Delta Collegiate Dec. 8, 2022 Edition

Big changes coming to Bay City bridges

BAY CITY – On Nov. 7 the Bay City Commission held a meeting focusing mainly on updates for tolling systems coming soon to the Liberty Bridge and Independence Bridge.

Bay City is divided by the Saginaw River making the four bridges that connect the city essential for daily commutes. The Liberty Bridge is currently the only bridge closed for repairs.

“Testing and commissioning are taking place right now at the Liberty Bridge,” Pavlawk shared. “Construction has been going well and as of right now all concrete has been replaced and we are on track to reopen the bridge at the end of the year.”

Tolling will start for the Liberty Bridge in the first quarter of 2023. Tolls will vary by vehicle, resident, and method of payment. The bridge will have a device that scans vehicles and calculates the toll amount owed.

Transponders are sticker-like devices placed on a vehicle’s windshield to pay the toll as it gets scanned by the device on the bridge. It will provide a cheaper toll to those that have them, as well as to residents of Bay City.

If you don’t have a transponder, then the device on the bridge will scan your license plate, calculate costs, and send a toll fee through the mail. This toll will also include administrative fees, unlike vehicles with transponders.

The transponders will be available during the fourth quarter of 2022. There is no cost for the actual transponder itself, but below is a photo of toll prices for

vehicles crossing the toll bridge effective 2023.

Plans for replacing the Independence Bridge are behind by 24 months because of Covid-19, supply chain issues, and labor shortages. The original plan was to demolish the old structure and build a completely new one. Due to the drastic rise of inflation in the past year, the bridge is now only going to be renovated.

One of the main concerns for renovation, the deck of the bridge, was described by Pavlawk as in really bad shape. She shared that the control systems that raise and lower the bridge need to be replaced sooner rather than later.

e commissioners meeting, Bay City residents asked questions to the council and expressed their opinions on the information about the city and or bridges with pleasure and displeasure.

One man said he plans on never using the toll bridges and called it a money grab by the city. He stated he will go out of his way to use the other bridges around the city.

Andrea Birney is currently running for third ward commissioner. She shared that they approved some neighborhoods $4,000,000 towards corrosive water line repairs and still have yet to see the money to carry through with repairs.

If you have any questions pertaining to the Liberty Bridge, please come to LoLo Bee’s Lounge on Dec. 5 and Dec. 15 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. LoLo Bee’s is located at 106 South Linn Street Unit A in Bay City. A group of speakers will be ready to answer all questions the public has about the bridge.

Bay City Bridge under ConstruCtion for tolls. nov. 2022; Photo Credit: onnie stone

Lynn Pavlawk, general manager for the Bay City Bridge Partners summarized the progress of the repairs and provided updates.

Vincent Khan

Birney expressed that she has family and loved ones in these areas and claims that it's unacceptable that this issue has not been fixed yet.

andrea Birney

What Michigan schools are doing to prevent shootings

School shootings are a distinctly American phenomena. Eighty to 90 percent of all the school shootings in the world happen in the U.S. In 2021, Michigan saw an all-time high in school shootings with 26.

Michigan has recorded 66 school shootings since 1970. Nearly 40% of these incidents occurred in 2022, when school shootings were in the middle of a twentyyear peak.

In 2020 there were 21 school shootings recorded; in 2021, that number climbed to 26.

One in 7 Michigan high school students has carried a weapon to school before. And 1 in 14 Michigan high school students was threatened or injured with a weapon on school property.

In the first half of 2022 alone, there have been 12 reports of gunfire on school grounds. The most prolific of these recent shootings came in Nov 2021 when Ethan Crumbley, 16, was accused of opening fire at Oxford High School on Nov. 30 with a semi-automatic handgun that his father

purchased for him as a Christmas gift days before the massacre.

This case appears to be the first in the United States in which the parents of a teenage school shooter have been charged with crimes attributed to their child.

Crumbly recently pleaded guilty to murder and terrorism charges in a mass shooting last year at a high school in the Detroit outskirts that killed four of his classmates and left more than half a dozen wounded.

"Ethan Crumbley's guilty plea is one small step forward on a long path towards obtaining full justice for our clients. We will continue to fight until the truth is revealed about what went wrong leading up to this tragedy," Ven Johnson, a lawyer representing several victims' families, said in a statement.

Bay City Central High School maintains its reputation as being one of the most diverse high schools in the Tri-City area. With the school being so diverse, it raises eyebrows towards the higher chance of students having controversy or bullying

each other, which are some of the leading causes of school shootings.

School administrator Zach Schalk has been working at Central for six years and strongly feels about how students feel about the topic. When asked how the kids act when there’s a lockdown drill, he described their demeanor as “numb.”

“Kids are used to the topic nowadays. Especially with social media, where they're so accessible to the topic, it helps make the topic less hard to hear or deal with for them. They are well aware of the severity of the topic, and we try to set up an environment in the school where no kid feels like they have to go to those measures.”

What activities do you think help bring a positive light to the school?

“We have our Link Crew program, and one of their main activities is taking the special education students to events such as bowling. Groups like that have really helped mold a positive setting throughout the whole school.” Schalk also went on to say that the “counseling department for the school is fit to deal with any problem a student may have outside of school and that they are loved and cared for by the school.

