VOLUME 9 | ISSUE 3
MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012
WWW. READMYBEACON.COM
THE ALTERNATIVE PROFESSIONAL Are tattoos, piercings and hairstyles still taboo in the workplace? P. 4
Page 2
LOCAL NEWS
Body of Art Body painter Georgette Pressler discuses using a human as a canvas By Tyann Mullen Staff Writer With a strong brush stroke and undivided attention, Georgette Pressler paints her live canvas. She breaks the stereotype of still art by creating moving 3D masterpieces on the human body. Pressler found her way to body painting after experimenting with face painting at parties and graduating with a degree in conceptual studio art. “It’s just like painting oil on a canvas except that your canvas is much more interesting,” she said. “You have to look at your composition in a completely different way.” Tools for the Body The tools used for painting the body are formulated specifically for contact with human skin. She uses all natural paint that does not harm the skin and can be easily removed. “The paints contain avocado
and coconut oils,” she said. “I use things that are good for the skin and not just safe.” The paints appear similar to watercolor palettes and are applied just the same. Airbrushing is also a technique used by many body painters, but Pressler only uses it for highlights, shadows, and texture. “A lot of places such as in Miami primarily use airbrushing, but I use it as an addition and not as my focus tool. A paint brush allows me to create bold lines and greater detail,” she said. Masterpieces Take Time According to Pressler, there is no specific amount of time it takes to paint someone. The timing depends on the piece and the person. “I could spend two to three hours painting a face, and could spend the same amount of time painting an entire body,” she said. An important and overlooked aspect of this form of art is the model. Taking into consideration the needs and limits of the human body is a big part of the process. “You have to remember that you are working with a living, breathing person,” said Pressler. “They need breaks to eat, breathe, and stretch. You have to account for that.” She has worked with high fashion models for runway shows as well as birthday parties and promotional events. Private photographers are always on hand to capture the finished piece. Pressler also makes and provides costuming to complete the specific look she is trying to achieve. Facing Criticism To accentuate the curves of the body and get the best amount of space to work with, the models wear minimal clothing such as a bikini top and bottoms. This often creates room for insults and disapproval of the art altogether. But Pressler does not let that affect her work. “Painting in West Palm is like painting in a bubble. There are so many closed minds that it discourages you at
PHOTOS BY CHELSAE ANN HORTON
Passion for Painting: “The paints contain avocado and coconut oils,” said Pressler. “I use things that are good for the skin and not just safe.” Her paint brush allows her to create bolder lines and greater detail.
first,” said Pressler. “But it’s the human body. It’s what God gave us and all I’m doing is making it engaging.” She continues to discuss the beauty in the art form that some look down on by explaining that it should not be looked at in a lewd way. “It’s a universal style of art. So many cultures practice it. We have just modernized it and made it more appealing and understandable to our culture.” Pressler works with all ages and body types, which makes this art form so unique. “I think it transcends age, race,
Painting a zombie: Above left, the base paint is laid and she adds on layers, resulting in the photo above.“You have to remember that you are working with a living, breathing person,” said Pressler. “They need breaks to eat, breathe, and stretch. You have to account for that.”
gender, and views because it is just a beautiful thing to adorn yourself with,” said Pressler. “Where is the harm in that?” Hitting the Road Due to a huge lack of a body painting community in West Palm Beach, Pressler is often traveling across the U.S. and to other countries as well. California, New York, Jamaica, the Bahamas, and Mexico are just a few places she has showcased her art. Currently, she is hoping to travel Austria and compete in the World Body Painting Festival next year. “A lot of painters have sponsors that pay their way to these types of competitions. I don’t have that. I have a makeup sponsor, but I’m mostly doing this on my own.” At most of competitions, you are provided with a model to work with. Pressler explains how that makes it more challenging for the artists. “The model is just as important as the piece. The piece is based entirely on the canvas you are working with and your canvas is always unpredictable. You have to create a relationship with the person to present your talent at its fullest.” Another element to these competitions is time and it’s a major foundation for body painting. “How many artists are strictly
timed on what they are working with? This isn’t something you can start and come back to later. It requires a huge amount of endurance.” A Splash of Spontaneity Pressler says she usually has some sort of a plan in mind when she begins a project, but that it’s unusual to follow the plan through. “You can only plan so much. It’s art. You’ve got to let it go where it wants.” Consistently on the road for events and conventions, Pressler does not work out of a studio except for Halloween. “I normally travel to a client’s house or an event. It just makes them more comfortable,” she said. During her busiest time, Halloween, Pressler does a quarter of her work and income within a two-day period. To anyone who wants to branch out of their flat 2D art, Pressler says the number one thing to have is an open mind. “You have to be able to ignore the stigma that comes attached with this career,” she said. She also advises to practice it on yourself and learn the intricate structure of the human body. “Unlike studio art, you will never see the same canvas twice. It’s always a new adventure.”
