sceper febrar 2012 final sceper 2/16/12 8:28 pm page 1 · marlene gomez shahbaz khan nicholas lopez...
TRANSCRIPT
S c e p t e rS c e p t e rKingsborough Community College February 2012 The City University of New York
INDEXNews ..........................................4
Entertainment .........................11
Sports .......................................16
ONE GIANT EffORT
Giants quarterback and Super Bowl XLVI MVP Eli Manning hoists the Lombardi Trophy after defeating the New England Patriots 21-17. | Photo provided by Getty Images
Turn to page 16 for complete coverage
Theo Rossi of ‘Sons of Anarchy’ Sits Down With Scepterby Michelle M. Dickson
It started as a brief conversation with a
stranger on a train in Manhattan. This
conversation would unveil itself to be the
catalyst to a whole new path for the man,
now quite recognizable as the tattooed yet
troubled character, ‘Juice,’ on the show,
Sons of Anarchy. For Theo Rossi, success
has allowed him to not only dedicate
himself to his craft, but also demonstrate his
sincere love and respect for not only fans of
the show, but for people who in his eyes are
true heroes.
Thanks to a few good conversations, a
few life experiences and a few good friends
who were willing to jump in feet first with
him, the 36-year-old has not only made his
way across the US to pursue something he
loves, he has made his way around the
world on an ongoing mission to appreciate
and recognize those who he himself has
become a fan of.
“For me, what I’ve learned in my life,
it’s the stuff that’s right in front of me that’s
really dictated tomorrow,” said Rossi.
“Things are happening every day, it’s just
that people aren’t aware of it. If you’re
constantly looking forward, you may miss
what’s right in front of you in the moment.”
Rossi grew up in New York and spent
a majority of his youth in Staten Island.
Football was his life at that time so after
high school he and some friends attended
Albany State University where he played
football, for a bit.
While attending, he took advantage of
what every fine, young scholar should take
advantage of at school. He enjoyed a few
years of shenanigans before graduating
with a degree in English education.
“College was just this weird learning
experience that I believe now after all these
years looking back, it really had help to
shape me to who I am today. I really feel
like I was being watched after during that
time because I could have been in a lot more
trouble than I was.”
Following graduation Rossi returned to
Staten Island and said he had no idea what
he wanted to do. Although dabbling incontinued on page 11 Photo provided by Celebuzz.com
Scepter_February_2012_Final_Scepter 2/16/12 8:28 PM Page 1
2 Scepter february 2012
Scepter
2001 Oriental Boulevard Room M230
Brooklyn, NY 11235
Telephone: 718.368.5603
fax: 718.368.4833
Editor-in-Chief
Michael McManus
Managing Editor
Maria panskaya
Production Editor
orincy Whyte
Chief Photographer
Abe ginsberg
Staff Writers
Marlene gomezShahbaz khan
Nicholas LopezDaniel Sicignano
Adviser
Levy Moore
Scepter is a publication of the students ofkingsborough Community College. It isnot a college publication, therefore, the
college is not responsible for its contents.
All articles in Scepter remain the sole property of Scepter. To obtain reprint
permission, please contact the editors.
E-Mail: [email protected]
Scepter welcomes letters to the editors and opinions from the entire
kingsborough Community.
Production Adviser
Rob Wong
CorreCtions
The Scepter editors apologize for the grammatical mistakes and numerous other errors in the previous issue. We hope
that this edition reflects better upon us.
Illustrators
kenly DillardConroy Walker
Photo Editor
Alan Hawkins
greetings everybody, I hope the newyear has been going well for you all.
Since the winter module is my finalsemester here at kingsborough, I’d liketo bid farewell to all of my fellowstudents, faculty and staff at kCC andScepter. It has been a great honor to haveserved as Editor-in-Chief and will be anexperience I will never forget, one thathas taken me to lots of new places andgiven me the opportunity to meet somegreat people along the way.
There were plenty of good times, as well as difficult ones, but I willvalue all of them. Because of these experiences, I have learned a greatdeal and have not only grown as a journalist, but as a person as well.
There are a lot of people I’d like to thank, starting with Scepter’sAdviser, Levy Moore. Mr. Moore has always been there for me to doleout advice, hear out suggestions and provide encouragement. I am trulygrateful for him believing in my abilities and bestowing me with thiswonderful opportunity. I couldn’t ask for a better adviser, and Scepter isprivileged to have him aboard.
I wouldn’t have been able to do this job without the help of myimmediate staff. At times, the turnover was tumultuous. I trulyappreciate those of you who stuck with Scepter through thick and thin.Your dedication means a lot to me.
I was fortunate enough to be able to work with a wonderfulManaging Editor, Maria panskaya, who contributed tirelessly to Scepterand was somebody I was always able to count on. I wish her the best ofluck as Scepter’s next Editor-and-Chief, and I know for sure that she’lldo a fantastic job.
During the fall semester of last year, orincy Whyte was appointedas Scepter’s new production Editor. I had never met her up until thatpoint and admittedly didn’t know what to expect. But within the firstfew weeks of us working together, I was impressed by her willingnessto work, the talent she displayed and her eagerness to continue to learnand perfect her craft. She surely has a bright future in the field ofproduction and design.
Scepter’s former production Editor, Alan Hawkins, served as thepaper’s photo Editor. He’s an expert at what he does and we’re thankfulto have him on our staff. Although at times we clashed, usually over thesmallest of things, it was always over what we thought was for the bestinterest of Scepter. It makes me tired just thinking about all of the timeswe stayed up all night trying to finish the paper.
I’d also like to extend my gratitude to Robert Wong, Scepter’sfriendly and knowledgeable production Adviser; kenly Dillard, ourhumble and exceptionally talented illustrator; Joseph Rivera, who’salways at the office to help out and provide comic relief; NicholasNuzhny, our Sports Editor with an affinity for drawing caricatures on theoffice’s marker board; professor Hickey, my journalism professor, whochallenged me and taught me something new in class nearly everyday;professor percaccio, who was both a great professor and helpful adviserto me; the newest members of Scepter’s incoming editorial board,Nicholas Lopez and Michelle Dickson, who are both diligent workersand are more than capable; Sara perito, for all of her editingcontributions; and finally, I’d like to thank all of the writers andphotographers who contributed their time and efforts towards ourwonderful publication. Scepter wouldn’t be what it is without all of you.
It comforts me to know that I’m leaving Scepter in good hands. Yearsfrom now, I’ll probably look back at this letter nostalgically and smilefrom the memories. But for now, I am grateful for the future I am aboutto embark upon, a future that Scepter has played a big role in shaping.
- Michael McManus
Letter From the EditorCampus Calender
FEBRUARY
Scepter on the Web
ScepterKCC.com
Facebook.com/ScepterKCC
Twitter.com/ScepterKCC
Monday, february 27
LECTURE: THE HISToRY oF THE BLACkMALE INITIATIvE Elliot Dawes (CUNY) & NYC Councilmember
Charles Barron
1 p.m. - 3 p.m. | Room v-219 (Terrace Room) Refreshments will be served.
