Archive for January, 2008
It’s January and that can mean only one thing: time for Simon Cowell’s scowl!
If you’re like millions of other TV viewers, you’ve spent the last two 
weeks laughing and singing along with the latest season of Fox’s American Idol. Over the last six years, this nationwide singing contest has helped get some stars off the ground, including Kelly Clarkson, whose pop rock stylings have rocketed her up the charts, and Fantasia Barrino, who recently starred in the Broadway musical “The Color Purple.”
But not everyone can get their start through “American Idol” which is why many aspiring singers turn to performing arts schools for the training and opportunities it takes to enter the industry. Take for instance, Sunita Puleo, who chose to earn a bachelor’s degree in music with a concentration in vocal performance. Performing arts schools help students learn proper techniques while also giving them a leg up in the audition world.
Although it may not be the glitz and glamour of a hit TV show, performing arts schools will set you on track to your dream career — while also protecting you from Simon’s sharp tongue.
– Genevieve M. Blaber
January 30th, 2008
Now that you’ve entered (or are about to enter) college, you’ll need to start thinking about what you’ll be majoring in so you can get your degree in four years. But how?! Up until now, you may have thought about common career paths, like doctor, lawyer, and teacher. But what you may not have realized is that there are a whole lot of other jobs out there. Where do you even begin to start making your MAJOR decision?
Luckily, you have tons of resources to help you along the way. Of course, one of these is websites like The CollegeBound Network, that give you real life stories and advice that can help you really narrow your choices down. By reading up on current industries and their trends, you’ll be able to get a handle on what’s out there.
Another important resource is in all the people you meet and already know. By asking them about their jobs, you’ll be able to get a real world perspective and an inside look into what it’s like to be in a certain field. These people can also serve as networking individuals for future internships, which will be imperative to getting even more experience in a field (once you’ve chosen your major).
There are also some good book resources out there. Take, for instance, The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Choosing a College Major (Alpha, 2007). Equipped with lots of information on different concentrations, salaries, and job titles, students get a ton of knowledge on a particular field. There are also tables and boxes that point out important points in the book. The first couple of counseling chapters help you work through your choices and use the skills you already have to pick your major.
Take the stress out of school by using these helpful resources around you. Choosing your school may have already been a challenging task. Don’t let your major take over school for you. Enjoy yourself and learn so you can go out into the real world and provide useful to the economy. And finding a job you love will keep you happy and successful.
-Amanda Fornecker
January 25th, 2008
High school seniors, listen up! What do Jimmie Johnson and college scholarships have to do with each other? Answer: they’re both sponsored by Lowe’s!!
The Daytona 500 is one of the most important races for NASCAR each year. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the race, which happens to be the first race of the year for NASCAR and will take place on February 17, 2008. Various companies sponsor certain drivers. One of those companies is Lowe’s.
Lowe’s is more than just your hardware store and sponsor of NASCAR’s Jimmie Johnson. It’ll also provide you with some much-needed cash for college. Let’s check out some stats:
WHO: High school seniors and college students who are enrolled in or plan to enroll at an accredited two- or four-year college or university.
WHAT: Lowe’s scholarships will be awarded in May 2008 to those applicants that have demonstrated a commitment to service, leadership, and academics. There will be 352 winners of $1,000 scholarships across the United States, 22 individuals to be granted a $5,000 regional scholarship, and one grand prize winner of a $15,000 school scholarship.
WHEN: The Lowe’s Scholarship program, funded by the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation, runs its contest from January 1, 2008 - March 15, 2008.
WHERE: Check out http://www.lowes.com/scholarships for the most up-to-date info about applying.
WHY: Scholarship searches are most important when applying to colleges. That’s because it’s free money that you won’t have to pay back. But you will definitely have to work in order to get it. So check out the Lowe’s Scholarship (as part of your college search) before it races away!!
-Amanda Fornecker
January 24th, 2008
When the Oscar buzz starts it’s usually the actors and directors who take top billing in the news. But the reality is that it takes a host of artists from different mediums and fields to make a feature film possible. Before you change the channel, check out these lesser known Oscar categories and what they involve.
Category: Sound Editing
From the screeching car chases of nominees like “Transformers” and “The Bourne Ultimatum” to the subtler orchestral turns and bustling kitchen ambiance of “Ratatouille,” sound editing plays a major part in making a feature film possible. It’s the sound editor’s job to select and supervise what kinds of music and effects are included in a movie and how they are interwoven. Unless you’re interested in the silent film era, sound editing is a must for any movie.
Category: Cinematography
While directors use their vision to translate a screenplay to the big screen, it’s up to the cinematographer to make these concepts into a reality. Cinematography may involve everything from conferring with the director on camera angles and shots, to selecting the type of film and camera lens used. It’s an involved profession, especially for films like “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly” in which many scenes were filmed from the perspective of the paralyzed main character.
