Students David VanderWiere and Meghan Smith admire Talia Ortisi's untitled piece of art during the Collins Art Gallery's semester opening. The exhibition runs until Feb.6. (Photo by Ryan Tyrelly/ Collegiate)

Students recognized in art gallery
By Mieke Stoub
Collegiate Staff Writer

After looking through about 150 of last semesters’ photographs, it was the decision of the photography students and two instructors to pick out the strongest and most technical pieces to be displayed in the Collins Art Gallery.

The gallery had its opening reception on Wednesday January 21. Filippo Tagliati, one of the photography instructors at GRCC, helped organize the exhibition.

He and Jonathon Russel, the second photography instructor, spent lot of time looking through the photos that students had selected and had to decide which pieces would go up in the display.

“We made the selection together,” said Tagliati with a thick Italian accent. “We put all of the work in a big room and started organizing…Technical quality, creative quality, different ideas, content, different points of view.”

Tagliati and Russel went through the pieces several times and tried not to have a concrete idea of what the display should look like.

“Let’s just pick the work and then let’s see what we have,” Tagliati remembers saying to Russel. “The goal for us is a celebration of the work of the students.”

After the pieces were selected, Tagliati and the gallery curator Ronald Stein spent an entire day arranging them on the walls of the gallery.

Display Magazine is another way that the instructors celebrate their students’ work, Tagliati said. Coming out twice a year, fall and spring, Display offers students a chance to publish their work and build their portfolios.

The deadline for last semester’s applicants was the last day of class, said Tagliati. Submissions are evaluated four weeks after the next semester starts and the magazine is put out shortly after.

“Since there are so many good submissions for photography, we can only accommodate five percent or so,” said Tagliati.

The Student Photography Exhibition is open from January 12 to February 6. Collins Art Gallery is on the fourth floor of the Main Building in room 425. Hours of the gallery are Monday-Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. then 4:00 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday from 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

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'Memoirs of a Boy Soldier' opens eyes
By Christina Kim
Assistant Sports Editor

A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah is the kind of book that changes a readers’ outlook on life.

Beah’s heart-wrenching account of his childhood shows both the atrocious and generous sides of humankind. His clear prose allows a reader insight into the life of a boy soldier in Sierra Leone, without embellishment or sensationalism.

Beah also lets the his and other’s actions speak for themselves, forcing the reader to face point-blank the gruesome civil war in Sierra Leone that had children seething with hate and lusting for blood.

Born in the village of Mogbwemo in 1980, at age 12 Beah fled rebels attacking his village and wandered the war-torn land with a group of boys. By age 13, he was recruited into the national government, given an AK-47, taught how to kill, and brainwashed into committing horrendous acts without blinking an eye.

Robbed of his childhood, Beah’s time as a boy soldier and the memories of murder and death will stick with him for the rest of his life.

According to Beah’s website, “This is how wars are fought now: by children, traumatized, hopped-up on drugs and wielding AK-47’s. Children have become the soldiers of choice. In the more than 50 conflicts going on worldwide, it is estimated that there are some 300,000 child soldiers.”

Rescued from the fightingby UNICEF at sixteen, Beah learned that what he did as a child soldier was not his fault. Beah moved to the United States in 1998. He has since graduated from Oberlin College with a BA in political science.

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BSU kicks off Open Mic Nite
By Lonnie Allen
Editor-in-Chief

One by one the talent came forward to speak into the microphone each artist sharing their words that came from poetry, songs and comedy. Black Student Union (BSU) held its annual signature event on Jan. 21 to raise money for Scholarships that the club hands out in the spring.

First year BSU member Mayia Roberson enjoys the Open Mic Nites, it gives her something to do after school and the money raised goes for a good cause Roberson said.

Sara Hill BSU advisor said that their aim is to give $500 in a childcare grant and $500 in a scholarship every year.

“Unfortunately we only have half of the money to give for one year, so we are trying to raise money,” said Hill.

Hill also said that this year they are only breaking even because turnout has been lower and they are only raising enough to pay the winner.

“One of the incentives to the acts and to have people come out to Open Mic Night is a $50 first prize,” said Hill.

Open Mic Night is open to everyone. It is $5 to get in and $3 for performers Hill said that they would love it to be packed out every time and standing room only but this year it has been hit or miss.

