“Truth No Matter The Cost” The Torch BERGEN COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENT NEWSPAPER IGNITING STUDENTS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE VOLUME 21 . . . No. 4 TORCHBCC.COM DECEMBER 2013 Environmental Action: How Students at BCC Tackle Global Warming Problem

left & center: BCC going green, separate trash cans for recycling garbage and compost. right: Three water purifying fountains, each saving about 3,600 bottles in two months of use. Nomi Eijkenaar // The Torch

NOMI EIJKENAAR with strong winds of at least 140 miles aware of the steps they take and realize the water, he realized his pants and shirt staff writer per hour, are one of the least contributing that even recycling here on campus will were full of oil spots. At that point he Many believe that countries that contribute nations to the problem of global warming. make a difference.” She believes the “wanted to influence people to see what the most to pollution since the Industrial Some consider this situation as a “climate school should have outside recycle bins their actions caused.” He believes in the Revolution should be held responsible for injustice” and believe that countries like and wants students to know that Dunkin promotion of bicycle riding, using public global warming and for the horrifying the United States and China should be Donuts cups can be recycled. She believes transportation, and carpooling. He takes problems they more financially responsible for global a day of awareness at the Student Center the bus to school even though he is the are contributing to our planet. As a warming’s effects than those countries will help notify students and will provide owner of a car; it is important for him to New York Times article stated, the human who contribute less to the terrifying them with more knowledge about the show that the change one person makes activities that are changing our climate situation. situation. can lead to a difference. have been understood to happen in the The Torch investigated how students By the same token, the president of The Environmental Club combined nations that contribute the most to global are taking responsibility to do what the Environmental club, Justin Boushay, with the help of STEM is promoting the warming but have instead been getting hit is necessary to help those who are became involved with protecting our use of the least. less fortunate. 20 year old Brenda planet back in 2008. He was surfing in reusable water. The school has Countries like the Philippines that got Griepenburg, a member of the Green Florida a year after the big BP oil spill in installed three new water fountains that hit by Typhoon Haiyan (a tropical cyclone) Team said, “I think students should be the Gulf of Mexico; when he came out of Continued on pg. 5 College Discount Cards Coming to BCC PEPE ROMERO news editor As early as next semester, students at Bergen Community College will benefit SPRING2014 by receiving a free discount program that will allow them to get ten to fifteen percent off of restaurant bills, food store BERGEN COMMUNITY COLLEGE bills, entertainment, and movie theaters in Bergen County. Aimed to ease financial burdens on cash strapped college students, College Discount Cards will be an added STUDENT benefit that is usually available at four year schools around the country. The idea of creating the program was formed by the Student Government Association and DISCOUNT is funded by the Office of Student Life. Kayla Williams, Chief of Staff of SGA, presented a sample discount card from Passaic Community College to CARDS Knocking out Paola Baez, Chairwoman of the Auxiliary Services Committee. As Baez, a business strangers on the administration major student stated: street became a “When I went to their website, I was The student discount cards will be sponsored by SGA and can be acquired next semester, spring 2014. impressed with the potential variety of Concept of discount card designed by Valerie Batista game. It has gotten stores the cards provide access to”. As out of hand and legal decided, twenty stores out of fifty will be action has taken selected as a part of the discount stores usually available to four year schools of marketing the cards and spreading available by the use of the card. Once only. Fenkart believes the cards will be the word to other students about the place. deciding which stores will be available on available the end of January 2014. availability of the program. The proposal the card, the Office of Student life will According to their website, College to present College Discount Cards to the Knockout Game distribute 5,000 cards to students who Discount Cards was founded in 1998 and Office of Student Life for approval was signed up to receive them. Greg Fenkart, with over 500,000 cards in circulation passed with a unanimous vote by the Gone Viral Coordinator of Student Development, annually, they are the leading provider SGA senate. expressed particular pride in providing of such service. Once all participating pg. 7 students with discount cards which are stores get selected, SGA will be in charge I N S I D E Health Professions Building Pg. 2 Our Very Own Thrift Shop Pg. 13 Coming Together for the Beauty of the Game Pg. 20 2 News THE TORCH VOLUME 21 ISSUE 4 | DECEMBER 2013 Health Professions Building FELLIX LYU staff writer A $26 million Health Professions Building will be constructed at the Paramus campus of Bergen Community College. The BCC Board of Trustees meeting held in November discussed the requested action of paying a $218,000 service fee to RSC Architect. As part of the requirement for the already approved State of New Jersey GO Bond application, which provides funding for the building , BCC has prepared contract documents for RSC to review. The architectural plans contain the design of laboratories and classrooms that are measured at 65,000 to 80,000 sq ft. The construction will be starting in 18 months and BCC is expecting future revisions for the building. Many high school students enrolling at BCC are anticipated for the new Health Professions Building. Unfortunately, Any and all funding is going to be used at A rendering of the planned Health Professions said, “First, I believe that they will the current students that are majoring in the right discretion. It’s great. I don’t have Integrated Teaching Center at Bergen Community probably add extra classrooms and more nursing, radiology, or any other health any complaints about it.” College. classes will be administered during the profession may not have a chance to see As a yearly average estimate of 1,000 Photo courtesy of Larry Hlavenka daytime. Secondly, there may be a growth this building. students being enrolled, a huge percentage in clubs and designated rooms, rather than Nathan Rosario, a nursing student, of those who enroll are nursing majors. meeting in a random room, the clubs will said, “I think it’s a great idea. It’s good With the installment of the Health have a schedule.” For the nursing majors that Bergen is expanding and getting new Professions Building, students in Bergen who are striving and those who are going facilities, especially for the healthcare Community College are wondering what to strive, hopefully, this building will be field, because it is the most common and will happen to the nursing classrooms of great convenience. faster growing fields.” He said, “If it’s now that the building is being constructed. for education, I really don’t think there Aimee Landestoy, a fellow BCC student should be any limit to what they spend. Sing, Sing, Sing here at BCC

Sing, sing, sing is excersiczing their vocal chords. Nomi Eijkenaar // The Torch

NOMI EIJKENAAR to define and pursue their own informal educational Sing, Sing, Sing is one of the biggest highlights of staff writer goals, at their own pace, and according to their own the program. It is the Bergen Community College Senior Who knew there were about 700 students here at Bergen choices and talents. The program provides classes held Chorus consisting of about 65 members. The class meets Community College who are 55 years of age and older? at BCC by retired professors or current staff members every Tuesday and is instructed by Barbara Heitmann. The oldest student here at BCC is Evelyn Zyman, who who work as volunteers. The course does not require auditions and is open to all just turned 100 this past June. The Institute for Learning The cost of the program to students is $200 per two adults with the desire to sing. in Retirement (ILR), was brought to BCC combined semesters, providing them with a spot for the entire Sing, Sing, Sing is a program that provides older with Road Scholar Institute Network about 12 years ago school year. Courses include art, history, movie reviews, people with a place to come and socialize, express by Lois E.Marshall. short stories, religion, technology, singing courses, and themselves, and entertain others. The program would Marshall had the vision of incorporating classes to many more. Lois E.Mashall passed away suddenly about like to encourage young students to engage with the ILR adults over the age of 55 and to offer them the opportunity four years ago, and the ILR program was passed on to program and to feel free to sing along on the day of their the current director of the program, Dr. Ilen Kleinman. performance. JOIN THE TORCH Meetings every Tues., 12:45 p.m., SC-111A

Corrections to stories that appeared in the November 2013 edition:

Pg. 5 SGA President Alexis Bravo was an intern at the New Jersey Republican State Committee NOT a member of the Young Republicans. SGA President Roving Reporter Profile pg. 6 pg. 8 BCC, The Underdog Police Blotter Worth Betting On pg. 4 pg. 8 3 NEWS VOLUME 21 ISSUE 4 | DECEMBER 2013 The Torch

left: The bodies of victims are placed at the roadside in a neighbourhood in Tacloban city, Leyte province. right: A mother and her young child seek refuge in a damaged school in a neighbourhood in Tacloban city, Leyte province, central Philippines in search of help, Nov. 13, 2013. Survivors of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippinesare increasingly desperate for food, water and medical supplies, officials in affected areas say. The official death toll stands at more than 2,000, though some reports say it could be as high as 10,000. The UN says more than 11 million people may have been affected and some 673,000 displaced. On Tuesday, eight people died when a wall collapsed as thousands of survivors mobbed a food warehouse. Lui Siu Wai // MCTCampus Typhoon Haiyan Terrorizes the Pacific GRZEGORZ KOCIUBINSKI on November 5th. On November 6th, the reported that all sixty nine residents of of Haiyan’s sustained winds of 195 staff writer Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Kayangel have been accounted for and mph, gusting to 235 mph, Haiyan broke Astronomical Services Administration have no major injuries. According to records and became the fourth strongest On November 2nd, the Joint Typhoon (PAGASA) gave Haiyan the local name Australia Network News, a local resident tropical storm and the strongest to make Warning Center spotted the beginnings of Yolanda, as it approached the area says: Palau learned its lesson after landfall in world history. According to of a potential storm, about two hundred the PAGASA monitored. More careful Typhoon Bopha, a typhoon that hit the the Washington Post, as reported on and sixty five miles southeast from the inspection of the storm’s increasing southern Philippine island of Mindanao. November 15th, nearly one hundred Federated States of Micronesia. After severity gave warrant to its classification While without water, local resident Jessy and seventy bodies were buried by the moving through an area that favored the of a Category five, with wind speeds Ilele goes on to say that even though next morning, Friday, November 8th. At creation of typhoons and intensification ranging from 145 mph to 235 mph. Koror, Babeldaob, and Kayangel lost least 600,000 people were left homeless. of the storm, the Japanese Meteorological Later that day and early mornings of power and do not have water, damage by The residents are ready to rebuild by Agency classified the occurrence as an November 7th, Haiyan hit Palau, with the storm is milinal. themselves, believing aid to be a welcome official tropical storm and dubbed it the eye of the storm passing directly After moving over Palau, Haiyan bonus, not a requirement to return to their Haiyan. As the storm grew into multiple over Kayangel. Although most residents struck the town of Guiuan in Visayas at normal way of living. “We’re on our own, storms and developed a center eye, it was ignored the mandatory evacuation order, 4:40am, November 7th. According to the so we have to do this on our own,” said categorized as a typhoon late in the day the Palau National Emergency Committee Joint Typhoon Warning Center’s, readings Continued on pg. 7

