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Taste of Soul

Sampling of soul food

By Josiah Birkbeck and Brenda Magana
Though some people who heard of the event thought it might be an occasion for Korean food, Taste of Soul was actually a lunch even that showcased African-American style cooking which items such as dirty rice, yams, BBQ chicken, fried chicken and peach cobbler.
The food was catered by Fabious’ Corner Best BBQ and J’s Place both of which provided excellent food for the occasion.
Shoshanna Kukuliev, President of ASB gave some details of the event, stating that it wasn’t intended for profit. Taste of Soul was created to raise awareness about black history month for students and there was a quiz the day before for students, allowing those who achieved 100% to get three free items at Taste of Soul.

Serving line at Taste of Soul

Best Of Fall: Art Exhibit Features Student Art

“Coughin” a work from the student art display.

By Bruce Gray

A fantastic exhibit is currently on display at the Taft College Art Gallery which is located in T-11. The exhibit, titled “Best of Fall” features student art from different courses like Basic Design 1600, Advanced Design 1610, Drawing and Composition 1620,and Introduction To Computer Design 1800.

Photos from students in the photography course can also be seen on a slideshow that is showed from a flat-screen TV. The exhibit features different drawings as well as sculptures and pieces that we’re made using a 3D printer.

“Best Of Fall” will be on display through Thursday March 5th, and on the same day at 3 pm, there will be an Award Ceremony and Reception for the Artists.

Voting is open until 2 pm on March 5th, and you can vote for different categories like People’s choice award and honorable mention..

Dickens Universe Scholarship Opportunity

The scholarship is designed to bring an outstanding California community college student to the annual Dickens Universe gathering at UC Santa Cruz. Sponsored by the Dickens Project, a multi-campus research unit of the University of California, the Universe brings together distinguished international scholars, graduate students from member institutions, community college and high school teachers, and members of the general public for a week of intensive study and cultural enrichment, centered each year around a single Dickens novel.
Dates for the 2015 Dickens Universe are August 2-8. The featured books for this summer are Dickens’s novel, Martin Chuzzlewit (1843-44), and his travel book, American Notes (1842). The scholarship covers registration, a week’s room and board on the Santa Cruz campus, and a travel stipend of $200.

To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must have been enrolled at a California community college in both the fall and the spring semesters/quarters prior to the August conference (2014-15) for no fewer than twelve semester units total. Scholarship recipients must be at least 18 years old by July 31, 2015.
Application requirements are posted on the Dickens Project website: http://dickens.ucsc.edu/scholarships/cc-students.html

The most important part of the application process is the submission of a critical essay on a work or works of British literature dating from 1789 to 1914. Further details are available on the website. The application deadline is May 15, 2015. The scholarship recipient is also eligible to receive 5 UC quarter units of credit through UCSC Summer Session (upon completion of course assignments).
The Dickens Universe is a unique event, combining aspects of a scholarly conference, a book club, a festival, and summer camp. It is also an excellent way for students interested in pursuing graduate study in literature to meet faculty and students from universities across the United States and to learn about the profession. It is also lots of fun. For more information about the Universe, consult the Dickens Project website.

Pi Week 2015

CSUB Onsite Admissions Day

Valentine Rally

Ice-Breaker

Gender Roles

Icing Licking

Ice-Breaker Gender Roles Icing Licking

By Brenda Magana

Funny and crazy amusement was brought to Taft’s College annual Valentine Rally. This year there were ten couples which participated in three main events: “ice-breaker,” “gender roles,” and “icing licking.”

The first game, “ice-breaker,” consisted of five rounds in which couples had to answer specific question about their mate. For instance, some of the crazy questions would be: “What kind of deodorant does your partner use?” or “What brand of razor does your partner use?”

The second game was about “gender roles” and each mate would vote on who the role applied to the most by using a pink heart and a blue heart while the couples where placed back to back. The pink heart would indicate the women in the relationship and the blue heart would indicate the men.

The last and final game involved the couples licking icing off a paper until both sides of the paper reveled a heart. Indeed, the games where pretty challenging, but the couple that took the gold were Mea and Nalani, and not far behind were Madilyn and Tray.

Without a doubt, the competitions provided Taft’s College spectators with a pretty interesting and entertaining afternoon.

1st Prize Winners Mea and Nalani

2nd Prize Winners Madilyn and Tray

Eating Disorder and Nutrition Awareness

Arielle Stoyanow mans eating disorder table in cafeteria

By Brenda Magana

Beauty is a state of mind, not a state of body. There are millions of people affected with eating disorders, and sometimes they tend to overlook the situation. Therefore, the ASB at Taft College decided to put up a table informing students about eating disorders, their effects, and how to obtain help.

ASB Treasurer Arielle Stoyanow stated how eating disorders such as Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, or Binge Eating can cause weight gain, osteoporosis, fatigue, constipation or diarrhea, headaches, and muscle cramps. Not only that but they can also reduce the ability to cope with stressful situations and increase incidence of suicidal thoughts.

The committee provided helpful pamphlets which discussed ways to increase one self’s perception. Some of the titles were “20 Ways to Love Your Body” and “Ten Steps to Positive Body Image.”

Also there were pamphlets from the National Eating Disorders Collaboration that provides a website to reach out for help at www.nedc.com.au/helplines. Without a doubt, if you know of anyone that is suffering from an eating disorder or might be at risk, please step up and help them before it is too late.

Information Display

Taft Remembers Robin Williams

At North and Sixth Streets in Taft

By Bruce Gray

On August 12th, 2014 bouquets of flowers were placed on a particular square of sidewalk near the corner of North and 6th Streets in Taft. Written in the cement next to two hand prints are the words, ” You are in good hands,” and it is signed Robin Williams.

The flowers were placed on the square in remembrance of Williams who took his own life on August 11th, 2014, after a long battle with depression and drug addiction. Williams was in Taft for the filming of the 1986 movie The Best of Times that also starred Kurt Russel. The comedy details the rivalry between Taft and Bakersfield high school football programs, and many scenes were filmed on Center Street in Taft.

Robin Williams left an impact on millions with his different movies and stand up comedy specials and will be missed by many.

If you or someone you know is suffering with depression, visit AFSP.com.

Cougar Pride

2014 Trophies

By Josiah Birkbeck
Taft College Men’s Soccer has had another amazing season, finishing first in state with the most power points out of seventy-two junior colleges. Taft went on to achieve third place statewide after losing a fairly balanced game to Cerritos. “At the end of the day soccer is one of those sports where you can dominate and still lose,” said head coach Angelo Cutrona. Cutrona went on to describe how the game played out, “The two teams seemed to cancel each other out, the difference was one incredible shot on their part.”
The Cougars have placed in the final four statewide, five out of the last nine years, which is impressive for a little town like Taft. Cutrona is proud to be a part of the tradition that has been created at Taft College. Players have gone on to play at higher levels, both division 1 and 2, and professionally. Cutrona mentioned some of those players, “Most recently we’ve had former Taft College players make impacts at higher levels such as Edgar Contreras playing in the final four NCAA Division 1 for UCLA and Miguel Ebarra is a regular on the U.S.A. men’s national team.”
When asked what the plans are for the future training of the team entailed Cutrona had these words to say, “We’re always looking for different ways to improve, and the idea is to get better every single day, and we’re always looking to perfect our game.” The coach’s approach seems to be working well because Taft has placed in the top 10 nationally seven years in a row.

Taste of Soul Today!