THE ANGLER LSSC
Lake Sumter State College
Student Journalism and News
LSSC Events
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Run Toward Your Goals!
by: Jossette White
October 26, 2023
If I could impart wisdom to other students I would say, “Don’t hesitate! Run, don’t walk, toward your dreams and goals! Time is precious and fleeting, and once it passes you will never get it back, so don’t waste it!
If I could go back in time and choose the ideal college experience, it would be dual enrollment and then college upon high school graduation; but if this is not your experience do not give up! Non-traditional students may have additional challenges such as a family, a career, or unemployment, but I am here to encourage you that you can do this!
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Recently, I had considered withdrawing from a class. My homework load on top of being a Mom, a wife, and working was overwhelming. But I prayed, I meditated, I thought about my options, and I sought out people who have succeeded and reached goals to share with me how they did it.
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Focus on your goal. Give your time and energy wisely to those close to you and ignore distractions. For me that meant I temporarily stopped playing PokemonGo! as it was a distraction.
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Write down your goals and the steps you will need to take to reach them. For me, the NSLS (National Society of Leadership and Success) is a great resource for this.
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Most importantly, keep moving toward your goal. Push through the obstacles and be persistent and steadfast. Even one step is better than not trying. Don’t give up.
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The words of Thomas Edison are still relevant today, “Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” – Thomas Edison
A quick search of how many times Thomas Edison failed before successfully inventing the light bulb range from 1,000 to 10,000. I do not know exactly how many times he failed, but even though he failed many, many times he kept learning from each mistake and trying again.
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“Winners never quit, and quitters never win.” ―Vince Lombardi, is another potent quote. Vince Lombardi is considered by many to be the greatest football coach and leader in American sports history. Whether it is sports or some other aspect of life, stay the course; get up and dust yourself off; try again.
You can do it, believe in yourself! Just my two cents.
Spotlight on the Student Life Director for LSSC Clermont campus: Jenn Unterbrink
November 20, 2023 By: Jossette White
Jenn knew since her Junior undergraduate year that she wanted to work with young adults. She disliked her teaching practicum enough to drop her teaching major, switching to her English minor. During her undergraduate years, Jenn was very involved in SGA; was an Orientation leader; did Admissions tours; and transitioned to RA for her dorm. It felt like home, and Jenn loved making personal connections. Student Affairs, what we know as Student Life, helped Jenn so much and she wanted to return that to other students.
What Jenn loves most about being the Student Life Director:
The students! The students at LSSC are grateful, kind, considerate, and make her job fun! She gets to help students with time management, conflict resolution, and seeing things from other perspectives.
The most challenging thing about being Student Life Director:
Wearing two hats. Advocating for students' needs and wants as well as navigating the political environment and college policies and procedures.
What Jenn wishes every LSSC student would know:
That a small part of student tuition goes to a student activity fee, and by not engaging with student life, you’re not taking full advantage.
You can see Jenn hard at work in her office from the Student Lounge in building #2.
Thank you, and we appreciate you, Jenn!
Columbus vs. Indigenous Peoples’ Day
By Jossette White
October 4, 2023
The traditional Columbus Day is coming up on October 9. However, I noticed that Indigenous Peoples’ Day is now being celebrated on October 9. How does that play out for those of us who are of mixed ancestry?
Even though my Father is a white/Native American mix, our family does not receive benefits because my paternal grandmother was ashamed of being Native American and did not file the necessary paperwork to establish our tribal lineage.
Growing up in rural Michigan my olive complexion was the only brown in the tiny town. I was discriminated against and bullied, but since my mom was white she did not understand or explain to me about racism.
I moved to Orlando when I was 16 years old, and for the first time in my life, I beheld all the beautiful varieties of skin tones. I have found inclusiveness to be more a part of Florida Life than where I grew up.
There is still a long way to go, but celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Columbus Day is a step in the right direction.
Join me on Monday, October 9, 2023, to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day and dress up the way your ancestors did.
Photo by Luis Pelegrin
College Friendship
September 21, 2023
by Jossette White
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When I started college a year ago, I declared, “I am not here to make friends, I am here to learn!” Fast forward halfway through the semester; I was overwhelmed and had no one in my life that could relate to my journey besides professors, and a wise professor suggested I make friends at the college because they would be having similar experiences. I looked forward to study sessions with my classmates because it was more fun than studying alone, but most of my classmates were my kids’ ages and we only had school in common.
In the Spring semester, it happened, I met an amazing person in class. She had a great fashion sense, and we would often unintentionally show up to class wearing the same colors! We quickly learned we were close in age, both Moms, and in a similar financial situation. I encouraged her and she encouraged me. Little by little we shared our stories and became close friends. Next semester we deliberately took two classes together and that was the best semester I have had so far!
Having a friend in college has lightened my burden, and has inspired me to be a better friend, better wife, better mom, and better student.
Pick your friends wisely, quality over quantity. Someone who will encourage you to study when you do not feel like it, and speaks highly about you behind your back. Just my two cents.
