January 8th, 2020

DELTACOLLEGIATE

Volume 86 • Issue 1

STUDENT RUN SINCE '61

January 8, 2020

Bridges Pg 3 Student loans Pg 6 No-kill shelter Pg 8-9

2 NEWS

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JANUARY 8, 2020

THE

LE

MI N E E R G

Michael Piwowarski • News Director @DCMichaelFP BAY CITY – A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, in a most de-lit-ful way.

To that end, not all marijuana is smoked or vaped. Edibles have become an increasingly popular method of consumption.

Roots Provisioning in Bay City is one of several destinations for acquiring edible products locally, including baked goods, chocolates and gummies, all infused with cannabis. “[Baked goods] usually tend to fly off the shelves quicker than other things, because, you know, people want their brownies and their rice krispies [...] the original kind of edibles you think of,” says Marissa Burt, social media representative at Roots.

Roots started to sell recreational marijuana Friday, Dec. 27, becoming the first retailer in Bay County to do so. However, their edible products are still only available for medical patients Burt explains that, as a licensed facility, Roots has to get approval from the state to transfer certain inventory items on the medical side to be sold recreationally, including their edibles.

“That’s why you’ll find places won’t necessarily have certain things,” says Burt.

Edibles provide some food for thought “It’s because the state will say yes or no to them, just dependent on what they’re feeling, what guidelines they go by.”

The difference between recreational and medical edibles, to the best of the retailer’s knowledge, typically lies in dosage.

“For the most part, you don’t see anything over, like, 200 milligrams [in medical edibles] because that’s, like, the cap the state gives for medical,” says Burt. “But I believe, from what I’m understanding of it, for recreational it’s going to be less. It’ll probably only be like 100 milligrams, but [...] I’m not terribly sure if that’s the case.”

In Michigan, medical patients have a daily purchase limit of two and a half ounces of marijuana. Burt says that the total weight of an edible counts toward that limit, not just the dosage amount of the drug itself.

“If the edible weighed [...] say, eight grams, it may only have 100 milligrams of THC, but it’s going to count against eight grams in your total, not 100 milligrams,” says Burt.

At Roots, one of the top selling brands of edibles is Michigan-based Motor City Cannabites, which offers brownies and gummies. However, as Burt points out, it is common for customers to buy marijuana for making their own edibles.

Cannabutter is a commonly used method of infusing foods with cannabis. As the name

implies, it is basically butter mixed with cannabis and can be made at home. However, the process is tricky, as the cannabis must be heated slowly to activate its psychoactive properties.

“We tend to find that there are actually quite a few people that make their own just because they’re so familiar with the process of making it and they know the effects of their edibles that they make,” says Burt.

It is also difficult to measure the potency of THC in any edibles, so dank chefs go by a trial and error process. Leafly.com recommends sampling small amounts (¼ to ½ teaspoon) at a time to see how strong the effects are, and then developing a personal “standard” dose.

In contrast to smokable products, the effects of edibles are more delayed, yet are more extended and potentially more potent, making them easy to overconsume. Healthline.com lists paranoia, impaired motor ability and even psychosis as possible symptoms of overconsumption.

However, Healthline.com further reports that edibles are still likely a safer way to consume cannabis than smoking it, as the latter is known to increase the risk of lung cancer. Smoking marijuana is also linked to cases of lung inflammation, bronchitis and impaired brain function.

NEWS 3

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JANUARY 8, 2020

Collegiate file photo by Jaylie Dice

Liberty Bridge is one of two drawbridges in Bay City being sold to United Bridge Partners. Liberty Bridge will be renovated, while Independence Bridge will be demolished and replaced. Both bridges will start charging tolls. Aug. 31, 2018.

Toll bridges spark outrage among Bay City residents BAY CITY – While Delta College students were just starting their winter break in December, the Bay City board of commissioners made a move that will potentially change future commutes.

On Monday, Dec. 16, the board unanimously approved a plan to transfer ownership of two of the city’s toll bridges to a private firm. This plan will result in the bridges charging tolls for each crossing.

Bay City resident Alex Dewitt, former candidate for the city board of commissioners, was “both surprised and annoyed” by a unanimous vote to approve the implementation of toll bridges.

Independence and Liberty Bridges are planned to reopen under new, private ownership in June 2024.

Veterans Memorial Bridge and Lafayette Street Bridge, which are situated further

south on the Saginaw River, are owned by the Michigan Department of Transportation instead of the city and are not part of the deal. They will remain toll free.

United Bridge Partners (UGP), a private firm specializing in rehabilitating bridges for underfunded cities, will buy Independence and Liberty Bridges from the city. The plan is to renovate Liberty Bridge and demolish Independence Bridge, building a new, taller one in its place.

Independence and Liberty Bridge, which are city owned, are faced with deteriorating conditions and a dire need for repairs.

Multiple options have been mulled over by the city, including a county wide millage, but instead they have chosen an option to privatize the bridges.

As UBP assumes operation of the bridges as

a result, motorists will have to pay a toll to cross them.

