MARCH 2016 EDITION

ATLANTIC CAPE REVIEW

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Atlantic Cape Review

The student newspaper of Atlantic Cape Community College, Mays Landing, N.J.

ANNUAL RESTAURANT GALA

Whats cooking ACCC?

Attendance: More than 800

Raised: $234,700

Restaurants: More than 40

Cape Review photo by Nicole Mingo

COOL DUDES. Atlantic Cape Community College President Dr. Peter L. Mora, in background, recognizes Academy of Culinary Arts students at the 33rd Annual Atlantic Cape Community College Restaurant Gala March 24. Students donned sunglasses, in keeping with the
Galas theme, Mission: Possible, a play on the spy thriller series, Mission: Impossible. (More coverage on Page 3.)

Taking public transportation to class is no joyride

Cape Review photo by Jessica Mounce

ALL ABOARD: Taking the bus to classes at Atlantic Cape may eliminate the
need for a car, but can be expensive and strain your patience.

By JESSICA MOUNCE, Assistant editor

ohn Anaya, 25, is a

communications major
from Hamilton Township who gets to Atlantic Capes Mays Landing campus by NJ TRANSIT bus.

For him, its no joyride.

If youre talking about
convenience, the bus is as inconvenient as it gets, Anaya said.

Anaya has attended Atlantic Cape on and off since 2010.
Though he does have his drivers
license, Anaya does not have a
car. His only mode of transportation is the bus - to school and
to work. Over the years, the bus
has made him late for classes.

Anaya said thats not
the only nuisance caused by taking the bus; the worst problem is
the waiting in whatever weather.

The bus can take anywhere from 30 minutes, if Im
lucky, to an hour and half
or two (to arrive), he said.

How long he waits de-

pends on the bus schedule. If Anaya finishes a class, he may have to

wait up to an hour for the next bus
to leave. The bus stops at Atlantic
Cape at 6 a.m., 7 a.m., and 7:45
a.m., and then just about every
hour after that until 10:30 p.m.

But earth science ends
at 1:45 p.m. _ and the bus leaves
at 1:48 p.m. A student has three
minutes to find his way to the oncampus bus stop in front of the
culinary building. If the student
misses that bus, the next one
does not arrive until 2:48 p.m.

If a passenger is wondering where the bus is and when
its coming, NJ TRANSIT has a
text system: Text your stop #
to mybus (69287) is displayed
on a sign at every stop. It immediately replies with an alert
of where the bus is and when it
should arrive at that location.

NJ TRANSIT did not
respond to requests to comment
(Continued on Page 2)

Staff
ACR Advisor:
Peter Brophy

Editor:

Nicole Mingo

Asst. Editor:
Jessica Mounce

Secretary:

Kyle Schachner

Business Manager:
Taylor Henry
SGA Representative:
Mike McDevitt

Staff Writers:
Neena Biello
Patrick Bickel
Chris Devine
Mike McDevitt
Johnny Sanchez
Kyle Schachner

Contact us:
Twitter:
@ACReviewNews
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Atlantic Cape Review
Email:
acrstories@gmail.com
Disclaimer:
The Atlantic Cape Review is
a public-forum student publication. The content of this
newspaper does not reflect
the viewpoint of Atlantic
Cape Community College.
Any opinions expressed in
the publication are solely the
opinion of the writer unless
otherwise stated.
Corrections Policy:
The Atlantic Cape Review
strives for accuracy and
fairness. If you notice any
incorrect information, please
contact us.
To advertise, email us at
acrstories@gmail.com.
ACR reserves the right to refuse any advertising deemed
unsuitable.

Atlantic Cape Review

March 2016 Edition

From the editor:

Something for everyone in this edition

tell you the dessert bar was the highlight of

The middle of the semester is a tough
the night. Our very own Taylor Henry was
hump to get over, but I can assure you Atlanso enamored with the desserts, that she took
tic Cape, summer is surely on its way. The
several home for herself.
March 2016 edition of the ACR holds stories

Last but not least, the Atlantic
of future importance for the college, such as
Cape Review was honored to receive 12
Kyle Schachners enrollment piece, Jessica
awards from the New Jersey Collegiate
Mounces story on NJ Transit, and pieces on
Press Association, including a first place for
new partnerships ACCC is creating with high
Kyle Schachner and Taylor Henry in Editorischools and how new high school trends may
al Writing and the Feature Writing sections,
affect us.
respectively.

The commentary section is full of

A second place was awarded to
personal stories and life tales. Chris Devine
NICOLE MINGO
Johnny Sanchez for his story on armed secutells us why Philly sports fans arent acturity. Chris Devine and myself both brought in
ally that bad (its up to you readers to decide,
though) and I regale you once again with my own personal third place awards in the Biography Category, the Editorial
and Column/Opinion Writing. Our own Erik Conklin also
story, this time on why Atlantic Cape is the right choice.

