Broadcast: Individual Stories From Reel
Sarah reports on 3 Day Start-up, a competition that equips students with valuable entrepreneurial skills for the difficult job market. Reported, shot, and edited by Sarah Johnson.
Print Story: Student Government at UT
A controversial election determined The University of Texas’ Student Government positions this February. Several independent candidates felt overshadowed by the dominance of this year’s only ticket, "Empower".
Empower placed 42 candidates on the ballot for Student Government, while only 13 independents ran against the party. Only 42 positions were available to the 55 candidates: president, vice-president, and representatives from each college. Following a steady campaign, Empower’s candidates won every contested office but one to Sally Waley, the only independent to win a challenged position.
Waley was elected as one of the six new Liberal Arts Representatives, receiving the most votes from the college’s constituency. Waley’s victory is especially impressive because of the support she raised with her own website, flyers and tabling – without the financial aid that comes from being a member of a party.
“If anything, I was expecting last place,” said Waley (right photo), “people were telling me if you can only get sixth place - you’re in. [So] when they said the sixth place winner and wasn’t me, I was so scared.”
The emcee continued to call out the names until he announced Waley as the top candidate for the position receiving 55.9 percent of the votes.
Waley’s victory is especially significant to her fellow independent candidates. In a grass roots effort to challenge Empower, many independents combined campaign efforts and networks. Some even talked about creating their own party.
“The independents formed an underground meeting [because] they were angry with the party system,” said Jake Lewis, the new Fine Arts Representative that ran uncontested as an independent, “they had a coalition pushing for changing the system.”
The students joined together via the web, tabling in pairs on campus, and attempting to create similar platforms to build unified momentum.
“[We] started contacting each other, using Facebook groups, and making our goals the same,” said Zachary Kinnaird, an independent who ran but was not elected for Two Year at Large.
Many independents protested against what they deemed an unfair monopoly in Student Government driven by unfair advantages in funding and organization.
“As an independent, you have a budget of up to $500,” Lewis said, “but on a ticket, you can pool your money.”
Keshav Rajagopalan (left picture), the new Student Body President and leader of the Empower ticket, sees the situation in a different light and desires a more competitive race next year.
“There have been multiple tickets in the past years, [but now] there’s an apathy on campus. We need to foster leadership,” said Rajagopalan.
Rajagopalan has been involved in Student Government since his freshmen year and credits Empower’s successful campaign to his early start establishing himself in the system and the organization of his campaign.
“Declaring early hurts [independents],” says Liam O’Rourke, Empower’s Speaker Circuits Coordinator, explaining independents or students not previously involved in Student Government often do not plan far enough in advance to generate a party before a January 22 deadline.
Empower began in the summer of 2007. Rajagopalan and Vice President Frankie Shulkin sought out qualified students to build their ticket and campaign management. Many independents, however, had not yet even thought about running, much less organizing a ticket.
Despite this year’s controversy over the single ticket election, both independent and Empower candidates shared the same objectives to continue improving UT’s Student Government. "SG," as students say, started the E-bus, placed a student on the Board of Regents, launched plans for a new Student Activity Center, and created the UT Boot Scholarship Fund, that will award $2,500 to students based on need and merit.
“Our main goal is embodied in reaching out to students, working with them, getting them more involved in areas, building relationships, [and] hearing the perspective of people not involved [in Student Government],” says Rajagopalan.
In addition, the Empower ticket aims to extend hours of operation for libraries and campus study areas, push providing free HIV and STD tests for students, faculty and staff and increase funding for the university from the State Legislature.
“[We want to] put a face on Student Government,” said O’Rourke, “we are more than a cardboard cutout in the Co-Op.”
Waley’s ideas reflect similar ideas. “My platform is to create community within the College of Liberal Arts and to support student initiatives,” she said.
Waley plans to accomplish this by pushing for a study space specifically for Liberal Arts students and providing more channels for communication between Student Government and students.
