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The VC Publication The Monthly Journal Dedicated to Your Success

ISSUE 32 March 2012

Spring Fever ……………………..P.1

You’re Hired ……………………..P.2

Meet the Editor ……. .………… P.2

Relay for Life...…………………..P.3

Rants & Raves …………………..P.4

March Madness …………………P.5

A Note From the Dean ..….…...P.6

Faculty of Quarter ………....... P.6

Preparing for Finals …...………P.7

Upcoming Events ..….………….P.8

In This Issue

Editor: Christine Bostic

Managing Editor: Gracie McNeal

Faculty Advisor: Cheryl Corbin

Admin Manager: Harlan McMath

Daylight Savings Time

By Kayla Lamb

Benjamin Franklin first suggested

daylight savings time in 1784, but modern

daylight savings time was not proposed

until 1895. Daylight savings time this year

begins on Sunday, March 11, 2012 at 2:00

am and ends Sunday, November 4, 2012

at 2:00 am. One of the biggest reasons we

change our clocks for daylight savings time

is that it reportedly saves electricity. In

general, energy use and the demand for

electricity for lighting our homes are

directly connected to when we go to bed

and when we get up. When we have

daylight savings time, we are, in essence,

saving daylight because our clocks are set

and it appears that the sun sets one hour

later and, therefore, reduces the period

between sunset and bedtime by one hour.

We are not only saving daylight, but we are

saving time and energy.

By Dominic Richardson

Spring Fever is about renewal, energy, creativity and an

intuitive understanding of harmony in the universe. A new

peace of mind is released and people feel suddenly happy

about life itself. Spring Fever, biologically speaking, is caused

by the days getting longer. People suddenly feel like gardening

and playing sports and putting up yard signs that they’ll fail to

take down. Spring awakens that which the birds and the bees

are famous for. Spring is even better than closing time when it

comes to making people impulsive, spontaneous and

unpredictable.

Therefore, Spring Fever is a term applied to several sets of

physical and psychological symptoms associated with the

arrival of spring. Also Spring Fever is the name for a

temporary mood typically characterized by a state of energy.

To most of us, Spring Fever means a wonderful burst of

energy and a resurgence of growth, bringing us outside after

the cold, short days of winter. Spring Fever makes us want to

run, jump, and skip with delight like we are small children

again. The season makes everyone in the world very happy.

Also spring is full of passion, infatuation, love and a season

of a desire to bloom. Spring is often combined with love and

has been frequently used in songs, poetry, plays, and stories.

After all summer, fall, and winter are alright, but there’s nothing

like Spring Fever.

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My Memory Diary

By Sara Paquin

I store my memories in the

diary of my mind.

On lonely nights, I leaf

through it and find

Memories of us by the lake,

memories of the walks we’d

take.

Everywhere, always hand in

hand.

Memories of your warm

embrace, that gave me

shelter in a safe place.

When the world was too

much for me to bear, how

you would hold me

close and safe from harm,

and tell me how much you

cared.

Memories of the day you

died, how beautiful the day

was, and how I cried.

What I would give for one

more touch!

I love and miss you so much.

But my memories are one

thing no one can take away.

I store them

in my diary,

and read

them

everyday.

You’re Hired...

Submit your original short

work by the 15th of each

month to:

Karla.chavous@vc.edu

Poetry Matters Contest To qualify, obtain an entry form, or to find out more information, please visit

http://poetrymatterscelebration.com

The award is open to anyone, anywhere who is in middle school or older. The

contest is FREE. Cash prizes are given to 1st ($100), 2nd ($75), 3rd ($50) and 4th

($35) place winners. To receive the cash prize, winners must read their poetry

pieces in person or via video at the poetry reading event. Mail entries to:

(Postmarked no later than March 23, 2012)

Poetry Matters 2012

c/o P.R.A. Publishing

P.O. Box 211701

Martinez, Ga. 30917

No email submissions will be accepted. Winners will be notified

no later than April 13, 2012 via email.