There is currently one police officer always on duty at Central High every day. It is the same police officer year round, so the students have a familiar face to look towards. When asked if they think the school should add another police officer or metal detectors, both answers were replied with “no.” Schalk said that metal detectors might instill more fear in the students. Schalk explained a new preventive tool

Know the warning signs

According to michigan.gov, here are signs students may show when they have intent to harm themselves or others:

• Suddenly withdrawing from people and activities

• Consistent bullying or intimidating others, or being bullied by others

• Extreme mood or personality changes

• Victim of constant social rejection

• Talking about plans or actively making plans to harm themselves or others

• Bringing a weapon to school – or threatening or talking about doing so

• Bragging about or warning others about an upcoming act of violence

• Recruiting others to join in a planned act of violence

• Warning students to stay away from school or events

• Expressing fascination with guns and/or school shootings

• Expressing hopelessness about the future

• Extreme, prolonged sadness or distress

• Expressing or showing feelings of isolation

• Bragging about access to guns or knives

in the school in case of an event.

“All classrooms have this new tool called a “boot.” It acts as a wedge against the door just in case someone tries to force their way through the classroom door.

An anonymous student of Central High from the class of 2021 reached out to comment on the topic:

“We did 2-3 drills a year.” They also said that “any time we had a lockdown drill, teachers would handle the drill with seriousness. As students, we took the drills seriously because we are so constantly reminded on the news how many school shootings there are in America.”

Although violence within schools doesn't happen often, anything can and will occur. Anyone can stop the violence by looking for warning signs.

residents Mourn oXford Mi sChool shooting: Photo Credit: getty iMages

Vincent Khan

ZaCk sChalk Photo Credit: vinCent khan

Metaverse becoming a mega failure

Misty Barron

Over a year after billionaire Mark Zuckerberg rebranded his Facebook empire Meta Platforms, the company is reporting record losses. They’ve also admitted that the metaverse hasn’t caught on with its user base and seems confused about why it’s failing. Perhaps they’ve asked the wrong people.

The biggest problem with the metaverse is that there needs to be a clear consensus on what it actually is. Meta has yet to do much to help people understand their goals. Rather than providing well-defined explanations of what users can expect, the general public needs to be given more to work with.

In a recent interview with computer scientist and podcaster Lex Fridman, Zuckerberg explained the concept of his virtual world. "A lot of people think that the metaverse is about a place, but one definition of this is it's about a time when basically immersive digital worlds become the primary way that we live our lives and spend our time," Zuckerberg told Fridman. "I think that's a reasonable construct."

It might be a reasonable construct in Zuckerberg’s mind, but it does little to explain the metaverse. Attempts to define that it’s a virtual world where people socialize, buy and sell digital items, or build their own world are often met with pointing out those things already exist.

Not only do other metaverse-type worlds already exist, but many have

become quite popular. World of Warcraft, Fortnite, and Second Life have thriving digital economies and users are already devoted to each platform.

When asked if she would try Meta Platforms, Kerrigan Reeve, an avid video gamer, responded, “Ew, no! Have you seen it? They just got legs for their avatars.”

Reeve, 33, from New Jersey, also owns a successful virtual store on Second Life's online platform. She believes her store would not be as lucrative if hosted in the metaverse. She said, “It’s obvious from the start they’re going to cater to corporations and not private content creators.”

Second Life is a vast 3D-generated virtual world and platform filled with user-generated content where people can interact with each other in real time. It also hosts a thriving in-world economy that can be converted back to real-life funds.

Second Life's users, or 'residents,' don't have a designated goal, and there are no traditional gameplay mechanics. The platform focuses on social interaction, user-generated content, and freedom. Essentially, Second Life is more akin to original Meta Platforms than a video game. Linden Lab officially launched the platform in 2003, before Facebook became public.

Heather Belov, who uses Second Life as a creative writing outlet, says its appeal lies in the world’s customization. “Players don't have to wait around for those in

charge to fix things; they literally have the power to create what they want, when they want.”

Belov also believes that communitybased optimization is unmatched. “The only limitation in Second Life is your imagination, whereas Metaverse is comparatively basic and limited.”

The issues with Zuckerberg’s metaverse go beyond unappealing avatars and dull landscapes. Their promise of a utopia where companies replace the office within a virtual setting isn’t as popular with workers as it is with their employers. According to a study, 77% of employers expressed an interest in work environments like the metaverse, but only 57% of employees felt the same.

Lisa Bose, 31, who first started dabbling

Tips for vehicle safety this winter

Courtney Elisech

Michigan winters can be challenging for everyone, whether you have lived here your whole life or never experienced one. Here are some tips to ensure your vehicle is winter ready and a survival kit if you get stuck while driving.

First, ensure your vehicle is ready for the change of season to prevent accidents and make winter driving more manageable. Use this list to ensure you are as prepared as you can be:

Check the health of your vehicle battery now. The quick drop in temperature can dramatically affect the life and power of a battery.

Replace your windshield wiper blades, they make ones specifically for winter, but even a new regular blade will make a difference.

Lube up! Hit the locks and door handles with lubricant to stop them from freezing up and locking you in or out of your vehicle.

Gas? Keep the tank half full for the winter. You don’t want to be stuck on a cold empty

road without fuel. Double-check your tailpipe is clear of snow if you are stranded and have the car running. Be aware not to keep the vehicle running too long, warm up, and shut off.

Tire check! The tires on your vehicle will

drastically change your winter driving experience. Check the tire pressure regularly because the cold will make them lose pressure quickly, depending on the temperature. Secondly, ensure the tread on your tires is suitable for traction on the road, deeper tread reduces snow buildup on the tire. If you aren’t sure about these things, visit a tire shop, and they can help you. Firestone has always been great about checking tire pressure and filling if needed and recommending when tires should be replaced.

