DECEMBER 2023
Details on Delta's Holiday Dramatics Page 10
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Holiday haze
What the duck?
An eye on alumni
Since Michigan’s legalization of Cannabis in 2018, the state’s economy has been on an uphill rise.
After over a year of speculation and debate, Delta College has unveiled the look of its new mascot--The Duck.
Animation is a medium that connects individuals through stories that films aren’t able to quite capture.
STUDENT RUN SINCE '61
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DECEMBER 2023
NEWS
Hashing out the holidays A list of local dispenseries and their prices. Austin Gonzales
BAY CITY - Since Michigan’s legalization of Cannabis in 2018, the state’s economy has been on an uphill rise. More and more around the mitten dispensaries would pop up to sell recreational and medical marijuana products. From Traverse City to Detroit, it’s impossible to go through any Michigan town these days without its own pot shop. Bay City is no exception, in fact, it’s the place to be in Michigan for the biggest and best deals on some Mary-Jane. Green Pharm • Vape Carts: MKX - 15/$100, Drip $10 - 15/$100, Crude Boys $10 - 15/$100 • Concentrates: Diamond Dabs $10 - 15/$100, Straight Fire 1g Rosin $30 - 2/$50, Monster Live Rosin $55 - 2/$100 • Pre-Rolls: Diamond Cut $5 - 5/$20, Cali Blaze $4 - 5/$15, Jeeter 1g $17 - 3/$50 • Flowers: $56 Oz’s (Red), $79 Oz’s (Pink), $99 Oz’s (Yellow), $129 Oz’s (Green), $149 Oz’s (Orange), $250 Oz’s (Black) Top Cannabis Outlet • Vape Carts: Anna Tokeley - 10/$110, Breeze Cannabis – 10/$110, Platinum Vapes - 14/$100 • Concentrates: Trap House - 10/$135, Fresh Coast Wax - 10/$135, Rollganic Live Rosin 10/$80 • Pre-Rolls: 1G Dragonfly - 10/$14, Stiizy 1G infused - 10/$105, Crude Boys 1.2G Tarantulas 10/$70 • Edibles: Quicky 100MG - 10/$35, Live Resin Little Tree Gummies 200MG - 10/$40, 200 MG MKX Chocolate - 10/$65 Dispo • Vape Carts: Homiez Disposables - 8/$100, Mitten Extract Disposables - 3/$50, Mix n Match 1g Carts - 15/$100 • Concentrates: Mix n Match 1g - 7/$50 • Edibles: 100mg Gummies Mix n Match - 4/$10 PUFF • Vape Carts: Drip Carts - 5/$50, Humblebee 7/$100 • Edibles: Buy 2 Get 1 Wyld Gummies, Choice Chews 5/$30 • Pre-Rolls: Jeeter Infused - 2/$30, Element - 2/$30 SHANGO • Vape Carts: Drip - 10/$99, Crude Boys - 10/$99, Watermelon Cooler, Strawberry Lemon and Marshmallow Mints cartridges are 30% off • Edibles: Shango Gummies - 30% off, Choice Chews 200mg - $6, Banned Cannabis Co. Gummies 200 mg 4pk - $8 • Pre-Rolls: Baby Jeter .5g X 5 - $35, Baked from Shake 2-pack 1g - 30% off, Crude Boys 1.3g - $15
The festive exterior of the green pharm dispensery at dusk, Dec. 4, 2023; photo credit Austin Gonzales.
The Dispo at dusk sporting some holiday lights, Dec. 4, 2023; photo credit Austin Gonzales.
Customers shopping at the Top Canabis Outlet, Dec. 4, 2023; photo credit Austin Gonzales.
NEWS
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Economic benefits of pot Misty Barron
Transgender emperor A museum in the United Kingdom has reclassified a Roman emperor as a transgender woman. Onnie Stone
As the cannabis market continues to evolve and mature, Michigan stands as a testament to the potential financial windfall that accompanies the legal cultivation, sale, and consumption of marijuana. From job creation to tax revenues, the economic impact is rippling through various sectors, bringing various unexpected benefits that reshape the state's financial framework. Job growth The cannabis industry in Michigan has been growing steadily, leading to a significant uptick in job opportunities. With more than 500 licensed medical marijuana stores and 470 approved recreational ones, skilled workers are in high demand. Not only are people finding jobs in these establishments, but ancillary businesses such as security companies and packaging manufacturers have also experienced a surge in demand. The cannabis industry has become a major employer in the state, providing job opportunities across multiple sectors. Tax revenue The cannabis industry played a significant role in helping Michigan generate an additional $325 million in tax revenue in 2022. This revenue has been a reliable source of funding for essential sectors and has contributed to the growth and development of Michigan. As a result, residents have experienced an improvement in their overall quality of life, as the government has been able to allocate funds towards crucial public services and initiatives thanks to the revenue generated from marijuana sales. Infrastructure improvements Another positive economic effect of legalized marijuana in Michigan is funding infrastructure improvements. Tax revenue has also provided the state with additional funds to invest in infrastructure projects, such as road repairs, public transportation systems, and community develop-
ment initiatives. These improvements enhance residents' quality of life and attract businesses and investors, further stimulating economic growth. Benefits for schools One of the notable benefits of the cannabis industry in Michigan is the revenue generated for schools. In 2022, $69 million was allocated to K-12 education. The funding helps support educational programs and other initiatives to enhance the quality of Michigan's education. Tourism and local businesses With the rise of cannabis tourism, visitors from other states and even countries are flocking to Michigan to experience the state's legal marijuana market. This influx of tourists has significantly boosted the local economy, benefiting hotels, restaurants, and other businesses catering to these visitors' needs. The industry has responded to the growing demand for tourism by offering specialized tours, educational farm tours, and cooking classes.