Our very own reviewers, Johnny Sanchez and Nee- brought in a solid third place for his sports piece on Deborah
na Biello, handed in two movie reviews (10 Cloverfield Lane Tanksley joining up with ACCC as a basketball coach.
The last award the ACR won was General Exceland Batman vs. Superman) and one book review on Fangirl.

In addition, the Atlantic Cape Review would also lence, and I simply cant express how proud I am of all the
like to welcome She Speaks to the club table and congratu- journalists writing for us, who consistently give us effective
and thoughtful pieces that matter to all of us here at Atlanlates them on their new club status.

The Atlantic Cape Restaurant Gala was covered by tic Cape.
If anyone is interested in joining our staff or contribus, and there are photos to follow. The event raised $234,700
and hosted 800 guests at Harrahs in Atlantic City on March uting, you can meet us on Thursdays at 12:30 or send us an
24. Forty restaurants were featured, and I can personally email at acrstories@gmail.com

Taking the bus to college is no joyride

(Continued from front page)

for this story.

Anaya steps onto number 502
and tells the driver, Hamilton Mall,
with a transfer. The machine takes
his money and produces a receipt.
Anaya finds a seat, but doesnt get
comfortable. Near the end of his fourminute trip to the mall, he presses
one of the yellow strips that line the
bus to tell the driver he needs to stop.

The Hamilton Mall stops have
bus huts, which Anaya can sit under
while he waits for the 553 bus. The huts
provide cover from the rain and wind
and cold in winter, and from the hot sun
on the warmer days. Anaya sometimes
studies and does homework on the bus,
but finds it hard to write and focus.

He pays with cash, and has
the option of buying tickets by mail.
According to njtransit.com, QuikTik delivers your monthly rail, bus or
light rail pass to your mailbox each
month and bills your credit card automatically. It is only an additional $3
to the bus pass. A passenger pays the
2nd week of every month and receives
passes the 3rd week of the month.

NJ TRANSIT also has a
University Partnership Program in
which full-time college students can
save 25 percent on monthly passes;
Alantic Cape Community College is
the first school to participate in the
program. Students apply for the discount on their colleges website, simply by searching Student Pass.

If Anaya has to travel to school
for class Tuesday and Thursday, it
costs him about $12 for the week. Since
each class is 15 weeks long, the bus
fares add almost $185 to the amount
he is already paying for education.

The college is the last stop on
the 502s route, which begins on South
Carolina Avenue in Atlantic City. Fares
for the bus break down as follows: a passenger pays based on how many zones
they go through. One zone is $1.60, 2

Cape Review photo by Jessica Mounce

TOUGH SCHEDULE: Class schedules at Atlantic Cape dont always line up with

NJTRANSITS bus schedule.

zones is $2.25, 3 zones is $2.75, and 4

zones is $3.35. Each bus has the same
fare system. Only some buses have 11
zones or more. If a passenger transfers buses, it is an additional 70 cents.

NJ TRANSIT has a discount
for senior citizens (62 and older) and
children (5-11). The first zone is 75
cents and each additional zone is 25
cents. The transfer fare is only 30 cents.

Rachel Paul, 37, a communications and performing arts major,
takes the 501 from Brigantine to Hamilton Mall, where she then picks up
the 502 to Atlantic Cape. Basically
the buses are very reliable, Paul said.

Paul says there are benefits
to public transportation: She doesnt
have to worry about a car and paying
for insurance. Yet this doesnt deter
her from saving for her own vehicle.

Fortunately, Paul also has
friends, family, and co-workers that
give her rides when she needs help.

Thats not the case with
Stephanie Smith, 21, Absecon, a social
work major, whose main transportation is the bus. Smith suffers from the
same issues, yet she attends Stockton
University. Shes in her third semester and the bus is an added expense.

Im trying to save money for school, for a car: Im trying to better myself, Smith said.

Smith depends on the bus to
take her to school five days a week
and to her two jobs in Egg Harbor
Township and Atlantic City. She often finds herself writing papers and
completing her homework on the bus.
She strives to make sure she is always on time for class and that the bus
schedule doesnt affect her education.

But making sure the bus
schedule doesnt affect her education
is not always easy. As Damon Murray, 19, a history major at Stockton
University who gets on the bus from
the Hamilton Mall stop put it, If Im
waiting for the bus and its 15 minutes late, I miss my next bus and can
be an hour late to class.

Atlantic Cape Review

March 2016 Edition

Anybody who is anybody comes to this event

By CHRIS DEVINE, Staff reporter

Harrahs Resort was the site
of the 33rd annual Atlantic Cape
Restaurant Gala on March 24.

The sold-out event raised
$234,700 for the Atlantic Cape Culinary program and honors several
individuals for their service to the
community. The money funds scholarships for the Culinary Academy.

The vibe here is great, said
Briar Gibbons, Gala committee member and 2013 Atlantic Cape Commu-

nication Major of the Year. I love

the opportunity the gala provides for
the students; we sold out the event
with over 800 people attending.

Anybody who is anybody in
Atlantic County comes to this event,
said Dr. Otto Hernandez, vice president of student affairs. I love the
networking and especially the food.