It will always help to get your vehicle serviced at the beginning of the season to catch anything wrong before something happens on the road.

The weather in Michigan can be a little chaotic. One day you’ll wake up, and it’ll be freezing with ice on the road; hours later, it can be warm and sunny, and by nightfall, 3 feet of snow will have fallen, and the roads will be treacherous. The cold can hurt you very quickly if you get stuck on the side of the road. Stay safe out there!

in virtual worlds for a psychology class in college, says, “Having a class virtually was fun back then because it was new. But who wants to go to work in a virtual setting? Everyone wants to work remote to get away from the office, they’re trying to recreate it in our homes.”

Unprompted, Bose went on to speculate. “First, they made Facebook, which is a rip-off of MySpace. Now they’re trying to pretend the metaverse is a new idea. It’s been around forever. I don’t think Zuckerburg has any original ideas.”

The failure of Metaverse is, ultimately, that it is attempting to address a nonexistent problem. Facebook achieved popularity by providing a straightforward solution to staying connected. However, those who praise Metaverse are committing to problems that dont' exist.

Winter survival kit for your ride

Grab a bag for your survival kit and fill it with the following:

• Flashlight

• Nonperishable food such as crackers, granola bars, etc.

• Water bottles and/or sports drinks, pro-tip sports drinks don’t freeze as quickly as water

• Second pair of footwear, such as boots

• First aid kit

• Blankets, including space/survival blankets

• Extra clothing to layer on if needed, such as sweaters and long pants

• A portable phone charger, solarpowered, would be best

• Ice salt, kitty litter, or some sort of abrasive material

• Ice scraper

• Matches and a candle for heat

• Small shovel

• Jumper cables

office staff with virtual reality; Photo credit: adobe stock

President Biden visits Bay City

Courtney Elisech

“The Saginaw County Youth Ambassadors Program provided high school students from Saginaw County the opportunity to meet President Biden on Nov. 29, 2022, at SK Siltron CSS in Bay City.

“Saginaw ISD is extremely grateful for the opportunity to have all three cohorts of our Youth Ambassador program attend yesterday’s visit by President Biden,” said Coty Kuschinsky, the Chief of Staff and Communications Supervisor with Saginaw ISD.

“Our students experienced a high-profile event while learning about the many industrial projects our governments are working to bring to the Great Lakes Bay Region,” said Kuschinsky. “Many of our students had the opportunity to grab a once-in-a-lifetime photo with the President, which was a wonderful surprise and a memory we are sure they will never forget. We would like to thank Governor Whitmer’s office for not only inviting us but giving our Youth Ambassador Program a shoutout during her speech. These students are our region's future leaders, and we look forward to watching their educational and professional journeys.”

LOCAL

Winter activities to bring you

joy this holiday season

Decorating the Christmas tree and hanging up your stocking isn’t the only thing you can do this holiday season. Here are some fun winter activities to help you embrace the holiday season.

Dow Garden Light Walk:

Get ready to make your holidays bright at Dow Gardens! Stroll the gently-lit paths and enjoy the Christmas lights any day between Dec. 8-17 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Adult admission is $10 and only $2 for college students. Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee of Saginaw will be there with warm beverages available for purchase

Freeland Light Show:

Come check out a beautiful musical light show at the Tittabawassee Township Park from the warmth of your own vehicle! The light show will play continuously every evening starting at 5:30 p.m. from Dec. 1 to Jan. 1. The show runs nightly until 10:00 p.m. and is free to attend.

At-Home Holiday Cheer: Not in the mood to go out? We have a fun holiday night planned at home for you! Enjoy a classic or new Christmas movie while snuggled up on your couch and drinking hot cocoa. Some great picks on popular streaming services include: Netflix - “Falling for Christmas,” Hulu“Happiest Season,” and Disney + - “Home Alone” and “Santa Claus.”

Ruby Schwalm, Emily Zastrow, Kathryn Nickell

President biden takes a selfie with saginaw students nov. 29, 2022; Photo credit: saginaw isd

Classic coffee shop changes their look

Vanessa Selle

It becomes even more important to support small and local businesses during the Christmas season. The Collegiate team has listed some of our favorite local small businesses. Instead of buying gifts or conducting holiday gatherings at big chains, support your local business owners.

• Tex-Mex Grille, 401 Center Ave, Bay City

• Warmbier Farms, 5300 Garfield Rd, Auburn

• The Studio, 3120 Christy Way, Saginaw

• Play Moore Music, 425 S Mable St. Pinconning

• Cafe One 3, 1461 S Huron Rd, Kawkawlin

• Pierce Auto Detailing, 989-501-3185 (mobile service)

These are some of our favorites; we hope you’ll try them out and find a new favorite!

Red Eye Coffee and Tea is integral to the Old Town Saginaw community. This little coffee shop has been around for almost 30 years. The coffee shop has recently changed locations, two doors down from its original location on Hamilton Street.

Though the location has changed, the family atmosphere and quality coffee and tea have not. Long-time employee Lindsay says there is a tight-knit community in and around Red Eye. Some regular customers have been going to Red Eye for 15 years or more, and the coffee shop takes pride in being community-based.

“There’s always been a very strong community connection,” says Lindsay. Pre-covid, someone would always throw a big Halloween party at their house that the Hamilton Street community would attend. During covid, the community and coworkers would still gather in small groups to have coffee and maintain their bond.

The coffee shop plans to add some new items to the menu, including boba and bubble tea. The shop has a bright, friendly atmosphere, unique tables and chairs, and a botanical vibe. Take-home coffee and tea are available for purchase.