left: Leon McCarthy, 12, demonstrates the ease of use of his colorful and adaptive 3D printed prosthetic hand. Photo courtesy of CBS Evening News/YouTube. right: U.S. Marine demonstrates the Human Universal Load Carrier (HULC) diverting 200 lbs across the back by carrying a full pack, 27 pound M240 general-purpose machine gun, and body armor weighing approximately 21.8 pounds. A feat otherwise impossible, is made relatively easy. Photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin How Prosthetics and 3D Printing Are Redefining Disability JOSEPH CIRILO terrains. “It always feels good to stand. It shoulders and waist, with lightweight staff writer While this technology is years away feels fantastic. I just feel connected.” motorized leg supports and an from assisting our men in uniform on These were thoughts that tester Chris assortment of intricate motion sensors As recently as 2011, the United States the battlefield, it does show promise Tagatac gave to Bloomberg when taking aiding in the walking process. A Armed Forces began funding tests for for the future of prosthetics, and the his first steps out of the wheelchair and backpack that houses a computerized the Human Universal Load Carrier benefits have already trickled down down the pavement amid a thunderous control box, coupled with a pair of (HULC); an un-tethered, hydraulic- and inspired a host of new technology round of applause. Ingeniously designed crutches similar to those used by Polio powered, anthropomorphic exoskeleton that will benefit everybody. The most by Ekso Bionics, the machine has lent patients, help the device recognize designed by Professor H. Kazerooni unbelievable invention of the early itself specifically for rehabilitation when a step needs to be taken using and his team at Ekso Bionics. The 21st century is undoubtedly that of the purposes only, but promises to expand a program called “Mind To Motion;” “exoskeleton” allows for the user, in this eLEGS exoskeleton, which instead of to the general market within the next 10 utilizing the power of thought to make case military combatants, to carry loads giving soldiers a hand carrying excessive years. forward motion not only possible, but in excess of 200 pounds at a rate of up weight without fatiguing them, actually The idea is for the patient to be easy. to 10 mph with relative ease, across all gives paraplegics the gift of walking. strapped into a harness around the Continued on pg. 7 4 News THE TORCH VOLUME 21 ISSUE 4 | DECEMBER 2013 Typhoon Haiyan Have You Read the Police Blotter Today? Terrorizes the DIANA ROSARIO use of every student at Bergen to inform themselves of staff writer what is taking place inside and outside the surroundings of the campus. A few examples Pacific There is no doubt that Bergen Community College is a safe of what can be found reported on the police blotter can be place and a great school for many students around the world, a result of theft, suspicious acts, verbal disputes, disruptive Continued from pg. 3 but there may have been a time where as a student you may students’ malicious mischiefs, harassment, burglary vehicle, have felt fear. and stalking assaults. These have been the most recent Dionesio de la Cruz, age 40, who already Behind the scenes of BCC lies the truth of what really made a new bed out of collected rusty nails complaints updated into the blotter since October this year. happens when public safety officers are not around to provide Unfortunately, although these crimes are unexpected, in his temporary shelter. their service in keeping students safe. BCC has a police Haiyan continued strong as it followed all students are expected to speak up when something bad blotter, which is a log where daily crimes are reported. While happens to them or their belongings. If these cases of crimes along its path around the Visayas hitting most crimes being committed are ridiculous and hilarious, Leyte, Daanbantayan, Bantayan Island, continue, it can put Bergen at risk for an increase in crimes some have caused concern and are serious matters to many of that happen at the campus. The police blotter is not only Concepcion, and Busuanga Island. the students being affected. After being disrupted by so many in the created to report mishaps, but to also help students voice their In all cases, the police blotter is a very helpful source. It is troubles out to a higher power in the school for help amongst Philippines, Haiyan met environmental frequently updated for the conditions that quickly caused it to fizzle those who are afraid to speak up. out; turning it into a regular tropical storm by the time it hit Vietnam. While Palau managed to escape Haiyan 11/04 Malicious Mischief Parking Lot A Student car keyed relatively unscrathed, the province of Leyte is said to be nearly wiped off the map by 1104 Students Fighting Gym Phone taken while charging those speaking in darker tones. According to the National Risk Reduction Management 11/06 Verbal Disput Lower Level A Students arguing, one pushes other Council (NDRRMC), the death toll was 11/11 Suspicious Acts Parking Lot G Attemped break into student’s car counted at 5, 632 as of Sunday, December 1. Nearly 11.2 million individuals were 11/12 Threat Room E-110 Report of threat made to Students Life affected in Visayas by Haiyan, with nearly 4 million staying at evacuation centers. 11/14 Verbal Dispute Parking Lot B Student claims boyfriend kicked her out of car The numbers are staggering to say the least, but what of the horrors that the 11/14 Theft (Jacket) Cafeteria Report taken by Public Safety survivors experienced? The Huffington Post 11/15 Disruptive Student Room S-344 Student verbally abusive to instructor and classmates reported that nearly 2 million children are left without parents. Most of the children 11/18 Harrasment Pitkin Education Center B&G Office received numerous harassing phone calls that lost their parents, have by now accepted that their parents are gone; they wish for 11/18 Theft (Coat) Ciarco Learning Center Item left in school over the weekend nothing more than to give their parents 11/23 Suspicious Acts Parking Lot B Officer observed male; Female exited campus, male a proper burial. The children all carry heavy memories. “The last time I looked, followed. my mother was just beside me, but when I looked again she was gone,” says Shylyny, 11/25 Possesion of alcohol S-Wing Bottle of Vodka in students gym bag a high school student who has aspirations of being an accountant or a journalist. 12/2 Malicious Mischief Library About 1/3 of pages from book missing The Philippines are devastated but 12/2 Disruptive Student Testing Services Student not following directions during testing Haiyan is not a typhoon that brought out only Filipino suffering. It brought out 12/3 Assault Parking Lot B Student reports being witness to an assault the quality that most overlook after these mighty catastrophes: Filipino perseverance. 12/4 Assault Student Center Sttudents fighting After each year of storms, the Filipino 12/9 Harrasment Bookstore Reports of offensive language at book store people rebuild their lives and continue on as if nothing had happened. They are like the 12/9 Theft Library View of security video shows student taking items mighty bamboo. They bend relentlessly, yet they never break, the same way they did not 12/9 Theft Library Item left unattended break this year. Next step? The finish line.

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Bergen Community TORCH 10x7.5Cndd.indd 1 11/6/13 3:16 PM DECEMBER 2013 | VOLUME 21 ISSUE 4 TORCHBCC.COM News 5 Framework for the Future: A Shift in Culture in BCC PEPE ROMERO The current’s administration plan: Framework for the Future: Maximizing news editor Potential for Student Success it’s in the early stages of a long, promising A 2011 report by the U.S. Department of process of progress through institutional reform. Education ranked Bergen Community Achieving the Dream, Inc. says it to some faculty, administrators and in Paramus” will be included at the College 14th out of 20 public two- leads the nation’s most comprehensive students. However, student participation Meadowlands, Dr. Gonzalez-De Jesus year schools in New Jersey with a network of forward-thinking leaders in such programs, according to an said. graduation rate of 14 percent. Mr. and practitioners dedicated to college Association of American Colleges and As for the much-needed increase Nestor Melendez, Dean of Student Life reform. Universities, report titled Assessing in the graduation rate, it is a goal that and Judicial Affairs, admits BCC was One of the pillars of this approach Underserved Student’s Engagement has proved to be contagious around in need of change prior to Dr. B. Kaye is “To establish a culture of continuous in High Impact Practices, are the some student leaders. PTK as well Walter being elected as President . The improvement”. Such culture, would barometers for gauging progress in as Student Government Association current administration’s plan, known as address an issue raised by a 2007 report student success. have both gotten involved in initiatives Framework for the Future: Maximizing by the Institute for Higher Education The second goal, attaining branch toward achieving this goal. Yet, with the Potential for Student Success, drive Policy, which deems the U.S. higher campus status at the Meadowland accomplishment of the first two goals, that change. In the last of a three part education system as the world’s most may be affected by a slight decline an increase in graduation rate seems series, the Torch is looking to identify complex. In the report, it is explained in enrollment, but it is expected to be as an inevitable consequence of other the changes taking place, examine the how contradictory policy making at the completed within the five year time efforts. true motives behind them, and inform of federal and state level have led to an frame, said Dr.William Mullaney, its immediate repercussions and future One Semester Down, Nine to Go “imperfect” struggle with accountability Vice President of Academic Affairs. In January 2014, impact on all. issues. The best way to overcome this Dr. Walter, said: One of the main Meeting state regulations, an expansion President Walter and Vice President is through a system that has been the of the academic program, as well as an of Institutional Effectiveness Dr. Yun purposes of the plan is to help the standard of higher education for 16 college refocus on its students. “We’re enhancement of resources available to K. Kim are scheduled to present a million students in 4,000 institutions students, are what is required for the progress report to the BCC Board of missing the mark somewhere, and we throughout 46 European countries and are not doing the things that need to campus to transition from a satellite to Trustees’ Strategic Planning and Issues across 23 major languages: The Bologna branch status. Some steps have already Committee. While The Torch is not privy be done to make students successful” Process. she said. Citing the use of concrete been taken, as the Meadowlands just to the information that will be presented Such process is mainly based on started offering testing. In addition, one then, and after only one semester of data, which models best behavior “everyone singing to the same key, but that can make Community College of the biggest challenges is to establish a five-year plan has passed, there are not the same tune.” In other words, a full time faculty staff, and English a few things that are clear. By setting students particularly more successful, the language used to identify expected she also acknowledged that some of Professor Mary Crosby has recently goals that aim to set BCC students, performance standards at every level been officially added to the faculty faculty and staff, as examples of how these necessary changes are making is not only publicly acknowledged but people uncomfortable. However, “If we roster. Dr. Mullaney explained that by to use progressive, groundbreaking, publicly influenced. How does this tie having a more robust schedule, full-time higher education modern thinking, such really care, we want them to finish their into BCC? Dean Melendez is as much associate’s degree, which will give them faculty and not just adjuncts, as well as evidence-based decision-making, a proponent of and supporter of change. as taking advantage of the extra room BCC is committed to understanding the a much better chance of completing their However, while he feels engaging bachelor’s,” Dr. Walter said. the campus has to expand, are all key challenges that affect its atmosphere. students is great, he emphasizes the elements of this undertaking. However, the braided fabric in our Three Audacious Goals need to engage everyone as part of the Dr. Naydeen Gonzalez-de Jesus, community, made up of faculty, student At the heart of the five-year plan are conversation: “Not only those in charge Vice President of Student Affairs, body, and administration, will perhaps three goals which drive the changes: of the area that directly impact students said anything that supports a student need to achieve a lot more than three Become an Achieving the Dream but all the way down to front desk staff.” outside of a classroom and that is goals in order to attain what Melendez College, obtain a branch campus status While increasing the graduation rate offered at Paramus will be offered considers real success: “While all our for the Meadowlands and increase is understood, concepts such as high at the Meadowlands. This includes effort are guided to seeing students graduation by 25%. According to its impact practices, first year experience/ academic, career, transfer and personal graduate and pursue their careers, real website Achieving the Dream is a seminar, common intellectual counseling, as well as a health care success lies in watching them lead the national non-profit organization whose experiences, collaborative assignments staff. Therefore, practitioners as well lives they choose to.” ultimate goal is to tackle economic issues and projects, diversity/global learning, as licensed professionals need to be by means of empowering the future internships, learning communities, etc., in place. “Everything that mirrors workforce through college education. are part of a language that is still foreign the accommodations that are in place

Environmental Action: It’s not where How Students at BCC you start. Tackle Global Warming It’s where you Problem end up.

Continued from pg. 1 TRANSFER to the NYU-SCPS Paul McGhee Division As a transfer student, the academic institution at which you choose to complete your purify water; one is located by the SGA office and two by studies can make all the difference in your future success. The NYU School of Continuing the cafeteria. So far all three fountains have proved to save and Professional Studies Paul McGhee Division affords transfer students the opportunity to over 3,600 bottles in a matter of two months! Many believe study at a top university, and to immerse themselves in a supportive learning environment that by buying plastic water bottles, they are drinking cleaner water than sink water. What many do not know that promotes personal and professional growth. is that bottled water companies are tested by the Food McGhee offers: seamless credit transfer, professionally focused majors, flexible course and Drug Administration, which means they have less schedules, multiple financial aid and scholarship options regulations than the water provided to people all over the United States through their sink water which is tested by Bachelor of Arts Bachelor of Science the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA is required Applied General Studies Social Sciences Digital Communications and Media to test their water with more regulations than those given to Humanities Anthropology, Economics, Healthcare Management the FDA meaning sink water is cleaner and safer to drink Art History History, International Information Systems Management than bottled water. Studies, Media Studies, Creative Writing Leadership and Management Studies Justin thinks that it is important to “Encourage people Literature Organizational Behavior Real Estate to get involved not only at school but also within their and Change, Politics, community”. The environmental committee is on a road Psychology, Sociology to provide students at BCC with a Top 10 list of things that will help us all be more green and sustainable. They believe the list should be provided in all different languages, McGhee Walk–in Wednesdays: making it easier for all different individuals, especially in December 4, 11, and 18 — 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 7 East 12th Street, Suite 921, New York, NY Bring your transcript for instant evaluation. An admissions decision will be such a diverse school, to be able to personally connect to rendered for those who have submitted a complete application. the problem and be part of the solution. For information and to R.S.V.P. visit: scps.nyu.edu/mcghee-events2f

To request information and to apply: scps.nyu.edu/requestmcgheeinfo2f

learn more about mcghee scps.nyu.edu/mcghee2f 212-998-7100

New York University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution. ©2013 New York University School of Continuing and Professional Studies.

NYU-SCPS Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications Job Number: a1314-0226 Pub/Issue Date: Bergen CC 12/3/13 Product: McGheeTrans Date 11/21/13 Size: 4.9”x 7.5” Artist: pw Bleed: NA Proof #: 1 Color/Space: BW Note: pu a1314-0079 6 News THE TORCH VOLUME 21 ISSUE 4 | DECEMBER 2013 What is the Greatest Gift You Have Ever Received?

CHRISTIAN DECEGLIA Social Work “Money is good, but only good for as long as you have it. I’m thankful for my life and waking up every day, because some people don’t get the chance to. Every day is a blessing, so do something great.”

QYNN PASCUAL Cinema Studies JORDAN POSADA “The best gift I ever had was a General Science surprise visit from my best friends. It was my 19th birthdayl. It was a bad “It has to be a healthy mind and year. I couldn’t afford the college I body. No, actually it’s my sister. I wanted to go to and had to transfer. wouldn’t care to be handicapped; as Financially it wasn’t great. This was a long as I had her. I love my sister.” birthday I was willing to forget, and the BRITTA PONTTER doorbell rang. My friends were there Education with a cake and candles, and I realized I wasn’t forgotten. It was really special “Freedom to be myself. My mom and I just started crying.” has always encouraged me to be myself, RICHARD FALOJAN and pushed me to do what I want to do. Medicine She helped me discover who I am.” “My wrist chain. My parents gave it to me. It’s from Dubai, and it’s one of the most precious things I have. It represents my parents’ love for me. I wear it everywhere.” CHRIS YOUSSEF Film

“My dog - It was a surprise gift for MOON KWON Christmas, and my last dog had passed Psychology away. He wasn’t a replacement, but he was a gift. He’s my best friend.” “I think the greatest gift that was KEANNA DESHIELDS given to me was life. God brought me Liberal Arts into this world for a reason. The reason is what I’m still looking for.” “My greatest gift was my gift of voice and my gift of dance. Dancing MICHELLE PEREZ gives me courage and confidence. It makes me who I am. Singing gives me staff writer strength to make it through the day. Feeling the vibrations of my voice just All photography by Valerie Batista makes everyday a better day.”

