10-13- 2011

October 13, 2011

Achieving the Dream aims to improve students academic success

Volume 47 Issue 4

Meramec student entertains campus through music

PAGE 4 Meramec students spend free time in quad playing football

PAGE 15

WWW.MERAMECMONTAGE.COM

KIMBERLY MORICE STAFF WRITER With a jump to the left and a step to the right, STLCC-Meramec’s theater department pelvic thrust their way to the stage for the Fall 2011 production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. The show ran five shows on four nights through Oct. 5-7 with a midnight show on Oct. 8.

Three of the five shows sold out.

“For me, the most important thing about this is I have a student choreographer and a student stage manager. We’ve had thirty volunteers working on the set. This is so much about the students.

Both people involved with the makeup are students and the design of [the set].

That is what’s impressed me more than

anything,” Keith Oliver, Rocky Horror Show director, said. “As I’ve watched them rehearse this play. It’s amazing to me to see students step up. I’m very proud of them. That, to me, is the most important thing.”

Each show opened with a performance by the live band, made up of some of Meramec’s music teachers such as Garry Gackstatter, Jerry Myers, Ph.D. and Lemar Fitzgerald.

“There’s something about having a live band up there, with the beat and the music; I think people are going to discover it’s really fresh,” Oliver said.

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2 News | October 13, 2011

Enrollment is in: ‘numbers are flat’

Social media: for students, faculty

STLCC sees increase in part-time students and drop in full-time MIKE ZIEGLER PHOTO EDITOR STLCC reported little enrollment increase from the fall of 2010 semester, according to final census date enrollment data shared with the Missouri Department of Higher Education.

District-wide, STLCC saw a 0.4 percent increase in students enrolled, up 102 students from the fall 2010 semester.

KAVAHN MANSOURI EDITOR IN CHIEF An area seeing a jump or steady enrollment is the 26 to 45 age brackets.

“We’ve seen a lot of people who are coming to update their skills,” Fitzgerald said. “We are creating certificates that are more applicable to what is going on.”

“Our numbers are flat,” George Wasson, STLCC-Meramec president, said.

Revenue to fund STLCC comes from three sources: local income taxes, state funding and enrollment.

Wasson attributed Meramec’s low enrollment numbers partly to a drop in students attending the South County campus, which falls under Meramec’s campus enrollment.

“We are conservative on our estimates so we don’t come up short during the year,” Wasson said. “We had a larger budget in place, but we’re still on track.”

District wide, STLCC saw a drop of 7.1 percent, or 901 students, in full-time enrollment.

Reorganization of the use of facilities, like moving lecture classes out of labs, would free up the lab for other classes.

However, part-time enrollment saw an increase of 6.1 percent or 1,003 students compared to fall of 2010.

“I think it’s easy to draw conclusions. To me, it’s never that simple,” Kim Fitzgerald, enrollment manager, said. “A lot of it has to do with the economy, the programs offered, how we offer them; a lot of things can get caught up in the blame.”

A T

Wasson said things like football on the Quad, students playing instruments around campus and events held like the “Give a Damn” documentary give Meramec more of a “campus feel.”

“We feel that we’re an attractive option,” Wasson said. “We’re not the ‘other choice,’ we are a choice.”

As social media websites continue to net larger numbers of users than ever before, teachers have experimented with ways to reach out to students through the World Wide Web in a way that is convenient and part of their daily routines.

STLCC-Meramec professor Joe Schneider found success in communicating with his students outside of class by using his Facebook as a source of useful material for his class.

Schneider said it helps students understand that he teaches students about his hobbies, not just his work.

“I thought since I was getting a larger number [of] students as time was going on -- and besides showing my enthusiasm in class -- how could I throw it out to them all the time?,” Schneider said. “How could I show them this isn’t just about what I do in the classroom? These are my hobbies, and I’m interested in this material.”

Schneider started a Facebook group called “Tricky Joe” where he posts weather reports, astronomy news and shares his excitement about weather with students.

Continued on page 3

M E R A M E C

The Music Department at Meramec offers courses and ensembles for all students.

You may take classes for general education credit or pursue the Associate of Arts in Music degree to prepare for transfer into a Bachelor of Music or Music Education program. ** SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE **

COURSES

MUS 101,102,201,202 MUS 103 MUS 113 MUS 114 MUS 115,116 MUS 121,122,221,222 MUS 128 MUS 130 MUS 138,139,216 MUS 141,142,241,242 MUS 143 MUS 211,212

Music Theory I,II,III,IV Basic Music The History of Jazz The Enjoyment of Music Class Voice I,II Class Piano I,II,III,IV Survey of Rock Music Beginning Guitar Jazz Improvisation I,II,III Applied Music (Lessons) I,II,III,IV Introduction to Desktop Publishing Music History I,II

Interested in performing in an ensemble?

All Meramec students may participate. No audition is required!

ENSEMBLES

Music 132 – Orchestra Music 133 – Jazz Lab Band Music 134 – Symphonic Band Music 135 – Concert Choir, Chamber Singers and Voices of Magic jazz choir All ensembles hold a seat/part assignment hearing during the first rehearsal.

Members of the Concert Choir may audition for the Chamber Singers and/or the Voices of Magic jazz choir.

For more information, contact the Meramec Music Department Gary Gackstatter, Director of Instrumental Music, ggackstatter@stlcc.edu, (314) 984-7636 Dr. Jerry Myers, Director of Choral Activities & Music Theory, gmyers34@stlcc.edu, (314) 984-7638

Preparing Students for Life Lindenwood University Offers • More than 120 undergraduate and graduate degree programs • Majors ranging from business to the arts • Small class size • Top notch professors who are committed to your success • A thriving athletic program with 26 NCAA teams and 20 student life teams • Beautiful residential campus in historic St.Charles • Great tuition rates and help with financial aid

Call 636-949-4949, visit www.lindenwood.edu or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LUDayAdmissions.

Transfer and Phi Theta Kappa Scholarships Available

News October 13, 2011 |

Social: FB me Continued from page 2 Schneider said after posting articles pertaining to his several courses content, he grew a large fanbase of students.

“I thought that was a way of continuing to teach students, and in some ways, to help them not forget the material by putting [articles] as my status,” Schneider said.

Associate Professor of Business Administrative Systems at St. Charles Community College, Andrea Compton, gives her students’ office hours in which she will be on Facebook open to communicate about course content.

PHOTO BY: Kimberly Morice Eric Meyer talks about vampires to his Fantasy and Horror in Literature class on Sept. 29. Meyer returned from sabbatical for the fall of 2011 semester.

Faculty take time off-campus

Marketing Specialist at St. Charles Community College, Kanna Taylor, uses social media to reach out to students in a more direct fashion.

