MDC The Writing Center

A Courageous Act from One Man

Last summer, Professor Gonzalez realized that there were children in need. Kids were going days without eating and were starving when they came to class on Monday mornings. He took it upon himself this semester to start a canned food drive, as part of an act of service for the community. He was not sure on where this project would lead him, but he knew it was an important task he must do. It was then that he found an organization called “Feeding South Florida.” This non-profit organization distributes cans to smaller food banks ensuring that everyone receives the resources they need to feed themselves and their families. He petitioned his class to bring in a can of food everyday as part of their daily attendance. The moral to this good deed is to show his students that we should never come empty handed. Professor Gonzalez was inspired to do all this by a well-known spiritual leader named Neem Karoli Baba, who is a big advocate for loving, feeding, and serving everyone.
Although Prof. Gonzalez does not have a set goal, he would love to have this project expand throughout the whole school. He believes that by promoting this organization, people will become more aware and educated on the situation at hand. Some ways we can help are by having each person throughout the whole Kendall Campus donate at least one can of food, which can help provide one meal for 40,000 people. When asked if he considered himself a hero, he was reluctant to take the title stating, “I believe we should all help out; it is our job.” With this said, we as human beings should all try to follow the example this one courageous man has shown us.
Everything thing we do is connected in some way, shape, or form. Whether we choose to see that connection or not, it is up to us. Through much research, statistics have shown us that in South Florida alone one in four kids are starving on the weekends. It is in times like these we should acknowledge that it is our responsibility to help them in any way possible.

By: Karina Bolivar and Jessica Garcia

Just Get Me There!

Transportation plays a big role in people’s everyday life from driving a vehicle to go to work to just riding your bike to a friend’s house. Everyone needs some form of transportation to get around and complete his or her everyday tasks, including college students.
When I was a freshman in college, I remember the long days when my mother would drop me off at seven in the morning and not pick me up until almost six in the afternoon. At that time, I was taking four classes, which were distributed between five days, Monday to Friday. At times, my last class would end early, and I would have to wait for hours before someone was able to pick me up. I tried to carpool with friends as much as possible, but I couldn’t everyday. I considered taking public transportation, but I had no idea how to use it.
It was very inconvenient for me to have to depend on someone to take me places. I had to plan my schedule around other people. If someone was running late, tht meant what I had planned to do was either going to be pushed back a couple of hours, or I would just have to save my errand for another day. I tried doing homework at times, but sitting on a bench, having my textbook and notebook open, reading and writing, now that was a challenge.
I am currently a college sophomore; I have a job and am able to afford a car. My first year came with many trials, which I learned and grew from. Now, I am able to reflect and be grateful for the gift of transportation. I am able to leave campus when I like and follow my schedule without any hindrance or worries of depending on someone to help me get where I need to go.
I know that everyone’s situation in regards to transportation is different. For some, public transportation works, for others, like myself, they depend on family and friends. Whatever your position, just try to make the best of it; when you look back on your transportation experience in a year or two, you’ll be able to share your story of how you survived and how much you grew from your first college year too.

Article by Linette Rodriguez
Front Desk Clerk