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This month in gay news: the Roman emperor Elagabalus was speculated to be a trans woman, and it is starting conversation. The North Hertfordshire Museum announced that it will be referring to Elagabalus using she/her pronouns. This decision was made to be respectful of the pronouns that the emperor identified with. The museum has a coin depicting Elagabalus that it displays with other LGBTQ+ artifacts. What we know of Elagabalus is limited. The notorious emperor has been called genderfluid, sexually promiscuous, and now transgender. But how are we able to identify a person that lived thousands of years ago? A person’s gender identity is formed within the context of their society. Gender identity and gender roles vary from one culture to the next. And the Romans were no exception. We cannot say how gender existed in ancient Rome. Ultimately, we can not know for certain if Elagabalus would identify as a woman. Still, it can be enriching to speculate about queer culture throughout history. Conversations like these are important in furthering our understanding of queer history. As we do, we need to ensure we put on the proper cultural lens. What it means to be queer is always changing. So, we cannot enforce our modern ideas of queerness onto historical figures.
For more information on marijuana tax distributions, including a breakdown of how much municipalities and counties received, visit the Michigan Department of Treasury website. To learn more about Michigan's marijuana industry, visit the Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency website.
Elagabalus bust - The bust of Elagabalus at Capitoline Museums, sourced from Wikipedia.
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DECEMBER 2023
LOCAL
Meet Cody Wiedenbein: Journey from hobbyist to educational pioneer April Hernandez
SANFORD - One of tri-cities’ very own entrepreneurs wants to inspire the community by offering education and resources, catering to one of Michiganders favorite hobbies. Cody Wiedenbein started his rockhounding journey during the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially starting out as a hobby, and not really knowing much himself, he has spent the last three years learning all he can about geology and earth science. Although mostly self-taught, Cody gives credit to the Senior Geologist on his team, Craig McClarren as his go to mentor. Cody is the founder of the Michigan Rockhounds; Michigan’s top resource for rockhounding the Great Lakes. One of the resources worth mentioning on the Michigan Rockhounds website is a map, also crafted by Cody. This map gives specific rockhounding locations that have been viewed almost a million times in two years. Cody, along with his team, assist in establishing science education for Michigan rockhounding enthusiasts. What began as a community of people who share the same hobby, has inadvertently transformed into a business aimed at satisfying people's curiosity and fostering a greater interest in geology.
“At the end of the day what Michigan Rockhounds is; It uses the rock collecting hobby as a gateway to get people interested in earth science, science in general, geology, to basically get them more interested in our world”, Cody stated during a recent interview. Wanting to reach as many people as possible, Cody started the Michigan Rockhounds Facebook group in October 2020. This group is dedicated to the unique rockhounding hobby, which has since attracted an impressive following of over 135 thousand members. His dedication and expertise in rockhounding have not only made him a noteworthy figure and business owner throughout the tri-cities but have also transformed his passion into a Facebook funded business venture. Norma Perry, a resident of Midland, discovered Cody’s Facebook group and quickly developed an interest in rockhounding. “It has been phenomenal, it has just exploded from the few members he had at the beginning, to what it is now. It has been wonderful, educational, fun and really introduced me to rockhounding,” Perry stated in an article from the Midland Daily News. Cody's commitment to educating and inspiring the community is at the core
Close up of collected rocks; photo credit Cody Wiedenheim.