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WE OFFER TRANSFER SCHOLARSHIPS! Scholarship Range: $4,500–$15,000 Phi Theta Kappa members receive an additional $3,500 DECEMBER 2013 | VOLUME 21 ISSUE 4 TORCHBCC.COM News 7 How Prosthetics and 3D Printing Are Redefining Disability Continued from pg. 3 specifically for rehabilitation been collaborating for some purposes only, but promises to time on a high-quality, low- As recently as 2011, the expand to the general market cost 3D printed prosthetic United States Armed Forces within the next 10 years. hand controlled by flexing the began funding tests for the The idea is for the patient users wrist based on American Human Universal Load to be strapped into a harness puppeteer and co-creator Ivan Carrier (HULC); an un- around the shoulders and waist, Owen’s own intricate design. tethered, hydraulic-powered, with lightweight motorized leg Cables that act as tendons in anthropomorphic exoskeleton supports and an assortment of the device are pulled from the designed by Professor H. intricate motion sensors aiding in wrist to close around the object Kazerooni and his team at Ekso the walking process. A backpack just as the biological mechanics Bionics. The “exoskeleton” that houses a computerized of the real thing. The parts to allows for the user, in this case control box, coupled with a pair create the device are only $10 military combatants, to carry of crutches similar to those used (versus the projected $11,000 loads in excess of 200 pounds by Polio patients, help the device cost of aluminum prosthetic at a rate of up to 10 mph with recognize when a step needs hands of similar design) and can relative ease, across all terrains. to be taken using a program be manufactured with a standard While this technology is called “Mind To Motion;” 3D printer in an astounding 20 years away from assisting utilizing the power of thought to minutes! Although these printers our men in uniform on the make forward motion not only themselves can be expensive, battlefield, it does show promise possible, but easy. Leon’s elementary school was for the future of prosthetics, While the motorized legs are happy to lend theirs to helping and the benefits have already slow to move and make crossing them. Owen and Ivan also do not trickled down and inspired a terrain that isn’t flat and hard hold any patents for the devices host of new technology that will such as concrete and wooden construction, and further, don’t benefit everybody. The most planks difficult, they represent charge to download the plans unbelievable invention of the a milestone accomplishment necessary to print the device. early 21st century is undoubtedly in crafting a better tomorrow What’s more, those who can that of the eLEGS exoskeleton, today. With the way technology access a 3D printer will enjoy which instead of giving soldiers is moving this day and age, the benefit of having full control a hand carrying excessive it won’t be long before these over the design of their printable weight without fatiguing them, kinds of devices evolve with us prosthetics to modify them actually gives paraplegics the to become cheaper, and more to their specific needs. These gift of walking. accessible to the general public. inventions and more define what “It always feels good to This is highlighted even it means to be part of the second stand. It feels fantastic. I just more so in the story of Leon decade of the 21st century, and feel connected.” These were McCarthy, a twelve year old perhaps, mark the beginning of thoughts that tester Chris boy who lost two fingers at birth a change in defining the word: Tagatac gave to Bloomberg due to lack of blood flow during Disabled. when taking his first steps out his development in the womb. of the wheelchair and down the Leon’s father discovered a viral A paraplegic for 18 years, Amanda Boxtel demonstrates the amazing scientific pavement amid a thunderous YouTube video by inventor “miracle” of the eLegs exoskeleton at a press conference. round of applause. Ingeniously Ivan Owen and Richard Von Photo courtesy of Brian X. Chen designed by Ekso Bionics, As of Johannesburg, South the machine has lent itself Africa. The two inventors had

It literally happens when you least expect it. Valerie Batista // The Torch Continue your education. Build your career. Knockout Whether you’re looking to continue your education, earn an advanced degree, or change your career entirely, Saint Peter’s University can help you achieve Game Gone Viral your goals with convenient classes at the Englewood Cliffs campus. The Englewood Cliffs campus of Saint Peter’s Bachelor’s Degree YAIDELISSE ROMAN this game are being killed but not all of University is located one mile north of the programs include: staff writer them. George Washington Bridge and offers: Business Administration (BSBA) Again in September a 13 year-old • Flexible 8-week, trimester and semester scheduling In September, 46 year old Ralph Criminal Justice* (BA) boy in upstate NY was sentenced to 18 • A variety of academic options including evening, Santiago was found in between two fence months in prison for the death of a 51 Education (BA) on-campus, and hybrid/online courses post, dead with a broken neck. Cause of year old man. this game is becoming an Humanities (BPS) • Student services with evening hours: admission, death: The new dangerous game called overwhelming problem. Police are trying financial aid counseling, transcript evaluation, Nursing (RN to BSN) “Knockout”. Knockout is a now trending their very best to control the issue but it academic advisement and registration Professional Sales (BSBA) game within the teenaged community. is getting out of control. • Small classes Public Policy* (AA, BS) The objective is to render a solo passing Videos of this horrid act are posted up • Personalized attention to adult learner needs Social Sciences (BPS) bystander unconscious with just one all over the youtube and facebook walls • Free, ample parking next to campus buildings *Currently offered exclusively at the main campus in Jersey City. blow. of the internet. People from all over the Missouri, Minnesota, New Jersey, country are playing this game striking New York, Washington DC, Illinois, fear into those that do daily activities PROGRAM FACT: and Pennsylvania were just some of the alone like walking home from school or Our Bachelor's Degree in Business with a concentration in Professional Sales places with victims who reported attacks. going grocery shopping. In early september a homeless man was is the only one offered as such in the Northeast: online and one Saturday Phoebe Connelly, in washington DC, pronounced dead in Hoboken, NJ. Three was also targeted as she rode her bike but on campus per month! Certificate option now available. juvenile boys in Jersey city were arrested she didn’t fall unconscious. Rather she for having connection to the attack in got up on her bike and rode away. The www.saintpeters.edu Hoboken. police are trying to figure out if these Seventy-two year old Hoang Nguyen For course descriptions and additional information, are actually an act of racism or religious please visit our website or call: was also killed back in April 2011 in St. hatred or if it’s really just a sick twisted Louis, Missouri by Elex Murphy, 20. game. Some teenagers say they do it just (201) 761-6470 He was sentenced to 55 years in prison for fun and it just goes to show how bad for second degree murder. The game is this problem is getting. Bergen students spreading like a wild fire and victims of be careful! 8 Editorials THE TORCH VOLUME 21 ISSUE 4 | DECEMBER 2013 The Torch THE TORCH, a member of the BCC, The Underdog Worth Betting On Associated Collegiate Press and the College Media Association, is the official student newspaper of Bergen RICARDO MONTERO-HERNANDEZ editor in chief Community College. The purpose of - - THE TORCH is to report on the events at BCC and the local community, “What are you going to do when you grow and to offer the BCC community a up?” is a question asked by almost every forum for expression. The opinions middle-aged human to a pubescent person expressed in THE TORCH are not on the planet. Few people say that they neccessarily those of THE TORCH. are going to Bergen Community College All the materials submitted to THE when they graduate high school. Even in TORCH become property of THE high school, most do not say that they are TORCH. going to BCC until it is an undeniable truth, regarding it almost as a shame. Some seniors RICARDO MONTERO-HERNANDEZ are embarrassed to admit BCC is the next Editor-In-Chief step in their life, since everyone else is going

BRANDON REIS to four-year colleges “Because it is a great Co-Editor party school,” and “Because it’s a thirsty campus,” amongst other “important” reasons JEFF CARBONE like that, disregarding the actual reasons as Copy Editor to why people go to college. PEPE ROMERO High School is a time bomb, News Editor and when the time runs ROGER ECHEGOYÉN out, it is an explosion of Features Editor college applications, life- JESSIE CASTELLANOS Sports Editor changing decisions and Community college is a smart and cost effective alternative to a four year school. stress migraines. Tania Boghossian // The Torch BRIAN FELIX Layout Editor While it would be great for everyone to money by getting their general courses out and stress migraines. Community college be financially stable and granted immediate of the way for less, and then transfering and offers more time to decide a career path, for NATHAN FISHMAN admission to a four- year school, sadly, specializing at a four-year university, saving exploration of extracurricular activities, to get Ad Manager low incomes and GPAs also exist. Whilst thounsands and eventually earning the same inducted into honors associations, more time there are many reasons to end up in a degree as a four-year student. At the end of to increase the GPA, a slower immersion into VALERIE BATISTA community college, two main reasons are Photo Editor the day, no one wants to pay $2,000 to take college classes from high school classes, and either monetary issues, or not meeting Contemporary Math. overall better chances to get into a excellent PROF. LEW WHEATON the academic requirements for a four-year Mandatory commute to and from campus four-year colleges and universities. Here is college. Regardless of the reason, luckily for Advisor as we have at BCC is a great economical a college admissions secret; a community those ill-fortuned individuals, community investment. Dorming is fun with all the college student is preferred over a high college is very beneficial in many aspects. blurry experiences that come with it, but it school student with the same exact GPA. Corrections Starting with the economic aspect: is expensive, and the food is not always the It is optimal to remember the positive The Torch strives for the highest According to the American Association best. Living and eating at home is a lighter things that BCC, and community colleges in journalistic standards and accuracy. of Community Colleges, tuition and other jab to your wallet, and there is also your general, are able to provide once you touch Readers are encouraged to contact expenses for community colleges average comfort zone in stressful times, times where your Associates degree or decide to transfer. us if they find any mistakes in any less than half of those at public four-year you would want to avoid having a roommate, Some might see BCC as an educational edition of the Torch. colleges and about one-tenth of those at apart from the fact that you get to keep your tornado that engulfs you for three, four or private four-year colleges as of 2013. Also, car, unlike some colleges and universities. even five years, but the time spent here is students who are unsure of what they want to For those who do not have a car, NJ Transit useful and convenient, which will become do and change their majors more often will offers discounts on bus passes for BCC evident when another zero is added to your Editorial and have an easier, less expensive experience at students. yearly salary, or you find yourself in the Opinion Pieces a community college, and may find their High School is a time bomb, and when tsunami of debt, success, and failure that is As an open public forum, The Torch passion without getting into much debt or the time runs out, it is an explosion of four-year colleges, right before the Hurricane welcomes guest opinion pieces and wasting precious time. Students can also save college applications, life-changing decisions level 5 that is life itself. letters to the editor from any member of the Bergen Community College community. Materials should be submitted to [email protected] or delivered to The Torch office, SC- 111. Such submissions must include the writer’s name, contact informa- tion and affiliation with the college. Students should include their major; SGA President Profile faculty and staff should include cam- pus title or position. Opinion pieces are limited to 600 words and letters ADRIAN YLLATOPA staff writer to the editor to 200 words. The Torch reserves the right to edit and to re- From the moment I sat down with SGA President Alexis Bravo, I fuse publication of any submission. sensed a vibe of professional conduct that goes hand-in-hand with being president of any group. The Torch offices are located For starters, Bravo’s major is in Communication Arts. When in Room SC-111, she transfers out of Bergen she plans on double majoring in 400 Paramus Road Communications and Political Science. After Bergen Community Paramus, NJ 07652-1595 College, Bravo is looking to attend NYU or Columbia University but 201.493.5006/5007 has her sights set on NYU. [email protected] What she would like to do with her degree is still undecided, but merging both Communications and Political Science majors in her future occupation is the plan. In her past Bravo has been involved in numerous clubs such as the Student Activities Board and The Torch. Her campaign for SGA President last semester kept her busy during the school year as well. FOLLOW Bravo says SGA’s first accomplishment during her tenure has been keeping an open-door policy for the student body. “We’ve had better communication letting the students know that ‘This office is your office’. We’ve had students come in the office and letting us SGA President Alexis Bravo, looks to make a difference. US know about their day”, Bravo says. Tania Boghossian // The Torch With the organization being a melting pot of different backgrounds, she credits this as being an easy gateway to communicating with the denied some scholarship opportunities and the access of having the student body. Along with this, the group has had a lot of success with Sydney Silverman Library open on Sundays. donations to the food pantry and community service in general. She From their last retreat, SGA made it a goal to engage men of credits Phi Theta Kappa and the Volunteer’s Committee in aiding all ethnicities in having higher graduation rates. As a result, they SGA in donating over hundreds of items to the food pantry and founded a group to help these individuals along the way in their money to breast cancer awareness. academic achievements. “My vision is for SGA to be seen as an honest, open, transparent “I feel very blessed to be in this position”, says Bravo. A title with FB.com/bergentorch voice of the student body”, Bravo says. By the end of the year, she such power and notoriety comes with its stressful times but is not a hopes to have all students’ voices being heard through the group. reason to regret becoming the SGA president. Examples of such instances would be international students being

