunity to celebrate education in Florida. Great things are happening in the state, particularly as it relates to education. I'm so pleased with our community college system. The university is recognized as the best in America. What Valencia and UCF are doing in partnership is great for the future of our state. It's a tremendous honor to be at this school."

President of Valencia, Dr. Sanford C. "Sandy" Shugart, described the opening of the building as "big" for both institutions. "We're thrilled," said Shugart. "80% of Valencia graduates go to UCF."

With of the success of the DirectConnect program, which accommodates for an estimated 27,000 students with guaranteed access from the community college to the university, UCF receives most of its transfer students through Valencia.

Prior to cutting the ribbon, Crist concluded his speech when he said, "God bless you, God bless UCF, and God bless Valencia."

Matador Day 15th Anniversary

The 15th anniversary of Matador Day took place Oct. 15, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Student Services building patio.

Student Government Association hosted the event, which included many activities, such as body art, karaoke, and food, along with club awareness. The theme of the event was rock 'n' roll, therefore the music was being played throughout the festival.

West campus president, Robert Stio, explained what Matador really is. "Matador is actually the Valencia Mascot, most people don't know that because we don't have intermural sports on this campus," said Stio, 36, "It's been going on for 15 years, so it's a tradition they do every year and it's just for student spirit. Obviously we're raising awareness. . .We have some of our outside vendors helping us out.

During the event, Stio greeted the students. "I want to welcome everyone to Matador Day," said Stio, 36, "We have it every year, this is our 15h year, and still going strong. Check out all the different events."

The activity that students were very interested in was the karaoke. Students who performed received a DVD of their music video.

An especially crowd-drawing music act was the "ATL Butter and Biscuits," which consisted of Josh Maner, Genese Leger, Myrlande Jerome, along with siblings Myoshi McClain, and Emerson McClain. They created a music video performing to "Gossip" by musical artist Missy Elliott.

The McClain siblings created the name of their music group in order to represent their hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. Emerson McClain said he was "showing love" for where he came from. "We're just acting like fools," said Emerson McClain, 22, a music and business management student. "I'm here with my baby sister, going to school and stuff."

"It was exciting and fun," said Leger, 19, a criminal justice student, "The DVD is free and I can show my friends." Leger attended the event and performed with friend, Jerome, 19, also a criminal justice student.

Maner was a common act in karaoke. "I'm just doing my thing," said Maner, 22, "I'm showing college life and how fun it can be even when you have a lot on your hands." Maner is a culinary arts major at the school.

ATL Butter and Biscuits fellow student, Shantal James, watched the performance and said, "It was good and funny." James, 19, a nursing student, said she spent most of her time at the karaoke booth among others, stating, "It's more interesting."

Prizes were rewarded to students who participated in the events. "We've got the students involved," said Stio, "We're doing the students passport so before they can get a t-shirt and any other little gifts we have, they have to go to at least four different activities."

Rachel Miller won all the the prizes for her participation. Miller, 18, a general studies student, got her face painted for the first time and said her favorite prize was the t-shirt because it's "cute looking." She added that her favorite part was holding the parrot brought by a Tiki Island Volcano Golf representative. "It was so much fun to hold the bird," said Miller. "He gave us some free rounds of golf for his place."

Donuts with the Deans

ORLANDO, Fla. - Student Government Association gathered a meeting between the deans of the school and the students, called "Donuts with the Deans," on October 14, in building four, room 117, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Students participated by speaking with three or more deans, asking questions or addressing concerns they may have about the school, in order to receive donuts and to better acquaint themselves with the deans.

SGA president, Robert Stio, said he planned it for many reasons. "I wanted to give [students] an opportunity to get to know the deans; that they're not just there for discipline, that they're here to help, and it's a good opportunity to meet them, and especially when it comes to scholarships," said Stio, 36. "Now you know the face and the name, and ask for letters of recommendations from the deans. It's a lot of different opportunities for the students."

Tyron Johnson is the dean of the students and he said it's "less stressful" to speak with students this way. "I think it's more a situation for students, rather than me. It gives me an opportunity to get to know the students," said Johnson. "It was brought to my attention by Rob to talk with students. . .If they have questions, in terms of what we do."