Arlene Maul, the owner of Red Eye Coffee and Tea, says a huge thank you to the community for their support and patience.

The coffee shop was supposed to reopen last November, but due to delays in construction and new supplies. “It took us a year and a half to get two chairs,” Maul said. Though they moved locations in

2020, it took two years for construction to be completed. Now that the building is up and running, the focus has turned back to training and “teaching people to make really good coffee.”

The training process takes about a month and is slow because of the focus on quality products. Maul is also still hiring and is looking for friendly people who love coffee and community. If you are interested in applying, send an email to redeyecoffeetea@yahoo.com.

Maul says that once they have enough trained employees, they hope to be open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and eventually work from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. “It’s a fun place to work,” according to Lindsay and Maul. “We’ve gone through generations.”

As of right now, they are not open to the full extent of their planned hours. To see current full-time hours as the business begins opening, visit their Facebook page,https://www.facebook.com/ RedEyeCoffeeTea/.

red eye emPloyees serve a grouP of friends oct. 31, 2022; Photo credit vanessa selle

Vanessa Selle

CAMPUS LIFE

Sacred Heart teams up with Detla to battle HIV/AIDS

Vincent Khan

Onnie Stone

On Dec. 1, World AIDS Day, Delta College’s AIDS walk had plenty of contributors ranging from staff to students to volunteers. Participants walked five laps around the school to raise awareness for those who struggle with HIV/AIDS. All donations received from the event go toward the Sacred Heart rehabilitation organization. Sacred Heart prides itself on believing everyone deserves a chance, and they plan to use the donations from Delta’s walk to help make affordable housing for those in need with HIV/AIDS. If you or anyone you know is affected by drug abuse or other health conditions that need help living a sustainable life, visit www.sacredheartcenter.com.

students and staff join aids walk at delta college dec 1, 2022; Photo credits onnie stone

FEATURE

What’s the deal with hookups in college?

Sarah Ritcey

Sex! The college craze. Whether you’re into relationships, friends with benefits, hookups, or sneaky links (someone you’re secretly having sex with for some time), you probably are having sex. Hooking up in college is the new normal; some people love it, and others hate it. It differs from person to person, especially college students.

Your chances of meeting someone in community college can be less than at a

continued. “I think most people are just looking for a good time. I think most college students think this is the time of their life, and it’s too early to be locked down.”

Being “locked down” in college is not everyone’s forte, but Zach Moore, 20, is a Delta student and was in a relationship for five years.

“People need to learn to settle down because you’re not gonna have hookups

to relationships at a more prominent university, but there aren’t that many opposing opinions.

Having experience in hookup culture and long-term relationships like Connor Bash, a 20-year-old Michigan State, his opinions almost mirror Michael Mulders, the 19-year-old at Delta College.

views on all of it?

Alexis Pace is a 19-year-old Michigan State second year, and she has never had a sneaky link, hook up, or serious relationship.

university. Luckily, for Michael Mulders, 19, this wasn’t a problem.

“I’ve been in one relationship, and I am currently still in it,” Mulders continued. “We’ve been dating for a year, and we met at Delta.”

“I have had a hookup, which I regret, but I think hookup culture depends on the person. There are genuine people out there who want a relationship and to start settling down, and there’s other people who want to party and have fun,” Mulders says. “It just depends on your view of having fun.”

Amariah Rodiguez, 20, is a student at Delta College. She has never had a sneaky link or hookup, but she still thinks hookup culture is bad.

“It’s taken the sweetness out of dating and relationships. There are less good intentions and overall seems less pure than dating back in the day,” Rodriguez

your entire life,” Moore said. “It’s fun in your 20s, but not when you are in your 40s; it’s different.”

“Most people don’t want a relationship in college because they want to party. They like hook-up culture. But I think it’s girls who don’t want to settle down with a guy,” Moore continued. “I think it’s hard to make relationships in college work, all of the parties, and it’s easy to fall into hooking up with somebody, and you’re most likely just learning how to drink. It’s part of the influence. You’re not making good decisions.”

Addisyn Richard, 19, a Delta College student, has been in three relationships but believes hookup culture is good.

“I think it allows people to explore and meet others. It can also help people learn different things about themselves,” Richard described.

You might expect different answers

“I’ve had one relationship, and it was almost a year, and I have also had a hookup before,” Bash continued. “I don’t think it’s good or bad to participate in hookup culture; I think it all just comes down to the person.”

Sean Smith, an 18-year-old at Michigan State University, is in a long-distance relationship with his girlfriend of six months from his hometown of Rochester, New York.

“I don’t think it’s hard to make relationships in college work if you do it right,” Smith explained.

Viky Sabat, 19, a Michigan State student, has never been in a relationship but has done hookups and sneaky links.

“I think hookup culture is bad and good, but mostly bad because it can seem worthless at times if no relationship is pursued.”

Women in college versus men don’t seem to have that many separate opinions, but when you’ve never had a sneaky link, hookup, or relationship, what are your

“Hookup culture can be good for certain people who purely just want the sexual aspect. But I think that it can also be toxic and can mess up people’s feelings making it harder for them to form an actual relationship,” Pace said.

“The hardest thing about dating in college is finding genuine people who don’t just want a hookup and want to hang out outside of the party environment,” Pace continued.

According to the National Library of Medicine, 72% of college students report hooking up by their senior year. These results showed that most participants hook up to feel sexual pleasure, with a significantly smaller motivation to form a relationship and get the “college experience.”