Page 3
Zombies come to WPB, PBA
PHOTOS BY AMY ANDRESS
Come out, come out, where ever you are: Last Thursday, a group of around 25 people dressed as zombies and survivors of the zombie apocalypse flooded the streets of West Palm Beach. Zack Blauer (directly left) organized the event. “It’s not too often where you can go somewhere and meet tons of others who also love zombies and scary movies,” he said.
By Chris Hernandez Managing Editor On Oct. 4 at 4 p.m., everything seemed normal in downtown West Palm Beach. The mothers walked in and out of Macy’s with their children and bags of department store apparel. The students held tightly to their cups of venti pumpkin spice lattes while they studied for their first tests of the semester. The CityPlace Top 40 radio played over the speakers of the breezeway as the pigeons ate the leftover breadcrumbs from Panera. Two hours later, as the CityPlace bell chimed six, the scene in the outdoor shopping center changed as a group of 25 zombies marched from CityPlace to
the Palm Beach Waterfront for its Clematis Night Out. The zombies were part of a promotion for X-Scream Halloween, a haunted attraction put together by G-Star School of the Arts in Palm Springs. According to Zack Blauer, who organized the walk in CityPlace and works in X-Scream Halloween, the attraction usually draws in tons of people and is ranked on the Travel Channel’s list of the top 13 scariest haunts in the country. Blauer, 18, who moved to South Florida three years ago, participated and helped organize similar walks in Boston. According to Blauer, the largest walks that he has come across have had upwards of 2,000 participants. Though the number of
participants for this zombie walk was low, this was the first year a zombie walk has been attempted in West Palm Beach. The zombie walk comes a week after Palm Beach Atlantic University students staged Human versus Zombies throughout PBA’s campus. The game has become something to look forward to for students like Pat LoRicco, one of this year’s organizers. LoRicco confesses he is not a zombie fanatic but finds the game interesting. “I love being able to get people to work together as a group and accomplish a goal,” LoRicco said. “My favorite part of HvZ is getting as involved in it as I can. A lot of ‘humans’ spend the whole time hiding in their rooms, and, that’s
FBC to launch Haitian church By Kayla Viaud Staff Writer
Josuè Lèon, a Palm Beach Atlantic University alum, was approached by Lead Pastor Jimmy Scroggins of First Baptist Church in West Palm Beach about the idea of establishing a church for Haitian Americans to help reach the estimated 6.6 million unchurched people who call South Florida home, a statistic according to the North American Mission Board.
FBC is launching the Family Church Haitian American Campus as part of the church’s strategy to launch 100 campuses in the next 10 years. Lèon has been named the pastor. According to Leon, a majority of church plants do not survive because they are not associated with a mother church. By partnering with FBC, FCHAC uses its daycare, Bible studies and other resources. “Because of the support of an entire staff, or mother church, it allows
our church to grow and blossom much faster,” said Lèon. “Once a church has been around for 10 to 15 years, it’s growth rate goes down very fast, but once a church is brand new the growth is 80-90 percent,” according to Lèon. The church began with a focus group of about 35 members of FBC and so far, “it became like a dream team,” Lèon said. FBC seeks to network with local churches, individuals and organizations to accomplish this
PHOTO COURTESY OF WINNER OLMANN
Building a church: “It’s all about relationships,” said Lèon. “That is how Christ ran His ministry.” People worship with the Haitian praise band, which will perform songs in English, French, and Haitian Creole.
