November Issue

TheCampusCurrent.com

CampusCurrentPaper

CampusCurrentAACC

@Campus_Current

Campus Life

Campus Life

Sports

AACC celebrates

Student literary

Students want football

Coming Out Week with

magazine, Amaranth,

team; past AACC

panels, drag show

wins major award

squad faced challenges

Page 13

Page 17

Page 18

Survey shows drugs are major concern

Recovery center presents 2nd chance to addicted students Roxanne Ready Editor-in-Chief

AACC’s Dr. Dan Nataf releases survey results.

According to a new report, concern over drugs has risen drastically over the past year throughout the county and among AACC students.

Read the full story at: TheCampusCurrent.com

Ron Easley compared his more than 20 years addicted to drugs to putting a gun to his head every day, never knowing if it would go off.

“I was out there, homeless, on the streets of Baltimore City,” said Easley, a 48-year-old AACC student who said he started taking opioids—an addictive drug that relieves pain and caus-

es euphoric effects—in the early ’90s. “[The drug world] ruined my life, literally. … I mean, [I had] no life at all.”

Easley said he sought help a few times over the years, but “a lot of doors got closed in [his] face” because he was homeless and did not have insurance.

“There were options, but they weren’t for me,” Easley said. “The only option that …

I was able to take advantage of was being arrested.”

Easley said he was able to turn his life around after he was arrested and sent to a recovery house two years ago. While there, a friend introduced him to the substance abuse support programs and internship opportunities at AACC. Easley now does workstudy and has an internship at AACC while working toward an associate’s degree in addiction counseling. “[Interning at AACC]

Chris Storck, director of Student Engagement.

“We have lots of students who struggle with financial issues,” Storck said. “You can’t be successful academically if your stomach is growling.”

To use the pantry, students must present their AACC ID cards.

They are allowed to come

in once a day and receive up to five items.

The pantry has non-perishable foods like peanut butter, canned goods and dried cereal, as well as toiletries.

Students and faculty can donate food to the pantry at two sites on campus: outside of the Student Engagement Office in the SUN building;

and in the bookstore on the bottom floor of SUN. “I think it’s cool that we have a food pantry, but I wish there were more donation bins or at least one on West Campus,” Julia White, a second-year nursing student, said.

Vincent Moreland Reporter Sarah Noble Club Editor AACC students said in October they support athletes who kneel during the

national anthem to protest police brutality or show solidarity with each other.

In an informal Campus Current survey of 50 students, 35 said they were in favor of the protest by some professional football players

who kneel during the anthem at games.

Normally, athletes stand with their hands over their hearts during the playing of the national anthem. But sev-

S.O.D.A. club holds awareness fest

famous poet Olivia Gatwood comes to AACC

Men's b-ball gets ready for fall

Funds, food available at AACC Elizabeth Spearman Associate Editor AACC offers a free food pantry, emergency funds and other services for students in need of assistance.

The food pantry is a place for students to come if they are hungry and cannot afford food, according to

Women’s Soccer teammates stand with their coach for the national anthem before a game.

Photo by Brandon Hamilton

In case you

missed it

November 2017

See last month's web headlines at TheCampusCurrent.com

Continued on page 5

has been a godsend for me,” he said.

Easley is in the process of becoming certified as a peer support specialist from the Association of Recovery in Higher Education.

The ARHE certifies volunteers with addictions to help others in recovery. The certification requires volunteers to have at least two years of stable sobriety, 46

Continued on page 4

A third-year transfer student looks over food pantry options.

Photo by Tre Mooring

Riverhawks supportive of kneeling NFL players Continued on page 19

2 | Campus Current | 2017 | November

Editorial

Letter from the editor Meet the Staff Editor-in-Chief

Roxanne Ready Associate Editors

James Haggerty Elizabeth Spearman

Brandon Hamilton Campus Life Editor

Sarah Sutherland Club Editor

Sarah Noble Sports Editor

Seamus McCarthy Reporters

Michael Garvey Vincent Moreland Jennifer Perry Daniel Salomon Edgar Salomon Ryan Sullivan Shelby Vetter Mike Wilhelm Hailey Williams Photographers

Sarah Alonso MaryJane Arausa Victoria Doda Raquel Hamner Jessica Osband Cameron Terrelonge Newsroom Manager

Tre Mooring

Faculty Adviser

Sharon O’Malley

Twitter

@campus_current Facebook

Facebook.com/ CampusCurrentPaper Instagram

campuscurrentaacc

aggravations of day-to-day pus on, the roof over your life, you’re going to be frus- head that keeps you dry trated and aggrathis winter—all of these vated. are basic, simple So this things, but they season, as are worth being you feel grateful for. the little It’s imthings portant not piling to ignore the up and sad, hard or the bigtragic things ger things happening in weighing yB the world, but it’s ran you down, realso important not d on Hamilton member to step to become stuck in a pit back, take a breath and think of despair because of them. about the good in your life.

Taking even a small acEven if life is hard right tion can help. now, just start with someConsider making a small thing small, like access to donation to a worthy orgaclean water and a college ed- nization, pray for the people ucation. involved if you are so inConsider that cell phone clined, perhaps even write in your back pocket that your politicians to put your lets you access a world of support behind giving aid to information, or just a fun- people in need. ny image when you need And then take a breath, a laugh. The basic literacy think of something you’re that lets you read this paper, thankful for and let gratitude the roads you rode to cam- center your day.

b

Photography Editor

Every November, I have a little ritual: I set aside some time to write out a list of things I’m grateful for.

It’s not a terribly original idea, I know. But something about putting a pen to paper and physically writing makes me slow down and appreciate the blessings in my life.

It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day issues of our lives: this test to study for, that annoying patch of traffic. Maybe you’re annoyed even to be at AACC because you’d rather be somewhere else.

All of life’s little frustrations and irritations pile up, add themselves to our bigger struggles and can make it hard to find space for gratitude.

This year, especially, I find myself thinking about all the little things we some-

times take for granted.

With so many recent natural disasters across the country, including hurricane devastation in Florida, Texas and Puerto Rico, I am struck by how lucky we are to have simple conveniences like water, electricity and a roof to sleep under—and how quickly those things can be taken away.

As I write this, 95 percent of Puerto Rico is still without power, and roughly half of its residents don’t even have access to safe drinking water. Hurricanes Irma and Harvey together killed more than 140 people in Florida and Texas and left thousands without homes.

A friend of mine once told me, “Emotions flow from what you wrap your mind around.”

If you think about upsetting things all the time, you’re going to be upset.

If you focus your mind on all the frustrations and

oto

Morgan Gordon

Roxanne Ready Editor-in-Chief

Ph

Graphic Designer

Gratitude is worth reflecting on

Awareness, education key to ending violence Editorial Board We’ve heard some horrifying stories about students who find themselves homeless after fleeing partners who beat them; about classmates who can’t study in their own homes because of violence between their parents; about college-age peers who are scared of family members because of a history of hitting, pushing or punching.

October was officially Domestic Violence Awareness Month, but for victims of these often-unreported crimes, we need to pay attention to the matter year-round. Even on a college campus, where most of us are fairly young, a victim could be sitting next to us in class, standing in line behind us at lunch or hurrying past us on the Quad.

In fact, of the staggering average of 10 million people who suffer from some form of violence from an intimate partner, women ages 16 to 24 are most likely to be victimized, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Almost every school hosts

on its website instructions for how to report an issue and where to go for help. And many colleges also promote support groups, victim advocates and no-cost counseling.

AACC’s website includes information about how to re-

One-third of women and one-quarter of men have been victims of domestic violence.

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons port sexual harassment and assault, and the college encourages students to contact counseling services.

But while AACC’s efforts are needed and appreciated, they are not enough.

Victims of domestic vi-

olence need more than protective policies and access to resources. They need to feel safe and supported in all phases of their recoveries, because there are often lasting impacts on students’ health, education and employment.

Efforts at AACC must educate students, faculty and staff about the prevalence and warning signs of potential or ongoing dangerous situations.

Authorities must ensure personnel and procedures are empathetic to the ordeals and emotions of victims.

Schools must maintain close partnerships with victim advocacy organizations so students have access to the medical, legal, family and mental health help they need.

And finally, all involved must place an emphasis on understanding. What helps one person may not help another.

As a community, we must continue to work toward a society where these types of crimes never occur.

But until that point, we need to support those experiencing domestic violence and its fallout.

Advertise with us!

Discounts for AACC student organizations Now offering web advertisments

Advertising Manager Poet Beasley 410-777-2803 CampusCurrentAdverts @gmail.com

Contact CampusCurrent @gmail.com Campus Current Anne Arundel Community College 101 College Pkwy, Arnold, MD 21012

November | 2017 | Campus Current | 3

Opinion

No disrespect for vets in players’ taking knee Michael Garvey Reporter The flag represents freedom, people say, but at the same time some people also try to deny others the freedom to choose how to respect it.

Kneeling—as some NFL players have been doing before their games—is about the most respectful way a person can show disapproval. If a player is hurt on the field, it is customary for players on both sides to take a knee as a sign of respect.

