Monday, February 3, 2020
VOL. 53, NO. 8
Truth Conquers All Since 1969
CLC cancels Beijing study abroad over Coronavirus Easton Herbon
Features Editor
The College of Lake County has canceled the the student study aborad trips to Beijing for the spring 2020 semnester because of concerns about the Coronavirus in China. The cancelation was among the topics that trustees and college officials discussed at the first board meeting of 2020. They also discussed events and improvements to be made at the Southlake, Grayslake, and Lakeshore campuses. Those attending included CLC President Lori Suddick, Secretary Richard A. Anderson, Vice Chair Catherine M. Finger, Chair William M. Griffin, Amanda D. Howland,
Timothy S. Powell, Julie B. Shroka, Matthew J. Stanton, and Student Trustee Alexa Waheed. The decision to cancel the trip to China was made to ensure the overall safety of the students as well as employees who would also make the trip. The board is currently unsure whether a replacement trip will take place this smester. The board is considering several options, but officials have yet to determine a new study abroad destination. In other business, Student Trustee Waheed is slated to create a student cabinet alongside President Suddick. The student cabinet will be used to create events that will allow students to develop
new skills and to improve existing ones. These skills will be used to help improve the community and expedite their success. Waheed is currently planning the organization’s first project as part of the student trustee project. The project, titled “50 Stories for 50 Years,” is a showcase that consists of 50 handpicked students to celebrate CLC’s 50th anniversary. It will allow students to tell their stories, showcase their talents, and anything their heart desires to show off their true selves to the community. “This event will give a voice to those who do not have one,” Waheed said. The project will take place over multiple events in the
upcoming months at each of the three campuses. Each event will highlight 12 or to 13 students who will share their unique stories with the community to represent the diversity in talents and backgrounds of CLC students. The board also plans to make advancements in renovating the names of the buildings of the Grayslake Campus. There are currently multiple options that the board is considering. The first option is to include the letters of the buildings with what the building itself is as well as the donors who are associated with the buildings, but solely on the Grayslake campus.
The second option is to put letters on the buildings on all three campuses and disregard the labeling of donors and departments. The final option is to combine the building letter, donor and department, but it is still being processed within the board, which has yet to come to a unanimous decision. These exterior building labels are used to improve the overall student and community navigation as well as the overall understanding of the identities of the buildings. Board meeting minutes can be found on CLC’s website. For more information regarding these modifications, those interested should contact President Suddick.
Attendees at the Jan. 28 College of Lake County Board Meeting hear Student Trustee, Alexa Waheed, present her monthly report. Attendees later learned that the college decided to cancel the Spring 2020 study abroad trip to China because of concerns about the Coronavirus. Photo by Arturo Ramirez
News
THE CHRONICLE Page 2 | Monday, February 3, 2020
College of Lake County contributes to research on ancient language Zoe Rabin
News Editor Students Rebecca Rivera and Julia Marinescu joined CLC Professor Scott Palumbo in Costa Rica in July to conduct research about an ancient communication system that used knotted cords. Palumbo is an athropology instructor who received his Ph.D. in anthropology in 2009 at the University of Pittsburgh. The group conducted interviews of elders to learn whether they remembered using the knotted chords in their youth. They conducted interviews in Bribri, Amubri, Salitre, Cabagra and Boruc. Palumbo discovered the knotted cords while visiting the Smithsonian storage facility near Washington. The cords reminded him of his prior research on the Incas, and he decided to conduct more research to get more information on the knotted cords and their cultural significance. Their research found that the cords originated in Peru during 600 A.D., but they didn’t begin to be used until the late 19th century in Costa Rica.
Anthropology students Julia Marinescu (left) and Rebecca Rivera (right) in Costa Rica. ~Photo courtesy of thedailyherald.com
While uncommon today, knotted cords are rumored still to be used in several remote areas. “Knotted cords are a three-dimensional form of communication and were famously used by the Wari and Inca empires of Peru,” Palumbo said. While their functions can differ among cultures, they are used to represent a count of something, shown by the number of knots on a string. The organization of knots, groupings, colors, and string of the cords can all change the message being conveyed.
Unlike modern-day speech or writing, the cords rarely represented any spoken sounds. Instead, the knotted cords represent ideas that can understood without language, like math or music. “Among the Inca, clusters of knots spaced at different distances from each other represented decimal notation,” Palumbo said. “In Costa Rica, clusters of knots might instead represent the number of people living together in a household or the number of cows one
manages in a month.” The cords can be qualified as a primary example of indigenous records that showcase the values of the different groups and how they organized their world. Deciphering the cords can provide a window into the different clans and matriarchal groups of the Americas. “It is important to understand how indigenous peoples crafted literacies that were unlike our own, and better understand their history through their own sources,” Palumbo said. “Trying to see things
through the eyes of other people often leads to unforeseen surprises and revelations and is the best thing about doing anthropology.” Because of the scarcity of research available about the knotted cords, it is especially important to provide a voice to those who know about the history. “Costa Rica is a really beautiful country, and I enjoy traveling around to all these wonderful spots and meeting a bunch of interested people,” Palumbo said. “I also enjoy taking on the role of a student through these investigations. I am not the expert. The indigenous people are. My role is to listen and learn and try to ‘translate’ information to a community of anthropologists.” For more information regarding the trip and Palumbo’s research, strudents should contact him at SPalumbo@ clcillinois.edu.