great, but it is not as fun as running recon missions every night, escorting people in and out of their classrooms during the day, and waiting for hours trapped on a staircase while surrounded by zombies.” Heather Hilend, a senior theatre major, was one of two humans to survive this year. She was talked into the game by some of her friends and has no regrets. “I think it is a fun escape for people, “ she said. “People shift from ‘normal’ mode to ‘HvZ’ mode and the transition is fantastic, and seeing my friends make that mental switch is a big reason I decided to play this year.” Alex Wainer, associate professor in the School of Communication and Media, can’t see the appeal of zombies compared to other monster classics. “It’s easier for me to understand the appeal of vampires than zombies—the
feat. One of the goals of FCHAC is to move away from the traditional and legalistic Haitian church. “It’s about accepting people the way they are and letting the Gospel change them,” Lèon said. “The gospel changes people, not the rules and legalistic point of view.” HAFC aims to, “completely move away from judging the book by its cover without trying to figure out what’s on the inside,” Lèon added.
“It’s about accepting people the way they are and letting the Gospel change them,” - Lèon.
About 100 members attended Family Church Haitian American Campus’s preview service Sunday, Sept. 6, 2012. Lèon used his skills as a former international student recruiter for PBA’s admissions office when recruiting members for the church. “It’s all about relationships,” Lèon said. “That is how Christ ran His ministry.” “It goes back to the relational style of reaching out to your friend instead of just casting out a net and trying to reach everybody,” Lèon said.
inherently moral meaning of a creature who lives off of others is clearer and as a floating metaphor, it’s adaptable,” said Wainer. “Zombies on the other hand seem to have less of a range of possible meanings. “They seem to convey the idea of plague or disease—it spreads through a population and anybody can become one or become their victim,” he continued. “And the walking or living dead is a horrible state, unredeemable except through, usually, a headshot, decapitation or something else horrific. The loss of one’s soul certainly is involved.” Though there may be no redemption found in zombies themselves, for LoRicco, such events are held in good fun and have a way of uniting people. “This is more than just a simple game. This is a chance for students of all types to get away from their everyday class schedule and do something exciting together.” Said LoRicco. “It puts everyone on the same playing field, from jocks to nerds, from theatre majors to history majors, everyone brings something to the table when it comes to HvZ, and it brings these people together. The strangest people become friends during this game.” Blauer agrees but also sees these events as ways to connect with people of “similar, alternative interests.” He sees it as a place of acceptance. “It’s not too often where you can go somewhere and meet tons of others who also love zombies and scary movies,” he said. “ It is really special when you’re with so many people of your own kind.”
“We’re probably one of the most diverse churches as fast as musicality goes,” said Winner Olmann, the worship leader. The linguistics major and Spanish minor at Florida Atlantic University said that the band will perform songs in English, French and Haitian Creole. Their music will range from black gospel to contemporary like Hillsong and Jesus Culture. Even though Haitian Americans are the main target, FCHAC has other cultures that are a part of the church and of the core team. “We wanted to make it comfortable so that everyone, not only appreciated their culture, but worship God in a way that is relevant to them,” Olmann said. The official launch date for Haitian American Family Church is Nov. 4, 2012.
TANGO CLASSES: Oct. 10 - City Library 7 p.m. CLEMATIS BY NIGHT: Oct. 11 - 6 P.m. JAZZ AND ART: Oct. 12 - Norton Museum - 6:30 p.m.
Page 4
CAMPUS NEWS Facing the professional world inked Has the professional world become more open for students with piercings, tattoos and alternative hair? Cash W. Lambert Local News Editor Before walking out of his dorm, Palm Beach Atlantic University junior Jonathan Thoresen takes one last look into the mirror. His blond dreads are neatly pulled back, his gauges are removed from his ears, his nose ring removed, and his collared shirt and tie cover the tattoo that wraps around his neck. Heading to a job interview, he looks like completely different person. “Even though I’d like for my tattoos and piercings to be accepted in the workplace, most of the time they aren’t,” said Thoresen, who has two tattoos and multiple piercings on his body. In a society where 21 percent of all Americans have gone under the needle, according to a poll by USA TODAY, tattoos in the workplace have been a constant debate, questioning the real definition of professionalism. “We do ask employees to cover up tattoos or take piercings out, as we prefer our staff to have a uniformed look,” said Denise Bober, director of human resources for The Breakers, where over 100 PBA students are employed. Merit not appearance Although The Breakers and many other businesses nationwide do not allow tattoos to be shown in the work environment, there is one local restaurant that takes an alternative approach. According to Sarah Vanderpool, general manager of the West Palm Beach diner Howley’s, “We hire based on who you are as a person and your skill, not based on what you look like or whether you have tattoos or piercings.” The first thing customers notice at the edgy restaurant isn’t the art hanging from the walls or the friendly atmosphere. It’s that almost every worker appears to
PHOTOS BY CHELSAE ANNE HORTON Got Ink?: Tai Cornell (above/right) has 20 tattoos that span from her legs to her back and arms and 16 piercings. Jonathan Thoresen (below) has dreads, gauges, a nose ring and a tattoo.