Cody Wiedenbein equipped with his rock houding gear; photo credit Cody Wiedenbein. of his endeavors and goes beyond rockhounding. He offers guided tours, hosts events, presentations, and shares his personal collections with museums contributing to the broader understanding of geology, all aimed at sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm for rock hounding. Cody stated, “a huge, huge part of what I do now is making this hobby more accessible for people and opening it up to a broader audience.” In his free time, Cody prefers to rockhound solo, with mining dumps in the U.P. being his preferred hunting grounds and Leland, MI being his most frequented rockhounding location. During an interview, he proudly showcased a chrysocolla, a blue-green crystal with a high copper content, citing it as his best find. But among the countless rocks and minerals he encounters, Leland Blues hold a special place in his heart and emeralds are on his must-find rockhounding bucket list. Beyond rockhounding, Cody has a love for design, which prompted him to further his education in Fine Arts and Design at Delta College. He was also a
writer for the Delta Collegiate and won the Arts & Letters Award two years in a row 2018-2019 and first place for the Newspaper Cover Design at the Delta Collegiate. Although his degree was halted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Cody recognizes the significant role his design knowledge plays in his success. “Design has been my primary passion. It has aided me like no other. My website would not be a thing without my design knowledge, nothing that I built would be a thing without my design knowledge,” Cody said, accrediting his time at Delta. His journey from a hobbyist to a successful rockhounding educator is truly inspiring. His dedication to sharing knowledge, combined with his artistic talent, has not only enriched his life but has also created a vibrant community of rockhounding enthusiasts in Michigan. Cody Wiedenbein’s story is a testament to the power of passion, education, and community- building, and he continues to inspire others to explore the fascinating world of geology. His journey is the perfect example of making a career out of something you love.
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CAMPUS LIFE
CAMPUS LIFE
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Meet Delta’s new mascot, Duck! After much suspense and speculation Delta College finally reveals its new mascot, the pioneering Duck. Misty Barron
Nov. 4 - After over a year of speculation and debate, Delta College has unveiled the look of its new mascot-The Duck. The Delta Collegiate has been reporting on this story since Dec. 2022 when Delta announced they would be replacing Peppie the Pioneer. Peppie had been the college's mascot since opening in 1961, but has not been used for years. The change came with its own controversy when alumni spoke out against it and students seemed confused over the sudden change. "All of these aren't as good as the OG Pioneer," stated an anonymous Delta student in one of the mascot surveys. Another left their feedback saying, "If we are pioneering the future, shouldn't a mascot be a pioneer?" Other students were supportive of other mascot choices, including the duck. "I like the alliteration of the Detla Ducks," one student said. Another's choice for deer had mentioned, "I feel like whitetail deer would just fit the colors of delta and the whole vibe in general." The mascot choice was announced on Aug 22 during a faculty meeting before the fall semester began. During the meeting, Delta's president, Micheal Gavin recognized many were against changing the college's mascot. "The loudest voices we heard were about the Pioneer,” Gavin said. “This was a solution to that issue. The most passion I heard was about keeping the Pioneers, we saw a lot of responses for the other one. So, we thought, let’s not obliterate passion; that’s good.”
Merch featuring the new mascot in the Delta Bookstore, Dec. 4, 2023; photo credit Onnie Stone.
Graphics provided by Delta College.
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DECEMBER 2023
Delta students get a taste of media magic at MAB
Student Employment Job Fair – Your gateway to opportunities! April Hernandez
From left: Jeanna Trotman,Marlee Wierda,Jon Jansen,Jehuu Caulcrick; photo credit Austin Gonzales.
Delta college students get a fantastic oppurtunity to learn more about the craft of media and journalism at the Michigan Association of Broadcasters . April Hernandez
On Nov. 2, a group of Delta College students had the fantastic opportunity to attend the Michigan Association of Broadcasters (MAB) event at Ford Field in Detroit. This event was a vibrant gathering of high school and college students from all over Michigan, sharing a passion for media, journalism, and related fields. The MAB event buzzed with journalists, broadcasters, news, and radio stations, as well as colleges offering media, broadcasting, and journalism courses. The highlight of the day was the career fair hosted by the MAB foundation, connecting eager students with potential opportunities in Michigan’s dynamic radio and television stations. Various companies were actively seeking new talent at the career fair,
presenting job and internship openings in sales, marketing, broadcast engineering, and more. Among the notable participants were organizations like the student safety program OK 2 SAY, Ferris State University, Central Michigan University, WILX10, and several others. Adding star power to the event, former major league baseball outfielder turned sportscaster, Craig Morgan shared insights from his illustrious career with teams like the Texas Rangers and Detroit Tigers, and what the transition was like from athlete to Sportscaster. The event also offered engaging sessions covering a range of topics from, Women Shaping Broadcast Media’s Present & Future, to The Art of Storytelling: Crafting Compelling Nar-
ratives, and Embracing AI to Enhance Your Future. Practical experiences, including free headshots, weather reporting exposure, and interviews with broadcast celebrities, provided students with a taste of the real world of journalism and broadcasting. The Michigan Association of Broadcasters event was an exciting and insightful experience for Delta College students, offering a comprehensive look into the diverse aspects of the media and broadcasting industry. It served as a valuable opportunity to explore potential career paths, learn from industry experts, and gain practical insight into the ever-evolving world of journalism and media.