Please see Stacie Farr for an application.

Meet the Editor By Kayla Lamb

I would like for you to meet Christine

Bostic who has been at Virginia College since

2010 and is near the end of her journey with only

two quarters left until graduation. Mrs. Bostic is

the proud mother of five sons and three step -

daughters. She laughs when asked about her job, and she states that being a wife

and mom to five kids is a full time job! Upon graduation, she has decided to work in

an administrative position in an office.

In her spare time, she teaches dance and has a black belt in Karate. She

enjoys dancing, running, martial arts, going camping, reading, and writing. Mrs. Bostic

decided to study business because she wanted to learn the requirements for starting

her own business. After she has prepared herself, she wants to open up her own

dance company and martial arts studio.

Poetry Corner

Submit your original short

work by the 15th of each

month to:

karla.chavous@vc.edu

Lori J. Barksdale Skylar F. Coddington Valerie Parker

Henrietta W. Wynn Sandra Lott Taneka R. Brunson

Tonya Hulin Tammie Williams Shannon Rollins

Maureen Grant Soponia M. Mincy Penny L. Parry

Tara Porter Ashley Williams LaShonda Smith

Louise S. Kirk Tammy M. Grant Robin Kersey

Nellie Williams Tywana Tanksley Veronica Brown

Ashley Singley Shawnda R. Kettles Michelle R. Swisher

Cassandra J. Sumrow Miranda Bennett Donna Thomas

Christine Bostic, BA, Editor, The VC Publication

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History of St Paddy’s Day

By: Dempsey Wright III

Unknown to many St. Patrick wasn’t born in Ireland; he was born in either Roman England or

Scotland. He is, however, the patron saint of Ireland because of the work he did across the country in

the 5th Century. The name he was born with was Maewyn Succatt. He was growing up in Britain until he was

kidnapped by a gang of pirates who landed in Wales. He was then transported from Britain to Ireland where he

escaped and found God in Germany under the bishop of Auxerre. He then changed his name to Patricus, which

later became Patrick. After his twelve years of training, he became a bishop and dreamt of being called back to

Ireland where he returned and converted the Gaelic Irish to Christianity.

He died on March 17, AD 461. That is why St. Patrick’s Day is the day that it is. This day was meant to

commemorate the complete Baptization of Ireland and was a Catholic holy day, but

has after so long become a secular holiday. Some facts about the images of St.

Patrick’s Day are interesting. Green is used because it is unanimously the color of

Ireland. Many Irish people who traveled to the United States could not afford to eat

bacon on St. Patrick’s Day according to Irish tradition, so they ate corned beef instead

because it was cheaper. The reason people get pinched when they don’t wear green

on St. Patrick’s Day is due to Patrick’s revelers who believed that wearing green made

one invisible to leprechauns, and they would pinch anyone that they could see. And

the shamrock came from Patrick himself because that is what he used to explain the

Trinity to the Irish.

Relay for Life I am Nicole Bartlett, a MOM student and

one of this year’s co-captains for Virginia College

“School” of Hope Relay For Life Team. Relay for

Life is a life-changing event that helps communities

across the globe to celebrate the lives of people who have battled

cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease.

I challenge you to join the Virginia College “School” of Hope

Relay for Life team along with your family, friends, & acquaintances, so

you too can be involved.

The Relay for Life event this year is on May 4 – 5 at Westside

High School from 7:00 pm until 7:00 am, but please don’t think you have

to wait until then to participate. “School” of Hope will be doing plenty of

fundraisers on campus in the near future and we need your help. Our

goal this year is to raise $2,500 and will need a committed team of

faculty, staff, and students to meet this goal. If interested, please register

online at www.relayforlife.org/augusta.

Look for Virginia College and click “Join Team.” Plan to attend

our bi-weekly meetings: flyers will be posted in the halls. Participate in

our fundraisers and join us at the track the night of the event. I look

forward to working with you all and making this another great year for

Relay For Life!

