Which course type (seated, online, or hybrid) is for you?

By Kevin Kurz

Lake Sumter offers a variety of ways for students to take classes. If you want the classic college experience, you can sign up for a fully seated class. On the other hand, if you're looking for something a little more flexible, you can register for an online class or mix the two and take a hybrid course. But what course type gives the most bang for your buck?

After surveying students, it seems not all class types are created equally. I asked twenty students four questions:

-Which class type do you prefer?

-In which class type do you learn the most?

-Which class type is the easiest?

-Which class type would you recommend to new students?

Most students enjoy the traditional fully seated classes, while the online format was the least popular across the board. Perhaps this can be explained by student responses to the second question - the one where we find the biggest discrepancy. 60% felt they learned better with the fully seated option.

So what's wrong with online classes? Why do students favor the fully seated and hybrid format over online? Students like Dominic Camerino and Victor Grubman gave some insight. Dominic said, "Online is hard to stay on task at times." Victor claimed, "Online classes lacked guidance." Others felt differently. Andrew Raghunandan, who prefers the hybrid and online style, poses the question, "What's the point of going to class 2-3 times a week if the work is going to be online the majority of the time?"

Success in any course type seems to depend on the student. If you're more of an independently motivated person, online classes might be best for you. However, if you learn more from others, the fully seated format is your best bet. Hopefully, this will be a reminder to analyze our learning preferences before signing up for classes, so that we best set ourselves up for success.

Playlist Live Orlando

By Sarah Oulman

Every year, Playlist Live hosts a weekend-long event in Orlando for YouTube stars and fans alike. This three-day convention allows small Youtubers to gain insight on growing their own channels and gives fans the chance to meet large groups of famous YouTube Creators all weekend long. Attendees fly from across the nation for this event, and the 7th annual Playlist Live Orlando is already set to be one of the best events to date.

As someone who is currently a small Youtuber, I can easily say that I’m excited to attend Playlist Live this May. The convention is being held at the World Center Marriot again, and as usual, the hotel will be packed with attendees. Fans have the chance to meet their favorite stars at meetups, but for those staying at the hotel, there’s always a high chance of running into Youtubers by the pool or in the lobby. You never know who might end up in the elevator with you!

Playlist Live hasn’t released the full lineup of YouTube Creators yet; however, Ricky Dillon, The Gabbie Show, Rickey Thompson, Griffin Arnlund, and so many other well-known Creators have already been announced!

No matter what style of videos or content you tend to watch on YouTube, Playlist Live has something for everyone. Attendees can watch live concerts, listen in on panel discussions, meet their favorite Creators, and so much more. If this convention interests you, check it out and don’t miss out on a fun weekend in May!

Find out more about the event here: http://www.playlist-live.com/orl

We are not alone!

By David Vallecillo

For you curious or aspiring astronomers, NASA confirmed February 22nd; they discovered seven Earth-sized planets through their Spitzer Space Telescope. Astronomers also found that three out of the seven planets were located in habitable zones for potential life.

The Spitzer Space Telescope is NASA’s 720 million dollar infrared space telescope launched back in August of 2003. Spitzer trailed the seven new planets and bought NASA scientists 256x256 pixel detected photos of the planets and some of its surface. NASA’s scientists are able to conduct further studies of the planets surface thanks to the Spitzer.

“You can just imagine how many worlds are out there that have a shot to becoming a habitable ecosystem,” said Thomas Zurbuchen, an associate administrator at NASA during a news conference.

NASA named the planets, TRAPPIST-1, and is 235 trillion miles away from the Earth. Scientific study determined that the planets are positioned in habitable zones based on their distance from the sun. Two of the planets were found to be at the right temperature to inhibit oceans. This discovery impacted NASA scientists and aspiring astronomers as further study of TRAPPIST-1 has led to wonders of sustainable atmospheres.

"The TRAPPIST-1 system provides one of the best opportunities in the next decade to study the atmospheres around Earth-size planets," said astronomer, Nikole Lewis."The TRAPPIST-1 system provides one of the best opportunities in the next decade to study the atmospheres around Earth-size planets," said astronomer, Nikole Lewis.

Nikole was the first to announce the discovery of the seven new planets at NASA headquarters.

To find more exclusive and interesting facts about each planet, you can visit the NASA website here; https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-telescope-reveals-largest-batch-of-earth-size-habitable-zone-planets-around

International Women’s Day, Everyday

By Kelsey Griggs

On March 8th, women everywhere came together for a day of equality. This day is known as International Women’s Day, a day celebrating feminism. On this day, feminism was celebrated globally. The women, and some men, of Lake Sumter State College found themselves looking at what feminism meant to them.

Despite the true definition of feminism, everyone defines the word differently. However, most believed in the same core value: equal rights for all people. When asked if they considered themselves feminists, most responded with a resounding "yes."