LECTURE: THE HISToRY oF BLACkHISToRY MoNTH2 p.m. - 5 p.m. | Room L-100
Tuesday, february 28
LECTURE : TRANSFoRMINgDISoRgANIzED NEIgHBoRHooD INToA BRoTHERHooDProf. Martin Matthew, Department of History,
Philosophy & Political Science
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.| Room U-218 (Men’s ResourceCenter)
vIDEo CLIpS & DISCUSSIoN: TRACES oFTHE TRADE Led by Roderick B. Wilson, Liberty Partnership
Program
2 p.m. - 5 p.m. | Room L-100v
DINNER & DIALogUE: “poSTBLACkNESS” Led by Dexter Wimberly, Director of
Communications, Museum for African Art
Presented by Student Life. Open to current KCC students, faculty
and staff. Must present your current ID.
4 p.m. - 6 p.m. | Room U-230
Wednesday, february 29
LECTURE: JAzz ANDTHE DEvELopMENT oFBLACk AMERICANCULTURE Prof. Marvin Williams,
Department of
Communications & Performing
Arts
12:40 p.m. - 1:40 p.m. | Room U-218 (Men's Resource Center)
Scepter_February_2012_Final_Scepter 2/16/12 8:28 PM Page 2
3Scepterfebruary 2012
With more than 18,000 student enrolled at Kingsborough, Scepter thought it
would be enlightening to ask:
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS AT KCC
Photographs and Interviews by Alan Hawkins
"Of all the problems Kingsborough may have, what is the most
important one you think the administration isn't aware of?"
“Not enough water fountains for thestudents.”
Shmully Blesofsky, Liberal Arts major
“I have a teacher and she leaves early. Whenwe don’t understand things, she doesn’texplain it to us in a way that we understand.And we have more questions, [but] she justsays ‘tutoring,’ or something like that.”
Seraphim Toussaint, Biology major
“I would say the computer lab. It’s a goodresource, but a lot of people abuse it, so itkind of defeats its purpose.”
Yesenia Mendez, Nursing major
“I’ve been having problems getting incontact with my adviser. He keepscancelling my appointments and that’sbecoming a problem because I want toswitch my major.”
Erin Sullivan, Liberal Arts major
“It’s overcrowded.”
Jay Mateo, Liberal Arts major
“The amount of responsibility teachers haveover us. Let’s say I’m a late student or I’mbehind on things, we get reprimandedrather than guided towards success.”
Michaelangelo Maldonado, Broadcasting major
You Said It:
Scepter_February_2012_Final_Scepter 2/16/12 8:28 PM Page 3
february 20124 News
by Nicholas Lopez
Educator. Activist. Advocate.
Those three words describe professor
Jack Taub best.
Taub taught English at kingsborough
for more than 35 years and passed away of
illness on September 7.
A memorial service for Taub was held
on November 10 in Room v219 with
numerous speakers and family members
in attendance.
Among the speakers were a few of
Taub’s colleagues and students, who all
had touching words.
“He could talk to you for a moment
and knew exactly what you needed,” said
Beverly Stevens, one of Taub’s students.
“You only get a few people like that in this
world. put him on a platform with Martin
Luther king and Malcolm X, that’s where
he belonged. There’s one Jack Taub, never
again. Many can try to replicate and
duplicate him, but it won’t happen.”
Taub was well-known for speaking
out against racism, bias and prejudice and
worked vigorously against racism on the
kCC campus, especially against black
students, which took some people by
surprise, considering that Taub was a
white man.
He organized a semester-long
workshop for Faculty/Staff and invited
people from all over campus to speak on
methods to fight racism. This workshop
was a project he worked on with English
professor Elizabeth Dill and Roderick B.
Wilson entitled, “Empowering The Black
Male In The Multicultural Classroom.”
The project won the president’s Faculty
Innovation Award in 2010.
Taub always argued that white
teachers had a duty to educate themselves
on racism in the classroom. His 9-page,
single-spaced on both sides, letters
expressing his ideas on the subject are
stuff of legend in kCC.
Taub’s passionate personality was
definitely something his fellow colleagues
respected of him.
“I don’t think there was another
professor more devoted to his students,
more concerned for their lives, not just as
students, but as individuals and felt it was
responsible to not just teach the material of
English 12 and 24, but what it means to be
a human being- the moral, political and
ethical aspects of life,” said English
professor Enid Stubin.
“Jack was a mentor to me, he was one
of the first Faculty members who I met
when I began teaching in 1993,” said
professor Frank percaccio.
All of the speakers at the event shared
stories about how Taub motivated them to
go on and helped them out when times got
tough.
“Jack really cared about people, he
cared about everyone,” said Eileen
Farretti, English Department Chair. “It
didn’t matter who you were, what color or
age you were.”
The memorial concluded with a walk
to the tree that went up in Taub’s honor,
with a plaque soon to come with it.
“It’s filled with the great memories
that he’s provided us and what he means
to the campus,” said Roderick B. Wilson.
A Jack Taub Memorial Website is also
being made. To access the website, go to
kingsborough.edu and click on “Quick
Links” in the top right corner. Then, scroll
down the menu and click on “Staff and
Faculty Resources” and then look for the
highlights list and click on “Jack Taub
Memorial Website.”
Everyone who attended the memorial
service felt incredibly warmed by it and
that it was something special to those who
knew Jack.
“I’m amazed at how much love there
was in the room and I’m so glad my
brother’s life was appreciated,” said Bill
Taub, Jack’s brother.
“I thought it was beautiful,” said
professor Elizabeth Dill. “I think we all
were especially moved by the students
and their heartfelt tribute to the teacher
and the human being that Jack Taub was.”
But no one, in the end, could say it
better than the master himself.
“We know that it takes courage to get
back up after being knocked down, that in
fact courage cannot come until one has
been hurt, challenged to that degree when
quitting does in fact enter one’s mind, and
must be rejected,” he said in a letter read
at the ceremony. “When that feeling is
born in us we know that we can go on,
that we will always go on—in spite of any
form of adversity.”
Remembering Jack Taub
Above: Professor Taub's family members reminiscing beside the tree planted in his honor after the memorial service. Below: Packed to the windows
with collegues, students , friends and family, the memorial service for Professor Taub in U-217 was standing room only. | Photos by Alan Hawkins
Scepter_February_2012_Final_Scepter 2/16/12 8:28 PM Page 4
5Scepterfebruary 2012
Friends and family of students on the Dean's List fill the Performing Arts Center to enjoy the ceremony and celebrate their loved one’s achievements. | Photo by Alan Hawkins
by Maria Panskaya
The academic accomplishments of
kCC students were recognized on the
Dean’s list Ceremony with everybody who
maintained a gpA of 3.5 or higher during
Spring/Summer semesters last year.
out of 18,000 students at kCC, only
1,001 students earned a place and made it
on the Dean’s List.
