May 2019 Issue

Sp ec Pa ia ges Se l 11ct Fe 14 io at n ur e

The award-winning newspaper of Anne Arundel Community College TheCampusCurrent.com

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May 2019

Sports

Students can meet with

Ex-prisoner gets AACC

Athletes show stand-out

advisers via video-chat

certificate, produces film

stats on field, court this

using a new program

based on his book

semester

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’19 class of Riverhawks set to graduate in May Ashley Onwudiwe Reporter Approximately 2,282 students will graduate from AACC this spring, and 500 will participate in commencement on May 23.

This year, the school will award about 2,400 degrees

and certificates at Live! Casino & Hotel in Arundel Mills instead of on campus.

“We’re expecting more graduates than last year,” AACC Registrar Nanci Beier said.

Last year, 2,006 students finished their degrees. The year before, 2,166 graduated,

and in 2016, 2,148 students completed their programs, according to AACC’s website.

“Generally numbers jump around,” Angie Hamlet, an AACC public relations manager, said. “[The fluctuations] are normal.”

For the first time, AACC

will split its commencement ceremonies into three separate events with three valedictorians. Students can at-

tend any of the ceremonies.

Some students and

Campus Current, AACC’s student newspaper, won the Student Government Association’s first-ever Club of the Year Award at the SGA’s annual Honors and Awards Ceremony on April 26.

“I’m really proud of our club for making an impression on the campus,” Cam-

pus Current Editor-in-Chief Alexandra Radovic said. “It is an honor, as a newspaper, to be able to represent the students, clubs and professors that got awarded and that make AACC so great.”

Another new SGA award—the Christine Storck Leadership Legacy Award— went to ceramics professor Rick Malmgren, who is retiring this year after starting

at the college in 2001. (See related story on Page 14.)

Storck retired last year after serving as the director of student engagement for 34 years.

The ceremony recognized outstanding students, clubs and faculty members.

SGA Executive Vice President Jesseca Greene emceed

run really efficiently,” Santos said. “I see myself as a leader and someone that can organize people well.”

The SGA, whose primary job involves allocating the student activity fee toward different clubs, could benefit from more student participation, Santos said.

“The changes I plan to make … I really want to be governed by what the students want,” Santos said.

“The main thing I want to do is make [SGA] … even more welcoming than it is now.

Barzal agreed.

Barzal, a second-year Spanish education and electrical engineering student, said he would like to see more students involved in campus life.

“I’m hoping to see an increase in student activity in general,” Barzal said. “Getting involved in anything other than just taking classes and going home.”

Harding, a first-year psychology student, said he is looking forward to working with Santos.

“I think [he] is very student focused,” said Harding.

New student pres. takes office Chance Iheoma Philip Van Slooten Reporters

A second-year creative writing student will be president of the Student Government Association next school year.

Mitchell Santos will replace outgoing President Jacob Smith.

Santos got the job after becoming the only candidate for the position. When more than one student runs for the office, the student body elects the winner.

OFFICIAL CAMPUS CURRENT MAY 2019 ISSUE.indd 1

All five of next semester’s SGA officers ran unopposed, including Executive Vice President Matthew Barzal and vice presidents Bri Barone, public relations; Cole Harding, diversity, equity and inclusion; and Jesseca Greene, finance.

Santos got involved in SGA through his brother, Michael, who was an SGA member last year.

Mitchell said he plans for the student body to become more involved with the SGA. “I wanted to see [SGA]

Continued on Page 4

SGA hands out awards to club members, profs Daniel Nickerson Multimedia Editor

Jesseca Greene, a third-year game developement student, and Neena Robertson (left), program coordinator of events, ran the SGA Honors and Awards Ceremony together on April 26.

Photo by Daniel Nickerson

Nearly 2,300 Riverhawks will graduate on May 23.

Photo by Christina Browning

Continued on Page 4

Second-year creative writing student Mitchell Santos will be the new SGA president next fall.

