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Something for Your Bucket List

Sky Diving Something for Your Bucket List

By Michael Clites & Kendyl Chavez

Imagine, free falling for over a minute from heights that exceed the earth’s clouds–heights that only planes can reach, heights that are so far away that there are only a select few that would be willing to do something so heart racing, adrenaline pumping, and life changing. Some might call them adrenaline junkies; some might even refer to them as insane. But after jumping out of an aircraft and free falling at vigorous speeds, these “adrenaline junkies” have earned the right to be called a skydiver.

There are numerous places in the world to experience the thrill of skydiving. One of which is right here in Taft. Skydive Taft has been serving the Central Valley for decades with a perfect safety record. In fact, when first time jumper Delaney Wolf was asked if she was completely comfortable with her jumping buddy and her response was “Heck, yeah! He was so awesome and had over 4,000 jumps which made me even more comfortable.”  Skydive Taft is a great place for first time jumpers because its jump is a moderate 12,500 ft. with a one minute free fall and views of the San Andreas Fault and the San Joaquin Valley.

If someone was looking for a skydive experience that is a little bit more intense than the one that Taft offers, that person may want to try Skydive Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara’s skydive offers a much higher jump at 18,000 feet (the highest in the United States). This 18,000 foot drop has a free fall that lasts approximately one minute and forty-five seconds–not to mention the breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, the beautiful green hills that surround the Santa Barbara County, and thick layer of clouds that hover over this immaculate piece of California. This colossal jump is something that can’t be described in words; one would have to experience the thrill to really understand exactly how extraordinary it truly is.

Skydiving may not be everyone’s idea of fun. But if people are seeking adventure in their lives, then jumping out of a plane may be a great start. Skydiving is truly something that one should add to their bucket list.

PTK Pot Of Gold Fundraiser

By Lisa Ybarra

Last month Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) held the Pot of Gold fundraiser. Students were asked to guess how many gold coins they thought were in the pot. The fundraiser was held to raise money for the PTK scholarship fund.

They raised $87 on guesses, and there were 170 guesses. The total number of coins in the pot was 1137.

The winner was Mike Mayfield who guessed 1147 coins. He was awarded a 25$ gas card. Phi Theta Kappa tries to hold a fundraiser each month. They raise between $50-$100 each fundraiser. The fundraiser money adds up to the $1000-$1500 they like to award each year.

Bakersfield Blaze on Fire to Start the Season

By Nick Fequiere

Summer is right around the corner and plenty will be searching for some way to pass the time. Head on over to Historic Sam Lynn Ballpark which is located at 4009 Chester Avenue, and enjoy a fun night with the whole family. The Bakersfield Blaze offer various deals including Dollar Monday, Thirsty Thursday, Fireworks Friday, and Souvenir Saturday. They also offer the Bud Light Cool Zone within the ballpark and the Kids Club includes admission to all twelve home games on Sunday, a pizza party, and access to the Kids Zone where they have a supervised inflatable jumper.

Fans are treated to mascot races between Torch, Heater, and Pat D. Panda, and the concessions stand offers everything from hamburgers to hot dogs to grilled chicken and sausage. The stadium boasts a friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable staff and possesses great leadership in general manager Elizabeth Martin, assistant general manager Mike Candela, and director of human resources Brianne Gidcumb.

The Blaze opened their season last Thursday and are on quite the hot streak, having gone undefeated in their first four games, thus, sweeping their first series against the Modesto Nuts. Manager Pat Kelly and his ballclub hope to build upon the lessons they learned during a brutal 2013 campaign which saw them go 55 and 85. By opening the season with a four game sweep, the Blaze look primed to do exactly.

The team, which is an affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, has been in existence since 1941. They won the league championship in 1970 and 1989, and it looks as if they might have a chance to do it once more in 2014. Bakersfield and its neighbors in Taft are invited to come out and join in on affordable fun for the whole family.

