Monday, October 15 , 2018
VOL. 52, NO 4
Truth Conquers All Since 1969
CLC panel weighs in on suicide epidemic Rachel Schultz News Editor Attendees listened to CLC’s Social Action Club’s Suicide Awareness Discussion Panel on Oct. 4, with the objective of bringing attention to the rising suicide epidemic. The Social Action Club hosted four guest speakers to share their personal stories and scientific knowledge with students and professors alike. Martha Lally, a Ph.D. and professor of psychology, made the opening statistical statements as to why suicide rates were a pressing issue to our time. “It really is an epidemic,” Lally said. She discussed how suicide rates have increased by 30 percent since 1999 across the board, in every age, race, gender, and class group. She focused on suicide’s presence in undergraduate communities, stating that 1100 undergraduate students die by suicide each year, with an average of 24,000 undergraduate attempts. 55 percent of undergraduate students experience suicidal ideation, or entertain the idea of following through with suicide. To this idea, Lally emphasized the benefit of preventative measures.
“Gun safety, the removal of the stigma of mental health discussion, and an effort of working towards equity in work and social environments will help illuminate the path towards lowering the pervasive nature of suicidal thoughts and ideation,” Lally said. Matthew Thornton, a police officer of fifteen years and founder of the volunteer organization “My Father’s Business”, an after-school group focusing on mentoring and providing a safe haven for high risk youth in the Zion and Waukegan area, spoke about his personal experience with suicide. He shared his story of years of depressive symptoms and self sabotaging behaviors, with daily thoughts of suicidal ideation, and how one stranger’s actions changed the course of his life. After a woman gave him a cross that became the symbol of his organization, Thornton created “My Father’s Business.” What began as six attendees has now grown to hundreds. “I am in a unique position to talk to them and tell them I was just like you,” Thornton said. “These kids are not throwaway kids. Somebody’s gotta love them.” Throughout his emotional recount, he emphasized his love for those around him, and how, through love, he
International film showing
p. 8
$
Left to right: Panelists Miriam Smith, Joe Tranchita, Matt Thorton, and Martha Lally discuss suicide prevention. Photo by Rachel Schultz
believes that this cycle of suicidal ideation and self sabotage can be stopped. Miriam Smith, public speaker and member of The National Alliance on Mental Illness, also shared her personal experience with suicidal attempts, and her own struggles with coming to terms with her internalized stigma and lack of outside resources. Smith describes her familial background as one of intense expectation and pressure. When she was first told to seek professional help for her mental illness, Smith told her doctors they must be mistaken. “In our culture there’s a saying, ‘we wash our
clothes in our laundry room, not outside,’” Smith said. “My family was strong, we survived, there was no way possible this was happening.” Eventually, Smith did reach out and get help, and she emphasized that it was “the best thing that ever happened” to her. Now a advocate for local and national mental health wellness, Smith speaks in events such as this across Illinois. Joe Tranchita, a licensed clinical counselor, discussed the importance of reaching out to others when you believe that suicidal ideation may be present in their lives. “So many people are
Should community colleges offer free tuition?
p. 13
scared to ask that question, it’s uncomfortable,” Tranchita said. “It’s not overnight.” CLC offers Counseling and Psychological Services, found in room C176. The National Suicide Prevention Hotline can be reached at (800)-273-TALK, or text TALK to 7411741 to talk to a trained crisis counselor from American Foundation for Suicide Prevention for free, 24/7. The National Alliance of Mental Illness of Lake County Illinois also offers education meetings as well as support groups, at their office in Waukegan.
Golf team wins Skyway Championship
p. 16
News
THE CHRONICLE Fresh Ideas
Page 2 | Monday, October 15, 2018
A’viands
New vendor sweetens Cafe Willow tastes and costs Anastasia Gustafson
Staff Reporter The old vendor, Fresh Ideas, is no longer running Cafe Willow at the CLC Grayslake Campus, instead A’viands will now run the cafe after student complaints of high prices. They have entered the game claiming to have the highest quality, best price, and the most value regarding what it is they are serving to students on campus. “A’viands is by far the best tasting food, fresh ingredients are used from local sources including the CLC Learning Farm,” said Patricia Argoudelis, the Auxiliary Director. “75-80 percent of the food served in Café Willow is handmade by A’viands
employees.” “A’viands agree[s] to hold prices matching the previous food vendor,” Argoudelis said. “Current pricing is competitive with local businesses.” “For students that have limited funds, A’viands will be rolling out new value menu offerings next week with additional ‘healthy’ value items coming soon,” Argoudelis said. A’viands has also been responsive to students, and will now offer more of a variety as well as an outlet for feedback directly from the students. “They have listened to the requests of the College and have responded that wider variety of Grab ‘n Go items [have been added] to accommodate the busy schedules of
Graphic by Hope Pham
our students, faculty, and staff,” Argoudelis said. “This includes healthy offerings such as cottage cheese, veggies and dip, and hard-boiled eggs.” There is also an ‘Evening Eats’ program that will provide more food options
after 2:30. Every third Thursday of the month at 2 p.m. will be a time for students to address their concerns with Chef Melissa VanLue in order to give feedback and comments. “A’viands understands
the importance of the College’s sustainability initiatives and agrees to continue the current recycling, composting and reusable container programs that are currently in place at the College,” Argoudelis said.
Baxter innovation lab opens its doors to all students
Payton Higgins Staff Reporter
The brand new, studentrun Baxter Innovation Lab at the College of Lake County’s Grayslake campus opened on Oct. 4. The opening of the new makerspace was celebrated with a ribbon cutting and open house. Those who attended were able tour the lab, see cutting edge equipment in action, and speak with the students and staff of the lab. Located in rooms T120 and T121, it is the first public lab of its kind in Lake County.
“The Baxter Innovation Lab promotes and develops innovative STEM-centered design and prototyping skills for the CLC and Lake County communities,”according to their mission statement. Engineering students and others who utilize the lab will be able to learn the practical aspects of prototyping, fabricating, and building their designs. The lab consists of two seperate sections, the first is the “fab lab”, a small scale workshop equipped with 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC mills, and a vinyl cutter to
support digital prototyping and fabrication, as well as 2D and 3D CAD design and analysis. The second section being the workshop, which is fitted with shop tools, a mill-drill, lathe, miter saw, and drill press for both woodworking and metalworking projects. CLC students, staff and faculty have free and open access to the lab during open hours, as well as material for class projects. Projects outside of class may require that some material be supplied by the users themselves. The general public, non-
Photo of Delon Bui, Edgar Flores, Adam Hagman, Jared Delryze studying. Photos by Michael Flores
3-D printer available to students in the new Baxter innovation lab
CLC students or staff, can gain access to the lab through the student run CLC Makers program. Those looking to join the program must first meet a few requirements. Members must be residents of Lake County for 16 years or more, complete lab safety training once a semester, and sign both a user agreement and a waiver of liability form. The program costs a semester membership fee to support the cost of staffing and maintaining the lab, but will also include a variety of perks
and opportunities for members. For those unfamiliar with the equipment in the lab, seven student interns and two faculty members will be available to help the users understand what they can do in the lab. They will also be able to work through their projects and troubleshoot things according to CLC Engineering Professor and coordinator of the project, Rob Twardock. The lab will also host a variety of workshops on weeknights for lab safety and introductions to lab equipment.