The players aren’t giving the flag the finger, turning their backs, booing or spitting—all of which people have done to veterans in the past.

When I started writing this, I honestly couldn’t even remember why players were taking a knee, because the protest has been complete-

ly hijacked by people questioning how to show proper respect to a patterned cloth and a song.

Players are taking a knee to protest against inequality and police brutality in America, trying to shed light on a part of our country that they rightfully believe is hurting.

The NFL as a corporation only supports patriotism because it generates income, not because the owners are concerned with using their powerful platform to bring about change.

Stadiums have played the anthem before games since the end of World War II, but our country’s hyper-patriotism at games was a direct result of Department of Defense advertising propaganda.

The Senate found in 2015 that the DOD spent $6.8 million between 2012 and 2015

to pay for ceremonies honoring the military at games.

Every patriotic demonstration you see on game day is nationalism bought and paid for by tax dollars.

The NFL has a history of disallowing personal displays that attempt to raise awareness, usually by citing a strict uniform code.

Players have been fined for wearing purple cleats for domestic violence awareness, green cleats for mental health awareness and writing the name of a dead parent under an eye.

In kneeling during the anthem, players found a loophole for bringing an issue to light.

For some reason, because of a contract I signed with the U.S. Marine Corps before I was old enough to smoke, drink or vote, people think I am an authority on

Michael Garvey, a U.S. Marine veteran—pictured here with his service dog, Liberty—believes NFL players should be free to kneel when the anthem is played.

Photo by Sarah Noble what is and what isn’t disrespectful to veterans.

No matter what someone writes regarding social issues, someone else will be upset, veteran or otherwise.

But unless you do something extreme like joining the Westboro Baptist Church and picketing dead soldiers’ funerals, that offended person won’t be me.

Some people say players shouldn’t use their position as an attempt to bring about change, that they should do it on their own time.

But if you had a strong opinion about citizens be-

Guns: constitutional U.S. right Chris Haas Guest Columnist My heart goes out to those killed and injured in the Las Vegas massacre on Oct. 1, as well as to their families and friends. With 58 deaths and approximately 500 injuries, it was the deadliest shooting in U.S. history.

Shortly following the shooting, many celebrities, politicians and media personas started calling for gun control. They made emotional appeals, reminded the public about prior mass shootings and said there is “no good reason” to own certain weapons.

If you would like to respond to these opinions or contribute one of your own, please visit our website for submission guidelines or to leave a comment on an article.

TheCampusCurrent.com

ing senselessly killed, and you didn’t use a powerful platform you had to make a statement, I would say you didn’t actually care.

Nobody stands up for anything they believe in anymore, and I’m just happy somebody is. Even if that stand is on a knee.

Third-year transfer studies student Michael Garvey signed with the U.S. Marine Corps in 2006 at age 17. He served in combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan and was honorably discharged in 2013 after he was shot twice during a firefight.

2

The nd

Amendment

But all these points ignore the simple fact that the right to bear arms is a natural right fundamental to liberty.

When the Founding Fathers amended the Constitution in 1791, they included the Second Amendment: “A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”

The purpose was so the people would be able to take up arms against any threat— specifically, a tyrannical government. That is our “good reason.”

It is up to us as individ-

uals, not the government, to be responsible with the power that comes along with that right.

Many liberals argue that enacting tighter immigration restrictions, banning people from certain countries or increasing government surveillance on private citizens would punish the many for the crimes of the few.

Restricting the Second Amendment would be no different, which is clear if you compare the large number of law-abiding citizens who own guns with the fraction of people who use guns as a weapon of mass murder.

As awful as it is to say, nothing will ever prevent shootings and other tragedies from happening. Why should we punish millions of people who did not commit these atrocities because of a small handful who did?

Let us look at these tragedies for what they are—tragedies—and come together to overcome them and rebuild together as a society, united as one, rather than to push an agenda.

No matter how awful a tragedy may be, or how despicable one person’s acts are, they should never be used to justify taking away

the natural rights of others.

Chris Haas is a second-year transfer studies major who identifies as a libertarian.

Ryan Sullivan Reporter

Racism, sexism and fascism are evil, terrible things.

But does supporting Trump automatically make you evil, racist or sexist? Or does supporting Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and being anti-gun make you anti-America and a communist?

I don’t think so, and I don’t think this closed-minded, group-think mentality is helpful.

Part of me gets it. There are several life-changing social movements happening currently, and I am all for positive changes and ideas.

I am not advocating for a war veteran to attend an anti-war rally and not get angry.

Or for a black man protesting a white nationalist event to ignore his anger.

It’s OK to disagree with the other team’s views. You may find them to be sexist, racist, unconstitutional or anti-American. But it isn’t necessary to respond with violence or threats.

What will this anger and violence do to help humanity? Will spitting on a so-called fascist or punching an Antifa member really im-

prove the situation?

I feel that people need to open their hearts and minds to each other because an open mind, a warm heart, music and love can solve most situations.

Unfortunately that leaves me stuck in the middle of two extremes, left in the proverbial dust. But to be honest, I would rather live in the dust than ride along the crazy train that is modern politics.

Ryan Sullivan is a 29 year-old sophomore transfer studies major specializing in communications.

A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

Conversations, not arguments There seems to be a divide in humanity these days as our society becomes more and more team-oriented.

Most of us love to be a part of something. We want to be a part of a group of people. Occasionally, the groups that form can create positive change for the community.

But instead of embracing debate, being curious and treating everyone equally, the Right and the Left vilify each other at every opportunity.

4 | Campus Current | 2017 | November

News

AACC’s recovery center aids addicted students Continued from page 1 continuing education hours and 500 hours of supervised volunteer work.

In 2011, AACC became the first community college in Maryland to open a Collegiate Recovery Center, a place where students can come to ask questions about substance abuse and get help from trained peer support specialists.

Twenty-eight year-old Kristin Edwards is a peer support specialist who works for Evolve Life Center—a Pasadena, Maryland, program of transitional housing and rehabilitation—and speaks monthly at AACC’s recovery center.

“I think that they should have something like this at every school,” said Edwards, who has been sober for three and a half years. “The first time I smoked weed was with my brother—he was 13, I was

11. My dad was OK with it. … was empathetic about it.”

It just progressed really fast.

In addition to peer sup… before I knew it I was ad- port sessions, students visdicted to heroin and I was 17.” iting the center can attend Loretta Lawson-Munsey, weekly 12-step meetings, coordinator of request counCollegiate AACC’s subseling or other stance abuse Recovery Center professional sereducation ofvices, or spend fice, co-foundtime with peers SUN 208B ed the college’s relaxing or doMonday-Thursday recovery cening homework. ter with AACC An average 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. alumna Angel of four to sevTraynor. en people attend the weekly Lawson-Munsey said she meeting, according to Lawopened the recovery center son-Munsey. because it is more helpful “You’re never cured,” for students struggling with said Gwinn Spence, a peer addiction to hear from others support specialist at AACC who have been through who first entered recovery in something similar than from 1985. “[But] there is life on those who have not. the other side. … You need “I’m not in recovery, so the support of a community I haven’t walked their walk,” of people.” said Lawson-Munsey. “And Spence said the most imI just felt that they needed portant thing for friends and support from someone who family to do is to become edknew what they were talking ucated about addiction. about, not just someone that “Rock bottom for a her-

Ron Easley (left) and Gwinn Spence work under Loretta Lawson-Munsey at the lounge-like recovery center to help other students escape drug addictions.

Photo by Roxanne Ready oin addict is death,” Spence said. “[But] it doesn’t have to get that bad.”

The recovery center holds meetings every Tuesday in SUN 208B for people with loved ones struggling with addiction.

Both staffing and funding are a constant struggle for the recovery center, according to Lawson-Munsey.

AACC hosts the recovery center and pays Lawson-Munsey to work there part-time. For everything else, the center is dependent on the fundraising efforts of the Prevention, Education, Engagement, Recovery and Support—PEERS—student club and the budget the Student Government Associa-

tion grants to that club.

The center is staffed mainly by volunteers, workstudy students and interns, many of whom are working toward a degree in substance abuse counseling or a similar major.

Easley said at first he was afraid to reach out for help and is especially concerned with reaching out to others who may be in the same situation.

“I know there’s somebody that’s struggling [at AACC]—I know there’s somebody going through something, but they’re probably just afraid to come out,” Easley said. “I can understand the fear, but … don’t be afraid. … There’s more of us out there.”

involve the police, the number is likely even higher.

Of overdoses the Anne Arundel County Police Department reported this year, 121 were fatal, nearly four times as many as in 2015.

“I know quite a few people who didn’t make it out of those streets [where I was homeless] as a result of [the epidemic]—one of my best friends, actually,” said Ron Easley, an addiction counseling major at AACC who is in recovery for opioid use.

Police Chief Sean Kapfhammer said no overdoses have occurred on campus at AACC since he started working here in summer 2016.

Kapfhammer also said if a student arrived at the campus police station seeking help, “we [at the station] would certainly help the student to obtain whatever help he or she needed to begin recovery.”