More than 50 of the best restaurants in South Jersey were at the
event serving samples of their menu
items.

Some of the restaurants

included Mama Mias, Gordon

Ramseys Pub & Grill, Guy Fieris Chophouse, McCormick and
Schmicks, Buddakan, Knife and
Fork Inn, Il Verdi, Vic & Anthonys
Steakhouse and many more.

Chef Steven Serano, a teacher and graduate of the Culinary Academy, was honored at the event, along
with brothers Jack and Will Morey;
the Moreys maintain Morelys Pier
on the Wildwood Boardwalk.

Atlantic County Freeholder
Alex Marino said he looks forward to

the gala each year.

The gala gets bigger and
better every year, Marino said. I
come for the people, for the camaraderie, the networking, support - and
the seafood, of course.
Following the Gala, Joe Mas
saglia, chairman of the Gala Committee and head chef of Mama Mias in
Seaville, reflected on this years success.

Everyone had a great time
as always Massaglia said. It was a
great event. We put on the best gala
that weve had in years.

Cape Review photos by Nicole Mingo

TIME FOR DINNER. Guests begin filling up the dining room at Harrahs at the Annual

Restaurant Gala. At left is area meteorologist Dan Skeldon with friends.

Cape Review photos by Nicole Mingo

FACES IN THE CROWD: People

seen at March 24s Restaurant Gala

included Dr. Mitchell Levy, left in
above photo, Mike DeLullo, right in
right photo, and Stockton University
President Dr. Harvey Kesselman,
center, at bottom.

Atlantic Cape Review

March 2016 Edition

COMMENTARY

Are Philly sports fans

jerks? (Spoiler: Yes)
But heres why you should
love us anyway

By CHRIS DEVINE, Staff reporter

f you are a fan of any sports team not located in Philadelphia, you probably think Philly fans are a bunch of savages.
As a die-hard Philly sports fan, let me tell you that youre
wrong.
But youre also right.

Ive been a Philadelphia sports fan since my 1995 birth in
South Jersey. My family roots go back to the Irish neighborhoods
of Northeast Philadelphia.
Photo provided by Harry and Chris Devine

The Eagles were the first sports team I remember watch- TIME FOR DINNER. Guests begin filling up the dining room at Harrahs at the Annual
ing (sort of). Born in September, my father held me in his arms
Restaurant Gala. At left is area meteorologist Dan Skeldon with friends.
when I was only 2 days old and watched the Eagles lose to the
Chargers. I slept.
the Lehigh Valley. The culture of the Philadelphia area is unparalleled.

For my 2nd birthday, my father got me an Irving Fryar jersey;

Plus, weve been through so much heartache, all we can do is be
from then my love for the Philadelphia Eagles has not waned. And I figangry all the time.
ured if I cheered for one Philadelphia team, it was my duty to support all of
In my lifetime, Ive had to witness each Philly team lose a champithem.
onship series at least once.

I started watching the 76ers, just after Allen Iverson was drafted.

I salivated at the signing of Andrew Bynum, only to watch him
Then baseball became fun to watch, even if the Phillies of the late 1990s
never put that Sixers jersey on for a single game and leave the following
werent. Ice hockey was fast and physical, so that started my love for the
year.
Flyers and the Legion of Doom.

I was a member of T.O. Mania in 2004, just to chant T.O. Sucks

Merchandise began to pile up in my room: Shirts, jerseys, pictures, shortly after as he joined the Cowboys.
shoes, socks, even underwear with a Philadelphia sports teams logo on it

I enjoyed the Chip Kelly era at first, as he appeared to have reinfound their way into my bedroom.
vented football, and then watched him systematically destroy the Eagles
ventually, people began to identify me as The Philly Sports guy in
franchise in one offseason.
elementary school. Its a title I still answer to today.
ut Ive lived through some great moments as well: a combined 18 di Over the years, I began to see and hear the negative connotations
vision titles, five conference titles and a World Championship (thank
of being a Philadelphia sports fans. We are labeled as the most violent,
you 2008 Phillies), 4th and 26, Doc Halladays dominance in 2010
vulgar, and disgusting fans in all of sports. We are known for pelting Santa and the Miracle at the Meadowlands II. Ive seen every positive in Philly
Claus with snowballs, pelting J.D. Drew with batteries and starting fights
sports over the past 20 years.
with opposing fans just for wearing their jersey in Philly.

But even that one World Series title is not enough for me to call

But are we really that bad?
this a complete life. I want more no, WE want more.

Just because a couple of drunk fans assault an off-duty New York

We as Philadelphians want to be #1 in everything: Sports, music,
City police officer outside of Genos Steaks after the 2012 Winter Classic
competitive eating contests.
doesnt mean that we are all that way.

We want to be the best. We want others to know that they are in

Are we loud? Yes.
Philadelphia.

