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ScepterThe Students ’ Voice

Kingsborough Community College November 2017 The City University of New York

By Isabell Rivera

On Tuesday, September 26th, 2017, Kingsborough sent out a broadcast email that broke the hearts of students and faculty alike. The email announced the temporary closure of the main cafeteria, also known as the Beach Café, due to violations observed during an inspection by the New York City Health Department.

The Beach Cafe had received an “A” grade when it was being operated by Panda House. The abrupt departure of Panda House during the summer was followed by an announcement by Eduardo Rios, Vice President of Finance & Administration, that the new service provider, Metropolitan Food Service and its Operations Manager, Chris McGehrim would be taking over.

The cafeteria was closed for renovations with plans to reopen on September 5th. On September 11th the Health Department conducted an inspection and

found 12 major health violations. According to the data released on their website restaurantinspection.nyc.gov, the following sanitary violations were observed:

1) Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage-associated (FRSA) flies present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas. Filth flies include house flies, little house flies, blow flies, bottle flies and flesh flies. Food/refuse/sewage-associated flies include fruit flies, drain flies and Phorid flies.

2) Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist.

3) Plumbing not properly installed or maintained; anti-siphonage or backflow prevention device not provided where required; equipment or floor not properly drained; sewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly.

The Health Department released the hold on the Beach Cafe on Friday, September 29th and returned

the A grade back to its new owners. But that incident left students and faculty feeling uneasy about one of their favorite places on campus.

“I got a bagel the other day and the cream cheese was out in the open, it wasn’t being refrigerated and it just caught me as very off,” Professor Patrick Hicker Jr. of the English Department said. “It was the only thing that I ate that day, and about four hours later I was stuck in the bathroom for about 15 minutes. And the bagels are hard and it’s just weird. Because the other place you would see the bagels coming in, in the morning and they were soft, they felt like they were freshly baked and I don’t know what’s going on and what they are doing with their bagels and why their cream cheese and their cold cuts and stuff, are left out in the open at times. It’s kinda scary, that you don’t know what they’re doing with the food. It’s more expensive and the quality is not as good, it’s been a disaster since Panda House left."

Continues on page 3

KCC's New Cafeteria, For Better or Worse?

The new look of the cafeteria.

Photo Credit: Kiara Clarke-Knight

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November 2017Scepter

Editor-In-ChiefIsabell Rivera

Production EditorMay Khin

Managing EditorKiara Clarke-Knight

Assistant-Managing EditorKevin Bonilla

Staff WritersMay Khin

Kiara Clarke-Knight Santos Montanez Brandon Julien Killian McMahoan

Business Manager Simon Goldman

PhotographersKiara Clarke-Knight

Kimberly PadillaJoan DeFreitas

James Shanahan

Production Design May Khin

Isabell Rivera

Director of Student Publications and Advisor

Levy Moore

Office Manager and Production Advisor

Robert Wong

Evening StaffKenly Dillard

Scepter

2001 Oriental Boulevard, Room M-230

Brooklyn, NY 11235Telephone: 718.368.5603

Fax: 718.368.4833

Email: scepter@kingsborough.edu

Scepter is a publication of the students of Kingsborough Community College. It is not 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.Scepter welcomes letters to the

editors and opinions from the entireKingsborough Community.

OP-Ed

Do Electronics Make us Sick?

How To Be A Morning PersonBy May Khin

Are you the type to snooze your alarm until an hour passes by and you realize you are late? It’s me. I like to sleep, sleep, sleep. I like to be awake in the early morning but not wake up in the morning. Do you feel me? So I knew I had to change up my routine in order to wake up early. Here are a few tips to become a morning person. Try these out.

5. Wake up an hour earlier than usual.

One hour isn’t that bad if you think about it. If you wake up just a bit earlier than usual, you will have enough time to get ready, jam out to music, even sing in the shower and have enough time to enjoy your breakfast peacefully. No rush, no coffee needed and you will actually enjoy waking up early. With these new habits in my life, now I won’t be rushing to class and spilling coffee everywhere.

