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2 Dorm Life Proves to be a Challenge Amiri Lampley- 7 Staff Writer Simply speaking, everyone knows that computers are extremely im portant to have in college. With emails, papers, online computer class soft ware, and much more, both social and academic aspects of our lives are inter twined in “cyberspace”. What would we do without our precious internet? The thought is quite frightening. Life without the internet almost sounds impossible to many, but for several students, it is a reality. One Georgia State University student was one of those students in col lege without a computer. She expressed in an interview about how inconvenient it was. The more she spoke about the specific struggles of not having a com puter, the more it became apparent that it is almost impossible to function effec tively without one in college. She in fact failed a class that she enjoyed quite a bit mainly because of all the missed emails, online course notifications, and assign ment changes that were updated on a weekly, and sometimes daily basis. Al though there are computer resources for many college students to use, they are often limited because of how physically distant they may be from our homes. Another student at Spelman expressed her fretful experience when the charger for her computer broke and she had no computer for two weeks. She said in an interview, “I never knew how much I depended on my computer. I could barely go one day without it, let alone two weeks.” She expressed how tir ing it was to wake up early, get dressed, and go to the computer lab just to check her email and the class websites. Many of the teachers post things online via WebCT and the course management site, MylTLab, rather frequently. There is an assumption that everyone has con stant access to computers with internet. Other than the mere lack of access to the internet, there are also compatibility is sues with several Mac users and some of the online course management software such as MylTLab. We are evidently in a riff be tween total dependency on technol ogy and maintaining the traditional classroom setting. Despite all the issues that come with the dependencies on internetandcomputers, many Spelman students concluded that a few practices that may help cushion this transition for those who lack full computer-internet access. For one, sometimes using paper is not so bad. Handouts are great ways of assuring that assignments are kept in the minds of students as they flip through their notebooks and see hard copies of assignments and instructions. Announc ing definite assignments in class or the use of a final paper syllabus, without continuous tweaks online could definite ly benefit the student who does not have full computer access. This is not to say that computer dependency is completely wrong. The reality is that for whatever circumstances, whether it is financial obligations or computer dysfunctions, not every student has complete access to a computer with internet. Soon, we may have campus rental computers or even a T.V. channel that allows us to access classroom information with a few button presses on the remote. However, now it may just help to sacrifice a few trees for the sake of the students. Braxton Family Values Traci Braxton: Third sister to the Braxton clan, talented songwriter and singer Traci is always looking to help others. She is constantly working on new projects and opportunities for others. She has contributed most of her adult life to social work for children with disabilities. She decided to start her family young so now she searches for her rightful place in the entertainment industry. This season we follow Traci’s life as she currently lives in Maryland with her husband, Kevin and her son, Kevin Jr. she hopes to one day make it back on stage. Intrigued by her interactions with her sisters and her family ,the audience rates her as the most relaxed out of the sisters. Tony Braxton: Born October 7th Toni Braxton the old est of the Braxton sisters, is considered one of the ; most successful. Toni spent much of her child hood with her sisters watching Soul Train and listening to music. Inspired by Stevie Wonder and Chaka Khan she soon discovered her singing j talents as a member of the church choir. With 6 Grammy’s under her belt and selling over 60 million albums and singles, she is quite ex periences in the album. Toni has starred in two “Disney” Broadway hit shows, “Beauty and the Beast” and “Aida.” In the show we are introduced to her life as she manages to continue her music ca reer, mothering two beautiful boys as well as the spokesperson for “Autism Speaks.” Evelyn Braxton: Evelyn Braxton is the mother of all of the sisters. Evelyn soon became a full-time mother, pastor, and the children’s singing coach. She took great pride in her talented children; each Sunday she along with her children would sing in the “family” church choir. Unknowingly she soon became manager to her daughters, who decided to further their singing career. This season we will follow Evelyn as she works to improve her organization “God Can Heal the Heart,” which is a self-empowering mentorship that helps encour- i age, motivate and support other men and women I who have been through personal trauma. Evelyn also has 11 grandchildren, who she! adores and enjoys spending time with. " and Spelman Tristin Travis Staff Writer Towanda Braxton: Also a part of “The Braxtons” Towan da Braxton is the fourth Braxton sister. Once an aspiring actress,Towanda studied music education at Bowie State University as a proud a member of Zeta Phi Beta. Towanda played the role as Lorelle in the off Broadway play “Dreamgirls.” But soon de cided to follow her other passion for singing. In the show we are able to see her journey as an aspiring Actress and hopeful writer, as she also works closely with her sister Toni Braxton in her business affairs and singing background. Trina Braxton: Trina Braxton, 5th child to her mother Evelyn also featured in the series is a talented singer and Actress. Known for her role in Tyler Perry’s play “Meet the Browns”. Rina started singing as a pre- teen with her sisters in their group “The Braxtons”.She soon discovered a love for songwriting and modeling. Today she resides in Suwanee Georgia with her husband (Gabe) and two sons Caleb(13) and Eric(17). In the mist of the show we see Trina juggling her busy schedule as a mother, wife, and online college student with her career as singer and inspiring actress. Now that Trina’s children are grown-up she enjoys her “me time” partaking in the nightlife scene. We learn to admire Trina as we watch her journey of reaching her ultimate goals of finding success in her marriage and family rela tionships, to be a great parent and to be content with her career. Tamar Braxton: Tamar, the youngest sister is quite outspoken and passionate for the spotlight. Tamar started singing background for her sister, Toni, at age 11. She was also a member of the sisters’ group, “The Braxtons.” As early as 3 years old Tamar knew that she wanted to be center stage; this de veloped into a need to be a super-star singer in her own right. Tamar is determined not to live in her big sister and husband’s shadow. She strives to make a mark as a stand-alone artist and independent woman. Despite the portrayal of her singing career on the show, Tamar did indeed re lease a solo album in 2000 via Dream works Records. It was commercially unsuccessful, however. Last Wednesday Cast from Braxton Family Values visited Spelman College for a view ing of their premiere of their new season of “Braxton Family Values. Tamar, Trina, Towanda, and Traci made there way to Upper Manley during homecoming week to answer questions and speak on the episode. The show features the fashionable, flamboyant Braxton Sisters living their lives in Atlanta, and Los Angeles. The show follows the sisters through their lives as they face different obstacles within and out of their immediate family. u ' Ci