A student who spoke with Johnson, Aviva Wolgel, said she would better appreciate events if they were promoted more. "I like to get involved and try to meet new people. If there's nothing going on to meet people, it's hard, unless you're in a class with them," said Wolgel, 21, "I'm new at this school, so I feel lost and I want to meet new people so I don't feel that way." Wolgel is a former Seminole State College student, now studying culinary management at Valencia. On speaking with Johnson, Wolgel added: "It was more than I was expecting."

Wolgel's fellow student, Gladimy St. Louis agrees about Johnson. "He sounds like he is going to make some things happen." St. Louis, 23, a political science major had concerns about the TV's in building four. "When I first saw the TV's in here, I actually went to talk to the SGA officers about putting one of the TV's on ESPN. They told me today the deans were going to be here, and you can come in here and voice your opinions. I have the time right now, so that's why I came."

Model UN Aces Constitution Quiz

ORLANDO, Fla. – A Jeopardy game took place at Valencia’s West Campus on September 17 in the Health Science Building.

There were eight teams of four members who were asked questions on the United States Constitution. The first place winners receive a $75 gift card to the bookstore, second place prize was a $50 gift card, and third place won a $25 gift card.

Visiting Valencia for the first time to host the show was Jim Sheerin from Bevmark Entertainment, which sponsored the game. “I’m nervous, I’m always nervous,” said Sheerin, “I’ve never done the Constitution. It’s a new thing. It’s the students’ show.”

Students also came to the show to watch their fellow peers compete, including Clara Cheney. “Originally, I wanted to sign up,” said Cheney, “I don’t like watching game shows; it’s something to do. I wanted the $75. Money is a good motivation for everything.” Cheney, 20, is studying interdisciplinary studies.

The first place winners were team Model U.N., which consisted of Britton Sprouse, Shawn Roja, Juan Berrocal, and Gene Berrocal.

Sprouse, 22, a general studies major, described how it felt to play and to win when he said, “It feels good. I enjoyed it. It was fun. We represent Model U.N.” First place winners also received a pizza party, in addition to their gift card.

Special Guest Conducts Valencia Choir

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Dr. John V. Sinclair was handed the baton at the Voices of Valencia rehearsal at Valencia’s East Campus on June 16. Sinclair, 54, is the director of music at Rollins College.

Sinclair has been conducting for 23 years and has been the instructor for Walt Disney World’s Candlelight Processional for over a decade. He directs the Moravian Music Festival, conducts 150 performances each year, and is highly praised in Central Florida.

Sinclair was invited to the rehearsal for the choir to receive a more intimate practice. “Good to have you,” said Sinclair, after the choir gave him applause, “This year, somewhere around the second week in December, will by my 500th,” referring to the number of Candlelight performances he has conducted.

Candlelight is a performance that gathers from the day after Thanksgiving to December 30. The songs are a combination of holiday songs. A CD must be recorded and submitted in order to be considered for acceptance.

Sinclair said when he was offered to do Candlelight, he didn't know what it was at first, but accepted and said, "'My goodness, sounds like fun, I'd like to do it.'"

Singer Joyce Musculus, said she was excited to have Sinclair. “He’s one of the best directors, one of the favorites also. Everybody loves working with Dr. Sinclair and to get a one-on-one with him is awesome because he doesn’t do it often. He’s very busy.” Musculus, 49, is a former Valencia student, and has been with the choir as a soprano for four years.

James C. Jones, the founder and director of V.O.V., said to the choir, “Let us lean on some of his expertise, as we get ready to do our 10th video.”

Jones, 53, a music professor at Valencia, has been singing since he was three, and said he “started from scratch,” when creating the chorale thirteen years ago.

“John and I are good friends, so of course I love having him out here,” said Jones, “For me, it’s a no brainer, and he is still directing Candlelight. It’s a win-win for us to have such a great ally.” Jones said they have guest instructors only from “time to time.”

The soprano captain, Barbara Murphy, has been singing in the choir since ’97, when she saw them perform at a local mall. “I think it’s great,” said Murphy, 74,”He’s one of our favorite conductors to have at Candlelight because he’s very, very precise, and you know exactly what he expects of you.”

A music professor at Valencia, Alan Gerber, had this to add: "Dr. Sinclair is most noted for his Bach festival that comes out of Rollins College. He is a fine conductor and musician. Anything he is involved with should be good."

Voices of Valencia is a community choir, not only open to students, but to seniors, as well. It's one credit hour and is $75 for enrolled students, but free for seniors. Practices are every Tuesday at 7 p.m.