The Importance of In-Person Classes
​By: Brooke Haigh
9/21/23
For the past three years, schools have been offering more and more online class options. This is due to the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020. While it was understandable to move classes online during that time, the pandemic is pretty much over. People are returning to society and going back to their normal routines. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said about colleges.
When registering for college classes, one thing that many students look for is sitting in an actual classroom, surrounded by their peers. There’s an actual lecture to listen to and maybe some group discussions. I believe that online classes have been harmful, not only to community college students but to college students everywhere. It takes away the experiences that come from sitting in a physical classroom and learning with fellow students. It’s also a common fact that many students, myself included, learn better in person rather than online. We as humans were created to have that social interaction. Going to school and meeting new people is a huge part of that. If we continue to do purely online classes, we are taking away that human need.
One thing that I’ve noticed when registering for classes, is that there are three categories. You have ‘on campus fully seated, hybrid, and traditional online’. The thing that bothers me here, is the use of the word traditional. Online classes aren’t ‘traditional’. They weren’t even a huge thing until 2020. Sure, they’ve been around for a lot longer, but they didn’t become as prominent until three years ago. Sure, you have hybrid classes, which are a combination of both online and fully seated. However, they are rare and still aren’t as effective. With a hybrid class, you are only going to said class every so often. Otherwise, you’re still doing work from home on a computer. The only way we can get real education is through in-person courses.
Naturally, having a few online classes is okay. Sometimes the more non-traditional students need them. However, they shouldn’t be the type of class that is most offered in college. So many students have tried to talk against having this many online options. However, we aren’t being heard. We miss the days of sitting next to like-minded students and having group discussions. We miss seeing the faces of our peers. Consider this a call to try and fix this issue. The dominance of online classes has gone on for far too long.
Did You Know?
by Nafisah Azar
September 2, 2023
Did You Know?
Lake Sumter is getting a new addition to the campus café! Teamont Cafe, the first Boba place to reach Clermont, is spreading its wings over to our local college! I mean, who doesn’t love boba? If you do not like boba or are intimidated by it, do not fret; they have a variety of drinks and food choices. “Boba is made from tapioca starch, also known as cassava starch” (Sugg). They are small black pearl-looking treats cooked in brown sugar syrup. They are delicious and not too sweet, but not for everyone. No shame if you don’t like it; most don’t. I recommend popping pearls if you don’t like boba. Popping pearls are fruit flavor spheres that pop in your mouth
with the fruit juice of your choice. If you are still not a fan, that is OK. You can order any drink without the pearls. At Teamont, you can choose between fruit or milk teas,
add boba or popping pearls, or add both if you like taking risks! If you haven’t tried it yet, try the cheese foam; it is delicious! Recommended Drinks! If you are a first-time Boba drinker and you like milk drinks, you should try Tiger Milk Tea. This drink is just “vanilla milk and brown sugar syrup drizzled all around the cup” (Teamont Boba). It’s simple but a classic. My go-to milk teas are Taro, Matcha, Lavender, and my all-time fav. Jasmine. I get all of mine with almond milk and basic tapioca boba. My go-to fruit tea is Lychee with the same flavor popping pearls. At Teamont, you are not limited to just a basic fruit or milk tea. You can turn any fruit or milk tea into a slushie! If you think turning a basic drink into a slushie is cool, you can try Ramune soda! It’s a delicious soda that is super fun to open. There is a glass pearl you need to push down to enjoy this soda. It is definitely a fun drink to try if you like carbonated drinks! Visit Teamont Cafe at the South Lake Campus café on 9/5/2023! We cannot wait to see you there! Check back next week for a personal interview with the owners!
https://www.allrecipes.com/article/what-is-boba/
https://teamontboba.com/
Constitution Day Event
September 18, 2023
by: Jossette White
I had the pleasure of competing with Dr. Mews in a game of trivia regarding our Civic history and Constitution at the Constitutional Day Event hosted by SGA! There was a station to write new laws, and another station to decorate a cookie! If you weren't able to stop by the SGA has more events planned throughout the semester so stay tuned for fun, and possibly more cookies!
WELCOME BACK LAKEHAWKS: Fall 2023!
By: Jossette White
August 22, 2023
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Welcome to the Fall 2023 Term at Lake-Sumter State College! I am so excited to be here and look forward to sharing the news with you! The Fall Semester is a nice change of pace after the slightly accelerated and crazy Summer Semester I just had! How was your summer? Did you take a break or attend classes? Let me know at theanglerlssc@gmail.com! I love to hear from readers and maybe your comment will be featured in a future edition of the Angler.
Whether this is a semester back at LSSC or this is your first time here, I want to welcome
you, from the entire staff of The Angler.
Club Meetings will be held on the Clermont South Lake Campus every Thursday from 2:10-3:10pm in Building 2, Room #101, beginning August 31st, 2023.
Office hours are on Thursdays after the meetings, from 3:15-4:15pm.
Feel free to stop by and say Hi. Anyone is welcome to contribute to our school newspaper so get involved!
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Learn more about all of the different clubs and organizations LSSC has to offer here.
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Classes: Fully Seated, Hybrid, or Online?
