First all-male pageant showcases student talent

Mr. Esquire Pagent was held at Bryant Conference Center
Sunday night /CW | John Michael Simpson

After showing off their beach bodies and wowing the crowd with never-before-seen talent, participants in the 2012 Mr. Esquire Scholarship Pageant stood on stage as the award winners were called. Peyton Falkenburg took the top award as Mr. Esquire.

“I was pretty astonished,” said Falkenburg, a senior majoring in finance. “It was great meeting new guys, and it was icing on the cake winning the pageant. I was excited. It’s a huge honor.”

David Tubbs took first runner-up, with Josh Gray coming in as second runner-up. Gray also won best talent. JaQuan Howard took fan favorite, and Alex Raus was named Mr. Congeniality.

The master of ceremonies for the night was Whitney Jones, who kept the audience laughing with jokes throughout the pageant. Student Government Association representative Lisa Elizondo gave a welcome before the contestants did a dance number, introduced themselves and gave their best “mack line” in front of the judges.

“The pageant turned out really well,” pageant coordinator Kyle Frazier said. “The contestants surprised me on the dance number. They added a lot of personality to it, and I enjoyed watching their talent.”

Contestants graced the stage while Erin Dabbs, the pageant’s assistant coordinator, read their ideas of a perfect date. The men then showed off their swim and beachwear. The second half of the show started with talent performances.

Participants performed original poetry and stepping routines. DeMarc Thomas sang a duet, and JaQuan Howard did a praise dance, while Terry Rice performed acrobatic flips and jumps. Falkenburg performed a parody of Will Ferrell in “Old School,” and Tubbs did a number of things before declaring his true talent of being a successful African American male student in college. Gray won for best talent with his rendition of “Big Poppa” by Notorious B.I.G.

“The favorite time for me was seeing the audience’s reactions throughout the show,” said Dabbs, a sophomore majoring in public relations. “The pageant was awesome — everything went perfectly well. I’m really, really pleased with the turnout.”

The question-and-answer portion concluded the competition. While the scores were being tallied, the audience enjoyed a performance by the male acapella singing group, Subject to Change.

Many considered the inaugural pageant to be a success and look forward to more in the future.

“Hats off to Kyle and Erin. I’m glad they had the idea to do [the pageant],” Falkenburg said. “I think it’s a great way to show male expression and also have fun. The crowd liked all the contestants, and I think it’s something that definitely needs to continue year after year.”

“We definitely plan to keep this going, and in the [National Council of Negro Women] tradition,” Dabbs said.

Contestants included Alex Raus, JaQuan Howard, Cameron Casey, Varrecke Johnson, Terry Rice, Isiah King, Casey Pickett, DeMarc Thomas, Josh Gray, Peyton Falkenburg and David Tubbs.

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Students break out in dance to promote comedy show

Alabama students gathered for a flash dance in the Ferguson Center
 on Thursday. /CW | Pete Pajor

Last Thursday, more than 35 students gathered in the lobby of the Ferguson Center for something other than lunch. A song by dance music duo LMFAO played in the background, and the students, most of whom were in the same hospitality marketing class, began to dance.

The flash mob was designed to bring attention to UA Stereotypes: Burned, a comedy show which will take place Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Ferguson Center Theater.

“For 2012, one of the top marketing trends to do is flash mobs,” said Kayla Key, a junior majoring in restaurant hospitality and meeting management. “So, our teacher brought us the idea of having our class do a flash mob. I paired it with the event leadership class, which we are doing the comedy show for.”

The flash mobbers thought hitting the Ferg at noon would be the best time to perform, and many students stood and watched.

“We had a lot of fun doing it,” said Evan Blitzer, a sophomore event and planning major. “Some people, like me, were nervous, but we knew we could do it.”

Participants and planners said this year’s comedy show is special because of its theme. All performers, including members of Alpha Psi Omega theater group, will address stereotypes in a comedic way. The event’s Facebook page said the idea of the comedy show is to give students a humorous view of stereotypes and diversity issues and address how they are untrue.

“What we’re wanting to do is break down the barriers of the stereotypes that are here on campus,” Key said.

BJ Laura Savage, a junior majoring in restaurant and hospitality management and the flash mob’s videographer, said she thinks the theme is appropriate given recent events.

“In the last few years, Alabama has gotten so much negative press about the lack of diversity, and this will help break those stereotypes to show that it’s not all of UA,” she said. “We can overcome adversity.”

There will be free refreshments and a discussion in the East Dining Room of the Ferg after the show.

Students in professor Kimberly Boyle’s class think the comedy show will be good for campus and will have a positive impact.

“I hope that people will think twice before they judge others on this campus,” Savage said. “I’m hoping [the show] will promote unity throughout the student body . . . People should attend the show to get everyone’s point of view on the issues we all face on campus. This will help expand everyone’s outlook on everything.”

For more information on the event, call 205-348-7525.