Features
THE CHRONICLE Page 3 | Monday, October 15, 2018
Students welcome a generation of pioneers Sammie Wilkins
Editor-in-Chief The First Generation Club and TRiO are hosting a celebration on Nov. 8, from 12:30-1 p.m. at the College of Lake County’s Grayslake Campus to bring awareness to first generation students. “The day is also a national celebration,” said Cynthia Padilla-Gaytan, Student Support Service Manager. “It is a national day that different programs and colleges around the United States are celebrating first generation college students. Everyone is doing something different, this is just the route we took for our first year celebration at CLC.” This event is sponsored by the Diversity Council and is meant to help bring awareness to students who are first generation students, - the first of their family to attend college as well as to provide a safe environment for students to share stories in. “It’s a way for our CLC community to see there are staff and professors that are first generation,” Maria Meneses, member of the First Generation Club, said.
“People who aren’t part of first gen club can still feel connected and reach out to someone.” Not only will this event help recognize these individuals, but it will also help students feel more welcomed and comfortable. “For me it’s about seeing that your experiences are shared by other people,” Alejandra Guadarrama, member of CLC’s First Generation Club, said. Students will be able to share their personal college struggles and successes with others in hopes to build a safe community for first gen students to feel welcomed and not isolated from the rest of the college. “There will be professors and faculty that will be talking about the first generation experience,” Meneses said. There will also be a panel of faculty members discussing their own personal stories in hopes to inspire or help students feel more secure with their own situations. “We hope to help break down some of the barriers between staff faculty and students, so that students are able to have
New renewable energy installations of the Science and Engineering Building during Solar Tour Event. Graphic courtesy of CLC’s First Generation Club
conversations more on a level regarding the college experience and on what to expect,” Shannon Bassi, First Generation Club advisor said. A goal for the club is to help first gen students feel proud of their status, and by showcasing the successful first gen faculty and making them available for students, it will help give confidence to students at the college.
“During the week we will have a rolling board with pictures and information about faculty and staff on campus who were first gen college students to put familiarity with those on campus,” Gayton said. There will also be refreshments, a raffle, food for those attending, a faculty panel, buttons, and a photobooth where students can post their pictures on Instagram with
“#firstgenproud.” “I think the event will raise awareness of first gen students because it’s not something you really communicate with one another,” Gayton said. “After this event hopefully students will be able to know that they are first gen and that they should be proud of it. Hopefully it will spark conversations about other students within their group.”
James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts • 2018/2019 PROFESSIONAL SERIES
: y a w u d o a y o o r B lose t C
Sunday, October 21, 2018 4 p.m. • Mainstage O SOLE TRIO
CLC Student Tickets are always $15! plus $2 JLC fee
An Eclectic Double Bill … Classic Broadway Tunes & Toe-Tapping Favorites!
The exhilarating and innovative classical crossover ensemble O Sole Trio performs beloved show tunes in “Bravissimo Broadway.” Lisa Rock and her talented 6-piece band authentically recreate The Carpenters’ classic, infectious pop music! Exploration. Engagement. Entertainment. Feel the Energy at the JLC!
BUY TICKETS TODAY!
(847) 543-2300 • www.clcillinois.edu/tickets JLC Box Office: Monday–Friday, Noon to 5 p.m. 19351 West Washington Street, Grayslake, IL
CLOSE TO YOU
Features
THE CHRONICLE Page 4 | Monday, October 15, 2018
Private Illinois universities seek to enroll students
Arturo Ramirez Features Editor
Representatives from Private Illinois Colleges and Universities were at the College of Lake County On Oct. 10 to share inviting information for future incoming students. Over 20 private universities attended the fair, such as Aurora University, Concordia University Chicago, DePaul University, Dominican University, Lake Forest College, Loyola University Chicago, National University of Health Sciences, Roosevelt University, and other various institutions were present at Student Street from 10 a.m.1 p.m., to share information
for all students. PICU is an independent organization that is dedicated to educating transfer students and College Transfer Coordinators about the benefits that await at these private universities and colleges. Travis Dahlhauser, Transfer Admission Counselor for Roosevelt University, highlights that the strongest majors at Roosevelt University would be. “We have a great psychology program,” Dahlhauser said. “It’s definitely considered one of the best in the region.” “I would probably say Psychology, Performing Arts, Business, Education,
Criminal Justice are our top programs” Dahlhauser said. When it comes to advising students who are struggling with finding the right college or program, Dahlhauser advises that students should keep an open mind. “Visit all the schools that you’re interested in, because you might have seen a school on their website and then you go visit it and it doesn’t feel like home,” Dahlhauser said. “But sometimes you’ll visit a school and maybe it’ll take you by surprise, sweep you off your feet, and you’ll end up loving it.” Michael D. Morsovillo, Director of Transfer and Adult Admission Adjunct Assistant Professor in Arts and Sciences, has been
working for Dominican University for 23 years. “In terms of popularity, of job placement, things like that would be Nursing, Business, Psychology, Nutrition, and English,” Morsovillo said. “We give back as often as we can because it’s apart of the mission of the university, so I would say community is the key to our existence,” Morsovillo said. Gabriel Garcia, 19 years old, Nursing major at CLC, attended the PICU fair to gather insight from colleges. Out of all the universities and colleges that attended the fair, Garcia is looking forward to attending Dominican University, because they “have really
good Nursing program.” Garcia is thankful that CLC hosted this fair, because he feels more “focused and informed” as it expanded more of his knowledge concerning the Nursing program. Bianca, 20 years old, Psychology major at CLC, attended the PICU Fair to see where she could possibly transfer for Clinical Psychology. “Just learning about the mind, learning about what people go through, my boyfriend has PTSD and I want to be able to help him,” Bianca said. “It makes me want to try harder in school.”