Most independents, however, will not be able to see their goals come to fruition. Even with their efforts and opposition to the party system, multiple defeats discouraged independents.
“It’s rough because we all were expecting something that didn’t happen. It’s very disappointing for [our] amount of work,” said Waley.
There are still opportunities for independent competitors to be involved in Student Government and their momentum that started this year to reform the elections could produce a more competitive election environment next year.
Until then, Waley will serve on Student Government as the only elected member who was not on the Empower ticket. She commented, “They all ran under the same platform, so there will be a lot more support for ideas. We’ll have to see what happens.”
Empower placed 42 candidates on the ballot for Student Government, while only 13 independents ran against the party. Only 42 positions were available to the 55 candidates: president, vice-president, and representatives from each college. Following a steady campaign, Empower’s candidates won every contested office but one to Sally Waley, the only independent to win a challenged position.
Waley was elected as one of the six new Liberal Arts Representatives, receiving the most votes from the college’s constituency. Waley’s victory is especially impressive because of the support she raised with her own website, flyers and tabling – without the financial aid that comes from being a member of a party.
“If anything, I was expecting last place,” said Waley (right photo), “people were telling me if you can only get sixth place - you’re in. [So] when they said the sixth place winner and wasn’t me, I was so scared.”
The emcee continued to call out the names until he announced Waley as the top candidate for the position receiving 55.9 percent of the votes.
Waley’s victory is especially significant to her fellow independent candidates. In a grass roots effort to challenge Empower, many independents combined campaign efforts and networks. Some even talked about creating their own party.
“The independents formed an underground meeting [because] they were angry with the party system,” said Jake Lewis, the new Fine Arts Representative that ran uncontested as an independent, “they had a coalition pushing for changing the system.”
The students joined together via the web, tabling in pairs on campus, and attempting to create similar platforms to build unified momentum.
“[We] started contacting each other, using Facebook groups, and making our goals the same,” said Zachary Kinnaird, an independent who ran but was not elected for Two Year at Large.
Many independents protested against what they deemed an unfair monopoly in Student Government driven by unfair advantages in funding and organization.
“As an independent, you have a budget of up to $500,” Lewis said, “but on a ticket, you can pool your money.”
Keshav Rajagopalan (left picture), the new Student Body President and leader of the Empower ticket, sees the situation in a different light and desires a more competitive race next year.
“There have been multiple tickets in the past years, [but now] there’s an apathy on campus. We need to foster leadership,” said Rajagopalan.
Rajagopalan has been involved in Student Government since his freshmen year and credits Empower’s successful campaign to his early start establishing himself in the system and the organization of his campaign.
“Declaring early hurts [independents],” says Liam O’Rourke, Empower’s Speaker Circuits Coordinator, explaining independents or students not previously involved in Student Government often do not plan far enough in advance to generate a party before a January 22 deadline.
Empower began in the summer of 2007. Rajagopalan and Vice President Frankie Shulkin sought out qualified students to build their ticket and campaign management. Many independents, however, had not yet even thought about running, much less organizing a ticket.
Despite this year’s controversy over the single ticket election, both independent and Empower candidates shared the same objectives to continue improving UT’s Student Government. "SG," as students say, started the E-bus, placed a student on the Board of Regents, launched plans for a new Student Activity Center, and created the UT Boot Scholarship Fund, that will award $2,500 to students based on need and merit.
“Our main goal is embodied in reaching out to students, working with them, getting them more involved in areas, building relationships, [and] hearing the perspective of people not involved [in Student Government],” says Rajagopalan.
In addition, the Empower ticket aims to extend hours of operation for libraries and campus study areas, push providing free HIV and STD tests for students, faculty and staff and increase funding for the university from the State Legislature.
“[We want to] put a face on Student Government,” said O’Rourke, “we are more than a cardboard cutout in the Co-Op.”
Waley’s ideas reflect similar ideas. “My platform is to create community within the College of Liberal Arts and to support student initiatives,” she said.