4. No more electronics.

I know. I know. It’s hard but it is possible. No electronics before bed. Set your alarm (in my case, alarms) at least a few hours before your bedtime and put your phone away. Try drinking some tea to relax and try reading a book. When was the last time you sat down and

enjoyed a book for yourself? Not for a class assignment, not for work-related tasks, just for your own happiness and relaxation. It is so important to have personal time for yourself to unwind. So pick out a book and enjoy. Trust me, it will make you fall asleep faster than you expected. It’s also good for your soul. Enjoy yourself a little bit.

3. Find motivation to wake up early.

I like to eat. If you are a foodie like me, you don’t want to miss out on an amazing breakfast, do you? Food should be your biggest and number one motivation to wake up early. Just give yourself 15 to 30 minutes just for breakfast. You’re not going to have a full-on breakfast everyday, but the least you can do is try. Think about waffles, pancakes and bagels. The fresh smell of coffee first thing in the morning always motivate me to wake up early and enjoy a cup of coffee. If I have a little more time, I will try to read the news on my phone and check my emails. That’s my motivation. So find yours too. If you like to walk, then walk to your destination if you can. If you like to make breakfast, just wake up 30 minutes earlier than usual so you can dance around in the kitchen as you flip pancakes. If you like music, try jamming out to your favorite songs. Not only it will wake

you up, it will become a habit. A goal. A motivation. You’re welcome.

2. Be productive in the morning.

I can’t get anything done after dinner. Once I get home, I like to be on my bed and watch Netflix. My bed is my favorite place in the world and sadly, I can’t get anything done once I enter the magical zone. So I will wake up at least two or three hours earlier than usual and get some tasks done. Once you get the hang of it, it gets better. Trust me, you won’t have to rush the readings in between classes or print out work-related paperworks before the meeting. Be high on productivity. It is a good high.

1. Repeat.

Repeat your routine. Now it is the hardest part because consistency is difficult. I know you can do it though. I believe in you. Try waking up the same time everyday for a week and repeat. Try to change up your habits so you will actually enjoy waking up early in the morning. It’s all about the right mindset. Once you have done it for a few days, it gets better. You just have to repeat it over and over. And the next thing you know, you are an expert at it and you will be like me, writing an article about it. Just kidding.

By Isabell Rivera

As a millennial, we are used to technology. Not that we are just used to it, we actually depend

on it. Nobody in the 21st century in the western world memorizes numbers anymore or trust to meet someone at a certain time at a designated destination. We don't know how to navigate unless we put our directions into google maps and let a Siri like voice guide our confused mind to where we need to be. Without technology, most of our daily life would collapse. We would be unable to communicate, navigate or actually manage life in general.

But besides the physical and mental dependency, does technology actually make us sick?

There are various articles and research done by neurologists and doctors, but not much could have been proofed. There's nothing really “black on white” yet so to speak. However, according to, cancer.org, and cancer.gov. the theory or the hypothesis is, that the electronic-magnetic waves that electronic devices produce, cause insomnia, tinnitus, migraines, even skin rashes and last but not least; cancer.

So how do we escape the waves, when there are hotspots and wifi towers everywhere around the world? Not just that, but also the wiring in our homes.

Researchers say not to sleep with your devices on and not be “active” on the internet right before bedtime. Since it can cause disruption of the heart rate and brain chemistry, but also alter DNA and bone density as well as body weight

and body-mass index, according to articles.mercola.com

Another way to limit the use of electronic-magnetic waves is, to turn off devices we don’t use at home, avoid microwaves whenever possible and if we must have a phone at home, not to use a cordless, but instead go old school. Researchers suggest not to give cell phones to children, and not carry them close to the heart or uterus since the waves can become dangerous with time.

