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Most Novel Idea
     Some Flagler College grads don’t just finish their senior year as degree recipients—they’re published authors, too. Students in Dr. Sandra Davis' "Elementary Methods of Language Arts" class are required to write and illustrate their own children's books. Not only do the students craft stories, such as Adrienne Lodico’s How to Stop the Rumbling Grumbling in the Very Bottom of Your Stomach, they also proofread and edit their classmates’ pieces. Rather than anxiously awaiting an ego-deflating rejection letter like most writers, the Flagler enrollees get constructive criticism from their peers on ways to improve their stories. Then, Assistant Director of Public Information Barbara Sloan serves as chief editor to make final corrections. All finished masterpieces are sent to the Studentreasures Publishing Company where they become hardbound books. Plus, the student works vie for a $250 educational scholarship and the chance to be featured in the Studentreasures’ advertising. The entire project takes about eight weeks, and all writers get their own copy of their book during an Authors’ Celebration at the end of the semester.
Contact Davis at davissl@flagler.edu.

Best Intra "mural" Sport
     Last spring, administrators at Florida Southern College caught a crew of crafty coeds painting the bookstore windows during homecoming. But rather than taking disciplinary action against the graffiti artists, school officials rewarded them with a $200 cash prize. That’s because the "culprits" actually won the first-ever "Moc Mural Contest," a new spirit-raising tradition. The FSC campus bookstore and the alumni association sponsored the inaugural event, designed to promote school spirit, tradition, and involvement. During last year’s homecoming week, five campus clubs painted murals on the shop windows, and members of Kappa Pi, an honorary journalism society, took home the grand prize. "All paintings are produced according to the homecoming theme," says Courtney Gazlay, director of alumni relations. "The murals were judged based on school spirit, creativity, color originality, and use of space. We’re expecting 13 student organizations to participate this year."
Contact Gazlay at cgazlay@flsouthern.edu or (863) 680-6234.

Best International Relations
     Breaking down the language barrier helped reduce local break-ins, thanks to an Indian River Community College instructor. Last year, some Mexico and Guatemala natives found themselves victims of burglary and trespassing, because they weren’t used to safeguarding their money in a bank. That’s when IRCC’s Tim Jakob, an "English as a Second Language" instructor stepped in to help, along with the Stuart Police Department. Because the Spanish-speaking men and women were uncomfortable with American law enforcement officers, the teacher created a program within the ESL class that brought police, students, and the victimized residents together to discuss safety procedures. Jakob also introduced citizenship information and other practical issues related to life in the United States, and he earned recognition for his efforts with a commendation from the City of Stuart and the local police department.
Contact Michelle Abaldo, director of institutional advancement, at mabaldo@ircc.cc.fl.us.

Best Community Outreach
     Johnson & Wales University is really cooking with the Culinary Education and Training to At-Risk Youth Project. The goal of CETARY is to equip troubled teens with the skills necessary to get a job in the hospitality industry. "This empowerment of earning money is the piece that’s going to keep them out of trouble, ‘ says E. Wilburn Smith, executive director. Twenty-five participants spend nine months learning about international and national cuisine, stocks and sauces, professional behavior, and sanitation. Students wear a full uniform, adhere to a zero tolerance policy, and receive at least one meal a day. A counselor is on hand to deal with the non-educational issues, says Smith. "These kids come with a whole lot of baggage."
     Johnson & Wales also works to place graduates once they’ve completed the program. "We’ve got 25 new workers who can go out into the field and tell any chef they can be a line cook," Smith says.
Contact Smith at cetary@jwu.edu.

Best Party
     From teddies to flannel, St. Leo University students showed off their jammies during the "Pajama Jam" last fall sponsored by the brothers of Sigma Lambda Beta fraternity. Everyone came in their pajamas and brought along canned food for admission, which was donated to a local food bank, says Rob Paredes, president. "We probably had 300 students, plus some people came up and brought food but didn’t go to the dance," Paredes says. "We had a big trash can full, which we gave to a group that gives it to homeless people in Brooksville."
     Director of Student Leadership Jody Conway says the event was "rocking." "No slumbering was noticed, as the students danced the night away," says Conway, who herself showed up in flannel pjs.
Contact Sigma Lambda Beta at www.uoib@hotmail.com or Conway at jody.Conway@saintleo.edu.

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