All AACC campus police and public safety officers are trained to administer the opioid overdose-reversing medication naloxone—also known by the brand name Narcan.

Three nurses and four students who work or volun-

teer at AACC’s Health Center are also trained to administer the medication.

AACC is one of only about a half-dozen community colleges to have a collegiate recovery center, where students can attend weekly 12-step meetings, request counseling or professional services, or get support from trained volunteers who are in recovery.

Mays said Health Services, Public Safety and Academic Services are all involved in efforts to support students affected by the opioid crisis.

“We’re all working to create educational pieces so that every student on this campus receives education … about risks and options and [has access to] hope and resources,” said Mays.

AACC’s Health Services will host naloxone training sessions in SUN 102 on Nov. 8 at 10 a.m. and Nov. 9 at 3 p.m. to teach students, faculty and staff to use the medication to reverse opioid overdose symptoms. Anyone interested should register beforehand through the collegiate recovery center.

Addictions continue to as it welcomes rise; college responds Special Guest Join AACC Bonsai Club

Bonsai artist

Torrey Pollock

Wednesday, Nov. 15 3-5 p.m. in HUM 014 Because Any Artist Can Create Bonsai.

For more information email us at aaccbonsai@gmail.com or find us on the Nest and on Facebook.

Roxanne Ready Editor-in-Chief

Cases of opioid addiction and overdose in the U.S. have risen sharply over the last two years, and AACC has resources for affected students.

President Donald Trump in October declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency.

“The devastation is unprecedented,” said the manager of Health Services at AACC, Beth Mays. “I don’t know if a day goes by anymore where someone doesn’t have some connection—you know, someone whose family member’s just died or who’s got a friend that’s just died. … It’s just constant.”

In a 2015 national survey by Q Market Research of 1,151 college students and alumni, almost one-third said they know someone who has overdosed on prescribed pain medication or heroin.

In Anne Arundel, the county police department reported responding to 862 incidents of opioid overdose this year as of Oct. 11, compared with 291 in 2015.

But as not all overdoses

November | 2017 | Campus Current | 5

News

Food pantry offers help Continued from page 1 The pantry is located in Storck’s office, SUN 205, and open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Monday through Friday. But according to Dr. Tiffany Boykin, dean of Student Engagement, the pantry will move to SUN 204 in early November to “allow it to grow.”

The hours will remain the same once the pantry moves.

The pantry averages 800 student visits per year and does not seem to have an increase during the holiday season, according to Storck.

Michelle Williams, thirdyear computer science major, said she used the food pantry a few weeks ago. “[Students] don’t use it much because they seem to be embarrassed,” she said.

“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about, though; if you need help, you need help.

The school offers it. Don’t be afraid to take it.”

AACC also offers funds to students who have financial emergencies.

Helplink Grant is an emergency support program for students who find themselves in an unexpected financial crisis.

That might include “whether you find yourself in a situation where you cannot pay for a certain textbook, or you paid all your bills for the month but find yourself not having any gas money to get to school,” Boykin said.

A student may receive up to $300 per academic year. If someone needs more, the grant team will review requests on a case-by-case basis.

According to Boykin, 50 percent of students who use Helplink need the money for transportation, including small repairs to a car or gas to get to school. Thirty percent use it for textbooks and program supplies, and 20 percent use it for medical bills or other expenses.

“We do not give [the student] cash,” Boykin explained. “If they need a gas card [someone from the program] will go get the gas card

and give it to them; if they need a certain textbook, then we will get the textbook. We pay directly to wherever the money is needed.”

Boykin said the program is the school’s “best kept secret.”

“I didn’t know the college had that kind of program,” William Deibert, a second-year transfer major, said.

“I know some people who dropped out because they couldn’t afford transportation or the cost of books.”

The program receives funds from the Student Government Association, private donors and sometimes through faculty and staff.

Anyone can donate cash, gift cards, gas cards, art supplies or school supplies by visiting SUN 220.

Boykin said students use Helplink more during the first couple of weeks of the semester and right after the holiday season.

AACC established Helplink in 2009. Boykin said she hopes it will continue to grow and more people will take

Director of Student Engagement Chris Storck stands beside the food pantry in her office; the pantry offers food to students who can’t afford meals.

Photo by Tre Mooring advantage of it and contribute to it. “[Students] are literally making [their successes] happen by fighting through obstacles to try to be successful in school,” Boykin said.

“I feel that [as a school] we have to make it an obligation to make it work for them.”

To apply for assistance, students can contact the Helplink Team by calling 410-777-2511 or going to SUN 220 or AMIL 105 on the Arundel Mills campus.

Approval usually takes two or three days, according to Boykin.

Once AACC has approved

a student request application, an adviser will meet the applicant for further instructions.

The college also helps homeless students by partnering with county agencies that offer temporary support.

One of the partners is Sarah’s House, a housing program for homeless families in Anne Arundel County.

Some students said AACC is doing well in helping those who are in need.

“The college, in my opinion, is doing well to make sure students in need are taken care of,” Jasmine Hall, a second-year computer science major, said.

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6 | Campus Current | 2017 | November

Club

New clubs start weekly meetups this semester Elizabeth Spearman Associate Editor Two new clubs, a recreational Volleyball Club and the HIT—Health Information Technology—and Medical Coding club, both started meeting this semester.

The Student Advisory Council—a group of student club presidents—authorized both clubs on April 3.

Members of the Volleyball Club meet weekly to practice their scrimmage skills with each other.

“No skills or experience is needed,” Neil Sullivan, co-founder of the club, said.

According to Emelyn Wilkerson, a fifth-semester computer science major and president of the club, an average of three to six students come to the meetings.

Wilkerson and Sullivan “created the club for fun,” Wilkerson said. “We want to teach other people the sport,

and it’s a great stress release after class.”

Wilkerson said she played middle blocker for AACC’s Women’s Volleyball during her first year at the college.

The Volleyball Club meets every Thursday in the gym from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The HIT and Medical Coding club also meets weekly.

Club President Ann Hoard, a senior health information major, said one of the club’s goals is for students to meet with each other to learn about the field of medical coding.

“We provide support to our fellow students who are in the medical coding field as well as the health information management programs, but we welcome all students,” Hoard said.

Medical coding deals with safeguarding personal medical information. Medical coders are responsible

for ensuring patients’ health information only goes to the people who need it, such as doctors, nurses and insurance companies.

They also match diagnoses and procedures with universal codes for insurance companies and health care providers.

Hoard said another goal of the club is to inform people about what happens “behind the scenes” of the medical field so they “know their rights” as they pertain to medical data.

“We are just happy to be here,” Hoard said.

Students can form their own clubs at any time during the school year as long as at least 10 students are interested and a faculty member has agreed to advise it.

“Joining a club is one of the fastest ways to make friends, and if you start a new club you find people who are interested in the same thing,”

Computer science major Emelyn Wilkerson started the Volleyball Club to teach other people the sport.

Photo by Brandon Hamilton Chris Storck, director of Student Engagement, said. “It’s important for students to get involved on campus.”

To file for club status, students draw up a constitution, including a mission statement and information about officer positions and membership requirements.

Then they present that information to the Student Government Association.

If the SGA approves the club, the Advisory Council can accept or reject it at the next monthly meeting.

According to Storck, students form five or six new clubs every year.

History Club Spy Spot Tour Codename: Cold War Time: 9:30 a.m.

Date: 12 November 2017 Location: Subway in Careers Cost: $5 for History Club members $15 for non-members For more information please contact rlhardesty2@aacc.edu

November | 2017 | Campus Current | 7

Theater dept. presents fall show ‘Neverwhere’ Roxanne Ready Editor-in-Chief Edgar Salomon Reporter

Fun and Games

The Theater Department at AACC will perform Neil Gaiman’s “Neverwhere,” a play filled with magic, beasts and legends, for its fall production.

“Neverwhere” is a fantasy tale set in the London Below, a fictitious underground dystopian town that is invisible to regular people.

The main character, Richard Mayhew, encounters a mysterious woman from this other world and finds himself pulled into a journey of self-discovery.

Sean Urbantke, assistant professor of theater for the performing arts department, said this production “may be [the department’s] most challenging experience yet.” “[Neverwhere has] location after location, piece

?

after piece, costume change after costume change [and] monsters that come out of hidey-holes,” Urbantke said.

“But it’s still a straight play,” not a musical.

The show includes multiple puppets, including a three-person puppet designed by AACC student and set designer Victoria Scherini, and two hand puppets also designed and built by AACC students.

“This show … is like, ’80s fantasy puppet movie right here,” said non-credit student Isabella Lopez, who plays the lead female character, Door. “It’s very [Jim Henson’s] ‘Labyrinth’-y.”

Urbantke said the play is unusual because it has so many elements and locations.

“It’s pretty exciting because it’s a chance for the students to [act in] … this fantasy world, and for the designers to create a fantasy world,” director Dr. AnnMa-

rie Saunders said.

“Neverwhere” has a 14-member cast, with all actors playing multiple roles except for the two leads.

The show also relies on five production team members and eight behind-the-scenes crew members.