It’s an open debate between researchers and doctors and it’s a topic that still needs more evidence. However if you are someone who sits in front of the computer 24/7 and sleeps next to their cell phone and ever wonders why you’re achy, have insomnia, even a tinnitus you maybe want to try a new routine away from the electronic fields.

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November 2017 Scepter Campus News

Kingsborough's New Cafeteria

J o i n S c e p t e r Scepterisalwaysrecruitingnewteammemberstocontibutetomonthlyeditionsofthepaper.

IfyouareaKingsboroughStudentandareinterestedinwriting,photography,layoutdesign,orcopyediting,talktousinM230.Youcanalsoemailyouropinionorlettertotheeditorto:scepternewspaper.kbcc@gmail.com

By Isabell Rivera

Continued from page 1.

Aware of that issue, CUNY Broadcast had to promote $1 pizza slices and french toast to win the hearts of the students back. The cafeteria seems busy, but a lot of students and staff are not happy or satisfied.

“I went to buy a bagel and found a piece of hair in it. That’s disgusting,” Ernsie Pierre, a 23-year-old liberal arts major said. “And it’s expensive.”

Anthony Andrews, the Director of Government Affairs and Public Relations, didn’t know much about why Panda House left and why VP Rios made the decision to use a different food provider. However, Rios didn’t comment on this yet, although a statement was requested.

Some students were, and still are, skepti-cal after the recent Health Department shut down. But besides that, the prices seem to also have left with Panda House and the current prices the cafeteria has to offer are outrageously high for students.

“I’ve been in there once, the food was OK, but it was a little expensive,” says Eileen Collins, a “My-Turn” student. “You can get decent food. [But] I think for a cafeteria in a community college, the prices shouldn’t be that high.”

Andrews reassured, however, that if complaints are made against food options and price points, Rios will take care of it. Information that is essential, but the ma-jority of students just wouldn’t complain, because they wouldn’t know how to do it. Instead, they just go outside or bring food from home, to avoid the running around.

The new director of Metropolitan Food Service, Wayne Witherspoon, finally gave a statement re-garding the issues concerning the cafeteria.

“The issue was for a two compartment sink. New York City requires you have a three-compartment sink for wash, rinse and sanitize,” Witherspoon said. “So prior to me coming, that was the status here. When Metropolitan Food took over we purchased the three-compartment sinks, but getting them installed in a timely manner didn’t happen. Health Department just happened to come in [and] saw the two-compartment sinks. Why that was allowed prior to us coming here - I have no idea. But we took the steps to rectify what the situation was and just getting them installed because the school was open and everybody was running around campus. I guess

there wasn’t enough time to get the three-compart-ment sinks installed in the proper amount of time, that’s why the Health Department shut it down. It was not for any food situation.”

What about the overflowing trash cans in the cafeteria? Isn’t that also violating “sanitary points?” Andrews mentioned, he is under the impression that

Metropolitan Food Service is responsible for that area, and it’s their job to clean it.

“There was a schedule. I have a cleaning schedule now for all my porters and utility. Every 30 minutes they are out there changing those bags and it has been for the past three weeks. They are very aware how frequently they are supposed to change those trash cans,” Witherspoon said. ”Floors also, and tables as well. And the outside eating area. I have a cleaning rotation, where they suppose to go out and monitor the trash that’s on the ground. That’s not our responsibility, but we do it for the aesthetic, the appearance. All it is, is to put standards in place. To make sure we are on top of it. Because we are a food service.”

According to Andrews, VP Rios hired a con-sultant to train the staff of the food vendors for

proper food safety, food quality assurance and risk mitigation training. So when the Health Department shows up next year, Metropolitan Food Service will be prepared.

Another disappointment to students and faculty is the cancellation of donating the food that is not suitable for the next day. Panda House was highly

regarded for giving the food from the buffet away to starving students towards the end of the day. Many students depend on this donation, because of money issues. Sociolo-gy Professor, Dr. Katia Perea was confused about the sudden change.