“Community Colleges don’t always
receive the credit they deserve for turning
students into scholars,” said Stuart Suss,
vice president for Academic Affairs and
provost, delivering president Regina
peruggi’s speech. “We are well-known for
providing broad access to higher education
and as being flexible institutions responsive
to the needs of the workplace. So many of
our students have had to overcome
numerous challenges before getting started
on their road to academic success.”
Julianne Willis is a former
kingsborough student who graduated in
2008 and went on to Marymount College
and earned a Baccalaurean in political
Science in 2010.
The first person in her family to
graduate from high school, Willis began
classes in kCC, unsure what to expect from
college.
“In the fall of 2006 I arrived at
kingsborough Community College and the
first thing I did was cry,” said Willis. “None
of the colleges I had applied to accepted
me. Was I stupid?”
According to her high school
experience, she wasn’t the most prominent
student. She hardly attended classes. If
there was a day when she was in the
classroom, she could usually be found
asleep at the desk.
While her peers participated in
students’ clubs and took honors courses,
she rushed to work after school.
“During my senior year, I nearly
dropped out,” said Willis. “But I pushed
through my final semester and earned my
high school diploma and I came to college
because that’s what you were supposed to
do.”
When she came to kCC, she was
enrolled in Speech pathology. She was told
they were in high demand. However, she
wasn’t sure about if that’s what she wanted
to do.
“It took just one semester of speech
classes to realize that that wasn’t for me,”
said Willis. “Now, I was back at square one.
I knew I needed to work harder if wanted
to make something out of myself and make
my mother proud.”
As soon as Willis got actively involved
into student’s life, she started to
acknowledge some changes in her life. She
joined the Honors program and Student
World Assembly (SWA).
She developed a support system of
friends and faculty members. Willis stayed
late at school doing homework, created
flyers for SWA and did other extra
curriculum assignments.
“I had a team of people, who sincerely
cared about me and my success. I had
obligation to them to continue to pursue
my dreams,” said Willis. “When I
graduated in 2008, it was bittersweet.”
She became the first person in her
family to graduate from college.
“We as faculty members who get to see
them [students] rewarded are rewarded as
well,” said Rick Armstrong, Assistant
professor, English Department. “You want
this egalitarianism and pluralism. You want
to see everyone succeed, but they have to
demonstrate the ability and the skills to do
that.”
Even though, not all of the students
from the Dean’s List were able to attend the
ceremony, they will be able to find their
names on the honoree certificates for
academic excellence.
“Being named at the Dean’s List is a
wonderful accomplishment. You demon-
strated in your academic work that you can
succeed, but I hope that you also realize
that it should not be the end of you
academic journey,” said Suss. “Education is
a transformative power that can truly
change your life.”
KCC’s Brightest Shine at Dean’s List Ceremony
Guest speaker Julianne Willis addresses the crowd of friends and family in the Performing Arts
Center auditorium. | Photo by Alan Hawkins
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6 february 2012Scepter
by Maria Panskaya
Legs and back are straight. Head is
high. Arms relaxed. pirouette. Side leap.
Jessica khvedelidze, a 10 year-old girl,
practiced under Irina Roizin’s strict
supervision for the contest that will take
place in october.
“Through out the years our mission
was to teach children,” said Roizin. “And
our motto is ‘Every child deserves to
dance’.”
Roizin will celebrate the 25th
anniversary of her Russian Ballet School at
kCC this year.
Since, she was a child, Roizin always
dreamed about becoming a teacher, a
dance teacher and opening her own
dancing school.
“When I was young, I used to make
paper dolls and play with them,” said
Roizin. “They were my pupils and I was
their teacher.”
She started to do acrobatics at the age
of five. Later on in life, because of the
excessive trainings, she got rib trauma and
couldn’t commit to her favorite sport. Than
Roizin’s mother stepped in with a
suggestion for her to become a folk dancer,
which was less traumatic.
She mastered dancing in seven years.
Eventually, back in her country,
Ukraine, she couldn’t realize her potential
or do what she was passionate about.
Before World War II, Jews were under
governmental pressure, facing periods of
persecution and anti-Semitic
discriminatory policies.
When she was a teenager she came to
America, carrying a dream about a dancing
school with her from all the way across the
ocean.
“It was hard when I first came here,”
said Roizin. “My parents had no money to
send me to school, and there was nowhere
to turn for help.”
Her strong spirit and loyalty to her
dream gave her strength, when she went to
Lincoln’s High School to learn English.
Almost immediately after graduation
from a high school, she got married and in
a couple of years she was a mother of two.
“While I was sitting at home for six
years, I thought about what I want to do in
my life,” said Roizin. “I wanted to do
something with my life. I wanted to dance
and teach.”
It didn’t last for long when Roizin got
back on track and took art/theatre classes
in kCC. She was taught by Martha graham
and Isadora Duncan dancing techniques
that were forbidden back in Russia.
Her dancing career was at the begging,
however, she was already recognized as
one of the most talented ballerina of her
time.
galina Rybak, who was a famous
ballerina in Russia, taught her and at some
point, helped Roizin to establish a dancing
school.
“I bought a brand, which belonged to
a composer and converted it into a
Brighton Ballet,” said Roizin. “That’s how
it started.”
The Millennium Theatre on Brighton
Beach, which was known as oceana
Theater 25 years ago, was Roizin’s first
dancing studio.
“We started with a small group of
children, 60 or 70,” said Roizin. “The
majority of them were Russian.”
While Roizin worked on her dancing
techniques, she also learned the craft of
pedagogy from her mentors galina and
Rona Rybak, who came from Russia
specifically to help Roizin out.
Together, they developed a unique
program for children from two to seven.
“It’s important to train not only
ballerinas physically, but also their minds
and souls require a lot of attention,” said
Roizin. “other ballet schools don’t do it.”
prior to establishing her school in
kCC, she taught for 16 years at Shorefront
Y Jewish Center. Where her little protégés
were not exposed to the best training
conditions.
“We had about 300-400 kinds and no
locker rooms were available, we used to do
training sessions in the cafeteria and
change in hall ways,” said Roizin.
By that time, Mayor Bloomberg and
New York citizens already recognized
Roizin’s Russian Ballet School. They
performed at Carnegie Hall, Tribeca Center
and Lincoln Center, as well as different
schools and colleges’ stages.
Unfortunately, Roizin was forced to
move out from the Shorefront Y Jewish
Center in 50 days. Being time pressured,
she didn’t know where to go.
Luck was on Russian Ballet’s side,
when a new president of kCC took over
her position seven years ago.
“We’re really grateful to Regina
peruggi,” said Roizin. “She saved our
school. Her love to art was expressed by
saving Russian Ballet art, children and the
community.”
