Currently, members of Congress are debating over whether to extend the 2007 College and Costs Reduction and Access Act. If Congress does not choose to pass the act again, then that means that interest rates on student loans will double. According to an article by Juliana Deitch, who is a staff writer for Technician Online. Com (North Carolina State University student newspaper), “Interest rates could double from 3.4 percent to at least 6.8 percent for at least 7.4 million students.”

What could this mean for students attending college now and for students who plan to attend college in the future? First, this could leave students in debt long after college graduation. Having a student loan debt that takes years and years to pay off can create unnecessary stress for a graduate as well as his or her family. The stress from having to pay off student loans could also affect job selections and performance in the work place. Ultimately, this could possibly affect a student getting that a dream career that he or she spent four years or more years working towards.

Increasing interest rates on student loans could also decrease the chances of younger siblings or other family members taking those first steps and getting college degrees. Family resources may not be strong enough to cover multiple children or allow for the extra expense of a parent picking up extra educational opportunities.

Last Tuesday, President Barack Obama announced a call to Congress to stop increasing rates from doubling in a speech to college students at UNC Chapel Hill.

In his speech, Obama emphasized that education in this country needs to be affordable for each and every American. He retold memories of when he was in college and his own struggles in paying off student loans.  Most importantly, at the end of his presentation, he reminded students of the “American Dream” which is an idea that most citizens in this country are familiar with and strive to achieve often through education.

Obama warned students that doubling interest rates greatly reduces the possibility of ever obtaining the “American Dream.” These huge financial investments may be more than the average student and family can handle.

I sat down with UNC Chapel Hill senior, Caleb Wittum, to find out what students may be thinking after hearing the President’s announcement.  Wittum stated, “I really liked what the President said, and he really made some valid points. I think he is doing the right thing in calling Congress to take action and hopefully not decide to double interest rates. I also feel that he is really on students’ side on this issue.”

When I asked him if Obama is speaking in favor of not doubling interest rates on student loans in order to make him look favorable among students in America, he said, “Yes I think so. I feel that Obama already has a high support among college students and younger Americans and that his visit Tuesday (to UNC) was an effort to further secure votes in North Carolina for the upcoming election.”

With an unemployment rate of 8.2% and tough economic times, at least half of college students going into the real world will end up unemployed and forced to go back to live in their mother’s basement and eat her lovely meat loaf. It is hard for graduating students not to become frustrated and filled with hopelessness. Let’s end these frustrations for America’s students and say no to doubling increasing costs of student loans!

Update: Congress did vote down the bill for the increase yesterday 4/29/2012.

When her sister signed her up for a jewelry-making class, I don’t think she ever thought that this would be her business in college.  “I just really took to it.  I love the colors and I like to make different designs.”  Soon afterwards, she was given a jewelry tool-kit and some beads for Christmas.  “I have a good eye for things that go together.”  So she does.  I recently went to her looking for a birthday present for my mother and sister.  I was very impressed when she showed me her collection of gems, beads, and different metals to use.  We worked together for an hour to come up with something custom-made for each of them.  The result was better than I could have hoped for and my mother and sister loved them.  After she made them, right there in front of me, she cut out the prettier part of a card and pushed the earrings through, then put them each in their own tiny bags.

Upon giving them to me, she gave me a wonderful price for both of them.  “Prices are low; I’m not looking to make a huge profit,” says Shekinah.  If I had gone to a jewelry store for those, they would have cost at least twice as much.  I have to say that she’s a very generous person.

“At a certain point, I realized that it was taking a lot of money to make these pieces of jewelry and that I could never wear them all myself, so I decided to start selling them to people and used the money to support myself and make more.”  Well thought out and said.  As soon as she is approved, she will be available in Adam’s Loft during certain hours for everyone to buy her wonderful creations.  Her jewelry includes necklaces, earrings, bracelets, hand-flowers, bookmarks, and a few rings, though they are more rare.