Job representatives look for talent from CLC Students Arturo Ramirez
Features Editor
CLC’s Grayslake Campus recently held a Manufacturing Job Fair to allow students to learn more about potential job opportunities. Reputable companies such as AbbVie, Brake Parts Inc., Kelly Services, LMT Onsrud LP, MacLean-Fogg, Mazak Laser, Plexus Corp., and over 20 other employers were in attendance for the Manufacturing Job Fair that took place in the A-Wing Hallway, as well as looking for talent from CLC’s students. Dr. Sylvia M. Johnson Jones, Executive Director for the Career and Job Placement Center, is very team-oriented. “What we do here in the Career and Job Placement Center is assist students in with finding employment, whether it’s part-time, full-time, employment or internship opportunities,” Dr. Sylvia Jones said. “They were looking for students in the Mechatronics Program, Mechanical Electrical Engineering students, so we hosted that and we shared that information with our faculty that are teaching those classes, in the Engineering Math and Science Programs”
Jones said. “As you can see today it was a success because we had over 100 students that attended that fair today.” “We offer mock interviews with the students, we also do student resume reviews,” Jones said. “We make sure that that resume is their I key and access to gettingwas at least an opportunity to interview.” AbbVie, a Biopharmaceutical company allowed representatives to share open positions that are currently available to CLC students. Some of the open job positions that they have were Production Setup Technician, Production Specialist, Associate Toyoda representitives prepare to meet students at CLC’s job fair Production Operator, and Maintenance Technician II. AbbVie has additional now we have people in just bombarded by these jobs, and they could be operations in Germany and cultures and different found through their online other countries in Europe people from all different website as well. as well,” Roehrborn said. places,” Roehrborn said. Daniel H. Roehrborn, “There are opportunities “Internships are very Aftermarket Support to move up in the company, important or take tours, Manager for JTAC Toyoda really good benefits and I’d be welcome to anyone, Americas Corporation, pay, opportunities to see if they’re interested to works with HR in order the world, if you want to see what opportunities to get new people into the travel and see something we have we’ll give them company. you could do that here,” a tour,” Mark Dilling, There are “offices and he said. General Manager at Mazak facilities around the “International, that’s Optonics Corporation, United States, we have what I think when I think said. an office in Mexico, we about Toyoda. We have “For students to ask a have an office in Brazil Portuguese speakers, lot of questions, to learn we took over some of Spanish speakers, we what is really important,” the obligations over the have Chinese speakers, Dilling said. “Everyone European operation, so Japanese, everyday you’re says ‘We promote from
Photo by Arturo Ramirez
within,’ make them prove it.” “I wanted to see what requirements I need to fulfill each job position, I wanted to see if my career path is compatible with what they’re looking for,” Maureen Ingilela, 20, majoring in Pre-Med, said. “I talked to AbbVie because they’re very interested in subjects and health care just like I am, as well as testing new drugs and that interests me a lot.”
A&E
THE CHRONICLE Page 6 | Monday, October 15, 2018
Local police officer seeks to help others after own experiences
Rachel Schultz News Editor Matt Thornton has to be one of the most unusual police officers ever. The first thing you notice about him is his tattoos. The second thing is the cast on his left arm, a result of an injury caused by a boxing match. In fact, the heavily tattooed officer claims responsibility for a new rule at the Zion Police Department. Future officers will have to be, shall we say, less colorful. Today, Thornton resembles an MMA fighter with the personality of a teddy bear. But this wasn’t always the case, according to him. “I was a young tyrant,” he said. “I was a hateful, angry young kid.” As a youth, he narrowly escaped a felony for having a loaded gun in his car. “I hated police,” said Thornton, “even more, after that.” After graduating high school, Thornton worked at a warehouse for a while, which he also hated. After switching to a higherpaying job that he was also not enthusiastic about, he saw an ad for a position at the local police department that only required a high school diploma. The unlikely cop candidate decided to try out for the position. “I was 29 when I took the test [to work at the department],” he said with a grin. “I was dead last on the list (of test scores). It’s a very, very odd story. I’m the last person that should even be a cop. That was 2004.” Thornton was married with two kids at this time. He had a hard time adjusting to the culture at his new job, though. “I come from a different world,” he said. “I really resented it.” Many of the people he was tasked with arresting were acquaintances or
even friends that he had grown up with. “I felt like I came from the same place as these guys,” said Thornton. “I hated my job. I just dealt with it because it paid well.” His attitude didn’t endear him to his fellow officers. He was also dealing with post-traumatic stress from his job. “When you deal with these things, and you take them home, it really just sears you,” Thornton said. “When you don’t know where to put all of that stuff, before you know it, you’re just in this deep, dark cavern.” “All of that drinking and misbehaving wrecked my first marriage,” he said. “That destroyed me. I blamed myself for it.” His daughter was about six years old at the time. On one bitter January night, things came to a head. Financial problems and a breakup with his girlfriend, who was also a police officer, had put him in a downward spiral. Suicidally depressed, he was about to take his own life while sitting in his squad car crying when a woman approached his car, parked at the Zion Walmart. “She didn’t speak very good English. I knew she worked there,” he recalled. “I was so mad when she walked towards my car. I was like, ‘I do not feel like talking to you. Why are you even out in this weather?’ ” As she approached, Thornton quickly tried to hide his tears, rolling down his car window. The woman handed him a bracelet with a cross attached. “She said, ‘You need this,’ ” Thornton recalled. “I scratched my head for a few seconds, and then realized the magnitude of what just happened. I screamed, ‘God, do something! I’m going to kill myself,’ ” he said. That experience changed
his life, he said. For the first time in his life, he said he felt forgiven. “I had this burden over me for so many years,” he said. “I just knew this was the Lord talking to me.” The next thing he did was look for his girlfriend Laticia, who is now his wife. It took a year of hard work before he was able to win back her trust, he said. “I finally got up the nerve to propose to her,” he said. “We’ve been married four years now.” He has four children, including a step-daughter from Laticia, and one more baby due in a few weeks.
He decided to use his experiences to start an after-school basketball program called My Father’s Business aimed at keeping children and teenagers off the streets. The program, which started with less than a dozen kids, began to rapidly expand. Today, two locations, one in Zion and one in Waukegan, serve hundreds of young people every Friday night. “I’ve had so many stories of these little hoodlums, they were little criminals,” he said. “But, the Lord saved them, and now they’re my most loyal soldiers. It’s so beautiful
to see.” The program, along with Thornton, was featured on the Windy City Live show last year. Since then, Thornton has spoken at many public events, including the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast in Zion and, most recently, a suicide prevention panel, sponsored by the Social Action Club, at CLC. He also spoke at another on-campus suicide prevention event on Friday called “How to live in a world that’s not prolife,” sponsored by CLC Students for Life.
Photo of Officer Thornton Photo courtesy of Zion-Benton News
A&E
THE CHRONICLE Page 7 | Monday, October 15, 2018
Fans go ‘Gaga’ over lead in ‘A Star Is Born’
Jason Lee
Staff Reporter Making his directorial debut with “A Star Is Born,” Bradley Cooper managed to bring a solid musical film to audiences worldwide, but is it deserving of all the early Oscar buzz? The film stars Cooper as a hard-drinking musician, Jackson Maine, who falls in love with a young unknown singer named Ally played by Lady Gaga. The cast performances throughout the film are splendid, but the standouts are obviously the duo leads,
Cooper and Gaga. Cooper brings a hardened, charming, and sometimes depressing performance. His alcoholic backstory is fleshed out with such scary realism, complemented by his acting ability and key relevance. Lady Gaga’s performance is also fantastic. Her character development is phenomenal and also complemented with realism. She starts off as an unknown person who simply does some singing, and her arc throughout the film focuses on her going from an underground artist to a famous star, and depicts the real-life struggles and
sacrifices in the process. One of the key aspects of the film’s script is how realistic and honest it is in terms of careers and relationships, and also implements serious issues like alcoholism and depression in a way that has no boundaries. Instead of being entirely fun and bubbly, the film doesn’t hesitate to be honest as it brings its tone to quite emotional heights. Being a romantic drama, the relationship between the two characters is very important. On top of the chemistry between the two leads, there’s a lot of touching dialogue
and genuiety in their relationship. The film starts off with Jackson meeting Ally, and immediately afterward, she gets a gig at his show, starting off her career. Now, it is a touching romance, but there should have been more scenes and time dedicated to the two as a couple before Ally starts getting famous. That way, the audience could have seen their relationship when it was more personal, and it would not have rushed Ally’s already great arc in the beginning. Another issue is the pacing, which did work fine at times; however, there was
a decent amount of times where it just dragged on, especially with its runtime of 135 minutes. Lastly, the music is great. There are many great songs and original score here, though the standout is “Shallow,” performed by the duo. Beautiful and memorable, there’s no doubt this film will at least be considered for Best Original Song at the Oscars. This film is great overall, and whether it deserves all the buzz is ultimately up to movie critics, theater fans, and anyone looking for a good musical romp.