With Russian Ballet School’s inception
in kCC, diversity among students grew
larger. 70 percent of Russian kids still
attend school but Chinese, African-
American, Turkish and polish children
aren’t rare to see in Roizin’s class.
“It’s not a problem for children to
learn Russian Ballet techniques, even
though they’re not Russian,” said Roizin.
Unlike other Ballet Schools, Russian
Ballet School accepts all children, despite
any physical or psychological disabilities.
Children with Down Syndrome or ADD
are also welcomed.
“practicing Russian Ballet is the way
for them to express their feelings and
emotions,” said vladimir Lepisko,
coordinator at school. “When children are
being exposed to the art, they’re going
through some positive changes.”
This school probably wouldn’t exist
without Roizin’s care and commitment to
her children and the art of Ballet.
“She is an outstanding person,” said
Edouard kouchnarev, Artistic Director and
Choreographer. “When she is teaching or
dancing, everybody can feel how much she
loves it an how much she devotes herself to
our school.”
Shaping Ballerinas at KCC Russian Ballet School
The Balling Professor of Kingsboroughby Romel Santos
The 1987 NBA draft consisted of
notable names like Scottie pippen, David
Robinson, kenny Smith and Reggie Miller.
But none of these individuals currently
teach at kingsborough Community College.
professor Sean Couch does.
Although his NBA career was short,
professor Sean Couch was a good enough
college basketball player to get drafted by
the Indiana pacers in 1987.
professor Couch was practically born
into the world of basketball. Back in 1957,
his father, Jim Couch, started the Dyckman
Basketball Community program in the
Inwood section of Manhattan and has been
a staple in playground basketball ever since.
Just recently, the program has
expanded to provide a clinic at Fordham
University every Friday evening which is
open to all.
“The program we run is usually a
spring/summer based program that caters
to ages five and up. our program is also
free of charge, as we want people to feel free
to come on down without fear of going
broke,” professor Couch said. “We have
clinics that work with improving
conditioning, the importance of team
concepts and overall speed and skills. But
recently, we have expanded to offer a form
of the clinic Friday nights at Fordham
University in the Bronx.”
A first time professor, professor Couch
preaches a team attitude in the classroom.
Classes are designed to stimulate thought
and growth individually but there’s an
emphasis on working together as a team
and it’s evident in the class projects that he
assigns to his students.
A basketball standout at the University
of Columbia, professor Couch was often
called “professor” on the ball courts be-
cause of his cerebral approach to the game.
While at Columbia, he played point guard,
and was pretty effective too, until his
coaches decided to use his athleticism in a
more explosive way and eventually moved
him to the small forward position.
Standing at only 6’1”, professor Couch
was now the team’s starting small forward
going up against guys 4 to 6 inches taller
than him.
“I immediately became the shortest
small forward in the nation.” professor
Couch said. “It was alright because we ran
the “princeton offense” at Columbia. This
offensive scheme involved a lot of off ball
screens and back door cuts, and only
helped boost my game to new heights as I
exploited opposing defenses.”
professor Couch played so well at
Columbia during his senior year in the
1986-1987 season; he averaged 21.1 points,
5.7 rebounds, and shot 50% from three-
point range, that the Indiana pacers took
notice and eventually drafted him in the
third round with the 60th pick of the 1987
NBA draft.
Although his NBA career has been
long gone, professor Couch has never left
the game of basketball. He owns Bounce
Magazine which highlights all playground
basketball events throughout the year, he
and his father still teach basketball to
whoever is willing to learn and he
continues to frequently attend basketball
games taking place all over New York City.
“I was actually at the game this
summer where kevin Durant scored 66
points in a game at Holcombe Rucker park
in Harlem.” professor Couch said.
professor Couch has a soft spot for
professional basketball players who risk
injury and their careers to come out to the
summer tournaments and events held by
inner-city neighborhoods throughout the
country.
“The players that I’m feeling at the
moment are paul pierce, kobe Bryant,
James Harden, kevin Durant and Brandon
Jennings,” professor Couch said. “Not only
are these players talented, but I really like
pro ball players who come back to their
neighborhoods, or any neighborhood to
show and return love.”
professor Couch still plays and teaches
basketball until this day. But being a first
time professor, teaching business, is more of
a challenge than teaching basketball in his
eyes. It’s also a challenge that the “Balling
professor” will not shy away from. Already
aware of what it takes to win, he brings this
winning attitude into the classroom and
stresses the importance of working in a
team setting.
Sean Couch (pictured above) was drafted
by the Indiana Pacers in the 1987 NBA
draft. | Photo by Sean Couch
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7Scepterfebruary 2012
The Life and Times of Edward Rohrlichby Teddy Hernandez
He has been horseback riding down
the Andes mountains (after climbing them,
of course). He's raced down 86th street in
classic muscle cars. He's flown high as a
hobbyist pilot over the Northeastern United
States (after being trained by the first
female graduate of the USAF academy).
He's toured the globe as a professional
musician.
No, this is not a beer commercial.
Renaissance man Edward Mark Rohrlich
(54) has had quite the life.
"The only thing left for me to do," he
joked, "is to conquer space."
Rohrlich is of average height with
curly brown, graying hair, a respectable
goatee of the same colors and shallow-set
blue eyes. He's a bit husky, like many men
his age, but he carries it well with a
confident gait befitting his practically unbe-
lievable life-experiences and musical talent.
He sits, nested comfortably within his
surrogate man-cave, an insignificant room
through main office of the T-8 building, the
skeleton of the once-legendary kBCC music
program, surrounded by a muddle of CDs,
musical instruments, sheet music and
computer hardware. He will be, more often
than not, watching one of his well-known
buddies wail away on Youtube over a
blaring Beethoven crescendo in the
classroom next door.
Don't let this initial facade dupe you,
however. Rohrlich is busier than a
mongoose at a cobra convention.
"I'm in charge of all tech aspects of
music for kBCC in terms of academic
programs," said Rohrlich. "I also teach
Musical Experience [class] and the Business
of Showbusiness [class]."
This is in addition to being a freelance
percussionist (on his own time), a liaison to
faculty and administration, unofficial
supervisor of the T-8 building and a
laundry list of other responsibilities that
have switched and shifted over his many
years of employment.
His story unravels quickly, as he seems
rather used to telling it.
He was born on January 25, 1957 and
raised in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, to a rather
unorthodox family headed by Evelyn and
Isidore Rohrlich. They moved twice; First to
Mount Hope, New Jersey, then back to
Brooklyn later on.
"I grew up in a family that was,
essentially, in the arts," said Rohrlich. "So I
guess [performing] was sort of a 'natural
progression.'" A term that he hates and was
reluctant to use, as it implies he was
groomed for music.
"There was always music in the house,"
he says, mentioning how both of his sisters,
Riki Lee and Adele Michelle, took to music
and performing at the auspices of their
mother, an accomplished musician and
performer herself.
