TL20050224_001 "Baltimore's #1 College Paper - Published Twice-Weekly - www.thetowerlight.com Thursday, 2/24/05 Rooms may come up short in 2006 5 Business incubator allows for growth 5 Show combines two classic operas Oscar contender follows formula Departments Opinion News Paw Prints Police Blotter. Nation 9 Arts 13 Scheer Cinema 14 Sports 20 In This Corner. 20 Bank Shots 18 Classifieds 16 Student savors 'Idol1 adventure Erica Kritt The Towerlight Shawna Schweitzer did something this summer that more than 103,000 people in America did. It's what she did in November that separates the Towson sophomore from the throngs of wannabes who tried out to be the next, drum roll please, American Idol. In August, Schweitzer's adventure began when she was hit with the last-minute impulse to drive to the Washington Convention Center for the """"American Idol"""" auditions. """"I didn't want anyone to know because you have a one in 1,000 chance,"""" Schweitzer said. Around 20,000 people showed up in D.C., filling hard concrete floors with sleeping bags and air mattresses. Schweitzer spent most of her day camping out, though she didn't have to sleep at the Convention Center. """"I was one of the first 25 percent of people there to sign in, and we got a hotel in Chinatown,"""" Schweitzer said, who was joined on the trip by her mother. """"We stayed at a little hotel, and it was not what we expected; there was wallpaper falling off the wall."""" Schweitzer spent most of her day in the Convention Center and found that what is shown on television is not exactly the truth. See 'IDOL', page 15 Lisa Johnson The Towerlight As a contestant on """"American Idol/ sophomore Shawna Schweitzer made it to Hollywood before being cut. Mikulski presents tuition tax credit proposal Brian Stelter The Towerlight U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D- Md.) chose Towson as her backdrop to announce a new tuition tax credit bill Wednesday morning. Mikulski's legislation would provide a tax credit of up to $4,000 per student per year. The senator also discussed efforts to double the amount of Pell Grants from $4,050 to $8,000, and close a loophole in Federal law that she believes could fund the tax credit or the Pell Grants. Mikulski joined Provost James Brennan, University System of Maryland Chancellor William Kirwan, and approximately 50 stu dents at an event in the University Union Susquehanna Terrace. """"I had the opportunity to go to college...and what I had for my generation, I want to have for every boy and girl in the United States today."""" Barbara Mikulski senator """"I'm here because my family believes in the American dream,"""" Mikulski said. """"I had the opportunity to go to college...and what I had for my generation, I want to have for every boy and girl in the United States today."""" But she worries about the financial costs of this dream, Mikulski continued, describing a """"wallet deficit"""" among middle class families. She described """"creaky and shaky rungs"""" on America's """"opportunity ladder,"""" and said her bill would help improve the situation. The senator plans to push the bill alongside President Bush's tax reform package later this year. She hopes students put their muscle behind the legislation. Mikulski fought for a tuition tax credit in 2004, including it in an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2005 budget. See SENATOR, page 6 Berrek Windsor/The Towerlight Sen. Mikulski spoke Wednesday. See insert for The Towerlighfs Spring Sports Preview Today High 30 Low 21 Friday High 39 Low 24 Saturday High 38 Low 19 Sunday High 35 Low 26 Monday High 43 Low 33 o o -"