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Video reached UA on Facebook

by Lindsay Dennis

Invisible Children showcased Kony 2012 all over the world on Feb. 28, including in the Ferguson Center Theatre. Since then, the film about the African rebel group leader indicted for war crimes has been hard to escape on social media.

“The video opened my eyes to other issues around the world and how we are so blinded by everything outside of the United States that has nothing to do with us,” said Faith Merritt, a sophomore majoring in electrical and computer engineering. “When I watched the video, it broke my heart and bought me to tears.

“People can be so cruel. Not only can that happen overseas, but it can happen here in the United States with human trafficking.”

After watching, Merritt went on to share the video via Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr, like millions of other viewers.

It wasn’t just the video that spread through social media networks – the video has inspired a wide range of critical responses, blog posts and events. Al Gilani, a freshman majoring in chemical and biological engineering, has coordinated “Cover the Night Tuscaloosa” through Facebook. The event, which Gilani said he planned impulsively after watching Kony 2012, has nearly 1,500 Tuscaloosa students and resident signed up to bring awareness and knowledge of Kony.

“As soon as I watched that video, I was like, ‘Oh my God,’ and it was just an impulse to do whatever I could,” Gilani said. “I felt [the event] would really spread the word.”

“Cover the Night Tuscaloosa” is scheduled for April 20 from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Gilani said student group APWONJO has contacted him about getting involved with the event. APWONJO, a student organization devoted to raising awareness about issues in Africa, has hosted and been a part of a number of Invisible Children-related film showings and events.

“Social networking has changed drastically over the past years, and the way it has grown has introduced a whole new market,” Merritt said. “Now, you can introduce problems, issues or entertainment with just one click. It’s amazing. The video spread the way it did because it caught many people’s eyes by just clicking the play button on their computer screen.”

“I’m going to say 99 percent of the people that know about the video found it off of Facebook,” Gilani said. “These days, social media is the only way that people will pay attention to anything. Most of the stuff that I pay attention to is on Facebook or Twitter. As human beings, we get overwhelmed, so we only pay attention to stuff that our friends are paying attention to, and when it’s on Facebook, it makes it a lot easier.”

Though there has been criticism of Kony 2012 and negative backlash, Gilani said he’s glad to have been informed on something he didn’t know about while staying neutral.

“I feel like we needed the video to know about what’s going on – not necessarily endorsing Invisible Children, but I am saying we needed that video to understand what was going on, because if it had never come, then we would not be talking about it today,” he said.

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Text-a-thon aims to raise money for hungry children

Students involved with Secret Meals for Hungry Children are working to raise money for the initiative. Five public relations students are hosting a text-a-thon throughout the week. By texting “FOOD” to 27722, you can donate $10 to the Secret Meals organization.

“We chose to do a text-a-thon because almost every student has a cell phone,” said Toni Graham, a senior majoring in public relations. “It’s also an innovative way to allow people to donate to a cause. Anyone, anywhere with a cell phone can donate. More importantly, money that is donated here in Tuscaloosa stays in Tuscaloosa. With college students not usually carrying cash but constantly texting, it seemed to work well with our target audience.”

Secret Meals is a nonprofit organization started by the Alabama Credit Union. The program provides more than 20 percent of Alabama children who live below the poverty line meals to eat over the weekend.

Graham, along with Chance Blake, Jessica Burns, Jahmir Jones and Stephanie Putnam worked to coordinate the text-a-thon. All donors receive a prize.

“We wanted to raise a thousand dollars in addition to awareness for the Secret Meals organization,” said Jones, a senior majoring in public relations. “We wanted to really play up the part that you can donate $10 to feed hungry children for about a month.”

“General hunger amongst children is thought of as a problem in third-world countries,” Graham said. “We want people to know that it’s a problem right here in our own backyards. Children who ride the school bus with our children, sisters and brothers, cousins, are going hungry. And we can all help to defeat hunger in Tuscaloosa. Ultimately, people would become aware of local hunger and work to make hunger an issue of the past, specifically by donating.”

Students can visit the Secret Meals table in the Ferguson Center for more information and giveaways. 

There are also locations on the Strip where people can make donations and learn about Secret Meals.

Secret Meals is responsible for feeding more than 1,000 elementary school kids in the last year. According to the Secret Meals website, the program helps feed more than 20 percent of Alabama’s youth who live below the poverty line. A child can be sponsored to have weekend meals an entire year for $120.

“I think when people first think about Secret Meals, they automatically think it’s a program that’s nationwide or a regional-type program, but this is really focused in the Tuscaloosa sector,” Jones said. “It’s right in our back door. It’s people you could be going to church with or working with who are dealing with this situation where they are in debt or have enough money to pay the bills. The program is very unique in the fact that it really caters to Tuscaloosa natives and people that are struggling here at home.”

A number of UA public relations students have been involved with the Secret Meals initiative under the direction of professor Susan Daria.

For more information on the cause, visit alabamacu.com/sm or email Graham at tbgraham@crimson.ua.edu.