Student

SpotGreenlight!

By Dempsey Wright

Ms. Matachi Jones has been attending

Virginia College since June 29, 2011 and she

loves it. Matachi chose to come to Virginia

College because her sister attended school

here and the front office staff made her feel

welcome, and this is what confirmed her

decision to attend school here.

She chose the Surgical Tech program

because of her meeting with Mr. Lake. The

meeting with Mr. Lake reassured her decision

that this was the place to be. Mr. Lake cares

about all of his students and how well they

perform is the difference in whether his

students either succeed or fail. She stated that

he pushes his students to be the best that

they can be and not settle for mediocrity. Ms.

Jones felt that she needed the discipline that

Mr. Lake teaches, and that is what made her

choose this school, and this program.

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I love the colors of springtime; “it’s like going from a black and white television and going to a

Technicolor one.” - Stacie Farr, Student Services

I love to see all the blooming flowers like the azaleas, dogwoods, and forget-me-nots.—Tanya

Powell, Program Director

I think Spring is a beautiful season the only thing I don’t like is how the weather changes and

all of the pollen that’s around. Teiah Mills, BA

I love March because it will be St. Patrick’s Day and I will be able to wear my favorite color.-

Latosha Scott, MA

I like Spring because the temperature is just right.- Darius Willington, MA

I love March Madness.- Amy Panunzio, MA

I love spring because it’s the changing of the seasons and the rebirth of everything, flowers, birds, and

trees, just life itself, and I hate spring because of the pollen due to allergies. -Danielle Lott, MOM

I love Spring because it is the most beautiful time of the year, I hate nothing concerning spring.-

Mandy Sutton, Cosmo

March Trivia By Gracie McNeal

What animal is honored on March 1?

Pig, Horse, Cow, Chicken What organ of the body is honored the third week in March? Heart, Skin, Lungs, Brain March has its own insect, the March ___. What is it? Bee, Moth, Beetle, Fly What favorite snack food is honored in the Month of March? Corn Chips, Popcorn, Peanuts, Cheese curds

What favorite food is honored in March?

Soup, Eggs, Steak, Noodles

Pharmacy Tech Students

Join Now, It’s Free

This is a great opportunity to join a

nationally affiliated organization. The Society

for the Education of Pharmacy Technicians

(SEPhT) is a national organization which

provides educational tools and support to

career pharmacy technicians. The

organization also provides support to

preceptors and employers throughout the US.

SEPhT promotes the pharmacy

technician’s knowledge base by offering

advanced training, professional development

and career planning. What is even better, is

that for all pharmacy technician students

currently enrolled in a technician training

program, membership is absolutely FREE!

To all Virginia College students,

please take advantage of this great

opportunity to join. Simply visit the website at

http://www.thesepht.org and complete the

student membership form. This opportunity

can be a great addition to your resume.

- Lisa Jones, CPhT, Program Director, Pharmacy Tech

Ranting & Raving About Spring!

Come Out & Enjoy

the Augusta

Literary Festival

March 3, 2012 10:30-2:30

Augusta Downtown

Library

Featuring 50+ Authors

Prizes Every Hour

Visit the website for a list

of authors and the times

of all book talks :

www.ecgrl.org

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By Brandon Mabry

The phrase March Madness often refers to the college

basketball tournament held every March in the United States. March

Madness refers to the excitement of the final few weeks of the college

basketball season that features many major schools. It really is

labeled March Madness because there are lots of games taking place

throughout the nation, typically during one time, as everyone is on the

edge of their seats throughout the 30 days of March. March Madness

features sixty five competitors from among the best recognized schools. It also features champions from a

number of the lesser-known college or university basketball hoop conferences.