As a young child, she often took him to
"Young people's Concerts" at the Lincoln
Center for the performing Arts. Many
times, he'd rub shoulders with the icons of
the time like Leonard Bernstein or Danny
kaye.
"I was a kid, I didn't know who these
people were," he chuckled. "I didn't realize
the significance at the time."
In 1971, when he was 14 years old, he
landed his first professional gig at an
upstate resort from some of his
upperclassmen friends he had played with
in the ensemble.
"Before it was commonplace to travel
to Europe or the Caribbean," he explained,
"people would go to these resort hotels and
spend like a weekend or a week or a whole
summer, you know?"
Following that, Rohrlich went on to do
a whole slew of minor gigs for resorts and
other paying venues throughout his teen
years. That is, until he went on the road for
the first time with the "Ice Capades," the
renowned ice show that traveled across the
states. Then it was time for "Sideshow" on
Broadway, his first Broadway show.
Rohrlich admits that he was intimidated.
It was the big time, but it was fun and
certainly exciting," he said.
It was definitely not his last foray into
the Broadway/off-Broadway circuit. He
performed in well over 2,000 paying gigs,
including Jesus Christ Superstar, Saturday
Night, Newsies, Back from Hollywood, and
many others.
"I forget the exact number," he admits.
"I stopped counting."
After countless years of hopping from
show to show, job to job and, admittedly,
woman to woman in his long history of
star-crossed love affairs, he decided he
needed some permanency.
"I took this road gig [Evita, 1988-1989]
and it took me on the road for over a year—
year and a half—all over the United States...
All over the world," says Rohrlich. "When I
came back from that gig I had enough cash
in my pocket to buy a house."
That's the house he currently lives in
today, located "right off Flatbush Ave. and
Avenue R," with his wife, Claudia (50).
"She takes very good care of me, which
I like." Rohrlich says. "We have a good life
together."
one might think that he's all but settled
in, but he still gigs on the side to keep his
chops up. Even now, 40 years after his
musical career took off, he continues to
walk to the beat of his own drum.
or fly, rather.
"I don't have a bucket list," says Roh-
rlich, "My life was my bucket list."
Ed Rohrlich in the “mancave.”|Photo by Teddy Hernandez
Academic Advisement Center Room M-201
MissionThe Academic Advisement Center supports and promotes campus-wide advising year round while recognizing the autonomous nature for advising within the academic departments.
The center will strive to maintain a supportive environment where academic advising is a holistic process through which students receive assistance and clarification about their academiccareer and life goals. Academic advisors will serve as facilitators of communication who work with students to encourage them to become more knowledgeable and responsible forplanning their academic career. Advisors will also provide accurate and updated information to students regarding general college policies and procedures, referrals to campus services and other departments throughout the year.
Contact Informationphone #: (718) 368-5744Email: [email protected]
Advising by appointment: Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Walk-In Advising: Friday 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Scepter_February_2012_Final_Scepter 2/16/12 8:28 PM Page 7
8 Scepter february 2012
by Nicholas Lopez
1977 was quite a year; Jimmy Carter was president. “Saturday Night Fever”
was all the rage. A blackout caused chaos in NYC, as did the Son of Sam.
1977 was also known as the first year of teaching at kingsborough for
photography professor Janine Coyne.
Although she didn’t begin to teach photography at kCC until 1986, Coyne
has taught at the school for 35 years and counting. She has also been a
photography professor at the College of Staten Island since 1994. over the years,
her approach to teaching hasn’t changed.
“I try to engage everybody as much as possible, reach out to people who
aren’t really paying attention,” Coyne said. “I try to draw everybody in and get
a cohesive group because once you have that, you get better results because
everybody is working towards the same goal.”
As a professional photographer, her work has appeared in magazines like
photographer’s Forum and at museums such as the Brooklyn Museum and the
Museum of the City of New York. She has also traveled to Sicily and taken
photographs of the Aeolian Islands as well as other small cities in that region.
one of her most known works is a picture she shot at Ellis Island in 1989.
She shot an empty hospital office and a long hallway with a door at the end
called “The Red Door,” which Coyne considers to be one of her most popular
photographs. Coyne prefers black and white photography over color because to
her, black and white has more character.
She attended kCC for two years and graduated in 1969 with an associate
degree in Arts. She then attended Brooklyn College and graduated in 1971 with
a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts and got her MFA (Master of Fine Arts) in
photography in 1977. Coyne joined the Art Department at kCC in 1986 and
began to teach photography, which she still teaches until this day. Her first few
years teaching photography were very different then compared to now.
“Everyone had film cameras, there was no mention of digital because there
was no such thing,” Coyne said. “Now I can access things online to show my
students and access resources that they could also use on their own. It really
enhances the experience and is a helpful teaching tool.”
photography is her passion and she loves to practice it. When her students
develop a love for it as well and move on to bigger and better things in the world
of photography, it excites her.
“Many of my students have received a lot of awards over the years, which
gives me great satisfaction,” Coyne said. “They are getting into galleries as
students and many of them are choosing photography as a career.”
When her students attain success as photographers and begin to make a
name for themselves, she feels immensely rewarded.
“The last three years, I’ve had six students in a prestigious gallery that takes
only 22 students in the entire city and the best three get a show,” Coyne said.
“This year, two out of three got a show. They were both my students so I’ve been
very lucky and happy that that’s happened.”
Coyne has also taught art in both elementary and high school. She has her
own website, janinecoyne.com, which features some of her work. She hopes to
add more to it in the future.
When not teaching photography, she likes to go to the theater, bike ride, ski
and go to Museums. She still loves to travel and take photographs wherever she
goes and will continue to do so.
Much like her 87-year-old father, who still works in his own store, she feels
as if she could go another 35 years teaching photography.
“I don’t know if my body will do it, but certainly, my mind is there for it,”
Coyne said. “I feel like the luckiest person in the world because I go to a job
where everyday, I look at pictures from students who never did it before and
now all of a sudden, they develop a whole new eye for photography, so I could
never tire of it.”
Professor Coyne’s Penchant for Photography
Photography professor Janine Coyne. | Photo by Nicholas Lopez
“The last three years, I’ve had sixstudents in a prestigious gallery that
takes only 22 students in the entire cityand the best three get a show.”
Careers in Student AffairsYou’ve heard the term student affairs before, but do you really know what it all
entails? How did those student affairs administrators on your campus get to wherethey are today, and how can you learn more about the field for yourself?
INTERESTED?Stop by the Dean of Student Affairs office in A-216 or call (718) 368-5563
for more information.
Scepter_February_2012_Final_Scepter 2/16/12 8:28 PM Page 8
9Scepterfebruary 2012
TRiO Supports Kingsborough StudentsAre you invested in your academic success?
Do you need tutorials to pass a difficult class or to do even better? Do you need assistance to identify a major or career track?
TRiO CAN HELP!