have a tattoo. Because the restaurant caters towards a more relaxed and hip dining experience, workers are free to show their ink. Vanderpool said, “Who’s to say the clean-cut guy in a job interview is amazing versus a guy with a mohawk? How do you know
who’s better at your job based on appearance?” According to Bober, those seeking employment with tattoos are not discriminated against in the interview process, that “the person without tattoos is not more attractive to the interviewers.” She said that the interviewer tells each interviewee that all tattoos and piercings must be covered when on the clock. If job interviews don’t depend upon a person’s looks, why are people with tattoos and piercings being asked to change a piece of who they are? Sarah Nicastro, assistant director of career development at PBA, said that before getting a tattoo, “You have to consider the job market you’re hoping to enter, because you may be asked to cover it up. Professionalism looks different for PBA students majoring in business versus those majoring in ministry.”
One of those ministry majors is PBA junior Josh Jones, who believes that the stereotype of the tattoo culture and whether or not workers can show their ink will be subject to change in the coming years. “I think the whole issue stems from the generational gap between our generation and our bosses,” he said. “When our bosses were younger, tattoos did seem more punk and possibly related to gangs. People have tattoos and piercings now because to them; it’s art and expresses that person’s belief. “If someone gets a teardrop tattooed on his or her face, it isn’t always a gang sign. It goes so much deeper that that. When we grow older, we’ll be the ones that are in positions of leadership and hopefully our generation will be much more open minded,” Jones continued.
Work of art and identity Thoresen agreed with Jones, explaining, “Tattoos and piercings are a form of art and beauty, not something that is negative. Your body is a clean state, a blank canvas.” Tai Cornell, a PBA senior, views her entire body as a work of art. She has 20 tattoos that span from her legs to her back and arms, and 16 piercings. One of her tattoos is that of a lion named Aslan, a metaphor for God. She also has a To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA) symbol on her wrist and a collage of Polaroid photos on her right side with Jesus on the cross within the Polaroids. “The collage incorporates my two most passionate parts of my life, Jesus and photography,” she said. For now, those who see tattoos as works of art are willing to cover their skin in a job interview. But, for Jones and Thoresen, this means covering up a part of who they are – and what makes them approachable. “Being in ministry, it makes me more approachable to different culture groups by having piercings,” said Jones. Anytime someone sees Thoresen’s tattoo that wraps around his neck and asks its meaning, he quotes 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17, which reads “rejoice always, pray continually.” Even though Thoresen’s tattoo is covered up in professional environments, he still feels part of a select group who chose to place permanent ink on the skin. “Once you get a tattoo, you have an instant bond with everyone in that sub culture,” he said. “You have this big connection, that you put ink on your body for expression, and beauty, and you’re (supposed to be) committing to something for the rest of your life.”
As You Like It Oct. 12 - 7:30 p.m Fern Street Theatre Evening with the Artists Oct. 13 - 9 p.m.
