Online Journalism Today

A class project of CMA 304

You are here: Home / Archives for lifestyles

Bertazzoni retiring after 31 years

by

Professor Donna Bertazzoni

Professor Donna Bertazzoni

By Elmer Diaz//

In the winter of 1987, Donna Bertazzoni, at the time an editor at the Herald Mail in Hagerstown, bumped into her former coworker, Al Weinberg. While catching up, he told her he was preparing to return from his five-week Christmas break as a professor at Hood College, to which she jokingly replied, “Well, are there going to be any jobs there anytime soon?” A few months after that conversation her question was answered. On August 1st her journey as a professor began.

Bertazzoni has been a professor, mentor, advisor, and a role model to her students for 30 years. Although her professionalism has consistently been on display for three decades, it is undeniable that her influence was garnered long before she wore the title as a professor.

“I worked at daily newspapers in both Massachusetts and Maryland for 14 years. My jobs ranged from sports reporter to copy editor to lifestyle editor to Sunday editor,” she said.

Out of all her positions, her favorite newsroom job was being a city editor and assistant managing editor at The Daily Mail in Hagerstown. It is due to her vast experiences in journalism that she has been able to provide her students with such skills.

“I worked directly with reporters, assigning and editing their stories, laying out pages, selecting photographs and writing headlines,” she said while relating her experiences to her teaching material.

The courses that Bertazzoni has taught have been: Editing and Layout, Media History, Communications Law, Television in America and the Seminar in Media Issues. Although she has been resourceful to her students and advisees, her students recognize that she has many times exceeded the average expectations of a professor.

“She has been like a mom away from home,” says Communication Arts student, Brandon Green. “She recommended me for my internship at WHAG and at my summer job Suburban Video.”

After 30 years of engaging and interacting with what Hood College has provided and her proactive participation in Communication Arts, Bertazzoni has decided to end her journey as a professor and continue her life journey to accompany her husband as a retiree.

“Bittersweet, truly bittersweet,” she said describing her retirement. “I will miss interacting with students and colleagues. I will not miss grading papers,” she said.

Safe Harvest a treat for kids

by

Frederick families enjoy Safe Harvest activities at Hood.

Frederick families enjoy Safe Harvest activities at Hood.

By Laurel Hill//

Trick-or-treaters descended upon Hood College Thursday evening in celebration of the college’s annual Safe Harvest event.

“Hood students started Safe Harvest a number of years ago to create a traditional Halloween with fall activities in a safe environment,” according to a press release from Hood.  Safe Harvest, which was sponsored by the Hood College chapter of the Mortar Board Honor Society and open to children age 12 and younger, is designed to serve as an alternative to trick-or-treating in the neighborhoods surrounding Hood.

The participant registration line, which was filled with excited superheroes, princesses, monsters and more, stretched around Whitaker Campus Center in anticipation of the event. The Safe Harvest festivities began in the Whitaker Campus

Commons at 5 p.m. with games and activities hosted by student volunteers and campus organizations. The room became a cacophony of enthusiastic chatter as children made their way around the stations, which included painting pumpkins, digging for treasure in sandboxes, and listening to Halloween stories.

Hood student Jennifer Dinterman, a first -time Safe Harvest volunteer, supervised children in a spider web search game. Sponsored by the Colleges Against Cancer student organization, the game challenged participants to retrieve objects out of a bucket with serving tongs while maneuvering around a web made of yarn. “I think it’s really cool that everyone from the community can come out with their kids with all the activities,” Dinterman said. “We can show the community how nice people are at Hood.”

During registration, participants were divided into numerous groups with unique Halloween-themed names and designated departure times to prevent the halls hosting trick-or-treaters from being overwhelmed with children. By 5:15 p.m., the first wave of children began making their way through the five trick or treat locations: Smith Hall, Shriner Hall, Meyran Hall, Memorial Hall and Coblentz Hall.

Senior Monica Shenton took groups of trick-or-treaters and their chaperones around campus during the event. Though Shenton has volunteered in the activities room of Safe Harvest for the last three years, this was her first year as a trick or treat guide. “My favorite thing is just seeing all the kids in their costumes and seeing how much joy it brings to them,” Shenton said. “I usually just work the activities, so I get to see them come up and it’s cool to see them get so excited, ” she said.  “I’m an education major so seeing kids is one of my favorite things.”

Each of the trick or treat destinations were decorated with a variety of Halloween scenes ranging from Harry Potter to a mock dorm room littered with fake body parts. Student volunteers, many of whom in costumes themselves, greeted the children and directed them to the candy as they made their way through the buildings.

Hood student Tiara Winston volunteered to give out candy on the second floor of the children’s last stop, Coblentz Hall, during the event. Though getting to the second floor proved to be a challenge for some of the trick-or-treaters, who could be seen being carried by their chaperones by the end of their long journey around Hood, those who did make it to the end were rewarded with a final round of treats.

“The kids are super, super, super cute,” Winston said as she dropped candy into a princess’ bag. “I love children.”

 

Zombies stalk Hood students

by

Students prepare for Humans vs. Zombies game.