“This is a leftover [practice] from when Panda House was here and when this new food vendor came in I imagined they would just keep some of the same practices. Which is at the end of the day, before they close up, the food that’s leftover, instead of it going to waste, they would just pack it up and give it to the students for free,” Dr. Perea said. “Because what are you gonna do with this leftover Chinese food? They are not gonna sell it. Many students would wait until that time to be able to eat. And I know this from my own students from my class, that they’re hungry. Some of those students haven’t eaten all day, and they’re waiting for this food specifically. They now stopped this practice.”

Witherspoon is in the plans for some pos-itive changes he shared. And it’s a matter of time that things run as smoothly as he likes, but because he has only been at KCC for about a month, he still has to clean the mess Panda House left behind. However, students can look forward to a better, well-organized

cafeteria with more food options to choose from, eventually.

“I’m in charge of the prices now. What’s gonna happen moving forward, I’m gonna reinvent this whole menu. Because as it is now, we have a standard. We recognized that, but you have to get the back of the house organized first before you can bring it out to the front,” Witherspoon said. “That’s what I’m in the process of; hiring a new executive chef, catering manager, catering supervisor and employees that are certified to be in the food service department. So we are moving forward with the program and you will see changes in the upcoming future. I can’t tell you exactly how long, but hopefully, you’ll start seeing changes already. This is also something to look forward to; vegan, vegetarian, halal, kosher. We will have a whole different menu. I think you guys will be satisfied. There are improvements coming up, it takes a little time to redo all this.”

Overflowing trash bins in the cafeteria. The old or new look of the former Beach Cafe?

Photo Credit: Joan DeFreitas

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November 2017Scepter

A New Kingsborough HubCampus News

By Brandon Julien

Kingsborough’s bustling cafeteria is filled with hundreds of students. They eat lunch, play video games on their

laptops, or rush on the busy pathways to and from the main building. But one space is brand new, kept under wraps from the Kingsborough community for months as it underwent construction. That is, until November 14th.

On a bright Tuesday morning, The Student Union and Intercultural Center (SUIC) unveiled U113, or as Interim President Peter Cohen calls it, “The Engage Kingsborough Room.” It’s part one of a series of changes that are due at Kingsborough over the next few semesters. It’s expected to be finished by fall 2018.

“The Garden Plaza and Engaged Kingsborough room are the first phases of an exciting project,” Cohen said at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “That will expand to include renovations and repurposing of the space on the 2nd floor above the cafeteria.

The Engage Kingsborough room will provide resources for students such as wellness checks and walk-in resume reviews. Single Stop and the Health and Wellness departments are just a few of many who will use the room on a regular basis.

Maria Patestas, the Director of Student Life described the room as a one-stop shop for students.

“By triage, I mean that students can stop by to see where they need to go to address problems or how to get involved,” Patestas said. “Whoever

staffs the facility will be knowledgeable about all the programs and initiatives on campus so they may be able to best direct students on how to get engaged on campus.”

Cohen hopes that the space will give students incentive to travel to campus and stay on campus when their classes are finished. The room is not only good for many departments who could use the space, but it also can benefit the students as well. Darcean Edwards, a representative of Kingborough’s Student Government Association sees bright opportunities with the expansion of this area.

“As a member of Student Government, we’re always looking for areas where students can come together,” he said. “We’re actually in discussions to have spaces upstairs when renovations are complete for clubs who don’t have their own spaces.”

Brian Mitra, The Dean of Student Affairs, sees this room as a chance to bring students together outside of the classroom setting. Through SUIC, he hopes that Kingsborough’s resources would be taken advantage of by KCC students more frequently.