Are we vulgar? To uphold the integrity of this publication, Ill just

We are the most passionate fans in all of sports. We have a reputaanswer with yes.
tion to uphold. If we have to throw a few expletives at someone to prove it,

Its simple: Our support for our teams reflects our blue-collar work
we will. Are we as bad as people say we are? It simply depends on whom
ethic. Philadelphia has always been described as a beer and a hoagie
you ask.
kind of town; this reputation extends into the suburbs of South Jersey and

Fangirl finds an uneasy freedom

By NEENA BIELLO, Staff reporter

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell: St.

Martins Griffin/Press, September 10,
2013, 448 pages. Between $6 (paperback) and $14 (hardcover). ISBN-13:
9781250073785

College is an adventure.
Young adults feel free as they flee
their parents protective nests and
journey to the next chapter of life,
where they are able to make their
own decisions.

Others may feel they are free
from the limitations of high school
and no longer have to feel ashamed of
their interests or personalities.

However, a few find college to
be rather dreadful, anxiety-inducing,
and discomforting. In Rainbow Rowells novel Fangirl,protagonist Cath

Avery falls into the latter category.

Cath is an intelligent and shy
girl who adores fanfiction and has
a severe anxiety disorder. She has
been the mother figure to her more
outgoing and irresponsible twin sister
Wren, and to her bipolar father, since
her mother abandoned the family
when she and Wren were 8.

Cath and Wren grew up
obsessed with Simon Snow, a book series about a boy wizard of that name.
Cath writes fanfiction for the Simon
Snow series, often romantically pairing Simon Snow with his nemesis
Baz Pitch.

College proves difficult for
Cath at first: Wren relinquishes her
love for Simon Snow and abandons
Cath for a different group of friends;
Caths dad is in an emotional turmoil
living without his daughters; Caths

creative writing class proves to be

challenging; Cath barely has time to
finish her last Simon Snow fanfiction,
Carry On, Simon; and Cath struggles
to make friends due to her severe
anxiety disorder.

However, with the help of
her roommate, Reagan, and Reagans friend Levi, Cath may be able
to break out of her shell, reconcile
with Wren, and realize that her life is
about more than writing fanfiction.

Fangirl is a quirky, yet
engaging book; the novel describes
the inner feelings of a newbie college
student, as well as sheds light on the
emotional pains of anxiety disorder
and bipolar disorder. Cath is a promising protagonist, and the novel itself
is better than the fanfiction Cath
writes.

Want to write
for the
Atlantic Cape
Review?
All students
are welcome
Join our staff
meeting on
Thursday, 12:30 p.m.,
in the
Student Life Center.

Atlantic Cape Review

March 2016 Edition

COMMENTARY

Yep, Atlantic Cape was right choice

Community college benefits greatly outweigh the negatives
By NICOLE MINGO, Review editor

n 2013 I found myself in a

precarious position. I had a
less-than-shining GPA, which
reflected three moves to different parts of the country
during my high school years, and
SAT scores that would make me
slightly smarter than Dumb in the
Dumb and Dumber films.

I was on the cusp of graduation, yet still had no college plan
- and my mother was starting to
worry. My father worried as well,
but only because the prospect of me
moving out was shrinking more and
more each day.

A severe reality check was
needed in those last few months of
dependency. It finally came when
friends started to receive college acceptance letters.

That put me over the edge:
seeing those letters on Facebook or
Instagram and not having one of
my own.

In the December-January
edition of the Atlantic Cape Review,
I wrote about dealing with anxiety.
That anxiety returned every time
I tried to sit down and finish an
application, or every time I tried to
send a transcript. I knew I wasnt
the smartest kid in my class or
that I didnt have the best SAT
scores, and that hard truth kept
me from applying to colleges while
my friends plopped right into their
chosen schools.
y April 2013 I was certainly
screwed. In January of that
year my father learned he
was being transferred to New
Jersey, from Seattle, for work. In
military speak, he received new
orders and our family was along
for the ride - again.

In April, when I realized I
was in a considerably large pickle,
I decided to Google community
colleges in southern New Jersey (I
was unaware at the time that the
correct term is South Jersey).

Atlantic Cape Community
College was the first school that

came up. I could say it was fate, but

it was probably alphabetical.

When I applied to Atlantic
Cape I felt slightly at ease. It was
like I had half a plan. The term
community college was still a putoff. I still felt stupid, like I couldnt
even get into a four-year school; I
couldnt make it to the City Upon
a Hill. Before I came to Atlantic
Cape I saw community colleges as
most students probably do: as a
13th grade.

Ive since found, however,
that that assumption is incredibly
judgmental and underscores the
importance of the community college system, at least here in South
Jersey.
ccording to the American
Association of Community
Colleges, about half of undergraduate students in the United
States pass through a community college at some point in their
postsecondary education. For most,
the arguments in favor of community colleges are the same: Saving
money is at the top of that list, as
well as convenience, and building a
better GPA before transferring.