West Campus Introduces New President

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Robert Stio, vice president of Valencia's West Campus, assumed the role of Student Government Association president. A news conference was held on June 16 for him to discuss the goals and future of SGA.

Stio, 35, said he has an “extensive background” in the entertainment industry, working as a location manager in post production, as a video editor, also working on websites, full length feature films, commercials, and television.

“With that knowledge, with that experience, that’s what I’m bringing to the SGA,” said Stio.

Stio ran unopposed in the election. He started as senator of governmental affairs, quickly moving up to chief of staff. He explained that the former president was unable to fulfill his duties because of “personal issues,” and resigned, but declined to comment any further on the matter.

Stio said he believes that "mass media is the future,” and his first goal will be student awareness. “Not a lot of students know what student government is,” said Stio,”There’s means of communication to raise awareness."

Jessica Hill, a communications major at Valencia, thinks that the administration should be more active in the school. “I think that this school should be more accustomed to the people that actually run the school,” said Hill, 19,”They should make their faces known.”

There will be meetings to discuss promotions, future events, to allocate funding, and the campus' budget, which Stio says is $38,000. Meetings begin taking place this fall, and continue annually, every Wednesday, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

“I will put aside five to ten minutes of each meeting for students to get up and talk,” said Stio,”We’re trying to get people involved, allowing that voice makes them feel they’re part of the system … making a difference on campus. We’re really going to listen, we’re really going implent their ideas.”

Hill also commented on the SGA provoking students to speak up. “It’d be cool if they could actually listen,” Hill said,”Instead of just talking amongst ourselves about it.”

“Everyone has an influence,” said Michael Scott, chief of staff, “If eveyone plays their part, we can actually have a change for the better for all students. I don’t just talk about getting involved, I really believe in it. It’s important to me.”

Scott, 27, said they’re still working on outlines and rough drafts. Stio said it’s described as the “mending the constitution” and is a “very lengthy process.”

A swearing in Ceremony will be held on June 30, to create a senate and executive board. Stio said once they do, they will start “nailing down” the event calendar. Stio’s term started in March and will end in March 2010.

Style Expert Writes Book

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Andy Paige held a book signing for her new book, "Style on a Shoestring," on Monday evening, at Barnes and Noble on Colonial Drive.

Paige, 38, is a style expert and TV personality, who has appeared on series, such as Style Network's "How Do I Look," "Starting over," and TLC's "Ten Years Younger." She was a former fit model and received a double masters degree in media studies and broadcasting journalism.

"Because I was tall, I got ... pushed into modeling," she said referring to the start of her career when she stood at 5 feet 11 inches, weighing at 112 pounds, when she moved from a "dirt road in Alabama" to New York. "For eight years, I worked for 47 designers and I was their fit model, so there's nobody in the industry that knows fit and precision more than me. That's what really sets me apart."

Paige explained what her book was about but first presented herself to the audience, and said, "I'm Andy Paige, ya'll!" Then she added, "We all have things we need to address, I'll be happy to answer questions personally. I am happy to sign books, then to talk to you independently."

This is Paige's first book, and explained that it's filled with fashion do's and don't, tips and advice on how to style yourself, and how to dress for less, she says she does this with the intentions of helping women.

"I get a lot of people wondering what makes my book different and I think that it's really important for you to know that it's made for you." said Paige, to the attentive group of women.

Mary Harmening, a mother of four, attended with her children. "We saw it in the newspaper and we thought it'd be interesting," Harmening, 39, said. "My kids love watching the shows."

"At this point, I have done 130 makeovers on television ... over five years and ... four shows ... and from that I had built a clientele who had me come to their home," said Paige. "I do ... a Beauty Boot Camp, where I go and live with you for three days and we overhaul everything ... It's a little pricey, you fly me somewhere so there's a lot of people who like that experience and want to know the formula who can't afford that but at the same time, you shouldn't be denied the skills or the training."

Chloe Perez attended this event with her mother. "We've always had a particular interest in fashion - more of a lifestyle. We heard of it and we thought we'd learn more from a professional," said Perez, 18, who majors in English, studying to be a fashion editor at Southern Adventist University, in Chattanooga, Tenn.

"There's a formula to getting dressed, there's a formula to building style, there's a formula to looking great, and a I spell it out," said Paige. Her book can be found at most book retailers and her website is http://www.centsofstyle.com/.