The center got a considerable boost from the beginning after a $600,000 donation from Senator Roxanne Persaud, a Democrat from the 19th Senatorial District, which includes Canarsie, East New York, Brownsville, Mill Basin, Sheepshead Bay, Bergen Beach, Marine Park, Flatlands, Mill Island, Georgetown, Ocean Hill and Starrett City. Although Senator Persaud doesn’t represent Kingborough’s district on the map, many of her constituents, especially those from Brownsville, go

to Kingsborough.President Cohen is always looking for new ways

to make Kingsborough a better campus for all students. After the ceremony, he spoke with Senator Persaud about Kingsborough being a possible summer destination, including possible workshops for elementary and middle school students. He aims to partner with more elementary and middle schools to allow them to use Kingsborough’s facilities to build programs for them and show them what a college looks like. This is already an initiative in place with CUNY Explores. Cohen aims to use the CUNY Explores model to deepen the relations with elementary and summer camps.

Events are held all over campus every day but not every person can reach them, or it clashes with their schedule or other prior obligations. Mitra hopes that the new center will help with that. “Right now, student activities and events are scattered all over the campus,” he said. “The SU&IC space will help to centralize all of our activities and reach more students.”

Helen-Margaret Nasser, the Director of Student Union and Intercultural Center, shares Mitra’s vision for the center helping students outside of the classroom.

“For so many students, KCC is like a home away from home,” she said. “We want to make sure that we provide you with facilities that will make your time at KCC engaging, informative, and enjoyable.”

Twitter: @TheUpdateBJN

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November 2017 Scepter Campus News

KCC Homecoming; Back To The BeachPhoto Credit: Kim Padilla

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November 2017ScepterProfile

Chief of Laughs; Tasheka Sutton-Young

By Kiara Clarke-Knight

Kingsborough Chief of Staff, Tasheka Sutton-Young's laugh may shock you. Her voice is soft-spoken and steady, but her laugh warms and fills the room like a fireplace on a chilly day. Just looking at her, you see someone who is about her business. Her style is immaculate. No hair, pin, button or thread is out of place. Everything, including her bold statement necklace, is methodically chosen. Because of her innate composure, most people would struggle to picture her dancing around C123 singing Whitney Houston to the top of her lungs or camping out in her living room with her daughters. That’s because Sutton-Young believes in balance- each activity has a place.

Sutton-Young is sort of the Olivia Pope of Kingsborough without the scandal. She works behind the scenes to keep the president’s office at peak efficiency. As chief of staff, her ability to do her job effectively rests on her ability to sense when certain things are appropriate and when others are not. Minus the medication-induced Student Life karaoke session, Sutton-Young will never been seen goofing off or gossiping in the hallways.

“What has never changed about me- you can ask Maria [Patestas] because I’ve known her since she was 17- is my standards and how I work and what

I do,” Sutton-Young said calmly. “There is a time and place for everything. I like to have fun and I like to laugh and I like to do all that but work is work. We’re here to do a job, so let’s get the job done.”

This sense of time and place was something she was born with- being the eldest of five brothers tends to instill a great sense of discipline from young. Plus, it helps that she was “born 50”. So much so that there isn’t much difference between “Tasheka the Teenager” and “Tasheka the Adult.” Tasheka the Teenager just partied more- Tasheka the Adult has entirely too many responsibilities. One of those being overseeing the president’s office as the chief of staff.

With the former president retiring and the interim president being just that- an interim, the president’s office is hardpressed to find a replacement within a year.

Yes, it’s just as chaotic as it sounds. However, walking into

Sutton-Young’s office, there is no evidence of that chaos. She manages to center herself through praying- frequently.

“I’m a very spiritual person,” she said. “I’m led by my faith, so those days I will pray- a lot. And I will say silent prayers.”

Along with finding a new president, Sutton-Young also specialises in fixing things- that is handling any disasters that pop up before they become disasters. Her 15 year background in higher education is scattered across four colleges; it allows her to navigate the school system almost flawlessly.

Her years at Stonybrook as Associate Director of Student Activities and Assistant Director for Fraternity and Sorority Life some of her best. If her then fiancé wasn’t moving, she says she probably never would have left. So fulfilling were her years there that she even has an award named after her: The Tasheka Sutton-Young Spirit Award. A rare achievement for anybody alive. The annual award is given to a student who positively reflects sorority and fraternity life.