Where: The Delta College Main Campus, A195C-Hallway/West Main (between B and E wings), N195B-Hallway/North (between E and K wings) Date: Friday, December 8, 2023 Time: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Get ready to seize some fantastic opportunities at the Student Employment Job Fair! Happening on December 8th from 10 am to 2 pm, Delta College offices and departments are unlocking a treasure trove of job openings just for you. Why show up? Well, not only do you get to explore a multitude of opportunities, but you also get to connect with on-campus employers. And the cherry on top? We're treating all attendees to lunch – on the house! Here's the lowdown: To snag on-campus employment, make sure you're registered for 6 or more credits. And being a Delta College employee? It comes with perks – think flexible scheduling, up to 20 hours per week, and even the chance for work-study positions. But wait, there's more! From 10 am to noon, MichiganWorks is bringing their expertise to the table for resume building and cover letter assistance. They've got the hacks to make you stand out! Ready to dive into this opportunity pool? Register today through the Experience link and grab your main campus dining voucher. Don't miss out on leveling up your college journey and setting the stage for success! Unable to make it in person, see a list of on-campus job openings at delta.edu/ studentjobs or scan the qr code below.
CAMPUS LIFE
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Rebecca Jackson and Sam Keeler share a laugh while discussing the book binding techniques with Sherri Archer during the Fiber Designers Anonymous meeting at the Delta College Main Campus, Nov. 1, 2023; Photo Credit: Norman Corrion.
Fiber Designers Anonymous crafts weekly art opportunities Clubs of Delta, a Delta Collegiate monthly series
Rebecca Jackson works on book binding during the Fiber Designers Anonymous meeting at the Delta College main campus, Nov. 1, 2023; photo credit Norman Corrion.
UNIVERSITY CENTER, MI – The Fiber Designers Anonymous club creates the perfect mix of relaxation, laughs, stories and art every Wednesday, 3:30 p.m. at Delta’s main campus in room S104. “You don't have to be an art student to come hang out with us and dabble your feet in those waters,” says club advisor Sherri Archer. “A lot of times it's hard to get in those prereqs, you know you have certain prereq you have to get and you try to pick your electives so they make sense, and what if you want to take an art class and can't fit it in? Well this is your opportunity.” While members in attendance pointed out they were not art majors their passion and enjoyment of the arts was obvious. In the club meeting on Nov. 1, the group did book bindings, crafting hardcover decorative books with blank pages. While crafting the group would frequently share stories, having laughs with relaxing jazz playing in the background. The group would gather around Archer to see required techniques demonstrated, hearing insightful and entertaining background on the techniques. Sam Keeler, club vice president explained one of his favorite things of fiber arts is being able to use materials that would otherwise be
Norman Corrion
discarded. Keeler said, “To this day I've never made any garment or any fabric thing out of anything except for discarded things from other people's projects.” While the group is centered around fiber arts including knitting, weaving, sewing, spinning and more, it also provides studio space for non-fiber projects. Club members are free to work on whatever projects they choose. No crafting is required in the meetings though, the group welcomes all to just hang out and socialize. Rebecca Jackson, club president, says “Thats its just very relaxed and its not like oh we have to do this craft or we have to do that craft, if you wanna just hang out, you can hang out.” Jackson took an Art Experience class and enjoyed the class so much she decided to start and run the current iteration of the club to continue her art journey. Jackson explained many members are often just meeting other members for the first time and create good bonds in their friendly club environment.
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DECEMBER 2023
Delta’s new instructor teaches how to freeze time Norman Corrion
“I try to give people an intimate look at somebody else's life, their struggles, or triumphs, to be able to go in and create images that really tell a story.” Michael Robb
Delta's new photojournalism instructor, Michael Robb, shares his career story and gives his tips and tricks for anyone that is looking to get into the field of photography. The thing that gets Michael Robb most excited to go to work is making connections with people, and he passes that excitement on to his students. "It's all about the information and telling the story," Robb said. Robb started out telling stories through photographs published in newspapers. Robb realized in the 1990s that he needed to expand his skillset and also started making websites. In 2008, Robb found websites lacking when telling a story about their client, so he left the Flint Journal to start Ohno Design, in Bay City, filling the gap for the Tri-Cities area. Throughout Robb’s career, he discovered a passion for teaching and helping interns figure out what they wanted to do. In 2023, Robb decided he wanted to use that passion to start giving back to people and became Delta’s photojournalism instructor. In Journalism 220, Maddie Hardenburgh said, “Professor Robb gets us out of the classroom to take photos. He utilizes the textbook but doesn't rely on it.” Robb brings his real-life experience to the classroom, using his past assignments such as the Berlin Wall coming