“For all the humming and hawing about this company over the past two years,” says Dewitt, “a unanimous vote shows that they were unwilling to address issues the public confronted them with and they just came to the conclusion everyone expected.”

Dewitt, who manages the “Get Accountable Bay City” Facebook page, was one of the many individuals who made public comment before the vote, saying that there are a lot of red flags remaining in the proposal.

“Do we want to trust them to change their ways?” Dewitt posted on his Facebook page in advance of the meeting. “Do we trust them to send invoices in a timely fashion since if you look at their reviews [...] you see they send bills past date, put liens on your license and charge

you absurd late fees?”

UBP’s past projects include the South Norfolk Jordan Bridge in Chesapeake, VA. Google reviews indicate several problems, including billing disputes and poor customer service.

Earlier this year, a group of commissioners met with UBP privately. The city chose UBP out of three companies that offered proposals to operate the two bridges. American Roads and Kiewit were the other two companies.

“The other two were more of a give and take negotiation based on their presentations,” Dewitt told the Collegiate. “They wouldn't have absolved all of the monetary issues with the City but gave us the ability to try and relieve some of the pressure without selling the bridges. Essentially maintenance contracts.”

UBP’s plan calls for demolishing the current Independence Bridge and building a new, taller bridge in its place, which will be 10 to 12 feet higher. In addition, Liberty Bridge will be rehabilitated instead of replaced. Both bridges will charge tolls.

UBP will pay Bay City $5 million in acquiring the bridges: $2 million upon signing the agreement and $3 million at settlement.

“There are no good options, that's true,” says Dewitt. “But showing people the final decision for at least two different plans would have been better for public opinion. If we live in a vacuum of those three decisions I preferred the ability to not sell for a service contract or closing a bridge better than a company with a history we now have to assume excess oversight on.”

This lack of open discussion was one of many “red flags” that was brought up by citizens during public comment,

as well as the tolls placing an undue financial burden on citizens and the lack of voices being heard.

Bay City resident Jannifer Tyrrell, however, took a different point of view when she spoke to the Collegiate.

“These people on the city council are elected and have held office for 2-4 years so far. They did not create these bridge problems were having. The bridge problems existed LONG before some of the current city council members graduated from high school.

But, now it’s been placed in their laps and they’re doing the best they can with what they have,” says Tyrrell.

Commissioners Jesse Dockett, Andrew Niedzinski, Rachelle Hilliker and Cordal Morris were previously in opposition to implementing toll bridges when UBP’s proposal was considered in 2017 (as reported

by Mlive). Two years later, all four members joined in the board’s unanimous vote in favor of privatizing the bridges.

Dockett specifically addressed the citizens in his response to their public comment, saying that this was the only viable option, even after years of extensive legal consultation and research on other possible options.

City manager Dana Muscott echoed this sentiment, saying that the city met with the county, state and federal governments, and also looked at bonds and grants, in order to seek out an alternative to the plan that was approved.

“We looked at everything; we had a lot of help throughout our community to look at all those issues and we were just unsuccessful,” says Muscott.

Lafayette Bridge was to undergo a major 18-month reconstruction starting in 2020. However, MDOT announced in December

4 NEWS

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JANUARY 8, 2020

Cyber security experts talk multi-factor authentication Lindsay Lang • Illustrator

two pieces of evidence to unlock the encryption.

There are many ways exploiters can work around this. If a new code isn’t needed every UNIVERSITY CENTER - It can be a personal time, they can try and install key-logging software photo or a word document for school. For some on a host’s PC or link to a phony phishing people, certain files mean their livelihood. website to capture the target’s login information.

Aaron Dornbos graduated from Delta College Some hackers have even cloned user’s in 2016 with a degree in Computer Science phones, receiving every text including and Information Technology - Programming. He authentication codes. The “Something they now works in the field as a DevOps Engineer. are” category is a little more complex, but “Data security is so important for numerous people are able to reproduce fingerprints. reasons, but personally, to me it means an Multi-factor authentication individual’s data is secure is extremely secure, but from being leveraged not 100% fool proof.

Recommended forms of without consent from other Adam Moneypenny entities,” says Dornbos. authentication include: works in cyber security Although open source and is a network architect code can be seen as 1. Something you know at Dow Chemical. a benefit to society, Example: Birthdate, Mother’s “One of the best ways there are times where maiden name, ect. to fend off threats is robust discretion is necessary. authentication,” says “Without data security 2.

Something you have Moneypenny. “Authentication or privacy as a whole, Example: Key, USB, phone, ect. is simply validating you are we would be less prone who you claim to be. This to share our ideas that is only as effective as the 3. Something you are push things to new methods and information Example: Biometrics, fingerprint, findings, and it would used to validate. While stunt humans at what facial recognition, ect. something you know is they are best at: creating the most common, it is more efficient solutions also the most fallible.

People generally pick to every-day problems,” says Dornbos. poor passwords, and something you know Companies like Google and Apple are is the easiest thing to steal or imitate.” taking extra steps toward securing data.