Waley plans to accomplish this by pushing for a study space specifically for Liberal Arts students and providing more channels for communication between Student Government and students.
Most independents, however, will not be able to see their goals come to fruition. Even with their efforts and opposition to the party system, multiple defeats discouraged independents.
“It’s rough because we all were expecting something that didn’t happen. It’s very disappointing for [our] amount of work,” said Waley.
There are still opportunities for independent competitors to be involved in Student Government and their momentum that started this year to reform the elections could produce a more competitive election environment next year.
Until then, Waley will serve on Student Government as the only elected member who was not on the Empower ticket. She commented, “They all ran under the same platform, so there will be a lot more support for ideas. We’ll have to see what happens.”
Print Story: Coffee Shops of Austin
Review of Austin's Best Coffee Houses for the Daily Texan; DT Weekend
Ahh - the feeling of a hot latte's steam grazes your face as you sit in your favorite coffee shop for that necessary pick-me-up. In Austin, you are never far away from this coffee house oasis. With a ride range of hippie-chic to clean retro spots - whatever you are looking for is right around the corner.
Jo’s juxtaposes retro and modern with its clean, yet funky interior and reminiscent charm. Servers raved about the burgers, tuna melts, and accommodating service that delivers every drink from their Oregon Chai to Italian soda. Located in the 2nd street district, visitors can relax on the patio on a sunny day and or enjoy their meal and coffee in the restaurant-like interior. Jo’s leans on the café side with a full menu of migas, sandwiches, and salads for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Each meal is completed with a wide drink selection of coffees, teas, and out of the ordinary sodas.
The newly renovated Halcyon has a relaxed but hip feel. With a plethora of couches and lime green arm chairs, this is a great place to puff on a cigar from their well stocked supply, order a drink from the full bar, or enjoy “the best latte in town,” says barista Nola Parker. Halcyon is also well known for the s’mores platter complete with all the dessert’s ingredients and a personal flame to roast the marshmallows to a perfect golden brown. The front porch overlooks the action on 4th street as the glow from the votives nestled in coffee beans shines through the window panes. Cheese trays and appetizers are featured on a modest menu, so most visitors come for the gourmet coffee and tea.
There are few places where a Brazilian flag will show up in the froth of your latte. Café do Brasil takes ownership of their South American roots with a colorful menu of organic gourmet coffee, desserts, tapas, and sandwiches accented with a cultural flare. Guests sit comfortably at the café’s tables and chairs eating their Turkey, Bacon, Avacado or Tropical Chicken sandwiches- the lucky ones snag the couch to sip on ancho chile mochas. Natural sunlight floods the space- highlighting the Artist of the Month’s display on the burgundy walls. Café Do Brasil is ideal for a light lunch, afternoon sweet, or flavorful caffeine jolt.
The Hideout: part coffee shop and café, part comedy club. This unique combination generates a lively environment for people either passing through to see a show in the back theater or to plop on a couch and sip on a Hideout Hazelnut Latte. The art hanging on the richly colored walls, dark wood accents, and mismatched furniture create a cozy, eclectic feel. The Hideout’s kaleidoscope of drink choices with raspberry, vanilla, and almond flavored coffees are accented by their varied menu, boasting their very popular veggie chile and grilled cheese combo for a flat $5. This hubbub of entertainment is a fun destination for a meal or late night visit.
Little City delivers a menu complete with salads, entrées, sandwiches, and soups. The rich, dark décor resembles an elegant bistro- with deep plum chairs, wrought iron sconces, and saffron walls adorned with modern art. The “Poet’s Plate” is a favorite with fruits, cheeses, and breads but for a complete meal- Little City offers plates from the wasabi tuna sandwich to eggplant parmesan. The shop roasts coffee beans from all over the world- and even supplies them to other coffee shops around town. Located on South Congress in the Capitol’s shadow, their menu caters to the meal-seeking crowd but their well known beans attract coffee connoisseurs as well.