down, flying in B-52 bombers, telling the story of Brian, a child with burns all over his body. Robb also brings history on photography to the class teaching famous photographers and how you used to ha-ve film requiring a mix of formulas to get lighting correct. Students would be surprised to find out Robb is a dual citizen, with two names, one recognized by Germany and one by America. Robb’s teaching highlights his experience in Michigan, sharing stories that connect with students on a hometown level. When asked about the different areas of Michigan, Robb mentioned Flint being amazing because of all the news. He jokingly compared it to other areas where the big scandal is about someone owning too many dogs. Discussing with Robb or being in his classroom highlights his ability to keep conversations light-hearted and engaging. A skill that helps him with his favorite kind of photography: photo stories. “I think everybody has a story. You know that's the thing, it’s like you can be sitting across from somebody and if you take the time to talk to them it's like oh my god and I try to use that in all aspects
Michael Robb walks around the classroom stopping at different distances for pictures, students are taking his picture using a street photographer technique he just taught. This photo was taken with that technique on Oct. 5, 2023. Photo Credit: Norman Corrion of my life,” Robb said. “I try to give people an intimate look at somebody else's life, their struggles, or triumphs, to be able to go in and create images that really tell a story. The story of Brian was a lot of pain but triumphs along the way with connections to the community.” Robb’s student, Hardenburgh said, “My biggest take-away from his class is that any picture has potential, and you can connect with the subjects along with having an outside point of view.” If anyone is interested in photography as a career, to enter the field Robb suggests, “These days you almost have to think out of the box a little bit in terms of, if you start something, something along the lines of like people of New York, or if you can kind of create some kind of a little niche for yourself with something that helps your community or that gets
your name out in front of more people and it's so hard to do that and I think if you start small like local community it makes it much easier to transition to a larger community.” Robb mentioned that when he started in photography you had to do an internship and build a portfolio and it was competitive. “I think today there are more options for you, it's just that you need to be able to explore those and say hey, what is it that I can do and enjoy doing and at the same time would get my name out,” Robb said. The one piece of advice Robb would give to any new photographer? “Focus on moments, try and capture moments, and you can do that with any kind of gear.”
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LIFESTYLE
LIFESTYLE
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Games to spice up family gatherings Norman Corrion
The holiday season creates a unique demand when it comes to tabletop gaming. The perfect games for families have simple rules, shorter play times, accommodate a larger number of players and still need to be fun. This list contains seven games that will leave your family members addicted and wanting one more round. 1. Codenames The recommended number of players is two to eight, but it can easily accommodate a few more. The premise of the game is that there are two teams of spies racing to contact all their agents before the rival team. The players are split into two teams and 25 cards are laid out with words on each representing an agent. Each team identifies a spymaster who will learn agent locations and give their team a word clue for cards that match their agents. Their teammates then guess what card they believe is associated with the given clue. If they guess one of their agents, they can guess more, if a bystander or opposing agent the turn ends and if they guess the assassin card, they lose. The first team to identify all their agents wins. 2. Grandpa Beck's Games Cover Your Assets With a recommended number of players from two to six the fun increases with the number of players. The premise here is you are trying to stockpile wealth and literally need to cover your assets to do so. Players are dealt a number of assets and take turns either adding to their stockpile or challenging others to steal their wealth. Things on the top of your stockpile are vulnerable to theft. The game is a fun back and forth of bouncing assets. You will find players pressuring others, attempting to get them to steal from someone else while you all race to a million in wealth. 3. Sushi Go! This deluxe version of this game is for two to eight players. The idea here is everyone is passing around happy looking sushi cards and trying to make certain combinations. Players are each dealt a starting hand, everyone picks a card to keep, reveals and then passes the remaining cards to the player on the left. This is repeated until there are no cards left to pass. As you pick your cards you look at what others are picking to see if it will impact your strategy or if you want to impact theirs. The game takes three rounds with each round adding to your points.
The games mentioned are displayed with a few components for each showing, Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023; Photo Credit: Norman Corrion
SCAN THE QR CODE FOR MORE BOARD GAME IDEAS.