Dornbos also recommends using different One common authentication method is passwords for every account. He says services sending a text with a unique, generated like LastPass, Keeper or 1 Password are great code to a user’s registered phone. tools that help keep track of passwords and To access the account or data, the user must keep information safe. Only the user knows provide the code that was sent to their phone. the master password, so it is recommended This is considered a multi-factor authentication not to lose it or give it to anyone. technique. By definition, a multi-factor authentication is a method that requires at least

RJ Murphy • Reporter @rjmurphwords

“The last thing for data security I like to do is every year, go through your email which has the most consolidation of your online accounts, and start deactivating accounts you no longer use. This is a great way to mitigate risk for your data. Constantly keeping your internet presence managed allows you to be safe if a service or website you used to use gets hacked.”

The internet offers us a load of powerful, useful tools, but with great power comes great responsibility. Don’t forget to update those passwords!

COLLEGIATE LIFE 5

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JANUARY 8, 2020

Does Delta College care about diversity?

Haeley Huggard • Reporter @HaeleyHuggard UNIVERSITY CENTER – Delta College is home to Pioneers from all over the TriCities. People come for lower tuition costs and for a positive learning experience. A diverse classroom is a hefty contributor to that experience, but students often wonder if Delta has forgotten about diversity.

Student employee and part-time student, Jamera Bates expressed that she feels Delta should be doing more to attract a variety of students and faculty of different ethnicities.

“The majority of the faculty, not including student workers, and the majority of the professors and other workers have the same ethnic background,” says Bates.

Bates also expressed concern about feeling like the odd one out because of uneven class ratios.

“It seems as though the class ratios don’t line up,” says Bates. “When I am in class, it seems as though I am the only person with a different ethnic background.”

Which begs the question: Is Delta neglecting to promote diversity?

The Delta College senate recently approved

a diversity and inclusion policy, however, on Nov. 12, 2019 the board of trustees voted to table this policy indefinitely. To table a policy means to postpone or suspend consideration of a pending motion.

Delta College president Jean Goodnow told the Collegiate that the policy was tabled because

It seems as though the class ratios don't line up. When I am in class, it seems as though I am the only person with a different ethnic background.

- Jamera Bates it applied to members of the Delta College Senate, instead of all employees across campus.

“Comments by the Trustee and me, at the meeting, were fully supportive of diversity and inclusion at all levels of the college and I’m confident we’ll achieve the best outcome soon,” says Goodnow. “The postponement was not due to a lack of support of the issue, but rather a belief there may be a better method of implementation for all employees.”

The goals listed in this policy were

targeted toward improving diversity of Delta’s policies, procedures and practices, which would help with avoiding biases and barriers when it comes to inclusive learning, working and the social environment at Delta College. This policy also held all councils, committees, divisions and departments responsible for carrying out these goals.

Krysta Vincent, a current librarian for Delta, agreed that the college should be doing more to promote encouragement of equal opportunities for students of various ethnicities. In addition, she expressed that Delta should provide more ways to help a variety of students be successful.

“I do feel that Delta should do more to try and encourage students of various races/ethnicities to attend here,” says Vincent. “But I think the issue is making Delta a place where all people can succeed. It’s easy to say ‘Sure! We want to be a place that all people can thrive!’ But it’s another thing to have policies and procedures in place that will help all people succeed.”

Vincent believes that the new campus in downtown Saginaw will give students a better chance at succeeding and being able to make it to their classes.

6 COLLEGIATE LIFE

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JANUARY 8, 2020

Students suffer under student loans Patrick Sochacki • Editor-in-chief @SochakiPatrick Student loan debt outweighs auto loan debt and credit card debt, nationwide. You, or someone you know, is likely affected by this massive bubble. What can be done?

Loans and debt are a major part of American culture. The banking system relies on loans to make money. Your credit score, something that can make or break major decisions in your life, consists of debts and paying them off.

Student loans differ from personal loans, auto loans and mortgages that a bank would usually give you.

They are impossible to discharge in bankruptcy; they are guaranteed by the federal government; and they are used to fool young and middleaged people into thinking massive debt is the best – or only – way to receive a higher education.

Paying off a Bachelor’s degree worth of study at a four-year university can take upwards of 21 years, according to usnews.com.

Trevor Beck, 24, has a fouryear degree from Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU) in supply chain management. Beck took out $30,000 in student loans for his four and a half years of education, starting at Delta, then transferring

to SVSU. He says that having his career makes him rather lucky.

“They give you 30 years to pay it off, but I imagine I can pay it off in about half of that,” says Beck. “I get random huge bonuses throughout the year and I throw those towards my loans every time.”

Sydney Harris, 23, has a slightly different tale of student loan debt. Harris is a finance major and works at Quicken Loans in the payroll department.

“I went to Olivet-Nazarene in

Illinois, a private Christian school,” says Harris. “I took out $23,000 in total for a two-year degree, I have been out of school for two years and I have $16,000 left to pay.”

Harris made clear why she has chosen to attack her loans so quickly: “They offer a 10-year repayment plan, but that obviously includes interest and you wind up paying as much in interest as you pay for the principal.”