“There’s a lot of cool stage combat,” said second-year student Grant Scherini, who plays the lead male character Richard Mayhew. “I get the S-H-I-T kicked out of me … I just get beat up so many times. I actually enjoy that so much more than beating people up, because it’s so much fun to make the guttural reactions.”

The show is based on a BBC TV series-turned-novel Gaiman wrote in 1996.

“The TV series is really cheesy, but … the script [for the play] is really, really cool; I like it a lot,” Scherini said.

The Theater Department recommends “Neverwhere”

Looking for answers?

Check TheCampusCurrent.com on Nov. 6.

?

Entertainment

The Theater Department’s latest play, “Neverwhere,” has a 14-member cast with most actors playing multiple roles.

Photos by Brandon Hamilton for ages 13 and older. It premiers on Nov. 3 in the Kauffman Theater, and shows again on Nov. 4, 10, 11 and 12.

Tickets start at $5 for

Comic by Edgar Salomon

AACC students who purchase before Nov. 2, and cost $10 after. Prices for faculty and the public are $15 and $20, respectively.

8 | Campus Current | 2017 | November

Entertainment

AACC Dance instructor recalls program’s start Ryan Sullivan Reporter Over the last 29 years, the dance program at AACC has grown from two courses to a full degree program with a show each semester.

“I was in the right place at the right time,” Dance Director Lynda Fitzgerald said.

“A lot of it is timing, but also, a lot of it is persistence.”

When Fitzgerald began teaching at AACC in 1987, the college offered dance history and jazz dance classes.

Because of low enrollment, the college canceled the dance history class that year.

But with Fitzgerald’s help as faculty adviser, stu-

dents who had signed up for the canceled class formed the AACC Dance Company student club in fall 1988.

After a year of training and rehearsing, the AACC Dance Company held its first public performance at AACC’s annual Honors and Awards ceremony, which honors outstanding AACC students and faculty.

After the performance, the dean of Humanities offered Fitzgerald a full-time position at AACC. Fitzgerald said to accomplish her vision, dance needed to break away from the physical education program, where the college classified it at the time.

“A 50-minute dance class

wasn’t going to do it,” Fitzgerald said. “This course needed to be an hour and 15 minutes and to be honest, it should be under Humanities, not physical education.”

She said the chair responded by telling her to “go for it.”

Fitzgerald started creating courses, and in 1995, AACC added dance to the Performing Arts Department under Humanities as a degree program.

The college now offers 25 credit and 20 noncredit dance courses.

Fitzgerald said she brought her passion and determination to AACC. “For me, dance is a great way to express yourself, and

Dance Director Lynda Fitzgerald helps the AACC Dance Company rehearse in preparation for an upcoming show.

Photo by Brandon Hamilton I have a great time,” Fitzgerald said.

Some of her students said they appreciate Fitzgerald’s hard work. “[Fitzgerald] has this energy about her where you have to get up and dance— you know what I mean?”

Elda Trombley, third-year transfer studies student

and president of the AACC Dance Company, said.

“She’s been really nice and very supportive of her students,” Domonique Bobian, a third-year dance major, said.

AACC Dance Company will perform “Stepping Out” on Dec. 8-9 in the Kauffman Theater.

Nov. 6, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Maasai tribe performs traditional music, song James Haggerty Associate Editor Members of the Maasai African tribe performed traditional dances and songs for a full audience on Oct. 10 in the Kauffman Theater.

The Maasai people of East Africa live in southern Kenya and northern Tanzania. A group of four men and two women performed demonstrations of Maasai culture as part of AACC’s World Music and Dance series.

Songs representing honor and celebration were part of the experience.

“I thought it was very interesting and overall a really good show,” said Bennie Davis, a first-year application development major. “It’s definitely something I would see again.”

A member of the Maasai tribe answered audience questions at the end of the performance.

“They can see and also reach other people in another culture,” said Mark Sungura, a member of the Maasai tribe.

Associate professor of performing arts Chris Bal-

lengee partnered with World Artist Experiences to organize and host the event.

World Artist Experiences founder and CEO Betty McGinnis said the organization uses “arts as a bridge to in-

ternational understanding.”

World Artist Experiences has groups from all over the world but on average has one group perform every month, in various locations throughout the country.

Maasai dancers perform traditional dances and songs for an AACC audience.

Photo by Brandon Hamilton

November | 2017 | Campus Current | 9

Entertainment

Opera celebrates 15th Elizabeth Spearman Associate Editor Opera AACC celebrated its 15th anniversary with a concert on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 that featured alumni and performances of acts from previous shows over the years.

Each showing included more than 120 performers.

Douglas Byerly, assistant professor of Performing Arts, said he performed opera in college and started the program on campus in 2002 to “bring the same experience” to AACC. “I wanted to ... put AACC’s music program on the map,” Byerly said.

At the time only two community colleges in the country had opera companies.

Now, AACC is one of three community colleges to have an opera program, including Carroll Community College in Maryland and Shoreline Community College in Washington state.

AACC’s first performance, in 2002, was Jacques Offenbach’s “Orpheus in the Un-

derworld,” with a cast of 20 Singers involved in past performers. It was nearly sold shows have gone on to perout, and Byerly said attend- form on national and interees came up to him after with national levels, including plenty of positive reviews. three alumni who work fullBecause the show was time for the Metropolitan so successful, Opera AACC Opera in New York. staged more productions in Soprano singer Carrie the following years.

Anne Winter made her deFifteen years later, Opera but at AACC in 2012 with AACC produces one to three her role as the main characshows a year, depending on ter in “Naughty Marietta.” funding, each with a cast of She has since performed at more than 100 singers, ac- the Kennedy Center and at tors and musicians. operas around the country.

Each show has an audi- She also headlines in Berlin, tion—open to the public—and Germany, as part of “The involves months of prepara- Cast,” an opera band. tion, according to Byerly.

Winter told Campus CurOpera AACC also works rent that performing at AACC with AACC Symwas “spectacu“I wanted to phony Orchestra lar” and she is ... put AACC’s “grateful for the and AACC Chorus for each pro- music program opportunity that duction. on the map.” it gave me.”

“It’s really Baritone fun working with —Douglas Byerly singer Peter Tothe opera and with everyone maszewski, who starred in involved,” said Will Kuethe, a AACC’s production of “The third-year music major who Magic Flute” earlier this is president of AACC Chorus. year, has been in numerous “[The show] is different every stage productions across the time, and it can be a chal- country. lenge—but I like it.”

“When I was in the op-

November arts feature variety Roxanne Ready Editor-in-Chief AACC’s performing arts schedule includes a dystopian fantasy play, a Christmas opera, and a multicultural music and dance performance.

Chris Ballengee, who coordinates the world music program, said in an email to Campus Current he is “particularly excited” about World Music and Dance Night on Dec. 2.

“I’ll have lots of students performing on stage, many who have never performed before,” Ballengee said. “The theme for the evening will be commonalities between African and African-American music and dance.”

Also this month, the theater program will perform a production of “Neverwhere,” an adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s dystopian TV-series-turned-novel, on the weekends of Nov. 3 and Nov. 10.

Theater program coordinator Sean Urbantke highlighted the STEM and Theater Talkback on Nov. 11 after the “Neverwhere” show.

“Neverwhere” cast and

crew will talk with the audience about science, technology, engineering and math applications in theater, such as atmospheric effects and high-wattage lighting.

Cast and crew consisit of AACC students and community members.

“Neverwhere” director Dr. AnnMarie Saunders added: “My husband is working on the lights for the show, and as the lighting person, he goes, ‘If I don’t use math and science, I set fire to the building.’”

“We’ve got STEM in theater all the time, but nobody really thinks of it that way,” Urbantke said.

As part of its Christmas Extravaganza on Dec. 1, the opera program will perform “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” a Christmas opera for children that NBC first aired in 1951.

“It’s one of my favorite shows to put on,” said Douglas Byerly, program coordinator for Opera AACC. “The message is about humbleness and also just being kind to one another, which is especially important … in today’s age.”

Jazz

Opera AACC’s first show, “Orpheus in the Underworld,” featured 20 performers (top), and the 15th anniversary opera featured more than 120 performers.

Top photo courtesy of the Performing Arts Department Bottom photo by Victoria Doda era [at AACC], even though it was a mixture of faculty, staff and students, it was one of the best performances I have been in,” Tomaszewski said.

Bylery said he hopes Opera AACC will continue

to grow and “achieve greatness” in the coming years.

Opera AACC’s next show will be a production of “Amahl and the Night Visitors” on Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m. in the Kauffman Theater.

Arts Schedule

Date and Time

Location

Prices *

Jerry Ascione Piano

Nov. 11 (free) 2 p.m.

Nov. 11 (paid) 8 p.m.

CADE 224 HUM 112

Small Combo

Dec. 12 7:30 p.m.

HUM 112

Big Band

Dec. 16 7:30 p.m.

Kauffman Theater

$5 $5 $5

Theater Neverwhere

Nov. 3, 4, 10, 11 at 8 p.m.

Nov. 4, 5, 11, 12 at 2 p.m.