As with most careers, there has been a disappointment for every handful of successes. Working with college adults is especially sporadic because no day is ever the same. For Sutton-Young, the hardest part of the job is letting down a student

or failing to meet your accomplishments. One day, for instance, a student may die on you. When it first happened to Sutton-Young, she did not know how to react.

“At Iona we had a student pass away. Sometimes those are the most difficult moments in life as a young professional, to have a student die in the building and to know there's nothing I could do about that. To know there's no way you can smooth it over, for lack of a better word,” she said. “The first time that happened to me, I don’t think I handled the situation well because I was in a moment of grieving and it didn't feel like I was there for my students at the time because I was grieving the student that passed away,” she said. Her voice was steady and somber. Her brown eyes lost their warmth as she recalled the moment. “And sometimes, you have to see past that. I've had more than one student pass away, but the first time that happened… if I could take that moment back I would.”

Sutton-Young’s no-nonsense attitude makes her seem intimidating to students. The name “Tasheka” tends to make some people quiver- it’s a side effect of working in the office of the president. After all, most students who enter that office are either in trouble or looking to get out of trouble. However, hearing the director of Student Life, Maria Patestas speak about her, you would never believe anyone found Sutton-Young unapproachable.

“My favourite part about knowing her is that while she’s super serious at aspects, there are times when we crack up laughing to the point where we can’t stop,” said Patestas.

One of those times was in Student Life a couple years ago. There was a giant stack of boxes in the office. Patestas thought the boxes were filled with yearbooks. She thought it would be okay to sit on, since yearbooks are generally heavy items. By the time she realised she was gravely mistaken, she had crossed the point of no return. There’s no way to recover from a fall once you passed that point. Suddenly, she was on the floor in a sea of empty boxes. The look on Sutton-Young’s face and the tears in her eyes still make Patestas giggle today. The two spent the next half hour laughing and have been laughing about it since.

Part of Sutton-Young’s charm is her consistency. She says she has the same disciplinary attitude in the workplace that she does with her children. She teaches them that there is a time for play and a time for seriousness. So thorough is her consistency that her daughters mimic her mannerisms, from dressing up for certain occasions to chastising her if they are late to an event. The qualities that she instilled in her children are the qualities that she thinks make her good at her job. Meticulous organisation, being a good secret keeper and knowing when and where to speak. If there’s anything that hinders her job, she would say it’s her perfectionist attitude. She feels there is always a way to improve.

“There are a couple of things I live by that I think are important to know. Your word is your word. People have to say understand that when you say you’re going to do something, you’re going to do it,” she said. “You have to be honest.”

Photo Credit: Kiara Clarke-Knight

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November 2017 Scepter Entertainment

F i v e M o v i e s C e l e b r a t i n g T h e i r 2 0 t h A n n i v e r s a r y o f S u c c e s s

By Killian McMahon and Santos Montanez

Some movies will be remembered until there is no more television. They had their debut 20 years ago this month and celebrated their success now and then. Here's a list of five top movies from '97 available on Netflix

and Amazon.

5. Anastasia

Don Bluth’s musical take on one of the greatest mysteries ever. It’s the story of a woman named Anya played by Meg Ryan (When Harry Met Sally) who doesn’t know who she is. Produced and Directed by Don Bluth (An American Tail) and Gary Goldman (The Land Before Time).

After meeting two con men, Dimitri, played by John Cusack (Con Air), and Vlad, played by Kelsey Grammer (Frasier), she learns that maybe she is the long-lost daughter of Czar Nicholas Romanov the II. So, they head to Paris to see Anya’s grandmother, the last Grand Duchess of the Nicholas family portrayed by Angela Lansbury (Murder She Wrote).

After Anya answered how she escaped, she said “a boy leads to a ‘moving wall,’ or servant’s passage tunnels, Dimitri remembered too. However, a dark sorcerer named Rasputin played by Christopher Lloyd (Back to the Future) vowed to destroy her as he did to the rest of her royal family.