“My friends are all taking out way more loans than I am, and they

aren’t looking at them the same way,” Harris said when asked about her fears for other students with loans. “Like, yeah, they’re deferred for now, but they’re still accruing interest while they sit there.”

Dealing with student loans can feel overwhelming and never-ending, but there are multiple methods to help with your payments.

Look at refinancing your balance.

Interest rates have been lowered three times this year alone. Do what Trevor Beck did and use any windfall bonuses as extra payments instead of only paying the minimum.

Or join a company that offers repayment assistance on student loans such as Fidelity or Staples.

Politicians are concocting plans to fix the student loan debt bubble. The Democratic presidential hopefuls have expressed their opinions and ideas for student loan debt.

Some believe in forgiving the debt entirely, like Elizabeth Warren or Bernie Sanders. Others believe in forgiving the debt over time, like Joseph Biden and Andrew Yang.

All of these candidates share one thing in common: they see student loan debt as a problem in need of solving, one that will require much deliberation to reach a sufficient solution.

Why do people make changes at New Year’s instead of just making them whenever?

Jazmynn Rosenerock, 19, Bay City

“I feel like socially it’s a new beginning. A new year new you, though it’s just time passing. It doesn’t actually mean anything.

We just give it that meaning.”

Chandler Zehnder, 20, Birch Run

“It’s a clean break.

New start. A way to track your progress as well.

It’s difficult to start in the middle of the month and track. But if you start on January 1st you can compare it to September 31st."

“A time change into the new year, it makes sense to change as well.

Like it gives them a reason to finally make changes.

Hannah H, 19, Midland

FEATURE 7

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JANUARY 8, 2020

Some detailed hijab pins to help hold the veil in place.

Rebecca Roberts • Photographer

Putting together an outfit every morning has become a couple of steps longer, but also a couple of steps funner. She gets to choose to add various colors and details to her everyday outfits. Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019.

Becoming Muslim has been an amazing journey Haeley Huggard • Reporter @HaeleyHuggard When you hear the term “Muslim,” two common, yet misplaced labels are “extremist” and “oppressed,” namely for hijab-wearing women. I cannot speak for all practitioners of Islam but for those who don’t know, the practice of Islam is not about force, nor is it forceful.

My journey didn’t start off with me instantly wanting to be a Muslim. I grew up in a family that believed in many different religions.

I was introduced to God in a Lutheran church as a baby, attended Christian and Catholic churches and

meditated once in a while.

Occasionally, I even said “thank you” to Buddha when I got older. When it comes to the topic of religion in our house, my family is considered a mixed bag, and that’s the way we like it.

Middle Eastern culture and religion has always fascinated me, but I didn’t end up learning about both in depth until I started dating men from the Middle East.

After a few years of dating I finally found my soulmate, who happens to be a Muslim. It took a while before I could get him to open up to me about his faith and culture. The first time we met, he was afraid to tell me that he

came from the Middle East because he felt ashamed.

He worried that I wouldn’t accept him because of where he is from.

Once he realized how fascinated I was in both his culture and religion, he began to teach them to me.

It felt like I got to see the world in an entirely new way.

Over the span of three to four years, I have learned so much about Islam that I wanted to not only continue learning, but also to begin practicing the way Muslims do. So, with the support of my family and a few close friends, I dove right in.

Similarly to Christianity and Judaism, Islam is monotheistic, which

means that when you’re enjoyable the celebration. a Muslim, you believe in Everyone is quick to one God and the Prophets. make judgements that being However, it’s not just the a Muslim is something prophet Mohammad that that is forced onto people, is recognized in Islam, especially women, and that but others from different Islam is something that religions too. Muslims we should fear. But I have believe in converted prophets to Islam from the and I have Hebrew not experiBible, enced such as anything Abraham that I and Moses, felt was as well uncomforas New table or Testament forced.

Jesus, Yes, Mary and there are John the extremists Baptist. in Islam, Muslims but there pray five are also times a extremists day and in every celebrate other many religion as Haeley Huggard reflects different on all the changes she has well. Being holidays, a part of eagerly embraced since like Islam is to beginning this new chapter Ramadan, practice where you in her life. Bad hair days peace, are no longer a problem she respect and fast for a faces. month, acceptance from of sunup to everyone. sundown. Then, you can eat No matter a person’s at nighttime. Think of it like a belief and no matter big Thanksgiving dinner that their lifestyle, a true you can only eat at night, but practitioner of Islam does it lasts for an entire month. not harm or pass hateful The more people you have judgements on others. around to eat with, the more .

8 FEATURE

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JANUARY 8, 2020

Michigan: the effect to a no-kill s

Maddie Fordos • Photographer Volunteer Ashley Stoll of Midland bonds with Dexter at the Humane Society of Midland County on Tuesday, Oct. 30. 2019. Volunteers primarily walk dogs, socialize cats and raise awareness at events.

Maddie Fordos • Photographer @FordosMaddie Additional reporting by Jordon Green BAY CITY — Stepping foot into the Humane Society of Bay County, you are greeted by a loud-breathing and friendly brown lab named Charlie.