Photo by Christina Browning Barzal said he is looking forward to next semester and is “very excited to work with [Santos]. He’s got a really good heart ... he’s got a lot of really good stuff prepared for this coming year.”

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2 | Campus Current | 2019 | May

Editorial

Meet the Staff

’19 graduates: Set new goals Editorial Board

Editor-in-Chief

Alexandra Radovic Multimedia Editor

Daniel Nickerson Daily Editor

Sarah Noble

Sports Editor

Arianna Beers Photo Editor

Christina Browning Graphic Designer

Kenzie Airey Reporters

Gina Bell Tyreesha Bolton Samantha Gibbs Chance Iheoma Car’lyle Lee Ashley Onwudiwe Bethany Probst Noah Reem Philip Van Slooten Photographers

Graig Bracey Daniel Salomon

Faculty Adviser

Sharon O’Malley

Photographers on page 1, top

From left to right Daniel Salomon Chris Wilson Philip Van Slooten

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@campus_current Facebook

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As Riverhawk graduates fly into summer, we should reflect on our time at AACC and redefine ourselves before heading to four-year universities.

Instead of viewing graduation as the end of an era, graduates should use it as a stepping stone to future success. Just because some of us are leaving the Riverhawks name behind and embracing the mascots of our new schools doesn’t mean we should stop soaring toward our dreams.

Students who are graduating with a degree in transfer studies and still don’t have post-graduate career plans should think about what classes they enjoyed taking most at AACC and sign up for similar ones at their new universities or colleges.

They can also consider which classes they didn’t like and avoid choosing careers

related to that field of study.

For example, if you still have nightmares about your science prerequisite lab courses, but hold fond memories of the art credits you took, consider following that path instead.

Consider exploring more social-centered majors at your four-year, like communications or psychology.

On the other hand, students graduating with a specific focus or major can use the commencement milestone as an opportunity to ask themselves what more they want out of their educations and seek these opportunities at four-year schools.

Maybe you are earning your degree in business administration or entrepreneurial studies, but you still don’t feel like you have enough experience in the workforce.

Seek internships at your four-year and consider signing up for a few classes of interest outside of your bach-

Part-time workers plan for raise in hourly pay Kenzie Airey Graphic Designer

Campus Current recommends using the summer as an opportunity to set goals for after graduation.

Photo by Alexandra Radovic elor’s degree requirements that means earning a degree to see how to turn the things or just freelancing. you enjoy into a potential The experiences you business or have had at “Instead of viewing career.

AACC will Even if graduation as the end p r e p a r e you aren’t of an era, graduates you for a planning successful should use it as a to attend a future restepping stone to four-year gardless of future success.” college or how you university got here. after graduating from AACC, A Riverhawks diploma is what you learned here is still much more than just a piece valuable. of paper. It is a reminder that Reflect on why you came you are unique. to AACC in the first place.

Use what you learned as This could reveal parts of a Riverhawk to achieve your your personality that you can goals, even if they feel out of use to build a future, whether reach.

Student Spotlight

Student finds therapy in working with horses Alexandra Radovic Editor-in-Chief As a 5-year-old with a speech impediment, Shay Meany would often throw temper tantrums and get aggressive because he didn’t know how to communicate his thoughts without stumbling over his words.

But with the help of horses, the now second-year undecided AACC student learned how to be patient, confident and communicative.

At age 6, Meany’s parents took him to a therapeutic riding center in Linthicum, now called Morningside Stables.

There, he met his first horse, Zeffer. Meany recalled Zeffer as an old, patient horse with brown and white spots.

Not only did Meany ride Zeffer, he cleaned his stall, cared for him and got to know his personality.

Meany said forming this bond helped him practice the social skills he would need to communicate effectively with the people in his

life, instead of just yelling.

“It forced me to use my words,” Meany said. “You can’t scream and yell around horses.”

He now gets up at 5:30 a.m. six days a week to drive 30 minutes and give back to the horses at Oakland Ridge. They continue to help him feel more comfortable around people.