Though her real name is spelled as Shekinah, the name used in the name of her business, Shekyna Jewelry, is spelled differently.  You can contact her through her business’s Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/ShekynaJewelry/103842046340248  and her email address: shekynajewelry@yahoo.com and phone number: 336-577-1348.

The musical opens by familiarizing the audience with the events of the novel that preceded it, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Huckleberry Finn (Robin Tynes), a poor boy with a drunken bum for a father (Pen Chance), and his friend Tom Sawyer (Jordan Clifton), a middle-class boy with an imagination too active for his own good, found a robber’s stash of gold. As a result, Huck gained quite a bit of money, which the bank held for him in trust. Huck was adopted by Widow Douglas (Katie Hopkins), a kind but stuffy woman, and her sister, the all too self-righteous Miss Watson (Kylie Beinke).
As the story unfolds, we encounter the comedians of the show — the self-proclaimed English Duke (Bradley Boaz) and the long-lost heir to the French throne (Jura Davis). Huck and Jim, as well as their two con-artist friends, go on an unforgettable adventure on a raft towards Jim’s freedom and Huck’s escape from “civilized living.”

Sprinkled with humor and music, this play seemed to captivate everyone in the room — and rightfully so! Not only was the acting wonderful, but Catawba was setting a higher caliber for themselves by redoing the play as well. The first production of Huck Finn was in 1954, and later in 1958, when Catawba was an all-white school. In the Director’s Note inside the program booklet, David Pulliam states:

“Arnold Colbath and Billy Burke’s version of Huck Finn is about human spirit, true freedom, and how a real friendship can transcend the boundaries of what society considers right and wrong… Remounting the legendary Billy Burk and Arnold Colbath production of Huck Finn has been an honor and a privilege. The place of this show in the history of the Blue Masque and Theater Arts at Catawba makes its revival a very special event.”

As usual, the theater department did an excellent job of capturing the essence of the story and bringing it to life before our very eyes. Kudos to all that were involved in the makings of the show, and for those who missed it, you missed a remarkable and historic night in Catawba’s history.

Mock Interviews take place each year at Catawba for students to gain experience and practice for job interview situations. Students are able to sign up for an interview with a real, local executive advocating a “pseudo-company.” During the mock interview, the executive asks the student the same questions he or she would ask during a serious interview for their own company. At the interview’s end, the executive reviews a scoring sheet to show the student which facets of job interviewing they should practice before entering a legitimate job interview.

In the mock interviews, students can learn from their mistakes. In a real interview with no previous preparation, that same mistake could cost the student a job opportunity. Catawba student Christopher Williams reflects on his recent mock interview with executive Joey Popp. “I loved how he was tough on me to make me a better person when interviewing,” said Williams.

Typically, more mock interviews are held during spring semester, but some are available in the fall. For more information regarding mock interviews at Catawba, contact Robin Perry in Career Services.

With the induction of the new college president, Mr. Brien Lewis, in addition to the new Student Government Association Officers (SGA) for the 2012-2013 academic year and the giving of forty plus awards, this service was full of excitement and achievements.

The SGA officers for the2 012-2013 academic year include President Jana Burkhardt, Vice President Christian A. Crifasi, Secretary Justin M. Smith, and Treasurer Leah Constan-Tatos.

Awards were given in three categories:

Service to the Community & Leadership Awards:

Mr. and Ms. Catawba: Rayshaun and Brandi Cockerham

David Hoyle Award for Outstanding Service in Student Activities: Garrett McAuliffe and Brandi Cockerham

The Pioneer Award: Stephanie Cook

Frances Decker Wentz Award: Whitney Mullis and Mackenzie Westbrook

Kenneth Clapp Tri-Delta Award: Dr. Janice M. Fuller

Leader in Environmental Stewardship Award: Sarah Robinson and Dr. Mike Baranski

Who’s Who among Students in American Universities and Colleges: Amanda L. Drake, Sarah A. Moore, Ana K. Cooke, W. Brett Underwood, Claire E. Robinson, Jennifer M. Goble, Jubilee A. Meehan, Joshua A. Payne, Sarah C. Robinson, Julie R. Gilley, Marissa E. DiMarco, Joshua L. Owens, Sarah Y. Morse, Stephanie W. Cook, Whitney P. Mullis, Kyle D. Hendrick, and Robin E. Tynes

