 This issue of the Record completes our two-part coverage of Raritan Valley’s nota bene program, which recognizes students whose scholarly and artistic work show distinction.
The 42 students whose 2009 work received nota bene recognition received awards during an April 20 in the Grand Conference Ballroom.
Meaning “noteworthy” in Latin, nota bene was launched in 1985 to recognize the best work of RVCC students across the curriculum. Over the years it evolved from a black-and-white booklet to an online collection of essays, poetry, student art, and videos of theatre, dance and musical performances. The annual program motivates students by having their efforts judged by teachers and professionals in the field. It recognizes creativity, self-expression and academic excellence.
The listed students won recognition for their graphic design or written work or for videos they produced.
To view last week's list of winners,
click here.
by Anne Minkoff
by Brian Austad
by Joseph Chiocchi
by Dan Meldrim
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ESSAYS
Fabiola See — “With liberty and justice for all? Promoting the rights of undocumented children.”
- Fabiola is a 22-year-old Costa Rican pursuing an English major and hoping to make a great career out of it. This project was a great opportunity for me to discuss an issue that affects thousands of students and affected me too. It also had an impact on my goals for the future because someday I’d like to do something that will help these children achieve their goals.
Krista Sharlin — “Chapter Commentary”
- Krista grew up in Bridgewater and has always loved the arts. She has explored ceramics, visual arts and music. She is pursuing her BA in art education at Montclair State University.
Kenny Cano — “East Coast Bash IV”
- Film major, originally a graphic design major. Interests are motorsports, cinematography and editing. Love filming and finding that perfect shot.
Scott Samuels — “Italian imprints in Rubens’ Cupid Supplicating Jupiter.”
- My goal with this essay was to tie Rubens’ painting to his biography and body of work. My main interest is painting and I would like to earn my BFA in visual art after RVCC.
Marina Donnelly — “‘Think I must and write I must’: Charlotte Gilman’s critique of the medical establishment as a form of female discrimination.”
- I’ve always found it hard to describe myself. I am Russian, came to the US a little over three years ago, live with my husband and a cat. I love 19th-20th century literature (British, mostly.) Somerset Maugham is my favorite author.
Elizabeth Kelly — “Classroom management top five list.”
- I am a mature student beginning training for my second career. After an enjoyable career in the corporate world, my goal is to retool my bachelors in economics into a career in education. RVCC’s online classes enable me to pursue my goal of becoming a teacher even earlier than I planned. As a mother of two small children, wife and a township volunteer for farmland preservation, RVCC online classes make it easier for me to balance school and family life. Our family enjoys living on a small farm, taking care of our fur and feathered family of chickens, goats, horses, cats and Hank the cow dog. When we are not playing with the animals, we love to go hiking and biking. I am looking forward to my next class at RVCC.
Bonnie Garcia — “The power of language and expression.”
- I am a single mom of four restarting school after 30 years. I love to paint, garden, cook and read. My goal is to become a diagnostic medical sonographer.
Carly Aulicky — “Avian flight – An analysis of biophysical adaptations.”
- It is my intention to pursue a career as a wildlife biologist. I am currently working in bird conservation and one of my hobbies includes bird watching. I am pursuing a second degree black belt in shorin ryu karate.
Erin La Pera — “Experience in the classroom.”
- In my spare time I draw and write and want to be a layout graphic designer after I graduate with a BFA.
Stephanie Homyak — “The prejudiced world of words.”
- The main purpose of my writing this essay was to illustrate my belief in what exists today. I am the type of person that is very focused on whatever task is at hand. It could’ve been dance, my participation in chorus, cheerleading, lifeguarding in the summer for the local municipality or campus ministry. I’ve always worked hard to achieve the goal at hand. My goals are to become the best possible teacher that I am able. I currently work part time at a child care facility in order to further my understanding of my future.
Stephanie Shaw — “Serene Screen.”
- I am a hardworking student and retired nursing assistant pursuing two degrees at RVCC, one for a nursing RN and one in studio art. I plan to transfer to a four-year college and pursue a further degree in art therapy. My goal for the project was to represent all of the knowledge and insight I have gleaned from taking this course.
Justin Vail — “Hanging scroll of Honda Tadakatsu: Portrait of a lifestyle”
- I am a 26-year-old Army veteran. I like history, video games, hiking and shooting sports. My goal with this project was to take my interest in Japanese Samurai and apply it to my art history assignment.
Thao Nguyen — “‘Everyday use’ – Alice Walker”
- I care about both knowledge and grades so I try hard to study. I spent a month looking for books to finish this project and I am satisfied with the grade I achieved.
graphic design
Cornelia Russen — “Graphic design historical layout: Postmodernism and the digital age”
- I am a mother who decided to take some art and graphics related courses at RVCC. I enjoy working with computers and the Adobe design applications.
Josh Fiebig —“Idiosyncratic poster design: The future of design”
- Art and music take up a huge proportion of my life. Previously a music major here at RV, I changed to graphic design to pursue my love for the art and design realm. I plan to eventually be in advertising for the music industry and to further my abilities, both musical and artistic, and share them with the world.
Brian Austad — “Book jacket design: American Psycho”
- Brian is a multi-talented design professional who operates his own creative business. Austad Productions provides Web Design, Graphics and Photography. Brian is also a perpetual student and believes in continual learning. In addition to the hobbies he has turned into a business, he also enjoys playing hockey.
Anne Minkoff — “Corporate visual identity: Yhi Gardens”
- I graduated from Alfred University in 2000 with a bachelor’s in communications. I am currently a graphic designer at the Community Theater in Morristown. I’m taking classes at RVCC to enhance design skills. I’m an avid Photoshop user and I am a member of the “National Association for Photoshop Professionals.” Last year I participated in a “Digital Wizards” contest put on by Popular Photography magazine and I was one of the top 33 finalists out of 800 submissions. My goal is to one day be a freelance graphic designer with a specialty in Photoshop. I enjoy restoring old or damaged photographs and manipulating images created by either myself or gathered from elsewhere. I enjoy creating scenes that convey emotion.
Joseph Chiocchi — “Social awareness poster campaign: Kill Rx/Anti-Pharmaceuticals”
- I’m 20 years old. I used to be on a lot of medication and the angst toward big pharmaceuticals present in these posters stems from that negative experience. The point is to raise awareness and inform people that there are other solutions. My current hobby is my website, www.ozwash.org and the idea behind “ozwash.”
photography
Dan Meldrim — “The light inside.”
- While I’m not working on academics, I enjoy travelling to old forgotten structures to document them through photography. I also like kittens — meow.
videos
Kristin McCarthy — "Punz"
Carl Feryok — "Rhythm"
Berendina Buist — "Abstract - Color"
Ryan Schenck — "Options" (part 1, part 2)
Daniel Garofalo — "Paperboy" |
