College President Looks Ahead Court to Hear Motion Dr
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Metal group jams in Orlando Solar Bears take on Komets ‘Cartoon Network’ band Orlando takes Sunday win banned from Disney after losing two games 5 7 Volume 17, Issue 13 www.ValenciaVoice.com Dec. 12, 2012 College president looks ahead Court to hear motion Dr. Sanford Shugart Zimmerman attempts to have monitor removed reflects on Aspen prize By Natasha Tetley ing and killing Martin in the February [email protected] incident in Sanford that has since made national headlines. Zimmerman was By James Tutten ORLANDO — The counsel for charged with second-degree murder and [email protected] George Zimmerman, accused of the fatal was released after posting his $1 million shooting of Trayvon Martin, 17, on Feb. bond in July, according to public docu- 26, filed eight new motions on Friday in ments. ORLANDO — Valencia College was Seminole County Court in an attempt to He has since been required to wear a honored one year ago on Dec. 12, 2011, as allow the removal of his ankle monitor. GPS enabled tracking ankle bracelet and it was awarded the inaugural Aspen Prize In addition, Zimmerman’s attorney has had his location monitored by the po- for Community College Excellence. Mark O’Mara is attempting to lift the re- lice, amidst fears for Zimmerman’s safety The prize recognized Valencia as the strictions preventing Zimmerman from and the threat of vigilantism. He has also best community college in the nation as speaking to witnesses that include per- been required to stay in Seminole County stated on the Aspen Institute’s Web site sonal friends, according to the motions. since being fitting with the monitor. for having “outstanding academic and The request comes hot off of Zimmer- “I think nobody would deny the fact man’s allegations against NBC Universal in that if George Zimmerman were walk- workforce outcomes in both absolute per- which he claims the newsmaker employed ing down the street today, he would be at formance and improvements over time.” wrongfully racist spins against him. risk. That is a reality,” said O’Mara dur- “It was just a terrific thrill to be able James Tutten/Valencia Voice That defamation suit was filed on ing an April interview with press. to represent the whole community college Valencia President, Dr. Sanford Shugart, holds the Aspen Prize Award for Community College Excellence. Thursday and Zimmerman will seek While Zimmerman’s safety was a world for just a moment, and to speak damages, according to court documents. concern for his attorneys, emotions ran to policy makers and the public on our the institute’s Aspen Prize overview. improving what students experience and According to the suit levied against hot for others involved in the case. work,” said Dr. Sanford Shugart, presi- Shugart humbly explained that he how they learn and how they progress.” the network, “NBC saw the death of Martin’s family attorney Ben Crump Trayvon Martin not as a tragedy but as held the opposing opinion following the dent of Valencia College. didn’t feel this award meant the college The Aspen Prize works to acknowledge an opportunity to increase ratings. related bond hearing in April, according To reach the point of being recognized was actually the best in the nation because the achievements of community colleges “Because of NBC’s deceptive and to a CBS report. “The Best” meant a detailed evaluation that is so hard to clearly define, just the with outstanding records of student success exploitative manipulations, the public “Why is everybody protecting George process developed by the Aspen Institute inaugural winner and one of the best. propelling them to the national spotlight wrongly believes that Zimmerman ‘used Zimmerman?” he said. that measured the nations top community He went on to say “it feels like confir- which allows them to inspire other institu- a racial epithet’ while describing Martin The hearing on Friday’s motions is colleges based on “student learning, degree mation of a long, steady climb to improve tions looking to ratify and improve their during the call to the dispatcher,” contin- scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 11, while and credential attainment, transfer, and ca- student learning. We’ve had just a tremen- own work with post-secondary education. ues the suit. Zimmerman’s murder trial is set to com- Zimmerman is accused of shoot- mence in June. reer and earnings outcomes,” as stated by dous focus for two decades almost, on — See “Aspen prize” on Page 3 www.valenciavoice.com NEWS Dec. 12, 2012 2 Former student killed in hit-and-run crash passing later stopped and called for 9-11 FHP are hoping for witness information for help. Jones was taken to Orlando Re- gional Medical Center where he passed By James