The climax was very heartwarming about the Grand Duchess and Anya putting the pieces of the latter’s memory together. I think the beauty of Paris when we first arrived there near the end of the movie, took my breath away.

4. Princess Mononoke

Japanese animation is a hierarchy and Studio Ghibli sits on top. “Princess Mononoke,” directed by Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away) is one of the best examples of Ghibli’s unprecedented visual artwork. Pair this artwork with one of the best eco-awareness narratives ever told in a film and you have a well-paced, engaging piece of eye candy.

Our hero, Ashitaka, with English dubbing by Billy Crudup (Flashpoint), was exposed to a fluid from a demon-possessed boar after he killed it to defend his village. His fate is sealed unless he finds a Spirit Guardian to lift the curse. When Ashitaka encounters a forest of the Gods, he meets a girl who was raised by and as a wolf: Princess Mononoke, with English dubbing by Claire Danes (Stardust).

On his own, Ashitaka is tame, typical straight-faced protagonist whose main role is to be brave and stoic. Each character has reasonable intent so the movie doesn't force you to pick sides.

The art style is the film’s selling point and crowning achievement. There are long, drawn-out moments where you are left to observe these creatures’ peaceful habitat. The decision to leave most of these moments silent was best, as it emphasizes nature. The film features inventive interpretations of spiritual entities, fascinating anomalies and chaotic moments that intertwine with peaceful environments. It becomes painful to watch these divine environments die before our eyes.

“Princess Mononoke” is one of the most memorable Studio Ghibli films of the past twenty years because of its unique art design and well-shot scenes. The film’s messages provide lots content to think about. This is quite the feat considering most eco-related movies come off as preachy. It's a win for Ghibli fans and for 1997.

3. Hercules

Disney’s “Hercules” written by Ron Clements (Moana) is a simple yet competent retelling of the Greek legends of Hercules. Hercules' story is now an animated musical and the songs are a charming addition that brings flavor to an otherwise basic interpretation. Though watered down for the sake of a younger demographic, the movie is beautifully animated and is a visually entertaining experience for all ages.

Enter the ancient Greek tale of Almighty Gods, as we learn about the birth and upbringing of Zeus's son Hercules. Hercules, who's voiced by Tate Donovan (Shooter), is an impressionable and naive young man whose mortality was stolen.

His overwhelming strength is the only aspect of a God he has left. The evil entity responsible for stripping him of his mortality and separating Hercules from his Godly parents is the God of the underworld; Hades, voiced by James Woods (Casino.)

The narration is done completely by song and the visuals that accompany each number are well choreographed. The story focuses on the theme of wanting to belong. This theme is constantly explored in Disney movies, so don’t expect too many narrative surprises. This movie that takes you on a visual, action-packed ride more than it attempts to break new grounds in storytelling.

“Hercules” is easily one of the funniest movie experiences of 1997. It's worth checking out if you want a film to fully grasp your attention.

2. Good Will Hunting

1997 was a truly magical year in the cinematic universe. Director Gus Van Sant (Paranoid Park), had stamped his name right in the heart of the ‘90s with his quality, well-earned Oscar-winning drama, “Good Will Hunting.” With collaborative roles starring Matt Damon (The Martian), Ben Affleck (Gone Girl), and of course the legendary Robin Williams (Good Morning, Vietnam), you have the holy trinity of a well-acted drama. The film stars Will Hunting, fittingly portrayed by Matt Damon, as a genius mathematician and philosopher, who is content in living his life as a mischievous delinquent and has no problem settling with a normal life in his hometown. Sean Maguire, played by Robin Williams, is a college professor and therapist looking not to seek the potential in the boy’s geniuses, but to look for the humanity in him that drives one to take on life’s greatest experiences and risks.