Charlie is nine years old and was surrendered by his owner to animal control after his heartworm treatment became too expensive. Humane societies are 100% no-kill and often take in animals, like Charlie, from animal control to help create space.

The no-kill trend began in 1984 when it was estimated that 17 million animals were being killed in the American shelter system each year. That same year, Best Friends Animal Society – one of the first no-kill animal sanctuaries in America – was founded in Kanab,

Utah. As of 2019, for the first time on record, the total number of cats and dogs being killed in American shelters have dropped below the one million mark and is estimated to be 733,000 per year.

In September of 2019, Michigan became a “no-kill shelter” state.

The Michigan Pet Fund Alliance has designated the state with the achievement after having a 90% live release rate in the number of animals they take in. The state has 174 animal shelters; 138 of those having been credited as no-kill.

“We have a big waitlist,” says Shellise Martin, volunteer for the Humane Society. “The animal control can’t take them in, so people think we can take them in and we don’t have the room either.

We have probably 20 dogs and hundreds of cats on the list.”

Euthanasias can still occur.

However, a 90% live release rate

is needed to be designated a “no-kill” state and is considered a very successful number. It means that 90% of all animals were adopted, returned to their owner or transferred to another shelter or rescue organization.

The Humane Society of Midland County has set a precedent for keeping animals off the streets and has been a “no-kill shelter” since taking over from Midland County Animal Control in 2011, with a sevenday turnover rate on average.

“For us, we do have a lot of really good programs,” says Kayla Bergey, employee at the Humane Society. “I know other shelters euthanize for spaceWhat that basically means for them is they need to start getting more programs in place. They need to have foster programs, spay and neuter programs for

free, lowering adoption fees and holding adoption events.”

Every day, more than 70,000 puppies and kittens are born.

Those high numbers leave many of the animals to fend for themselves and repopulate.

The solution? Stop breeding.

“If your cat gets pregnant, the best thing for you to do is take it to the vet to get fixed,” says Bergey.

“If the kittens are viable, find them homes. If not, there are already thousands of kittens in the world.

It’s a harsh truth. People need to stop breeding their animals.”

Many shelters and humane societies work together to save animals and create more space for each other. In an example, Bergey explained how transporting the dogs from one shelter to another can be beneficial because they’re more likely to be adopted.

“We just got a pool of dogs from the Bay County Humane Society,” says Bergey. “They were all in there for two years being overlooked and not getting adopted and now they all have homes.”

One of the main issues for many shelters is the overpopulation of cats, including the non-profit organization Amazing Grace Animal Rescue in Saginaw.

“Right now the issue here is cats,” says Amazing Grace director Shawna Guiett. “We have over 300 in the shelter right now, so for that we just don’t accept more. We try to find people to take them or foster them until we have more space.”

There are many things the surrounding community members can do to help these animals in shelters, including donations such as food, litter and even money to get these supplies, and volunteer work.

“Every shelter always needs volunteers,” says Guiett. “We are an all-volunteer-based shelter.

None of our staff is paid, so every volunteer we get is very helpful.”

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ts of transitioning shelter state

FEATURE 9 JANUARY 8, 2020

10 FEATURE

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JANUARY 8, 2020

Midland jack-of-all-trades explores passion for music Haeley Huggard • Reporter @HaeleyHuggard MIDLAND - Robert VanNilsson, 24, is a man of many talents: juggler, magician, unicyclist.

But it was his passion for music that led him down the path of becoming a musician.

“I really like to entertain, so I try and learn everything I can that will make people smile,” says VanNilsson. “I'm a musician first and foremost, but I also enjoy performing magic, juggling, unicycling and any other artistic creative things that spark my interest and make people happy.”

VanNilsson is the lead singer and guitarist for the local band Skeletal Circus. He has been a member of his band for three months and has played in his fair share of shows.

“But the music we've been

playing,” says VanNilsson, “it's “But Vladimir VanNilsson—that's all written by me and original and a force to be reckoned with!”

I've had it for up to five years. I've His two bandmates, drummer played in a lot of different bands, Connor Zielinski and bassist but this one has Adam Emmendorfer, definitely been my also have their own favorite so far.” stage names: “Buzz Don't let anybody VanNilsson also Pumpkin” and “The tell you what you're Creature,” respectively. enjoys dressing up doing is weird. I love in spooky attire.

“Those guys are He wears different some of the nicest weird. I embrace it and hairstyles and hats, people I could it makes the world a decorations and have met,” says little more fun. Be stage make-up.

VanNilsson. “I'm so yourself and stay While VanNilsson’s grateful for them. first name is Robert, Before I met them, spooky. he chose to go by I was just playing - Robert VanNilsson a different stage my songs by myself name: Vladmir. for two years before “I chose a stage I moved up here. name because with the spooky We play a lot of different kinds of songs that I'm writing, Robert songs, different kinds of music.

VanNilsson just doesn't sound All my original genres expand to too scary,” says VanNilsson. be very different—from [surf rock

to gypsy]—but it's all spooky.”

Family is important to VanNilsson. They do their best to show support for him while he travels throughout Michigan, playing his music for the public.