On Feb. 18 BSU is bringing in a feature act to entertain in between the contest acts, Hill said.

“We will have Marc Marcel here, he performed at one of the inaugural balls on Jan. 20. He is absolutely awesome, and he will be performing at one of our Black History Month events,” said Hill.

Many of the acts are a variety anyone can perform who has an act BSU loves the acoustic acts, said Hill.

The performing arts department has many students in their programs. One of them could be the next first prize winner. Dave Jones was tonight’s winner. A comedy act and graduate from Union High School, Jones performed spoofs on music artist songs and celebrities.

Jones said he has done comedy acts before and opened for Three 6 mafia. Campus Activities Board (CAB) sponsored the Feature act that performed on Jan. 21. Ed Wilson, or Future as he is known on stage, has been performing now for six years. Future said that he went professional after he graduated from the University Of Michigan.

“I came out to perform for the college students, Sara had asked me to help out and I had the day open so I drove over from Flint. It is for a good cause,” Future said.

Hill performed one of pieces and then thanked everyone for coming out and reminded the audience about the Marc Marcel saying You Tube him and then see him live here on Feb. 18.

Future also said it was a great time and would love to come back to perform at GRCC again. “I like Open Mics. I like underground talent.”

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Fair informs students about organizations
News Analysis
By Casey Kubiak
Special to Collegiate

GRCC clubs and organizations hosted an Organization Fair on Jan. 21.

The fair was set up in the Raider Grille, and provided the different groups with a chance to recruit new members and teach others about their different organizations.

According to Student Congress Advisor Eric Mullen, the main purpose of the fair was “to expose the students to the organizations that are on campus, and to allow the organizations to recruit new members.”

Grand Rapids Community College’s student organizations are always accepting new members. Mullen sees it, the main benefit of the fair is that, “It will allow students to meet other students who share like interests.”

There are nearly 20 student clubs and organizations at Grand Rapids Community College.

Lawson said, “Really, I’ve been wanting to join at least one organization. I just haven’t found any time in between working and school.”

Upon arriving to the fair, around the exterior of the cafeteria in the Raider Grill there were 15 different organizations and clubs present. Groups that had tables set up at table were the Muslim Student Organization, Students for Concealed Carry on Campus, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, Stand Out, Center for Inquiry G.R.C.C., The Earth Club. Along with the Hispanic Student Organization, The International Student Organization, The African Student Organization, Foreign Affairs, The Campus Activities Board, The Service Learning Center, The Black Student Union, College Republicans, and Student Congress.

All of these were making their best attempt at recruiting new members. Most of these organizations had sign up sheets for new members to sign to show their interest in the club or organization. Also present were club advisors and members, who were more than willing to answer any question that a student could have about a particular organization.

Laid out on most tables were fliers and brochures that had basic descriptions of each organization or club’s purpose, the meeting times, and other specific information that a new member might need. Also, most tables were handing out some sort of candy or other good in an attempt to draw new members to their tables.

For most of the clubs and organizations, this one Organization Fair is the only chance that they have to expose themselves to the students on campus.

Most every sign up sheet seemed to have a couple of new names on them, but, the numbers of new recruits were far from overwhelming. Together, the organizations present boasted approximately 320 members who had gained their membership before the fair.

By two hours into the fair, cumulative the organizations had earned around 20 new members. The leading recruiter at this point was Cassie Meff and the Students for Carrying Concealed on Campus. Recognized as an organization by the school just last semester, they had gained four new recruits from the fair.

Most organizations and clubs only had one or two new recruits. According to most of the organizations present, the Organization Fair was somewhat of a let down when it came to gaining new recruits. But, nobody would disagree that it was a very good attempt at getting the word out about G.R.C.C. student organizations and clubs.

Although many students were not present at the fair, it does not mean that they cannot join a student organization or club. Those who were not able to meet with the representatives from the club in person at the Organization Fair still may join at any time.

Besides the Organization Fair, there are other ways that a student can acquire all of the information that they need to make this decision. Inside the kiosk directly across from the Student Activities Office, there is a brochure entirely about Campus Life. It lists all of the Clubs and Organizations, Advisors for each one, and each advisors email address.

For more information please contact Eric Mullen at emullen@grcc.edu to acquire any information about clubs and organizations.