Sonya Williams named VP of education and chief academic officer
Sonya Williams, has joined the College of Lake County as vice president of education and chief academic officer. Williams, who began Jan. 6, is responsible for long-term p l a n n i n g , budgeting and working with her team to provide leadership and guidance to the academic unit of the college. “I’m thrilled to join CLC, which has changed the lives of thousands in Lake County and beyond,” she said. “As the college begins a new decade and celebrates its 50th
anniversary, I look forward to working with stakeholders to continue the legacy. It’s an exciting time to be a part of CLC.” “We are very excited to have Dr. Williams join the college,” CLC President Loris Suddick said. “She has a demonstrated experience in building a climate of student and faculty success at community c o l l e g e s . Her expertise will serve CLC well as we implement the 2020-24 strategic plan and its pillars: Access & Success for Students; Equity & Inclusion;
T e a c h i n g & Learning Excellence; Community & Workforce Partnerships; Collaborative Culture; and Strategic Use of Resources.” Williams comes to CLC from Joliet Junior College, where she was dean of the arts and sciences division and provided mentoring and long-term strategic planning while assisting faculty in instructional p l a n n i n g . She also developed the division budget, recommended improvements in curriculum, helped assess student
learning outcomes, oversaw staff development and ensured efficient use of physical space. P r e v i o u s l y, Williams held leadership roles at Oklahoma City Community College, where she served as director and chair of the science department and later became dean of the chemistry and biological sciences division. A native of Norman, O k l a h o m a , W i l l i a m s graduated from the University of Oklahoma, where she earned a B.S. in zoology and a Ph.D.
in anatomical sciences and cell biology/ neurosciences. Her postdoctoral training includes three years at the Yale School of Medicine, where she studied n e u r o b i o l o g y, reproduction and i m m u n o l o g y. A captain in the U.S. Air Force, she served as section commander and information management officer for three squadrons. She also received service medals for Operation Desert Shield and Storm War campaigns.
Sonya Williams is CLC’s new vice president of education and chief academic officer. ~Photo courtesy of College of Lake County
Features
THE CHRONICLE Page 3 | Monday, February 3, 2020
Judith Ramirez keeps going as student, worker and mother Tanner DeVore Staff Reporter
Being in college can be hard and stressful enough on its own. Working and going to college is even harder, but being a mother, working, and going to college? That’s the hardest. A good mom, though, is easy to spot― one who does it all. Judith Ramirez is a single mother raising her 10-year-old son, Ozzie, in Waukegan, while attending the College of Lake County at the Lakeshore campus. She is also working at Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital as a phlebotomist. She is studying to become a nurse. Her childhood was one of little money. “I struggled,” she said. “I wasn’t able to be in sports because my parents didn’t have the resources. I definitely wanted to be in soccer or something. My mom would say, ‘Oh, there’s no money.’ “I felt stuck a lot of times. I had so much energy after school, but I couldn’t really do anything with it.”
Ramirez’s hometown community was a positive one, she said. “It helped that I went to a good school, but I just chose to do bad things,” she said. “Just because I felt like I wasn’t busy enough after school, I would ditch a lot. I would drink -- just bad things that I shouldn’t have done.” Ramirez’s choices made her the type of mother who wants what is best for her child and to have more than she had. Her schedule has her working every other weekend, but she also picks up as many shifts from coworkers as she can. She also chooses to work holidays for extra money instead of spending those days with family. Work ranges from 5 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., At 2 p.m. she picks up her son. On Tuesdays, she has classes 6 to 8:50 p.m., and on Thursdays they run 6 to 7:30 p.m. After this, she helps Ozzie with his homework while also trying to make room for her own. She still makes time for exercising and working out at the gym. Ramirez helps her parents with their needs on
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top of everything else she With having a child does because neither of while attending college them drives. She recently and working, Ramirez just took her mother said having a goal is key, to get all her vaccines. “It’s definitely hard, but
Judith Ramirez (right), 28, and her son Ozzie (left), 10, at Bass Pro Shops in Gurnee Mills. ~Photo courtesy of Judith Ramirez
She also picks up her diabetic father’s prescriptions and is always making sure and keeping track of whether there is sugar around in case he needs any. She also takes care of her niece and nephew, ages 10 and 6, respectively.