TWLOHA group safe place for students By Gabriella Hoge Staff Writer Gianna Franklin came to Palm Beach Atlantic University in the Fall of 2010 with a difficult past and a heavy heart. “I started dealing with depression when I was 13 years old. At first I didn’t know how to deal with it, I was so tired of always feeling sorry for myself.” She started losing friends left and right. Her family didn’t notice her seclusion. As an outlet for her misery, Franklin turned to selfinjury. “I continued self-injuring when I came to PBA. During my second semester, the friends that I still had got so fed up with me not getting help. They told me that if I didn’t try to get better we were done.” This acted as a wake-up call for Franklin, and she started going to counseling on campus. “After starting counseling everything started to make a lot more sense.” However, during her summer vacation Franklin’s depression worsened, and she became suicidal. It was at that time that she was diagnosed with depression. During the beginning of her sophomore year, Franklin became involved with the To Write Love on Her Arms University Chapter. Since then, Franklin has come a long way. She is the secretary of the club and uses her past struggles to help others. She says The University Chapter at PBA has
been a huge factor in her recovery “Everyone was open and honest and I’ve learned that I’m not the only one.” The origins of an organization To Write Love on Her Arms, commonly referred to as TWLOHA, is a non-profit organization that touches on topics that such as depression, substance abuse, eating disorders, and self-injury. The reason it is called this is because the founding of the organization was inspired by a women by the name of Renee Yohe, sister of a former employee at PBA, Mike Yohe. Renee started cutting herself when she was 12 and her depression progressed into several suicide attempts and a drug and alcohol addiction. Renee describes her bondage as a vicious cycle on the TWLOHA website. Eventually, she moved in with her drug dealer and had lost all hope until her friends intervened and took her to a treatment center. When she committed to getting help she agreed to let her friend, Jamie, write a story about her. Renee figured that if one or two people were affected by it, it was worth everything. He titled his story To Write Love On her Arms and they started selling Tshirts to support her recovery. From there, it morphed into the movement it is today. Renee con-
siders the success a tangible conformation that there was a purpose for all that she went through and is amazed at how God used her to give so much hope to struggling people everywhere. You are not alone The To Write Love on Her Arms movement has played a big role in Christy Veazy’s recovery. When she was 10 years old her mother passed away from cancer leaving her with an abusive father. When she came to PBA she experienced a lot of anxiety. “I was so afraid that my dad would come to the school and take me back, I had awful nightmares and I would wake up panicking and gasping for air,” she said. Having gone to counseling since she was 12, she continued going to counseling on campus and, after seeing a flyer in 2011, went to a TWLOHA university chapter meeting. “I was to the point where I had so much counseling I was ready to help others.” She was surprised at how much she grew in her recovery while leading others through the same kind of experiences she dealt with. Eventually, she became the president of the club in this semester. PBA’s TWLOHA University chapter provides a place where students can gather and discuss the struggles they have been through while helping others get to a place of recovery as well. The
PHOTO BY AMY ANDRESS Love is the movement: For Christy Veazy, joining the PBA chapter of To Write Love on Her Arms was a step in a journey towards her recovery from her struggles.
club also tries to raise awareness about depression and addiction. “The club welcomes a wide variety of students dealing with everything from anxiety and stress from school to substance abuse. In fact, anyone can join,” said Veazey. “You don’t have to have gone through something to come; you can just come and be a
support to others. “This is a group to come to where you know that you are not alone,” she continued. “There is so much power in numbers and bonding together with other students who have been there too.” The group meets at Mondays, 6:30 p.m. in the Towers lobby.
Page 6
Students debate the issues This semester, leading up to election day, political science students Belle Herrera and Matt Crumb will take part in weekly debates pertaining to some major issues in this year’s race. This week, the two discuss health care. Affordable Care Act that you might not be aware of. The goal of the new health care plan is to restore a basic foundation for middle class security in our country. This applies to the majority of the United States because not everyone has the ability to pay out of pocket when it comes to medical bills. Obviously those bills can be obscenely expensive. It’s giving people the option to obtain something affordable for them and also to small businesses. Small businesses will be receiving tax credits in order to give coverage to their employees who get a private health care plan. Initially, it will slow down any rising health care costs, which are a big help to our country and to the people. Here’s the truth about what will happen to insurance companies under the Affordable