Image courtesy of USA Today
Kealoha
James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts • 2018/2019 PROFESSIONAL SERIES $10 Student Tickets (includes JLC fee) Excellent as an Extra Credit Activity!
The first Poet Laureate of Hawai`i and master storyteller in a mesmerizing, inspirational performance.
Kealoha creates a tapestry of slam poetry, stories and life observations in an engaging, energetic and optimistic show designed for young and old alike.
Thursday, October 25, 2018 • 7 p.m. • Mainstage BUY TICKETS TODAY!
(847) 543-2300 • www.clcillinois.edu/tickets JLC Box Office: Monday–Friday, Noon to 5 p.m. 19351 West Washington Street, Grayslake, IL
Exploration. Engagement. Entertainment. Feel the Energy at the JLC!
A&E
THE CHRONICLE Page 8 | Monday, October 15, 2018
CLC showcases second distinguished international film
Daniel Lynch A&E Editor
The Russian film, Stalker, is the second international film showcased at the Grayslake Campus, and was shown on Oct. 5, in room C105. Stalker was a magnificent piece that comments on human nature in a science fiction world, all while bringing the audience with on main characters adventure. The story follows the Stalker, a professor, and a writer who wishes to draw inspiration for a novel, as
they travel into ‘The Zone’, a government forbidden area where aliens are believed to live and where “the room” presides. The room is a magical place that will supposedly grant the wishes of those who enter it. In an exploration of human nature, the closer these men get to the room, the more tension the audience feels. Despite the age of the film, the dramatic tension is exhilarating and it provides an interesting insight into the Russian cinema of the Soviet Union. The movie is also a
fun introduction into the cinematic style during this point in time. When censorship was scaled back after the death of Stalin in 1953, despite the film being nationalized, the industry flourished. There is a more artistic style at play in the Soviet Cinema as directors weren’t motivated by profit. This then lead to a more poetic and philosophical expressions of films. The next international film will be the 2017 French film, “Faces Places,” which will show on Nov. 2.
Image courtesy of Sherdog Forums
‘Venom’ poisons audiences with lackluster script
Peter Anders Staff Reporter
‘Venom’ is a superhero action film starring Tom Hardy, Michelle Williams, Riz Ahmed, and Jenny Slate, based on the anti hero from Marvel Comics and directed by Ruben Fleischer, released by Sony Pictures on Oct. 5. ‘Venom’ is an absolute disaster of a film. There is no getting around that reality. There were early warning signs when announced that Sony was doing a ‘Venom’ film with no connection to ‘Spiderman’ and with no input from Marvel Studios. This resulted in a baffling and disastrous misfire from the studio, who it seems does not know how to make comic book movies by themselves. ‘Venom’ tells the tale of reporter and journalist Eddie Brock, played by Tom Hardy. After being fired from his job due to a botched interview with shady Silicon Valley billionaire, Carlton Drake, played by Riz Ahmed, head of the mysterious Life Foundation, Brock decides to break into the organization’s headquarters and is infected with a mysterious alien symbiote. Now facing off against the Silicon Valley monolith and his vast resources, Brock is forced to go on the run to stop Drake from enacting a plan to turn humanity into symbiotes.
Despite the experience of director Ruben Fleischer, the film comes off like it was directed by an amateur. With choppy editing, atrocious CGI that belongs in a Playstation 2 game, lackluster setpieces, bland camerawork, and a sense of being the result of an assembly line production, ‘Venom’ is a movie that lacks vision. One could easily be forgiven for thinking that ‘Venom’ was a made-for-tv movie. Despite being one of the best working actors today, Tom Hardy cannot overcome a script this poorly written. His chemistry with Michelle Williams is nonexistent and the filmmakers seem to know it. A telltale sign of a bad script, when the filmmakers need to show to characters are in love by constantly having them say how “in love” they are. The rest of the talented cast does not fare much better. On top of having no chemistry with Tom Hardy, Michelle Williams contributes absolutely nothing to the film. Jenny Slate is miscast as a scientist. Slate’s comedic talents are not put to use, and Riz Ahmed tries his best with what he is given but what he is given is an absolute disaster and one of the worst written roles for a villain in a comic book movie in recent memory. ‘Venom’ is a movie that feels outdated. Instead of feeling like it was made in this decade, ‘Venom’ comes
across like it was made twenty years ago. It is much more in the vein of ‘Spawn’, ‘Daredevil’, ‘Elektra’, ‘Ghost Rider’, ‘Hulk’, and ‘Catwoman’, before people knew how to make good superhero movies. ‘Venom’ feels like it traveled from a wormhole from 2003 to present day. The action in ‘Venom’ is bland and unexciting. Ruben Fleischer shoots the action with such quick cuts that it can be hard to tell what is going on. The various subplots in the movie are eitherforgotten about, or completely dropped in the movie. The romance is not the only thing that gets the shaft in this disaster; Brock’s relationship with the symbiote is not fully explored or even explained. We never know how Brock is able to do what he does in the film, like scale large buildings. At times, the symbiote seems to be controlling his motor functions. At other times he seems to be in full control of the symbiote and uses the abilities granted to him just like Spiderman would with his spider powers. There are no rules in this universe, and without rules there is no tension in the action scenes since it seems the hero can do whatever he wants. Taking out the greediness evident onscreen with the film’s inception, ‘Venom’ is
Image courtesy of Chicago Ridge Mall
not only stale formula, but it cannot even execute that formula with any sense of competence. It botches some of the most basic features of any superhero movies. If you want to see a better version of ‘Venom’, go see ‘Upgrade’ which came out early in the summer.
It was released on home video not too long ago, and it has everything this movie doesn’t: great action, a compelling story, deep themes and complex characters, an R-rating, a shorter running time, better pacing, and overall a sense of being something unique.