Each character is beautifully developed and relatable in their own ways; their interactions feel as if they’re sitting right in front of you, and you just so happened to be a spectator in the lives and relationships of each character. There aren’t any characters who have one-dimensional motivations; their ambitions are brought out through carefully executed exposition that is explained through the story.

It’s no wonder why “Good Will Hunting” is one of the best movies of 1997; it is a perfect example of how to input philosophical ideas while still attaining the essential tools in writing, screenplay and character portrayal. The film is a classic because of its relevance. People of all age groups can appreciate its message, and its quality stands the test of time.

1. Titanic

“Titanic” is undoubtedly the best directed and best shot movie of 1997 with eleven academy awards under the film’s belt. The plot is about the RMS Titanic ship capsizing in April 1912, different worlds of class interacting on one ship, and a poor boy’s quest to save a young rich woman from an engagement. It is three hours of brilliant performances, heartwarming moments, unbelievable cinematography and the intense survival for dear life.

We follow Rose Dewitt Bukater (Kate Winslet) as she enters the beastly Titanic ship and her new life in an unwanted arranged marriage. Jack Dawson (Leonardo Dicaprio) is a poor boy who wins a poker game and a lower class cabin on the Titanic. Their worlds meet and it is Jack’s duty to liven Rose’s otherwise mundane existence. It is easy to feel engaged in their blossoming, well-developed relationship. Their interactions offer some of the most well-executed and memorable scenes in the movie. With a beautiful score composed by James Horner (The Lord of the Rings) it’s no wonder “Titanic” is a classic.

The cinematography is amazingly done. This is one of those movies where you have to hold back the tears because it feels so real. The well-lit dining rooms, the way the camera moves graciously throughout the Titanic, and the incredibly placed shots during chaotic scenes keeps you fully involved when experiencing the film.

Titanic is a film that’s engraved in our culture for its captivatingly memorable love story. It’s one of the finest retellings of a tragedy to ever be shot on film. The attention to detail carved into the walls and windows of the ship, the breathtaking shots of the sea as the dolphins swim alongside the ship, and the amount of effort every single performer puts into their characters is a true sign of passion for filmmaking. If there was one thing to take away from the movie’s directing, it is that ambition can take you to groundbreaking levels.

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November 2017ScepterCalendar

#KCCSPIRIT Day is being held in conjunction with #CUNYTUESDAY. Internationally the day is known as #GivingTuesday which is a movement that celebrates and supports giving and philanthropy on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Show your #KCCSPIRIT by helping us raise $50,000 for student scholarships in one day! To donate, go to kcc.cunytuesday.org. No amount is too small.

At Kingsborough the celebration involves the administrative and faculty offices fundraising during the month of November through raffles and donations which will culminate with a Scavenger Hunt from 3pm to 5pm on #KCCSPIRIT Day: Tuesday, November 28th. (NOTE: Must be registered on a Spirit Day Team to participate.)

All funds raised at Kingsborough Community College on #KCCSPIRIT Day support student scholarships to help students overcome the financial obstacles that stand in the way of their dreams. Donations provide critical scholarship funding for students struggling to cover tuition and basic cost-of-living expenses.

November 2017

Sunday 11/5 - Tuesday 11/21 - Thanks4Giving 3 PM - 5 PM | MAC

Wednesday 11/29 - Spongebob Squarepants the Musical 8 PM

December 2017Monday 12/4 - Dinner and a Movie: The Big Sick 3 PM - 6 PM | U-220

Wednesday 12/6 - Festival of Lights 3 PM - 5 PM | College Center Lounge

Thursday 12/7 - Radio City Music Hall Time: TBA

Tuesday 12/12 - Finals Breakfast 8 AM - 10 AM | Cafeteria

Wednesday 12/13 - Puppy Therapy 11 AM - 1 PM | U-217

Thursday 12/14 - Relaxtion Event

Friday 12/15 - Relaxation Event

SEE FOR YOURSELF

Ready for the next move that will change your life?We’re ready too.

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