TRiO is a student friendly program which works with students to boost GPAs, assists with transfers to 4-year colleges, andhas a track record of a high graduation rate. Our services include counselling, tutorials, workshops, and many more
activities. TRiO students need to meet one of the following criteria: first generation (first in family to attend college); low
income: or to have a documented disability. All TRiO students must be US citizens or permanent resident aliens.
If you would like more information about TRiO, please visit us in D-205 or e-mail our counselor, Irina Abinya- [email protected].
TRiO makes a difference. We would like you to become part or our TRiO community.
Scepter_February_2012_Final_Scepter 2/16/12 8:28 PM Page 9
10 february 2012Scepter
by Michelle M. Dickson
Students both laugh and cringe as a
young professor colorfully recounts the
details of a disastrous game of squash. The
game resulted in his blindness for weeks,
but also with a story that allows his
students to remember certain parts of the
brain with ease. For Doctor David Troy,
assistant professor of psychology here at
kingsborough Community College and
therapist on Long Island, NY, his teaching
technique is one that students seem to
gravitate toward, and one that students
may never had experienced had there not
been a life changing moment for the man.
Troy grew up in Queens, N.Y. where
he attended Cardoza High School and
spent a majority of his free time playing
any sport he could. Upon graduation, he
like most adolescents had not much of an
idea of what he wanted to do with the rest
of his life.
“I knew I wanted to continue my
education, but I didn’t know what
direction to take,” said the 35-year-old.
“Honestly, at that age psychology seemed
like a really comfy job to me where I could
give advice and make a fortune. The only
issue that I ended up having was that I was
completely wrong.”
Troy attended Queens College and
continued to toy with the idea of becoming
a psychologist. He took an introduction to
psychology class and as a result, almost
immediately decided that this was not
what he wanted.
“I hated it,” said Troy. “I ran out of
that class and thought I would never
return again.”
Even with his clear disdain for the
course, Troy ultimately finished what he
started and successfully completed the
class before changing majors.
Upon his exit, Troy still faced the
undeniable fact that he had no idea what to
study. Having thought it over he went for
the next viable option. He liked a girl who
was studying theater so he gave that a try.
“I was just there for that, I didn’t
expect to be on stage,” said Troy. “Then I
was told I had to be in a play and perform
in front of people, which terrified me. It
was fun, but over time it just wasn’t
mentally stimulating enough.”
Unbeknownst to Troy, that time on
stage would one day possibly help obtain
the career he appreciates so much today.
Troy received a bachelor’s degree in
English, but lacked career direction. After
much consideration, he decided to go back
on past feelings and attended graduate
school for psychology.
“I didn’t vow never to return to
psychology,” said Troy. “I just had such a
bad taste in my mouth from the first time,
that I couldn’t see doing it. However, I
really wanted a challenge so I thought I
would give it another try thinking that
perhaps I didn’t give it a fair shake, or
maybe I had changed.”
Troy attended the Ferkauf graduate
School of psychology in the Bronx but his
opinion of the field hadn‘t changed.
“It really was nothing like I had
expected it would be,” said Troy. “It was a
lot more scientific and clinical than I
thought it would be. The outlook on the
professors was much more pessimistic and
the workload was much higher. Every day
I wanted to leave.”
Although thinking he made a huge
mistake, Troy had gone in too far and
couldn’t walk away from his work.
“I had too many student loans, I
could-n’t just stop,” he explained. “I was
stuck.”
Luckily, Troy soon gained a random
opportunity that would change his life
forever and probably make him grateful to
his past theater experience.
“A friend of mine asked me if I would
teach a psychology class of 450 students at
Baruch College,” said Troy. “I said yes but
I was so nervous that I didn’t sleep for four
days before the class. Both trying to
prepare and hoping I wouldn’t throw up
from my nerves.” Luckily for Troy, all
went well and he’d found something that
he’d been searching for all along, a career
he could see himself doing forever,
teaching.
Troy began applying at several
different schools during his final year of
his internship and was offered the
opportunity to teach part-time here at
kBCC on Friday evenings. Even after a 65
hour work week, he never felt too burned
out to teach.
“I can remember when I was into my
third week of teaching, I was tired and sick
with a 104 degree fever,” said Troy. “I just
sat there and I had a moment where
everything just clicked. I could work the
rest of my life in a private practice, or
running from doctor to doctor in a
hospital, or I could do what I’m doing here.
This is what I wanted to do. It’s not about
the lifestyle, it’s about the art of teaching.”
Troy desperately sought a full-time
position at the school and while in the final
four days of his internship and utterly
broke, the phone call finally came. In the
Fall of 2007, he began his career at kBCC.
Troy has developed a teaching style in
which he links the information being
taught to real world situations through the
use of anecdotes and personal experiences.
“I believe in disclosure,” said Troy.
“More than anything professors are a
resource to the students. Anyone can read
a text book, but I try to push students
beyond what they think they’re capable of.
If they even look at something differently
after my class, I’m happy.”
Teaching’s not only given Troy an
enriching career that he loves, he said that
it allowed him to also love the field that he
teaches in. He said he has grown to enjoy
psychology and has realized that it was
what he was meant to do all along.
“I work with a wonderful group of
people and teach great students on a
beautiful campus,” said Troy. “I really do
believe that this is the greatest job in the
world.”
The Delightful Doctor David Troy
Above: Professor David Troy explains psychotic disorders to one of his Psychology 11 classes. Troy has been teaching psychology to
students here for the past five years. Below: Professor David Troy, teaching one of the many psychology classes offered here at KCC.
Troy believes his chance to teach was one of the best opportunities he could have ever received. | Photos by Michelle M. Dickson
Scepter_February_2012_Final_Scepter 2/16/12 8:28 PM Page 10
11february 2012
Theo Rossi in character as “Juice” from Sons of Anarchy. | Photo provided by fox Broadcasting Company © 2010
EntertainmentContinued from cover
different jobs such as construction and
carpentry, acting was not necessarily on
his, to do, list.
After watching an old friend take an
acting class in Manhattan one day and
laughing at what his “tough kid,’ buddy
was doing, he found himself back at the
class on his own accord.
He doesn’t know whether he did it
because the teacher told him he wasn’t
capable of doing what his friend was doing,
or perhaps it was just the plethora of girls
he noticed around the room. Regardless, he
did go back. He landed a role in an
independent film. Not the end of the story.
It wasn‘t until one final push that sent
Rossi on his way to Los Angeles.
“I remember sitting on a train in
Manhattan with this guy and I think I was
22 as I had just gotten out of college,” said
Rossi. “I had been working at this com-
pany for 2 and a half months at this time. It
was a nine to five job and it just wasn’t for
me. The man told me that it was great that
I had started so young and that in 30 years
I’d be on top of the company.”
At that moment Rossi said he realized
that not only did he not want that job for 30
more years, he didn’t want it for 30 more
seconds, and that afternoon he left the job.
“I remember it as clear as day because
when he said it everything left my body
and it was like I was looking at myself and
said, get out, get out now and run,” said
Rossi. “This man made my life flash in
front of me and that’s really strange when it
happens.”