First Place Awards: General Excellence, Layout & First Place Awards Design, Column/Opinion 2011-2012 Society of Professional Winner for, Enterprise/Investigative Reporting Journalists: Breaking 2011-2012 News Editorial, @torchheadsays Winner for News & Arts and Entertainment/Critical Editorial Writing, Writing, Features, Sports Writing, 2011-2012 Best All-Around New Jersey Press Foundation Better College Non-Daily Student Newspaper Contest Newspaper Shining a Spotlight on a Dark Issue pg. 12-13

9 OPINIONSVOLUME 21 ISSUE 4 | DECEMBER 2013 The Torch

Who marks attendance when the professor is absent? The affect of loosing a great professor in college can cause students to go astray. Illustration by Valeria Batista // The Torch Losing a Professor: The Effects on Students ADRIAN YLLATOPA instructor showed me how not changed the dynamics in the frustration and anger. There was staff writer every professor in existence has classroom, and could happen to no indication on the BCC class evil intentions of making you any other student in any other cancellations page that the class We are very close to the end of fail the class. school environment. would be canceled. Some of the the first semester of this school Midway through October this Upon arriving to Dr. Hoehn’s students, such as myself, make year. Most first year students very same professor, Dr. Douglas classroom one morning, I found the lengthy trek to Bergen every come into BCC with fearful B. Hoehn, was suspended and my classmates huddled around day to make it on time. If the expectations of tough professors later resigned. The entire class the door reading a sheet of class had been listed, some of us and unfriendly classmates. was left with plenty of questions paper that notified everyone might have saved a lot of time Admittedly, I am guilty of and concerns about how the that the class was canceled. and planned accordingly. that, but my Public Speaking rest of the year would go. This The immediate response was Continued on pg. 12 Reader Questions: Is Torch Too Sexual? PAUL FITZPATRICK the student staff members for their increases attention span (so the students of an article. Running a sex column in hasbrouck heights efforts with this newspaper, and I hope tuning out in class are all virgins?), a college newspaper is like running a it leads to a fruitful career in journalism slows down aging (you’re worried list of the best taverns in an Alcoholics Editor’s Note: This letter’s length for those who want to go that route. about aging already?), and reduces the Anonymous newsletter. has been shortened due to layout I must, however, comment on a risk of cancer! Is this The Torch’s idea But if that’s not bad enough, an article issues, however, tone and criticism has trend that has been going on for some of medical advice? It’s not as though in the next issue was about the so-called remained untouched. For any questions time with you folks, which is that you college students need any more excuses benefits of sado-masochistic sexual regarding this letter, please contact see the need to print the most morally to live reckless, hedonistic lives. practices. I am really wondering if you [email protected]. bankrupt paeans to casual, recreational There are any number of wholesome folks are not putting in these articles sex. The September issue suggests that activities that improve your health just to amuse yourselves. And I can’t As a 49-year-old student (finally) students deal with their stress with “a in many ways – starting with getting understand why any responsible advisor pursuing a degree, and with my own good-old fashioned orgasm,” saying that enough sleep and eating properly – or college president would think this is interest in writing, I want to commend sex improves grades, raises self-esteem, wasn’t mentioned in this space-filler Continued on pg. 12 Writing Contest The Scribe’s 24 hour Scramble is a creative writing contest sponsored by the Bards and Scribes creative writing club. The contest will be held on a monthly basis.

The third contest will begin on Saturday, December 21th at noon and submissions need to be in by Sunday, December 22th at noon. Anyone interested in participating has to register for each contest separately by emailing the club at: [email protected]

The writing prompts, word count, and submission guidelines will be sent to all participants via blast email at noon on the contest start day and all entries must be returned via the bards and scribes email address by noon the next day. All late entries will be disqualified. There will be a prize awarded for the winning entry each month. The prizes vary month to month. The submission will be judged by the club’s e-board, with the final decision being made by the club’s faculty advisors.

The contest is open to any current BCC student. If anyone would like additional information they can always stop by the bards and scribes club hours, Thurdays, 12:30 – 1:30 in room L-141.

Winner on pg. 12 ANGELS IN AMERICA Part One: Millenium Approaches

Angels in America was directed by Thomas O’Neill. It takes place in the 1980s, it’s an honest take of the era depict- ing the effets of Reaganocmics, social unease and religious views.

Shining a Spotlight on a Dark Issue

JESSIE CASTELLANOS from different walks of life similarly. The confusion sports editor and heartache going around was too severe, and the understanding was nonexistent. The devastation of one Bergen Stages premiered their interpretation of the contracting AIDS and having to count their days was controversial modern-day play, “Angels in America depicted in a very digestible way. Part one: Millennium Approaches” by Tony Kushner The actual play itself was a very enjoyable. Three on December 6, 2013. “Angels in America” is split into hours with two 10-minute breaks in between. As you two parts, Bergen Stages is only doing the first. The are taking your seats, on-stage you are able to see three play is a multi-award winning, even being featured on tables. The three tables are; a kitchen table with pills, Broadway. This set a precedent of high expectations liquor, and a bible, as well as an office table with two for this team to tackle, but they were more than happy phones and some sandwiches, and a table with a coffin. to do so, not just because of the talent and chemistry of These three tables set the atmosphere for what is going the cast, but because of the deep social issue this play to happen in the play. brings to light. That being the taboo of homosexuality The projection and lighting were used brilliantly and the AIDS epidemic. throughout the play, for there was repeated use of two “Angels in America” is set in 1985 New York City colors of lighting, blue and yellow. An interpretation is and follows a tangent of intertwining stories. The play that yellow shining on a character means recognition revolves around main characters John Ironside, a gay of a problem and blue meant denial. However, there Jew whose lover Prior Walter contracts HIV. Joe Pitt, were times where it did not fit, and what does both a Mormon and law clerk who has to deal with his colors shining mean? Recognizing denial? There were silent homosexuality, and his wife Harper Pitt, who is also many humorous moments and shocking moments, addicted to Valium. Last but certainly not least, Roy which the audience reacted to very well. Cohn, a loud and vulgar speaking Jewish lawyer that is Some negatives are that two scenes in the play also Joe Pitt’s boss and a closeted homosexual, denying seemed to be unimportant until you figure out that it AIDS. These men are faced with being homosexuals in gets revisited in part two. Some of the accents were a not-so-understanding time period, and the realization hard to understand and there were points where the of the severity of AIDS. acting could have been more believable and with a bit The director and 12 year Bergen Stages veteran, more depth regarding the situation, at times, some of Thomas O’Neill, recognizes the impact that this the more veteran actors easily overshadowed the new play had on society, and was thrilled to direct such a talent, wrongly shifting focus from the character to the controversial and difficult play, even more excited to actor. work with such great cast. Overall, although very fun and entertaining, this “Honest” is how producer Jim Bumgardner play had small technical difficulties. Eight stars out described the acting of this cast. You can see that of 10 would be a proper score. This play is highly they knew the severity of the issue, and it made them recommended and worth going to, and you get to passionate enough to give an amazing performance, so support the talented theatre group at Bergen and see the audience can see it as well. And that they did. They their masterpiece. There will be three more showings painted a clear picture of how AIDS affected people December 11-13; come, enjoy! ANGELS IN AMERICA Part One: Millenium Approaches

All photography by Henry Fowler

Interview with Director, Thomas O’Neill

RICARDO MONTERO-HERNANDEZ editor-in-chief

How do you think the play came along tonight? was asking us to open up and not necessarily embrace I am more than thrilled. what was going on, but be more sensitive to it.” Why this particular play? Was casting difficult, given, the sensitive topic? I think Angels in America was probably chosen for A: “Fortunately, it was not all that difficult because a number of reasons, one of which that it’s a Pulitzer as you could see if you saw the show tonight they are Prize winning play, it is one of the most important plays people who...” [Suddenly Interrupted]...”Sorry, wait, of the 20th century and it examines our society and our what was the question? Oh yeah casting. I think it’s culture in a way that we don’t often like to look, it’s sort amazing to have a townpool in the New York area and of the underbelly of our culture and it changed the way North Jersey area, we get very lucky that we get a lot of we view gay society, i think it opened a lot of doors and kids and young adults who are very talented, so no, it made people aware that we have to be more sensitive wasn’t too difficult.” about issues that we would’ve otherwise ignore and we look at some of the laws that are being enacted even What was your favorite part about tonight’s today with same sex marriage and those sort of things. performance? I think this play was a sort of foreshadow for making That we finally got here.” those things happen. Are you projecting a Part 2? Do you think this play set foot for these laws being No not at the moment. enacted? A: “I don’t know that the playwright was thinking that in Would you? twenty years we are gonna change all these laws. I think It’s something that I think the producer would probably it was more about his belief that our culture needed to answer better than me at this point. Jim. open up, and start looking at not only what we think philosophically but what we really believe in spiritually, with regards to other human beings; how we treat them. There is 25 million people that died of AIDS since the 1980s. So, thats a lot of people to sort of ignore and disregard, we need to as a world culture come together even more than we have. There is a greater awareness now, that’s for sure, but there is still a lot of people living with AIDS and dying from it. I think the Playwright 12 Editorials THE TORCH VOLUME 21 ISSUE 4 | DECEMBER 2013

These are the winning submissions by Ariana Abad. November’s scramble had a bit of a twist. Instead of writing one flash fiction piece, entrants needed to write two very short contrasting pieces utilizing the same writing prompt. The $50 prize was donated on behalf of William Blake, who supported and encouraged all those in pursuit of self-improvement through education.

Beginnings Endings She handed Adam the journal and waited. “So?” She broke Michael stood in front of the casket, staring into what seemed the silence. “What do you think?” like a black hole, his mother floating in the middle of it. She was Adam stared at her. “Honey, you’re writing to someone who just playing pretend—It was just a game of hide-and-seek, and he isn’t even born yet.” was “it.” “I know! But God forbid, if anything happens to me, I want “I found you,” he whispered. “I found you, Mommy…” our son to know that he has parents who love him and want what’s He expected her to jump up and hold him, tickling him like best for him.” she always did. “Lorraine, we don’t know whether it’s a boy or girl.” But she didn’t. She placed her hand on her stomach. “I have a feeling it’s Michael’s father walked up to him. “Here, Michael.” He going to be a boy.” handed his son a journal. “Your mom would have liked you to Adam leaned against the bed and placed his hand on top of have this.” hers. “So, our son… What’s his name?” Michael opened the book. “Daddy, I can’t read this.” Lorraine’s eyes lit up. “Michael.” His father hesitated. “…We’ll read it together.” He took a deep “After your father.” breath and started: “Correct.” She beamed. My dearest son: He leaned in closer to her stomach and whispered, “Michael, I really am lucky to feel your heartbeat in this moment. this is your dad. Be good to your mother, okay?” Adam looked up The doctors recently said that I’m sick; I won’t live to see you at his wife, enticing her imagination. “What’s Michael going to be turn three. That scared me, because I want to see you grow and when he grows up? An astronaut? President of the United States? do great things. The youngest person to earn the Nobel Peace Prize?” Lorraine A week ago, I felt you kick for the first time. And I realized, always had big dreams; he often played along, secretly hoping a month, a year, a decade, a lifetime from now… You will always that they would come true. be a mystery to me… “No,” she said. “Just a regular soccer player who goes on to Michael’s father did not finish the letter. He simply cried fall in love and start a family and do ordinary, great things with and hugged his son. “Daddy, what’s wrong?” His father did not his life.” She looked at Adam. “Like you.” respond and left the journal on his seat. “Daddy?” His father They felt a kick in her stomach, and she smiled. He laughed walked away, wiping tears off his eyes. and picked up the journal. It was filled with words that would one Michael was left alone with his mother and walked up to her. day mean the world to their child. He laughed and picked up the journal. “Mommy,” he said, “You “Like father, like son,” he said. and Daddy are really good at playing pretend.”