Sabbaticals not to be mistaken for leisure vacation

“Our overarching purpose [with social media] is to reach out to our students and have a place for them to reach out to us,” Taylor said.

KIMBERLY MORICE STAFF WRITER When students cannot take a course offered at STLCC-Meramec, it could be because the professor is doing research to improve learning in their classroom.

“There’s a common perception among the general public, and sometimes students, that a sabbatical is a vacation for faculty and that’s not even close to what it is,” said Eric Meyer, an English professor at STLCC-Meramec who took his sabbatical in the spring of 2011. “It’s a very large project that we couldn’t do otherwise.”

Faculty members must write a proposal containing the project they wish to work on, recommendations from fellow faculty members and a description of how the college will benefit from their time on sabbatical.

Then, the sabbatical must be approved by the Board of Trustees and the campus vice president.

“I think the college almost always gets way more than what it put into a project from the faculty,” Meyer said. “[A sabbatical] releases us from our teaching duties for one semester so that we can do something that’s academic beyond the classroom.”

Meyer created materials that his fellow English professors may use to “establish the importance and nature in writing among a variety of disciplines.” He wanted to create multimedia materials for first-year college composition students.

Meyer gathered his materials by traveling the country at his own expense, interviewing students and faculty about college writing.

Meyer talked to seven former Meramec students and six faculty members in various disciplines, including biology, history and graphic design.

Once Meyer returned to teaching, he realized that all of the material he had acquired was much more than he had anticipated. He decided that once he had finished with what he had set out and promised to do for the college, he would begin working on a separate project that would become useful for the college.

“What happened was I got an unbelievably high amount of unbelievably high-quality interview footage. It’s shaped up into what will be an actual full blown documentary film about college writing,” Meyer said. “I have delivered what I said I was going to deliver by the deadline, now a new project has grown out of that. I’m not still working on my sabbatical project, I’m taking what I did there and now I’ve expanded it into a much bigger project.”

Meramec Political Science Professor John Messmer looked at efforts to improve St. Louis regionalism with particular attention toward the city and county split as well as efforts toward a political merger and local government coordination.

“I wanted to spend most of my time -- and this was all in my proposal -- about surveying people that I had never heard surveyed about the subject. I wanted to survey the politicians,” Messmer said.

To cut down on cost and make it more technologically savvy, Messmer emailed a link to his online survey to over 700 politicians in the St. Louis City and County and visited a dozen people who met them.

“This college represents the St. Louis community coming together; it represents that every day, and it certainly represents it back when the college started off in the early 60s,” Messmer said. “St. Louis Community College brings together the St. Louis area for one common purpose: affordable undergraduate education.”

Both Meyer and Messmer have completed their sabbatical projects.

Though, they both continue to improve them on their own time and plan to incorporate their findings into the Meramec library.

“The most obvious result of this is a collection of data which is going to keep me busy for years,” Messmer said.

“I’ve experimented with online office hours by saying I’ll be on Facebook chat during this time on this day, and they can go log-in and ask questions,” Compton said. “I’m just trying to find out how to make it easier to communicate.”

Taylor said that Facebook is a good place for students to ask teachers questions about homework and classwork.

“Facebook is a good place for students to ask us questions opening. Rather than having to go in and talk to someone and having to wait on the phone, they can post a question on our Facebook page and hopefully get a response within the hour,” Taylor said.

Twitter has given Taylor the recourses to organize events for their school by connecting with companies who also use the website.

“I can build relationships through Twitter with a company when it comes time to need a donation for something. Or if we want to work on an event together, we have that base relationship already,” Taylor said.

MAJORS FAIR!!!

Wednesday, October 19, 2011 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Student Center Commons Undecided on a Major?

Have Questions about a particular Major?

STLCC professors from various academic programs and majors will be available to answer your questions.

Come by and get lunch too!

This event is sponsored by the Office of Academic Advising For additional information, contact 314-984-7526

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4 News | October 13, 2011

Achieving the Dream moves into planning process Coordinators assess data in student success and implement first program STEVE DUNCAN STAFF WRITER

3 YR 8% 13% 3% 4 YR 12% 18% 5% 5 YR 15% 21% 6%

Students will earn degrees and/or Certificates: 3, 4, and 5 year Graduation Rate analysis for fall 2005 First Time, degree seeking students, includes full and part-time students.

Total Fall 2005 Students Fall 2005 White Students Fall 2005 Black Students

Attained a degree/certificate.

Data provided by Achieving the Dream Coaches at the Sept. 29 STLCC Board of Trustees Meeting.

Nearly 25 percent of students in community colleges leave school during the first year. Achieving the Dream (ATD) is focused on improving that.

In the spring of 2010, STLCC joined ATD, a national initiative committed to helping more students succeed, and designed a Student Success Team made up of faculty and staff to develop strategies to improve student success, close achievement gaps and increase retention and completion rates. STLCC implemented its first step toward improving student success before the Fall 2011 semester.

“Achieving the Dream sets a framework, sets some timelines and brings in help – brings in the ideas from other Achieving the Dream colleges, so we’re kind of like a coalition,” STLCC-Meramec President George Wasson said. “It brings the college to a focus.”

Graphic By: LillyHuxhold

The plan is for the course to be mandatory in the fall for students who test into a developmental reading course or a developmental English course, according to Huether.

“As students know how to be a successful student they’ll be more inclined to stick around for the spring semester,” Huether said.

The fourth strategy that STLCC is focusing on and will have the biggest impact on students is the redesign of developmental education, according to Huether.

Forty-one percent of students entering community colleges are underprepared in at least one of the basic skills, such as reading, English or math, according to http://communitycollegecentral.org.

The program costs the district $75,000 per year for three years, which pays for support from consultants, registration to learning events and participation in ATD’s network. It aims to make initiatives that work empirically a part of the college by making a program out of it.

“We know that if you start in the lowest level of math your chances of getting a degree are very slim. If you start in the lowest level of reading, you have about a 6 percent chance of making it into college-level [math] and being successful in your first college level classes -- that’s not working,” Wasson said.

“We’ve got lots of excellent things that people have done to help students, but it’s been an individual initiative,” Wasson said. “For something to become part of the college you have to basically institutionalize it.”

Furthermore, developmental education students at two-year colleges are 39 percent less likely than their prepared counterparts to persist and earn a degree or certificate, according to http://communitycollegecentral.org.

Since its first meeting on Sept. 9, 2010, STLCC’s ATD Student Success Team has analyzed data to look for trends in student success.

“There are certain aspects we’re looking at: One is that we know people are not making it through the sequence,” Wasson said. “It’s taking too long to go through the sequence. How can we accelerate that?”