Rossi and five close friends left for
Los Angeles a couple months later only to
arrive Halloween night, 1999, with 636
dollars between them.
“It was total chaos,” said Rossi. “We
would stay in shanty hotels that charged by
the hour and ask to stay for a week, but my
friends were as motivated as I was and we
made it work.”
Rossi worked on multiple tv shows but
says the opportunity of working on Sons of
Anarchy was the role that seemed meant to
be.
When Rossi was growing up, his father
had not been around for a large part of it.
His uncle, who he referred to as pops,
moved from California to New York when
Rossi was 14 and taught him life lessons
that he carries with him to this day, he said.
“He was just another really good adult
figure in my life and was just a really
inspirational man,” said Rossi. “He was so
nice to everybody and taught me to never
change who I am.”
Rossi said his uncle rode motorcycles
and had been friends with a lot of club
members so he grew up hearing a number
of fascinating stories.
“He passed away in 2004 and I read
the script in 2008,” said Rossi. “It was
almost like it was meant to be.”
The original role for Juice didn’t have
Rossi looking like the tattooed, mohawked
young man that he currently is.
“The original pilot I even had a
different name,” said Rossi. “I think it was
Franco or something. “I had no tattoos, no
Mohawk, the show was entirely different
from what it is now.”
Rossi read for multiple roles but after
reading the script, he knew he’d have done
anything on the show - just to be a part of it.
“kurt [Sutter] called me up and was
like, I want you to be a part of the show. I
don’t know if you’ll have one line or thirty,
but if you’re okay with that, I just want you
on the show.”
He just knew it was going to work.
“kurt had something magical from day one
and partially what I think attracts people to
the show is that we all really do love each
other,” said Rossi. “We all enjoy being
around each other and respect each other
and that’s a rarity in this business. I think
because kurt, beyond putting together in
my mind some of the greatest actors work-
ing today, they are all great people. That’s
the coolest part about going to work.”
over the past three seasons viewers of
the show had the opportunity to get to
know Rossi‘s character, Juice, who has
taken on a lot in the fourth season.
“This is what I’ve always said about
Juice from day one,” said Rossi. “He’s one
of those guys, a total nerd, so computer
smart. But socially, he’s just so inept. His
social interaction is not so fantastic and that
was apparent in season one when he was
trying to get Tig as his friend and this and
that. Because of this, he’s so innocent
because really to me, his greatest quality is
his loyalty.”
The loyalty Juice has is ultimately what
seems to be unraveling him.
“He wants to be led in the right
direction,” said Rossi. “That’s why when
Clay called him son and gave him the Men
of Mayhem patch…that was the only
approval he wanted his whole life. He
finds the only way out is to take his own
life, and he can’t even do that right. He just
keeps digging that hole deeper and deeper
and you know all he wants to say is, ‘I don’t
know how this all happened, it was never
my intention to kill myself.’ It’s all out of
his hands and he just wants everything to
be okay.”
The next few episodes should shed a
lot more light about Juice’s situation.
Away from SAMCRo, Rossi has been
taking a bit of a break and is involved with
other endeavors, especially the Armed
Forces.
“I’m obsessed with the military mainly
because I think it’s one of the most bad ass
things you could do,” said Rossi. “I’m in
awe of that fact that people decide to go out
and save people’s lives. I’m fascinated by
that mentality”
Rossi originally got involved with the
armed services after a conversation with
Sons of Anarchy guest star Henry Rollins, a
man who is frequently involved with USo
services.
“He made a really simple statement
when we were sitting in makeup on day,”
said Rossi. “He just asked me why we ha-
ven’t gotten involved with the USo and I
said, I’d love to but I had never been asked.
Next thing I knew, we were on a plane to
Iraq and it’s been full throttle ever since.”
Rossi said he wants to be involved
even more and it has become a very
important part of his life.
“I’m trying every day to make people
more aware of how great I think the men
and women of the military are,” said Rossi.
“All it is, is about supporting people that
are willing to do something most men and
women aren’t. It’s their sacrifice that
literally drives my ambition and my life
every single day. It makes me a better
person and I’ll always be grateful and
indebted to it.”
While the future of, ‘Juice’ still remains
unknown, it can be rest assured that Rossi
will continue the career he loves and
continue thanking those who have made it
all possible.
“our fans are the best fans in the
world, they know everything about the
show,” said Rossi. “They’re so into it and
that’s why I want to spend every moment I
can with them. I just have been figuring
this whole journey on my feet, taking it all
day by day. I don’t even know how this has
all happened, and that’s why I am so
grateful.”
Scepter_February_2012_Final_Scepter 2/16/12 8:28 PM Page 11
12 february 2012
by Nicholas Lopez
With every album, Raleigh, North
Carolina-based “post-core” act Alesana
gains more momentum.
Not looking to stop that trend, the
band hit the studio to record their fourth
album, the “two-act,” Dante Alighieri’s
“Inferno”-inspired “A place Where The
Sun Is Silent,” off Epitaph Records.
Unfortunately for them, the trend ends
here.
While Alesana changed things and
added more depth to their sound (choirs,
horns, violins, piano, etc.) and it worked
out great in the first act, it didn’t do the
same in a lackluster second act, so what we
get is a pure mixed bag.
“A place Where The Sun Is Silent” was
produced by kris Crummett, who’s also
produced Alesana’s previous 2009 album,
“The Emptiness” and worked with other
artists such as Dance gavin Dance and In
Fear And Faith.
It’s complicated to say where Alesana
falls under in the Rock genre. They’re dark
and heavy, but they’re not quite metal, and
they growl, but they’re not quite screamo.
Regardless, good music is just that and
the band’s been capable of that with past
songs like “Seduction” and “The Thes-
pian,” which showcases the band’s best
quality: the ability to mix screaming/clean
vocals with heavy, borderline-metal riffs
and milk a melody for all it’s worth.
Lead singer Dennis Lee’s proven time
and time again he has quite the voice to
carry a song.
Don’t forget the rest of the band:
patrick Thompson (Lead guitar/Backing
vocals), Alex Tores (Lead guitar), Shane
Crump (Bass guitar/Backing vocals), and
Jeremy Bryan (Drums/percussion), as they
do their best to back Lee with stellar guitar
ownage and drumming comparable to any
established metal band present.
There are a few gems on “A place
Where The Sun Is Silent” that show what
Alesana could do when they get things
right.
“A Forbidden Dance” is a perfect
example, as the band steps out of their
comfort zone and introduces a few brass
instruments, but also keeps the
growling/screams, so it sounds something
like a hardcore cabaret ensemble, but it
hooks you in right from the get-go.
The album’s first single, “Circle vII:
Sins of The Lion” also presents Alesana at
their best with the double bass drum
pounding away like a machine gun, this
dark symphony of sound should get
approval from even your casual metalhead.