STEM and Nov. 11 Theater Talkback

After Neverwhere

Opera

Kauffman Theater Kauffman Theater

Free with admission

Kauffman Theater

$5 $7

$15

The Christmas Extravaganza

Dec. 1 7:30 p.m.

Stepping Out

Dec. 8 8 p.m.

Dec. 9 2 & 8 p.m.

Kauffman Theater

World Music and Dec. 2 7:30 p.m.

Dance Night

Kauffman Theater

Brahms, Beethoven Nov. 17 7:30 p.m. & Dvorak

Kauffman Theater

$5

Kauffman Theater

$5

Dance Company

Music Department

Symphony Orchestra AACC Concert Band Fall Concert

Nov. 19

2 p.m.

$5

Suggested Donation

* Listed prices are for AACC students. For general admission and specialty pricing visit aacc.edu/performingarts

10 | Campus Current | 2017 | November

Campus Life

Minority students call for more black faculty Courtland BrownTabscott Reporter Dr. Tyrone Powers, the director of AACC’s Homeland Security and Criminal Justice Institute, recalls a white student who approached him after class not long ago to tell him that he had never had a black teacher before. In fact, the student said, he didn’t know black people were competent to teach classes.

History professor Dr. Lester Brooks tells of a similar experience when he started teaching at AACC in 1982, when a white professor continually interrupted their conversation to ask Brooks if he understood some of the words being used.

Brooks, one of AACC’s first black professors, said that back then, most faculty members and students didn’t realize he was a professor be-

cause there were so few black teachers on campus.

Today, 165 of AACC’s 1,270-plus professors are black, according to Public Relations and Marketing.

But some black students and teachers agree that’s not enough.

In an informal poll of 20 black students conducted by Campus Current, all but one said there are not enough black professors on campus.

“There are definitely [black] professors here, [but] they’re not as predominant as ... white professors,” Antonio Eaton, a sophomore computer-science major, said.

“I’d rather learn [subjects] from my own [race] ... depending on what I’m learning, like if I’m learning African-American studies,” Darell Lamberth, a junior communications major, said.

Pharmacy major Victoria Gambrah, who has attended AACC for five years,

said she has had only two black professors and would like to see more diversity among the faculty.

AACC President Dawn Lindsay told Campus Current the college is “looking at our hiring practices” and “making sure that we’re moving in the direction that our workforce reflects [our] student [body].”

Among students taking classes for credit, 2,472 are black, which is 17 percent of the total, according to Public Relations and Marketing.

Powers speculates some professors who participate on faculty search committees might have unconscious bias that leads them to hire fewer minority colleagues.

Brooks said that was true when he started working at AACC. “The committee that hired me—there was one person who didn’t particularly care for blacks and [he] really did not want me hired,” he said.

Dr. Lester Brooks, who teaches history, was one of the first black professors AACC hired.

Photo by Brandon Hamilton “There was certainly some resentment and some questioning about my competency. And now … I’ve been here so long I’m one of the elder veterans.”

Dr. Nicole Williams said a diverse faculty helps dispel myths that can lead to racism. She recalled an older white student who once told her that she used to hold her breath when she sat next to a black person. The woman’s mother, Williams explained, told her black people stink, so she would hold her breath so she wouldn’t smell them.

“Often racism is a result of ignorance and a lack of understanding: ‘I don’t understand you; therefore I fear you,’” said Williams.

“When we are exposed to people from diverse backgrounds … those stereotypes go away.”

More than 20 years later, colleges have increased the number of non-white faculty nationwide, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

Powers said he sometimes feels isolated during meetings and campus events when he is the only black professor in the crowd.

“Everyone wants to give the socially acceptable answer to the diversity issue of hiring more black faculty,” Powers said. “But the only issue is results, and if you don’t see it then all the trying in the world doesn’t mean much.”

November | 2017 | Campus Current | 11

Architecture Dept. set to celebrate 50 years Sarah Sutherland Campus Life Editor AACC’s Architecture and Interior Design Department is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

The department has one of the oldest two-year programs at AACC. The college established it in 1968 in association with the American Institute of Architects, 50 years ago this spring.

The department originally only offered architecture courses, but in later years added interior design, construction management and landscape architecture, diversifying the program.

“Now we’ve got the various majors, degrees and certificates, so it serves many more of our students,” said Michael Ryan, the chair of the Architecture and Interior Design Department. “Students have the option to explore and decide what [program] is

right for them.” ond-year interior design maIn 2006 and 2017, the jor Gabby Robinson said.

Maryland Department of EdThe department is also ucation named AACC’s Archi- involved within the commutecture and Interior Design nity, where students, clubs Program the No. 1 post-sec- and classes have designed ondary career and technology and built projects throughprogram out of all community out Anne Arundel County. colleges in Maryland.

The projects include Since 2009, the depart- AACC’s West Campus enment has won 86 awards, in- trance sign, a brick welcome cluding five nationally. arch in Glen Burnie, a waitRyan said AACC was the ing room at the District Court first community college in of Maryland in Annapolis the U.S. to win a national and a career center at Sarah’s award for its interior design House, a supportive housprogram. ing program “It’s a great The departfor homeless ment’s students families in program and have access Anne Arundel community.” to specialized County. computer pro- —Michael Mercuri “The degrams as well as partment has resource rooms with large been one of the better proprinters, a laser cutter, fabric grams, I think, at our school, swatches and other materi- and definitely deserves the als they use for their classes. recognition,” Michael Mercu“Anything I’ve needed ri, second-year construction help with, I’ve been able to management student and get help with so far,” sec- president of AACC’s AIAS

Did you know?

AACC has two electric vehicle chargers on Arnold campus.

In spring 2016, AACC installed two electric vehicle chargers. One is between the Careers building and Lot C and the other is between CALT and Lot G. According to Melissa Beardmore, vice president for Learning Resources Management, the stations are used 25 to 30 times a month.

Reporting by Elizabeth Spearman Photo by Roxanne Ready

Campus Life

Members of the American Institute of Architecture Students help build a new career center at Sarah’s House in Fort Meade.

Photo courtesy of AACC’s AIAS chapter, said. “It’s a great program and community.”

In celebration of the anniversary, Ryan said he hopes to host a reunion in spring for former faculty and alumni to showcase the program’s progress and changes over the years.

The department also will host a travel study program to Greece next summer.

The 17-year-old travel study program started with trips to Chicago and now includes destinations throughout Europe. “[Greece is] symbolic;

it’s sort of the foundation of where architecture really began,” Ryan said. “I think it’s a great opportunity to celebrate the department.”

As the department grows, Ryan said more students are able to explore their interests and goals, some even going on to work for AACC. “It’s really important for our current students to see ... what is possible,” Ryan said.

“I’m very proud of where this started, how it’s changed, how it’s redefined itself and the changes that we’ve made in people’s lives.”

Employee has enjoyed 3 decades with theater Sarah Noble Club Editor Joy Ajello has been operating the box office at Kauffman Theater in the Student Union building since 1984.

Ajello has been involved with AACC since she was a high school sophomore in 1968. She participated in workshops here sponsored through her high school’s thespian society.

“I love her,” said thirdyear theater major Sydney Biuk. “She’s sweet, amazing, and will always do things at the drop of a dime.”

When Ajello became a full-time student at AACC in 1984, professor Robert Kauffman—for whom the Kauffman Theater was named— asked her to take over the box office for the drama club, which ran it at the time.

Since then, she has handled all ticket sales for performing arts shows, orchestra and concert bands. “[The people who work in the box office] are very knowledgeable and they always [have] pointed me in the right direction,” Breanna Shackleford, a third-year

Joy Ajello (right) plays Auntie Em in AACC’s 1984 production of “The Wizard of Oz.” Photo courtesy of Joy Ajello culinary major, said.

Ajello said she enjoys being part of the events on campus, including plays, concerts and operas.

“There’s so much stuff that happens over here that people don’t know about,” Ajello said. “A lot of students take classes here and then they run away.”

Ajello said some campus buildings are much different now from how they used to be.

“When I started out, the library building was every-

thing,” said Ajello. “It was [the] administration [building], student union and the library.”

Ajello said the first floor of the library once held the bookstore, vending machines and tables.

“And now look at it,” said Ajello.

The first floor now includes the reference desk, Student Success Services and the Writing Center.

Even after 32 years at AACC, Ajello said she has no plans to retire.

12 | Campus Current | 2017 | November

Campus Life

Satellite campuses are ignored, students say Sarah Sutherland Campus Life Editor Students who attend classes on AACC’s satellite campuses said those off-site locations do not get enough attention compared with the main Arnold campus.

AACC has three satellite campuses: Glen Burnie Town Center, Arundel Mills and the Center for Cyber and Professional Training.

While Arnold offers Welcome Week activities and includes a library, theaters, a gym and art studios, the satellite campuses do not have as many social events or academic resources.

“It just makes [the Glen Burnie] campus feel smaller, like not as important,” Keahana Ford, a second-year human services major, said.

“If they took the same time that they did with the Arnold campus and gave us a little bit of whatever they’re doing,

it would probably benefit [the school] in the long run.”