Undoubtedly spectators will see squads in the renowned Atlantic Coast, Big East, PAC-10, S.E.C., Big

Twelve and Big ten, and will also come across a number of other conferences available, like the Metro Atlantic,

Big Sky, Big South and America East. March Madness provides sports enthusiasts the chance to take pleasure in

the NCAA’s college basketball tourneys. It is possibly the best sporting occasion on the planet, and once the

NCAA made the decision to create a highlights package, there was clearly a great deal to select from. The

tournament begins with at 65 teams and finishes with one holding the crown, as the most elite team in the country;

this is a tournament you wouldn’t want to miss. The Final Four, as the tournament became known, has grown

tremendously in size and popularity since 1939. By 2005, college basketball had become the most popular

sporting event among gamblers, after the Super Bowl.

There is no guaranteed winner of the tournament. There are favorites and there are underdogs as well, but

who knows? The tournament is designed to match the best of the best and to pick one winner. The favorite does

not always win, but the tournament is always good.

My Fantasy NCAA

Team

By Brandon Mabry

If I had to pick a fantasy team, it would

layout like this:

Point Guard: Scoop Jardin, Syracuse

Shooting Guard: Harrison Barnes

North Carolina

Small Forward: Perry Jones II, Baylor

Power Forward: John Henson, North

Carolina

Center: Anthony Davis, Kentucky

Build Your Own Fantasy Team

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A Note from the Dean

1. What was your aim in life as an instructor? To inspire learning and to acquire knowledge.

2. Why did you choose to be an instructor or teacher here at Virginia College? My mother was an instructor when VC first opened. She told me that she loved the students and the environment because VC focuses on ensuring success. So, I came to an open house, submitted my resume, and Mr. Lund called me for an interview. The rest is history.

3. How has your experience been so far? I have enjoyed every minute of it; and I can't believe that I have been here for almost two years.

4. If you hadn’t been an instructor, what would you be? A guidance counselor; I minored in psychology.

5. Do you think students should behave like professionals, or why is it necessary to maintain a disciplined environment to create a good-classroom environment? I believe students enter VC with a professional attitude. This attitude carries into the classroom. So, as an instructor, I follow this motto: when you treat people like adults, they will act like adults.

6. What do you think are the most important issues that need to be addressed in

your life? Balancing school and work (yes, I am a student too).

7. If you had to choose or say, what is your favorite subject that you have taught here at Virginia College? I can't make a decision! I love each of my classes because I have learned so much from each and every student who has entered my classroom.

Faculty of the Quarter

Lezlie Clay, BS, MSM

Teaching Curricula:

EDU100, Eng1020,

Bus 2760

by Christine Bostic

Photo: Gracie McNeal

Students;

I’d like to continue my discussion from last month’s newsletter regarding the subject of “work.” In

life we get nothing except through honest effort. I recently read several passages that impressed me with

their common sense approach to work.

Booker T. Washington wrote about luck and work. He said, “Some may say that it was good luck

that brought to us this gift [he’s referring to a donation that an organization he founded had received]. No,

it was not luck. It was hard work. Nothing ever comes to anyone, that is worth having, except as a result

of hard work.”

Theodore Roosevelt is quoted as saying, “Work must be done; we cannot escape our responsibility;

and if we are worth our salt, we shall be glad of the chance to do work – glad of the chance to show

ourselves equal to the great tasks of modern civilization. Above all, let us, as we value our own self-

respect, face the responsibilities with proper seriousness, courage and high resolve.”

How can you apply these statements toward your approach to education at Virginia College? Be

serious toward your approach to education just as the two individuals quoted above were serious about

work.

- Paul Lund, FACHE, Academic Dean

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Success By Harlan McMath

Success is a journey. One of the first steps to take on the journey is to get out of bed when the alarm clock goes off.

The second step is to understand that there is a plan to follow and understand that we cannot be scared of change. Many

of us attend Virginia College because we want success or have come back to school to make the changes necessary to

become successful. It is understandable that the journey can be scary, but it can be done.