Losing a Professor: The Effects on Students Continued from pg. 9 a rubric from the textbook. This change are well on our way to the end of the If anyone ever has to deal with this, not only affected us academically, but semester, how fair is this to the students? the best advice out there is to power The news of Hoehn’s departure handicapped students financially as Some could possibly be graduating through it. Regardless of how you feel, was a complete shock to everyone. well. If the students had been alerted in December and now a system they the replacement professor has to do their No explanation was given, nor any beforehand, would we have gone through have engraved in their minds has to be job and give you an education. Yes, losing forewarning. As the students walked the process a little smoother? discarded in order to grow accustomed to that instructor you enjoyed very much into the classroom, there was a different Most students know right away if something completely new. To some, this hurts, but unfortunately these things face from the one we all became they will enjoy a certain class because may not be easy and could very well be happen. If you made it this far through accustomed to the first two months. It of their professor. Their personality the determining factor between passing school, this hurdle will be something for became apparent to us that the textbook may be bright and exuberant, making or failing. you to work a little bit harder to get over. we were required to purchase was no the material come to them very easily. This also places the instructor in an It will be all worth it once you take what longer necessary and we were only What if this professor disappeared to the uncomfortable spot. Surely they would you learned with you and apply it later given a full refund if we had kept a two- dismay of their students? love to keep the students as comfortable in life. Because, as it turns out, life will month old receipt and if all the pages had A replacement is found and they as possible in the class, but they would test your ability to adapt to personnel been still intact. Unfortunately for an can lay out a whole new lesson plan, also want to teach their way with their changes without your permission and it assignment, we were required to rip out much like in my situation. Seeing as we rules and restrictions. is up to you to do so. Reader Questions: Is Torch Too Sexual? Continued from pg. 9 for a reason. We have circumvented these things for our racially offensive comments, which naturally arise out own selfish pleasures – and to our peril. Much of the of the same rude and crude attitude.) Also, is it possible acceptable in a college newspaper. unhappiness in our society today can be linked directly to walk in the corridors of BCC for five minutes without What The Torch is encouraging is a hedonistic to our selfish circumvention of the gifts that God has hearing the “f” word used in every capacity imaginable – attitude, as though we are merely sensual beings looking given us. This is why human sexuality needs to be as a noun, as a verb, as an adjective, etc.? This is exactly for mindless pleasure, devoid of any spirituality or any saved for marriage – because it is the most intimate act the kind of atmosphere that The Torch is helping to meaning outside of this earthly life. between two human beings, and should be saved for the perpetuate. Many young people, particularly girls, when they are one to whom you have committed yourself for life. This I believe that God has given us this life to live as used by someone for sex, feel empty and disillusioned. is an atmosphere in which love thrives (for a beautiful dignified human beings, with reverence toward Him and They thought it was something more. They thought this description of love, see 1 Corinthians 13:4-8). respect for others and ourselves. I would appreciate it was what love was. But they were deceived. They were Anyone who has seen the scrawlings in the men’s’ if The Torch would help to elevate the people it serves, deceived by the selfish boyfriend, deceived by the empty rooms at Bergen Community College can see how as higher education ought to do. (And while you’re at it, values of the blaring media, and deceived by morally cavalierly human sexuality is treated. The sexual realize that opinion pieces belong on the op-ed page and bankrupt articles such as in The Torch. comments written on the walls of the stalls are degrading, shouldn’t be disguised as news stories, but that’s another God created sexuality, procreation, and the life cycle amoral and dehumanizing, devoid of self-respect and letter.) respect for others. (Not to mention the occasional Response to Reader RICARDO MONTERO-HERNANDEZ blindly denying its existence to college students would a hostile atmosphere. Nevertheless, if anyone can point editor-in-chief be ignorant on our part, and would greatly challenge the out an issue where we support profanity in the hallways morals of journalism. and bathroom drawings, please contact us immediately. It is always great to receive feedback from our readers. It is also mentioned that pre-marital sex is Lastly, we praise all religions and fully respect the It clearly states that our newspaper is being read and unacceptable in a college newspaper, for we should be ideologies that each of the religions teach, we cannot, analyzed, especially when our readers take time to teaching about abstinence and support religious beliefs. however, accommodate our newspaper to the preference write a letter to the editor. Your words are very much However, as much as we would like to do that, we of a particular religion. If any of our articles offend a appreciated, and we respect the time that you put into cannot. Pre-marital sex in a college environment is very particular religion, please inform us, but if the reason for writing to us. All of your opinions are always welcomed, common, and we refuse to appeal to the ideologies of a such offense is whether or not we have a sex column, from constructive criticism to criticism, we would love to certain group of people, for it would be unfair to defend please understand that everyone is entitled to their own hear it and with it, improve The Torch. that point of view and would once again, conflict with opinion on the matter. Since sex is a personal choice, Recently we have received a submission, expressing a the journalism code of ethics. Our sex column is more and it is up to The Torch to stay objective and keep our few concerns and disagreements about our sex column. It like salad to a vegetarian than a list of bars to recovering newspaper open to all, we will not appeal to the demands describes our sex column as “the most morally bankrupt alcoholics. of a particular group of people. paeans to casual, recreational sex,” and disagreeing with We try to keep our sex column very informative Once again I would like to thank our distinguished its very existence, saying that “Running a sex column and objective, at no point meaning to offend or incite reader for their submission, and I would like to especially in a college newspaper is like running a list of the best malicious thoughts; it is a mere informational piece thank our readers, for sticking with us as we mature. taverns in an Alcoholics Anonymous newsletter.” on a human action. In the submission it was said that I encourage anyone to write to me, Ricardo Montero- Firstly we would like to thank the reader who sent us The Torch’s sex column fuels the immoral behavior of Hernandez, Editor-in-Chief, with any questions, the submission in question, for it was very informative students, from graffiti in the bathroom stalls to the use comments and concerns, I will diligently respond. I can and we have learned a lot from it. Secondly we would like of profanity in the hallways. This left us a bit concerned, be reached at [email protected]. to say that ignoring the sexual aspect of human life and since we do not encourage profanity, offensive graffiti, or 13 FEATURESVOLUME 21 ISSUE 4 | DECEMBER 2013 The Torch

A poster of Nelson Mandela is seen in the crowd during a memorial service for the deceased South African anti-apartheid leader and former President at the FND Stadium in Soweto, South Africa, Tues., Dec. 10, 2013. ( Graeme Williams/Action Press/Zuma Press/MCT) A Forgotten Question About Nelson Mandela

ADRIAN YLLATOPA rarely ever gone in-depth and detailed. people. staff writer According to the African National Congress He was also openly supportive of brutal website, anc.org.za, in 1961, Mandela co-founded government regimes, such as those of Fidel On December 5th, the former President of the Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), an armed wing of Castro, Saddam Hussein, and Muammar Gaddafi. South Africa Nelson Mandela passed away in his the African National Congress and South African Fidel Castro actually received the highest award home in Houghton, Johannesburg. As the world Communist Party. The group ordered the South in South Africa from Nelson Mandela. mourns the loss of the leader, there is the hidden African government to return to reform or face Under Mandela’s rule, the MK did everything question that many people unknowingly stray retaliation attacks. After the government did not they could to not have casualties under these away from: Why was Nelson Mandela imprisoned? comply with these demands, the MK began to protests. It wasn’t until they were left with no There are other known facts about Mandela such attack government installations the same year. choice that they resorted to guerilla warfare as his anti-apartheid revolutionary activism and Under Mandela’s rule, terrorists from the MK also Continued on pg. 15 philanthropy. The reason for his imprisonment is planted bombs in public areas killing innocent Our Very Own Thrift Shop NOMI EIJKENAAR staff writer Bergen Community College has it’s very own thrift shop. A new project held by the Student Government Association, Phi Theta Kappa, Green Team, and Turning Point is making its way into our very own student’s lives. BCC is filled with a significant amount of students who are on financial aid and some are not capable of getting the money together to provide their families with food or clothing. Our school provides these people with a food pantry located in the main Pitkin building, all one has to do is go to the nursing office and ask to speak with a nurse. No explanation is necessary and confidentiality is required, making students in need feel as comfortable as possible to go to the school’s food pantry and take Bergen students donated clothes and accesories to set up a thrift shop benefitting all in many different ways. whatever is necessary to provide for their families. The Tania Boghossian // The Torch next step to help is accumulating clothing for a big thrift shop event held at the Student Center in the first week of for an emergency situation of a student in serious need Then I began looking through the things I have and December. for financial help. The students selling the clothing and realized I forgot I even owned half of them. There is As Victoria Tahhan, the Vice President of SGA the ones preparing for the sales will include students absolutely no reason to own as many things as I did and organization said, “Many students are dropping out of who are considered cognitively impaired. This project to forget you have more sweaters than you can wear in Bergen because they cannot pay for tuition, food, and will help them build skills to be able to communicate a week. I started folding my clothes and realized I was clothing all at the same time. Some have to drop out between a worker and its customer providing them with putting aside half of my belongings and to be honest, it and find a full time job to provide for their families, a heads start for the real world. felt great. I donated a big bag of sweaters, pants, shirts, and what we are trying to do is provide for them so The beauty of combining the Green Team into this and bags. Cleaning out my closet not only made me the rate of dropouts decreases and more students can project is the idea of sustainability. Many do not realize feel good and provided more space in my room but also accomplish their academic career here at BCC”. Some that what they consider trash can be another man’s helped others. I can now know that someone else will be students do not have proper clothing for a job interview treasure. We live in a society where owning three pairs wearing clothes I forgot I even had and will enjoy them and cannot take a step forward into the real world and of pants is not considered enough and shopping for fun is more than I ever did. starting providing for themselves. Our job is to open up something that seems almost natural. Instead of wasting It is important to not forget that even though Bergen our homes and donate things we do not use anymore to and keep everything we own in our own homes we are Community College is such a beautiful campus that help others. better off passing it on to others. Sustainability is the provides us all with outstanding abilities and facilities All money collected from selling clothing at the idea or reusing and recycling which is why donating is it does consist of many people in need. It is our job as a thrift shop will be going towards an Emergency Crisis such a beautiful process. community to help anyone around us who might benefit Fund held by Dr. Naydeen Gonzalez-De Jesus, Vice This past weekend I decided to clear out my closet from the little bit of effort we put into donating food or President of Students Affairs. The fund will be saved and donated to our school’s thrift shop, I started from clothing. It is important to remember there will always taking everything I owned and throwing it on my bed. be someone less fortunate than us. 14 Features THE TORCH VOLUME 21 ISSUE 4 | DECEMBER 2013 REVIEWS Do We Really Have a Choice? The Stanley Parable BLAIR DELONG situations where free will can be questioned and staff writer subsequently answered. It also brings an aspect of philosophy of game design not many games have Do players really have a choice in what they do in a touched on, which is imaginative narrative. Too many video game? The Stanley Parable questions this at games made by Triple A developers focus on tried and every turn. Should you take the right door because the true mechanics, such as the third person shooter and narrator tells you to, or should you take the left door its cover mechanics and almost linear game play where because you feel as though you have free will to do so? you are forced to play the game the designers intended You play as Stanley, a mundane office worker without much thought into an inventive way a player that has suddenly found himself alone in his office can tackle an obstacle. building. As Stanley follows the narrators instructions Every decision will either please or anger the (or not), the player is faced with many decisions that narrator. There are certain points that he will alter will have ramifications on the story arc that the player’s the game world so that you will follow his direction. decisions have created; the narrative is the experiment Just as the Portal series was a breath of fresh air from in The Stanley Parable. Generic Modern Call of Shooter 9, the Stanley Parable You will follow a story, you will not follow a story. You will have a The Stanley Parable, originally made with the is yet another breath of fresh air that might just bring choice, you will have no choice. The game will end, the game will Source game engine, was made available through someone sick of gaming back to the keyboard. The never end. Valve’s Steam Service by Davey Wreden. This isn’t Stanley Parable is available on the Steam Marketplace Photo coutresy of stanleyparable.com a shooter, nor does the game involve any amount for $14.99 and well worth the price. of substantial violence; it tests how players react to Wadjda. A Girl and Her Bike ROGER S. ECHEGOYEN her friend Abdullah (Abdullrahman father fights with her mother because features editor Algohani) shows her the new bike he’s she hasn’t delivered a son to him. While gotten, they agree to race each other filming, Haifaa al-Mansour had to The story is simple: A 10-year-old when Wadjda gets her own bike. After hide in her own van and communicate girl desires a bicycle after her friend an announcement is made stating that with her male crew, working outside, shows his new bike to her. She’ll risk the winner of a Qur’an recital contest through Walkie Talkie so that a woman everything to obtain the bicycle by will inherit a modest sum of cash, will not be seen working. any means possible. It sounds simple Wadjda decides to enter the contest to Even though these issues were but “Wadjda” brings a creative twist win the money and to buy the bicycle brought up within the film, the director to the story. The story is set in Saudi she desires. flawlessly shows it to us in the eyes of Arabia with the titular character living The film is shot entirely in Riyadh, Wadjda. It disgusts us, mortifies us, in a male dominated society that Saudi Arabia and is Haifaa al-Mansour but we sigh in relief due to Wadjda’s discourages women to ride bicycles or first film. The extraordinary fact about determination to overcome the social express themselves in a way that would the director is that she is a woman pressure that has been bestowed be against the Islamic culture. working in Saudi Arabia, a country on her. Haifaa al-Mansour lets the Wadja and her precious bicycle. Wadjda (Waad Mohammad) that does not view women equally to misogynistic injustices remain in the Wadja ia an enterprising Saudi girl that signs on for creates mixtapes from Western music, men . This has never been done before back of our minds as we are paying her school’s Koran recitation competition as a way to makes bracelets, and aids a teacher and resulted in something that should full attention to this likable and spunky raise the remaining funds she needs in order to buy the with a rendezvous with a man just to be relished by the global community. girl. Haifaa al-Mansour understands green bicycle that has captured her interest. gain money. For a girl her age, she is The film’s social commentary shows that the voice of women in Islamic Photo courtesy of mvfilmsociety.com an entrepreneur that takes advantage how women are treated in Saudi countries will be more commonly of any moment that could help her Arabia. From the construction workers heard with the aid of cinema. And so it gain money even if her methods are (male) making rape comments directly does. This film receives an (A) rating. forbidden within her culture. After towards Wadjda, to the way Wadjda’s A Melodic Metal Concoction ADRIAN YLLATOPA an early demo track from “A Day to Remember.” The audible enough to be enjoyed, while not overpowering CLIFF BOAN chorus immediately catches your ear if you are a fan the vocals. The title track is arguably the highlight of staff writers of anything along those lines. “Highlight with Fire” this four song EP; it has screams, breakdowns, sweet introduces you to Medieval-like chimes until the entire vocal melodies, shredding guitar licks, and a beat that “Welcome to the show, we’re just open for business band kicks in and the album’s best guitar work hits you makes you want to run around and shout the lyrics, even now,” are the lines that open up Autobiography of right in the face without any warning. The main guitar if you don’t know them - and an overall great ending to Man’s self-released debut “Avenge Me,” and perfectly riff is played throughout the song while lead singer a solid EP. describes what you are in for once you listen to the Chris Berman perfectly compliments the riff with his In the band’s two year history, after a number of full album. Bergen Community College alum Mark melodies. group changes, they believe their lineup is finally set. Mancini began the project in early 2012 after the The band’s latest release, “Villains,” definitely “We know who we are as a group, regardless of how our dissolution of his previous group, Stop Motion Skyline. outlines the band’s darker work and their flexibility sound changes as we continue to progress as a band,” He reached out to Craigslist to recruit other members to in dwelling deeper into a heavier section of metal and says Mark, who believes they have much more to show fill up the lineup. Eventually Mark was able to have his post-hardcore. Mark’s screaming can take you back to the music world, including a planned full-length due core group of musicians in order to record and release Dance Gavin Dance’s “Downtown Battle Mountain,” out sometime next year. The “Villains” EP is available “Avenge Me”. while new vocalist Chris Berman has allowed Mark for free at AutobiographyofMan.Bandcamp.com. The opening track and the highlight track, to also add more intricate guitar lines that were less ’Avenge Me’ is available on iTunes, and Facebook.com/ “Goodbye Lullaby” sounds something straight out of present in “Avenge Me.” Guitar melodies glide along, AutobiographyOfMan. Texts from Bennett: A Novel EMANUELE CALIANNO staff writer ... Bennett, his 17-year cousin who, according to Lethal, “Is a white boy who thinks he’s a Those familiar with the world of blogging have probably heard of Crip, is currently unemployed, has a girlfriend “Texts from Bennett,” the viral named Mercedes, and is one of the most sensation that started buzzing around Tumblr in early 2012. The unintentionally brilliant and funny souls on the brainchild of underground rapper planet.” Mac Lethal, the blog consists of text messaging screenshots between Lethal in September. “Texts from growing inside his cousin. himself and Bennett, his 17-year Bennett,” is a refreshingly engaging In the end, Bennett will cousin who, according to Lethal, novel. When Mac’s family is out on unwittingly help Mac regain his “Is a white boy who thinks he’s a their luck, he houses Bennett and confidence and find the love of Crip, is currently unemployed, has his pill-popping mother to live with his life with his self-proclaimed a girlfriend named Mercedes, and him and his socialite girlfriend. experience with the opposite is one of the most unintentionally As the cohabitation grows sex. Lethal’s first novel is a bit brilliant and funny souls on the more difficult, Mac’s patience and uneven, and shows lack of writing planet.” humanity are constantly challenged. experience at times. However, it is Despite raising more than a Bennett cannot keep a job to save his easily accessible and pure-hearted, few skeptical brows regarding its life, employs ridiculous grammar and also displays a command of veracity, the blog achieved mass and spelling in his texts, and has language and syntax that sharply popularity in just weeks, and is hilarious incidents with many of contrasts with Bennett’s. Blending currently being turned into a sitcom Mac’s neighbors. But when Mac’s hysterical and touching moments by FX. Meanwhile, fans can enjoy fiancée’s true nature is revealed and with little-to-no notice, this novel even more of Bennett and his his self-esteem crushed, he realizes will steal tears of emotion and misadventures in a book released by that family is all he has, and starts laughter from beginning to end. to see the caring yet insecure man Texts from Bennett is a blog created by Mac Lethal purportedly based on text messages exchanged between himself and his “cousin” Bennett Photo courtesy of textsfrombennett.tumblr.com DECEMBER 2013 | VOLUME 21 ISSUE 4 TORCHBCC.COM Features 15 Online Shopping Better Than Traditional In-Store Shopping? DOMENICA PAZMINO it easy to figure out their size by giving direct staff writer measurements to each customer. Tobi also comes Online shopping has become an increasingly out with new products every week, and has good common staple of life in the 21st century. Why is sales including great shipping deals. it so common? According to some students at BCC, Other popular stores include Urban Outfitters, there are many reasons why online shopping has Karmaloop, Nastygal, Uniqlo, and Pacsun, all of become so popular amongst them, and how having them providing specific and unique items for men favorite online stores and knowing exactly how their and women that are not usually offered in stores, deals work are beneficial. It’s popularity can be providing many deals when buying online and credited to the fact that convenience is highly valued dealing with shipping methods, therefore increasing in today’s society. online shopping day-by-day even more. One of the main reasons is that shoppers have all the comfort they want by shopping from home, since shopping online offers the opportunity to buy anything and everything as long as you have an internet connection. Another reason is because it saves time and money, avoiding commute, traffic, and finding parking, not to mention that you won’t waste any gas. In addition, the process avoids dealing with big crowds or waiting in long lines, making the overall experience less stressful. Shopping online also has a good virtual community that helps by offering reviews of the product that is being purchased. Some online stores even offer experts who can give information on the product directly. Among the most popular online stores visited More consumer manufacturers have turned to selling though by our students is Tobi, which offers a great variety online sites, as well as in stores. of women’s clothing as well as accessories, making Photo coutresy of MCTcampus.com A Forgotten Question About Nelson Mandela Continued from pg. 13 he kept an open mind during arguments did not seek reelection in 1999, being the and even studied for a law degree. first person in the country’s history to do and terrorism. After African National In 1994 he was elected President of so. Congress leader Luthuli was awarded the South Africa and created a new image July 18 became known as Mandela Nobel Peace Prize, the MK responded for not just himself but for the nation as Day by promoting community service with bombings on Dignane’s Day, a the first black president. Mandela created worldwide. It was first observed in religious holiday in South Africa. the Truth and Reconciliation Commission 2009. The legacy Nelson Mandela left It wasn’t until his 27 years on Robben investigated human rights under apartheid. is something that can probably be never Island when Mandela repented and It also introduced housing, education, imitated again, but the story behind changed his ways. He developed his inner and economic developments in order to his travels should be something to be strength and political judgment. In prison improve living standards in the nation. He reflected upon when celebrating his life.