Fourteen percent of students leave their first semester without earning a credit, according to ATD data. Data shows the first priority for STLCC is what happens to most students in the first semester of their first year of college, according to ATD Coach Kay McClenney, Ph.D. “We look at data that paint a picture about where we’re losing students,” McClenney said. “That helps us then diagnose where we need to focus institutional energy and effort and resources in order to have the biggest positive impact on the largest possible number of students. We need to focus on the front door and the early experience.”

At Meramec, Rhonda Adams coordinates student orientation and transition into college. Adams describes the process in three steps: “Get ready, get set and go.”

“What we are attempting to do is make this process a seamless process from the time students walk in the door – getting them ready in terms of preregistration all the way to the time class starts,” Adams said.

First, when the students come in to register they learn all of the steps of the process, including how to select an academic plan and paying for classes, according to Adams.

The next step is student success: how to be successful in classes, the support systems that are available to students, how to navigate Banner Self-Service, how to communicate with instructors, how to survive the first week of class and how to add and drop a class, according to Adams.

One program STLCC has piloted is the Math Boot Camp. The course is for students who have completed advanced math courses in high school, yet test into developmental math. The boot camp allows students to retake Accuplacer after a four-day review of math concepts.

A large proportion of students who participated in the Math Boot Camp were able to move up at least one level of math, saving a whole semester and even a year in some cases, according to Wasson.

Another strategy STLCC is looking at is modularization of developmental education courses. Modularization breaks a class up into sections or modules.

For example, a course may be separated into five modules. If a student is only deficient in two of five modules, they may complete those two modules and advance to the next level, according to Wasson.

The third area is contextualization: for example, linking the reading class to another area of study, such as psychology or biology.

Skills learned through contextualized reading are more likely to transfer into future courses, according to Christine Padberg, assistant professor of English and adjunct faculty coordinator at Meramec.

“There is research that says that students who come out of a developmental reading course are able to carry over what they learn for one semester, and then it falls off,” Padberg said.

The third step will be a college success course and is under development.

“Starting in the summer, there was a team of people that came together and did something called integrated course design,” said Teresa Huether, mathematics professor and ATD senior project associate. “You begin by asking what you want your students to remember two years after taking the course, and then work backwards.”

Most students who enter into developmental education never get out, McClenney said. The sooner students enter into a program of study that they are interested in the more likely they are to succeed.

“We’re talking about really getting past some of the constraints some of us have in our heads about developmental education and redesigning with evidence in mind and from the student perspective,” McClenney said.

Opinions

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October 13, 2011 |

Unpaid and unfair Unpaid internships provide useful experience but not much else KELLY GLUECK MANAGING EDITOR

Shannon Philpott Faculty Adviser sphilpott@stlcc.edu To place an advertisement, contact the advertising manager for rates, sample issues, etc., (314) 984-7955.

Editorial views expressed or content contained in this publication are not necessaritly the views of St. Louis Community College, the Board of Trustees or the administration.

The Montage is a student publication produced seven times per semester at St. Louis Community College - Meramec, 11333 Big Bend Blvd., Kirkwood, Mo., 63122.

(314) 984-7655.

One copy of The Montage is free of charge. Up to 10 additional copies available, $1 each, at the office of The Montage, SC 220. Bulk purchases may be arranged with circulation manager.

Editorial policy: All letters should be no longer than 500 words and must include identification as a student or faculty member, phone number and address for verification purposes. Phone numbers and addresses will not be published. All letters are subject to editing for content and length. All letters submitted will be published in print and online.

Proud member of

Join The Montage

The many benefits of working for The Montage include: An opportunity to attend local workshops and national conventions to hone writing, editing and designing skills, an opportunity to receive scholarships and compile award-winning submissions to include in portfolios For more information, contact faculty adviser Shannon Philpott at (314) 984-7857 or sphilpott@stlcc.edu. Applications are available outside the newsroom (SC 220).

GRAPHIC BY: Lilly Huxhold

Internships are the figurative limbo between learner and professional. They have the potential to solidify a career decision, while simultaneously giving companies a trial or probation period to test their loyal trainees.

Sounds great, until those dreaded words are quietly muttered, “As an intern, you will have to enroll in college credit. Also, did we mention this is unpaid?”

For a grand total of three credit hours, approximately $400, an opportunity-seeking student has the chance to spend 20-35 hours fulfilling their supervisors’ menial tasks. It is no surprise this “free” labor was quickly taken advantage of.

Last year, the Department of Labor released a Fair Labor Standards Act implementing new labor requirements in order to protect interns from the title “coffee runner.”

The act broadly defined the word ‘employ’ as ‘suffer or permit to work’ and listed six criteria separating ‘employees’ from ‘trainees,’ or unpaid interns.

This criteria includes fostering a supervised learning environment for the betterment of the intern. This does not include filing paperwork or reorganizing bookshelves.In some cases, unpaid internships can provide a valuable experience that prepares an intern for a job in their chosen field, and occasionally employers will go on to hire those interns.

In April of last year, National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) surveyed 20,000 graduating seniors.

Out of those surveyed working in the for-profit sector, approximately 60 percent were hired upon graduation; where as, only 38 percent of non-profit trainees found jobs after graduation.Despite the nearly 40 percent hiring rate, students are seeing unpaid internships

as the only way to break in to the professional world during a slowing economy.

Employers are taking advantage of this. It would be costly for them not to. Colleges and universities are also taking advantage of eager students willing to jump in to the workforce for free. Interns are still required to pay for college credit despite not getting paid. Therefore, colleges and universities are making profits without the need to budget for faculty or classroom materials and equipment. It is a money saver for everyone, except the student.

Interns, by law, learn things, and now have something to garnish their resumes. But is it worth student loan debt (now totaling 880 billion dollars) toppling credit debt in a job market that offers a 38 percent hiring rate?

For example, a student takes an unpaid internship for MTV in New York City. The internship is unpaid and cheap rent in a shared apartment the size of a two-stall bathroom, twenty miles outside of the metro, will run you a minimum of $1,500 per month.

In a summer semester, a student can spend close to $4,500 on rent alone. This, combined with a threecredit course and food and drink, totals the cost of living nearing $6,500, or a semester’s tuition for a fulltime student at Missouri State University.

Many interns plan on working when they arrive to internships; however, the competition and long hours (surveyed by NACE at an average of 20-25 hours a week) can cause some interns finding themselves too involved in their internship to work a part-time job whether in New York or St. Louis.

Taking that great opportunity in New York might be worth it if you have a rich uncle willing to feed and house you. For the rest of us, the high cost of living might leave us climbing the debt latter and moving back into our parents’ basement.