From the Left By Belle Herrera Guest Columnist I’ve always felt like I was on the opposite side of the spectrum. My beliefs always contrary to what everyone else is thinking -and I’m completely okay with that. It sets me apart and gives me the opportunity to become a stronger individual while fighting for what I believe in. What I’m about to argue is my view, as a liberal Democrat, on the current hot topic of health care. I know there are seldom liberals on the PBA campus; well, some are now coming out of hiding. I know many may not agree with this article and may bypass it, but I challenge you to open your mind. You may not think this health care business affects you, but that is not true. This is about your future. Did you know that currently under the Affordable Care Act, you can legally stay on your parents’ insurance until you are the age of 26? This recently came into play, whereas before you could only stay on it until you were 18. That’s a huge difference. Here is a great example of this: You’re fresh out of college with a new job and finally on your own. Your new employer doesn’t supply you the health insurance you need and you have recently became ill. Finding health insurance on your own may not be what you want, or even something you’d be able to afford on your own yet, so thanks to Obama and his health care plan, you can still be on your parents’ plan. I, for one, think that’s downright awesome. Here are some other facts about the
Care Act, some of which have already been implemented. It will rightfully stop all abuse by insurance companies from denying coverage to many kids and adults who have preexisting conditions. It will also prevent the insurance companies from cancelling coverage to customers when they suddenly become ill. To me, and many other people, this is a great thing. Stopping insurance companies from standing up their customers is something that’s praiseworthy. Think of all the children who have many preexisting conditions. Their parents worry daily how they’ll find a way to pay if the company shuts them out. I’m not even sure a person can ethically, or morally, think this is an okay thing to do. The Affordable Health Care Act will be saving the lives of many. If Mitt Romney were to become the next President, he has already claimed that he will repeal this act and go backwards to a time where all insurance companies make their own rules and play their own game. This will give many families less choices and more heartache to deal with. As far as I’m concerned, it should be a right for everyone. This country is about equality. No one should have to suffer because they can’t make ends meet. No one should be denied from a hospital because they don’t have enough money in their pocket. Everyone deserves to live a healthy life and be cared for. This health care act will do just that. “But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed because they cannot repay you. You will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” Romans 13: 1-7
By Matt Crumb Guest Columnist Health care reform has recently emerged as one of the most controversial topics in America’s political discussion. In 2010, President Obama signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, popularly known as “Obamacare.” This brought to reality the dreams of many liberal Democrats by laying the groundwork for a universal health care system to remedy America’s current insurance based private system. The main goals of Obamacare are to provide an af-
From the Right fordable public option for those families unable to purchase private insurance and to protect insurance buyers from being denied or dropped from coverage based on pre-existing conditions. In order to achieve these goals, the federal government will do two things that are contrary, and downright dangerous, to the American dream. First, to help fund the government provided health care option, the law will require all citizens to buy some sort of health care insurance. If one chooses not to buy insurance, they will pay a penalty fee. The constitutionality of this “individual mandate” to tax a person for not buying a commodity was reviewed by the Supreme Court earlier this year. In a 5-4 decision, the court ruled that the individual mandate was in fact constitutional based on Congress’ power to tax. The decision has alarmed people of all political stripes because for the first time in American history government is able to tax the citizens for simply existing. Many are worried that the health care decision is the first step in a slippery slope of the government mandating how we are to behave and what we are to purchase. Secondly, Obamacare gives the federal government all sorts of control over the health insurance industry and business in general by implementing various regulations and expectations. The law will for all practical purposes rewrite the rules for insurance companies. It will control the make-up of policies, restrict how much companies may charge for their premiums, restrict and cap administrative spending, and prevent
companies from dropping customers from their plans. Businesses with more than 50 employees will be required to provide a government-standard insurance plan for each employee. This sort of government intervention into the private sector is precisely what has been hampering an already struggling economy. If private insurance companies and other businesses do not have the freedom to operate by what they deem is best for their survival, many jobs will be lost just to meet new standards. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is the single most dangerous threat to America’s economic well-being and must be repealed immediately. While nobody will claim that our current private insurance system is perfect, it is the avenue most compatible with free-market competition and a flourishing economy. America’s medical system provides the highest quality health care in the world precisely because free-market incentives encourage doctors and insurance companies to provide the best services with the promise that they will be duly compensated. It is true that many people cannot afford health care, and that insurance companies will drop customers based on pre-existing conditions, but these facts do not merit government intervention. Allowed to work freely, a competitive medical system will solve these problems through innovation and the market process. Additionally, America is too quickly losing its faith in the good will of charity and the Church. In order to make a case for economic freedom, we must follow the example of Jesus and take it upon ourselves to help heal those less fortunate.