Overall, whether you have had any sort of relationship or are currently in one, it’s normal. Sex is normal, confusing relationships are normal, and so are stable, healthy ones. Just don’t be silly and wrap your willy.

woman reads Phone while in bed; Photo credits adobe stock

Delta women's soccer team wins fifth consecutive MCAA Championship vs. St. Clair

Vincent Khan

With the World Cup going on at the moment, the love for soccer is felt by everyone worldwide. Soccer is a fast-paced game that tests every player's mental and physical endurance, improvising skills, and mental toughness.

Across all sports, most clubs/ franchises pray to come out on top at the end of their season. Accomplishing such a task involves building a culture, excellent team camaraderie and chemistry, and great management.

Delta's women's soccer program has won the MCAA championship for the past five years. Five years might not seem that long, but when talking about dominance, the closest comparison you could make would be the Chicago Bulls of the ’90s, who won six championships, but those were separate three-peats. Delta is genuinely in a league of its own.

Delta scored their first goal 8 minutes into the game when Kali Jimenez scored on a long-distance free kick. Kennedy Caldwell had the game-winning goal when she finished a ball from a corner kick. Delta added two additional goals in the second half. St. Clair would convert on a free kick to prevent a shutout.

Five years of dominance in a row almost always comes with a great coaching staff.

Head coach Damon Amey prides himself on the culture he has curated through his years of coaching. Damon is highly respected throughout the soccer community, and he has added a tremendous amount to make the Delta Pioneer team into a feared and recognized program. He is also a great student of the game and continually educates himself on new schemes that will benefit the program. The Pioneers are blessed to have his skills and talents in a leadership role in the program.

Congrats to Carley Bolen (5 forward) and Kali Jimenez (31 Defense) were selected for NJCAA All-American selections. Bolen stood out with three game-winning goals this season with ten goals total on a .192% shooting percentage. It is said that defense wins championships, and Kali Jimenez set the tone on the defensive back for the team, which was one of the scrappiest in the region.

The women's soccer program is the top club at the school, bringing in the most achievements and accolades compared to the other school sports. If Delta can continue to carry on this success with its women's soccer program, it may be sooner than later we might see a men's soccer team start to form in the school.

Delta looks to unite the school with a new mascot

Vanessa Selle

Delta College is looking for a revamped mascot!

The traditional “Peppie the Pioneer” Delta mascot is going into retirement, and the college is looking to hire something new. Delta accepted students' suggestions until last Friday to create a mascot that will increase student spirit and foster community in the college.

College personnel and students will be able to vote on the final three options for the mascot at the beginning of next semester, says Leanne Govitz, who is Delta’s Director of Marketing and Public Information.

“A good mascot should unite everyone under one name, make everyone feel included, and connect students to each other and to the school,” said Govitz.

Peppie the Pioneer has been Delta’s mascot since the school first opened in 1961. Although the pioneer insignia was widely used on sweatshirts, T-shirts, and

notebooks, it was so long ago that not many people could even remember seeing it.

In the January 28, 1982 issue of the Delta Collegiate, coupons offered 10% off any item if any Delta apparel was purchased or if you were wearing Delta apparel at the time of the purchase.

In the same issue, an introductory sale featured 20% off all pioneer apparel. Both of these coupons were a limited-time offer, the sale only lasting from January 28 to February 3.

In Collegiate articles from 1982, many faculty members, some of whom had worked at the college since the beginning, reported not being able to remember a big mascot presence. They remembered seeing the pioneer on college merchandise, but not much beyond that.

However, when the mascot was lost for a short time after the 2007 gym renovation, there seemed to be a great upset about it.

The Athletic Recruiter at the time, Chuck Lord, said that he was devastated when the mascot went missing. A basketball team member Ryan Praski said that the absence of the mascot affected school spirit at sports events and that getting the mascot back would probably help with fan turnout and enthusiasm. Sports fan Kyle Krause said that a mascot was a “great idea” and would help to “pump up the crowd.”

Even in 2007, Collegiate articles show that the idea of recreating the mascot was floating around. The Office of Student Engagement even tried to put together a contest to see what students could come up with but were blocked at the time due to the redesign of the Delta logo.

“Throughout the years, student-athletes and other groups have wanted to create a mascot. One that isn’t tied to local colonization or lumbering nor gender specific,” says Govitz.

women’s soccer team celebrating oct. 24, 2022; Photo courtesy Paige timPe

SCIENCE & HEALTH

Men struggle with body image too

Shibi Prabhakar

Cameron Smith was always one of the smaller guys throughout his athletic career at Swan Valley High School. He wanted the physique of superheroes, like in the comic books. We see muscular bodies on social media.

“As a kid looking at superheroes like Superman, I wanted this body,” Smith says. But over the years, I have realized that that is unrealistic, but I can still achieve my best body and learn how to improve on different things and fitness.”

Smith isn’t the only one who felt like this. According to Florida House Experience, “88% of women and 65% of men compare their bodies negatively to television and social media images.” While we think body image is more of a women’s issue, we are now seeing a massive increase in men having problems with their body image too.

Logan Ducharme is the manager of the Saginaw Athletic Club. Plus, he is a certified personal trainer, nutritionist, and strength and conditioning coach.

He says, “90% of the time, a client comes to me because they're uncomfortable with

the way they look. Sometimes they can't even look in a mirror.”

Ducharme says, “I feel social media has done horrible things to the exercise and physical fitness world. Especially now, with TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram, the people posting this kind of content becomes very hard to believe what you see. A lot of it is lighting and photo editing and when you have young kids seeing this, trying to achieve that, and trying to succeed in building this physique is damaging. None of it is reality.”