Paul Fisher Service Award and Scholarship: Kelly M. Schumacher

Academic Achievement Awards:

Sherrill & Smith Award in Business Administration: Travis S. Cauble

Millard F. Wilson Award for Excellence in Business: Sarah Matulis and Joshua Owens

Dr. Charles Turney Award and the Martha H. Morehead Award: Elizabeth G. “Lizzle” Davis

Rebecca H. Frantz Essay Prize: Jubilee Meehan

Bethany and Aidan Sinnott Poetry Award: Jessica Everett and Elizabeth G. “Lizzle” Davis

Rice, Andrews, Young Award: Jacqueline Hodgson

Elisabeth Scranton History Award: Julie Gilley

Braun Award in Physics: Frank Villa and Jacob Regensburger

The Chemistry Prize: Blake Rushing

CRC Press Freshman Chemistry Achievement Award: Luke Kooyman and Lucas W. Riebe

American Institute of Chemists Award: Rachel Cone

Mathematics Award: Spencer K. Ashley

Environmental Programs Award: Sarah C. Robinson

Shirley L. Haworth Prospective Teacher Award: Margaret Steele and Melanie Hudson

Student Education Association/Cynthia Osterhus Award: Brittany Myers

College Chairman’s Award: Melanie Hudson

Senior Psychology Award: Katie Zink

The Whitley Award: Marissa DiMarco

Daniel E. Kirk Biology Award: Amanda G. Williams

Augustin Daly Award: Robin Tynes

The Sociology Award: Megan Kittel

Dr. Karl E. Hales Communication Award: Brett Underwood and Stephanie Cook

Awards of Special Merit and Achievement:

Dean N. Grove Award:  Jacob Hill and Maggie McKee

Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award: Kyle D. Hendrick and Dr. James M. Beard

Staff Member of the Year: Ms. Sandra Owen

Professor of the Year: Dr. Janice Fuller

Louise Tucker Staff Council Award: Melanie McCulloh

President’s Award for Staff Excellence: Jay Laurens

Swink Prize for Outstanding Classroom Teacher: Dr. Sharon Sullivan

Trustee Award for Outstanding Contribution to the College: Dr. Kenneth W. Clapp

Whitener Medal Recipients: Claire Robinson and Yakir Malul

Congratulations to all the award recipients.

For more information on the awards, recipients, and photos, go to: Catawba College Award Recipients

After graduating from Willoughby South High School in Willoughby, Ohio, Burkhardt fell in love with Catawba as soon as she arrived.  She chose Catawba because of the opportunity to play collegiate golf and because of the West Scholars program at Catawba.  As soon as she arrived, she fell in love with the family atmosphere and support system offered by Catawba.  Burkhardt is a Middle Childhood Education major with concentrations in Social Studies and Special Education, and is also a member of the women’s golf team at Catawba.  In addition, she helps organize intramural sports with three other students and is a Resident Assistant. 

Burkhardt first became interested in SGA when she came to Discovery Day at Catawba as a senior in high school.  After talking to current President Yakir Malul, she was immediately convinced to run for Freshman Class President and was elected in the 2010 fall semester.  After serving on the Executive Board this year, Burkhardt began to understand how important of a role is played by the Executive President of the SGA and wanted to be a part of something so special.  “The President’s job is to link the administration and faculty to the students,” says Burkhardt. “I enjoy the opportunity to hear what students are concerned about, and be able to make sure their voices are heard by the right people.”

As President next year, Burkhardt has big plans.  First on her agenda is to make sure that the transition between Presidents goes as smoothly as possible.  She plans to keep the momentum going by maintaining and adding to the changes that have taken place in the SGA this year.  She also is hoping to get the student body more involved in expressing their concerns to the SGA.  In her journey of becoming President, Burkhardt hopes to work off of what she has learned through observing others. “I have so many wonderful people to look up to. Sarah Devlin’s grace through every situation is a quality I am looking to gain from her. I have some great examples from the past executive presidents Kevin Flebbe, Kendra Joyner, and Yakir,” says Burkhardt.