By Jossette White Published Spring 2023
Over the last couple of years, there have been mostly online classes offered. Online classes are great if you have a job or other commitment that you need that flexibility with your schedule. The Hybrid classes are convenient if you can make it to campus but prefer to do most of the work online. The fully seated classes are for students who thrive on the in-person experience and need that structure to be more successful with the classwork.
Whichever format you choose, if the class you want is not offered in the format you want, or perhaps it is already full, please reach out to your Academic Advisor! Your advisor can let the faculty know, and if there is enough interest in a particular class they could open registration for another one!
A waitlist is a powerful tool that you did not even know you possessed! The waitlist is there to indicate the need for another class to open. There are 13 waitlist spots, and if all spots are filled, the college may open another class up for registration. Make sure you sign up for the waitlist!
The college is open to feedback from students and your Academic Advisor is a perfect place to begin.
What's Up With Our Library?
By Jossette White Published Spring 2023
I have had issues with Cooper Memorial Library since beginning classes last year. The Librarians are awesome, and I appreciate the amazing library Staff. However, Lake Sumter State College students do not have a dedicated library. We share library and study space with the community in a public library. Having a dedicated place to complete classwork and study is imperative to successful learning outcomes.
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Many of us have various reasons for using the library space to study. Our student lounge has a TV, games, and friends, and is too loud and distracting to study. Some of us have parents or siblings at home and that can be disruptive to studying. With a houseful of offspring, the sound of children is not conducive to my successful study at home.
Second, the public library hours do not accommodate a college lifestyle. Since Lake County sets the hours for the public library, we LSSC students only have access to our library and our Learning Center during those limited hours. Generally, Monday through Friday is considered a workweek. However, our library is only open from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, Monday through Thursday, and on Friday the operational hours are only 9:00 am to 1:00 pm with a repeat of 9:00 am to 1:00 pm on Saturday. Compounding the problem; the Library, the Learning Center, and the Math Emporium are all closed on Sunday.
Maybe you can relate, but on Fridays, I do not have class and I want to sleep in. By the time I get up and ready it is already too late for me to study at the library because they close so early. For some reason, our Math Emporium follows the same schedule, and sometimes it is a choice between getting Math Lab hours in and completing work in another class.
Other colleges have libraries that are exclusively for their students, including our Lake Sumter State College’s Leesburg Campus.
This is the first in a series of articles regarding this issue. If you have any ideas or questions, feel free to talk to me during office hours. Thursdays, 3:15 to 4:00 pm, in The Angler office, Building 2, Room #124. If you are interested in Writing, Journalism, Graphic Design, or just want to be supportive, come to our Weekly Meetings on Thursday from 2:10=3:10pm; held in the Clubs room in Building 2, Room #101.
Proud of You: Back to School
by: Jossette White Published Fall 2022
To you moms and dads who are in college and happen to be the minority among the ocean of dual-enrolled and freshly graduated high school students. Let me say, I am proud of you!
When you graduate high school, you are expected to go to college or work. College can be an excellent way to figure out what you want to do with your life. For the older and parental students, we already have a life, career, and family. Going back to school is a way to change something in our life or pursue a goal we haven’t yet had the ability to meet.
We all have different reasons for going to college, and each story is inspiring. You may be a young mom who got pregnant in high school. Or you might be older like me, with children at home that depend on you. Whether you are single or married, and no matter how young or old your children are, you are here. You showed up. That takes courage and commitment.
I didn’t know it was going to be this hard or take so much of my time outside of school for each class. I sometimes feel guilty for pursuing my goals instead of being a full-time Mom at home. But then someone will tell me I am doing great, and they are proud of me, and it helps. So, I will tell you, you are doing great. I am proud of you.
IN THE COMMUNITY
A Highlight of Local Businesses
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ENTERTAINMENT
KALEIDOSCOPE
January 24, 2023
People are looking for new, fresh things to watch as the new year begins. One hot trend right now is Kaleidoscope. Reaching Netflix’s number 1 show on their top 10 list, Kaleidoscope is a limited series that features the story of a grand heist and how the plan came together. Here’s where it gets interesting.
April 12, 2022
Out of all films produced by Studio Ghibli, one ranks the most successful. "Spirited Away," written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, released in 2002, is one of the most successful films in Japan, second only to the recent 2020 Japan release of "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba." Gaining popularity in America, "Spirited Away" is one of the most influencing movies in the world.
February 7, 2023
A short story by: Writerzblock
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I had just run away from my fifth foster home in Memphis. I planned to cross the border into Arkansas so the authorities wouldn’t find me. Once there, I just needed to lay low for a few days until I turned 18. At least I wouldn’t be alone...
ABOUT US
The Angler is the registered student newspaper of Lake Sumter State College. Opinions and ideas expressed in the Angler are those of the individual artists, authors, and student editors, and are not those of LSSC, its Board of Trustees, Administration, nor the advertisers.
Our Team.
We are the Angler! Jossette is our hard-working Editor and writer; Nafisah is our amazing Photographer and writer; Brooke is a guest writer and the new Editor of our sister publication 'The Odyssey'; and Angel is our talented Sports writer. We love to write, take photos, and share the news with you!