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GRCC home to rising star
By James Wallington
Special to Collegiate

May 15 seemed like an ordinary day. Danielle Monique Henderson woke up late in the day. After finishing lunch, she went back for whatever else was in the fridge.

This time, she noticed a message had been left for her on the refrigerator door. Her gazed upon a note, which said she had been cast as a Wildcat cheerleader for Grand Rapids Civic Theater’s summer repertory production of Disney’s High School Musical.

Danielle spent a month of her summer at the Grand Rapids Civic Theater, partaking in a rehearsal lasting seven hours a night. She pushed herself through the sweat, the tears, the drama and the pain of all the rehearsals.

“I personally didn’t think being a cheerleader was going to be all that big,” Henderson said, “But to my surprise I got a dance solo, and a singing solo. However the best part of this experience was meeting tons of new people from all over the community that are like family to me now.”

Danielle began her journey with choir at a very young age. One Sundays, when she was younger, her mother made her get up in church to sing for the congregation. It was at that point in time when Danielle realized this was something she wanted to continue to pursue.

At the beginning of elementary school she enrolled for the choir. She continued choir throughout her high school years but was also focused on excelling with sports such as gymnastics, cheerleading, track, cross country and swimming and diving.

However, the realization of what her family and friends had been telling her about being an actress all those years finally began to sink in after she took an introduction to theater class her senior year at East Kentwood high school.

“I loved everything that I learned about theater and acting in this class.” Henderson said. “Theater is very hard work but in the end all of it pays off. There are just so many aspects to this industry that really sparked my interest and because of this class, I began to realize my purpose in life, it was for the spotlight and center stage.”

It was through this class that she had heard about auditions for Disney’s High School Musical, when her teacher Tracey Kooy suggested that Danielle should audition.

“Ever feel like the whole world is laughing at you?” Henderson asks. “It’s as if they’re throwing tomatoes and booing at you and telling you to get off the stage. Well I can’t leave the stage because the stage is my life and my life is nothing, but a big show.”

At the beginning of the school year she happened to come across an advertisement for a feature film needing extras. To her surprise, she was cast as a featured extra in a feature film called “Miss January”, directed by Keith Bearden.

By mid-September, Danielle was driving her way to the “Miss January” set not knowing what she was getting herself into. This was Danielle’s first on-film experience.

“Being an extra was very challenging,” said Henderson. “It was up to you to really bring a character to life. I was instructed on party scenarios but I had to figure out how my character would react to such scenarios and had to figure out characteristics for my character.”

“I was so grateful for this opportunity,” said Henderson. “It was the most liberating experience of my life. It made me realize how passionate I am about acting. The advice Mr. Bearden gave me on pursuing my dreams will always be true to my heart.”

“My future goals are to do some more film projects,” said Henderson. “Whether it be student, independent or feature. I hope to perform on Broadway, and give back to the community with whatever I make. At the moment I’m majoring in business and in theatre at Grand Rapids Community College and I’m excited for what the future has in store for me. The world is full of endless possibilities and you have to work hard to get what you want.”

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A&E Briefs for January 29, 2009
Compiled by Collegiate Staff

Play: A Raisin in the Sun
A pivotal play in American theater, “A Raisin in the Sun” is put on by Grand Rapids Civic Theatre. The play is set in Chicago’s Southside in the 1950’s, as three generations of a family must grapple with different dreams and conflicts during this tremulous period in American history. Show dates are Jan. 28 through 31 and Feb. 1, 4 - 8. Tickets are $14 for students and up to $25 for adults. Tickets can be purchased at the box office or Star Tickets Plus.

Acro Iris Opens
Feb, 7. at the Latvian Hall, 504 Grand NE, Acro Iris, local coffee shop and music venue is reopening. This festival will go from 1 p.m. through most the night. It is free until 7 p.m. where a $5 dollar coverage charge will be in effect for the bands. The Arco Iris Party will feature multiple bands after 7 p.m. but before will offer a Really, Really Free Market gathering, a acoustic drum and jam circle, a pot luck and much more.

RAIN: Beatles Tribute Band
Acclaimed Beatles cover band RAIN performs, at the DeVos Performing Hall on Jan. 27 - Feb. 1. Tickets range from $17 to $67 for this multimedia show that tracks the entire Beatles career. The show mixes actual footage with live music. Tickets are available through the box office or Ticketmaster.

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