In the future, Burkhardt hopes to become a sixth grade social studies teacher and possibly a golf coach.  She knows that the lessons she has learned through her experiences thus far on the SGA will guide her in the right direction.  Already, SGA has taught Burkhardt better communication skills and how to work through disagreements to reach the greater goal.  There is no doubt that President Burkhardt is on the right path to success.

Toni Crough, a Music Business major from Mount Lebanon, Pennsylvania, will be moving across the country to Los Angeles, California. She plans to pursue her love for music and drum for any band that she can. She has family in the area, which she says “is nice because they can help me until I land on my feet!” While she is searching for bands to play for, Toni will also be interning for a talent agency or a media group. “I am so excited to apply my experiences that I have had here at Catawba and apply them in the real world,” she tells The Pioneer.

Charlotte native and Theatre Arts major Mackenzie Westbrook will be leaving on May 16th to travel through the Caribbean on the Disney Fantasy, the company’s newest and largest cruise ship. She will be employed as a youth activities counselor on board, helping plan activities for kids ages 3 to 18 and taking the youth on shore-side excursions. She will be seaside until September 29th, where she will then figure out her next move.

Sarah Matulis, a Business Administration major from Berlin, Connecticut, is unsure of what her plans are exactly. She has a few options to consider, which include moving to Scarborough, Maine to work with Delhaize, a company she quotes as “the northern version of Food Lion,” or to venture back home to work at Brownstone Exploration and Discovery Park to be a lifeguard, a job she has worked for a few summers. Even though she has two job options, Sarah says she wishes she could have some time to herself before she starts work. “In a weird way, I’m hoping to stay unemployed, probably one of the few who will admit to this, so I can take some time and go backpack Europe. It’s been a goal of mine for awhile now and if I have a real adult job, there will be no chance for me to experience the journey,” she says. She is definitely right – it is very difficult to take a lot of time off once you land a full-time or even a part-time job. It is a smart idea to get an adventure like that in before you commit to working.

While planning his upcoming April 2013 wedding, Mt. Pleasant native Joshua Owens is also working in the Catawba Admissions Office, helping cover for a staff member who is out on maternity leave. He says he is “very grateful for this opportunity.” He is unsure what his plans are when the counselor returns, but is staying busy helping recruit new students to Salisbury to become part of the Catawba College family.

Currently Executive President of the Student Government Association, Yakir Malul plans on staying in North Carolina this summer. He hopes to find an internship in accounting before he starts his master’s program in the same subject at North Carolina State University in the fall. Yakir says he is “ready for the new adventures and opportunities” that will be available at graduate school, but plans on coming back to Catawba to visit with friends, his former swim coach, and various professors.

Good luck to all the graduating seniors this year with their future endeavours!

Some students complain how there isn’t a lot to do around campus or in Salisbury. Sure, it is a small town, but there are so many opportunities available for students on and off campus. All you have to do is ask. For example, I wanted to start a YouTube channel featuring Catawba Athletics and have different student-athletes be interviewed after their respective games. All I had to do was ask the web developer for the college, Maegen Worley, if it was okay for me to start this project. She graciously agreed, and even helped me get the process going. She was nothing but supportive of my efforts. I was so happy that she even let me work with her in the first place. The opportunity to interview various student-athletes, learn how to edit video and shoot footage, and learn how to operate YouTube has been a very rewarding experience, especially since I am a Communication Arts major. The channel has over 35,000 views for all the videos combined, which makes me really proud; I feel that I have left something positive and productive behind for the college community when I graduate. The project has kept me busy and focused while being a student-athlete here and has been a good way for me to meet other student-athletes I would have otherwise never interacted with. It has also helped me improve my tech skills.