A&E
THE CHRONICLE Page 9 | Monday, October 15, 2018
‘Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook’ teaches life lessons with fun twist
Rebecca Martinez
Staff Reporter
“Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook” debuted at the Mainstage Theater in the James Lumber Center at CLC on Sept. 27, with matinee and evening showings performed through to Sept. 30. The performance begins surrounding Junie B., played by Arianna Sprenger, as she parades around the playground with her brand new furry black mittens, alongside her best friends, Grace and Lucille. Grace, played by Chantal Moody, who is incredibly energetic and peppy, obsesses over her latest new shoes that allow her to race around school faster than her last pair. Lucille, played by Briana Livesay, on the other hand, is more prim and proper in her extravagant, frilly dresses, yet still manages to be
competitive. Her latest prize? The new boy at school, Warren, played by Reese Starzec, or, “evil stranger boy” as Junie B. first refers to him. Warren creates much of the conflict in the play, Junie B., Grace, and Lucille all begin to fight over his affections, whether it be by showing off mittens, shoes, or expensive dresses. As Junie B. becomes increasingly isolated from her competing friends, she resorts to boasting about her mittens, much to the frustration of her other classmates, Ricardo and Jim, played by Robert Williams and Josh Pride, as well as her teacher, played by Abigail Giles. Once she loses her mittens, however, Junie B. goes into a frenzy, even having a dream sequence where a criminal “breaks” into her house to steal her mittens and subsequently has to be picked
out of a lineup to be taken into custody. These comedic antics are what really made the the play stand out- both kids and adults were able to relate to the ridiculousness. Though, Junie B.’s obsession is soon quelled when she finds a “magic”, four-color pen that she hopes will earn her the acceptance of her entire class. When the pen doesn’t end up doing so, Junie B. arrives at a crossroads of whether or not it was right for her to take the pen that wasn’t hers in first place, relating it to how she feels about her mittens being stolen. Miraculously, after she returns the “magic” pen back to its rightful place- in the lost and found, she finally finds her mittens. Thus, Junie B. comes to discover that finder’s keepers, losers weepers isn’t actually applicable to reality- even a
CLC performance of Junie B. Jones Photo courtesy of the Chicago Tribune
kindergartener’s one. The success of the actors was what really sold the performance. These young adults were able to convincingly play kindergarten kids, mimicking not only their energy and childlike wonder, but also their dialect; there were numerous instances where Junie B. would say
Beomyoung Sohn (MFA 2012)
Where will your vision take you? Transfer to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and join a community of peers who reshape the visual landscape.
saic.edu/ug APPLY NOW FOR SPRING 2019 MERIT SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE NOVEMBER 1
SAIC ADMISSIONS | 312.629.6100 | saic.edu/ug | ugadmiss@saic.edu
“stoled” instead of “stolen”, which was endearing. Not to mention, the actors’ ability to fool all the children in the audience, evident in the uproarious laughter prevalent the entire show. “Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook” was able to combine humor and practical lessons into an entertaining performance.
The Literary Arts Society is a gathering of kindred spirits who feel that reading, writing, language and all of the literary arts are a celebration of life... and we intend to celebrate! We meet to inspire and share our own literary learnings and those of others. The Literary Arts Society has four major events throughout the year. For more information, contact club president C.J. Stockman at cjstockman0731@stu.clcillinois.edu or club e-mail literaryartssociety.clc@gmail.com, or faculty advisors Bridget Bell at bbell@clcillinois.edu and Joel Chmara at COM585@clcillinois. edu Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CLCLAS/!
Events in FALL 2018 – SPRING 2019 Meetings in FALL: Thursdays, 12:00-2:00 PM in B105 Poetry Slam: Thursday, September 20th, 12:00-2:00 PM in A013 Publishing Day: October 11th, 12:002:00 PM in B105
Open Mic Night: Thursday, November 1st, 6:00-8:00 PM in A011 Poetry Slam: Thursday, February 21st, 12:00-2:00 PM in A011 Literary Ball: Saturday, March 9th, 7:00 PM-11:00 PM in Student Commons
Opinion
THE CHRONICLE Page 11 | Monday, October 15, 2018
Private prisons profit from immigrant detention Kevin Tellez
Managing Editor In 1983, Tennessee businessman Thomas W. Beasley, along with Robert Crants and Terrell Don Hutto, had founded CoreCivic, a company specializing in selling private, for-profit prison facilities to federal and state governments who need more space for their criminals. However, what once was an industry for placing criminals in cells when there was no more space has gradually turned into one whose defining characteristic is to detain immigrants. CoreCivic’s detention centers are located in the southern and western regions of the United States, the areas where Mexican and South American immigrants are most likely to enter the country from. The urgency to detain illegal immigrants has only increased with the coming of the Trump era. This is evident in data collected by the New York Times that investigates immigrant child detainment. In May of 2017, it
was reported that 2,400 immigrant children were kept in illegal migrant detention centers. This past September, that number has exploded to a total of 12,800 children. This piece of data is a clear window into how scarily effective the Trump administration’s antiimmigrant tactics have become. With CoreCivic and other prison systems coming to aid, the horror that immigrants face becomes even scarier. In the latest video by Retro Report, a documentary series developed by The New York Times, it was shown that inmates in these privately-owned prisons face abominable living conditions. The video revealed inmates having to live off of food that was barely edible, indifferent healthcare, and repeated guard brutality. To frame the video, Retro Report had spoken with one Josue Vladimir Cortez Diaz, a 26-yearold El Salvador man who had fled to the United States through Mexico and was placed into a private detention center in Adelanto, California owned by GEO Group.
“The conditions in the detention center, they’re bad, right down to the food,” Diaz told Retro Report. “They don’t care if someone is sick, if the food goes bad.” Among other reasons, this was why Diaz and other prisoners had staged a hunger strikes to protest against their treatment. According to the prisoners, the guards had beaten and pepper-sprayed them during their strike. The philosophy of these facilities is to keep expenses low, considering the prisoners are destined for deportation and don’t necessarily need adequate living spaces. “The main goal of a private prison company is to maximize profit,” Rachel Steinbeck, lawyer for Cortez Diaz, had told Retro Report. “And to maximize profit, you minimize your expenditures.” “All of the incentive is to get more people in, hold them there for longer, and provide them with the barest necessities possible,” she continued. From there births the toxic environment that surrounds for-profit prison systems. The greediness of a
few powerful individuals spawns horrid conditions for all who are involved with them. It’s a sad, aggravating story that is relevant in almost all corners of the world, time and time again. However, what brings this story to another level of corruption is the sole fact that the companies in question who own the private institutions are profiting off of the blood and souls of immigrants, some of which are innocent save for crossing the border illegally. Cortez Diaz’s reason for attempting to cross the United StatesMexico border was to escape persecution and death threats from gangs members simply due to the fact that he is gay. He came to the United States searching for an opportunity to live his life as he wants to, free from danger or prejudice. What he encountered upon arrival to America was violence and terror when he was detained. No questions asked on basis of his intentions, just immediate detainment. This case brings up the question: who knows how many immigrants lead this exact story? How many
innocent souls had arrived to America searching for an earnest living, not aiming to cause any trouble, and with nothing to their name, only to be met with hostility? Of course not all of the inmates that are behind bars within these facilities are innocent and in fact may be placed in prison for a reason, but the ones who are innocent must have justice for being incarcerated with little warrant, bar illegal crossing of the border. In a perfect world, we would have an administration that is more sensitive to the needs of immigrants who come to the United States. We would have an administration that is willing to help migrants begin a new life in the “Land of Opportunity.” When the dust settles after all of the uproars for justice, the wealthy few making money off of the less fortunate has been a staple of mankind for thousands of years. In the face of the questions I had just asked lies the most monolithic of them all: If it hasn’t stopped since then, why would it stop now?