Meany said he treats each horse differently, based on its personality.

“They are just like us,”

NEWS

Meany said. “If you aren’t confident around horses, they’ll know. Horses can tell what emotions you’re feeling.”

Since his first experience with Zeffer, Meany said, he has overcome his speech problems and anxiety and plans to continue working in the field of horse care as a student at the University of Maryland.

“To be able to bond with an animal is a very special thing,” Meany said.

Advertise With Us! Discounts for AACC student organizations Now offering web advertisments

Advertising Manager Amber Nathan 240-825-6284 CampusCurrentAdverts @gmail.com

AACC students who work part-time will earn more money starting next year because the state Legislature voted in March to raise the minimum wage—a little at a time—to $15 an hour by 2025.

Maryland’s minimum wage is $10.10 an hour.

The new law increases that amount incrementally to $11 an hour in January 2020; to $12.50 by 2022; and to $15 by 2025, making Maryland the sixth state in the country to mandate a $15 minimum wage.

Gov. Larry Hogan did not support the law. In fact, he vetoed it in late March, and offered a counterproposal: a $12.10 minimum wage cap in 2022.

Hogan argued businesses would move out of state

Alexandra Radovic Editor-in-Chief Their shoulders draped in blue and white tassels, 41 students formed a long line and walked proudly down the aisle of Cade 219 to receive pins of honor from esteemed faculty of the college.

But when they started at AACC, these students walked down the aisles of classrooms for non-credit courses.

As official members of the college’s Chi Alpha Ep-

CampusCurrent @gmail.com 410-777-2296

Second-year undecided student Shay Meany used horse therapy to overcome his speech impediment.

Photo courtesy of Shay Meany

a bipartisan group of legislators “to look … at options” to help small businesses comply with the law.

“The reason for the working group is just to continue to look at small businesses and the difference between the different parts of our state, Western Maryland and the Eastern Shore, [where] the cost of living is a lot different than it is here in the center of Maryland,” she told Campus Current.

“Just making sure that we’re looking at all of these options and making sure that the bill and the raising of the minimum wage really do lift up people everywhere and it doesn’t force small businesses to close.”

She added: “When an issue like [minimum wage] breaks solidly across party lines, it’s an indication that we didn’t reach as good a compromise as we could have.”

silon, Epsilon Chi chapter, each of the students honored at the ceremony started AACC in those courses and have earned grade-point averages of at least 3.0.

“We provided an opportunity, but you did the work,” Dean Alicia Morse of the School of Liberal Arts told students during her speech at the ceremony. “Study hard, work hard and don’t forget to play hard.”

English professor Verna Robinson and Janice Watley, AACC’s assistant dean

for student development and student success, created the AACC chapter of Chi Alpha Epsilon, Epsilon Chi, in 2009.

After 11 years, AACC has inducted 525 students into the honor society.

“Your educational journey is transformative,” Dean of Student Engagement Tiffany Boykin, who delivered a speech at the event, said.

“This is really just the beginning if you choose it to be.”

Student inductees agreed that this is just the start of their success.

Third-year undecided student Daniel Aha said the induction motivated him to “keep going. AACC helped me expand my academic horizons.”

His fellow inductee

Taylor Mathews agreed.

“I love AACC because it brought my confidence up,” Mathews said. “I was never the smart kid.”

The honor society has 170 chapters across the nation.

Tyreesha Bolton Reporter

able to come to campus,” Nagiel said.

Students who want to make a video appointment with an adviser can email Nagiel directly at advising@ aacc.edu.

Some students said they would prefer virtual advising over driving to campus.

First-year exercise science student Emma Tvelia said she lives on Kent Island so it’s not a quick trip for her to get to campus, so virtual advising would be a more

convenient option.

“A lot of people work, so they have to leave right after they get out of class,” Tvelia said.

The virtual advising program uses a virtual-conferencing software called Zoom, which allows video-chatting and screen sharing among tablets, desktops and smartphones.