However, regardless of
whether one is saving money or
has less-than-stunning grades, Ive
come to find that its time to shed
that unpleasant stereotype that
surrounds community college. In
my own life, Ive found that if I had
indeed pushed myself into a fouryear school and forced myself to
keep up with my friends, I would
have dropped out. I would have
been in a significantly worse position than what Im in now.

Now, in spring 2016, I see
myself as a better person not just
because I took the road that I knew
was appropriate, but because Ive
given myself time to mature as an
adult and as a student. The person
I was at 17 was not ready to move
out. She was not ready to be on her
own, and now, at almost 21, Ive
come to terms with that truth. Being in community college for almost
three years has set me on a path I

know I can follow, whereas if I had

jumped into a four-year school I
might have become totally lost.
know I am not the only person
here at Atlantic Cape with such
a story, and even though weve
all got our reasons for being here,
I still hear some of the same lines.
Community college is for dumb
kids who couldnt get into a fouryear school, or Its for the less-motivated types, or my own personal
favorite: The education quality
of community colleges really isnt
that great. Anyone who has been
through classes here at Atlantic
Cape knows that simply isnt true.

Whether one buys into
those stereotypes or not, the benefits of a community college greatly
outweigh the negatives. Here Ive
learned that college must be a
unique experience, made for the
individual student. Filtering into a
four-year school is not, and should
not, be the only solution for approximately 12.2 million undergraduate
college students nationwide. Thankfully, its not.

Community colleges offer
an alternative, one that is better
suited for students such as myself
who were simply not ready to go on
to a four-year university. Smaller,
more personal class sizes, the ability to live at home and mature, and
the ability to save money for the
big move are tantalizing enough
to 7.5 million undergraduate
students nationwide who attend a
community college.
ere at Atlantic Cape programs such as the Prior
Learning Assessment,
services for veterans, and multiple
transfer agreements with four-year
schools such as Stockton and Rutgers make the next step easier.

Beyond all this, its hard to
say choosing community college was
a bad choice. When I arrived on the
Mays Landing campus in September 2013, I thought I would be in
and out in one semester. I honestly
thought and expected I could make
that work. Three years and six

Are you interested in womens
rights and promoting equality, both home
and abroad, for females?

If so, the new club She-Speaks
club is perfect for you.

`The She-Speaks club, headed by
president Melissa Polizzi, is about furthering female rights.

Formed in February, the club

welcomes all students to come in and join,

or discuss and deal with problems facing
todays women.

Meeting times are Tuesdays between 12:30 P.M. and 1:30 P.M. in building B,
Room 121. Questions can be answered by
contacting president of She-Speaks, Melissa Polizzi, at shespeaksatlanticcape@
gmail.com.

What
Goes On

New club focuses on womens equality

By PATRICK BICKEL, Staff reporter

semesters later, Im finally leaving.

However, Im leaving a little bit
more open-minded and less harsh
on our two-year friends.

I can confirm that Ill be
at Rowan University in fall 2016,
and to be honest I dont think I
would have made it there if I hadnt
come here first. My parents finally
breathed that sigh of relief when
the letter came in the mail because
Finally, shes moving out!

A few weeks ago I visited
the four-year campus for the first
time, and I must say, weve been
spoiled here at Atlantic Cape. At
Rowan I walked the distance of
two ACCC quads before I really got
anywhere. I know rolling backpacks
have a reputation here, but they
certainly would be nice on a campus
such as Rowan. Ill miss this small,
intimate campus as I traverse the
barren wasteland that is the Rowan
University quad.

It will take a while for community colleges to really get their
due. I suspect for most people, they
must seem like a lazy alternative;
to be honest, I used to agree with
that belief. That was until I found
myself at a community college and
was myself humbled.
he culture of this school has
changed who I am, and Ive
found myself thanks to Atlantic Cape. All of this I found who
I am stuff sounds very clich, but
its true. I discovered what kind of
person I am, how strong I am, and
Ive learned that sometimes vending
machines just dont want to work
no matter how many times you put
a dollar in. At least in my time here
Ive seen some tangible gains: that
cool coffee machine in the cafeteria
is pretty interesting, the STEM
building is (finally) finished. Those
chairs in the lab rooms go up really
high. I think its the little things
like that thatll pop up in my mind
when Im at the big school.

Its those little (and the big
things too, OK) things that made
me realize I made the right choice.

MELISSA POLIZZI

Experienced vinyl,
and clothing.
Pre-read books.
T-shirts & posters.
3912 Boardwalk
Wildwood, N.J.

Atlantic Cape Review

March 2016 Edition

FILM REVIEW

10 Cloverfield
Lane:
Monsters in
a new form

By JOHNNY SANCHEZ, Film reviewer

10 Cloverfield Lane stars Mary
Elizabeth Winstead, John Goodman and
John Gallagher Jr. in a psychological
thriller directed by Dan Trachtenberg.

The story centers on Michelle
(Winstead), who is trapped in a bunker
with Howard (Goodman) and Emmett
(Gallagher) after a supposed attack on
the nation. Michelle, having woken from
a car accident, is very hesitant to believe
the premise of the attack Howard gives
and believes that he may have a hidden
agenda.