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6 Opinions | October 13, 2011

Pride points Off the eaten path

iLegacy: What Steve Jobs left behind

JESSE HOFFORD OPINIONS EDITOR

MIKE ZIEGLER PHOTO EDITOR

Dewey’s Pizza

Students that need a pizza fix will surely find relief at Dewey’s Pizza. Set on the corner of North Kirkwood Road and East Jefferson Avenue, this pizzeria has a pie that everyone should come in and try.

Customers walk in and are greeted by the aroma of fresh pizza and a wall of awards given by local publications. They then wait to be seated or, if it is not too busy, they can seat themselves. A bar situated in the middle of the dining area provides easy access to alcohol if one chooses to have a drink, while booths along the wall, tables and chairs make up the rest of the seating. Dewey’s high ceilings and minimal but modern decor provide a relaxing atmosphere while huge windows near the entrance give pizza lovers a panoramic view of the Kirkwood streets.

Dewey’s menu is fairly simple, offering salads, calzones and, of course, pizza. The pizza is the star of the show and their “makeyour-own” pizza section offers a wealth of toppings, cheeses and two kinds of sauce.

Pies come in 11, 13 and 17-inch sizes and they have a variety of specialty pizzas as well as a seasonal pizza which happens to be the Rocky Balboa right now.

The pizza at Dewey’s has a light and airy quality that is very different from most other pizzas. The crust is what gives the pizza its airiness. It is thin but not too thin. The sauce adds just enough spice not to overpower the rest of the ingredients but it still lets you know it is there.

The cheese is amazingly fresh and super stringy. Toppings are hardy and just plain big. Whole slices of Canadian bacon piled on bump the pizza up from being a snack to a meal. Even the 11-inch pie could fill two people and not leave them uncomfortable.

Dewey’s Pizza offers a relaxing place for students who are trying to quench a pizza craving. With calzones, salads and their delicious pizza, they offer something for everyone. Not to mention a boatload of toppings to deck out a pizza with and their larger-than-life specialty pizzas.

Dewey’s is located on the corner of North Kirkwood Road and East Jefferson Avenue and the hours are Monday-Thursday 10 a.m.

- 11 p.m., Friday - Saturday 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. and Sunday 4 p.m. - 11 p.m. Phone number is 314-821-7474.

America kicks ass

Morgan Freeman is freedom KAVAHN MANSOURI EDITOR IN CHIEF Americans kick some serious ass. I have put this down on paper so many times now, I would be surprised if the world had not heard my message and accepted it. But just to reiterate, lets use some great examples of American celebrities.

Morgan Freeman. Almost enough said, but this man has done more for America than our Founding Fathers. With a voice that is as smooth as a river of creamy ranch dressing, Morgan Freeman takes your ears to a nice seafood dinner, calls it back the next day and eventually takes its hand in marriage.

After a long life of being in love with your ears, the ears and Morgan Freeman move into a nice beach house and live happily ever after.

You get the idea, Morgan Freeman has been narrating for a long time, and we all hope he is not nearing an end to his career. The acting is all right, okay at best, but that voice no one can beat. It is the equivilant to eating the rarest truffle in the world, except

anyone can have it, whenever they want.

It says everything about America; smooth, delicious, even nutritious. Morgan Freeman sums up what America is all about; he is one cool cat.

Go watch “The Shawshank Redemption” and try saying Morgan Freeman is not all about being free and vying for liberty.

He is the most American man in the world and should be sworn into the office of the Presidency immediately. Forget about his “political experience,” everyone would be 10 times more interested in the nation if Morgan Freeman was telling us to go out and do political stuff.

Be American, go buy an audio book Morgan Freeman narrates and try not to imagine an eagle soaring through the skies with red, white and blue colored feathers. Do not forget your camouflage beer cans and American flag pants while you are at it because American flag pants are always in style in America.

To leave your mark on history and hope to make the world a better place than it was when you entered it is the overarching purpose for most during their time spent in this world.

When you think back in history on those that accomplished this goal a handful of names come to mind. Steve Jobs joined that list on Oct. 5.

Whether you are a “PC” or “Mac,” Jobs’s mark left during his time with us was far reaching. When Toy Story 3 was released, attendees would remember sitting down in the theatre and seeing not just kids as young as toddlers, but college students and adults enjoying every second of the movie as much as them.

Jobs made that emotional connection to an animated film possible after buying and turning around a dying Pixar nine years before it released the first Toy Story.

Jobs’s biggest success during his time was arguably the iPhone, the device that really changed everything.

There was a time when phones like the Blackberry and other early generation smartphones put every button found on a modern day computer on their devices.

However, Jobs and Apple released a phone with just one button and a touch screen that did not need a stylus. That simplistic, yet entirely functional design is at the heart of every Apple product and Jobs’s obsession to detail.

Apple and Jobs’s influence outside the computing industry can be felt today in many of our daily routines.

During a time when newspapers and many old forms of mass media were dying, the iPad was introduced giving birth to new forms of content delivery, potentially helping to save what was formally known as the newspaper.

Buying music today has gone from a trip to a record store, or even Walmart to a quick trip to the iTunes or other online store.

Apple helped lead the movement to having your entire music library at your disposal at any time with the iPod and never needing to leave the comfort of iTunes when at a loss for new music.

The connection to Jobs goes deeper than the material affects. Jobs was a champion in design, known for pushing back releases because of minute details. That obsessive nature was foreign to many.

One of Jobs’s many famous quotes alluded to this: “Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple.”

Jobs’s ability to create a buzz and anticipation surrounding product releases fueled an industry of its own. From his introduction of the first Apple Macintosh in 1984 by pulling the first Mac out of a bag to introducing the Macbook Air by pulling it out of a manila envelope on stage — Steve was a showman.

While Jobs may be gone, he is still felt all around our world and has a special place in the hearts of many.

Even in his death, Jobs will continue to inspire for generations to come.

Opinions October 13, 2011 |

Letters to the Editor How to Pass Your Math Class LILLIAN SEESE, TUTORS & STAFF OF THE MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT After reading the Sept. 29, 2011 issue of the Montage, the Meramec Mathematics Department would like to offer the following:

instructors available to help you.

• A traditional classroom lecture section for students who prefer to not work on a computer.

A college degree from a state school in Missouri requires a course with a significant amount of college algebra material in it. The state of Missouri defines what this means. In order for your college algebra class to transfer, we follow the state guidelines rigorously.

Master basic arithmetic operations before starting an algebra class: • National studies show that to be prepared to learn algebra it is important to understand the basics of pre-algebra (usually taught in middle school) without depending on calculators.

• The math department requires 80% mastery in MTH:020 (Pre-algebra) without the use of calculators.

MTH:020 is the only Meramec math course that requires 80% mastery and has a “no calculator” policy.