Print Story: Austin Peace Academy
Austin Peace Academy
(picture from http://www.apacademy.org/)
It is 2p.m. at the Austin Peace Academy. Students squirm in the blue chairs at their desk – waiting for the bell to ring. Their teacher walks past the aquarium hosting a family of small, speckled turtles and finishes her last words on the make-up of a cell. Then the shrill recording of a bell echoes through the hallways. This sound, however, does not release the children from school or announce recess; it is a call to prayer.
The Austin Peace Academy is one of four Muslim schools in the Austin area. After 11 years in existence, the student body has grown to 132 children and young adults from pre-kindergarten to 9th grade.
“[The Academy] gives students the ability to feel proud they are Muslim,” said Latifa Aimaq, the Language Arts teacher for 8th and 9th graders, “there has been tremendous pressure since 9/11 just to blend in. You can’t be who you are.”
Besides the Islamic Studies and Arabic classes, the Academy’s education is not different from a typical student taking math, science, physical education and social studies with the same textbooks and curriculum as a secular school.
Though teachings from the Quran not integrated into the core classes, the role of Muslim values are apparent in the APA’s mission statement: “Prepare our students for success in this life and the Hereafter by providing them with exemplary education based on Islamic morals, values, and the highest academic standards.”
The school day begins promptly at 8a.m. with a morning assembly. Classes start ten minutes later and release at 3:15p.m. 20 minutes of their day is dedicated to Salat al-Dhuhr, the afternoon prayer in a large hall with rays of sun illuminating the tall, white ceilings and padded floors.
“They really believe. Their faith is involved in everything they do. They are very serious about their religion. It’s their entire life,” said Chanele Brothers, the social studies teacher for 5th to 9th graders.
Ms. Brothers earned her Masters at the University of Texas in Russian, Eastern European and Eurasian Studies. She is one of the estimated 50% of teachers who is not Muslim.
Like many of the teachers at the Austin Peace Academy, Brothers has been impressed at the good behavior and success of the children.
“They are a lot calmer, discipline wise and easier to deal with. They seem to have respect for their teachers,” said Malalai Sayedi, the Math and Science teacher for 4th through 6th grade.
Principle Dr. Walid Hawana is especially proud of his brood. So far, the students have boasted several awards in science fairs and speech contests and scored exemplarily well on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge tests students take every year.
“It is beautiful to feel the development in front of you,” he said, “[you can] see the difference.”
After teaching at the University level in Iowa, Saudi Arabia and Libya, Dr. Hawana was ready for a change and moved to Austin to take the position of principal at APA.
This close knit, homogenous environment is nurturing to the students, but Brothers has seen one difference in the children that might be a hurdle to overcome outside of the red brick gates of APA.
“I find them to be extremely naïve to the world,” she said. This could be a good thing where we live in a society where kids learn, as she said, “too much too early.”
Dr. Hawana also sees the difficulty for some students if they choose to transfer to public schools that “have them under pressure,” he says. “It’s hard for them to adjust.”
Aimaq aims to prepare her students for this world, integrating classes such as journalism into the curriculum and fostering a love for learning in her pupils.
“I want them to function inside and out [of APA]. They need to be functional as whole human beings in the U.S.A.,” she said.
Dr. Hawana agrees that the APA should lay the groundwork for their life after high school.
“We want to instill in them good morals [that] you can’t tell them in college,” he says.
Outside, the children are preparing for P.E. The teacher tells them today they will be running four laps around the grass field and parking lot – an instruction followed by the groans and anxiety of any other child faced with this seemingly arduous task.
By the water fountain, two elementary aged children banter with each other playfully while the hunter green skirt of a girl’s jumper flaps as she skips down the hall.
It is then that any visitor realizes the normalcy of this school. APA is not a foreign world. Just as any other school, teachers share stories by the copy machine, first graders sound out each letter of the word “ball” and the cool kids are known for being a little rebellious.
What is different is the student’s close bond tied to their Islamic faith.
“[They] are like family to each other,” says Brothers.
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