Juggling diapers, traditions, and sanity during the holidays Navigating the holiday chaos with cheer, traditions, and a well deserved chill pill. Did you know that in the first year of their baby's life the average mother will have washed, folded, and put away approximately 3000 tiny items of baby clothing. By year two she will have changed approximately 7,300 diapers. And we've all seen the mom that can prepare a family dinner, referee a sibling squabble, and answer a work call, all while having a baby attached to her hip. I think it’s safe to say, mothers are the ultimate multitaskers of the world! Kissing boo boo’s, telling bedtime stories, and changing dirty diapers just become embedded in who we are, and we love every moment of it, wouldn’t change it for the world. With the holidays in full swing, the mom life has hit a whole new level of multitasking craziness. Class parties, plays, family gatherings, and the big Christmas shindig have all squeezed into an already packed schedule. Amidst the chaos, how are you keeping your sanity intact? I’ll be honest, when it comes to the holidays, I am all but organized. Stress kicks in and holiday priorities take a back seat. I’m no professional when it comes
to keeping myself inline during the Christmas season. I am more of the procrastinating, wait to the last minute on everything, then freak out to get it done on time type of mom, but it does get done. By the time all the presents are unwrapped, I’m ready to pack up the Christmas tree and bring in the New Year with a cold one, strong one, or tall one, you get the picture. The holidays can be a crazy time for sure, but it's important to make time for the traditions that make Christmas special. Speaking of tradition, what are some of your families’ holiday rituals passed down through generations? Does the whole family gather at your grandparents’ house or does your mom recreate your great great grandmother’s beloved sweet potato casserole. Growing up, opening one gift on Christmas Eve was a family tradition of mine, that I have carried on to my children. Embracing these traditions not only keep us close to our roots and gives us a sense of nostalgia when reminiscing on our childhoods but also serves as a compelling reason to
April Hernandez
start your own family traditions if they are lacking. Creating new traditions with my children is something I strive for each Christmas in my home. So far, baking Christmas cookies and watching Home Alone have stuck. Simplicity is key, there is not much to it, yet it is a time we all look forward to in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Traditions are about connection not chaos. So, moms! Whether you are knee-deep in diaper duty, trying to create new traditions or keep old ones alive, remember to take a chill pill this season. Give yourself a gift this Christmas by relaxing and making memories that will last a lifetime. This year I will be taking my own advice and creating a holiday tradition for myself; Don't stress about making everything perfect, save all the multitasking for another day. Just focus on the moment, the good stuff – sharing laughs, spending time with loved ones, and giving back to others. After all that is what Christmas is all about.
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DECEMBER 2023
FEATURE
Behind the curtains of Delta’s theater This semester, the Delta College community came together to bring “A Christmas Carol” by Lynn Stevens to the Delta theater. Onnie Stone
From left to right: Hannah Turnbull as Mrs. Cratchit, Craig Gates II as Bob Cratchit, Billy Dorsey as Ebenezer Scrooge, Maxwell Teall as Fred, and Avery Hurley as boy Scrooge. The cast of “A Christmas Carol” sing during a dress rehearsal, University Center, Nov. 27, 2023; photo credit Onnie Stone. UNIVERSITY CENTER – On Dec. 1 and 2, Delta Drama gave life to the story of Ebenezer Scrooge in three sold out performances. Beth Heyart directed the production with help from assistant director Adna Howell. “I am more than happy with how the show turned out,” Heyart said. “I’m glad that so many people were able to come out to see it.” Members of the show spent months preparing. They received help from all around the Delta community. Alex Curry, a dual-enrolled high school student, played three roles in “A Christmas Carol.” “It feels really like this Christmas village all coming together to help each other out,” Curry said. “I
think that’s what the show should be about.” Delta College students, faculty, and members from the community participated in the show. Many cast members were new to Delta Drama. For some, “A Christmas Carol” was their first theater experience. After a rough dress rehearsal on Nov. 27, it became clear there was a lot to fix before their performances. In just a few days, they would be performing in front of a sold-out audience. Even with nervous energy surrounding the team, they stayed confident in one another’s skills. “We have some great people on stage.” Curry said. “And it’s going to be great, no matter what.”
“Even if we slipped up along the way, we made it work.” Alex Curry
FEATURE 11
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Delta Drama partnered with McAlear-Sawden Elementary to bring 11 fourth and fifth graders onto the stage. The children’s energy rubbed off on everyone around them. “Overall, it was a wonderful experience,” Heyart said. “And I look forward to having all of these young people in future shows.” While the cast is on stage, the crew is putting in work behind the scenes. Lights and sound have to line up. Stage props need to be moved efficiently. Everyone should be ready for their queue. And if something goes wrong—the show must go on! And some things did go wrong. But it was nothing that the cast couldn’t handle. Actors were quick to improvise lines. “I think that’s something we did really well,” Curry said. “Even if we slipped up along the way, we made it work.” During one performance, Mrs. Fezziwig’s skirt fell down on stage. “Now that one was a little bit more of an obvious problem, but I thought the cast did really well,” Heyart said. That mistake made for a great moment for the cast and the audience. Weston Smith, who played Mr. Fezziwig, shouted, “she does this every year!” Another actor said, “oh it’s a party now!” “So it was a way to cover up and to make light of it,” Heyart said. “And the audience I think appreciated that.” People were laughing and cheering throughout the shows. The children were especially well-liked by the audience. The elementary students had to deal with some mistakes too. A snowman prop fell down for all three performances. “The little kids were finding ways to make it be a part of it,” Heyart said. “They ran with it which was awesome.” With the last performance completed, the cast and crew take part in a “set strike.” Everyone who participated in making the show comes back to tear it all down. “It’s a bitter-sweet moment where we are celebrating,” Heyart said. “But we are also tearing down some of those memories.” Once the set strike is over, it’s time for one last celebration. Following the theme of Christmas spirit, the cast party was a time for gifts and games. There was also a presentation with pictures from the production. “It should be a nice moment,” Heyart said. “I was really blessed to be able to have that opportunity to work with so many wonderful people.” “A Christmas Carol” has officially wrapped up. If you want to see a Delta Drama production–or take part in one–there is more to come. Coming spring of 2024, Delta Drama will be producing “Larceny and Old Lace” by Van Vandagriff. If you have ever wanted to be a part of the cast or crew, this could be your chance. “Try it out,” Curry said. “No matter your acting experience, you’re going to have a lot of support.” To find out more about Delta Drama and upcoming productions email Beth Heyart at bethheyart@delta.edu.