“My family has always been super supportive of me on this musical journey and I'm really thankful for that,” says VanNilsson. “I've also gotten the chance to play alongside with some of my favorite musicians, Aurelio Voltaire being the most influential. If you don't know who he is, I highly recommend looking him up and checking out his music and art. Some of you may know him from ‘The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy’ in the episode Brains.”

Through many band practices and lots of open mic shows, VanNilsson continues to follow his dreams of one day having a famous band and being the spookiest guy to grace the stage.

“Ask for inspiration,” says VanNilsson. “Don't let anybody tell you what you're doing is weird.

I love weird. I embrace it and it makes the world a little more fun.

Be yourself and stay spooky.”

Above: Band member Connor Zielinski’s supportive grandmother brings him a beer mid-performance at Decker’s Lounge in Midland, MI.

Maddie Fordos • Photographer

Above: Robert Nilsson, member of the band Vladimir VanNilsson and the Skeletal Circus, performs at Decker’s Lounge open mic night. The bands’ sound could be described as punk rock with an emphasis on the spooky side as described by Nilsson, “I’m a ghoul playing a tune or two for the lost souls”. Nov. 18, 2019. Midland, MI. Right: (Identified from left to right: Connor Zielinski, Robert Nilsson, Adam Emmendorfer) Members ofVladimir VanNilsson and the Skeletal Circus performs at Decker’s Lounge open mic night in Midland, MI. The band formed on Aug. 12, 2019 and their usual set includes both original songs as well as covers. Oct. 20, 2019.

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A&E 11

JANUARY 8, 2020

Noteworthy

RJ Murphy Reporter @rjmurphwords

Upcoming Albums in 2020 2020 looks to be a big year for music. Many of artists are making comebacks and we can expect to hear lots of new music from different genres. Here is a list of lesser known and unexpected albums scheduled to be released this year.

12 A&E

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JANUARY 8, 2020

Disney dominates Hollywood year after year Samuel Philpot Associate Editor @Philpoteropolis Hollywood drops blockbuster films multiples times a month with such ease it feels like the title “Number One Movie in the World” doesn’t really mean anything. But how many of these blockbuster movies are not actually a part of something larger, or something that is just being done over and over again?

As 2019 wraps up, there have been multiple major hit movies that have amassed $1 billion on the big screen. Taking a step back and looking at all of these films, it seems to be somewhat easy to see why.

They’re all a part of a major franchise that capitalizes on live action remakes or creating a world where every movie is a chapter of the story. For instance, look at all of the Marvel movies that have continued to come out since “Iron Man” in 2008.

Marvel has been dropping two to three movies a year since 2012. This year, they break ground and drop four films, along with tie-in shows on Disney+.

All of the movies they put out decimate box office records, so it’s easy for lower budget films to get lost in the shuffle.

The domination of the box office by superheroes has garnered the attraction of major filmmakers in a not-so-positive way.

“They’re not cinema,” commented famed director Martin Scorsese on the Marvel movies.

Many major Hollywood actors and directors jumped to his side as well, including Jennifer Aniston and Francis Ford Coppola.

James Gunn, director for Marvel, retorted back on each of the comments. He defended his artwork and found it heartbreaking that an artist he looked up to didn’t care to pay attention to these pieces of art.

Although Scorsese’s comments caused a ripple through the entertainment world, perhaps it’s something worthwhile to take a deeper look at.

In 2019, six of the top seven

Samuel Philpot • Associate Editor Moviegoers line up at Goodrich Quality Theaters in Bay City on Friday, Jan. 3 highest grossing films so far have all been owned by Walt Disney Studios: “Avengers: Endgame,” “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” “The Lion King,” “Aladdin,” “Captain Marvel” and “Toy Story 4.”

The only non-Disney movie that was in the top seven was “Spider-Man: Far From Home,” which was still a part of the Marvel franchise. This shows that maybe original ideas just don’t sell to larger audiences.

As Hollywood sets precedence as to what upcoming filmmakers should try to strive for, the outcome of these movies seem to prove that original ideas may not go far.

“We’re deprived of what we could get,” Delta College film student Lukas Dexter said. “The current repetition is not a good thing for cinema. A constant flow of the same types of movies.”

Dexter went on to say how he would love to see some more original ideas up on the big screen.

“It’s tough though,” says Dexter. “They have to go up against the Titans. Anyone who goes into cinema has those monster to compare to.”

With movie tickets not being something all that cheap, people have become picky about what they spend their money on to see.

“I have to see Disney and Pixar movies,” says moviegoer Savannah White. “As well as anything that’s a book to movie adaptation. Or I’ll go if my siblings really want to see a movie.”

White went on to explain that maybe all of these remakes don’t need to happen, along with the live action adaptations.

“Dumbo was one that really didn’t need to be made into live action,” White said. “As for reboots, it’ll depend on if I was a fan of the original.”

Hollywood has Titans in their corner, and it may be difficult for upcoming original ideas to topple them, but maybe a few new ideas may be what’s needed to shake up the film industry.