[HOW TO DONATE]

What: Secret Meals for Hungry Children donates $10 to children in Tuscaloosa

When: Now

How: By texting “FOOD” to 27722



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Career Center gets new director

The University of Alabama Career Center named John Railsback as its new executive director. Railsback began his term Feb. 1.

“The University is extremely pleased that John Railsback is joining the Career Center team as executive director,” said Molly Lawrence, UA associate vice president of Student Affairs. “His experience within the University and outside of higher education have prepared him to take our Career Center to the next level.”

“I consider it a privilege,” Railsback said. “It really is a unique opportunity to lead a team that can play such a pivotal role in helping our students discover and ultimately connect with their passion career-wise.”

Railsback is a two-time graduate of Alabama with a master’s degree in higher education administration. Before returning to the Capstone as an employee, he worked for Rite Aid Corp. While at Rite Aid, Railsback worked with UA staff, undergraduate and graduate students bridging the gap between the classroom and real life work experience.

Railsback worked for the University’s department of human resources before taking the helm at the Career Center. He has been an associate director, manager of recruitment and senior generalist for the human resources department. While at the Career Center, Railsback hopes to build off present projects.

“We are currently in the process of assessing our current career services in an effort to make sure we are meeting the needs of a very diverse student population,” Railsback said. “The results of this assessment will impact how we focus our efforts in terms of new initiatives. One area that I am confident will receive increased attention will be nurturing existing and developing new relationships with employers both inside the state of Alabama and around the country. These relationships are crucial to us providing career opportunities for our students.”

One of Railsback's major contributions while working in human resources was the increase in use of the employment website, jobs.ua.edu.

Lawrence said Railsback’s dedication and passion for students starting careers is important in him holding his position.

“He is committed to providing our students excellent career development services and employment opportunities,” Lawrence said. “His understanding of employer development and the challenges employers face will position UA to be a university of choice in meeting employer needs in a global market.”

The Career Center is located on the third floor of the Ferguson Center with satellite locations in Bidgood and Bevill Halls. Railsback looks forward to helping all students as they venture from campus life to the professional world.

“The Career Center has always been a constantly evolving area, and we will continue to change based on student and employer needs,” Railsback said. “We will rely heavily on regular feedback from students, faculty and employers to make sure that our career services are making a difference in helping our students identify and connect with careers that they are passionate about.”

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Interns gain experience, networks

According to a recent USA Today education story, 70 percent of college students participate in internships before graduation. Internships provide students with opportunities to get first hand experience of what they learn in the classroom. John Railsback, the executive director of the Career Center, says internships may not be 100 percent necessary in today’s age.

“I don’t know that I would consider internships ‘necessary’ in all instances,” he said. “However, I do think that they provide excellent opportunities to gain relevant experience and build networks within organizations that are often committed to college recruiting.”

Railsback spoke on the debate of required versus unrequired internships and unpaid versus paid internships.

“Whether or not internships are traditionally paid or unpaid often depends on the field,” he said. “Those that are unpaid sometimes have the benefit of counting as credit towards degree requirements. Regardless of whether an internship is paid or unpaid, the true value is gaining relevant experience and in building networks that could lead to career opportunities.”

Railsback said each college is more in tune with curriculum requirements that may or may not require an internship.

“Gaining relevant experience, through internships or other work-related activities, is one of the most beneficial actions a student can take to discover and connect with career opportunities,” he said.

Chelsea Chatman is a senior accounting student who is currently interning at Habif, Arogeti & Wynne, LLP in Atlanta. She said she’s enjoying her internship and loves what she does.

“It’s not so much as me learning and being tested on [the software] per se,” she said. “It’s more of them judging me on the output that I give them. If my work is good, then I applied what I learned in the work field and at school properly.”

There are some majors on campus that require students to get internship experience including telecommunications and film broadcasting and human development. Chatman said only those students that specialize within the accounting field have to acquire internships, but she thinks it’s beneficial.

“I think [required internships] are very helpful because it will give you insight on what you’re getting into,” said Chatman, who has a specialization within the accounting major and a minor in computer technology applications. “[It’ll give you insight] into the job or the career that you’re trying to do. It’s good to have that because you never know. There are a lot of people that major in things, and they think they love it, but once they get out there off in the work field they don’t like. It’s different in the work field than in college.”

Shantoria Kite, a junior majoring in human development, will be interning this summer in Memphis with Youth Villages, which is a place for adolescents with behavioral and emotional issues. Kite believes having a required internship has positive effects.

“I feel like it’s a necessity anyway,” she said. “You get the experience. Not all colleges or majors require internships in the first place and the fact that [the department of human development] requires it helps us get experience in our own fields.”

There is ample information available for students on internships. Bulletin boards in almost every academic building showcase internship opportunities.

The career center located in the Ferguson Center is another resource, which is the home place of Crimson Careers. Websites such as collegeboard.com and internships.com also feature a number of different internship possibilities.

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