FTC should investigate apps targeting data on children Elizabeth Taylor
Staff Reporter
Nobody likes when they find out that an app has been taking their information without their knowledge. Most people would probably want apps they download to need to ask before taking and storing information about them such as an email address, a phone number, or a home address. When it comes to children though, this problem becomes even more serious. It has recently been found that many mobile apps geared toward children have been taking their information as they use them. This is not a completely new problem though, laws have already been passed which prohibit apps aimed at children 13 years or
younger from collecting their information without written consent from a parent or guardian. In the New York Times article “Senators Call for Federal Investigation of Children’s Apps”, Jennifer Valentino-DeVries and Natasha Singer outline this current problem and the steps taken to solve it. Senators from Massachusetts and Connecticut have written a letter to the Federal Trade Commission asking them to look into whether or not the rights of consumers were being violated by apps. Not only are these apps violating the rights of the children, but they are also violating the trust of the parents. Whether they are playing on their parents’ phone or have one of their own, most children will play mobile games.
Parents should be watchful of what their kids are consuming but they should also be able to trust the kid’s sections in app stores. Apps in these sections are all expected to follow the laws concerning the rights of the kids playing them. As was explained in the article, research conducted this year which analyzed almost 6,000 apps aimed at children on Google Play app store found that nearly half of them were violating the law and taking the children’s information. The fact that nearly half of the apps aimed at children were violating the law is ridiculous. Google is an extremely large company and has the resources to put much more work into making sure that children’s’ privacy is being maintained by the apps
which they allow in their app store. One of the main arguments made by Google and Apple after offending apps were found is that they require app developers to follow the guidelines for apps aimed at children. They also say that once a problem is reported with an app, they act quickly to remove it. They are basically saying that it is not their fault, it is the app developers faults. This reasoning is flawed because they are the ones making these apps available for download. While the app developers should be more responsible in how they set up their games intended for children, they are not solely to blame. Companies like Apple and Google must take responsibility for giving these apps which violate
the law a platform to do so. Steps are being taken to resolve this issue such as the Senators writing a letter to the FTC and lawsuits brought up by New Mexico’s attorney general against one app which was found to be violating the law and Google run ad businesses. The fact that not only specific apps but also larger companies are having to face consequences is a step in the right direction. The laws protecting children from having their information taken were put in place for a reason. With how common it is for everything you click on any website to be tracked and stored for later use by advertising companies, we should at least put more effort into protecting the rights of children.
Opinion
THE CHRONICLE Page 12| Monday, October 15, 2018
Vernon Hills’ new shopping outlet changes atmosphere
Kenneth Dantes
Staff Reporter
Along the brick wall, white wings spread out for a passerby to pose between. It’s a mural to take pictures in front of, and within the mural are painted abstracts of hometown mythos: buckthorn branches, milk jugs, an old dairy farm. It’s a nod to Mellody Farm, the family farm Vernon Hills was built around during the late-50s. But when I step into this Mellody Farm, it feels like the suburbs of Chicago. That’s certainly the idea behind Mellody Farm, the new shopping outlet, which celebrated its opening on Oct. 7. New stores include a Whole Foods, Nordstrom Rack, HomeGoods, and a Barnes & Noble. Around the corner lies other experiences: a cozy firepit, a playground, and the plethora of artistic creations—sculptures, creative benches, and interactive murals, like that of the white wings—to adorn the Instagrammer. Despite national decline in shopping malls, this future-world
of retail combats modern hibernation—Netflix, Uber Eats, and other sofagrounding conveniences— by offering such immersive experiences. It’s all contained within iron beams and rustic fixtures; they define Mellody Farm as a new playground built on the past, even if the past is a bit make-believe. Some areas are antiqued and fantasized; for instance, the brick-mortar façade invents its own history, as if the Nordstrom Rack inhabits what used to be an old Chicago warehouse. It’s vintage and prompts further questions, beyond retail, on how the design of a place can define the place itself. This is Vernon Hills, my hometown. It’s a young village, so I design its history with my own childhood. I reminisce about fireworks over Big Bear Lake, cherryblossomed summers—but tail lights whiz by, and with the flash of a selfie, I’m brought into a new era defined by new values, of high-end retail and sleek apartments. They’re all benefits to the community, no doubt.
These sentiments still open a conversation on the integrity of a place: how through design, a place can be renovated whilst holding onto its own environmental integrity, whether maintained or designed. I think about CLC’s Grayslake campus. Constant renovations expand hallways; the library has a new layout with the cushiony furniture mimicking the space of school dorms. The computers that emerge from desks, the Epson overhead projectors, all create a tech-savvy environment, but I see other facets that define CLC: the wooden railings, the glassed-in atrium, Café Willow. There’s various species of chairs, with wheels or cupholders, while in the basement, there lies a pool of old Elmo projectors. These campus refurbishments will continue, and as they do, perhaps their designs may consider the atmospheric character being created. Whether it’s aged for nostalgia or polished for relevancy, perhaps new designs may
Letters to the Editor The Chronicle welcomes letters to the editor. Letters must contain the writer’s full name and a contact phone number. The Chronicle reserves the right to edit any submissions. Send letters to: Chronicle@ clcillinois.edu.
Editorial Policy The Chronicle staff is responsible for all material printed within its pages every issue. The views expressed in the Chronicle are not necessarily that of the Chronicle Staff or the administration at the College of Lake County. The Chronicle reserves the right to refuse publication of any ad that endorses bigotry or prejudice of any kind. For more information on policy or placement, please contact the Chronicle at (847)-543-2057 or at Chronicle@clcillinois.edu. View our issues online: Like us on Facebook:
issuu.com/chronicleclc
The Chronicle
Nathan Chaet, 10, explores Mellody Farm
incorporate more of CLC’s environment, of its prairies and its people, to include more artwork by students and reflections on what defines Lake County. CLC’s Grayslake campus has welcomed students for more than 50 years (since 1967). Now, it’s welcoming the future generation. Mellody Farm understands this; they’ve recruited Vernon Hills High School students to contribute their own artwork to the shopping outlet. There’s still murals, benches, and other artworks to be finished.
Photo by Kenneth Dantes
It’s a beautiful place. I went with my little cousin; a fan of the playground. He jumps along sculptures and runs across the grass tarp. I tell him to slow down, he might slip. He does, but he’s okay. He gets back up, and I remind myself that places change to welcome this future generation. Nevertheless, I’ll still pass by the mural of white wings, where people line up for selfies, and I’ll see the painting’s visions of a dairy farm, of a hometown that is at once mine, but now different from what I remember.