One female student, Nyssa Phokakul, includes denying gender roles in her definition. “In society, we are expected to be the ‘stay at home housewife’ when we are capable of doing much more than that.” Another female student stresses safety for women in her definition, saying that “To be a feminist is to want every woman to be able to walk down the street without being cat called.” She even plans to carry this with her into her career, where she plans to focus on helping rape and sexual assault victims as a psychologist.

Students Carina Vitale and Alara Nigro plan to use their feminist strength to become doctors. Alara Nigro explains that, “As a woman, most people expect you to be a nurse, but why stop there? Women can be doctors, and they can save as many lives as a man.”

Male student, Joshua Lowe, says he is a feminist, and he believes in “equality for women in all aspects.” Of course not all people consider themselves feminists. One male student, Adam Gross, does not identify as a feminist due to their radical nature. Instead, he just knows he believes in equality, regardless of gender, race, or sexuality.

Feminism may get a bad reputation, but the heart of the movement delivers one key message: a woman can do anything she sets her mind to, not just on the International Women’s Day, but every day.

LSSC's Short Play Festival 2017

By Kevin Yurasek, Director of Marketing & College Relations

Lake-Sumter State College will host The Short Play Festival 2017 featuring 32 short plays performed in 2 distinct shows. Tickets are $5 and available at the door.

LSSC began accepting submissions of 1-minute, 5-minute, and 10-minute plays in October, 2016, and within 2 months, received nearly 900 submissions from writers across the world. Of those, 32 have been selected and divided into two unique shows. Show 1 will be performed on Thursday, April 6th and Saturday, April 8th at 7:30pm and Show 2 will be performed Friday, April 7th at 7:30pm and Sunday, April 9th at 2:00pm.

The shows, with several world-premiers, will feature works by a number of prestigious playwrights, including a Juilliard fellow, an Emmy-winning writer, and a recipient of the Academy’s Nicholl Fellowship.

Also among the selected writers are two Lake-Sumter State College students, who have been mentored by LSSC faculty as they prepare their works. Following the performances, the College will be sponsoring their membership to the Dramatist Guild of America.

Show 1 will also feature fight direction by Robert Aronowitz, an acclaimed fight director from New York who does fight choreography for colleges and university across the country, including Juilliard and NYU. He has also worked on a number of films and television shows.

The shows are directed by Amber Karlins, an LSSC English Instructor. Karlins is also an author, playwright, and screenwriter having won several dozen international writing awards, including Best Screenplay at the Charleston International Film Festival and 3rd place in the Best New Screenwriter category at the London Film Awards.

Press invitations to a meet & greet with LSSC students involved in the performances and selected playwrights are forthcoming.

A Foodie's Guide to Gluten-Free Eating

By Rachel Ilardi

What is gluten? According to The Celiac Disease Foundation, it’s “a general name for the proteins found in wheat, rye, barley, and triticale. Gluten helps foods maintain their shape, acting as a glue that holds food together.” In those with Celiac disease, gluten “damages the small intestine and nutrients can't be absorbed”, as stated by WebMD.

However, there are many food choices out there for us! Some of my top picks for gluten-free food: Chick-Fil-A and Chipotle are all the rage these days. Both websites show a detailed allergen list, showing which foods contain common allergies. Chipotle’s chart states that everything, except their tortillas, are gluten-free!

Hamburgers are everywhere and can be ordered in a lettuce wrap or on a gluten-free bun. These lettuce wraps can be found at Five Guys and BurgerFi. Others, like Red Robin, Culvers, and Wahlburgers actually provide their customers with gluten-free buns! Feel like staying in? Take a trip to Publix, where there are many gluten-free options. My favorites include Udi’s, Against the Grain, Glutino’s, and Amy’s, which also includes vegetarian options.

If you’re up for exploring, try Sprinkles and Erin McKenna’s bakery in Disney Springs! They offer amazing gluten-free desserts. My top find for gluten-free food is Uno’s in Winter Garden. They make fresh gluten-free dough into your own individual size circle of cheesy heaven. My family agrees the gluten-free pizza crust is better than the regular!

Their service for your gluten-free needs is amazing. If you ever visit that location, ask for Matt as your server. As we ordered, he took the time to explain exactly how they keep gluten-free pizzas away from contamination. Matt even asked specifically for a gluten-free shift in the kitchen so that he could thoroughly explain the process to customers. I’ve never found such great customer service when looking for gluten-free food.

LSSC Loves the South-Lake Animal League!

By Samantha Redditt

Tuesday, March 7th, Lake Sumter’s Student Government hosted an Animal Rescue Event. SGA brought some furry friends to campus! From 11 am to 1 pm at the Sails Pavilion, three puppies were waiting to play and hopefully get a forever home. These dogs were brought by the South Lake Animal League, a nonprofit, no-kill shelter, which houses approximately 125 animals monthly available for adoption by anyone 21 years or older.

