ANNOUNCEMENT…

NO 8 a.m. class on Monday Sept. 22. 

Profile on Lawrence Talbot

From first glance, you would have never thought that this 6 foot 4 inches tall, brown skinned disc jockey was so passionate about educating people on prevention of HIV.  Lawrence Talbot, a 26 year-old graduate of Virginia State University, is on a mission to educate as many people as he can about HIV and AIDS.  “My aunt has been living with HIV since I was 17 years old…so I know how it affects people’s lives.  I just want to help prevent other people from going through what I [have] seen her go through,” Talbot explains.  Talbot has spoken at a number of functions, focusing on HIV and AIDS.  His main goal is to teach people about the disease, as well as ways to protect themselves.  “HIV and AIDS is not a discriminating disease, at all.  It affects young and old people, black and white people, and everybody in between.”

When asked about how HIV is hitting the African American community so hard, Talbot got a little emotional because that question hit so close to home.  “It’s crazy how many black people are infected and it’s even crazier that there are so many black people that are infected and just don’t know that they are.”  When Talbot found out about his aunt’s condition, he made a promise to himself that he would stay protected.  It is important for people to know their status, so Talbot is proactive in getting tested for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. 

Talbot is a self-proclaimed musical genius, but from a listener’s point-of-view his music backs up his claim.  He has been into music since he was very young, and learned to play the piano, the saxophone, and taught himself to play the guitar.  Talbot uses music as a scapegoat from life when things are get too stressful.  He also uses music as a way to express himself,

             “Music is my life!  I love everything about it, from the way it sounds to the way it makes me feel,” Talbot proclaims. 

Finding out about his aunt’s condition had an affect on his music.  Talbot says he now writes about real issues that people need to hear rather than about the things that people are already exposed to when listening to the radio. 

Talbot has a lot of potential to become a professional musician, and his life experiences have definitely impacted his outlook on life in a positive way.  Talbot plans on pursuing a music career as well as continuing his mission of informing people about HIV as well as encouraging people to stay informed about their health.

Profile on Carlethia Funny – Melva N. Lloyd

“Respect My Vote”

            With the most historic election steadily approaching, it is no surprise that young adults entering the polls for the first time are paying close attention to the nominees.  Everything from the war in Iraq to the nation’s economic crisis has been discussed among America’s youth and most adults have no idea the kind of impact that the 18-24 year old age bracket will have.

            Carlethia Funny, a Virginia Beach native and fourth year architecture major at Hampton University never thought she would live to see the day when the country would become one step closer to having an African American as commander-in-chief.  She admits that this election has been “a lot to take in” but that has not deterred her from following any type of news dealing with today’s politics.

            Funny has huge plans once she graduates from Hampton University; she hopes to attain her license in architecture, attend graduate school and move to Charlotte, North Carolina.  But to make those dreams a reality, Funny understands the importance of an election such as this one, and she doesn’t want to see the wrong person determine her already bright future. 

            “I don’t think that this [election] has anything to do with race, it’s more about who is best for this country.  I truly believe that [John] McCain and [Sarah] Palin just aren’t the best choices for my generation.”

            When Funny makes her way to class on Hampton’s campus, her sketches aren’t the only thing on her mind.  Like most of her classmates, she is living through history and in a matter of days she will add to the number of first time voters who have the power to ultimately change this nation. 

            Politics aside, Carlethia Funny is looking forward to the day when she can walk across the stage and proclaim herself an alumnus of Hampton University.  What will probably be one of the proudest moments of her life will only confirm all of the hard work and dedication that she has put in as an architecture major.  Years down the line, Funny will be able to tell the story of a history defining moment in her life.