Late South African President Nelson Mandela makes his way to Parliament in Cape Town, South Africa, on May 9, 1994 Mandela died on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013. Anacleto Rapping // Los Angeles Times/MCT) Use the Finishing Move on a Beat-Up Relationship RICARDO MONTERO-HERNANDEZ editor-in-chief If you cannot see yourself going through life with him or her, then stop Men and women that are in a relationship have a fear of breaking up, almost as if they were doing over-thinking the relationship and something wrong or breaking an unwritten rule; either have some fun or move on. but the question is, why? Why is there a collective ideology that ending a relationship is some sort of to do it if the benefits outweigh the consequences. evil or danger? If you’re not even in your 20’s and It is the fear of emotional pain, the fear of are debating whether or not you should break up, loneliness, of not having someone to comfortably you should reevaluate your priorities. express your feelings to or to be intimate with Here is a simple truth: any relationship that you that make break ups seem difficult. Humanity is a will ever have in your entire life will end in one of species that is always seeking social acceptance and three ways: you stay together forever, you break up, communal affection, which ultimately means that it or one of you passes away. Those are your choices, is in our nature to want to stay with a person who A, B, or C; there is no ‘none of the above.’ If you we are in a relationship with, making it harder to cannot see yourself going through life with him or separate from them. her, then stop over thinking the relationship and It is wise to ignore this instinct if the relationship either have some fun or move on. It can never be is not beneficial to you, your future, or your relations that serious; you are young, you do not have to be with others. If you feel the need to break up with chained to another person. someone, do it. Otherwise, you might be stuck in the Nevertheless, this does not mean that you should past, and that will surely affect your future. not take the relationship seriously. If you do choose For couple to maintain a relationship they must be within the circle, which represents commitment for one another. to commit to a person, really commit. The point is, Photo coutresy of MCTcampus.com thought, that if you want to break up, do not hesitate Sugar Hill Comes to Bergen JESSICA RODRIGUEZ about the music industry. Their professors as well; as they both this is something that they plan staff writer plans for the class are to not only are currently working in the to do long term and keep within teach their students about the industry. When asked about the Bergen Community College. Most people know The Sugar industry, but to help their students difference, “I love teaching just They do not plan on expanding Hill Gang as the fathers of hip fulfill their individual goals. as much as I love producing and to other colleges even though hop with their hit song “Rapper’s Having teachers that are still more so than anything: I love my they have received offers. As Delight.” What a lot of people very influential within the music students”, said Professor Leland Professor Leland Robinson said don’t know is that there is industry as artists is different Robinson. “We’re loyal to Bergen”. currently a class taught here at from being taught by an everyday The class is filled with In regards to their goals for Bergen Community College by professors. When asked what students who have very different their students’ futures they are one of the members of The Sugar insight they can bring to a class backgrounds, talents, and goals. hoping that “When we finish this Hill Gang, Joey Robinson, and that a regular music teacher When asked for his opinion on class that everyone who’s in here one of the producers of Sugar can’t provide, Professor Leland the students’ talents, Professor will be able to take the knowledge Hill Records, Leland Robinson. Robinson said: “You have to Leland Robinson said “We have that we’ve giving them and be This is a non-credit course be hands on to really know this a classroom full of talent. We able to apply it to their careers called Sugar Hill at Bergen. It business, if you haven’t been have great songwriters, great in the music industry. And even is taking place for the first time hands on within the business then producers, great singers; we’re when the class is over we’re still this fall semester at the Paramus you’ll never really know it”. just full of a whole bunch of going to be hands on with you Leland Robinson, teaches a class at campus. The course is designed BBC on thursday, December 5th. The experience is not only energy in our class. It’s a great guys” said Professor Leland to give students a hands on different for the students it’s class.” Robinson. Jessica Rodriguez // The Torch approach to teaching students a different experience for the Although this is a new course, 16 Features THE TORCH VOLUME 21 ISSUE 4 | DECEMBER 2013 The Console War Reignites

The optional PlayStation Camera features dual cameras to capture video images, including depth, as well as four microphones to detect audio. Some of the highlights of the DualShock 4 include a touchpad, an LED lightbar, a speaker, and higher-quality gyroscopic tracking. Photos courtesy of MCTcampus BRANDON RENO The PS4 also includes a replaceable Moreover, the PS4 will not be backwards every Xbox One and features improved staff writer 500 GB hard drive, Blu-Ray drive, and compatible with the DUALSHOCK 3 tracking software, heart monitoring and for the first time ever for a Sony console, and previous PlayStation games. Instead, a controversial always on microphone, Finally, gamers around the world are able a headset. Notably, the PS4 does not Sony is banking on being able to stream which will be used to activate the console to get their hands on the next generation of include any analog A/V inputs; HDMI old games through cloud-based service when it is in sleep mode, as well as accept video game consoles. Sony’s PlayStation and optical S/PIDF audio are the only two Gaikai, although this will not be available commands during use. Interestingly, the 4 and Microsoft’s Xbox One have been inputs available. The DUALSHOCK 4, at launch, and it is unknown how well the Xbox One will include an HDMI pass released to a world that desperately the default PS4 controller, will include a service will work. through, allowing users to connect a set- needed new consoles two years ago. capacitive touch pad, light bar, gyroscope, The Xbox One has faced a much top cable box or even a PS4, and watch/ Due to the relatively expensive nature accelerometer and vibration functionality, bumpier road than its competition. play through their Xbox One, but this isn’t of a video game console and the myriad as well as a new share button. Microsoft has faced intense, widespread recommended as it is quite laggy. The differences that can arise between the On the OS level, the PS4 introduces backlash from both enthusiasts and the Xbox One will also feature streaming two, it can be difficult for a consumer to streaming functionality through Twitch mainstream media over its restrictive with Twitch, but will only record the choose exactly which one will suit their and Ustream, allowing anyone to stream DRM policies and mandatory Kinect last five minutes of gameplay. Twitch needs the best. That said, this comparison out gameplay with the press of a button. inclusion. While Microsoft has since streaming will also not be available on will help you make a more informed The last 15 minutes of gameplay will backtracked in response, there are still the One until 2014. decision this holiday season. constantly be recorded as well, allowing fears that Microsoft will attempt to As far as price point, the PS4 is available To start, the PS4 features better users to create gameplay clips and reintroduce these policies at a later date. for $399 while the Xbox One is priced at specs than its competitor, including share them to YouTube and Facebook. In fact, the Xbox One requires a one-time $499. As far as my recommendation, in 8 GB of GDDR5 RAM and a beefier Consumers who choose to buy digitally internet authentication check on startup. a vacuum, I would go for the PS4. It’s GPU. Interestingly, both consoles opted through the PlayStation Store will be able The Xbox One’s specs are a little $100 cheaper, more powerful, and doesn’t for a very similar 8 core AMD CPU to stream and play their games as they’re weaker than the PS4’s, but again, this come burdened with any of the bad DRM/ architecture. The PS4’s advantage in being downloaded, bypassing the long won’t be noticeable until further down the always-online policies. Most importantly power won’t show at launch and on some download times. road. The Xbox One’s controller is a little though, you have to look at the exclusives multi-platform games but PS4 exclusives Consumers should be aware that slimmer than its 360 predecessor, but and what system(s) your friends will buy over time will likely look and perform online multiplayer will now be locked overall maintains the same design and feel. to get the full picture on what console significantly better than Xbox One behind the pay wall of PlayStation An updated 1080p model of Microsoft’s best suits your needs. exclusives. Plus, which is another $50 annually. Kinect motion sensor is included with