I’m motivated,” she said. “My goal is to own our own home. That’s why I want to finish my degree -- to be financially stable. “I don’t make too much as a phlebotomist -- enough to pay for everything. I wasn’t making enough even
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COLLEGE OF LAKE COUNTY
P R O U D PA S T BOLD FUTURE 1969 - 2019
at a doctor’s office at Condell. I just didn’t want to be broke anymore. “I wanted to be financially ready for my son. My drive is still to make more money and to be stable for both of us. “I’ve been in the medical field for so long, and I like it. I like helping people.” Ramirez has advice, especially for single mothers with similar challenges: “Just keep going and don’t give up. You’ll get there when you get there. Even if people are like, ‘You’re still in school?’ you can still do it. “Keep going. You can show them. “Time doesn’t stand still. If you stop to humor any sort of criticism, it’ll blow right past you. “ Hunter S. Thompson once wrote, “A man who procrastinates in his choosing will inevitably have his choice made for him by circumstance.” Ramirez is among the elite, the mothers who make it to class every day. Reaching the goal of the college highway can be long and grueling, but Judith speeds on with Ozzie in the passenger seat.
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Features
THE CHRONICLE Page 4 | Monday, February 3, 2020
Veteran loves books, his country and his service Lynn Bryant
Staff Reporter A middle-aged man sits in a tucked away corner of a Dunkin’ Donuts, consuming a blueberry doughnut and blowing on his piping hot coffee. The man is Will Martin, of Kenosha, Wisconsin, an Army veteran who served for 26 years before retiring in 2015 at the rank of lieutenant colonel. Martin appears to be a typical nontraditional student at CLC, where he’s studying library technologies, a decision brought about by his general love for books and going to the library. CLC gives him the ability to earn a certification in a field that’s of particular interest to him, but Martin said that the lessons and experiences he had in the Army are incomparable and unique. “The things I learned while in the Army are lifelong lessons,” he said. “The skills that one could acquire in the military are
skills that the world can’t do without. For example, I encouraged my younger daughter to consider the Air National Guard. I said, ‘Even if you’re just a fuel handler, airports around the world are going to need fuel handlers for the rest of our lives.’ Much of the military is that way. Mechanics, electricians, you name it. Not to mention the social skills. How to deal with people, how to work with people, how to get along as a team. It’s indispensable.” Martin also said being a part of America’s armed forces was a true honor. “Somebody at church who didn’t get to see me on Veteran’s Day, thanked me for my service, but it makes me feel odd,” he said. “I did my duty. It was something I felt was my vocation. I served at the pleasure of the president, and I was privileged to do so. You have to be selected. Not everyone gets that opportunity.” Over the years, Martin has learned how to handle the
awkwardness and uncertainty of how exactly to respond to the term, “thank you for your service.” “I want to say, ‘You put me through school. You sent me on the path to success. ’I should be thanking you.’” Martin said a great portion of Americans have no idea about what’s going on with the military.“Less than 2 percent of the population actually serves in the military, so greater than 98 percent of America isn’t involved. The people who are involved are the families that are left behind by service members overseas.” Martin said that the lack of objective information that interested citizens receive has a lot to do with the news sources they turn to. Speaking of politics, when it comes to the leader of the nation, Martin firmly believes that having a military background is important to be a successful and credible commander in chief. “Less than 2 percent of the
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population actually serves, ever since we went to this volunteer system,” he said. “There are a lot more folks who don’t have a military background than do, unfortunately. We have lawmakers at the highest branches of our government who don’t have a clue. They’re not even part of a family where a close relative was a service member.” “I come from a family that has a military tradition,” he said. “My grandfather served in World War I. My dad and his brotherserved in World War II. My godfather served in the Korean War. Martin returned to active duty in the wake of the terrorist attacks on 9/11. “There was a call to service that resonated deep in my heart,” he said. “I just had to do it.” Martin remained in the service until his 2015 retirement, giving him the cumulative number of years that would make him eligible for full benefits.
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When it comes to veterans who are living on the streets, Martin compares it to civilians whohave never served. “Anybody can end up homeless. Veteran or not,” he said. “The majority of homeless vets, from what I’ve read, have some sort of mental condition that prevents them from working or maintaining themselves in such a manner that they can keep a home. I feel so blessed and privileged to have served our country.”
Lieutenant colonel Will Martin. -Photo courtesy of Will Martin.
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Features
THE CHRONICLE Page 5 | Monday, February 3, 2020
Upcoming band to CLC will bring its heart into play Minha Khan
Health & Science Editor On Valentines Day, Feb. 14, CLC is going to be bringing a musical act, Heart by Heart, to the James Lumber Center. Heart by Heart is a band composed of two of the original, founding members of Heart. Steve Fossen and Michael DeRosier. A bassist and a drummer, respectively, who were both inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of fame in 2013 for their work with Heart. Heart by Heart performs those classic original Heart songs in their original, unaltered state. Theses songs have amassed hundreds of millions of streams since being added to digital platforms, and sold millions of physical records. The group was also listed number 57 on VH1’s “100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock.” Fossen said, “We don’t see it as our task to modify or update these classic tunes that Heart fans love and have listened to all these years.” The rock n’ roll band will be playing their most respected and played songs.