We would love to design and offer a college algebra level class that has more “relevant real-life” math, but transfer issues have made this a very difficult undertaking. College students need to understand that reaching this level of mathematical maturity means that, as Kavahn Mansouri, Montage Editor-in-Chief, says, “…it all comes down to putting in the work.” As he correctly says, “College is about working hard to get a proper education.”

As was stated in the Montage, more and more students come to Meramec unprepared for college level math courses. Students who place below College Algebra need to spend a good deal of time acquiring the prerequisite math knowledge and skills needed to proceed to classes that will transfer. The following advice may be helpful.

How to Pass Your Math Class - Be sure you are taking the appropriate class: • Some students may not be in the correct math course because they barely met the minimum qualification through the placement test or they transferred from a school where the math curriculum may not match that of STLCC. • If you are really struggling in your math course, move to a lower level math course to re-enforce your prerequisite skills.

Decide which delivery method is best for you. Students in developmental classes (MTH:020 and 030) have two choices: • Computer delivered instruction in a lab with multiple

Be an active learner: • Come to class on time and be prepared to work.

• When you are in class, don’t let your mind wander – stay focused.

• Take notes and ask questions.

• Put your cell phone away – no texting.

• While doing your homework, self-assess to be sure you really understand the material.

• If necessary, do more practice problems than are assigned.

Reach out to your teacher and/or the math tutors: • If you need more individual help than you can get during your class meetings, see your teacher during office hours. Faculty members have office hours so that students can get extra help.

• The Math Department provides free tutoring in SW 211, CN 102 and at the South County campus. We provide math tutoring as early as 7 a.m. and as late as 9 p.m. depending on the tutoring center you choose.

• Remember that for a three credit hour class students need to spend at least six hours a week studying and practicing math outside of class.

Students soundoff If you could change one thing about the math classes here at STLCC-Meramec, what would it be?

Mike Wilson -Student“If there was one thing I could change about the math courses here at Meramec, I’d get off of My Math Lab. I’d much rather just go to the book and talk with my teacher after.

I think we’d be better off relying on our teachers.”

We hope you do well in your math class this semester, and urge you to visit your math teacher and/or a math tutor if you need help!

Response to ‘Math Success: A National Issue’ LAURIE MCMANUS PROFESSOR MATHEMATICS, STLCC-MERAMEC I was disappointed in the recent Montage article, “Math success; a national issue”. I found the article to be a disjointed and incoherent jumble of facts, misrepresented facts, and hearsay.

of mathematics. A better informed journalist would have been able to state that Achieving the Dream is a national program focused on strategies to help community college students complete degree programs.

Had the author done sufficient research, he would have been able to state that both the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and the American Mathematics Association for Two Year Colleges (AMATYC) have defined standards for the practice of mathematics education that address ways to help students not only master mathematical concepts and ideas, but also to foster an appreciation for the utility

The article could have offered a broader perspective by narrating stories of more than one student about their efforts to pass mathematics courses. As a community college educator, I appreciate the student work that has resulted in the Montage earning numerous journalism awards.

&

NEWS PHOTOS VIDEOS

Nader Rapp -Student“The large amount of homework they give. Like 30 problems a night and its just difficult to do it. “

This article does not exemplify such work.

More @ Meramec Montage.com

David Kopel -Student“I suppose more time in class to go over work. Just go over mathematical problems and be able to converse with the teacher.”

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meramec montage

8 In-Depth

Hotspo places to go, people | October 13, 2011

in Kirkw

If you enjoy going to the bar every now and then (or every day), here are a few to check out:

What local Kirkwood hangout type are you? start here

Bar Louie Kirkwood Station Brewing Co. PJ’s Tavern Ice & Fuel

Bar Scene social network or shopping site

all the time!

give me a lime

never!

do you enjoy having drinks out on the town?

not really are you 21 or older?

yes

Captain Morgan

If you enjoy chatting the night away, then grab some friends and head out to these laid-back hangouts:

extravert

do you like going places with friends and talking until closing time?

vanilla or chocolate?

saver

ea nig

e lat o oc h c

are you an introvert int or an extravert? rov ert

clothes!

Social Get-Together

Captain Morgan or new wardrobe

yes

Dewey’s Pizza Culpepper’s McArthur’s Bakery Racanelli’s New York Pizzeria

are you a spender or a saver?

spender

what?!

do you like going out by yourself?

no ge ra de un

+ 21

twist or a slice?

search engine or news site

website you visit in the morning?

l w o t gh i n would you rather go out and do something or just hang out and talk?

definitel just hang out and talk

go out and do something! not so much

no

do you go shopping almost every weekend, either by yourself or with with friends? friends?

ots e to see

October 13, 2011 |

Map of Downtown Kirkwood E. Adams Ave.

10 19

1

9

8

LAYOUT BY: Tomi Storey

E. Jefferson Ave.

2

If staying on top of your homework is your thing, but you need to get out of the house to get anything done, then take a look at these local coffee shops:

22 25 4

Kaldi’s Coffee Starbucks

23 15

26 11 24 21 13 16

W. Argon

E. Argon d

Railroa

7 5 17

Coffee Break

arly bird or ght owl?

ly

of course

12 6

think it out in a quiet place

what do you do to work out a problem?

W. Monroe Ave. N. Kirkwood Rd.

early bird

vanilla

W. Madison Ave.

S. CLay Ave.

are you always on top of your schoolwork and well-prepared for tests?

20

3 14

S. Taylor Ave.

wood

In-Depth

18 listen to music or talk it out with a friend

If you have cash to spend, or just enjoy browsing, check out these local shops:

Blush Boutique Kirkwood Farmers’ Market Clay & Cotton Down by the Station

Shopping Palooza

Sit Down Restaurants 1. Amici’s (Italian) 2. Amigos (Mexican) 3. Culpepper’s 4. Masa’s 5. Sansai Japanese Grill 6. Spencer’s Grill Bars 7. Bar Louie 8. Kirkwood Station Brewing Co. 9. PJ’s Tavern 10. Ice & Fuel Pizza Parlors 11. Dewey’s Pizza 12. Imo’s 13. Racanelli’s New York Pizzeria

Ice Cream Shops 14. Cold Stone Creamery 15. The Custard Station 16. Red Mango (frozen yogurt) Coffee Shops 17. Kaldi’s Coffee 18. Starbucks Shopping 19. Blush Boutique 20. Kirkwood Farmers’ Market 21. Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate 22. Clay & Cotton 23. Down by the Station 24. McArthur’s Bakery 25. Sugar Shack 26. Old Dog New Treats

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meramec montage

10 Art & Life | October 13, 2011

Playing to the tune of life Meramec student embraces his musical talents around campus TYLER BURRUS STAFF WRITER Students may have seen or heard this character around campus, playing a flute or saxophone.