And they do it again on “The Fiend,”
with a heavy, relentless assault of guitars
and growls.
The band also put forth an exceptional
amount of thought into the album’s
concept, artwork, and lyrics. This shouldn’t
surprise fans, as Alesana’s always
accompanied an incredible image with
their music.
There are a variety of emotions and
styles throughout the first “act,” from calm
piano (“The Dark Wood of Error”) to mid-
tempo guitar-driven ballads (“The
Temptress”) to slow, mellow songs with
violins reminiscent of a few Disney movie
numbers (“vestige”) to heavy and un-
stoppable (“Circle vII: Sins of The Lion”)
The main problem’s that on the second
“act”, too many tracks rely upon the same,
old structure.
While that shouldn’t be a problem
with their past work taken into
consideration, it’s not great like those past
songs were. There’s no conviction and it’s
unoriginal, especially after the first “act”
when everything was outside of the band’s
typical style.
16 songs in 62 minutes also drags and
some go way longer than need be, a few
over five to six minutes.
There’s also less growling than usual,
but that doesn’t affect the enjoyment of the
music, as it makes more of an impact when
it’s heard.
However, there are still no break-
downs to be heard and the second act
doesn’t allow for much progress despite an
outstanding concept and artwork.
A band should be commended for
“shaking” things up every once in a while,
as some of the music on “A place Where
The Sun Is Silent” reflects with a few great
tracks, but they don’t follow up on that in
the second half and the music suffers.
“A place Where The Sun Is Silent” is
best on the experimental side, but there’s
room for improvement. Hopefully, the
band takes that into account the next time
they enter the recording studio.
The Sun is Silent, But Not Golden
Alesana’s “A Place Where The Sun is Silent” album cover.
Scepter
Scepter_February_2012_Final_Scepter 2/16/12 8:28 PM Page 12
13Scepterfebruary 2012
Want to Become a Leader?Become a Student Ambassador
Students with a wide variety of career goals and experience who represent thediversity of kingsborough will be selected to represent the college. Academicperformance, leadership potential and communication skills are all factors in
the selection process.
Benefits:personal and professional growth, networking, develop public speaking and leadershipskill, enhance your college experience, gain valuable work experience and transferable
skills, receive reference letters for work/school.
FoR MoRE INFoRMATIoN CoNTACTTHE oFFICE oF STUDENT LIFE C-123 (718) 368-5598
AppLICATIoN DEADLINE MARCH 16
Scepter_February_2012_Final_Scepter 2/16/12 8:28 PM Page 13
14 Scepter february 2012
Scepter_February_2012_Final_Scepter 2/16/12 8:28 PM Page 14
15Scepterfebruary 2012
Scepter Fact of the Month:Notable Kingsborough alumni include comedian Andrew Dice Clay, former
Mets pitcher Peter Falcone and Cash4Gold.com CEO Jeff Aronson.
The Scepter Crossword
To find the answers for the crossword puzzle, visit
ScepterKCC.com/Crosswords
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Opening DOOrs Learning
COmmunities' Out Of CLass
experienCeinteraCtiVe eVents
faCes maimonides theater network on thursday, nov. 10, from 11:30-
2:50 in the maC rotunda north
Illustration by kenly Dillard
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16 february 2012Sports
by Daniel Sicignano
While the circumstances entering
Super Bowl XLvI were considerably
different than those before Super Bowl
XLII four years ago, there was still a feeling
of déjà vu as well; the same starting
quarterbacks, the same head coaches, the
same uniforms, and of course, the same
end result.
The New York giants won Super Bowl
XLvI on February 5 by toppling the New
England patriots, 21-17, in a game that
went right down to the wire and saw Eli
Manning lead yet another game-winning
fourth quarter touchdown drive as he
brought home his second Super Bowl
Mvp, in the stadium that his brother
peyton calls home.
The game strongly resembled the
giants’ win in Super Bowl XLII over the
then-undefeated patriots, as giants head
coach Tom Coughlin orchestrated a game
plan that once again stressed ball control
and time of possession on offense, along
with a strong defensive strategy that
provided constant pressure against New
England quarterback, Tom Brady.
New England wasn’t quite as much of
a favorite as they were four years ago, and
many people predicted that the giants
would once again win, but the result
showed that hard work and momentum
mean everything in the NFL as the giants
rebounded from a 7-7 record in mid-
December to rattle off six straight wins to
clinch the team’s fourth Super Bowl title.
The teams first met up in Foxboro
back in November, and the giants also
won that game, 24-20, with Manning
leading a game-winning fourth quarter
drive that saw him connect with tight end
Jake Ballard for a late touchdown to lock
up the win. New York improved to 6-2
with the win, but things quickly went
downhill after that, as they lost five of their
next six games to find themselves at .500
entering a crucial Christmas Eve game
with the Jets.
That day, breakout receiver victor
Cruz scored a 99-yard touchdown, and the
giants never looked back. They won that
game and then trounced Dallas in a
winner-take-all game for the NFC East title
the following week, before smothering
Atlanta 24-2 in the NFC wild-card round of
the playoffs to set up a matchup at
Lambeau Field with the green Bay
packers.
The giants would not be intimidated
by the 15-1 packers. They avenged a last-
second 38-35 loss to green Bay in
December by upsetting the packers 37-20
to set up an NFC Championship meeting
in San Francisco with the 49ers.
Much like with green Bay, the Niners
had barely beaten the giants earlier in the
year, and the giants would once again get
their revenge as kicker Lawrence Tynes,
who sent them to the Super Bowl four
years earlier with a field goal in overtime,
did it once again to give the giants a 20-17
oT win in San Francisco, setting up the
rematch with the pats in Super Bowl XLvI.
The scoring started with a safety for
the giants, followed by a Manning-to-Cruz
touchdown to make it 9-0. But New
England struck back on a field goal and
two touchdown passes from Brady to take
a 17-9 lead in the third quarter.
The giants slowly chipped away on
two field goals, and then with time
running down in the fourth, it was Eli’s
time to shine. He connected with receiver
Mario Manningham on a miraculous pass
for 38 yards along the sideline before the
drive was capped by an unusual
touchdown run from Ahmad Bradshaw,
who scored despite Coughlin and
Manning telling him to go down at the one
yard line to take more time off the clock.
That almost backfired, as Brady was
left with nearly a minute to complete a
game-winning drive, but his Hail Mary
attempt at the last second was batted away
and the giants capped off their amazing
come-from-behind season with the victory.
For the giants, the win was extra
sweet, as very few people had predicted
them to do much after a tumultuous
offseason that saw them lose players to
injury and free agency while failing to add
anyone of significance to their roster. But
while teams like the Eagles and Jets, who
were heralded for their moves last summer
watched the playoffs from home, the
giants were once again able to call
themselves the best team in the NFL.
Giants quarterback Eli Manning calls out a play during Super Bowl XLVI. | Photo provided by Getty Images
A Mann Among G-Men
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