THE CHRONICLE Arturo Ramirez
Staff List
Features Editor
Daniel Lynch A&E Editor
Juan Toledo Copy Editor
Michael Flores
Lead Layout Editor
John Kupetz Adviser
Sammie Wilkins Editor-in-Chief
Rachel Schultz
Brandon Ferrara
Business Manager
Kevin Tellez
Managing Editor Caroline Dudkowski
News Editor
Graphic Designer
Contributors: w
Peter Anders, Casper Badovinac, Kenneth Dantes, Payton Higgins, Anastasia Gustafson, Jason Lee, Rebecca Martinez, Jose Moreno, Haley Morozin, Hope Pham, Andy Pratt, Richard Ray, Emily Soto, Elizabeth Taylor
Opinion
THE CHRONICLE Page 13 | Monday, October 15, 2018
Community colleges weigh outcomes of free tuition
Juan Toledo Copy Editor
I was born in 1996, and despite my vivid yet dated knowledge on VHS players, this fact sectors me as either a millennial or Gen Zer, take your pick. Still, it’s fair of me to say that the classroom environment has evolved since the late 90’s, and universities have adapted ways to incorporate technology into their programs; this year, Ohio State issued iPads to 11,000 incoming students. The school designated 42 fall courses “iPad required,” with 21 more expected to be added in the spring, and is building an app that has a course planner, grades, schedule and a “Get Involved” feature displaying student organizations. However, as colleges prepare to welcome a new wave of technologically adept students, these advancements will foreseeably add to the already rising cost of higher education. So, to help Gen Zers accommodate for the mounting financial toll of college, wouldn’t the next logical step to ensure an open door—rather than cracked window—be to offer free-tuition? Some polls show more than 80 percent of students support the idea; in fact, according to the nonpartisan, nonprofit Campaign for Free Colleges Tuition, “Providing tuition-free opportunities at public colleges and universities is far superior than the typical hodgepodge of aid packages and loans that are cobbled together by many students.” Yet, some suspend this idea as wishful thinking. In an editorial published by the New York Times, education writer and columnist Jay Mathews believes the cost of tuition-free community colleges would come at a much greater cost than people realize. He spoke to John Mullane, a college counselor at Gateway Community College in
New Haven, Connecticut, who thinks that getting rid of tuition would make it harder for his students to earn the certificates and diplomas they need. “If [states] don’t have a system in place to help students get through these institutions and graduate on time, with a college degree that allows them to go directly into a good job or to fully transfer the credits to a bachelor’s degree, they are doing more harm than good,” Mullane said. “It involves spending hundreds of billions of dollars and flooding public colleges and universities with new students.” Increased spending on tuition to make sure everyone gets a free ride would mean less money to hire more professors and less money to expand room in the most important classes. Mullane endorses what many scholars of the community college system say that states need to tear down traditions that keep many students stuck in remedial courses and leave transfer paths to four-year schools that look like a Halloween season cornfield maze. Nonetheless, this method illustrates how colleges too often pressure students to finish their degree in a standard that no longer accommodates for an ever-changing student body. Us iGen or Gen Zers, born from 1995 to 2012, are forcing course makeovers, spurring increased investments in mental health—from more counselors and wellness messages to campaigns drawing students to nature—and pushing academics to be more hands-on and jobrelevant. We are a frugal but ambitious lot, less excited by climbing walls and en suite kitchens than by career development. Most critically, we expect to be treated as individuals, so presuming that each Gen Zer can and should finish their associates within a two year span ignores the fact that we aren’t just some
monochromatic statistic shuffling through a revolving door. We all struggle with different schedules. We all operate as different human beings. Students raised amid the tailored analytics of online retailers or college recruiters presume that anything put in front of us is customized for us, said Thomas C. Golden of Capture Higher Ed, a Lexington, Ky., data firm. He sees group designation evolving into “segments of one.” Since I enrolled at CLC in the fall of 2014, I’ve held two on-campus jobs, a full-time class schedule and another job offcampus, yet it still took me an additional semester to complete my associates. Over the course of the last 30 years, real wages have barely increased while
inflation has increased substantially. Therefore, we are working just as hard as anyone who’s come before us, but for money that is worth less and bills, specifically healthcare, housing, cost of living, and insurance, which have only been going up. If classrooms are willing to adapt to our technological needs but continuously ignore our plea for economic transparency, then it’s possible that universities can lose their new fast growing source of revenue: the transfer student. Transfer students, who make up 38 percent of all students in higher education, have always helped a university’s revenue by replacing students who leave after the first or second year.
Only 15 percent of students who begin in a community college ever earn a bachelor’s degree. Undergraduate enrollment is declining and has been for six years, according to the National Student Clearinghouse, a nonprofit education research organization. The National Association for College Admission Counseling last year addressed another problem transfer students often face—being asked to make a deposit to guarantee their spot at their university before knowing how many of their credits will transfer or what financial aid they will receive. So, if students fail to reach the institutions in which community colleges are meant to prepare them for, then where is the system failing?
IF CREATING A
BREAD RULER, VEGETABLE MEASURER AND COLOR GAUGE
ALL-IN-ONE DEVICE
SANDWICH TOOL THINGY
MAKES US FREAKS
FREAK YEAH
™
WE’RE FREAKS
VISIT JIMMYJOHNS.COM TO FIND A LOCATION NEAR YOU
Opinion
THE CHRONICLE Page 14 | Monday, October 15, 2018
CLC student objects to Kavanaugh editorial I only had to read the headline to see where the article “Kavanaugh fails to have consequences after allegations” was headed. The third paragraph was enough for me to stop reading the article. I find it interesting that the Arts and Entertainment Editor wrote the story on a political hearing. Was it entertaining? But I digress. I’d like to clear something up in this day and age of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram where young people seem to place the importance of their existence. The reason there have
been no consequences for Kavanaugh to date is because we don’t dole out punishment to people in the court of public opinion. It is NOT a court of law. I find it sad that journalistic integrity isn’t being taught to Chronicle staffers. Contrary to the third paragraph in the “article” (or was it a hit piece?) “...people in positions of power are too often convicted of crimes and it goes with very little repercussions.” Wtf is that? Do you have a proofreader much less an editor, That line implies Kavanaugh as having been convicted
of committing a crime. Where? In the court of public opinion? Are you serious? Kavanaugh has NOT been convicted of anything as of yet. An allegation is just that. You don’t convict someone of an allegation unless there has been a trial and factual proof has been presented to corroborate the allegation. Journalism used to be the same way back when I worked at the Chronicle. It was called fact checking. We had a lawyer that proofread our issues before they came out to check for
slander or defamation. It appears there is no one to do that now. So some advice for the noobs at the Chronicle... if you want any respect as a journalist don’t be a lemming and regurgitate what you read on social media or hear on the tube and before you get sued for making false statements that jump to conclusions fitting your chosen narrative. I suggest you get the story straight before someone gets rich at your expense. Journalism is supposed to be as objective as possible where the journalist only presents the
THE CHRONICLE News
CLC’s independent student newspaper
Features
Opinion
Sports
A&E
Join an award-winning publication
We are interested in: Writers Reporters Graphic Designers
Editors Cartoonists Photographers
For information email Chronicle@clcillinois.edu or visit Student Activities
facts as best as they can. The editor is supposed to make sure the journalist got their facts straight and the Advisor and or lawyer make sure the editor didn’t miss anything. You wonder why people are shouting “Fake News!” Please don’t perpetuate the stereotype. Or else no one will listen or hear the voice you are trying find. It will be be drowned by all the shouting. Or ignored in disbelief. M Logan
Sports
THE CHRONICLE Page 15 | Monday, October 15, 2018
Cross Country teams look to end season on a high
Jose Moreno
Staff Reporter
The Men’s and Women’s Cross Country team have performed well and are looking to continue their success for the remainder of the season; however, the Women’s team has hit an obstacle. “We came into the season with our eyes on repeating as Skyway Champions for both the men and women,” head coach Jorge Colin said. “This is no longer an option for the women, as we do not have a full team to compete.” “The men’s side has raced [their] biggest threats, and I can assure you it will be a close race,” Colin said. “All teams will have to execute a flawless race to earn the title.” Both teams have firm goals and vital strengths in check as they continue their season. “The strength of both teams has been their leadership and tenacity,” Colin said. “It really is exciting to watch them grow.” In order to be an athlete, one must commit to being a strong student as well.