Social media has coined new terms such as cut, jock, and swole. Ducharme feels those words are overused in today's society and feels it's more of a “joking term.”

Focusing on these different social media terms in the fitness world leads can lead to bigorexia. You might be wondering what bigorexia is. According to Healthline, this is a disorder where a person feels that their “body is too small or they are not muscular enough.”

No one is immune from feeling this way. Even Ducharme says, “sometimes when I looked in the mirror, I would tell myself on multiple occasions, oh you're

not big enough, oh you're not muscular enough when in reality, you just have to look at yourself and say you are physically fit you can walk up a flight of stairs without getting tired, and you are okay.”

You can be who you are without having to change a lot. Bigorexia may sound like a goofy term, but it's 100% real.”

Smith, the former high school athlete, said, “being the smaller one made me more self-conscious. I would see so many of my other teammates with bigger muscles who looked more athletic than me, which made me feel a little self-conscious. But over my athletic career, I have learned I needed to focus on myself and become the best self I could ever be.”

He says, “people should look at a realistic goal and not jump to major conclusions. Just look at the little victories here and there.”

When it comes to body dysmorphia, Smith says, “obviously, it can go both ways. For girls, it's about being skinny; for guys, it's about being more muscular. This can lead to some severe consequences, like eating disorders. People need to look at themselves and be the best they can be.”

Body dysmorphia and eating disorders are on the rise. According to the White House, “1 in 10 Americans are expected to develop an eating disorder in their

lifetime.”

Smith looks at this quote from Martin Luther King Jr: “If you cannot fly, then run; if you cannot run, then walk; if you cannot walk, then crawl. But whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward. I look at this in every aspect of my life, especially regarding fitness. I will always strive to be the best I can be.”

What about the male physique? “There is not a true male physique Ducharme says. It's not a good to judge yourself based on a celebrity’s looks. Look at yourself based on your character, not how you actually look physically.”

But at the end of the day, an essential aspect of fitness is how you feel about your body image. Ducharme says, “I'm comfortable with my body image. Obviously, growing up and going through puberty was very hard because my body was continuously changing. There were times when I looked in the mirror and just hated myself. But now that I've grown up, I can understand that the body is a very interesting and intricate thing. Just love yourself the way you are.”

logan ducharme, 23, is doing his Push-day workout routine at sac nov. 17, 2022 ; Photo credits shibi Prabhakar

LIFESTYLE

Start shopping smart

Before shopping gets too crazy, your Collegiate staff has put together a list of fun, budget-friendly gifts for friends and family. Many of these gifts are perfect for an apartment or dorm room and are great universal gifts for anyone on your list.

Ecolution Micro-pop Microwave Popcorn Popper

This is an excellent gift for those who love popcorn but do not want expensive, single-use prepackaged bags containing unwanted chemicals and excessive calories. This incredible gift is perfect for a one-person snack and is dishwasher-safe. It is available in multiple colors and even comes in a bigger family size if needed.

DASH Mini Waffle Maker Machine

Any breakfast favorite would work as a waffle shape is perfect for this machine. It is a simple plug-in-and-go and small for those with space limits. This gift is available in multiple colors and patterns and includes a recipe guide!

Dosmix Portable Bluetooth Vintage Speaker

This Bluetooth speaker puts a classic twist on a trendy technology favorite. Everyone could use a good Bluetooth speaker, and making it unique is even better. This speaker is designed to be portable and is small enough to fit in a bag or even a large pocket. It works for audio and hands-free calls and has a rechargeable battery with a USB cable.

FaceTory Best of Seven Facial Masks Collection These face masks are perfect for pampering your friends’ skincare needs. Whether this pack includes classic favorites or introduces new favorites, it is a great universal gift for close friends or acquaintances.

Bodum Cold Brew Coffee Maker

This cold brew coffee maker is great for the coffee lover. It is a french press style, 51 oz, and all components are dishwasher safe. The locking lid keeps coffee hot or cold! The small size saves space and is convenient for refrigerator storage.

To find the correct links for these products, see this article on deltacollegiate.org.

December: More than the holidays.

December is about a lot more than the holidays. Here are just a few of the many other things observed this month:

World AIDS Awareness Month

Made in America Month

Spiritual Literacy Month

Safe Toys and Gifts Month

National Llama Day - Dec. 9

Human Rights Day - Dec. 10

Bill of Rights Day - Dec. 15

Animal Rights Day - Dec. 10

Monkey Day - Dec. 14

Bill of Rights Day - Dec. 15

Visit the Zoo Day - Dec. 27

Trans Youth Day - Dec. 28

Vanessa Selle

ENTERTAINMENT

beginning to look a lot like winter” playlist

A Long December - Counting Crows

Love Hard (2021) - Netflix

Just Friends (2005) - Prime Video

The Holiday (2006) - Prime Video

Barbie in A Christmas Carol (2008) - Prime Video

A Christmas Story (1983) - HBO Max & Prime Video

Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984) - Roku & Prime Video

Elf (2003) - Hulu

A Christmas Carol (1951) Prime Video

White Christmas (1954) - Netflix

A Christmas Prince (2017) - Netflix

The Santa Clause (1994) - Disney+

Home Alone (1990) - Disney+

The Polar Express (2004) - HBO Max, Hulu

It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) - Hulu, Prime Video

Holiday horror movies

Black Christmas (1974) - “A Christmas Story” (1983) was not director Bob Clark’s first rodeo when it comes to Christmas films. His first was “Black Christmas,” and it established a lot of trademark conventions for slasher films, including; a final girl and a killer POV camera that John Carpenter later famously utilized in “Halloween” (1978). This film takes place on a college campus during winter break, where an unknown killer stalks and murders a group of sorority girls. It’s not as trashy as it sounds; it’s an extremely well-made film with great acting and an intense story.

Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984) - This film is a little trashy. A low-budget horror film that outraged parents who were disturbed by Santa Claus is depicted as an axe murderer (although this was not the first, nor the last, film to do this). Upon its release, it was picketed until pulled from theaters just two weeks after release. It mainly remained unknown until recently when horror fans rediscovered the gem, and newly remastered footage came to DVD and Blu-Ray. The acting isn’t necessarily the best, but the plot is fun, and it’s stuffed to the brim with Christmas goodness and plenty of good chuckles.

Christmas Evil (1980) - This film is similar to “Silent Night, Deadly Night” in the plot; a psychologically torn loner dressed as Santa Claus goes on a rampage. However, this film is more severe. Our main character, Harry, absolutely loves Christmas. So much so that he tries to become Santa Claus himself and spread good cheer (and eliminate bad) on Christmas Eve. The acting in this film is superbly better than the previously mentioned one and supplies a tremendous amount of Christmas aesthetic. It also starts at Thanksgiving, so it’s a two-for-one holiday film!

Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010) - A Finnish horror fantasy film in which a research team accidentally drills into a burial ground, unleashing an ancient creature whom young Pietari believes to be Santa Claus as the local children start going missing.

Treevenge (2008) - This short film is about 16 minutes long and is easily found on Youtube. While I don’t typically list short films, this one, in particular, is a seasonal fave and a must-watch for any horror fans out there. Comedy and gore mesh together in this tale of Christmas trees coming to life and seeking revenge on those who chopped them down.

Winter Song - The Head and the Heart

Winter Winds - Mumford & Sons

This December - Ricky Montgomery Tokyo - RM

Hungover in the City of Dust - Autoheart

Father Christmas - The Kinks

Run Rudolph Run - Chuck Berry

Ukrainian Bell Carol - Richard Saucedo

Love Like Winter - AFI

Making Christmas - Nightmare Before Christmas Last Christmas - Taylor Swift

Happy Holidays - Andy Williams

Slow Jamz -Kanye West Carol of the Bells

Hallelujah- Carrie Underwood and John Legend His Favorite Christmas Story- Capital Lights

Logan Fairchild

“It’s

OPINION

Farewell to Delta College

Sesa Graham

A small-town girl with big dreams

I remember so fondly having my entire life planned out at the ripe age of 14. I knew what college I wanted to attend, my degree, and what my dream job would look like. Now at 25, with a few weeks left of college, I can tell you that I was completely wrong. In 2015, I went to the school I thought was best for my major and me until it wasn’t. I changed my mind what seemed to be a hundred times about what my plan was for my degree after realizing I wouldn’t enjoy what I thought I knew. I took some time off from everything and got to know myself better, my passions, interests, and dislikes. The one thing I had always had when everything else seemed to fail was writing. It started as a passion and blossomed into what I saw myself doing as a career. Delta College helped show me that passions can become a reality.

Graduation: The end is near When I took some time off from school, the one comment I heard more than any other was, “It’s going to be so hard to go back; most people that drop out never even go back.” I am happy I got to prove them wrong. I write this with less than a month left before I graduate from college, yearning for the next step in my writing journey. I have many people to thank, especially Delta College and the Delta Collegiate, for allowing me to immerse myself in an education that has helped me grow and strive for a better future. Without Delta College, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to find the Delta Collegiate. The Delta

Collegiate, the advisor, and the staff became my family and my passion in college this last year. I learned how to become an Editor-in-Chief, a leader, a friend, and a more organized individual. Without them, I couldn’t have survived my last year of school in the journalism program.

Onto the next chapter

When someone asks me, “What’s next after graduation?” I sit on that question for a minute, think about the 14-year-old version of myself, and laugh inside because even though I know what I want my next step to be, it’s alright if a different path comes into my view, and I take that step instead. Maybe I will go on to another college and further my education; maybe I will become a freelance journalist, or maybe I will finish the book I have been writing for months that I have been putting off. Whatever my “maybe” is, I know it will be right for me.

A special thank you

I never thought this day would come. I am unsure if my mother ever thought this day would come. If you have seen Gilmore Girls, then you know who Lorelai Gilmore is, and my mother is the real-life version. She had me at a young age and worked her way up to provide a loving home and good life for me. She didn’t get to finish college, and sometimes, I think she lived vicariously through me because she grew up too fast. Not only is Gilmore Girls our favorite show to watch together, but it makes being a first-generation graduate that much more special.

As Rory Gilmore said in Season 3,

Ep. 22 (with some changes done by me), “My ultimate inspiration comes from my best friend, the dazzling woman from whom I received my name and my life's blood, Heather Wyckoff. My mother never gave me any idea that I couldn't do whatever I wanted to do or be whomever I wanted to be. She filled our house

with love and fun and books and music, unflagging in her efforts to give me role models from Anne Rice to Louisa May Alcott to P!NK. As she guided me through these incredible twenty-five years, I don't know if she ever realized that the person I most wanted to be was her. Thank you, Mom, you are my guidepost for everything.”

graduation caP and sash dec 2022; Photo credit: sesa graham

EDITORIAL

Merry Christmas versus Happy Holidays, a ridiculous battle of phrasing

Has anyone ever said Happy Holidays to you? Did you feel offended or gracious for the wellwishing? Were you upset they weren’t more specific in their greeting, that they did not tell you Merry Christmas? Around the country, many people take offense to the phrase Happy Holidays.