“It’s not like you need an account ... or you need to watch 10 different videos to know how to do it,” Nagiel

said about the new program.

Nagiel said the response from students has been positive.

“We’ve had more than 150 virtual advising sessions since we started,” she said.

“There have only been about four that students were not able to attend.”

“I hate when I have a question about something ... but I have work that day or class,” third-year dental hygiene student Phoebe Blaber said.

Honor society inducts new student members

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to save money if they had to pay their workers more than neighboring states whose minimum wages are lower.

The minimum wage in Virginia is $7.25 an hour; Delaware and West Virginia’s are $8.75; and the District of Columbia’s is $13.25.

Hogan proposed that the state would increase the minimum wage after 2022 only if surrounding states have an average combined minimum wage of 80 percent of Maryland’s.

But the Legislature overrode Hogan’s veto the following day.

Still, some legislators who voted for the $15 minimum wage bill said they fear the increase could hurt small businesses.

“I fully support people making a living wage,” said state Sen. Katie Fry Hester, who announced in a statement that she is working with

AACC offers advising via video-conferences for students who can’t travel to campus to see an academic adviser in person.

Photo by Daniel Salomon

Starting next year, part-time student workers like Hailee Edmundson (right) will earn more money per hour.

Photo by Daniel Salomon AACC students also wavered between support for higher pay and concern over the state’s ability to keep paying jobs in Maryland.

“It affects how we live here because the cost of living is so high,” second-year chemistry student Catelyn Middlebrooks said. “So it makes sense to raise [minimum wage] here.”

But she said a $15 minimum wage could cost the state some jobs. “It makes sense to wait until other states meet [our minimum wage],” she said, “so it doesn’t affect jobs as much.”

Some said Maryland has a higher cost of living than

surrounding states, so a higher minimum wage is needed.

“We’re right next to D.C. [and] we’re right next to Baltimore … it’s so much more expensive living here.

So [a lower minimum wage] wouldn’t really be fair,” second-year chemistry student Simone Desouza said.

But other students’ opinions on minimum wage varied.

“What needs to happen,” first-year undecided student Kenneth Hilladrake said, “is there needs to be a balance between the money that’s being made and the costs of products, services and basic living necessities.”

Third-year student Daniel Aha is one of 41 students whom college officials inducted into Chi Alpha Epsilon, for students who started in non-credit classes and now have a 3.0 grade point average or better.

Photo by Alexandra Radovic

College offers virtual advising AACC students who can’t visit campus to see an adviser can make advising appointments virtually.

Academic adviser Jill Nagiel said she started testing the program last fall to make it easier for students with busy schedules to see advisers.

“It just seemed like we had a lot of students that needed support, but weren’t

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News

AACC graduation rates fluctuate over decade

Riverhawks to end May with spring graduation Continued from Page 1 professors said they feel the location might distract from the seriousness of the graduation ceremony.

Still, graduates said they are excited and motivated as they prepare for the future careers and academic experiences.

“I’m excited,” Rachel Kramer, a transfer studies student, said.

“I feel ready,” Olivia

Walsh, a third-year baking and pastry student, said.

“I guess I’m glad that I’m done,” said Sean Nolan, a second-year engineering transfer student. “I’m done with this step in my life.”

Students said they are eager to start their own businesses or enroll in four-year universities after they graduate from AACC. “I’m actually starting my own small business,” Walsh said. “I’m selling wholesale

the event, which included 13 award categories.

Dr. Jaclyn Gambone, who has taught education classes at the college for nearly 12 years, received the Teaching Excellence award for a full-time professor and psychology professor Stephanie Beltz, who has worked here since 2015, won the Teaching Excellence award

for a part-time professor.

Interior Design and Architecture professor Carol Pearce won Rookie Professor of the Year.

The Adviser of the Year award went to Dr. Denise Portis, a psychology professor who advises the student club Active Minds.

Active Minds focuses on mental health awareness and education.

But professors weren’t the

day Kendall is graduating with her associate degree in elementary education.