“The team keeps academics as their priority,” Colin said. “A student athlete with a training schedule like ours really adds another level of stress to these young athletes.” As the season has progressed, Colin has highlighted two runners as standout performers for the Men’s and Women’s team. “Jeremy Wallace is coming off a gutsy race to win the individual champion, and Jacqueline Betancourt is primed to have a big finish to her sophomore year.” The measured advancements of the Men’s team led to them finish third place out of ten teams in the Warrior Invitational, the meet they competed in that took place on Sept. 29. Men’s Cross Country CoCaptain, Jeremy Wallace, spoke about how imperative it is for the team to be prepared no matter the race conditions. “Our coach purposefully goes out of his way to find the toughest courses in the area,” Wallace said. “We get used to the bad footing and tough terrain so when it comes time to race [opponents] on the easier courses, it is much
CLC’s Cross Country teams after meet
easier on us.” The training that the Men’s team endures as they prepare for a meet allows them to be fully ready to compete. “If you know Coach Jorge, you know that his favorite thing to do is repeats. They can be anywhere from 800m to 3000m. We do these in an area called Shady Grove.” Wallace said. “It consists of running one rep after another. The rest after each rep depends on how hard our pace is. The threshold pace is
the easier mile repeat pace, so we only get one minute rest.” Something that the Men’s team uses as motivation are their extreme workouts. “What we have also used as motivation is our insane workouts. Aside from the repeats and long runs, we have will throw in a huge tempo run or a ladder workout,” Wallace said. “We finish the workout and we’re like, ‘Did we really just do that?’” “This all just builds up
Photo courtesy of Richard Ray
to race day when you are hurting in the middle of the race, but you know the work you put in is going to pay off and that you can finish strong,” Wallace said. “You end up flying to the finish.” As the season is nearing its endpoint, Colin is preparing his team for the Conference and Regional Championship. The team is raring to go as they aim to extend their continued success through the end of the season.
Women’s tennis team finishes successful season
Emily Soto
Staff Reporter Now finished with the regular season, College of Lake County Women’s Tennis is ready to compete at the NJCAA Region IV Tournament on October 12th. The season has proved to be quite successful for the women, as they finished with only one loss in conference and are looking to use that momentum heading into regionals. There will be some tough competition, but Coach Jim Love is sure the women will step up to the challenge. “We are feeling very well positioned going into regionals,” Love said. “I’m sure we will play our best. We’ve had some good practices.” This is just the attitude they need in order to be successful at the tournament.
In order to prepare, the team is putting in many hours on the court daily. “It’s been a combination of practice amongst ourselves and matches with other schools in order to get ready,” Love said. They are very confident in the work they have put in and know this will allow them to stand up against the other teams. The team will need to place in the top two at regionals in order to qualify for the national tournament that will be held this coming May. Historically the team has been successful in reaching this goal so this year will hopefully be no different. They are currently sitting second in the Skyway Conference. Love believes where the team really stands out right now is in their teamwork. Despite being a sport where most players are competing individually, the women have all been very
CLC’s Women’s Tennis team
supportive of each other and work as a collective unit. “The team has been very united in trying to achieve our goals,” Love said. “Each player will make sure to do their part in helping the team.”
Photo courtesy of Richard Ray
Outside support of the team has also added to a great dynamic at each match. “The parents have been very supportive of the girls, as well as the men’s team,” Love said. This outside support,
along with great teamwork and practice has led to this successful season. With everything now falling into place at just the right time, the team knows they have the ability to come out of the tournament with great results.
Monday, October 15, 2018
Truth Conquers All Since 1969
VOL. 52, NO. 4
Golf team crowned Skyway champs, qualifies for nationals Brandon Ferrara
Sports Editor
The College of Lake County’s Golf team has won back-to-back Skyway Conference Championship titles. “It’s pretty awesome, and it’s pretty cool to repeat too,” Coach Chris Wyniawskyj said. “Once you’re on top it’s tough to stay on top, but they were all pretty focused and got the job done.” Having been a math professor at CLC for seven years and the golf coach for four years, Wyniawskyj knows what it’s like for student athletes and how committed they have to be in order to succeed. He has a certain respect for their work on the golf course and in the classroom. “I have a connection to these student athletes because I played myself, and I also went to a community college myself, so I can really relate to them,” Wyniawskyj said. “Seeing them doing well on the course is obviously great,”
Wyniawskyj said. “That’s what they work on, being athletes, but also seeing them do well in the classroom is great.” Wyniawskyj was voted the Skyway Conference Coach of the Year for the second consecutive year, which can be attributed to his coaching style. “I always harp on accountability, staying on top of schoolwork, letting your instructors know if you’re going to be missing class, and anything else that helps mold a good student,” Wyniawskyj said. “A lot of those attributes can be carried over to the golf course.” Not only do students have to be committed, but they have to be disciplined and willing to put in the extra work to succeed. “Even though we have our formal practices, they are pretty motivated on their own,” Wyniawskyj said. “Once the season starts you just give them some encouragement and feedback on different aspects of the game, but they’re
doing most of the work.” CLC’s Golf team sports five official athletes and one extra. The Lancers ended the season with a score of 15 points through five meets. For each meet, four out of the five athletes are scored. Whichever team that has the lowest collective score gets the most amount of points for the meet, and throughout the season these points add up. The team with the most points in the conference at the end of the season becomes the champion. Four out of the five athletes on the team were able to achieve AllConference Honors. These athletes include freshman Konnor Kininmonth, sophomore Karl Torola, sophomore Trevor Britton, and freshman Jason Giffels. In addition, Kininmonth is the Skyway Conference Medalist, which is awarded to the top player in the conference. After winning the Skyway Conference Championship and receiving many awards and honors, the team had to stay focused in their efforts to
compete in the NJCAA Region IV Tournament, which was held from Oct. 4-6 at Senica’s Oak Ridge Golf Club in LaSalle, Illinois. There was a total of nine teams at the NJCAA Region IV Tournament and CLC placed second overall. The teams who placed first and second in the tournament qualified for the National Tournament in May. “Qualifying for Nationals is the big, big goal in my opinion,” Wyniawskyj said. “Last year we missed Nationals by one stroke.” Although golf is mainly an individual-based sport, the team had strong camaraderie and morale throughout the season, bringing it with them to the NJCAA Region IV Tournament. “All our athletes were competing with each other. They never wanted to lose to each other, so they were in a constant state of wanting to improve,” Wyniawskyj said. “In doing so, they lit a fire under themselves to do better and better. And when you have
that, you have nowhere to go but up.” Despite the fact that they were wanting to beat each other in some friendly competition, they supported each other which made their team bond that much stronger. “They’re all really good friends and even though they were wanting to beat each other, they were motivating each other,” Wyniawskyj said. “Unselfishness, good morale, and staying focused were all good for the team.” The team has to implement all of their strategies in order to be competitive when it comes time for the National Tournament in May. “They have to qualify academically meaning that they have to maintain their GPA, and be full-time students, so that’s the last hurdle,” Wyniawskyj said. The athletes must maintain their competitive edge as they continue their historic journey to bring another championship home to CLC.
Photo courtesy of the College of Lake County