10 Cloverfield Lane is a spiritual
successor to the 2008 monster film, Cloverfield. For the past eight years, fans
have been clamoring for the return of the
Clover monster. Is 10 Cloverfield Lane the
triumphant return of the monster? Well
no; 10 Cloverfield Lane has little to no connection to the first Cloverfield.

This film is a self-contained story
that delves into the idea that monsters
come in many forms. John Goodman steals
the film with a performance so chilling
that every scene he is in sends the tension
to maximum levels. He can be calming,
yet with a flip of a switch he can become a
frightening and imposing man.

While not completely overshadowed, Mary Elizabeth Winstead portrays
one of the strongest female protagonists
since Ripley from the Alien franchise. Every action she does seems believable, and
she is never presented gullible.

John Gallagher Jr., while not at
his best, still gives an above-average performance.

One of the best qualities of this film
is the sound editing. The unnerving silence
to the loud and terrifying clanks of the bunkers latched doors added immensely to the
atmosphere. Even when the opening of the
door is apparent, it is still startling.

The only negative to the film is the
last 15 minutes. While I will not spoil it,
the final act to the film doesnt seem to
quite mesh with the fantastical psychological thrill ride we were presented in the
first two acts. It doesnt negate the previous acts, but it does feel a bit out of place.

10 Cloverfield Lane is one of the
best thrillers I have seen in theaters. It
kept me tense and completely hooked from
the opening title sequence. The Cloverfield franchise may seem unconnected, but
if this transforms to an anthology series
then I am feverishly waiting for a followup.

Photo by The HERO Campaign

SAFE DRIVING: A banner showing Manny Rodriguez s photo will be displayed on the Atlantic
Cape Community College campus in Mays Landing.

Rodriguez is Atlantic Capes

first HERO of Year selectee

Manny Rodriguez was named Atlantic
Capes first HERO of the Year on March 29.

Rodriguez, 24, is a Hamilton Township
resident who is majoring in education at Atlantic Cape. He will graduate in May, and hopes to
attend Stockton University in the fall.

Manny was among several nominees to
be Atlantic Capes HERO of the Year. A panel
of students and administration staff selected
Manny from among the nominations.

The HERO of the Year is a person who
best exemplifies HERO qualities in being a safe
and sober designated driver for friends and family. It is sponsored by The John R. Elliott HERO
Campaign for Designated Drivers.

Rodriguez was announced as the HERO
of the Year at a ceremony in the cafeteria in J
Building.

On hand to speak at the event were Atlantic Cape President Dr. Peter Mora, Atlantic
County Freeholder Alex Marino and Hamilton
Township Mayor Roger Silva.

Assemblyman Chris Brown, who was

unable to attend, sent an Assembly Proclamation honoring Roriguez.

State Sen. James Whelan, who had a
conflicting engagement, stopped in before the
event to congratulate Rodriguez.

Also present were William and Muriel
Elliott, who created The HERO Campaign in
2000 in honor of their son. John R. Elliott was
killed by a drunk driver in 2000 shortly after
graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis.

This is the HERO Campaigns first
HERO of the Year at a two-year college. HEROES of the Year are also selected at Stockton
and Monmouth universities, Rider College and
The College of New Jersey. Rowan University
plans to announce its HERO of the Year in
April.

For more information on the HERO
Campaign and how you can take the HERO
Pledge and become one of the 100,000 HEROES go to:
www.herocampaign.org

9th Annual Communication Awards

Friday, April 22. 7 p.m.
Walter Edge Theater
Hosted by SOJOs
Heather DeLuca

Atlantic Cape Review

March 2016 Edition

South Jersey economy declines,

drags Atlantic Cape enrollment
As jobs disappear, so does population

By KYLE SCHACHNER, Staff reporter

asinos arent the only Atlantic is focus on the students that are coming to the
County businesses that are strug- college. Our bottom line is to serve our stugling.
dents the best we can, he said.
According to Atlantic Cape
Another way that Atlantic Cape is
Community Colleges fiscal year dealing with enrollment decline is with fund2016 Annual Budget Message, enrollment is raising and scholarships.
down 9 percent from 2014 and down 14
According to Maria Kellett, senior
percent since 2010.
director of resource development and commu
Thats not the colleges fault: The nity and alumni outreach, about 80 percent
problem is that fewer casinos mean fewer of Atlantic Cape students receive some form
jobs, which means fewer county residents, of financial aid. Despite the economic assiswhich means fewer students.
tance, 65 percent of the student population

According to RealtyTrac, a market must work full time.
research firm, the percentage of foreclosed
ellett is also an associate director of
homes in Atlantic County increased 740 perthe Atlantic Cape Community College
Foundation which raises money for
cent from February 2015 to February 2016;
the college and supports students.
Cape May County increased 775 percent.
Theres so much need out there,