Heart by Heart members Lizzy Daymont,Somar Macek, Michael Derosier and Steve Fossen (further demonstrate the power and follow beauty of the legendary photo description is described below in the ad). music of Heart. Each -Photo courtesy of Heart by Heart’s Facebook page. member of HEART BY HEART understands the Tickets are on sale right at The MainStage importance of singing and now on CLC’s website for Theatre, James Lumber playing their parts true to only $15. The Chronicle Center, College of Lake the original recordings. will also be doing a County in Grayslake, Audiences all over giveaway for a free ticket IL. on Friday, Feb. 14. America have been and a plus one, as well The band features the thrilled to witness the as a backstage pass to original Heart members sound and energy of meet and greet the band. and Rock & Roll Hall their performances. of Fame inductees In order to enter the Amessage from the band: Steve Fossen (Bass) and giveaway for a Heart Michael Derosier (Drums). By Heart ticket, a plus “HEART BY HEART Our mission is to one and a chance to is excited for our concert create the nostalgia and meet and greet the band,
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ClC Student tickets are $15! (plus $2 JLC fee)
COLLEGE OF LAKE COUNTY
P R O U D PA S T BOLD FUTURE 1969 - 2019
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A&E
THE CHRONICLE Page 6 | Monday, February 3, 2020
Shakepeare’s ‘As You Like It’ helps CLC celebrate 50 years Lucero Martinez A&E Editor
Whether you are a fan of Shakespeare plays or you are new to the bard, the CLC theatre department is releasing “As You Like It” in the James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts. This Shakespearean comedy is about the Rosalind, the daughter of an exiled duke, and her adventure in the forest with her cousin and residential jester after being issued a death threat by her uncle. To be protected by harassers in the forest, she dresses up as a male s h e p h e r d . H o w e v e r, Rosalind also falls in love with a young duke named Orlando, whose father was a friend of the exiled duke. After Orlando’s older brother declared that his brother should be killed and that his house should be burned, he ran away to the forest alongside a servant. With the power of music, matchmaking,
and more, the characters Other things that make in Shakespeare’s time. undergo many this unique to other Rich said “As You Like transformations, and the Shakespearean plays is It” is also one of the most famous Shakespearean comedies, with several comedic acts such as false disguises, couples, and colorful personalities clashing with other unique personalities. To make the play more entertaining for audiences, theis adaptation will use more contemporary music relevant to 1910 and give context to the Shakespearean English by character interactions or an audience relatability. Live musicians also will be playing and singing music as characters in the story. with such instruments as violin, guitar and mandolin. “It’s very important for our students to be working on Shakespeare,” Rich said. ~Graphic by Edgar Solano For CLC’s 50th anniversary and the ending is one that should the female lead. Rosalind 50th anniversary of bring a smile to anyone. has the most lines in the theater department, “There’s a real sense this play and the only S h a k e s p e a r e ’ s of celebration,” said female to have as many classic offers a good Craig Rich, chair of the lines in comparison to representation of what CLC theater department. her other female leads Rich wishes to convey.
This event is designed to give students within the Criminal Justice program an opportunity to see the many different career paths available to them upon graduation. Current students and alumni of the Criminal Justice program are invited to attend and participate in this event.
Ca reer options in the Criminal Justice field include:
Police Officer Corrections Officer Security Officer Detective Forensic Science Technician
Probation Officer Records Clerk Juvenile Officer Surveillance Investigator Public Safety Dispatcher
February 4, 2020 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. College of Lake County, Grayslake Campus 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake, IL Location: Student Street
For more information, contact the Career and Job Placement Center at (847) 543-2059
With how the nature of the play always makes him joyous by the end of the play, Rich said he also wishes for everyone to feel that same form of happiness and joy as he does. For anyone interested in viewing the show, the show times will be 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28; 2 p.m. March 1 as a celebration of CLC’s 50th anniversary, and 7:30 p.m. March 5 through March 7. March 6 will also a showing at 10 a.m. Prices are $20 for general audiences and $10 for CLC students, teens, and seniors. People can also buy one ticket and get another free Feb 28 and March 5, and udience members are encouraged to bring a friend on those days.