Cullen Bilger, who was a transfer studies student here, said the pair did not expect to graduate together.

“It just kind of happened,” he said.

The Sokolowski sisters, who both attended AACC for three years and work in the same restaurant, said they enjoyed going to the same school and wanted to graduate together.

“I don’t think we could picture not having school at the same time ... and not graduating at the same time,” said Ashley, 22.

Cullen Bilger agreed.

“It was nice having someone with you the whole time,” he said. “It made the experience easier.”

After graduation, however, the four students will go their separate ways.

“This is our first time being separated,” Kendall Bilger said.

Kendall, 19, said she will live on campus at Towson University and Cullen, 21, will stay at Salisbury University. But the siblings agreed the two-and-one-half-hour drive between the colleges won’t affect how close they are.

Both said they plan to keep in touch with frequent calls and texts.

The Sokolowski sisters said they took their relationship into account when planning their next steps for the future.

“We always intended to stay on the same side of the country,” Ashley Sokolowski said. “We never wanted to be super far apart from each other.”

The sisters said they are considering taking a semester off before applying to

Some siblings to gain diplomas at same time Tyreesha Bolton Reporter Third-year entrepreneurship student Emily Sokolowski could have finished her coursework at AACC last December, but decided to spread her classes out so she could graduate with her sister, Ashley, this month.

And the siblings will graduate together on May 23: Ashley, a communications student, has decided to forego the 9 a.m. ceremony for her classmates in the School of Liberal Arts so she can sit with Emily at the School of Business & Law commencement at 7 p.m.

Siblings Cullen and Kendall Bilger will sit together at this spring’s graduation, too.

Cullen, who transferred from AACC to Salisbury University in January, is coming back to get his diploma on the same

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Noah Reem Reporter

About 500 Riverhawks will graduate for the first time at Live! Casino in Arundel Mills for the first time.

Photo by Christina Browning

Students, faculty earn awards from SGA officials at ceremony Continued from Page 1

The SGA sent spacethemed invitations to match the event vibe.

Photo by Daniel Nickerson

bread to a cafe for sandwiches, and then I do a lot of special events on the side.”

“I’m a yoga instructor,” Kramer said, “so I would like to go deeper into that.”

“I got accepted to [the University of Maryland Baltimore County] and Salisbury,” Dolan said, “but I plan to go to UMBC.” The graduation ceremonies on May 23 will officially begin at 9 a.m., 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

News

only ones who won awards.

Nine students won an Outstanding Club Member award, which recognized their dedication to an organization on campus this year.

Some winners included upcoming SGA Vice President of Public Relations Bri Barone and Campus Current’s Sports Editor Arianna Beers.

Student club members Tracie Notaro, Adalia Cubie, Shanelle Jones, Caleb

Schaeffer, Maria Engel, Dalton Leonard and Katrina Murphy won the same award.

Five students won the Student Achievement Award, and the college recognized nine others, including Radovic, for Outstanding Achievement.

The Entrepreneurial Studies Institute won the Club Event of the Year award for hosting Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley in November.

Among Maryland’s 16 community colleges, AACC ranks third in the number of associate degrees it awards each year.

Still, Dr. Mike Gavin, AACC’s vice president for learning, said AACC’s enrollment is far lower than the two colleges that graduate the most students: Montgomery College and Community College of Baltimore County.

“We’re near Montgomery and CCBC in the number of completions, but we’re significantly lower than them in terms of enrollment,” he said.

According to the Maryland Association of Community Colleges, AACC awarded 1,622 associate degrees in 2018, while Montgomery College gave out 2,578 and CCBC granted 2,131.

In addition, AACC awarded the second high-

est number of certificates in 2018 compared with the other community colleges, according to MACC. “I believe it is the commitment to academic excellence, our faculty performing well in the classroom … working for the benefit of all students,” Gavin said.

AACC’s Executive Director of Strategic Communications Dan Baum said President Barack Obama challenged colleges nationwide to increase graduation rates. Since then, Baum said, AACC has made that a priority.