Bolivia site for Christmas missions By Becca Stripe Staff Writer For the first time in a decade, Palm Beach Atlantic University’s missions department will be sending out a mission team over winter break. It will be a weeklong trip to the small town of Sophachuy, Bolivia, led by seniors David Chavez and Shelby Baker. The tentative dates for the trip are Dec. 26 to Jan. 5, depending on airline ticket prices, which have increased the trip’s total cost per student to $1,750. Although applications were
due on Oct. 1, the deadline has been extended until the end of the month or until the team becomes full, according to Eric Lowdermilk, missions coordinator. Seven students have applied for the trip, but the team can accept up to 12 students. The team will be partnering with college students from a local urban church to interact with the remote Andean community of Sophachuy. They will work together to find ways to engage the young people such as participating in a local soccer tournament, playing games, hosting movie nights,
presenting dramas, and organizing other activities that will build bridges with the youth, Lowdermilk said. Not only is Chavez a leader of this winter break mission trip, but he is also the creator of it, having come from the town of Sophachuy. Describing Bolivia as home, Chavez spent the first eight years of his life there, “and that’s what really birthed my passion and calling for serving the nations of the world and reaching out to people, loving on people and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with them.”
PHOTO COURTESY DAVID CHAVEZ Children from the Bolivian town of Sophachuy, destination of PBA winter mission team.
Page 7
SPORTS Volleyball rolls; soccer ranked
Eye on the ball. Sailfish Faith Rohn goes low for a dig as Melissa Buckingham looks on.
PHOTO COURTESY OF LORI RICHARDS
On Wednesday the Palm Beach Atlantic University Women’s Volleyball Team extended its winning streak to 15 matches as the Sailfish bested Ave Maria University in straight sets. The Gyrenes never threatened as PBA rolled over them, 259, 25-8 and 25-17. The Sailfish upped their record to 17-2. PBA senior Mariela Quesada came into the match ranked number 18 in the nation in kills per set with 3.98. Against Ave Maria, Quesada continued her offensive leadership with 11 kills. Freshman Rachael Holehouse had six kills. Head Coach Bob White made liberal use of his bench, and 10 Sailfish had at least one kill. Friday and Saturday the
volleyball team was to host the Pepsi Bash at the Beach Tournament. In men’s soccer, the Sailfish made history when they were ranked number 14 in the country by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. It marked the first time a PBA soccer team has been ranked, and it is the highest that any Sailfish team has been ranked. With a season record of 8-1, the Sailfish were to travel to Gainesville Sunday to take on University of West Alabama. The Lady Sailfish were also to play University of West Alabama Sunday. PBA stood 5-2 going into the match. For results of the latest PBA contests, see pbasailfish.com.
Complex gets $4.5 million Money means the Rinker complex should open in the fall of 2013 By Kent Berame Contributing Writer Palm Beach Atlantic University has sold property on Southern Boulevard for $4.5 million, money that will help develop the long awaited Rinker Athletic Complex, according to PBA’s new Athletic Director Caroline Stone. That financial boost means that PBA’s first game at the new complex should take place in the fall of 2013, said Stone. Located on Parker Avenue near Interstate 95, the facility is projected to have a total cost of $24 million when completed. Stone has high expectations for the complex. “Do you know what a BHAG is?” she asked. “Our ‘big hairy audacious goal’ is to host the NCAA Division II Festival.” PBA might not be able to host the NCAA Division II National Championship Festival just yet, but the Rinker Athletic Complex already has in place lighting, paving and miles of irrigation pipeline. When finished, it will provide a collegiate baseball field, two softball fields, five intramural fields, tennis courts, outdoor basketball courts, a soccer field and a 30,000-square-foot workout facility. Many athletes have been
concerned about the completion date for the complex being pushed back so many times already. “An assistant coach recruited me, and told me that it would be done two years ago,” said Nic Kovacs, a senior pitcher for PBA’s Sailfish baseball team. “We had seniors on the team last year who were told that it would be done their freshman year.” The baseball team has been practicing at Lake Worth High School. The field there is uneven, and several players’ cars have been broken into. Baseball players and other athletes express an urgency for the new complex. Stone is aware of their frustration about the project taking so long. “There was a lot of over promising and under delivering,” said Stone. “I spoke directly with the athletes and said, ‘I know you were promised the sun, moon and the stars, and I’m sorry about that, but there is no future in the past.’” The largest obstacle for the construction of the complex has been the lack of funding. “The hard part was a lot of the fundraising,” said Stone. “We didn’t want to borrow money to do it. We have been piecemealing it together.” The Rinker Foundation donated $4 million for the first phase, but the development slowed as the economy slowed. PBA officials had counted on proceeds from the sale of the Southern Boulevard property, but it took a long time to sell