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The last thing you want is for something you enjoy to be something you regret. 50% TUITION Photo courtesy of mirror.co.uk SCHOLARSHIP* Post-Bedroom Regrets and the Cavemen Within Us EMANUELE CALIANNO Martie Haselton of UCLA. For BCC Students staff writer Inversely, women showed regret for * finding the wrong person, or in other based on your GPA Despite modern research and social words, mating with an undesirable and communicative growth; despite partner. Their main regrets included everything we do to think and feel losing their virginity to the wrong sophisticated and advanced, there is person, cheating on a former or present ST. THOMASstill somethingAQUINAS COLLEGE rather instinctual about partner, and moving too fast sexually. our perceptions when it comes to sex. “The consequences of casual sex were BEST. YOU. EVER. A study from the University of Texas so much higher for ancestral women and UCLA featuring around 25,000 than for ancestral men, and this is likely TRANSFER FOOD FOR THOUGHT PROGRAMS students recently aimed to report on the to have shaped emotional reactions to phenomenon of sexual regret in both sexual liaisons even today,” according to For Transfer Students and Advisors women and men, and more specifically Haselton. how it stems from evolutionary aspects Take advantage of on-the-spot credit and scholarship evaluations! In addition, more women than linked to reproduction. The findings men showed regret in a past encounter Friday, December 13 and Friday, January 10 at 12PM were published in the current issue of the with a physically unattractive partner. academic journal “Archives of Sexual Register Online at www.stac.edu/events Interestingly enough, the findings were Behavior.” consistent among men and women of all During the study, both genders 100+ Academic & Career Programs sexual orientations. Researchers suggest showed various regrets and concerns that while social norms certainly play a 16 NCAA DII Sports regarding their past or current sexual role in sexual regret, they may very well Military Friendly School® - Yellow Ribbon Program Participant encounters. Men showed regret in be rooted in past pressures of natural what researchers described as missed selection. opportunities to reproduce. Their main How well this will go down with regrets included lacking confidence to people is hard to tell. Whether these pursue a possible partner and not being ST. THOMAS AQUINAS COLLEGE findings will open bigger doors, posterity sexually adventurous in youth or during will judge. Either way, it is yet another ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY | 845.398.4100 | www.stac.edu the “single years”. “[For men], every reminder that the time to find comfort in A U.S. News & World Report Top-Tier Institution missed opportunity to have sex with a social myths and assumptions is coming new partner [...] is a costly loss from an to an end. evolutionary perspective,” said Professor DECEMBER 2013 | VOLUME 21 ISSUE 4 TORCHBCC.COM Sports 17

Bergen Students enjoying a Friday night at Pride Prom. All photos by Tania Boghossian Blast at Snow Ball DOMENICA PAZMINO (Student Activity Board), PTK (Honors Spanish music and the famous “Cupid other campuses, and organizations that staff writer Association), and ASL (American Sign Shuffle” song, which had everyone will help them to communicate and come Language Club), and also for everyone to dancing together the whole night. Not together. Bergen P.R.I.D.E accomplished Bergen P.R.I.D.E hosted their second celebrate pride and being yourself. only did this dance offered delicious food many things including bringing the annual dance with a “Snow Ball-The Seeing the amazing outcome, and and refreshing drinks, but it was also community together, by letting the Masquerade” themed prom night, on the success from last year’s dance is what filled with countless beautiful decorations student body and staff members to have evening of November 22nd which took made Bergen P.R.I.D.E’s president that made the attendees feel as if it was a the opportunity to get to know each other place in the tech building of the Paramus Damian Jiggy Dymka continue with this real prom, making this night replace their more, and help each other whenever they campus, bringing in an amazing energetic dance and make it a tradition to keep on original prom night to some, and to others need help. crowd of people together. going by making it “bigger and better experience what prom feels like. Bergen P.R.I.D.E and everyone else, This event officially started last year each year.” The night was filled with Sign-ups for this event started Nov who helped make this dance happen, did when Bergen P.R.I.D.E, and its members great energy from everyone who attended; 4th, and got filled in less than two weeks an amazing job in creating an enjoyable decided to host an event that would allow People wore unique masks, some of them therefore even having to get some people environment for everyone who attended. students to have fun on campus, and also originally handmade. Beautiful gowns on a wait list. Not only did students from If you weren’t able to attend this year’s bring clubs together allowing them to and polished suits, which made everyone, BCC attended but also students from event be sure to check it out next year by interact and collaborate between different look flawless. other schools such as Ramapo, Montclair, reaching Bergen P.R.I.D.E through their clubs and organizations on campus Everyone danced the night away and William Patterson University, social networks such as their Facebook, as well as off campus such as LASA with the music from the DJ who played allowing Bergen P.R.I.D.E to build great and twitter page or on campus. (Latin American Student Association), a variety of great tunes including some networking connections with people from BSU (Black Student Union), SAB

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• House • Squirrel-tail • Candy cane • Drum sock • Broken tree • C lock • String lights • Three fat pigs • Belt wift a B 18 Sports THE TORCH VOLUME 21 ISSUE 4 | DECEMBER 2013 From the Arena to the Cage, What Goes Through a Warrior’s Head?

BLAIR DELONG only is a fighter getting punched, kicked, and having anything in life, many aspects of what we do come staff writer limbs wrenched out of their respective sockets; they from experience; this applies to combat sports as well. From the bloodsoaked arenas of Rome’s Colosseum have to do so while still planning on what DeLuca says, “A big part of controlling my to the Octagon of the UFC, humanity has often been their next move is going to be. Akin to emotions comes from experience on the enamored with violence. Men once fought with sword, a violent version of chess, a fighter training mat and being ready for what shield, trident and other deadly implements; today’s must keep his or her emotions in is about to come when you are about warriors use their bodies to subdue rather than kill check as he or she thinks two to compete in a tournament.” their opponent. Some people fight for honor, others kicks and a throw ahead, because Psychologytoday.com reported to be the best at their respective fighting disciple and if they don’t, they could find that, “Healthy competition that is some fight just for the sake of fighting. themselves letting emotion balanced with a sense of mutual In today’s combat sports, there are many disciplines take over and fighting like a respect and commitment to that are used and have been mixed together to find a Viking berserker swinging common goals can spur people more economical way of fighting, melding into what wildly at their opponent, to do their best work. However, is commonly known today as Mixed Martial Arts, or potentially putting them at if the competition involves nasty, MMA. MMA takes the throwing aspects of Judo, the risk to lose the match. sneaky, or otherwise ruthless striking of Muay Thai, and the grappling of Greco Professional MMA behavior on an ongoing basis, Roman wrestling. Fighter Chris Weidman, this can undermine the health and before taking on opponent performance of employees or group Anderson Silva, said, “Guys members.” The discipline to fight without go in there and some of them Not only does this apply in the emotion takes an extreme emotional are unsure about themselves... workplace, but in the cage as well. if you’re not mentally prepared When competition remains clean, so and mental toll on a fighter. and truly have confidence in can a fighter’s mind. It can all boil For a person to master just one of these disciplines yourself. So I think the main down to each competitor’s willingness takes years of intense training and discipline, but thing is to have confidence and the best guy to keep to a set of rules and make it a to learn all of them and become proficient takes an is going to win... I’m not really going to let clean fight or match. When official it mess with me at all.” While confidence rules or unspoken rules are broken, extreme amount of not only physical, psychological Illustration by Valerie Batista and emotional conditioning; not only does a fighter does affect a fighter’s performance, can it emotions can reach a peak and make have to deal with the physical aspect of training, but if really be the linchpin to their success? An opponent the blood run hot. In the end, a fighter trains not only a fighter is distracted outside of the cage, it can affect may use intimidation as their weapon to blind their their bodies but their minds as well. To fight and think their performance inside. Case in point would be the opponents and affect judgment, and a fighter must effectively, a fighter must make their mind clear and stress Dana White, Owner of the UFC, put on George maintain their grounding throughout or risk getting aware as to why they have trained for that moment St-Pierre for wanting to retire from the sport before taken advantage of. when the bell rings. DeLuca said, “I’m out there to his fight at UFC 167. When asked how he competes, Enrico DeLuca, a test myself, I can’t let emotion override my training.” The discipline to fight without emotion takes an Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Grapplers Quest Silver Medalist extreme emotional and mental toll on a fighter. Not said, “When your anger rises, lower your sword. When your anger lowers, raise your sword.” As with

Benefits of Yoga You May Not Know About

JESSIE CASTELLANOS sports editor While many people may see yoga solely as a stress reliever, a majority of people can actually benefit from the practice. yoga is not just physical exercise; if allowed to be, it can be spiritual as well. Yoga guides one to find inner peace. Our society is conditioned to just “Use Illustration courtesy of bsjs.co.uk our heads”. This causes a detachment of mind and body. The literal Sanskrit meaning of yoga is “To join”, “To unite”, “To attach;” the brain and body are Cross Country one. From a scientific standpoint, the brain is connected to neurons, and the neurotransmitters regulate movement, literally connecting the mind to the body. Runner Nominated Other studies have shown movement to increase cognitive function, memory, and Yoga: physical, mental, and spiritual practices to decision-making. attain a state of permanent peace. All-American Yoga makes these connections by Benjamin Benschneider/Seattle Times/MCT linking breathing to postures that focus YAIDELISSE ROMAN placed 55/130, Kevin Valdivia placed on deep-breathing. Breathing is the relief from chronic back pain, lower staff writer 110/130, and Joel Munoz placed 125/130. most important part of the practice; not blood sugar levels in diabetics, improved Laura Durso, the Head coach of the only does focusing on it help clear the sense of balance, stronger bones, healthy We are proud to introduce BCC’s very Cross Country team, is fairly new to head, but these postures assist breathing weight, and lower risk of heart disease. own Travis Spicer to the spotlight Bergen, just finishing her third semester during stressful situations. Focusing on With all the advantages of yoga, even from the November’s cross country coaching here at Bergen, but she has breathing allows one to notice the body at the “Average Joe” can benefit from it. article. Spicer is a freshman at Bergen plenty of experience. She was on her work and all the muscles involved in the It’s an enjoyable practice, and if you’re Community College who was nominated high school’s varsity cross country team, postures, allowing one to be more aware interested in it, take a class or look up for the All American Cross Country basketball team, and outdoor field and of the body and create a grounding. This some videos on YouTube. A good type team, but unfortunately lost his spot by track team. is only one of the many benefits! of yoga to start with as a beginner is two competitors. Durso was also on her cross country There are other ways yoga may Hatha Yoga. It focuses more on postures On November 9th, the boys travelled team all four years of her college career benefit you. Short term benefits may and breathing instead of moving through to Holyoke Community College in in DeSales University. She was named improve brain function, lower stress postures. In addition BCC offers a dance Massachusetts to compete in the 2013 captain during both her junior and senior levels, alter gene expression, and increase yoga class, Dan 109 which is open to NJCAA Cross Country Division III year there. Durso holds a place on the flexibility. Long term benefits may students of all levels, which can be a good National Championships. The Bulldogs all-time leader board for best time on the include lower blood pressure, improved start. Get your downward dog on, and like finished 8th place out the 17 teams that DSU home course 5K. lung capacity, improved sexual function, your self-proclaimed neighborhood yogi competed. This year we came pretty close. As reduced chronic neck pain, anxiety relief, would say a thousand times, “Namaste.” Out of only 15 spots to make All- the coach and her team work on a few American, Spicer placed 17 out of 130, a issues faced so far this year, there are very impressive ranking. His teammates extremely high hopes for next year. Let’s Jovanie Sotomayor placed 35/130, Liam go bulldogs! Walsh placed 54/130, Edgar Aguilar DECEMBER 2013 | VOLUME 21 ISSUE 4 TORCHBCC.COM Sports 19 Bergen Community College Wrestling History in the Making