A plethora of holidays fall throughout the winter season and many people do not celebrate Christmas. There are also many who do not celebrate anything at all.

The Delta Collegiate staff believes that the phrase “Happy Holidays” is meant to be inclusive for all the holidays and people who celebrate them. It is not meant to diminish any other holiday or lessen their value or worth.

While the term dates to the 1840s and grew in popularity in the 1860s, it still receives negative feedback to this day. It is often criticized as an attack on Christmas or a way to take the Christ out of Christmas. People use the term to include the plethora of holidays one may celebrate in the winter months. It encompasses past traditions and celebrates new ones.

Onnie Stone is the Photographer for the Delta Collegiate and shared their opinion on the topic.

“’Happy Holidays’ is a phrase that encapsulates all holidays that someone may be celebrating,” said Stone. “It’s common courtesy to say and ensures that whoever you’re speaking to will feel accepted and included.”

Sometimes it is hard to know what holiday or tradition someone may be celebrating, especially if they are a stranger or not close to you. It is in our human nature to want to give someone a pleasant greeting or farewell and that can be harder during the winter months which are chucked full of holidays.

“You probably wouldn’t say “Happy Thanksgiving!” to someone who does not live in the U.S.,” Stone said regarding the phrase Happy Holidays. “So, just the same, you wouldn’t say “Merry Christmas” to someone who does not celebrate Christmas. This doesn’t demean those who celebrate Christmas;

it’s an all-inclusive way to spread holiday spirit.”

December is known as the month of celebrations because so many holidays are observed. Throughout the entire month, you can see signs of celebrations and holidays, often Christmas or Hannukah related.

Christmas has been one of the most widely celebrated holidays in the United States for many

religions that have a holiday around this time of the year, roughly all within the same week or two. It is meant to be inclusive for everyone. To be offended is to be an asshole.”

Curious about what others may be celebrating?

Hannukah begins on Dec. 18 this year and ends on Dec. 26, the holiday typically falls in either November or December.

Festivus is celebrated on Dec. 23 by many and was made popular by the sitcom “Seinfeld” in the 1990s. To celebrate there is a raising of an aluminum pole, dinner, an airing of grievances, and the feats of strength demonstration. A writer on the show shared that the holiday was actually invented by his father and celebrated by his family dating back to 1966.

Christmas is the Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ on Dec. 25. People will often decorate their houses and put up either a real or artificial Christmas tree with ornaments and lights. It is a religious, cultural, federal, and commercial holiday. Many will attend church services in honor of the day. Most people will celebrate with their family and friends on both Christmas Eve and Christmas day with gatherings, meals, and gift exchanges.

On Dec. 26 the African American holiday of Kwanzaa begins through the first day of January. “Kwanzaa” is from Swahili meaning “first fruits” and is meant to celebrate African cultures, customs, family, life, and unity. Most families will partake in large meals that have a variety of food from African countries; there will be singing, dancing, and storytelling. While this is a rather new holiday, dating back to 1966, around five million people celebrate it each year.

decades. With that said, the country’s population has grown in diversity, culture, and religion and continues to do so. Many other holidays and celebrations are observed throughout the month.

Being inclusive is so important to so many people. Assuming positive intent when someone says “Happy Holidays” is always the best practice. If they are saying it to you, it is most likely a way for them to wish you well.

Heather Kittle is the Head of Video Production for the Delta Collegiate and also weighed in.

“Saying ‘Happy Holidays’ during the holiday season is in no way meant to take away or dismiss other holidays around this time,” said Kittle. “There are many

It is a Jewish holiday that spans over eight nights to honor and remember the Maccabean revolt in Egypt. Each night a candle is lit from left to right on a menorah, a special candle holder. Many people also give gifts, often of money, to children each night. Dreidel games are also played, and foods like latkes and sufganiyot are eaten.

The Winter Solstice will be on Dec. 21 this year and is usually on Dec. 21 or 22. This is the shortest day of the year. This means that it has the shortest amount of daylight for the year because the earth is at the farthest point from the sun. It is considered a Wiccan or Pagan holiday and is celebrated with festivals.

New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, is a huge celebration across the states that include food, parties, fireworks, drinking, and millions of Americans watching the ball drop down to the start of a brand-new year. Since 1870, New Year’s Day has been a federal holiday and is said to be a day of recovery from the festivities of the night before.

Merry Christmas, Joyous Kwanzaa, and Happy Hanukkah are some of the many saying to express a happy greeting for the holidays. Happy Holidays is said to encompass any and all holidays that will be celebrated, whether it is Christmas, Hanukkah, Festivus, or if you only ring in the New Year.

haPPy holidays graPhic dec. 5, 2022; graPhic: courtney elisech

Since 1961, the Delta Collegiate has been written and produced by Delta students for students without any input or oversight by administration. e paper does not represent the views of Delta College, its faculty, sta or administration. Stories are selected by the student staff members to bring reliable information and entertainment to our readers.

MOVE FURTHER WITH

Break down the barriers between you and your degree with our convenient Great Lakes Bay location. Take classes in person or online. Transfer your Delta College credit hours and finish your bachelor’s degree close to home. Find the Ferris program that will accelerate your education and life forward.

FERRIS.EDU/GREATLAKESBAY