“With each strategic plan, we have placed greater and greater emphasis on those strategies that can improve student success so more students can achieve their educational goals,” he said.

The number of students graduating from AACC increased every year from 2009 to 2015, hitting a peak

in 2015, with 1,852 associate degree graduates and 1,154 earning their certificates.

In 2016, the number of graduates at AACC, along with all other Maryland community colleges, started declining.

“Our enrollment dipped with the stronger economy, and so our completion rates over time have as well,” Gavin said.

MACC’s Director of Research and Policy Brad Phillips confirmed that “when the economy is doing well, people choose to stay at their jobs rather than go back to school. However, when there is a downturn in the economy, more people will go back to school.”

Phillips said community college enrollment has declined statewide since 2016 because of a healthier statewide and nationwide economy.

“We found a 35,000 to 40,000 [student] decrease in

Graduation rates increased steadily early in the decade before decreasing gradually since 2016.

Graphic by Christina Browning enrollment [statewide] over the past few years,” Phillips said.

He said another reason for lower graduation numbers is a trend among students to transfer to fouryear colleges sooner instead of waiting to graduate from community colleges.

Still, Gavin said, the number of students who are graduating after three years at AACC has risen by 5 per-

cent over three years.

In 2016, AACC awarded 1,778 graduates with associate degrees and 673 students with certificates, according to MACC. By 2018, those numbers dropped to 1,622 associate degree graduates and 625 who earned certificates.

Baum said AACC’s plan is to encourage students to complete their degrees at the college.

Sisters Ashley (left) and Emily Sokolowski will graduate together this spring.

Photo by Christina Browning schools such as Columbia University in New York and Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa Culinary Arts Institute in Canada.

But before they embark on new opportunities, the

sibling pairs said they are excited to end this chapter together.

“I wanted to graduate with [Ashley] whether she liked it or not,” Emily Sokolowski said.

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News

Living cost among top concerns in AA county

Professors to test-run climate change course Sarah Noble Daily Editor Two science professors are starting a special topics course focused on climate change this fall.

Physical Science 285 will cover climate change, the effects and the organizations working to mitigate it.

Dr. Seth Miller, who will co-teach the three-credit class with Dr. Anthony Santorelli, also teaches an introductory oceanography course. Santorelli teaches physical science.

“The atmospheric changes in climate, what fossil fuels are doing to the atmosphere and temperatures” are some topics Santorelli said the professors will cover in the first portion of the course.

Santorelli said he will use his expertise in weather to teach how scientists forecast changes in temperature.

Marjorie Rose Butler, a third-year plant science stu-

dent and self-described climate activist, said the class interests her.

“Climate change is one of the greatest threats to the planet,” she said. “I’m very happy to hear our college will be educating students on this issue.”

The professors said the class will go beyond the science aspects of climate change and will cover its impact on the economy and society.

“The last portion of class will go over mitigation efforts to stop climate change, like climate agreements,” Miller said.

Both Miller and Santorelli, who describe themselves as “best buds,” say the class will include lots of dad humor.

Santorelli also said it is important to him to teach students how to find accurate journalism on climate change.

He said the public has trouble finding reputable

Annual journal reveals Vol. 44 Amber Nathan Advertising Manager The 44th annual edition of AACC’s literary journal, “Amaranth,” launched on April 24.

“Amaranth” features student and faculty creative writing, poetry and photography. Editor-in-Chief Mike Pierorazio and his staff hosted a release party to celebrate, during which featured writers performed live readings.

The event in the Humanities theater drew “the most people I’ve ever seen at an event in the theater,” William Kuethe, a fourth-year music

student who attended, said.

“Amaranth” staff members said they are proud of the content in this year’s journal.

“It’s been a great experience,” Pierorazio said. “I like to describe this whole year as the best group project I’ve ever done. Usually in a group project, someone is carrying the whole team … and with two former editors and me, we all kind of pulled our weight. I’m really excited about this book.”