DEANA DEO 2014 Wrestling Schedule his return from 1996 to 2004. Unable staff writer Day Date Team Location Time to resist staying away from the sport he Sat. Jan.11 College of Mt. St. Vincent w/Trinity College & Norwick University Away TBA loves, he came back, coaching again in As the 2014’s wrestling season approaches, 2009 and serving as the assistant coach we take time to give recognition and Sun. Jan.12 SUNY-Sullivan Co. CC w/Muhlenberg University Away TBA for the last three seasons. Ed Kockakji praise to the accomplishments Bergen’s Wed. Jan.15 U.S.M.A Prep School w/Stony Brook University Home TBA was inducted into the National Junior talented athletes and staff have acquired Sat. Jan.18 College of Mt. St. Vincent Tournament Away TBA College Athletic Association’s (NJCAA) this past season. Bergen Community Wrestling Hall of Fame on February College’s wrestling team had six top Sat. Jan.25 Gloucester CC w/Middlesex CC Away TBA 25, 2012 at Rochester Community athletes that qualified for the NJCAA Sat. Feb. 1 University of Scranton Away 12:00 and Technical College in Rochester, National Tournament at Des Moines, IA. Sun. Feb. 2 Yeshiva University w/West Chester University Away TBA Minnesota. He has also received many Back-to-back year qualifiers sophomore awards and honors throughout the years. Chris Lantz placed third in the District 11 Sat. Feb.15 Eastern District II Tournament at Darton College, GA Away In 1991, he received a Special Recognition tournament at 125 pounds and sophomore Thurs. Feb.27 NJCAA Nationals Away Award from the Garden State Athletic Krisztof Kucab placed second at 174 Fri. Feb.28 NJCAA Nationals Away Conference and Bergen County Coaches pounds. Athletes Jeff Rottingen (133 Association Century Victory Award for pounds), Matthew Jacobson (141 pounds), Sat. Mar. 1 NJCAA Nationals at Spokane, WA Away having more than 100 wins as a coach. and Nick Barone (197 pounds) joined The Record voted him one of the “Top them, all finishing in the top four in Ten NJ High School Wrestlers” of the their respective brackets. Christian Rohn However, credit can not just be year, and also won the Senior National given to the wrestlers for all these Championship. He wrestled at Bergen 1960s in February 2000. In addition, he received a wildcard in the 184 pound has coached over 40 NJCAA All Region bracket as well. Nationals were held on accomplishments. Returning Head Coach Community College where he was a for his fourth season Mike Massenzio National finalist in 2003. Falling short the and All Garden State Athletic Conference February 21, 2013 as Bergen battled for wrestlers, four of whom were NJCAA All the crown. Jeff Rottingen finished 8th in and Assistant Coach Ed Kochakji year before, he went back in 2004 to win played a big role in leading this team in the national championship for Bergen. - American, one of them being current the 133 pound weight class and received head coach Mike Massenzio in 2004. NJCAA All-American Honors. Not only the right direction, both of whom were Massenzio’s most recent accomplishment extraordinary wrestlers in their prime. was receiving the NJCAA Wrestling Man All of these determined, passionate, this, but the Bergen Community team goal-oriented human beings blend achieved a ranking altogether to place Massenzio wrestled for St. Josephs in of the Year in 2012. Montvale, NJ, where he took 3rd place Coaching alongside him is former together perfectly to create a team that higher than all the Garden State Athletic will see a lot more success in their future Conference Schools at the national in states as a sophomore. Not stopping head and now assistant coach, Ed there, Massenzio went on to take the Kochakji, who has been coaching here as they continue making their school tournament and placed 27th with 14.5 proud. points earned. State title both his junior and senior at Bergen from 1977 to 1992 and made NBA: Two Months In KENNY CHICA 22. The much-anticipated return of the former MVP staff writer has come up short, when it was announced he suffered a lateral meniscus tear in his right knee, taking him out The NBA Season is two months in, and if you have for the rest of season. not kept up with the hectic off-season, then you are in It’s been an up and down season in the NBA; no one for a surprise. The 2013-2014 NBA season had begun can pick one team out of the crop who is favorite to win with great anticipation of the big acquisitions made by a title aside from the Indiana Pacers and San Antonio emerging teams and the return of franchise defining Spurs, both of whom are having phenomenal seasons so players from debating injuries. far. Two Aging Celtic Star’s Paul Pierce and Kevin After coming up one game shy of earning a spot in Garnett took what is left of their talents and careers to the NBA Finals, the Indiana Pacers are arguably the best Brooklyn. While the New York Knicks acquired former team in the Eastern Conference -- yes, even better than first-round pick Andrea Bargnani from the Toronto the two-time champions in South Beach. The Pacers Raptors, Derrick Rose was looking to make a return Illustration by Brian Felix have shown no signs of slowing down; if anything, they and playing in the season opener after missing an entire have shown signs of maturity and physical dominance. NBA season. Kobe Bryant is still working his way up The San Antonio Spurs also came up one game short, the ladder of his return to the hardwood, and Russell starters for the Brooklyn Nets have lingering injuries but this cost them an NBA championship. With an Westbrook was also still working towards his clearance that have resulted in their awful record. The same goes aging dynamic duo in Tony Parker and Tim Duncan, as to play again. These are just a few, but every team in for the Knickerbockers, an early-season injury of Tyson well as Manu Ginobili, the Spurs sit atop the Western the league was training hard to take down their most Chandler has dismantled their team and their hopes of Conference. They look to feed off of their young stars in beloved enemy, the Juggernauts in Miami. competing in the East so far. Kawhi Leonard and sharpshooter Danny Green. Three If you knew any of the fans campaigning for a Kobe Bryant is back on the hardwood, and is on out of sixteen teams in the East are at least .500 or New York Knicks team or Brooklyn Nets team to hit the verge of competing very soon; he recently signed above, which is not a great showing so far for what was the ground running, you will now find them hiding a controversial $48.5 million dollar deal, securing two anticipated as a tough Eastern Conference. The West, under a table. Two months in, and the Knicks and more years for the 35-year-old Laker veteran. What of course, is being the West, with more than 75% of its Nets have both fallen from grace to the bottom of the is the biggest highlight of the NBA season so far? A teams at or above .500. It has been a very interesting Eastern Conference. Their records do not necessarily devastating one to say the least, it is Chicago Bull Derrick season so far, so be ready for another update of the NBA speak for the effort these two teams have traded with Rose hobbling off the Court in Portland on November season next month. their opponents in every competition. Four out of five One Night in Chicago RONALD HERNANDEZ traditional powerhouse Duke Blue Devils contributing writer vs. The Kansas Jayhawks. The stars of the second game were Jabari Parker Not often do you get to see the future of and Andrew Wiggins. These two small the NBA play together all in one night. forwards are the toast of the next year’s During the State Farm Champions draft. Parker is smooth, and mirrors Classic, the stars aligned and fans were the way Paul Pierce played during his treated to one of the best nights in college younger years. He has an old man element basketball. The major powers of the to his game, it’s slow, it’s patient. Wiggins college basketball universe were present: is a high flying marvel, whose best Michigan State, Kansas, Kentucky, and comparison would be to Tracy McGrady. Duke. The night however did not belong He can jump out the building, along with to the blue-bloods of College hoops, having a swift handle. it belonged to 3 freshmen. Andrew Most of the time matchups like this Wiggins, Jabari Parker, Julius Randle, the don’t live up to the hype but this was number one, two, and three High school one of the wonderful occasions when prospects; as well as the projected top 3 both young superstars lived up to the draft picks in the upcoming NBA draft. night. Parker came out the gate with a The first game of the night was the combination of finesse moves and jump senior laced Michigan State Spartans vs. shots. Wiggins in the first half was almost the prospect factory that is the Kentucky above: Duke’s Jabari Parker (1) attempts to move the ball inside in the second half against Michigan on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2013, at Cameron a non-factor with early foul trouble. The Wildcats. These teams are as opposites second half was a different story, he as Republicans to Democrats. The star Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C. Duke won, 79-69. started to use his quick first step to break of this show was Randle, a soft shooting Chuck Liddy // Raleigh News & Observer // MCT) into the paint and the Jayhawks controlled physical specimen at 6’9 250 pounds. the rest of night. Duke lost their grip of He has been called a poor man’s LeBron left: Kentucky’s Julius Randle slams down two of his 14 points against the game when Parker fouled out. The James. During the game he dominated the Eastern Michigan on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2013, at Rupp Arena in final score was 94-83. second half with soft touch post moves, or This was a great night for College by bulling his way to the paint. Though Lexington, Ky. Kentucky won, 81-63. Jonathan Palmer // Lexington Herald-Leader // MCT) hoops but the future is what made this Randle lived up to the hype his efforts night special. These freshmen are most fell short as his team lost to the combined likely one-and-dones this year. The next team effort of the Spartans. The final time we see them all together it might be score was 77-66. in the NBA All-Star game. The second game of the night was 20 Sports The Torch VOLUME 21 ISSUE 4 | DECEMBER 2013 SPORTS

The Dance Team in action. They performed on Nov 16th & Nov 21st at the men’s basketball halftime. It’s goal is to increase student participation and attendance at BCC sport games. Deana Deo // The Torch Dance Your Heart Out DEANA DEO staff writer The idea of this dance team came from a meeting that was held in spring 2013 at the athletics committee on how they can increase the attendance at the games. As you may have read in “The Return game, they even had our mascot dancing When asked about the team and their much more. of the Lady Bulldogs” in our November in the middle of the routine on key to future goals, dance team captain Ana Polanco went to Passaic County edition of The Torch, there is a new dance all the moves they were doing. It was an Polanco had this to say, “I am very happy Technical Institute where she majored in team performing at half-time of Bergens outstanding performance and truly shows with the way things have been going for dance and came to Bergen to continue sporting events. Hopefully you have the hard work they have been putting in. the team. We have a great group and have dancing, but has changed her major to already done so, but if not, you should The idea of this dance team came been asked to perform at several events biology. Polanco is involved in many come see them perform. They are six from a meeting that was held in spring already. I would like to compete, but I extracurricular activities through the talented young ladies, and seven if you 2013 at the athletics committee on how know it’s a long process and I’m also not dance program here at Bergen such as include our Bulldog mascot who puts on they can increase the attendance at the sure if community colleges have dance Bergen’s Dance Club, Bergen’s Dance quite a show. They are not your regular games. On September 16th, 2013, they teams that compete against each other” Ensemble, Art of Motion’s company, and spunky cheerleaders, but incredible had tryouts in an effort to create this Polanco has been dancing since she Tribute Dance Project. Not only has she performers. squad, in hopes for a good turnout. They was six years old at the Dance World performed at Bergen, but Polanco has also Their ambition and commitment are were able to find a group of girls with Academy and started competing at the performed for Bear 54, Fulanito, Leslie to be admired, to be able to pull off dance passion and determination.“We wanted a age of 12. She has an extensive and varied Grace, Six Flags Dead Man’s Party, and routines with such poise and organization. place for the dancers of Bergen to have background of all dance knowledge from Matt Hunter. Alongside of her for this They changed the atmosphere in the a little something extra since the dance tap, jazz, ballet, hip hop, contemporary, journey is co- captain Ginny Germakian; stands; looking around you can see department is so small,” dancer Katie lyrical, popping, breakdancing, salsa, both of them are doing a phenomenal job people getting out of their seats and Auer explained. bachata, merengue, samba, zouk, reggae, at running this team of spectacular ladies! starting to dance along. At the last home reggaeton, Turkish belly dancing, and

Our men’s basketball team in a game versus SUNY Rockland CC basketball team on Saturday, November 21st, 2013. Deana Deo // The Torch Coming Together for the Beauty of the Game

KENNY CHICA point guard of every team, whether it is looking to use everything they do well work hard, and play “Bulldog-Ball” every staff writer recreation or the NBA, is the unspoken to make up for lack of height. Not having single day. It is a long basketball season, captain and voice of their team. With a height on the team can present a few and with the beauty of sports, you can BCC’s winter sports are in full- team full of new players that have little problems within the interior of the team, always overcome anything and finish swing, being led by our men’s basketball experience playing together, it starts with such as rebounding and matching up. strong. program. With a completely new team, the point guard to get everyone collectively But just like any team that suffers from If you enjoy basketball and basketball the Bulldogs are looking to build a involved and start the fire. Bulldogs; it is an inability to rebound well, they look to being played at a high level, then come foundation of hard work, just as we are never easy starting the season with a 1-4 emphasize defense. out and support our fellow Bulldog Men’s accustomed to seeing of the Bulldog’s record and trying to develop trust Garcia describes this 2013-2014 Basketball team! To keep updated on past teams. Freshman Eddie Garcia of North Basketball campaign with, “Every the team’s progress, or to find out when The Bulldogs have started off the Bergen will look to lead the charge this Single Day,” a quote that is pretty self- their next game is, please visit ihigh.com/ season with a record of 1-4; it has been year for the between each other. With a explanatory, signifying that they will bergenbulldogs. tough to develop chemistry and instant relatively small team, the Bulldogs are perform to the best of their abilities, success for the men’s program. The