First-year accounting major Lilly Flower said the lack of events at Arundel Mills “is honestly highly disappointing, because every time I’m [at Arundel Mills] they always have cool stuff on [main] campus going on, and I miss out.”

Some AACC faculty and staff members said the satellite campuses lack activities because they do not have enough space.

“I don’t think the failure has to do a whole lot with the college not wanting to do something,” Michael Yeakey, director of occupational skills at the Glen Burnie Town Center, said. “The size of the [Glen Burnie] building just doesn’t accommodate certain kinds of activities.” “[The satellite campuses] have a couple of great facilities. … It’s just the physical space,” said Mary Bachkosky,

a legal studies professor at Arnold, Arundel Mills and the CCPT. “[The campuses] would be a great place if you just needed classroom-sized spaces for events.”

Both students and faculty made suggestions for how the campuses can improve.

Elizabeth Garvey, a firstyear baking and pastry major, and Ford said the Glen Burnie Town Center should have more Welcome Week events, clubs and accessible counselors.

“For the events, they should make it so at least once a month [the satellite campuses] have what they have at main campus—like a ‘Chick-fil-A day’ or something like that,” Flower said.

Garvey said adding “things on a smaller scale” like a cafeteria and a library would be helpful at the Glen Burnie Town Center.

“Sometimes it’s difficult to pack a lunch every day,

During the 2016 fall semester, 622 students enrolled in AACC classes at Glen Burnie Town Center.

Photo by Sarah Sutherland and you don’t want to walk miles to find something actually interesting,” Garvey said. “[And we] do have a lounge, but it’s not always the best place to study. … It would be nice to have a quiet place to go and study.”

Yeakey said he would like to see expansions to the Glen Burnie math and English labs.

“There’s no lab where they’re open all the time where students can come and get help,” Yeakey said.

He said clubs or activities for ESL students would benefit the multi-cultural population at the Glen Burnie campus.

Bachkosky said advertising for Arnold campus events on TV monitors, posters and

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in-class at the satellite campuses would help students become more engaged.

Student Government Association President Johnathan O’Dea said the SGA plans to increase student engagement at the satellite campuses by visiting them with information about the SGA and conducting surveys about what students would like to see at the different campuses.

“We want to gear the activities that are taking place over there to the interests that are over there,” O’Dea said. “It has been shown that a student who is more involved and engaged at college has a higher chance of being successful. We want to foster that idea that everybody is a part of AACC.”

November | 2017 | Campus Current | 13

Celebrations of LGBTQ include films, comedy Shelby Vetter Reporter AACC celebrated Coming Out Week with a drag show, a comedy performance and a panel during which students told their personal stories.

Students observed Coming Out Week from Oct. 6 through Oct. 13 to address issues in the campus LGBTQ community and raise awareness among students.

Drag-A-Palooza The Gay-Straight Alliance student club sponsored the drag show that kicked off Coming Out Week on Friday, Oct. 6.

Abbi Kadabra, “D.C. Drag Wars” season one winner, and her team of queens— including three AACC students—headlined AACC’s Drag-A-Palooza.

All proceeds went to Royal Court Charities, a partner of the Trevor Project program, to support the preven-

tion of LGBTQ youth suicide.

The show raised $1,400, $400 more than last semester’s show.

Comedian: Loosen the Bible Belt Lesbian comedian Kristen Becker performed for AACC students on Oct. 9.

The act usually includes Pastor Jay Bakker, but he was unable to make the show because he missed a flight.

Becker said she and Bakker represent two different perspectives on beliefs often viewed as in conflict, but they come together and laugh at the same topics and material.

“It’s just about trying to put love in the world,” Becker said. “There’s a big divide between religion and the gay community.”

Despite Bakker’s unexpected absence, students said they still liked the act.

“I listen to a lot of comedians, so I like raunchy, but [I] also [liked] that she was

serious at the same time,” Michael Schlossenerg, a second-year psychology major, said.

Panel: My Coming-Out Journey During an open panel on Oct. 10, members of the GSA discussed coming out as LGBTQ and shared their personal stories.

“Life’s too short to hide and not be yourself,” Nick Nadeau, a fifth-year engineering major and the GSA’s public relations chair, said.

Four GSA members—students Nadeau, Mitch NooneMeng, Garrett Hutchinson and Erica Romero—talked about their personal experiences of coming out and transitioning.

Noone-Meng, a thirdyear transfer studies student, said he first started feeling accepted as a transgender boy when his 8thgrade gym teacher supported him in going to the boys’

Drag-a-palooza The Gay-Straight Alliance sponsored a drag show featuring three AACC students. The show raised $1,400 for Royal Court Charities to support the prevention of LGBTQ youth suicide.

Photos by Jessica Osband

Campus Life

English professor Dave Meng discusses his experience as a parent of a transgender child.

Photo by Brandon Hamilton side of the gym during gender-based activities.

Noone-Meng’s father, AACC English professor Dave Meng, told the crowd he didn’t understand transgender issues at first. Meng learned alongside his son as Noone-Meng discovered who he was.

Film Screenings GSA faculty adviser Forrest Caskey and world languages chair Scott Cooper held a double-feature film screening and discussion in CALT on Oct. 11.

The films were “Freedom to Marry,” a 2016 documentary about the marriage equality movement, and a 2015 episode of the PBS series “Frontline,” called “Growing Up Trans,” that

goes into detail about the struggles of transgender kids and their families.

Rainbow Network Training To conclude the week, Dr. Robert Hurd, an English professor, hosted a Rainbow Network Training session on Oct. 13.

The AACC Rainbow Network—ARN—is a group of college faculty, administrators and staff who advocate for LGBTQ equality and actively work to prevent homophobia on campus.

All members complete a training session and in return receive a Rainbow Network door sign that identifies their offices or classrooms as safe places for people of all genders and sexualities.

14 | Campus Current | 2017 | November

Campus Life

Fall 2017

Tuesday, November 14 | 12-6:30 p.m.

AACC at Arundel Mills, AMIL Lobby

All students and job seekers are invited. Just walk in, no appointments needed.

Light refreshments, raffles, prizes and gifts will be available.

Agenda Highlights: Noon-4 p.m.

Tips and Tricks: Employer Recruiting/Career Pathways Find out how to get hired, gain experience, move up the corporate ladder and attend college without moving out of line. Meet employer representatives from Comcast, Bright Horizons, Live! Casino & Hotel, ScribeAmerica and Verizon Wireless.

Resume 911 Review Session | AMIL Lobby Just walk in with a copy of your updated resume and let an expert provide feedback on development of content, qualification, branding, layout and delivery before submitting the resume to an employer.

Student Success and Retention Session | AMIL Lobby Stop by and chat with your adviser, Ms. Arlene, about your progress for the semester or any other special needs.

1-2 p.m.

Keeping Up With Each Generation: Intergenerational Relationships in the Workplace Attend this session to learn about the different generations existing in today’s workplace, and find out best practices we can adopt to meet the needs of those various generations. We will explore themes, perceptions/preferences, relationships, work styles, learning styles, values & outlooks/attitudes.

5-6:30 p.m.

Your Resume: Set the Stage | AMIL 108 Do you have your electronic resume ready for your job search? Learn why the resume is a good marketing tool! Find out how to promote your key skills and qualifications on your resume. Great workshop to assist you in drafting or upgrading your resume to meet the espectation of employers.

Ideal for anyone seeking internships, full-time employment or transitioning to a new work enviroment.

Today’s Events Sponsored by: Employment Services and the Student Achievement and Success Program.

For more information call 410-777-2770/1161 or email ctrc@aacc.edu or abayron1@aacc.edu

November | 2017 | Campus Current | 15

Campus Life

Chef offers tips for side dishes Sarah Noble Club Editor If you’re bringing a side dish, appetizer or dessert to a Thanksgiving celebration for the first time this year, start planning now.

That’s the best advice third-year culinary student Michael Santos has for students who aren’t used to cooking or contributing to a family feast.

Santos, who is taking baking classes this semester, also has these tips for the upcoming holiday season. uu Go simple. Thanksgiving isn’t the time to prepare something you’ve never made before, Santos said.

His advice: Do a practice run a few days before the holiday so your dish will be perfect for the big family dinner. uu Stay cool. If you bring an appetizer or side dish that should be served hot, pack it into a thermal

container so you don’t have to reheat it when you get to your host’s home. The cook is probably using the stovetop and oven—and you’ll be in the way if you have to use them too, Santos suggested. uu Think outside the box. Everybody brings green bean casseroles and pumpkin pies, Santos said. Use a little bit of imagination when you’re planning your contribution. His two favorites: mac-n-cheese and meatballs made with grape jelly and chili sauce. uu Know your audience. Stay away from recipes that contain common allergens like nuts and soy.

If you do make a dish with those ingredients, however, label the food so the diners know what’s in it. uu Keep it clean. Wash your hands often as you cook: anything you touch eventually will end up on the dining room table. “Don’t lick your

Culinary student Michael Santos says students who bring appetizers, side dishes and desserts to a Thanksgiving dinner should choose simple recipes that don’t need reheating.