A&E
THE CHRONCILE Page 7 | Monday, February 3, 2020
Skywalker Saga ends in messy but satisfying way Jason Lee
Opinion Editor The Star Wars saga that started in 1977 has come to an end, as well as the sequel trilogy. Taking place a year after the events of “The Last Jedi,” “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” follows Rey, Finn, and Poe Dameron as they, along with some old heroes, face off against Kylo Ren and the First Order in a final battle for the galaxy, as well as the return of the evil Palpatine. The acting continues to be exceptional, with some of the actors giving their best performances yet here. Daisy Ridley does amazing as Rey, continuing to bring back the sass and independence that we’ve always loved about the character, on top of more conflict and power within her that represents Rey’s temptation and arc here. Adam Driver also does amazing as Kylo Ren, giving his best performance and role yet in this trilogy. Driver successfully conveys a great balance of darkness
and despair in his most dramatic performance as the villain, not being too over-the-top like his previous performances. Driver definitely has a good mix of menacing moments and some interesting qualities, serving a different role than his previous appearances. There’s a lot of emotional conflict within him, and Driver shows this very well. The rest of the cast, specifically John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, and Mark Hamill do great, with Carrie Fisher being given a beautiful farewell for this franchise. Ian McDiarmid does fine in his return as Emperor Palpatine, and his role here is interesting in how he affects the story and his overall villain plot. However, it’s annoying that they never properly explain how he came back. This movie had a good feel for what makes Star Wars entertaining, providing fun and drama with its adventures and characters. This movie works well as a culmination of the ninefilm saga, and its cameos and homages aren’t as bad as people have been
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saying. Rey’s journey in particular is extremely interesting with how it brings her character’s arc to a close and how it explains her powers. Kylo Ren’s arc was also exceptional, as it symbolized the ultimate change in his character since his turn to the Dark Side, It’s poignant in how it wraps up his arc and conflict. The conclusion to this saga is fitting. Even with how predictable it felt at times, it still worked for the better in terms of properly wrapping the story up. The comedy is also better this time around, and when it got darker and emotional, it really worked. However, the story felt like a disjointed mess at times. It’s painfully clear that J.J. Abrams was trying to bring this film back to the original direction that Rian Johnson changed. It seemed inconsistent and jumbled up with the vision they were trying to show, and it feels as if it barely acknowledges “The Last Jedi.” The story also felt messy with how much they tried to pull off. This was true with the new characters
and how excessive the first act felt in exposition, along with how occasionally flat it felt with its McGuffin aspects. But one of the biggest problems is the retcons and how obvious they are here. This whole franchise has been built on retconning, but it feels less natural and more tacked-on and desperate at a certain point. It’s clearly trying to apologize to angered fans and change the original plans. With how obvious they are, the storyline feels even more inconsistent with the other entrees in this trilogy, making it even less concise than the prequels. The production values and costume design are also great, and the world building was something else. The visual effects are amazing, bringing the explosive sci-fi action to life, specifically the spaceships and lightsaber fights, and providing an amazing spectacle that illuminates the film’s expanding universe. The visuals heavily contribute to the actionloaded third act in particular. As for the
third act, it goes all-out with how much action blows it up, and there’s a lot of amazing moments that correspond with the emotional and grand stakes of the finale. Unsurprisingly, the musical score is amazing, using a lot of entertaining and emotional tracks that help add on to the movie’s overall tone. It paying a lot of homage to the series’ iconic score. The pacing was also pretty solid. The sequel trilogy does feel a bit disjointed as a final product. The first film just felt like a rehash with some spirit, the second was a darker entry that just threw out a bunch of twists and controversy, and this third one is a disjointed yet entertaining mix that tried to appease the haters and alter the continuity. It looks like the Skywalker Saga truly is over. With how messy it felt, it was still a satisfying ending and culmination in the year of conclusions.