While Cape May Countys foreclosure
rate the amount of homes that are foreclo- Kellett said. Im a firm believer that charity
sure compared to the total number of homes begins at home. She hopes that the scholar_ is only .02 percent above the national aver- ships the foundation providescan help stuage. But Atlantic Countys rate is almost five dents achieve their academic dreams.
times the national average; Atlantic County
The foundation garners thousands of
continues to lead the nation in foreclosures.
dollars through donations from alumni and

In January and February 2016, there other outside entities, which students can aphave been more than 800 new foreclosures in ply for with the yellow scholarship packets.
Atlantic County, and more than 150 in Cape
Some scholarships are used to draw
May County.
in new students, Kellett said. For instance,

Despite this mass exodus of Atlantic the Hunter-Doherty scholarship is for new
County residents, Atlantic Cape saw only a students, which the admissions department
$3 increase per credit
uses as a recruiting
and $4 increase per
tool with local high
Atlantic
County
continues
online class credit for
schools.
2015.

But if there
to lead the nation in number
are less students to
hats going to
give
scholarships
change, howof home foreclosures.
to, the colleges botever. At a recent board meeting,
tom line still wont
college trustees apchange. Its supply
proved a $4.70 increase per credit and the ad- and demand: If the supply of students condition of a $20 fee for the armed security that tinues to dwindle, the price per student will
now patrols all three campuses for the 2017 continue to increase in order to sustain the
school year.
college.

There were steeper increases per
The ramifications are already present
credit in certain programs: the culinary pro- with class cancellations due to lack of enrollgram fee was raised $9, the nursing clinical ment.
fee was raised $8, technology and aviation
Jessica Mounce, a 20-year-old comfees were raised $10. The Learning Disability munication major, is in her last semester at
Testing fee saw the steepest increase at $25.
Atlantic Cape. She needed to take Organiza
The 2016-17 budget will be $500,000 tional Communication this semester to fulfill
less than this years, with the elimination her major requirements and graduate.
of 21 full-time positions (but an addition of
A course section needs at least 10 stufour new positions) and a salary decrease of dents signed up before the semester begins to
$557,000, The Press of Atlantic City reported. run. Mounces Organizational Communica
Atlantic Cape has dealt with enroll- tion course fell short, and the class was cut
ment decline by hiring an outside consultant weeks before it would have begun.
So, Mounce feared that she wouldnt
to evaluate the colleges departments and
their staffs to do more with less resources, graduate due to enrollment issues.
Thank God I knew Dr. Jones,
said Andre Richburg, dean of enrollment ser-
vices and college relations. There may be va- Mounce said.

Dr. Joy Jones, assistant professor of
cant positions that wont be filled, he said.

For instance, an Atlantic City campus communication and instructor of the course,
admissions worker was cross-trained for the assigned Mounce the course as independent
financial aid office. Although this was due to study.
the inability to hire a full-time financial aid Now, Mounce will be able to graduate. But
office worker, it also allows the worker to be she is missing out on interacting with a class
more informed and therefore more helpful to and learning through group work.

I hope no one else has to deal with
students.

Atlantic Cape cant do anything about stuff like that. To graduate in two years is
disappearing Atlantic City casinos or changes very difficult. I wasnt going to stay another
in demographics, Richburg said. All it can do semester, Mounce said.

Atlantic Cape Review

March 2016 Edition

College
communications
goes to
high school

FILM REVIEW

Batman v
Superman
Dawn of
Justice

By NICOLE MINGO, Review editor

gg Harbor Township has joined a growing trend among area high schools with
a new Communications Academy.

The trend may be bringing vitality
to those schools, but could be damaging
college programs of the same nature, some educators fear.

In recent years, high schools such as Ocean
City, Mainland, Absegami, Cedar Creek and Oakcrest have also established media programs. At the
helm of the EHT academy are Denise Steet and
Dennis Heenan, both English teachers.

Weve had a media program here at the
high school, and we felt it was time to progress it,
meaning update it in terms of curriculum, establish
a sense of professionalism and have more hands-on
activities that will gear them towards a profession
and further into college, Steet said.

By revamping this program, and giving
them an area of focus, theyll be able to build their
skills throughout their four years here and be able
to walk away with a portfolio of their work and real
world experience as well, she said.

The big thing we looked at was: we have all
this equipment, these great facilities, and we should
try to use them to the best of our abilities, Heenan
said.

The next goal is bridging the gap to the middle schools.

Theres a lot of buzz going on in the middle
schools. Were starting now to get applications from
those schools, Heenan said.

The applications actually just opened up,
and we have a few, but we think well cap it at 50.
Thats our number, Steet said.

Fostering the interest in media from a young
age and helping it grow throughout high school is
one of the goals for the two founders.

Were looking for professionalism, and professional experience is the end goal. Were hoping
that by the time they leave that theyll have some
sort of idea of what track they want to stay in: public
relations, broadcast journalism, etc., Heenan said.

For former EHT student Juan Chamorro,
its something he would have taken advantage of,
since he is now communication student at Atlantic
Cape.