Photo by Brandon Hamilton fingers,” Santos said. uu Use your common sense. If you make a recipe that contains milk or mayonnaise, store it in the refrigerator until just before dinner so it won’t spoil.

uu Check around. Especially if you plan to make a Thanksgiving staple like stuffing or cranberry sauce, check with the host so you don’t bring something that another guest has already

signed up to contribute. uu Please the crowd.

Out of ideas? “You can never go wrong with pie,” Santos said. “Everybody likes pie.”

His favorites are blueberry and peach.

Business

Management

Food and Networking Hosted by Entrepreneurs' Club Tuesday Nov. 14 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Careers 340 Eat, drink, and network. Learn how to work a room, pitch your business.

Best of Business Student Business Trade Show 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Meet our AACC student business owners and network Register now for the Student Business Trade Show the deadline is

Friday, November 10

Thursday Nov. 16

Expo and Live Pitch 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Meet student finalists who will pitch their business ideas Use Riverhawk dollars to invest in the business idea you think should win

Careers 2nd floor vending area

Best of Business Awards Ceremony: Winners of the Best of Business announced Celebrate and Network Nov. 16 12:00 - 12:30 p.m. Careers 240

To register, email esi@aacc.edu or call (410) 777-2066

16 | Campus Current | 2017 | November

Campus Life

9 tips to relieve stress Roxanne Ready Editor-in-Chief Heart racing, tears streaming down her face, Piper Lewis could only hold her knees close and wait for her body to quiet.

The feeling of being out of control had spread from her situation—one of homework deadlines and computer issues—to her body. She was shaking, hyperventilating and crying; all were physical responses over which she had no control.

Just three years ago, massage therapy major Lewis had never experienced a panic attack. But with the stress of college and life compounding, they were all too familiar to her by the time she faced this latest stressor.

In a 2015 study by the American College Health Association of more than 93,000 students on 108 campuses, 53 percent of them said they felt “more than average” or “tremendous” levels of stress. Thirty-six percent of those surveyed said a

professional had formally diagnosed them with anxiety, panic attacks or depression— all mental health disorders for which stress can be a major contributor.

After her panic attack, Lewis reduced her work schedule and made self-care activities an integral part of her daily life.

AACC students, faculty and counselors have this advice for students for managing their stress: 1. Create a schedule.

Laying out big assignments for each class helps students get a “helicopter view” of a semester that is helpful not only for time management, but to gauge whether they are taking too many classes, said psychology professor Dr. Kellie McCants-Price.

2. Schedule time for self-care.

“Self-care is something that is very quick to go by the wayside when you get really busy,” said McCants-Price.

Whether it’s scheduling an hour at the gym, making a

salon appointment or setting aside Friday evenings for time with friends, McCants-Price said it’s important to deliberately block out time for self-care.

3. Make a list of things you enjoy.

For example, Lewis said getting up when her body naturally awakens and spending time doing religious devotionals are most effective for her.

AACC counselor Marguerite Falcon suggested spending time with friends, exercising, borrowing a friend’s dog for a walk in the park or even learning to skydive.

4. Give yourself permission to say “no.”

Lewis said the biggest breakthrough for her so far has been learning to “use her voice” to say when she is overwhelmed so she doesn’t take on too many responsibilities.

“I can’t do it all,” she said, “and that’s OK, because we’re all human.”

5. Build a network of supportive family or friends.

Tips for self-care 1. Create a

Schedule.

4. Give yourself

permission to say " no."

2.Schedule time 3.Make a list of for self-care. things you enjoy.

5. Build a network 6. of supportive family or friends.

Ask for help.

7. Step away from 8. Don't use drugs 9. Get professional or alcohol technology.

counseling.

to cope.

Dr. Kellie McCants-Price, a psychology professor, advises busy students to take time for themselves.

Graphic by Morgan Gordon McCants-Price said it’s important to have friends or family who will help you be “the best you that you can be.” They might even notice before you do when your stress levels are getting too high, she said.

6. Ask for help.

Most professors want to help their students succeed, said McCants-Price, but they can’t help if they don’t know a student is struggling. If you speak up, you may find them willing to give one-on-one tutoring or occasionally extend a deadline to allow for difficult circumstances.

7. Step away from technology.

Whether you’re taking a

walk alone or spending time with friends, put the phone away and be present, suggested McCants-Price.

8. Don’t use shortterm coping solutions like drugs or alcohol.

Substances may relieve the stress of the moment, but they’re no substitute for developing real coping strategies, said McCants-Price.

9. Get professional counseling.

“Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you feel like you’re sinking,” said McCants-Price. “You’ll only sink further if you don’t.”

AACC has four counselors who see students for free for up to three visits per incident.

New York City

Dec. 20th bus trip Hosted by the Entrepreneur’s club

AACC Students, Faculty and Staff - $30 Guests - $40 Minors need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian

Departure at 6:00 a.m. Return at ~11:00 p.m There is no planned agenda Shop, go to a museum, ice skate, see a show or visit other places in NY City

To register email esi@aacc.edu or call (410) 777-2066

November | 2017 | Campus Current | 17

Campus Life

Amaranth places 1st in magazine competition Michael Garvey Reporter AACC’s Amaranth Literary Magazine won first place among large colleges in the Eastern Division of the Community College Humanities Association’s Literary Magazine Competition.

Five AACC student submissions also won individual awards for pieces presented in the 2016-2017 Volume 42 edition.

This year, Amaranth surpassed “The Sligo Journal” from Montgomery College, which won first place last year when Amaranth placed second.

“We swept the Eastern Division for script writing,” Dr. Garrett Brown, Amaranth’s faculty adviser and an English professor, said.

Former students Eli Jacob, Michael Gioffre and Breanna Liddy won first, second and third in the cate-

W

gory, respectively.

The students wrote all of the screen plays during Brown’s Writing for Stage and Screen class.

In addition, former AACC student Mary McKiel’s “Water’s Edge” won second place for photography.

And Ben Staisloff, 20112012’s Amaranth assistant editor and layout and design editor, earned an honorable mention for his photograph “Flight.”

Amaranth dedicated this issue to Staisloff, who passed away earlier this year. “[Last year] was my first year being editor and I didn’t want to change a lot,” former Amaranth editor-in-chief and current contributor Jonas Pallaro-Sonneborn said.

“I didn’t want to go to off the rails because I didn’t know the whole process yet.

And then [for the 2016-2017 issue] I started out and said let’s do something different,

O R K I N G

T

let’s make it really special, let’s have a cohesive framework.”

For Volume 42, Pallaro-Sonneborn said he wanted to move away from the simpler theme and framework of the previous edition.

Volume 41 did not have a set theme to it. “[For Volume 42] I was like, ‘We know how to do it right, let’s take a chance,’ and everyone pitched in,” Pallaro-Sonneborn said. “Everyone pushed ideas consistently. We were always voting on how to do different things; everyone was really engaged.”

Pallaro-Sonneborn credited Volume 42’s unique look to former layout and design editor Morgan Nakroshis.

Volume 42’s design is based on a road trip through space as a nod to Douglas Adams’ classic comedic science fiction novel “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,” in which the number 42 plays

O G E T H E R

Amaranth’s former Editor-in-Chief Jonas Pallaro-Sonneborn and his team won a first-place award from the Community College Humanities Association.

Photo by Brandon Hamilton a key role. The cover art was designed by McKiel.

The edition also has 14 science fiction Easter eggs hidden throughout.

“I’m trying my very, very hardest to live up to last year’s journal,” Ren Bishop, Amaranth’s current editor-in-chief, said. “I have an

- E

entire staff behind me and our ideas together are incredible. … I want our journal to be a celebration of everything that this community has to offer. … It’s about the art and the creators of it.”

Copies of Amaranth: Volume 42 are located in Brown’s office in Humanities 113F.

V E R Y O N E

E

AT S

EMPTY BOWLS EVENT November 2, 2017 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

SUN Dining Hall Purchase a bowl of soup made by AACC HCAT service-learning students.

Your $10 donation benefits the AACC Food and Veterans Resource Center Pantries.

*Ad created by Younmi Han

18 | Campus Current | 2017 | November

Sports

Students want rugby, hockey, cheerleading Vincent Moreland Ryan Sullivan Reporters AACC students said last month they would like the Riverhawks to have a football team.

In an informal poll of 30 students, 13 said they want a football team at the school and six said they would like a hockey program.

Additionally, three suggested the college should add a cheerleading squad and three others would like the school to add rugby to the athletics program.

AACC has 11 sports teams: Baseball, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Women’s Cross Country, Men’s Golf, Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse, Men’s and Women’s Soccer, Softball and Women’s Volleyball.

The college does not offer football, dodgeball, archery, or track and field—all sug-

gestions from students who would have to add an addianswered the recent poll. tional two or three women’s “I want to be a part of sports to balance it out.” something here,” said secIn addition, Herr said ond-year student Jeffrey the northeast region of the Greene. “I feel like when I National Junior College Athgot here, there was nothing letic Association has too few for me to do [because track football teams against which and field] was my sport in AACC would compete. high school.”

Within the NJCAA, there The most requested are three colleges that offer sport was footfootball.