The character is Ryan Bouma, also known to many students as “Green Bean.”

“I walked into a gathering of friends. P-funk was playing on the radio. I was wearing a green shirt and green pants and dancing, when one of the girls from across the room shouted, ‘It’s a green bean!’” Bouma said.

Bouma said it is good to have a nickname because it is another way to get his name out there. For him, a nickname is part of his musical identity and another way of letting people know about his band, Stank Nasty. People often wonder why he is called “Green Bean” and his story keeps the conversation going.

“I can be myself and promote the band easily just by talking about it. I feed on the energy and gravitate towards people who are interested,” Bouma said.

Bouma’s love for music started his senior year of high school with a guitar he had bought at a garage sale. His next purchase was a harmonica that he played around his high school campus.

“I started having dreams about harmonicas so I

bought one,” Bouma said. “I definitely felt that music was the cure for my anxiety.”

According to Bouma, playing music around campus and at music festivals made him feel less nervous about being in areas full of people. This encouraged his love for music.

Eventually, the number of instruments Bouma could play grew. He currently plays the trombone, trumpet, piano, organ, harmonica, saxophone and the flute. “[The Saxophone and flute] are my strongest instruments, those and the keys,” Bouma said.

While here at STLCC-Meramec, he has taken all music theory classes and is currently enrolled in a jazz improvisation class.

Bouma said he is gathering enough credits at Meramec so he can eventually go to music school.

He has been looking into Berkley University in Boston.

“I basically just want to get enough credits to get into a music school,” Bouma said.

Not only can you find him playing on the campus around school, but around town as well.

PHOTO BY: Kimberly Morice Ryan ‘Green Bean’ Bouma stands on “Gulliver” while playing a song on his saxophone on Oct. 6 in the Student Center quad. The saxophone is one of many instruments he plays around campus.

Continued on page 14

Art & Life October 13, 2011 |

Conquering life’s obstacles Antoine Evans overcomes violent behavior and personal demons RACHAEL FREEMAN STAFF WRITER When he was a young boy, he started fires and made sure to finish every brawl; while in his preadolescent to adolescent years. Meet Antoine Evans, a freshman at STLCC-Meramec born exposed to drugs, who fought to survive at birth, wrestled with his own personal demons and survived to tell a story of victory.

Evans was born with drugs in his system, but he survived; kicking a habit that he involuntarily took on. Imagine this infant, now a toddler, separated from his birth mom for years to come.

In the course of a year, 100,000 prenatally cocaine-exposed children were born in the late 1980s and the early 1990s continuously for 12 months in the United States. According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), children born exposed to cocaine are more likely to be aggressive, irrational, and show clinically elevated levels of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) symptoms.. However, the statistics provided are based off record.

“I [had] a really short fuse back then,” Evans’s said. “Anything would set me off. I would throw chairs, break stuff and knock people over. I got into a lot of fights. If people didn’t care about how I talked, I would’ve been fine. I had a lot of anger issues. [Therapists] tried to dig and find out what caused me to be angry.”

Although Evans had a general idea of what caused his anger as a child, he was not completely confident in knowing what was responsible for his uncontrolled behavior. In addition to battling his anger, he also struggled with ADHD.

me acting white, acting like an oreo,” Antoine Evans said.

Tom Evans said that Antoine Evans’ violent behavior was the result of being separated from his birth mother. He also concluded that Antoine Evans might have battled with identity issues.

His identity was being challenged by his peers, which caused a mental, emotional and spiritual strain.

“[Evans] had a tendency to do things on impulse.

That therapist really helped him with that impulse control, be able to think things through and make the right choices,” Tom Evans, Antoine Evan’s father, said.

“It was hard for him to be able to say, ‘There’s a mom out there I don’t know, but I love her because she’s mom. I got this man keeping me warm, feeding me and taking me to playgrounds.

We have fun. If he finds out I care for this mom, is he going to want me?’” Antoine Evans said.

Molly McMahon was Antoine Evans’s therapist at Edgewood School. Evans was not accepted into Edgewood School until his behavior skyrocketed out of control, mainly because the school serves children with extreme emotional and behavioral illnesses. Edgewood School serves children between the ages 5-17 by providing specialized academic and treatment programs.

Antoine Evans cares for the mom he never had, but also the dad that had taken him into his home and heart. The rage that consumed Evans blocked his vision, making it nearly impossible for him to realize how much his adoptive dad cared for him.

Ironically, Antoine Evans had to be expelled from three schools before being accepted into Edgewood School. His expulsion from Oak Hill Elementary, Warner Elementary and Mann School was partially because of his belligerent behavior.

“Once I realized what he was doing, I said to myself, ‘I really need to change or this is going to turn out really bad,’” Antoine Evans said.

“I didn’t care at that time. I guess it had a lot to do with me being raised by a white family. I got tormented [because of] my dad being white,

Continued on page 14

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12 Art & Life | October 13, 2011

Derek Robertson, playing the role of Frank-N-Furter, rehearses Rocky Horror on Sept.30 in the Meramec Theatre. The show ran from from Oct. 5-7.

PHOTO BY: Mike Ziegler

Meramec’s theatre department performs the cult classic as their Fall 2011 production KIMBERLY MORICE STAFF WRITER Continued from page 1 Stephen Henley played the role of Brad Majors, the “asshole” in the movie. Henley graduated from Meramec in the spring and was noted by Oliver on how much he had grown as an actor.

“He just keeps growing and I think you’ll see an incredible amount of growth from him in this play,” Oliver said.

For those unfamiliar with the plot of the play and movie, the story surrounds a newlyengaged couple, Brad Majors and Janet Weiss, who set out to find their old high school science teacher, Dr. Everett Scott, who introduced the two. The Rocky Horror Show was released in 1975 and over the past 36 years it has become a cult classic.

“It’s great for people who feel kind of like they’re an outcast,” Katie Robinson said, who played the role of Columbia.

The Rocky Horror Show is famous for its midnight showings, where fans dress up and throw things like rice, toast and toilet paper.

The cast of The Rocky Horror Show had mixed feelings about the midnight show at Meramec.

“I’m a little terrified because we have no idea how many people will be here, or what they’ll throw at us, and I’m afraid I’ll break character and start laughing,” Matt Schulze said. Schulze played Dr. Frank-N-Furter’s golden briefwearing creature, Rocky.

Audrey Meyer, who played the role of Janet Weiss, was also afraid of breaking character.

“I’m scared. I am terrified. I’m just terrified of us not getting home until four in the morning

from us busting our asses up on stage from laughing so hard,” Meyer said.

The theater was full as the doors closed on the midnight show. The audience sang along, shouted lines, did the “Time Warp” again and again.