Hopefully, it will prepare students who
plan to attend Atlantic Cape Community College
and major in communication, he said. At least,
I would hope that it would expose students to the
communication field, which they might otherwise
not have known about or even considered.

The goal of programs such as this are to
reach out to students who may have an interest in
media and communication and to foster that interest potentially into college.

Speaking as a first-generation [citizen] to
go to college in the U.S., I had little to no guidance
from either my high school or my parents about how
college works. To this day, we are still finding things
out and stumbling our way through. More programs
like this need to be introduced at the high school
level to get us ready for college and the real world,
Chamorro said.

In terms of redundancy, it depends on whos
teaching for some students.

When you take classes in the field of

Provided by EHT High School

GETTING GOOD USE: Egg Harbor Township

High School is now making better use of its broadcast equipment.

communication(s) I would say that almost 80% of

what you learn depends on your professor, said
Ryan Baitinger, 21, communication major.

You could theoretically take the same class
with a different professor each time and come out
with a different experience, Baitinger said.

We have great professors here at ACCC,
professors that will teach you things that you
couldnt learn anywhere else. There is no class or
teacher that can teach you what you learn here
in the Atlantic Cape communication program, he
said.

I can think that some (students will be exposed to) double information, Heenan said. Theyre
only semester-long classes for us. At the pace a high
school class would go, it probably doesnt cover the
same amount of information you would cover in college.

What were hoping is that it wont be too
redundant. These are survey courses, like intro
courses, Heenan said.
he redundancies, however, could lead to
more college and high school connections.

It is possible that the communication program at the high school might
make things more redundant at Atlantic
Cape Community College, Chamorro said. In that
case, I would either suggest having the high school
classes count toward college credits or restructuring
the communication program at Atlantic Cape Community College to not repeat classes unnecessarily.

Atlantic Cape has partnered with Cedar
Creek and Wildwood High Schools in the past, and
the teachers at Egg Harbor Township are open to
such pairings, such as one that already exists with
Stockton, which offers a dual credit in Honors Multimedia Production.

Students at Atlantic Cape believe the connections would definitely be beneficial to the program already in place.

I do think that it is good for high schools to
make a connection with colleges through programs
like this, Baitinger said. This program not only
shows future students what they could be expecting
going into colleges like this, but also shows them the
structure of classes and curriculum.

I remember only having three people in my
class and how much better it wouldve been to have
more people, Baitinger said. Even here at Atlantic Cape we struggle with finding people to help out
with certain activities involving our communications program, like the communications awards.

Current students of Atlantic Capes communication program welcome those students of the
future. For some of them, programs such as EHTs
could have offered more streamlined guidance
throughout their own high school years.

Its a matter of making connections, of communicating. A bond formed now will help students
of the future and help to prepare them for a life in
the media industry and the students here at Atlantic Cape are open to new connections.

By JOHNNY SANCHEZ, Film reviewer

Batman v Superman Dawn of Justice
has been the most anticipated film of 2016.

The DC Comics iconic heroes, Superman and Batman, are sharing the same screen
after 75 years. Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck), having witnessed the destruction of Metropolis at
the hands of Superman (Henry Cavill), is now
engaged in a vendetta to stop him. Also, Lex
Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg) seems to be creating
a new weapon to eliminate Superman.

As Luthor has been claiming in promotional material, this is the worlds greatest
gladiator match. God versus man. Day versus
night. Last Son of Krypton versus The Caped
Crusader. So does the film live up to the high
expectation?

Well, yes - and no. The film delivers in
the introduction of a new Batman and the longawaited confrontation between the two heavyweights. Affleck quickly and without question
eliminates any worry of his casting as Bruce
Wayne/ Batman. He plays the duality perfectly
and shows a more aggressive and battle-worn
Batman.

Cavills Superman / Clark Kent is
slightly different from his previous outing in
Man of Steel, but he still seems to be lacking
personality in his Superman persona. Clark
Kent seemed more interesting with his philosophical viewpoint of what justice means clashing with that of Bruce Waynes.

The most divisive character in the film
is Lex Luthor. Eisenberg plays Luthor as a
maniacal genius, but at times his performance
seems campy. The supporting cast delivers excellent performance, including Jeremy Irons
and Laurence Fishburne as Alfred Pennyworth
and Perry White, respectfully.

The action and films score is very
exciting and operatic. Zack Synder paints a
beautiful film with each scene breathtaking in
its cinematography. The combination of Hans
Zimmer and Junkie XL on the films score is
epic and relentless in conveying an emotional
catharsis to exhilarating action tempo.

Unfortunately, Synder is more flash
then substance. At times the plot is unsure on
how to connect Waynes vendetta with Luthors
mission. The film is more concerned in introducing the Justice League rather than telling a
complete arc of character for both Batman and
Superman.

Its a shame that this isnt the greatest
superhero film, but it does lay the groundwork
to the ever-growing DC cinematic universe.
While not a bad film, its pacing and plot structure keep it from reaching a level of greatness.
Still, go see this film on the big screen, just
dont go in expecting a Batman versus Superman film.