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Contributors: Fernando Reynoso, Aristidas Tankus, Tanner DeVore, Edgar Solano, Lynn Bryant
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As a College of Lake County Apprentice you will build your knowledge with industry specific classes, gain experience and on-the-job training with a company mentor where you work. The goal of the program is to provide employees with advance skills that meet the specific needs of employers in a flexible learning setting. BENEFITS • Earn Degree with Industry National Certification • Full-time Employment w/ Benefits • Paid Tuition - No College Debt • Industry Aligned Education • Higher Wages and Career Advancement
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Opinion
THE CHRONICLE Page 9| Monday, February 3, 2020
Sexualized avatars lure gamers in League of Legends Nate Albite
Copy Editor League of Legends is a MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) video game that is played around the world. With millions of players and dozens of playable characters, it is important to note the amount of sexualization in many of the champions players utilize. Although sexualization exists, other factors like personal identity and win rates of characters play a more important role in the character selection process. It is essential for to understand the inner workings of the game as well as the role each player has. In League of Legends, the objective is to destroy the enemy “nexus,” a large structure located on opposite corners of the map. There are two teams, red and blue, with five players on each team, and as of Jan. 30, there are 148 playable characters, or “champions,” in the game. In 2017, a study was published by Bell regarding the sexualization of female characters in League of Legends. Thirty-nine of the 42 female characters in the game were used in the study, since two of the female characters were anthropomorphic beings and one character was a 6-year-old child. The American Psychological Association’s defines sexualization as when “a person’s value comes only from his or her sexual appeal or behavior, to the exclusion of other characteristics, a person is held to a standard that equates physical attractiveness (narrowly defined) with being sexy, a person is sexually objectified — that is, made into a thing for others’ sexual use, rather than seen as a person with the capacity for independent action and decision making, and/or sexuality is inappropriately imposed upon a person. Using this definition, 15 reviewers (who had no previous contact with game) made their own decisions
on the level of sexualization of the 39 female characters. After the review process, the results showed “100% agreement on the level of sexualization of the character’s base avatar artwork… reached on 19 characters: Ahri, Ashe, Caitlyn, Diana, Elise, Katarina, Kayle, Janna, Jinx, LeBlanc, Lux, Miss Fortune, Orianna, Riven, Sivir, Sona, Tristana, Vayne, and Vi.” The champions listed were included in the survey questions with their additional costumes that are sexualized. Since the reviewers were only given the characters’ base artwork, it was necessary to include the additional artwork provided through in-game purchases in the form of costumes, called skins. Skins are a cosmetic item that do not have any effect on the character’s abilities or power, but are meant to provide fans of the game alternate versions of the characters they play. Of the 19 characters reviewed, 15 characters had skins that had some form of sexualization. After the review process, a survey was done to record the preferences people had on the sexualized champions. One hundred and three female participants and 136 male participants answered the survey, and the results were a bit surprising. When asked to choose between a champion with a nonsexualized skin and a sexualized skin, given the fact that the skin will give no advantages to the player, both male and female participants had similar results: They preferred the nonsexualized skin more than the sexualized one. However, when told that skins of different characters provide an advantage to the game, skins of two of the champions, Orianna and Tristana, were chosen by both male and female participants based on the weaponry displayed on the artwork. It would seem that there are multiple reasons why people choose sexualized characters over nonsexualized characters according to this study. Males did pick sexualized
characters as much as females, but females would rather choose overtly sexualized characters over subtly sexualized characters if given the choice in contrast to males. In fact, Bell includes this statement when describing the results of the hypersexualized characters: “...men choose overtly sexualized characters over hypersexualized ones. That suggests that there is a point at which a character can actually be too sexualized for even male gamers to enjoy.” This is an interesting point to make, since the stigma of today is that certain games appeal to a more male audience, despite the fact that the gaming community has become more even in the gender demographic; 54% of the U.S. gaming population is male and 46% is female. Female identity and avatar selection coincide with each other. Many of the champions categorized for the support role are sexualized, as well as the champions people play in the support role, though not categorized as one. The game has this flexibility that allows some characters to be used in creative waysor in roles that they are not meant for but are still viable in). In addition, it is widely assumed in many games that those who play the support role are female. An article by Melzer s a y s : “ C o n s e q u e n t i a l l y, most games feature male characters over-accentuated in their hypergendered portrayal, thus conforming to the combative and aggressive attributes of masculinity. In contrast, women typically appear sexually suggestive, but weak and only in supporting roles.” This relates to the selection process of champions because it has been found that female video game players “tend to feel more pressure to identify with their avatars, while men feel freer to choose avatars for reasons besides gender identification.” This feeling of conforming to existing gender roles in society plays a clear role in character selection for
female gamers. The nature of the support roles is assisting team members who either do a lot of damage or are able to absorb (or “tank”) a lot of damage, providing healing, shielding, or crowd control (stunning enemies so that they are unable to attack or rooting to prevent enemies from moving). In Bell’s study, the concept of a character’s contribution to the game in the form of advantages and disadvantages was a defining factor of selecting a champion. However, that logic can be applied to the steps taken to accomplish the objective. In an interview with professional League of Legends player Kim “Khan” Dong-ha, the SK Telecom team member made a few statements about the team’s victory in the MSI (MidSeason Invitational). “Riven isn’t Aatrox’s counter. In addition, Griffin could’ve picked Sylas instead. Riven is a champion that can fight well against both of them, and that’s the reason why we picked her. Although I was solokilled, it didn’t become a detriment to our team, so I didn’t concern myself over it and continued to play the game at my own pace.” In the professional scene, the sexualization of characters like Riven, who was one of the 19 champions in the study that had sexualization in base and skin artwork, has no contributing factor to winning. In fact, the top 20 champions that had high win rates throughout the course of the 2019 ranked season have included sexualized champions mentioned in the Bell study. League of Legends has always included monthly and sometimes weekly updates or hotfixes to the game that adjust certain characters’ damage output, ability cooldown (how long you have to wait to use an ability), and even rework designs for older champions. These changes alter the existing meta, a point in time where certain strategies and specific champions are at their strongest. Since the meta changes every month (or sometimes
week, depending on the update), champions who previously had high win rates one week might be considered low win rate characters the next. Such sexualized characters defined in the Bell study as Ashe, Diana, Jinx, Kayle, Miss Fortune, and Vi have had considerably high win rates throughout the 2019 season. In fact, Ashe reached at one point at one point, a 53.85% win rate with over 1.4 million games played with her during that particular meta and was in the number one spot for that period of time. As for the other champions, their win rates were above 50%, which is high compared to lower-tier champions that have 30% win rates. Despite factors like identity and win rates being alternative explanations to the champion selection process, sexualization still poses some harm to the gaming community and content creators who rely on the game to make a living. In conclusion, the sexualization of female champions in League of Legends is evident, but the context in which one chooses a champion to play certainly depends on the player and what they aim to achieve while playing the game. Professional gamers and players who aim to climb up the ranks of the competitive scene tend to look past the sexualization and more into the champions’ ability to win. Some individuals play the game in a more casual setting and might pick a champion that is sexualized because of the gender roles society sets before them or because they are attracted to the characters themselves. As League of Legends continues to grow as a game and as a community, sexualization will remain as just one factor in explaining why people choose the characters they want. But as stated before: identity and the competitiveness of the game are more relevant explanations to the selection of such champions.