According to Oliver, every show’s audience was growing more and more interactive and the midnight showing brought in the most entertaining crowd.

“The way I see it, the midnight show is going to be our most interactive but they’re also going to be the harshest critics of the show. They should help us boost up our energy, which will be much appreciated by the cast,” Robinson said.

In comparison to the movie, the production included new or different songs, small lines here and there that were meant to be interactive with the audience, and also the character portrayals.

“The changes that we’ve made were to bridge the gap between what people expect and what we were given,” Robinson said. “I’ve found a middle ground between the movie Columbia and who I am voice-wise. I’ve taken some liberties, but I think I’ve stayed true to who the character is.”

Each of the cast members had their own experience with the movie; some grew up with it, others were only recent fans.

“I’ve been a fan of it ever since I can remember.

The first time I watched it I kept wondering

what the heck was going on here and I was so confused; the second time I watched it I got that there was no specific plot,” Meyer said.

Bethany “Duke” Dukett, a current Meramec student, served as an assistant director and choreographer on the show. Dukett had a difficult time understanding ‘Rocky’ at first.

“The first time I was introduced to ‘Rocky’ I was with one other person. I didn’t get it at first, I’m around a lot of theater people who really do love it, but I didn’t really get it,” Dukett said.

“It’s this really weird homage to sci-fi and rock and roll. Just how crazy and weird can you have something, but still keep people along for the ride? To me, I think that’s the fun part about it.”

Derek Robertson played the transvestite from Transexual, Transylvania, Dr. Frank-N-Furter.

Robertson had a more conservative upbringing, which meant this movie was never on his radar.

“I come from a very religious family; my dad is a pastor so we never watched anything like this, we didn’t even watch rated-R movies. We grew up sort of sheltered from this,” Robertson said.

Robertson expressed his hesitation in playing such a challenging role as Dr. Frank-N-Furter, the murderous, sex-obsessed psychopath.

“If you’re going to be an actor, there has to be roles. God forbid, if I have to play a rapist, but if that happens then that’s a role. You have to be able to separate the two, and I think for this I was thinking that it was an iconic role and a role people get excited for,” Robertson said.

“This is by far the most difficult role I’ve ever

Art & Life October 13, 2011 |

PHOTO BY: Mike Ziegler From left: Brad Majors, played by Stephen Henley; Columbia, played by Katie Robinson; Dr. Frank-N-Furter, played by Derek Robertson; Rocky, played by Matt Schulze and Janet Weiss, played by Audrey Meyer, rehearse Rocky Horror.

taken in any show. For me as an actor it’s about challenging myself and it’s about taking the roles that are incredibly difficult so I can grow. I can probably do anything after this, this is stretching me and making me uncomfortable in some ways, which is sort of breaking down the walls in acting.”

A show, which has lasted generations, has one message in one of the final songs: ‘Don’t dream it, be it;’ a theme, which resonates with an audience, cast and crew long after they’ve left the theater.

“We’ve tried to make it our own, we’ve tipped our hat to the original,” Oliver said.

Robinson, on the other hand, took a different outlook on the idea of performing in her underwear.

“Being able to say that I’ve been on stage in my underwear – it looks good on resumes,” Robinson said.

Meyer wanted to experience more character development in the role of Janet.

“This is my second time being a major role. I had a role in ‘Boyfriend’ in 2009, and my character was sweet and innocent, so with Janet she’s sweet and innocent in beginning and I wanted to become that sassy,” Meyer said. “Sweet and innocent can get a little boring in the theater and I wanted something a little spicy. I’ve loved the role of Janet and how she goes from this sweet and innocent little girl to this rock and roll, sexy-ass bitch.”

PHOTO BY: Mike Ziegler Katie Robinson playing the role of “Columbia” rehearses Rocky Horror on Sept. 30 in the Meramec Theatre.

Henley, who in the past has dressed up as Brad for Halloween, could relate to his character in a different way compared to the rest of the cast.

“A lot of people say I have that quirky charm about Brad, and I’m very awkward. I don’t have any experience in dance, which is very good because I don’t dance much in the play,” Henley said. “I don’t know, he’s just a very awkward guy and he’s very stupid, and you know, he’s an asshole. I guess I could relate to that.”

Almost every role had a large dancing part, which was something Dukett worked tirelessly to help the cast perfect.

“Seeing people finally get it,” Dukett said, with a snap of her fingers. “Seeing it all come to fruition and seeing the actors take what you have given them and making it their own, that’s amazing.”

Dukett said she could not help but become emotional when the curtains came to a close.

“I cried at the curtain call. I’m just so proud of all of them, they did an amazing job,” Dukett said.

PHOTO BY: Mike Ziegler From left: A Phantom Transylvanian, played by Joshua Kirkpatrick; Brad, played by Stephen Henley; A Phantom Transylvanian, played by Matt Perry and Magenta, played

by Crystal Owens, rehearse Rocky Horror on Sept. 30 in the Meramec Theatre.

TO SEE MORE PICTURES OF THE MONTAGE’S ROCKY HORROR SHOW PHOTO BOOTH VISIT WWW. MERAMECMONTAGE. COM

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14 Art & Life | October 13, 2011

Obstacles: A student overcomes personal demons Continued from page 11 Antoine Evans said he saw that he was hurting his father and eventually began to see the path he was headed down - a path of death and destruction.

McMahon, Tom Evans, the church, friends, family, social workers and the rest of the Edgewood staff had offered Evans a way out of the psychological trap he was in through therapy, tough love and prayer.

“I had to sign permission slips so they could do restraints on [Antoine],” Tom Evans said. “It was real hard to watch that happen. [Edgewood staff] told me, ‘we’re not going to call you when he acts up here. We will take care of it here.’”

Antoine Evans said the love shown to him has helped him get to where he is now and has altered his psyche. He is no longer the livid little boy at Oak Hill Elementary or Edgewood. He has been described as a kind-hearted person with a warm personality by Debbie Corson, vice president of student affairs. Antoine Evans attends his classes, volunteers and is enjoying life.

“Right now at this moment, I have a really good life. I have great friends.

[Dad and I] have our issues worked out. I’m straightened out. The only obstacle now is getting through college,” Antoine Evans said.

PHOTO BY: Rachael Freeman Antoine Evans plays football in the Library Quad on Sept. 29. Evens was born a drug addict due to drug use by his mother during her pregnancy.

Tune of life: A student’s musical talents Continued from page 10 Bouma and his band play around St. Louis, mainly at 2720 Cherokee or the Gramophone. Their next show will be Oct. 29 at the Koken Art Factory, located at 2500 Ohio Ave. Stank Nasty is mix of different musical styles such as hip hop, reggae, funk, afro-beat, blue grass and a little bit of Latin jazz.