SPORTS 13

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2020 CFP National Championship game prediction Kelvin Butler Sports Reporter @KelvinButler19 On Monday Jan. 13 at 8 p.m., the college football national championship will air on ESPN. The #1 seed LSU Tigers will face off against the #3 seed Clemson Tigers.

LSU is coming off a victory where they completely dominated the four seeded Oklahoma Sooners in a 63-28 ass whipping completely exposed the poor Sooner defense. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner Joe Barrow had a historic eight-touchdown performance, showing why he deserved such an award.

However, the three-seeded Clemson are the reigning national champions, who have won 29 straight games. Also, they have one of the most talented teams in college football history potentially.

They are coming off a victory against a much tougher foe in the

two-seeded Ohio State Buckeyes, which Clemson started off slowing letting the Buckeyes get a 16-0 lead on them. Then they got it together and rallied back to win 29-23.

Granted, the last Buckeye play was a simple miscommunication that caused the gaming interception, but still Clemson won their way into the national championship game.

LSU are the hotter team and they are out of the Southern Eastern Conference (SEC) so they’ve been heavily battle tested.

Plus, their quarterback Barrow is potentially the #1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft. Clemson has won 29 straight games with most of them being against the Atlantic Coastal Conference (ACC) teams, which is their conference. But they have some quality teams in that 29 straight like Ohio State, Alabama and Notre Dame. They have a pretty talented team, having multiple NFL prospects on board.

One of them is their quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who is being called the next John Elway.

Here’s some College Football

playoff facts for y’all: the #1 seeded team has never won the national championship. Also, the current year’s Heisman winner has never won the national championship.

Joe Barrow has surprised us all; LSU as a whole has. On the other hand, Clemson won 29 straight, including a national championship.

Then they have several impact players and coaches with championship experience. I think that will be the deciding factor

in the national championship, especially with this being LSU’s first playoff appearance and it being Barrow’s first good season.

So I’ll say the Clemson Tigers will defeat the LSU Tigers 33-27 in a gridiron classic of a game.

This would make Clemson Tigers the first team in the college football playoff era to repeat as national champions.

Top 10 athletes of the 2010s Kelvin Butler Sports Reporter @KelvinButler19

MVPs, with a bunch of historical moments in between. He’s the only player who you can’t doubt.

As another decade comes to a close, here are the most dominant athletes in the world from the past 10 years.

#4 - Stephen Curry Five straight NBA Finals appearances, three championships and two NBA MVPs, one being the first unanimous MVP in NBA history. Also, he changed the game in a big way.

#7 - Mike Trout Three-time American League (AL) MVP, four-time AL MVP runner-up and seven-time silver slugger winner. The only thing he hasn’t done yet is win a world series, and with him having plenty of years left in him there’s a good chance he will.

#5 - Simone Biles With her four olympic gold medals, 19 gymnastics world championship gold medals and plethora of other awards, Simone Biles is considered the best gymnast in the world.

#8 - Chloe Kim A young snowboarding prodigy, he has already gotten an olympic gold medal, a gold medal in the snowboarding world championships and five gold medals in the Winter X Games, all at the age of 19.

#6 - Michael Phelps Nine olympic gold medals in the decade, completely sweeping the 2012 and 2016 summer olympics. Plus, he has a magnitude of other medals from world championships, etc. Also, he’s

#9 - Floyd Mayweather 10-0 this decade, has given us some one-of-a-kind fights and made almost a billion dollars this decade on his own time. All you can do is respect the man's hustle or business moves.

#1 - LeBron James Eight straight NBA Finals appearances with 3 championships, three NBA MVPs and three NBA Finals MVPs. He’s only second behind MJ for a reason. #2 - Serena Williams This dominant woman won a grand slam while pregnant! Then you do all the math: she has won 19 tournaments in this decade, from singles and doubles. Plus she has two olympic gold medals. #3 - Tom Brady Five Super Bowl appearances, three super bowl wins and two NFL

the best olympic swimmer ever. #10 - Breanna Stewart This lady has done literally everything a woman basketball player can do. Never mind she already got five championship rings for the pros and college, also she got numerous MVPs and player of the year awards already in her young career.

Honorable mentions: A ton of NBA players, NFL players, international soccer players, Shaun White, Rory Mcllroy, Roger Federer and Conor McGregor.

To see more sports content visit our new website at deltacollegiate.org

14 OPINION

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JANUARY 8, 2020

Oh, Michigan. What a disappointing time to live in our state. We can do better.

Farmington, Michigan is home to the University of Farmington. According to the Department of Homeland Security website this is an accredited institution that accepts students under the F-1 visa.

In reality the university is fake and the students have all been arrested, and sometimes deported,

by U.S. Immigrations and Customs.

Since January of 2019 over 250 students have been lured in and tricked by paid government agents, acting as recruiters and administration, to register and pay for classes at the university. Once enrolled the agency swoops in on the students, even if they drop out of registration, and arrests them for attempting to defraud their visas.

They lie to students about the school, admit them, collect tuition, then treat them like they’re trash—disposable and

Immigrants are not the problem Editorial worthless.

This problem extends far beyond the University of ICE in Farmington, Michigan.