Opinion
THE CHRONICLE Page 10| Monday, February 3, 2020
Students with jobs must time themselves for classes Jason Lee
Opinions Editor Many students in college nowadays choose to work on the side. Whether they are a full- or part-time student, it is common for them to get a job, usually to support themselves and their fees, or to just make some extra cash on the side. It is now becoming a norm for students to get jobs in their own schools. However, it can often be looked at as a disadvantage, as it’s widely assumed that working will usually interfere and distract from academic performance. This can sometimes be the case, while other times, students do not allow their jobs to become a problem. Emiliano, an English major from Round Lake, works with American Engine Installation, and work hasn’t bothered his academic performance.
Emiliano said his academic performance is not affected by his work schedule. “It’s on a Saturday and I don’t have classes on Friday,” he said. “I work eight hours.” It’s worth mentioning that Emiliano doesn’t work with CLC, and that he regularly works on one particular day for a certain amount of time. It goes to show that the balancing and amount of time does play a factor. A balanced and limited amount of work hours does not hinder one’s studying. A lot more work, tmight be a problem. But in Emiliano’s case, he’s managing a pretty good one-day-a-week schedule for work. Next, four ambassadors for CLC were interviewed, as they are capable of working a lot of hours for the college.
Nayyirah Callahan, a premed major from Waukegan, said she can handle it. “I can manage it pretty well,” she said. “I’m a full-time student and involved in a lot of clubs. Time is the most important thing you need to have.” This confirms that it doesn’t just fall on the amount of time a student works and that it also depends on the student’s ability to balance time. In Callahan’s case, you can even get involved in a lot of extracurriculars and work a lot, and still do well as long as you balance it all well. Odalis Gaytan, a criminal justice major from Mundelein, commented on the goal, “It’d be better for my academic education, and we’re trying to earn as much for our tuition,” he said. This correlates to how students usually work
for their tuition and academics, and it can be better for their studying. Brett Lasal, a business major from Gurnee, agrees. “Since I’m part time currently, it’s totally doable,” he said. “As long as you keep things somewhat organized, you’ll be fine.” This goes back to the point that balancing one’s time well is important in academic performance and work. When you’re part time, you’ll have more time on your hands, but it’s even doable with fulltime work. Kevin Aluka, a computer science major from Togo, said it’s matter bof making time to study. “At some point, we have time where we can actually study,” he said. This is especially important, as it shows that despite how much time you may work, or how
well you are at balancing it, you will ultimately find time to study, as work shouldn’t take up too much of a student’s time. As for how long students must work to afford to go to college, it is ultimately up to the students. Obviously, they can’t let it take up too much of their time, but as long as they’re well-rounded and able to manage their time, work shouldn’t interfere with their academic performance. When students find themselves living with more than just work, such as raising a family like Judith Ramirez, who is profiled in this edition case (see page 3), the need for time management becomes even more important. Work is a necessary key to open doors for most community college students taking classes toward a better path.