Catherine McNamara (left) and Aubree Ouillette (right) work on lights and sound during a dress rehearsal, University Center, Nov. 27, 2023; photo credit Onnie Stone.
From left to right: Mazzie Dutcher as Tiny Tim and caroler, Jazmine “Jazzy” Kloha as Fran and caroler, Emilee Parrish as Belinda Cratchit, and Avery Brozewski as snow scene child and caroler. The children pose for a picture in a dressing room, University Center, Nov. 27, 2023; photo credit Onnie Stone.
DISCLAIMER Since 1961, the Delta Collegiate has been written and produced by Delta students for students without any input or oversight by administration. The paper does not represent the views of Delta College, its faculty, staff or administration. Stories are selected by the student staff members to bring reliable information and entertainment to our readers.
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Mid-Michigan's finest: Benny Candie Austin Gonzales
In this exclusive interview, artist and animator Benny Candie remarks on the growth seen, and to be made, in the animation industry, along with detail on their career, and even their own personal projects. NEW YORK CITY – Animation is a medium that connects individuals through stories that films aren’t able to quite capture. A regular live-action production would take an entire film crew to assemble someone’s visionary image. Still, Benny Candie's content that works in the animation industry comes from the heart. Candie sat down with the Collegiate to talk to us about their experience so far in the industry and the problems animators are facing today. Candie moved from Michigan to New York City to attend and eventually graduate from the School of Visual Arts (SVA) with a BFA in Animation. Thanks to SVA, Benny worked on several projects, including coloring and clean-up for SpongeBob 360 2 VR. Candie’s skills would catch the attention of The Future Perfect Project, an organization that helps amplify the voices of LGBTQ+ youth in the United States. The project would interview people and find animators whose style would fit that individual’s story. The Future Perfect Project reached out to Candie on two separate occasions for animations, as well as a character design workshop. “It was a workshop for mostly high school teenagers to learn about designing a character. I gave them shapes, circles, triangles, and squares to start out with and go from there. These different shapes are unique to character design and reflect the world because nobody looks the same. Maybe their character has scars, maybe they are in a wheelchair, maybe they’re Muslim or Jewish. I wanted them to know to now be afraid of trying new things.” Candie’s talents with The Future Perfect Project would open more doors in the industry and with a hope for change behind the scenes for BIPOC animators. “It’s easy for things on screen to watered down and pandered to, so I appreciate that there are people working on these shows that are LGBTQ+. The people working on these things are making stories that are personally connected to them. Unfortunately, some
Illustrated: Benny Candie in the industry don’t even bother to try, and the entire team would still be made up of cis-gendered white males.” Although the progress animation has made over the years has been tremendous thanks to shows like Cartoon Network’s ‘Steven Universe’ or Disney Channel’s “The Owl House” featuring gay, bi, and even trans characters. In 2020, Cartoon Network contacted Candie to work for their Adult Swim series, “Teenage Euthanasia” at the word of two separate animator colleagues. After being tested for background and character layouts, CN would hire Candie to work on the show as a character layout artist for five months of production. All that work
for big-time TV companies hasn’t stopped Candie from working on their personal projects. In their spare time, Candie loves to make short films for their website’s portfolio and hopes to have it out by next year. “I have it all boarded and designed, I just need to do my tie-downs and production on it. That is my goal! I miss making short films. They are my favorite things.” You can check out all of Benny Candie’s work on Candie.me and you can follow their Instagram or X under @lovingparts.
CORRECTION In the November print edition, the article titled “Ten 16 opens at Delta to help those dealing with drug abuse should have read “Ten 16 opens at Delta to help those dealing with substance use disorders.” Also Jessica Miller was misquoted as saying “There is a stigma that is associated with substance abuse.” This should have read “There is a stigma that is associated with substance use disorders.”
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WWE Sunday show stopper Austin Gonzales
Comic-Con rocks Novi Austin Gonzales
World Heavyweight Champion Seth ‘Freakin’ Rollins takes in the love from fans, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023; Photo by Austin Gonzales.