Relay for Life

Relay For Life

By Kendyl Chavez

Relay for Life is an organization that teams up with the American Cancer Society in hopes of bringing awareness to cancer and honor cancer fighters and survivors. In order to participate in the relay, individuals are asked to form a team and raise money for the American Cancer Society before joining the relay. Once the teams are formed, they camp out overnight and each team takes turns running or walking around a path or track that is set up by the foundation. These events last up to 24 hours long; due to the fact that “cancer never sleeps” each team is asked to have at least one of its members on the track at all times throughout the events. Other than doing laps around the track, participants are exposed to numerous games and activities, food and drinks, raffles and contests, and much more.

On campus, our very own Jill Brown and LaNell Howell, have joined together to form a relay team of their own right on campus! Team Captain, Jill Brown and her partner LaNell Howell started selling different types of chocolate covered pretzels on campus three years ago in order to raise money for Relay for Life. Pretzels range from $1 for one pretzel to $10 for six pretzels, and all precedes goes towards their team. Depending on how many pretzels you purchase, these ladies complete each order with an Easter themed gift bag. Not only do they sell these delicious pretzels, these women also put on a “Dessert Throw Down” where competitors compete for the title of having the best dessert. The judges for this event pay to judge and like the pretzels, all proceeds from this event goes towards their Relay for Life fund.

Relay for Life events bring in communities from all across the globe. The city of Taft happens to be one of the many participating communities! Taft’s relay takes place on May 17^th at 9:00 a.m. at the Taft High School track. Taft’s relay is a public relay where participants do not have to be part of a team, and everyone is welcome and invited to come and walk to cure cancer! If you are interested in joining one of the teams on campus, Captain Jill Brown invites anyone to join! She has two teams that consist of 30 participants, so if interested, be sure to claim your spot as soon as possible!

Billion Dollar Bracket Bust

By Michael Clites
On October 16, 2013, Warren Buffet purposed an offer that was all too good to pass up no matter the odds. One billion dollars to the person who can create a perfect NCAA Men’s College Basketball “March Madness” bracket. The odds of winning this absurd amount of cash is 1 in 9.2 quintillion. Let’s just say that one has better odds of winning the Powerball Lottery at 1 in 125 million chance.
But to 11.01 million people, these odds meant nothing. On the tournament’s first day, only 18,741 of the 11.01 million people got all 16 games right. Thus, only 0.17 percent of the people who had entered remained. For most, it was the Dayton upset over 6th ranked Ohio State that knocked them out of the bracket in the first round.
And for the 0.17 percent who had remained, it was the stellar upset of the Mercer Bears over Duke’s Blue Devils which knocked them out of the run.
According to bracket statistics, 97.6 percent of contestants had picked Duke to shut down Mercer. But there is heartening news for some. Warren Buffet had also announced that there would be runner-up prizes. Twenty people will be eligible to receive $100,000 runner-up prizes for picking the tournament’s top 20 most accurate “imperfect brackets.”
But for 11,000,080 people, they are the unlucky ones who remain winless in this almost impossible challenge, and Mr. Buffet’s money will remain in his pocket.
But who knows, maybe next year the offer will be given once more, and one lucky person could redeem themselves.

Bakersfield Event: Festival of Beers

By Lisa Ybarra

The Active 20-30 Club presents the 22nd Annual Festival of Beers. The event will be held in Bakersfield at Stramler Park on May third.

Event goers will receive a souvenir cup for sampling the beer. There are over 125 beers to sample from. Food from well-known Bakersfield restaurants will also be available.

Performers include, Crooked Folk, Meditated Assault, and Velorio. About 4,000 people attend this festival each year, and it raises over $80,000 for children’s charities in Kern County. Some of those charities include, Kern County Special Olympics, Boy and Girl Scouts, YMCA, and Youth Connection.

Tickets are $30 in advance and $40 at the gate. You must be 21 and over to attend.