Students prepare for Humans vs. Zombies game.

By Luis Zuniga//

Students fled horde of “zombies” Wednesday across the Hood College campus. There were only two known survivors at the end of the night while everyone else left with smiles and a good workout.

The Campus Activities Board (CAB) gathered students for a modified game of Humans vs. Zombies which has become increasingly popular on college campuses over the past decade.

Students divided into groups by their years and received a corresponding bandana color. Afterwards the “Human” students were given one minute to leave Whitaker and prepare for the zombie onslaught.

CAB “Zombies” then hunted the fleeing students by throwing bundled socks at them (the socks would later be donated to the homeless). Students hit would be converted to “Zombies” and begin their own hunting.

Some students hid in trees, some in bushes, but all the ones that were found tried their best to run.

Kyle Lammey, a senior, came decorated in all black as well as black facepaint. Lammey was one of the few surviving humans in the final round.

“I hunkered down, stayed quiet, and didn’t move. It’s the golden strategy in the apocalypse” said Lammey.

While Lammey was a survivor, others weren’t as lucky and were quickly converted to zombies.

Caylee Winpigler, a freshman, was caught and zombified, but that didn’t slow her down. Winpigler made sure to chase after all the remaining humans and ended up converting the most humans to zombies in the end. “You have to be really fast, and I think a lot of coffee beforehand helps to” said Winpigler.

“When they get you prepared for college they never tell you it’s gonna be like this, and it was incredible” Winpigler said after the game had ended.

Carter Taliaferro set up the whole event with CAB and was happy with the event turnout. Many students asked when the next game would be.

“I’m hoping to run this event, or a very similar event, next semester toward the end when it’s warmer” said Taliaferro.

Although very few survived the night, it was a very lively night on campus with Humans vs. Zombies.

 

Hood ranks high with veterans

by

militaryBy Taylor Gigeous//

“It is exciting to again be recognized as a Best Value college. We continually strive to make Hood affordable while also ensuring an excellent education for our students,” Hood President Andrea Chapdelaine said.

Hood College was ranked 21st in the Best Values Colleges for Veterans to attend in the north region. The college offers many different military resources to ensure that Veterans are provided with any and all resources to be successful in their experience at Hood.

Hood specifically offers a unique way of assisting students in attending college and becoming an Army officer. The U.S. Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) offers two, three, and four year full-tuition scholarships.  The scholarships also provide a monthly stipend and book money. After completing all requirements to graduate cadets commission as Army officers with the rank of second lieutenant. They have the choice of serving on Active Duty, the Army Reserve or the National Guard.

Select Cadets who choose National Guard get chosen to participate in the SMP program. This means a cadet will attend drill and preform as a regular guard member. CDT Durham, a three year scholarship winner, said, “ROTC provides many experiences for me that many do not get to go through.”

She went on to tell how the structure of waking up early and attending physical training (PT) has given her more discipline. CDT Durham is also an SMP cadet. She attends ranges to qualify and shoot many different weapons systems that an everyday person and even other cadets in the program.

CDT Afriyie is a graduate student.  He would not have been able to attend college is he did not get the two year scholarship from ROTC to assist in paying his tuition. He served two years in the National Guard before becoming a graduate student.

“Being a college student and participating in ROTC does have its down falls. We devote a minimum of 10 hours a week doing ROTC activities and sometimes even long weekends in the field.” Said CDT Afriyie.

Being a student, cadet, and guard member all at the same time limited CDT Afriyie with his free time. He has no free time to have a job to make any extra income. But he mentioned frequently if it wasn’t for ROTC he would be getting his master.

HM3 Jacob is a potential Hood student. He was granted tuition assistance to go back and attend a college of his choice to complete his degree. For two years he has tried to attend online school and work full time at the hospital on base but it became extremely overwhelming. Attending Hood will give him the opportunity to take a break in his field of work and further his career by getting his bachelors.

Many Veterans attend Hood College, currently serving and retired members. The school has very helpful resources and a veterans community that his supportive and encouraging. Being a Veteran has it owns struggles and combining it with being a student have be easy for some and hard for others. The community that Hood has provided the veterans is special.

 

Students complain about food choices on campus

by

tomoato-slicesBy CJ Blickenstaff//

Hood students say they are unhappy as they fork over premiums for lackluster, super priced “healthy” food options.Every day across the Hood College campus students make a huge decision; what’s for lunch? While there are two options immediately available, are any of them healthy?

Commonly known as “The Freshman 15” among other things, college students often gain unwanted weight throughout their semesters of higher education.  It is not to say that this is not the fault of the students and their choices, however their dining decisions must be fast, accessible, and affordable food that will satisfy their hunger.

[Read more…]

New group aims for free expression without judgment

by

By Maya Douglas//Hood’s newly formed Urban Outlet is preparing for their upcoming showcase featuring performances from Hood students, a live band and a modeling portion on Nov. 11.

The Urban Outlet is a subgroup of the All About Me modeling and fashion club. It was created by junior, Christiana Morris in her efforts to create an uncensored place on campus for students to express themselves.
“I just noticed that this campus was lacking something.”