I could go on and on about what Catawba has done for me, but I will keep it short and say this: the signs hanging around our campus are true – we may be a small college, but we have big opportunities available! Take advantage of your time as a student here and strive to be the best you can be so you will be ready to venture out and take the real world by storm come graduation. If you have an idea, don’t be afraid to share it with someone who can help you make it happen. As said by many, college is the best four years of our lives – let’s live up to that statement in more ways than one.

Before my mother died, she always told me that she wanted to see me do something with my life and make her proud, but as a kid I never really focused on what she had said to me until the day that she died. Being nine years old and finding out your mother has passed would be tough on any kid, but I felt like I took it especially hard, because my mother meant everything to me. My mother was the only person that I could go to when I needed help and she was the only one that knew how to make me feel better. Losing her made me feel like I had lost my whole support system.

A few years later, I found out my father had passed away as well, and that hurt me just as much as the day I lost my mom. I leaned on my brother and sisters for support. Having my siblings in my corner really helped through some tough years. And after I got my acceptance letter from Catawba, I was excited. But at the same time, I was scared because I would be moving away from my family and be on my own again.

When I moved into my dorm room, I felt alone. That feeling continued for the next couple of weeks until I met one fellow Catawba student named Edwin Franco. Through Edwin I met Josh Owens, whom became one of my best friends on campus, as well as Edwin. After meeting these two people, I felt a little better about being away from home and I felt like I had people in my corner I could depend on while I was at school. Within the next couple of weeks, I met my future roommate, Dustin Craft, who would end up remaining my roommate for the next three and a half years. After meeting Dustin, I felt like I added another member to my Catawba family and I had someone who I could count on.

After meeting my close group of friends, I began getting to know other people like Thomas Trexler, Whitney Mullis, Gail Murray, and Clay Yarbrough. With these people around me, I knew that I could accomplish anything that came my way and knew that I could come to these individuals whenever I needed help. Having people like them in my corner made my college experience unique and fun, which was something I needed in my life.

Since my college career is coming to an end, I find myself having mixed feelings about leaving. I am excited to leave, but I don’t want to lose the family that I have made here at Catawba. Even though I will miss Catawba, I will miss the family that I made here even more, and in a few months, or even years, from now I will always remember Catawba as the best time of my life.

On February 26th, Travyon Martin, a 17 year-old junior in high school, was spending the weekend at his father’s home. Martin left briefly to visit a nearby 7-Eleven where he purchased a bag of Skittles and an Arizona Tea. On his way back, Martin was spotted by 28 year-old George Zimmerman, a self-appointed coordinator of the neighborhood watch program. Zimmerman was just returning home from the previous mentioned errand when he spotted Martin. At the end of an altercation that is still being questioned by the federal government, Martin was shot 70 yards from his father’s home, from what Zimmerman called “self-defense.”

I wanted to know what kind of person George Zimmerman was, so I researched on the Internet and found some  information on him that pertains to the situation. Zimmerman completed a sheriff department introductory course in citizen’s law enforcement. At the time of the shooting, he was working towards an associate’s degree at Seminole State College as a criminal justice student. Afterwards, he was withdrawn by the college due to safety considerations. Additionally, Zimmerman was appointed as the Neighborhood Watch Coordinator by the homeowners association in his development and was licensed to carry a firearm. Sanford policeman Chief Bill Lee stated that the neighborhood watch volunteers were not encouraged to carry firearms, but it was a constitutional right to do so.

Before Custody:

Certain television shows such as Nancy Grace, CNN, The Last Word on MSNBC, and Channel 14 News have been following the progress of the case as it started to unravel. I collected notes from all the different people who brought up information pertaining to the incident. The main two individuals that seemed to be in the spotlight were Craig Sonner and Hal Uhrig. These men were George Zimmerman’s first attempt at a legal defense team. However, the duo resigned from representing Zimmerman, due to never having a face-to-face meeting with him. The two alleged that Zimmerman stopped all forms of communication on April 8^th. And, they made the shocking accusation that Zimmerman might suffer from “post-traumatic stress disorder.” By the end of their press conference, Sonner and Uhrig told listeners they didn’t know the location of Zimmerman and couldn’t disclose any further information.