Grad Fair Comes To Taft College Bookstore

By Kaylynn Clark

The Grad Fair hosted at the Taft College Bookstore is an opportunity for graduating class members to obtain their caps and gowns as well as other products that help put together your graduation celebration such as invitations. There are many packages to choose from, and all regalia is sold separately so you can customize your purchase to fit your needs and budget. If you are working with some financial restrictions, it is also settling to know that you can receive a 10% discount with a current ASB Sticker!

The Grad Fair is March 17th-28th, and is located at 515 Finely Drive in Taft, Ca. If you have any questions, please call the store at (661)-763-7731.

Texting and Driving

Kaylynn Clark

We have all heard how dangerous texting and driving is as well as the consequences. Our parents have told us, Oprah has told us, it is even possible law enforcers have told us at some point. Though there is much hype and disgrace that comes with texting and driving, but yet it is still a common occurrence that is predominantly associated with young people and college students especially college students that commute. I had many questions that were unanswered, and I wondered if texting and driving on the commute to Taft was common. I decided to take a survey of Taft College students, 25 selected randomly to be exact, and the results were definitely eye opening.

Out of 25 students surveyed, 20 admitted to texting and driving at some point on the way to school. Out of the 20 that have texted on the road, they felt that they text and drive because they feel bored (13 people reported this) or use the same route multiple times in a day so they feel comfortable doing it (7 reported this), just like the commute from Bakersfield, Shafter or Wasco to Taft. Unfortunately, the implications of the student’s honesty can allude to the fact that many students text and drive on the way to school.

Though I am convinced that most have in fact texted while driving at least once, there are many things to prevent it from becoming a habit. First, turn your phone off while driving. If you are on campus all day, it may help you keep your battery life so that you can text after classes or between breaks. As well, students can also commute with a friend that can easily text from their passenger’s seat or help you to feel social while driving to Taft. Overall, I hope this survey speaks volumes of how common and dangerous it can be to commute and text to and from school.

Majors You May Have Overlooked at Taft College

Kaylynn Clark

Sure, Taft College has a wonderful Dental Hygiene Program as well as some great programs for the oil industry. Though these a very popular majors to be interested in, there are also some other great career possibilities that Taft College offers through different majors.

1. Early Childhood Development- Taft College has many classes that would definitely benefit you if you love kids! From storytelling to puppet making, Early Childhood Development is a great major if you love to nurture.

2. Criminal Justice- If you love to work hands-on in a fast paced environment, this may be the perfect fit. Taft College students may take a variety of courses that give them an opportunity to grow as an individual and learn what our justice system is like.

3. Journalism- If you love to write and always know the latest news, you may want to look into taking some journalism courses. Classes for journalism prepare students for the deadlines and stresses of getting a good story for many to read.

Although these majors are just touching the surface to what is really out there, research what is best for you, and find a career that you love! To find out more, go here http://transfer.taftcollege.edu/majors.php

TIL

TIL Video

The TIL Program

by Juan Ochoa

The Transition to Independent Living Program, better known TIL Program, at Taft College started in 1995. The program had its first graduating class of sixteen graduates was in June of 1997. According to Tracine Hallum, the program director, the objective of the TIL Program is to teach adults with developmental disabilities to live on their own.

The program is a 22 month program from August 1st to the last Friday of June. To be eligible a student must be mild to moderate developmentally disabled and a client of Regional Center, which is an ongoing support program. There is no automatic acceptance. The student has to understand why they are going to the program and the families of the students have to be on board. Not all pass the interview processes. A successful TIL student gets to participate in a Taft College graduation and a TIL Program graduation.

The TIL program gives students a collegic experience. “Taft is the perfect situation for the program due to it’s size” according to Transition Specialist Jamia Marcell. Jamia also said that the community embraces the students and helps provide jobs with them. TIL students work eight hours a week and are paid minimum wage, and are categorized as college student workers.

A few stats about the 125 tracked graduates are that 95% live independently, 90% are employed, 51% live alone, and 49% live with a roommate. 99% of TIL Program graduates have the skills to live independently.