Relive some of the stunning highlights on the WWE event that took place in the Saginaw Dow Event Center. SAGINAW – The lights are dark, the spotlights center on a wrestling ring. The people of Michigan are roaring in excitement as Saginaw’s own Alicia Taylor welcomes the crowd to WWE Live! The Collegiate was fortunate to enough to cover all the scoop slams from this wild November evening. First and foremost, big shoutout to the Dow Event Center. The Dow has been home to many concerts and events over the years and WWE has returned to the venue nearly every year since 2014. Parking has always been easy to find easy to find and access with multiple garages and lots surrounding the building. The show opened that night with a thunderous ovation for Sami Zayn. Zayn took in all the cheers he could before the civic center turned to sour boos as the NXT North American Champion, Dominik Mysterio made his way to the ring. Luckily for the crowd, Sami Zayn scored a victory in the non-title match against The Judgement Day’s ‘Dirty Dom.’ Bad blood is still in the air as 'The Man’ Becky Lynch went to war against Zoey Starks. Lynch would score a pinfall victory over Trish Stratus’ former protégé, closing the book on their feud, for now. $10,000 was on the line for this next contest as MVP anted up against any WWE Superstar who could knock the 7’3” Omos off his feet. Akira Tozawa would man up to the task. Alas, the former WWE Cruiserweight Champion would fall short against the Nigerian Giant. Next up, The Judgement Day’s Damien Priest looked to settle a score with the ‘American
Nightmare’ Cody Rhodes. The final match before intermission would close out with a victory for Rhodes after hitting his signature “Cross Rhodes” move to take out Priest for the pin fall victory. Nia Jax has been on a rampage since her WWE return this past September and Raquel Rodriguez is one of the few women in the WWE who can stand toe-to-toe with the ‘Irresistible Force.’ Tension is still strong between Rodriguez and Jax since their encounter in the Fatal 5-Way Match for the Women’s World Championship at Crown Jewel. Rodriguez’ athletic physique was no match for the 6 ft warrior that is Nia Jax. In our semi-main event of the night, the Intercontinental Championship is on the line. The reigning champion, Gunther has been undefeated in singles victories since debuting on WWE’s main roster, even against his opponent tonight in Chad Gable. With chops, slams and technical wrestling madness about, Gunther would retain his title and continue his 526+ day reign. Finally in our main event, it’s triple threat action! Seth ‘Freakin’ Rollins puts the World Heavyweight Championship for grabs against the Drew McIntyre and Shinsuke Nakamura. Rollins fresh off his singles victory against McIntyre at Crown Jewel, was put to the test when former rival Nakamura was added to the mix. It was fast paced action from bell to bell, from strong style knees-to-faces and giant big boot kicks to the face. With the odds stacked against him, Seth Rollins would come out on top to send the home happy in retaining his World ‘Freakin’ Heavyweight Championship.
NOVI – Nerds, weebs, and geeks alike got together this past November for the Motor City Comic-Con (MC3). The Suburban Showcase Collection Center was the host yet again of the fall edition of the pop culture event with many notable attendees! “Why, not? When will I ever get the chance to do something like this again?” Delta Alumni, Miranda Johnson of Gaylord township tells the Collegiate while she stands in-line for a professional photo-op with actress Mae Whitman. The evil ex on the upcoming ‘Scott Pilgrim Takes Off’ wasn’t the only star there. ‘Star Wars’ Billy Dee Williams made an appearance to meet and greet while ‘Karate Kid’ fans lined up in their gi’s for Martin Kove, William Zabka, and Ralph Macchio. Cosplay was all the buzz as usual at Comic-Con. I reprised my costume from last year and donned the role of Aquaman. I got stopped by many in attendance for selfies and pictures that absolutely unleashed plenty of dopamine into my brain. On the other hand, I also stopped other attendees in their awesome cosplays for pictures! I saw a variety of cosplays from DC Comics’ Justice League, Ghostbusters amuck, and Jedi of all shapes and sizes. Nothing was off limits as I even saw a young teen and her handcrafted Jax cosplay from the new hit animated web pilot, ‘The Amazing Digital Circus.’ The three-day event wrapped up on Sunday, Nov. 12, announcing a return with their spring edition next May at the Suburban Showcase Collection Center.
Olivia Gonzales (left) cosplaying as Mirabel Madrigal meeting Pro Wrestler and Detroit local, Danhausen, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023;Photo by Kayla Brozewski.
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DECEMBER 2023
December Recipes
"Winter Time Creativity"
Illustrated by: Lindsey Welch
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Collegiate Staff Misty Barron mistybarron@delta.edu Editor in Chief
Courtney Elisech courtneyelisech@delta.edu Social Media Manager
Norman Corrion normancorrion@delta.edu Multimedia Journalist
Onnie Stone arionnastone@delta.edu Photographer
Lindsey Welch lindseywelch@delta.edu Illustrator
April Hernandez aprilhernandez@delta.edu Multimedia Journalist
Crystal McMorris crystalmcmorris@delta.edu Advisor
Austin Gonzales austingonzales@delta.edu Multimedia Journalist
MISSION STATEMENT The Delta Collegiate is an award-winning, student-run, multi-media news organization which strives to educate, entertain, and engage the Delta College community and beyond.
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