that property. The university still has fundraising to go before the complex is finished. Despite the delays, positivity still lingers through the locker rooms, and many players are focused on the win column instead of what field they are competing on. “I think everybody would love
‘There was a lot of over promising and under delivering . . . I’m sorry about that, but there is no future in the past’ Stone
to have it, but we all realize the reasons why it’s not there,” said Kovacs. “We’re not going to harp on that. As long as we have a place to play, we’re going to play how we play.” Phase two of the project includes the building of a community park, running trails, a water feature and the security building. Phase three is predicted to begin in January of 2013, and includes the construction of the baseball, softball, and soccer fields. Because of safety concerns
and city permits, PBA teams can’t begin using the complex until critical parts of phase three are finished. In addition to the fields for PBA, the complex includes a separate park to be open to the public, in a partnership between the university and the City of West Palm Beach. “We want to be a good neighbor for sure,” said Stone. “We want to be able to support the community down there if we are playing in someone’s backyard. It makes sense for us to partner with the city.” That partnership also includes the Parker Avenue Consortium, where PBA Athletics will join with Mayor Jeri Muoio, Conniston Middle School, and the nonprofit organization Kettle Comfort in projects to help the neighboring area. Stone envisions PBA athletes reaching out to underprivileged youngsters with sports camps and other activities. She believes the kids and the college students will both benefit. “We are not in the business of making professional athletes,” said Stone. “We are in the business of developing students and turning them into leaders for the community.” The new complex is just over two miles from the main campus. The university plans to provide a shuttle service for students. Stone said the Rinker Athletic Complex will not only provide a modern facility for PBA athletes,
but it will also bring a change in PBA culture. “It’s going to be transformational,” she said. “Number one, it will make us more than a destination location school. We want to host camps. We want to host clinics. You name it, we want to bring those organizations in.” Stone became athletic director in January of this year. Her background includes several years as parks and facilities manager for the Village of North Palm Beach Parks and Recreation. She has more than 20 years of professional experience in sport management and administration. In her new role, she seems to relish the complicated task of developing the Rinker complex. “This project isn’t intimidating to me at all,” said Stone. “Actually, it’s exciting.”
Volleyball v. Warner University Oct. 9 - Home - 6 M. Soccer v. Florida Tech Oct. 9 - Away - 3 W. Soccer v. U niversity of Tampa Oct. 13 -Home - 12
Page 8
READMYBEACON.COM the
CHRIS HERNANDEZ Managing Editor Chris@readmybeacon.com JOHN SIZEMORE Executive Editor John@readmybeacon.com
GALLERY
DUANE MEEKS Publisher
Zombie Walk
Kayacking
CASH W. LAMBERT Local News Editor Cash@readmybeacon.com KAILY TYRRELL Art Director Kaily@readmybeacon.com CHELSAE ANNE HORTON Multimedia Manager Chelsae@readmybeacon.com
GALLERY, GIFS, & VIDEO FROM THE ZOMBIE WALK GALLERY FROM THE ALTERNATIVE PROFESSIONAL PHOTOSHOOT WITH TAI AND JONATHAN GALLERY FROM CASH W. LAMBERT’s KAYACKING ADVENTURE STUDENTS DEBATE HEALTHCARE: REBUTTALS BY BELLE AND MATT
Weekly Staff: Carlie Morely Caroline Case Gabbie Hoge Greg Halmos Giana Franklin Heisy Padilla Kayla Viaud Megan Human Nicole Saunders Rebecca Stripe Tyann Mullen Victoria Vartan
Submissions: If you would like to submit a letter to the editor, a news tip, corrections, or contribute to the Beacon, email the managing editor at readmybeacon@ gmail.com
Corrections for 10/1: Missions Emphasis Week was last week not this week. See an error we did not catch? Help hold us accountable by emailing the editor of the section. Our goal is to bring you the cleanest copy possible. Front and back page photos: Cover Photo by Chelsae Anne Horton; Zombie Girl by Amy Andress; Kayacking by Cash W. Lambert; Tai Laughing by Chelsae Anne Horton No part of the Beacon may be reproduced without permission. The opinions expressed in The Beacon are not necessarily those of Palm Beach Atlantic University administration, staff or faculty.