This “I want to be part includes: Lackball.

AACC had a awanna College of something football team in in Pennsylvahere.” the 1980s. Due to nia, and Mona combination of roe Community high costs, insuf- —Jeffrey Greene College and ASA ficient competiCollege, both in tion in the region and low ac- New York. ademic success of the players Students also said they across multiple years, AACC were interested in hockey, disbanded it in 1990. cheerleading and rugby. “[Students wanting foot“I love cheering,” firstball is] something that we year student Cynthia Herhear a lot,” Athletics Direc- nandez said. “It’s a sport to tor Duane Herr said. “But … keep young females active it would be very costly. If you and it keeps me busy.” have football you wouldn’t Herr said cheering at the have much else. [And] we junior college level is rare,

Whatever your interests, we have a job for you!

Join us and add your voice!

• Make friends • Build a portfolio • Be in the know • Have fun!

We teach you everything you need to know, from the ground up!

Meetings every Thursday at 3:15 in HUM 206A For more information email CampusCurrent@gmail.com or drop by the newsroom, HUM 206A

AACC fielded a football team until 1990, when a lack of competition and poor academic performance among players shut the program down.

Photo by Anthony DePanise, reprinted from Campus Crier, Nov. 7, 1989 but he is “curious to hear more [about cheering] from the student level.”

Not every student wants more competitive options.

One student said he would like to see more recreational sports instead.

“Recreational sports would allow students to meet

new people, stay in shape and have fun here on campus,” Jana Burno, a sophomore nursing major, said.

One student said she would like to see a swimming team at AACC, but the college closed the pool in August to make room for a new Health Sciences building.

fans visiting from Baltimore attacked a Westchester fan in the parking lot, beating him so badly he went to the hospital.

Current Women’s Basketball coach Lionell Makell applied for the daunting job of head football coach that year, even as the program was under review for cancelation.

He told Campus Current that AACC officials said they were disbanding the team because the junior college football league only included one other team at the time, and the cost of insurance was too high.

But in an interview with The Anne Arundel County Sun in June 1990, Dr. Raymond Turner, an economics professor and chair of the committee that decided the AACC football team’s fate, said, “As far as money is concerned, it had very little to do with the decision. … [Football] wasn’t contributing to academic success.”

In 1985, the team had dropped from varsity to club status because the poor grades of the athletes made the program ineligible for

varsity status under the rules of the National Junior College Athletic Association.

According to Campus Crier, a March 1986 academic report said 69 percent of football players had a GPA below 2.0 for the semester, and nearly a quarter had an average of 0.0.

The following year, the college instituted a program to encourage and monitor academic performance of athletes, but the GPA of the football team’s athletes remained low.

Thomas Florestano, AACC’s president at the time, told The Anne Arundel County Sun in a 1990 interview the team’s disbandment was “inevitable,” but not something he looked forward to.

“Scheduling games and finding teams that we could compete with was becoming more and more difficult each season,” he said. “[But] I, myself, am a big football fan, and I’m sure I’m going to hear it [for dropping football] from a lot of my friends.”

The Pioneers ended their record at 69-89-2 over the course of two decades.

Why doesn’t AACC have varsity football team?

Roxanne Ready Editor-in-Chief The final game of AACC’s old football team ended in 1989 with a parking lot brawl after a semester of poor athletic performance and academic controversy.

A streak of losses began for the Pioneers—AACC Athletics’ nickname before it became the Riverhawks— with a dramatic 55-0 loss to Montgomery College in 1988.

Some observers accused Montgomery of deliberately running up the score, and 15 players walked off AACC’s Pioneers team on the spot.

The Pioneers never recovered.

In the following two seasons, the Pioneers went 0-7, ending with a crushing, 21-7 loss to Westchester Community College of Pennsylvania in fall 1989.

According to Campus Crier—then the name of AACC’s student newspaper— after the final game, players from both teams brawled for about 20 seconds before coaches could break up the fight.

No one was injured, but

November | 2017 | Campus Current | 19

Sports

Women’s Bball is ready to face new challenges Vincent Moreland Reporter Three of last year’s players will return to AACC’s Women’s Basketball in the upcoming season, and the team will welcome several new players, including three high school recruits.

Head coach Lionel Makell said his team is “looking good so far.”

“This is probably the first year in all my years that I’ve felt so positive about a season and about my team,” said first-year student Imani Robinson, who will be playing forward for the team in spring.

Makell, who is in his fifth season as head coach, signed high school recruits for the first time this year.

“I have three all-county players that I signed into the team,” Makell said. “I am very happy with the recruits we have this year.”

The three players include Robinson from Glen Burnie, as well as guard and forward Autumn Foster-Fields from Broadneck and guard and forward Daja Burnett from Severna Park.

Makell said one of his goals for the new recruits is to help them move on to their next colleges.

“It’s expected [they’ll spend] one or two years here,” Makell said. “And we’re moving them to a fouryear institution.”

He said he wants his athletes to prioritize their academics above their play.

“You’re a student first, and then you’re a basketball player,” Makell said.

Foster-Fields said the team needs to work on its offense.

“Our defense has gotten really good,” Foster-Fields said. “We just need to make a few touch-ups on our offense and then we’ll be fine.”

Robinson said the team

viewers, including the president of the United States,” she said.

President Donald Trump tweeted on Sept. 22 that players who kneel for the national anthem should be fired.

“Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘Get that son of a b---- off the field right now? Out. He’s fired,’” the tweet read.

In a separate informal survey conducted by Dr. Daniel Nataf for AACC’s Center for the Study of Local Issues, 80 percent of the 45 students polled said they oppose NFL owners firing players. “[Trump is] clearly not supporting the right to peaceful protest or freedom

of speech,” Rene Anderson, a second-year psychology major, said.

Fifteen students in the Campus Current poll said the players are showing disrespect when they kneel during the anthem.

“It’s sad to see so many people disrespecting our fallen soldiers,” second-year student Michael Reeder said.

“I’m standing tall and showing them my respect.”

“People have died or been dismembered in war, and you think it’s acceptable to kneel for the national anthem?” agreed Jason Sheets, a second-year law enforcement and criminal science major.

But first-year student Malcolm Diggs said respect for the military is not at is-

Campus survey: AACC supports kneeling 3:1 Continued from page 1 eral players from every NFL team that played on Sept.

24 either knelt, locked arms with teammates or other staff members, continued stretching instead of standing at attention or stayed inside while the anthem played.

For many AACC athletes, “kneeling isn’t an issue at all,” Imani Robinson, who will play forward for Women’s Basketball in spring, said. “People are standing up for what they believe in and they have every right to.”

Jasmine Elkhoga, a firstyear political science major, called the NFL players’ protest an “ingenious act.

“They provoked a huge upset amongst American

Women’s Basketball welcomes three high school recruits, and players are optimistic about the season.

Photo by Brandon Hamilton mainly needs to improve on communication.

“It’s a totally different atmosphere and definitely a step up from high school,” Robinson said. “It feels great having a team that actually works well together and has so much talent.”

Makell said the Women’s Basketball team is expecting to do big things this year and is ready for whatever happens.

The team’s first game—a home game—is on Nov. 5 at noon against Middlesex County College.

Players from the Washington Redskins knelt during the national anthem before their game on Sept. 24.

Photo by Keith Allison, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons sue in the protest.

“The military don’t go to war to fight for the national anthem,” Diggs said. “They go to fight for our rights, which includes being able to kneel for the anthem. I would take a knee.”

Women’s Basketball head coach Lionell Makell said while no one on the AACC athletic teams has knelt during the anthem, his players are allowed to kneel.

But he said he doesn’t want his players to kneel

to “just be a follower of the cause, but to be a leader. …

They need to know the cause.”

Men’s Basketball player Lamar Curtis said he will continue to stand for the anthem during AACC games out of respect for the military.

Women’s Basketball forward and guard Autumn Foster-Fields said she doesn’t feel strongly about the issue.

“It’s their opinion on what’s going on,” Foster-Fields said. “But I would support [my teammates].”

November Schedule Women’s Basketball Wed. 1

at Harford Community College

Sun. 5

Middlesex County College

Fri. 10

at Host - Westmoreland County Community College, PA

TBA Sat. 11 TBA Wed. 29

at Lorain County Community College at Host - Westmoreland County Community College, PA at Westmoreland County Community College Howard Community College

Men’s Basketball 5:00 p.m.

Fri. 10

12:00 p.m. TBA TBA

Sat. 11

2:00 p.m.

TBA

TBA

Wed. 15

2:00 p.m.

5:00 p.m.

at Host - Westmoreland County Community College, PA vs. Lorain County Community College at Westmoreland CCC at Host - Westmoreland County Community College, PA at Westmoreland County Community College

TBA 4:00 p.m.

TBA 4:00 p.m.

CCBC Dundalk

5:00 p.m.

Sat. 18

Sandhills Community College

3:00 p.m.

Tue. 21

Community College of Beaver County

7:00 p.m.

Wed. 29

Howard Community College

7:00 p.m.

For scores and more information go to aaccathletics.com

20 | Campus Current | 2017 | November

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