Organizer of this event, SGA member Natasha Figueroa, said that this is “a great way to remind people the importance of adopting from animal shelters. Some dogs are mistreated in their homes and then just get left in places like this.”

The South Lake Animal League is located at 4648 Baptist Island Road in Groveland. Vivian Zielinski, an adoption coordinator with the shelter loves the shelter and said, "for the first time in my life, I love coming to work every day. It's an amazing place to work!"

We can all do our part to improve the lives of these animals in need. Whether it’s adopting a new pet, volunteering your time, or making a donation, they always welcome a helping hand. More details about the SLAL and pets available for adoption can be found at: https://theanimalleague.org/adoption-center/

LaMelo Ball’s 92 Point Performance Impressive or Too Easy?

By David Vallecillo

“He started on fire. Just attacking the rim. They tried to double-and triple team him after he scored 45,” said father of Chino Hills’ basketball star, LaMelo Ball, following his 92 point scoring performance against Los Osos that’s got the attention of the national media. LaMelo Ball is a 15-year-old sophomore who attends Chino Hills High School in California and is the youngest of the three buzzing Ball brothers who also play basketball.

Ball’s performance Tuesday night led many fans and current players question whether his performance was impressive or just too easy.

On paper, Ball’s performance seems incredible but after the highlight video came out it showed Ball barely running half court to play defense which led to him getting open and scoring easy layups every possession. The highlight video went viral and it left many critical comments including a viral one from a current NBA Player.

Support the Orlando Cat Café

By Sarah Oulman

In a collaborative effort with The Animal League and Axum Coffee, the Orlando Cat Café has quickly risen in popularity amongst locals in the Clermont area and even travelers from across the country. Here, patrons have the opportunity to not only play with the sweetest rescue cats but also to give these furry friends some new homes. Getting a new pet is a major commitment. The Cat Café allows you to meet your furry friend in a comfortable environment before making your decision.

“The Cat Café usually has anywhere from 12-18 cats at a time,” said Kathie Camara, a volunteer working with the cats. Since opening in September of 2016, there have been 60 successful adoptions, which is a wonderful feat!

The cat play area and café are separated with two different air conditioning systems, meaning there is no cross contamination. As a result, those who are allergic can grab a coffee and watch the felines through a glass viewing window.

According to one worker named Chelsea, many people find the experience very stress-reducing. “A lot of people that can’t have cats come here so they can get their fix,” she stated. She explained that many people have family members who are allergic to cats, and for these animal lovers, coming to the Cat Café allows them to spend time with some sweet rescues.

The Orlando Cat Café has so much to offer, from serving coffee and baked treats at the café area to bringing rescue cats and potential pet parents together. They even host yoga with the cats several times a month, as well as a Pilates class! You won’t want to miss out on a wonderful time over at the Orlando Cat Café, so go pay the rescue a visit next time you’re in Cagan Crossings! Learn more at: http://www.orlandocatcafe.com/

Christina Grimmie’s Leaving a Legacy

By Rachel Ilardi

“Christina Grimmie is dead.”

I was working at a Children’s ministry event that Saturday afternoon when I got the text. After a swift sadness, I was hit with a sudden jolt of shock. Just last night, Grimmie held a concert in Orlando that my friends and I had planned to attend, until one by one, all of our plans fell through.

Immediately, I needed to know what happened.

My heart racing, my friend told me that she was gunned down during her meet and greet after the show.

On June 10, 2016, Kevin James Loibl entered the The Plaza Live with the clear intent to shoot Grimmie. Further harm was avoided after Marcus Grimmie, Christina’s brother, tackled the man. This tragic event shook fans all across the globe. A sudden wave of grief hit all social media outlets that weekend, as fans and many celebrities took to memorializing Grimmie. The internet saw many dedicate songs to her life, such as Selena Gomez, singing a moving version of Transfiguration by Hillsong Worship, and Justin Bieber, fighting back tears as he dedicated his song Purpose. Lisa, a student at the South Lake campus, knew that the singer must’ve had a huge impact during her time on The Voice when Adam Levine, Grimmie’s former coach, offered to pay for the entire funeral.

Today, her memory still lives on in the hearts of fans and thanks to her family, Christina Grimmie’s impact lives on. On February 17th, the Grimmie family released their daughter’s song, Invisible, which she recorded before her death. According to Marcus Grimmie, his sister recorded somewhere from 50 to 60 songs before her death and their family plans to put the recordings to good use. Currently, the family is setting up the Christina Grimmie Foundation in her honor. All proceeds from her released music will go toward this fund, which will in turn serve causes that Christina Grimmie was passionate about during the course of her life. In personal experience, I have never gotten as emotional about a celebrity death as I did with the life of Christina Grimmie. Her impact was so powerful in so many ways and that legacy will continue to live on. In her spirit, the Christina Grimmie Foundation will push further to change more lives.

Support this cause by purchasing Christina’s new song, Invisible, and spreading the word about how this family overcame a tragic situation and turned it for good.

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