As a mature student, on my first day of class, I was wondering how I was going to handle the age difference

between me and my fellow students. Especially considering many of my classmates were the ages of my children. I then

began to worry about keeping up with homework, working on a computer, and how have the teaching styles changed from

when I was in school. Yes the journey to success is the road we drive with little rest.

Along the way on our journey to success, we must learn to enjoy the process or it becomes a load that we cannot

carry. Along the way on this trek to success, stop and say thank you to those who have helped you and smile to them to

said, “I care.” Yes the journey seems hard sometimes and you need to rest and that that is fine, just during your stop don’t

rest too long or you will not want to continue your journey at all. The journey is like a road trip. You know where you have

been and you know where you want to go. Having a plan to get there is how to light the way when times seem gray.

Prepping For your Finals

By: Dominic Richardson

Finals are designed to allow students to demonstrate how

much information they have retained from an entire term. When

preparing for finals the challenge is to decide how and where to

concentrate your energy and assess your level of knowledge in

each subject. Try to cut back on extracurricular activities in the last weeks of the term, so you can have

free time to study for the exams. You should have organized notes to help you review the main points.

If the instructor offers a study guide for the exam, use it to your ability. Don’t pull an all-nighter!

Although some people are successful with studying all night and then taking a test with no sleep, I

wouldn’t recommend you try it for the first time on a final exam. The evening before the exam, try to

have clear thoughts. When you wake up, make sure you eat a healthy breakfast and look over the

material to refresh your memory. If you are taking a paper exam, read through the entire exam before

you start answering any questions at all. This way, you will know what you’re facing during the exam.

Some students benefit from answering the most difficult questions first while others do better

completing all the easier ones. Do what works for you. Don’t over exert yourself while taking the exam.

You wouldn’t want to make a mistake completing your test. If you get stuck at any time, just go to the

next question. When the test is completed, go back through the exam and make sure all the questions

are right. Finally, take a deep breath and turn the exam in to your instructor. Good luck!

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The graduation date has been set! Mark your calendars for Saturday, July 14

th, 2012 at

the Bell Auditorium.

June pending graduates, be sure to stop by Ms. Farr’s office (Room 171) during the first two weeks of Spring Quarter for mandatory graduation prep.

And be sure to check your email for all communication regarding graduation.

Food Vendors on Campus: All Wednesdays & Thursdays:

2/29 & 3/1 = Jackie M’s

3/7 & 3/8 = Great Wraps

3/14 & 3/15 = Jackie M’s

3/21 & 3/22 = Great Wraps

June Graduates:

If you will finish your program in June, you need to meet with Student Services (either Ms. Cole in 170 or Ms. Farr in 171) any time next Quarter, no later than Friday, April 20, 2012 for graduation prep.

Online Courses for Spring Quarter are now available. If you wish to take an online class, see your Program Director for approval. Bring the online registration form (s) to Ms. Cole. Hours are posted on her office door.

Upcoming Events & Info Graduation!

Want to write for the VC Publication? Great! Send us an article. Email your article to cheryl.corbin@vc.edu

Dempsey Wright, Harlan McMath, Dominic Richardson, Brandon Mabry, Gracie McNeal, Tim Cofield, Kayla Lamb & Christine Bostic

March’s Quote:

Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!" ~Robin Williams

By Gracie McNeal

What this quote means to me is that it’s time for flowers to

burst forth in new buds, trees to pop out with new blooms, and life to

begin anew. It’s so refreshing to wake up and hear the birds singing

right outside the bedroom window. Springtime marks the start of

new beginnings, second chances, and new life.

God sends us blessings in so many different ways. Spring is

His way of letting us know that He’s still there when we need Him,

giving us a second chance to make things new in our lives.

April’s Quote

Real friends are those who, when you feel you've made a fool of yourself, don't

feel you've done a permanent job. ~Author Unknown

All essays must be less that 150 words and submitted via email to cheryl.corbin@vc.edu

no later that the 15th of each month.

Your Winter 2012

Newsletter Staff

The VC Publication is created and managed by the AOM Students.

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