“It’s the perfect group for me to be in because I like to play a bunch of different instruments,” Bouma said.

As a musician, Bouma has been taught by other musicians and the musical culture of St. Louis.

Bouma said he has recieved a lot of encouragement from people from performing on the street or on campus.

During the Festival of Nations in Tower Grove Park, Bouma was street

“I felt that it was a microcosm of the world and the world was taking care of me,” Bouma said.

One musician Bouma has taken the most from is Sonny Rowlins, a famous jazz and sax player.

“He’s got a strong sense of personality and tradition in his horn. I can tell he’s been studying the art of jazz for most of his life and his ideas come out while he plays his music,” Bouma said.

Bouma said musicians have to be in tune with their spirit to be successful.

“I feel that with music there’s a spirit and the more in tune with it the more successful you’ll be,” Bouma said.

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performing. Within the first hour and a half, he already had a good amount of tips and two free meals from the local vendors.

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Sports October 13, 2011 |

Hut, hut, hike!

Students play football in the Quad area to relieve stress and play for fun RACHEL FREEMAN STAFF WRITER STLCC-Meramec student Aaron Daniel jerks to the right. Santiago Elia jerks to the left. They swivel, bob and weave on the field imitating the moves of NFL players.

turned into a weekly two-hand touch football game. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1 p.m. in the Quad, the five friends along with others who join in in between class get together.

They are joined by several other football enthusiasts for five-on-five and six-on-six football games in the Quad.

“What I hope to accomplish from this,“ Hayes said, “[is] to not only have a good time, but give people a show while they’re waiting for their classes, while interacting with new people and still having fun at school.”

In between classes, students look foward to their games, three times a week.

“It really all just started with me and a few friends playing catch outside of the gym one day,” Elia said. “Realizing that a lot of people kept wanting to join and play a real game, we got about ten people [and] went to the Quad.”

The game of catch played outside the gym amongst friends Elia and Daniel, along with Armand Hayes, Tommy Graven and Alex Fikar

“Football, to me, is the greatest sport ever.”

- Santiago Elia, Meramec Student

The Quad is filled with students yelling playaction formations. It is filled with players and friends laughing, spectators watching and everyone smiling. It has also become a place where students can blow off steam without being injured. They can knock each other down and help each other up.

“If I’m feeling [angry] about anything, I know around 1 p.m. I have a place to blow some steam off,” Hayes said.

The effect that football has on the students allows the game to be therapeutic for the mind and challenging for the body.

“It’s an intense physical sport [that] everybody loves. It requires a lot of skill. Football to me is the greatest sport ever,” Elia said.

PHOTO BY: Kaitlin Hayes Students play two-hand touch football in Library Quad in between classes on Sept. 28. The football games are open to everyone and take place at 1 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays.

Although Meramec does not have a football team, come rain or come shine the students still blow off steam in the Quad. The game is an open invitation to everybody who is ready to compete and show off the latest touch down celebration without being penalized with a flag being thrown.

“We’re going to continue to play and we’re going to go hard every time,” Hayes said. “To everyone who wants to either join in or watch, [they’re] free to join us, no charge.”

.com

meramec montage

16 Sports | October 13, 2011

A leader, a friend; a coach, a player Fourteen years together: Head Coach Shelly Ethridge and Assistant Coach Melanie Marcy SPENCER GLEASON SPORTS EDITOR In athletics, lifelong friendships can extend further than just the playing field.

Whether it is the baseball diamond, soccer field or basketball court; the growing camaraderie over the course of a season between teammates and coaches blossoms into a family away from home.

For some, once the season is over the player-coach relationship dwindles away and after a few years they lose contact with one another. For others, their relationship continues.

In 1997, Illinois State University basketball player, Melanie Marcy, heard that the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL) was hiring Shelly Ethridge as the new head coach.

Ethridge had coached at Belleville Area College (now Southwest Illinois College).

“As soon as I met [Ethridge], her passion for the game and her intensity got me excited just from talking to her,” Marcy said. “We weren’t even on the court. She made me want to get on the court right away. I needed a motivator. It didn’t matter to me where she was coaching. I knew that was somebody that I wanted to play for.”

Ethridge first saw Marcy on the court during the Prairie State Games in Illinois during the mid-90s and as soon as word traveled to her that Marcy was looking to transfer, Ethridge embraced Marcy’s move from the division I school of Illinois State University to her new home at UMSL, a division II school.

“What a catch [she was],” Ethridge said.

After playing two seasons under Ethridge, Marcy found a calling in coaching and became a part of Ethridge’s coaching staff.

Since 1999, Marcy and Ethridge have continued to grow together as partners on the court. While Ethridge has 226 career wins to her name, Marcy has been a part of 208, not including victories shared when Marcy wore the UMSL uniform.

In the two seasons coaching the green and gold Meramec Magic, the duo coached their team to a record of 36-21 and a trip to the NJCAA National Final Four Tournament during the 2010-2011 season.

“Last year was so special because I know how long she’s been coaching and how long we’ve been coaching together,” Marcy said. “What was so special for me to watch was her strength. She prepared every day. She was intense every day… She had halftime talks last year that had me ready to suit up again.”

When admiring their counterpart, the feeling is mutual.

“I like to see a kid [student-athlete] utilize a post move that coach [Marcy] has been working on [with them] for a long time and it is used effectively come game time,” Ethridge said. “She sees the student-athlete grow. As a player and a person, to see her face and her get excited on the bench…

It’s really fun for me, not only to watch the player, but to see coach get that reward out of that.”

Fast-forward 14 years since Marcy and Ethridge stepped foot on the court as player and coach, now assistant coach and head coach respectively, their friendship has become an extended family of each another.

Respect for the game and respect for each other brought them together.

However neither has lost a competitive edge. In a game to 21, the player in each would kick into gear.

“We would both battle,” Marcy said. “She is the one who taught me to tap into my inner competitor. Twenty-one to 20 could go either way, but I’ll say youth takes it.”

PHOTOS BY: Kelly Glueck ABOVE: Head coach Shelly Ethridge directs her Archer players during practice on Oct. 11 in the Meramec gym.

Ethridge and assistant coach Melanie Marcy have coached basketball at Meramec since 2009 posting a 36-21 record while coaching the Magic. This is the first season coaching the STLCC-Archers. BELOW: Assistant coach Marcy (left) coaches her post players new techniques while playing underneath the basket. Marcy played two seasons at Illinois State University during the 1995-1997 seasons and two seasons at UMSL, under then coach Ethridge, from 19971999. During her time at UMSL, Marcy earned all Great-Lakes Valley Conference honors and joined Ethridge’s coaching staff after graduating.