Category: Visual Effects
Whether it was creating polar bears who could talk and fight in “The Golden Compass,” or transforming actor Bill Nighy into the fearsome pirate Davy Jones in the “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End,” visual effects pros got a work-out this year. With its heavy reliance upon computer-generated imagery these days, those who work in the visual effect industry are generally trained in digital animation and its facets. However, related fields like model-making and animatronics still play a part in the creation of visual effects.
If you think you’d like to work in one of these film fields, it’s never too early to start researching. And remember, these categories and their related professions can be equally important in areas like television, music, and theatre.
**Image from “The Golden Compass” copyright of New Line Cinema.
– Genevieve M. Blaber
January 23rd, 2008
When I was younger, I was told that I needed to drink milk each night with dinner. Apparently milk “does a body good” but why did I have to sit there each night with a glass of milk?!, I often thought. Well, as the years passed, I started to see many stars get involved with the milk campaign and don a white mustache to endorse milk. And, as it turns out, they’ll be influential in your college future!
A celebrity panel of milk mustache athletes, including Andy Roddick, Tony Hawk, Mia Hamm, and others will help select this year’s winners in the Scholar Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year (SAMMY) awards. The “got milk?” Campaign has partnered with USA Today to launch the SAMMY awards. In its eleventh year, the SAMMY contest continues to recognize those student athletes who have excellence in the complete package: academics, sports, community service, and leadership. Twenty-five students will be awarded $7,500 college scholarships at a special ceremony.
There were 56,000 applications for the SAMMY last year. This year’s deadline is at 11:59p.m. EST on Friday, March 7, 2008.
I may not drink milk with dinner every night anymore, but it certainly does more for us than just keep our bodies healthy!
Check out http://sammy.bodybymilk.com for contest rules and apps today!
-Amanda Fornecker
January 18th, 2008
As a recent university grad, I find that the images of dingy and disorganized dorms are still fresh in my mind. No matter what size the dorm room was, my pals all had the same problems: not enough space and way too much dirty laundry peeking out from under the bed.
Luckily for soon-to-be-undergrads like yourselves, designers are creating weird and wacky ways to make the most of your living space. Check out the WARDROM
(pictured right) by Paula Studios, for instance. After a long day of lectures and study groups you and your roomie can come home and toss the day’s apparel at the WARDROM. You can use it to either keep your dirty laundry all in one place (kind of gross) or simply as an unusual coat rack (kind of neat!). Hang your favorite jackets and bags within easy reach and you’ll be ready to go even when you’re running late. And at the very least it’ll keep you from living in a sea of clothing for the next nine months.
Since there’s no word on the product actually being marketed in the U.S. you might want to make do with your own homemade WARDROM in the meantime, or you can check out some CollegeBound Network tips on organizing your space and creating an ultra hip dorm room in the process.
– Genevieve M. Blaber
January 18th, 2008
Victory speeches, caucuses, primary elections. What does it all mean? Whose side are you on?? Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, John McCain, Mitt Romney.. the list goes on and on. But if you think that it’s too late to get into the action for the 2008 elections, think again. There’s still time to get election-educated (on top of being school-educated) so you’ll be able to vote in the all-important general election in November.
There are many resources to help you through the process. Don’t you want to have some sort of say in electing YOUR president for the next four years?! Get on it now!!
First, you need to make sure you are registered to vote. You can do this online through various outlets, including Rock the Vote. You must be 18 years of age to register. It’s your right as an American citizen to vote so be sure to exercise that right as soon as you can. This is an important election that can really go any number of ways. Raise your voice!
Second, check out the candidates and what they stand for. Do you even know what you stand for? For a question-and-answer quiz that lists the main issues Americans are concerned with, take a look at http://www.govote.com. After you finish the quiz, the site matches you up to the candidate that agrees with you most. You can also see how you compare to other candidates. It’s a great jumping off point. You can also get politics updates sent to you daily by signing up for the New York Times politics email newsletter.
January is already half over… Get educated and get going immediately!!
-Amanda Fornecker
January 16th, 2008
There’s a chill in the air and a new year to tackle, so what should the 
first thing on your agenda be? How about filling out some scholarship applications? Before you balk at the thought of writing essay after essay remember that not all scholarships are created equal. While scholarships have traditionally focused solely on academic achievement, more and more are asking students to demonstrate their unique talents and abilities.
Case in point: the BMI Foundation, Inc.’s Fifth Annual peermusic Latin Scholarship. Rather than writing a paper, students age 16 to 24 submit original songs and instrumental competitions that fit into a Latin genre of music, for the chance to win a $5,000 scholarship. It’s the perfect opportunity whether a student is an aspiring musician, singer, or songwriter, or simply has a love of music and a desire to supplement their college funds.
If you start your scholarship search the smart way, you’ll find plenty of other opportunities like this one. Just be sure to keep on your toes and avoid potential scholarship scammers that may head your way.
*** For more info on the BMI Foundation, Inc.’s Fifth Annual peermusic Latin Scholarship, visit www.bmidfoundation.org. The deadline is February 8, 2008 so get a move on!
- Genevieve M. Blaber
January 16th, 2008