The uncensored showcase features mainly rap, two singers and a live band.

“It just a place where I come to express myself and feel like I’m not being judged,” Chis Lafantant, a freshman, said.

[Read more…]

Family, friends gather for Homecoming Weekend

by

hypnotistBy Zack Miller//Students, alumni, faculty, family and friends all gathered at Hood College on Oct. 21 and 22 as the college held its annual Homecoming and Fall Family Weekend.

The festivities began late Friday evening with an event hosted by the school’s Campus Activity Board (CAB) where hypnotist Marshall Manlove performed in front of a crowd filled with Hood College students.

Manlove began by inviting approximately 10 students on stage that believed in the hypnotism. Once on stage, he began the complex process of hypnotizing by having them listen to his voice and relaxing completely.

After a few minutes, the students on stage and the CAB President, senior Jackie Bealer, who was sitting in the audience were at Manlove’s will. Doing everything from catching Pokémon, to riding in a spaceship and protecting their own shoes, the students followed his every direction.

[Read more…]

Class banners are removed for restoration

by

class banners

Class banners await restoration.

By John Curran//Class banners that once hung in Whitaker are now being stored in Rosenstock until they can be assessed for deterioration.

During the summer, several renovations were being made to Whitaker Campus Commons. One of those renovations included painting all of the railings. In order to access the railings on the second floor, the class banners had to be removed.

When students arrived on campus for the fall semester and did not see the banners, many made the assumption that the banners had been disposed.

“It was never our intention to inform students about taking down the banners,” said Olivia White, dean of students. “After taking a closer look at the banners, we realized that some of the banners were deteriorating, so we decided to store them until we could have a conservationist look at them.”

[Read more…]

German professor Pincikowski discovered language as a boy

by

By Christie Wisniewski//

As a young boy, Dr. Scott Pincikowski never imagined he would be a German professor, speaking the language fluently and making annual trips to Germany.

“I originally wanted to be a chemist,” he said, laughing.

His fascination with the language occurred after his older brother Tim, introduced him to some high school German exchange students. One day, these exchange students began to speak German in front of him.

“It frustrated me,” Pincikowski admitted, cracking a smile.

This frustration motivated him to begin learning the language. In middle school, he took a “World of Languages” course that briefly introduced students to different languages. According to Pincikowski, when the German section was taught, he became hooked. The summer after his senior year in high school, he participated in an exchange program and visited Germany for the first time.

students in Germany

Scott Pincikowski (left) leads a trip to Germany.

Pincikowski has been employed as a professor at Hood College since 2001. In addition to teaching every level of the German language, he also teaches German literature and culture classes.

Hood College offers both a major and a minor in German, and beginner to advanced classes. Those students who have taken at least three levels of German can opt to live in the German house, where the students living there are expected to “live German,” according to Pincikowski.

“Hood College is fortunate that we have language houses,” Pincikowski said. “We’ve had language houses for 75 years. The German house, not as long, but probably 35 years.”

Frederik Hess is one of the German exchange students who lives in the German house.

“It’s interesting because I’m speaking English everywhere and when I’m in the German house I get to speak my native language,” Hess said. “It’s kind of like a piece of home in a foreign country and it’s nice.”

The German house, according to Hess, is a duplex with a shared kitchen, living room, and dining room. There are two bathrooms, one single bedroom, one double, and one triple.

“Living in a small house, you make close friends, friends for life,” Marie Schmitt, a French Language assistant at Hood said. “(Each) house has its own personality…”

[Read more…]

Hood language houses help students experience another world

by


By Christian Woltz//

Hood College offers students the option to live in an off-campus language house in order to immerse them in their respective language.

Two houses are available including the French house and the Spanish house.  Students say that living in these houses gives them to opportunity to increase their ability to learn and speak a foreign language.

According to Hood’s website, the language houses have been an option for students for over 30 years.  While living in these houses, the students are encouraged to only communicate in that language.  In turn, they say that this will better enforce their speech skills.

The duplexes are equipped with six rooms including two singles, two doubles, and two triples, capable of housing a max of 12 students.

Hood College Spanish house.

Hood College Spanish house.

They have a very spacious living room and kitchen area, but most students say that they do not use them that much.  Similar to off campus apartments, each house gives students the opportunity experience life away from campus.

Lukline Jean-Baptiste, a Hood College junior, is currently living in the French house while pursuing her major in French.  She says that the experience has been amazing so far, and has drastically increased her ability to speak French.

“I grew up in a French-speaking home, but after speaking English with everyone else, it became somewhat of a struggle to get back into the groove,” Baptiste said.  “Now that I am in this environment, I am forced to speak French constantly, which has even helped me in my classes.”

Sammy Pierre, also a junior at Hood College, lives in the French house as well.  He says that he enjoys living in the house with all the others and the experience of living off campus.

“Living in the house with other people that speak my native language has been such a great experience,” Pierre said.  “I also enjoy being close to the school but far enough to have the space when I need it.”

Since the houses are leased by the school, the cost of living is simply added to the student’s tuition for that year. They also have to by their own food and other needs as well.

[Read more…]

A class project of CMA 304.