This problem is everywhere in our country; an explosion of anti-immigrant behavior makes the case that racism was never dead or dying in the United States.

It was simply hiding.

That was until Donald Trump became President of the United States.

It was hidden until the rhetoric and vitriol from his speeches and policies invigorated his supporters to start showing their true colors.

According to the Journal

of Adolescent Health, Anti-Semitic hate crimes increased 60% in 2017.

Mexican-Americans feel unsafe in their communities

and homes. 25% of minorities in the United States experience “interpersonal discrimination attributed to race, ethnicity or ancestry.”

According to Daniel Griswold, a senior research fellow at George Mason University, in the paper “How to Fix Illegal Immigration Without a Wall or Mass Deportations” he states that “hunting down and deporting millions of people would be an economic and humanitarian disaster. It would tear families apart,

disrupt important sectors of the U.S. economy, and cost taxpayers billions of dollars.”

Griswold is of the mind that the best way to deal with illegal immigrants already in the country is “earned legalization for those who are already living and working here.”

This does not mean there would be blanket forgiveness, the newly legal citizens would pay fines and back taxes and submit to background vetting.

We do not have to be the enemy of those seeking shelter. Let’s do better by all those attempting to make a life in America, the land of the “American Dream” that we all strive to reach.

Or we can even just listen to the Statue of Liberty: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore, Send these, the homeless, tempesttost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Native ways have changed my life Donald LaDouceur Student Submission The way things are today, it is good for people to believe in something other than themselves.

I myself believe in a higher power. The higher power that I believe in is Gichi-Manidoo, which means “great spirit.” This belief comes from the native American teachings. I started to follow Native American teachings in 2010.

I was introduced to the teachings from an elder named Randy. Today I call Randy noos.

Noos means father. Randy not only introduced me to the teachings, but he also took his time to teach me the teachings.

Randy taught me about the four directions and what they offer: the north, which brings us winter and is represented by

the elder and the color white; the east, which brings us spring and is represented by children and the color yellow; the south, which brings us summer and is represented by youth and the color red; and the west, which brings us autumn and is represented by adults and the color black.

Randy also thought me the seven gifts of the grandfathers which are: honesty, love, courage, truth, wisdom, humility and respect.

These teachings are important to me for the reason that they give me a guide to live my life by. These teachings teach us about the circle of life and how all things are connected.

If you look at the medicine wheel, the first thing you will notice is that it is round and divided by four colors. You can look at the roundness of the medicine wheel

as a representation of earth or the circle of life. Your can look at the colors of the medicine wheel as a representation of races. The medicine wheel also represents the four directions, the stages of life, the seasons and many other things.

The more I utilize the gifts of the grandfathers and the medicine wheel; I grow closer to Gichi-Manidoo. These teachings help me live a prosperous life.

15 years ago, I had little faith.

I was committing crime and had no regrades for life. Since I have started to follow these teachings, my life has been much better.

I have turned my life around.

I now work for a living. I also attend college full time. I am studying residential construction.

My goal is to get my license and operate my own company.

I have had many obstacles

in my way while on this journey.

Without my beliefs in Gichi-Manidoo and the ways of life, I would have never been about to make it as far as I have today. Therefore, I believe in Gichi-Manidoo.

Donald LaDouceur, Student Submission

ACTIVITIES 15

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JANUARY 8, 2020

calendar of

e v e n t s

Sunday Jan. 12

Tuesday Jan. 14

Full Moon Stroll 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. @ Chippewa Nature Center in Midland

Saginaw Silver Screen: “Back to the Future” (1985) 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. @ Temple Theatre in Saginaw

Interpretive naturalists Jeanne Henderson and Michelle Fournier take you on a guided walk in the woods under the light of the full moon. Check it out; you might see some wildlife!

Hop in your DeLorean (please don’t go 88 miles per hour) and head on over to downtown Saginaw for a screening of “Back to the Future,” a classic film about time that is timeless.

Community Onboarding Event 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. @ downtown Saginaw campus (Room 210)

Friday Jan. 10

Wednesday Jan. 15

Friday Jan. 17

The Handmaid’s Tale: Friendship and Moral Development 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. @ main campus (Room N007)

Classic Albums Live: “Rumours” by Fleetwood Mac 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. @ The Capitol Theatre in Flint

In this brown bag presentation, professor Darci Doll explores the limited access to friendship and its impact on moral development in the Hulu television series “The Handmaid’s Tale.”

Known for their live performances of classic albums, CAL is coming to Flint to perform Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours” (1977) in its entirety. You’ll love it until they “pick up the pieces and go home.”

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Tuesday Jan. 21 Career Research Workshop 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. @ downtown Saginaw campus (Room 210) How will you fit in tomorrow’s job market? Want to learn how to utilize tools to research job titles, salaries and skills?

Check out this workshop.

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MADE TO MOVE Your future, your opportunity, your next move. Find it all here.

Ferris offers flexible, convenient classes in the Great Lakes Bay Region and online. Transfer up to 90 Delta College credit hours. Meet with an advisor now to maximize your transfer credit and move Ferris Forward.

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