Sports
THE CHRONICLE Page 11| Monday, February 3, 2020
Ceronomy brings community together after a win
Pictured left to right: John Bongiorno, Taylor Feltner, Emily Etherington, Kaitlyn Stay, Alex Ballenger, Karen Hlavin, and Brad Unger. The ceremony for the brand new basketball floor, opened in Oct. 2019, was preceded by the CLC Lancers winning against Elgin Community College’s basketball team. Athletics director, Brad Unger, called down contributors to the construction of the new floor. At the end, t-shirts were tossed into the stands while excited fans cheered and swatted at the air in hopes of catching some Lancer merch; school pride then flooded the gymnasium as fans ran down to the court to play a competitive game of knockout. There was cake, snacks, coffee, and drinks set up in a designated area for people to enjoy once the ceremony was over. ~Photo by Cody Dufresne
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Monday, February 3, 2020
Truth Conquers All Since 1969
VOL. 53, NO. 8
Women beat Benedictine 65-64, as Collins scores 38
Andrea Morales Sports Editor
With only six games left in the season, the College of Lake County’s women’s basketball team had a competitive game against Benedictine University. On Jan. 28, the team took on Benedictine in a home match decided by a single point in their favor. The team has a record of 14 - 9 this season and is focusing on every game before their final tournament, which is held in late February. The women were neck and neck with Benedictine in every quarter of the game. The Lancers were ahead by
only a couple of points after every time out, making fans anxious on how the game would end. The women were being aggressive, but the opponents would give the same energy back to the Lancers throughout every change of possession. After the second quarter, the Lancers were in the lead with a score of 28 to 27. BU became more aggressive, and the score began to switch back and forth with whoever was in the lead. Throughout the game, the women struggled with rebounds. “As a team, we need to work on rebounding because we gave them 25 offensive rebounds,” sophomore Kylah Collins
said. Collins scored 38 points, nearly two thirds of the Lancers’ total of 65. With the season coming to the end, Collins expressed sadness at this being her first and final season on the CLC team. “Starting the season, I didn’t know anybody on the team, but we grew a bond,” she said. Collins is also hoping to continue to play basketball when she transfers to a four-year school. With a final score of 65 to 64, the Lancers took the win against Benedictine University. Freshman Emily Etherington described the close outcome of this game as “accelerating, a little
bit tired and sweaty, but definitely proud with the ending.” Etherington, who scored seven points, said the difference between high school and college basketball is that college is much faster. “It’s much harder with the shot clock because you only get 30 seconds to score,” she said. In addition to thre scoring by Collins and Etherington, sophomore, Taylor Feltner scored 14 points and freshman Kaitlyn Stay scored six points. The women’s basketball team is getting prepared with each game for the tournament later next month. Head coach John
Bongiorno, said the team, is beginning to focus on how to balance the priorities between practices and games. The women’s season began in October, and it has become tiring for the women, but coach Bongiorno said part of his job is to provide balance. “It’s my job to find the happy medium to get them working at practice so they’re not stale, but not overwork so they’re not dragging in the fourth quarter,” he said. The women’s basketball team will take on Moraine Valley in an away match at Palos Hills Feb. 6.
Kobe Bryant’s death hits CLC players hard, they say Andrea Morales Sports Editor
The College of Lake County’s men’s basketball team took on Prairie State College in a difficult game that affected the whole team Jan. 28. The home match followed the women’s win against Benedictine University. The men’s basketball team has a record of 15-7 this season but has struggled as a team and individually the past two games. The men have been struggling to focus during their games because of recent personal challenges as well as worldwide events. On Jan. 26, basketball fans and others were schocked to hear of the death of the retired NBA player Kobe Bryant. Bryant touched the lives of millions with his iconic athletic skills and personality. The loss of Kobe Bryant has taken a harder toll on current basketball players and fanatics, including the CLC men’s basketball team. The men’s basketball team
decided to dedicate a tribute to Bryant by wearing his shoes during the game. Freshmen, Anthony Thompson described the feeling players had. “It was like a dark cloud on us the whole game,” he said. The men’s season will end in the last weeks of February, and the team is working hard
to focus on each game they have to face. In the beginning of the gan. 28 game, the Lancers were ahead by a couple of points, but in the second and third quarter, they fell behind the Pioneers. The men fought hard at the end, but they weren’t as
focused during this game than previous games. The final score for the Lancers was a 69-64 loss. The men knew that it wasn’t their strongest game, but are practicing on their own before regular practice to improve and resolve their difficulties. Everyone felt the wave of
CLC’s Lancers Men’s Basketball team (in white jerseys) versus Prairie State College’s Men’s Basketball team (in black jerseys). Anthony Thompson (far left), player three; Jarod Stonis (middle), player two; Darien Bosby shooting the basketball (second person from right), player ten; Aaron Greer (first person from right), player four. ~Photo by Cody Dufresne
struggle in the men that night, and Thompson described the situation. “The team faces adversity, but we are all facing adversity individually,” he said.”We knew that we were going to face it, but not all at once individually.” Although the loss hit the men hard, there is always support for each other as teammates and friends. Coaaches and family members also encourage the team during and after a hard loss. Johnson said he realized that there are tough times. “It gets to the point where we have to keep our guys in good spirits and focus on the game and let them know that I’m here for them if they need me,” he said. The men’s basketball team will be playing Prairie State College again in an away agame at Chicago Heights on Feb. 20, hoping to take a win.