Tutten door sedan, as the driver made an abrupt away Friday around 4:30 a.m. [email protected] turn into the Jasmine Apartments. “I’ve spoken with my brother and his Security camera footage from across wife Tina and they’re doing as well as can Aaron Jones, 28, was killed in a hit- the street confirmed that this accident be expected,” said Joni Brown, aunt of and-run crash on Goldenrod Road on occurred at 1:20 a.m., and according to Aaron Jones on his fathers side. “It’s hard, Friday Dec. 7. Family, friends and the FHP investigators the impact damaged it’s hard on anybody to lose your son. You Florida Highway Patrol are currently the right-front side of the sedan. don’t want to bury your children.” searching for information that leads to Instead of helping Jones, the uniden- Family members, friends and other an arrest. tified driver circled around the apart- supporters were gathered at the crash Jones was headed south riding a ment complex entrance and headed scene on Sunday and Monday after- End poverty. small 50cc motorcycle on Goldenrod back northbound on Goldenrod Road, noon, holding signs asking for help to Road when he was fatally struck by an according to FHP investigators. find the hit-and-run vehicle and hand- unidentified driver headed north on An ambulance arrived on scene ing out fliers to individuals as they en- Start getting Goldenrod Road in a light colored four- around 1:34 a.m., after another vehicle tered the Jasmine Apartments. There was also a memorial service kids through held on Monday evening at the “Other End poverty. Bar” where Jones worked as a bar man- Courtesy of the Jones family ager. Friends and supporters shared Aaron Jones,28, was killed in a hit-and-run high school. their condolences while helping raise crash at 1:20 a.m. on Friday according to FHP. Start getting money for the family through a silent auction and other donations. run crashes as an “epidemic,” with 696 kids through Some tips and other information has hit-and-run reports last month in Cen- Donate money or time at come in from local residents, but nothing tral Florida handled by the FHP. BigBrothersBigSisters.org has lead to any kind of suspect arrest. The punishment for a hit-and-run high school. “We have looked at eight to 12 vehi- crash resulting in a death would ap- cles matching the description with front- ply to Florida’s Justin McWilliams Act, end damage, but have been unable to which mandates a first degree felony confirm if they were the suspect vehicle,” charge punishable by a $10,000 fine, and EndDonate money poverty. or time at said Sgt. Kim Montes, FHP investigator. up to 30 years in prison. BigBrothersBigSisters.org With no direct eyewitnesses, Montes There is currently a $2,500 reward said this case will rely on a solid lead for anyone with information about this Start getting that can tie the suspect with some cir- case that leads to a felony arrest, and Start Something™ James Tutten / Valencia Voice cumstantial evidence. they are encouraged to call Central Flor- kids through Friends of Jones holding signs at the accident scene on Goldenrod Road in east Orlando. Montes described Florida’s hit-and- ida Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS. high school. Start Something™ Donate money or time at BigBrothersBigSisters.org Start Something™ www.valenciavoice.com NEWS Dec. 12, 2012 3 Aspen Prize — Continued from Page 1 When asked if being awarded the Aspen Prize one year ago was his highest professional accomplishment Shugart said “I feel best about our work through our student’s stories. When I hear of a student who succeeded against the odds and gone places and done things no one had ever imagined possible including the student, those are my best moments.” After winning the Aspen Prize the college has received more attention from the community and the national educational community and Shugart has be able to travel more to speak on national pan- els and explain the work of Valencia College. The college also has several goals for the future to go along with its ever-growing campuses and raising numbers of student enrollment. Valencia is still working on the goals of improving graduation rates of students in need of basic refresher courses and others that require fundamental help with re- mediation in the fields of math, English and other skills needed to find success in college. There is also a continued focus on the colleges’ advanced degrees and continued refinement in the “DirectConnect” program that works to guarantee graduating students a place at Valencia’s partner school, the University of Central Florida. President Shugart’s overall message to the stu- dents at Valencia recognized that this award was based on their accomplishments just as much as the administrators, faculty and other staff members that made it possible.