Charles M. Blow from The New York Times said to his viewing audience, “How could you initially defend a client and not know where they are?” He also stated that he thinks the two might just be after the limelight. Wherever Zimmerman was hiding, he had Internet access available. On April 10th, he updated his website, www.therealgeorgezimmerman.com.

On the “flip side” of things, George Zimmerman’s family wants the New Black Panthers (an un-official, US-based black political organization) to be charged for hate crime activity, according to the NewsOne website. In fact, the Black Panther Party was offering $10,000 for the capture of Zimmerman.

After Custody:

Television, once again, became the medium that shared information regarding the case. This time shows such as Hardball with Chris Matthews, HLN Special Report, and Lean Forward – MSNBC depicted the same story.  George Zimmerman was taken into custody. Zimmerman turned himself in at 5:39, 25 minutes before Special Prosecutor Angela Corey was to do a live conference detailing the charges Zimmerman faced.

Corey, accompanied by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and two top homicidal researchers, discussed the events that were to take place. Her speech stated:

• Zimmerman would be charged with murder in the 2^nd degree
• The location (jail wise) would not be revealed for his safety
• At no time during the entire process of the case did she speak with Zimmerman as rumors speculated.
• If the “Stand Your Ground” law becomes an issue, they will fight it like any other law in the courtroom (insanity, self-defense, etc…)

After the announcements, Corey entertained a question and answer session. She was asked why George Zimmerman was charged with murder instead of a homicide. She responded, “all murders are homicides, but all homicides aren’t murders.”

Rev. Al Sharpton, active spokesperson for the Martin Family, stated, “An outcry from all over the country came. The police chief said “there will not be an arrest”, but 30,000 people marched, and that all changed. Only the facts should matter when dealing with a loss of a life. People will give credit to the big names, but it’s the unknown facts that deserve the thank yous. This is not the time for gloating because we are still in mourning; however, this is an example if Americans coming together. We can achieve anything.”

Several days later, George Zimmerman’s new attorney, Mark O’Mara, said that his client will plead not guilty and that he is not concerned about Zimmerman’s mental state.

What Catawba Thinks:

I decided to see what other students at Catawba College thought about the situation. While some declined the opportunity to comment, other jumped at the chance to talk about the case.

Chris Griffin stated, “This whole thing is a big travesty. It’s been played off like it’s not as big as it really is. I think it’s gonna be like the O.J. Simpson case and evidence is gonna be tampered with and overlooked. Zimmerman will get off because of it too… misused evidence.”

C.J. Mallory commented, “The media has twisted this whole thing around. It’s more the fact that Zimmerman saw Trayvon as a menace. Not really racial because Zimmerman himself is of a mixed race. However, stereotyping was involved and people should realize that’s what it was. Even with students here at Catawba… they say they are not racists, but it’s very apparent it’s an underlying factor, and there is strong racial profiling with how we all treat each other.”

­­­­­­­­­­­­Tynia Brandon said, “Hate crime is such an overused word, since the whole Matthew Shepard Case. Yes, Trayvon is black, but even if he were a white guy, the whole thing would still be a wrong doing. So race shouldn’t be a playing factor.”

Lili Kiefer stated, “It’s almost like Trayvon has become this big racial icon. I wrote about the Matthew Shepard case and I feel like the parents have a right to be angry, as well as the African American community. Also, I feel like it was indeed an act of racial profiling to an extent…it doesn’t really matter the race though. I think it just took too long to get this much attention.”

Tevin Carr says; “All I was concerned about was him [Zimmerman] getting tried. Everybody has a right to a fair trial, though. What Zimmerman was saying and what the Florida cops were doing just wasn’t enough. So as of right now, I feel like justice was served. He still needs to go before a jury.”

In the End:

It was really interesting to see the perspectives of others. What do you think? It’s important that we keep up with today’s current events because Trayvon Martin could have easily been one of us. Whether George Zimmerman is acquitted or convicted, the incident is sure to serve as an eye opener to people of all races and creeds.