Avengers’ Improv director at East interview, Campus, Page 11 Page 4 Volume 15, Issue 14 www.ValenciaVoice.com April 23, 2012 Teen’s killer released on bond By Bryan Levine & Shay Castle “He had had months, weeks, and at [email protected] George Zimmerman hides out no time has he made an apology to the [email protected] family,” questioned Martin family attor- ney Benjamin Crump. “Why today?” SANFORD — George Zimmerman until arraignment on May 29 Defense attorney Mark O’Mara in- was released from jail just after mid- sisted the his client was sincere, making Head coach Terry Rooney watches his team night Sunday after posting bond. appearances on national news outlets to hit during a game against the UAB Blazers. Zimmerman was fit with an electronic defend Zimmerman’s actions and reit- monitoring device prior to his release, and erate concerns for his safety. will remain at an undisclosed location Judge Lester ‘s conditions for Zim- Knights rank up while he awaits his May 29 arraignment. merman’s bond included restrictions on Zimmerman is charged with the firearm and alcohol use, but left to state Polls put UCF at No. 7 second-degree murder of 17-year-old authorities to decide if Zimmermann By Bryan Levine Trayvon Martin on Feb. 26 while pa- should be allowed to leave the state for [email protected] trolling his gated community as part of his safety and to seek work. a neighborhood watch program. Zimmerman’s family echoed con- The Knights jumped to seventh in the The Zimmerman family collected the cerns for their own safety, testifying that Coaches’ poll after getting a road-sweep $15,000 necessary to secure Zimmerman’s they have received hate mail. in Tulane last weekend. release, ten percent of the $150,000 bond “Anything that happens to my hus- UCF won all three games by a com- set by Circuit Judge Kenneth Lester. band happens to me,” said Shellie Zim- bined four runs, including a 12-inning Lester determined Friday in an Ar- merman, wife of George, a nursing ma- game Saturday night. thur hearing that Zimmerman must jor at Valencia College. “We had held on to every single lead inform law enforcement of his where- Zimmerman’s wife and mother this season, but that’s baseball,” said abouts every three days. It is still un- also argued that he was not a violent George Zimmerman speaks towards Trayvon Martin’s parents while apologizing for the head coach, Terry Rooney. “We gave up known if Zimmerman will remain in shooting death of their son Trayvon Martin during his bond hearing in Sanford, Fla. April 20. person, offering alternative perspec- the lead, they ended up tying it. We came Florida while awaiting his arraignment. tives to his two prior altercations back to win, and we were on the road. Zimmerman made a public apol- father via telephone. I did not know if he was armed or not.” with a law enforcement officer and a That’s a tough thing to do, and I think it ogy to Martin’s family of during the “I am truly sorry for the loss of your Representatives for the Martin fam- former girlfriend. shows the resiliency of our guys.” hearing, taking the stand after the child,” Zimmerman said to Martin’s par- ily called the apology “disingenuous” questioning of his wife, mother, and ents. “I did not know how old he was and and “self-serving.” — See ‘Zimmerman’ on page 2 — See ‘UCF Baseball’ on page 16 Top: L-R: Center: Gary W. Green, Orlando Sentinel, pool; Right: Bryan Levine / Valencia Voice www.ValenciaVoice.com NEWS April 23, 2012 2 Zimmerman released — Continued from page 1 “Zimmerman sustained injuries that were “He is absolutely not a violent person,” consistent with trauma to the back of the head,” his wife insisted. Gilbreath confirmed, but his statements “were Zimmerman’s father echoed the senti- not consistent with the physical evidence.” ment. “I have never seen him be violent unless Gilbreath also testified that the gunshot provoked,” said Robert Zimmerman Sr., “and that killed Martin was fired “at close prox- then he turns the other cheek.” imity,” close enough to leave powder burns Zimmerman’s father also testified about on Martin’s sweatshirt. the injuries his son sustained during the Defense attorney Mark O’Mara questioned scuffle with Martin. Gilbreath extensively about the language of “I saw the scars on the back of his head, and the probable cause affidavit submitted by the I saw his swollen face,” Zimmerman Sr. said. state, particularly phrases that stated that Zim- State investigator Dale Gilbreath con- merman and “confronted” Martin. firmed that Zimmerman’s injuries were sup- Do you have any evidence that sug- ported by evidence at the scene of the shoot- gests who started the altercation?” ing, but some of his sworn statements did O’Mara asked Gilbreath. not match up. No,” Gilbreath said. Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, parents of Trayvon Martin, sit in Judge Kenneth Lester’s courtroom during George Zimmerman’s bond hearing. George Zimmerman smiles at the conclusion of his bond hearing in Sanford, Fla. April 20. Assistant State Attorney Bernie de la Rionda questions investigator Dale Gilbreath last Friday. George Zimmerman’s lawyer, Mark O’Mara addresses the media after Zimmerman’s bond hearing. Left and top right: Gary W. Green/Orlando Sentinel, pool; Bottom right: Brittany Rose / Valencia Voice www.ValenciaVoice.com NEWS April 23, 2012 3 Student Development gives out awards Exceptional students recognized By James Tutten Never forget the “cut” [email protected] in shortcut. Because when Valencia College student development present- you try to abbreviate an ed major announcements about some exceptional education, critical chapters are people at the “Student Development Awards Cele- bration” on Wednesday. This party was held to ac- skipped. Preparedness suffers. knowledge individuals that performed above and And ultimately, so does your beyond expectation in their involvement in college Ruth Prather, East Campus president is set to retired. organizations throughout the year. She received several gifts and awards from students. pride. At Columbia College, “You will remember this night forever,” said we don’t cut corners, and East Campus student development coordinator “It’s all about the work and what we put into Gerald Jones, while addressing the large group of it that matters,” said Acevedo. He says that he is neither do our students. students. “Today you are saluted for making this focused on listening to the problems confronting We simply open our doors the number one community college in the nation.” the student body, and working with other cam- Former East Campus SGA president, Luis pus groups and administrators to find solutions every single day and help you Cano, gave a surprise announcement near the be- for issues that need to be fixed. Go For Greater. ginning of the event. He was selected to be part of Another special award was given to East Cam- Annual National Conference for Race & Ethnicity pus president and head administrator, Ruth Prath- in American Higher Education (NCORE), which er, who will be retiring at the end of the semester. is a diversity awareness group that meets in New “Students keep doing wonderful things. I York to discuss issues of race in educational insti- want to read about all of you and your accom- tutions. Cano is the first student from Valencia to plishments in the years to come,” said Prather be selected for this group. after receiving her acknowledgment plaque from “I’m so excited and happy; I honestly didn’t student development. even anticipate an award tonight,” said Luis Cano. Nearly 100 students were given small awards “NCORE does a lot of great work, and I’m so hon- for exceptional service to the college community ored to be selected to represent students on the through the organizations they are involved in. national level.” Part of Cano’s responsibilities will Members of the Student Government Associa- Offering Associate, be working with specific issues that directly affect tion, Phi Theta Kappa, Muslim Student Associa- Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees. students involved with higher education. He will tion and many more were honored. Online. On campus. Or both. be one of four students chosen as representatives. The Ceremony featured free food and live en- (877) 999-9876 • GoForGreater.org Cano then announced the results of the East tertainment provided by the Rohan Reid All-Star Campus SGA presidential election. Mike Acev- Band. This event was just one of the ways Valen- 2600 Technology Dr. • Orlando, FL edo was selected as president by a mere 12 vote cia acknowledges the exceptional students that margin in a record setting election of over 1,300 help make the college community better through student votes cast. their extra work and dedication. James Tutten / Valencia Voice 56396 • Columbia College - Ad 1Tyka • 8.5” x 11” • 4C • lb • V1-1/16/12 www.ValenciaVoice.com NEWS April 23, 2012 4 Improv breaks out at Valencia Acting Gym performs surprise loop routine at East Campus By James Tutten face, highlighted the half-hour. With all the key [email protected] moments timed to repeat and occur at different moments, the whole room became a display of “What the heck is going on?” zany creativity. This question, among many others, was asked “It’s all about bringing whimsy into everyday by students in the cafeteria at East Campus, as life,” said participant Stephanie Ghirghi. She ex- Bachelor’s members of the Valencia Acting Gym performed plained that this was inspired by a similar event a surprise live time loop routine. performed by the New York based improvisation- and associate “We have no idea what’s going to happen al group, “Improv Everywhere.” here,” said Valencia theater professor, John Di- They organize large public displays like people Donna.