Jonas Pallaro-Sonneborn, one of the previous editors of the journal, called the “Amaranth” work “one of the most fulfilling creative

sources for information on what’s really going on.

“Sometimes we’ll have some days in winter where it gets really cold, so some people then think and then read that climate change is getting better, which isn’t true,” Santorelli said.

Miller said the class could benefit every student, no matter the major, because “climate change is affecting us all.”

But he particularly suggested that history, political science and communication students should sign up because the topic could relate to their future careers.

Miller said the issue of climate change is a personal one for him.

“I have a daughter, so it is a personal topic,” Miller said. “I’ve always sort of been interested in environmental issues but this one is big and it’s serious and it’s going to impact my kid significantly.”

He added, “There are al-

Philip Van Slooten Reporter

Dr. Seth Miller (right) and Dr. Anthony Santorelli, both science professors, are creating a special topics class about climate change next fall.

Photo by Sarah Noble ready things happening that are irreversible and species are becoming extinct.”

Both professors said AACC students can notice significant weather fluctuations as a result of climate change.

In Maryland, Miller said students can notice warmer winters and wetter seasons, which are harmful to the environment.

Santorelli said this winter, which had a polar vortex,

Rachel Green, a third-year creative writing student, reads from work she submitted to the 44th annual edition of AACC’s literary journal, “Amaranth,” at the release party on April 24.

Photo by Christina Browning a group of other people, people you don’t know, strangers, looked at your thing and said, ‘This is so good we want to put it in print.’ That is an amazing feeling and I’m so glad we got to give that to people.”

Some of the featured authors include Rae Supko, a third-year creative writ-

AACC hires 1st new asst. dean Sarah Noble Daily Editor Administrators hired the first of 10 new assistant deans in April.

Dr. Danny Hoey Jr. will become the assistant dean for English, Literacy and Communications in July.

OFFICIAL CAMPUS CURRENT MAY 2019 ISSUE.indd 6-7

Hoey is an associate professor and English, Communication and Language Department chair at Indian River State College in Fort Pierce, Florida.

The decision to hire assistant deans came in August 2018.

Liberal Arts Dean Alicia

was extremely concerning. A polar vortex brings cold air to specific regions.

Both professors said they hope students will learn that climate change is a huge, serious problem but the silver lining to it all … is that humans are totally capable to mitigating it,” Miller said. “We just need to do something about it.”

PHS 285 will run from 1 p.m. to 1:50 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

The high cost of living is the top concern of Anne Arundel County residents, a survey by AACC’s Center for the Study of Local Issues found in April.

Among their other concerns are drug abuse, sexual harassment, police and minority interactions, and low college graduation rates due to rising tuition costs.

Between March 28 and April 5, students at the center surveyed 622 county residents about which local issues they felt were most important.

In a separate, informal poll on campus on April 15,

Morse announced Hoey’s hiring in an email to faculty and staff.

Hoey earned his bachelor’s degree from Ohio State University, a master’s degree in English from Long Island University Brooklyn and his Ph.D. in English from the University of North Texas.

At Indian State, he also worked as the administrative director of the Division of Minority Affairs from 2015 to 2016.

Dave Meng, a candidate for the new assistant dean position, said he will stay on as the chair of the English Department.

ing student, who read her piece “A Rose by Any Other Name,” and Shayna Bloom, a third-year transfer-studies student, who presented her story “The Faulty Fitbit.”

Volume 44 of “Amaranth” is available at the reference desk in the library and on Campus Current newsstands across campus.

The college has hired a new assistant dean of English, literacy and communications.

Unsplash photo

40 percent of 45 AACC students told Campus Current that rising education costs are their top issue. Twenty-eight percent named a lack of time to spend with family as their most-pressing concern.

“I work full time and I go to school full time,” Nicholas Mitchell, a second-year premed student, said. “So time with work versus time with family requires a specific balance, which is very difficult.”

“My family is back in Florida. … I’m trying to get an education here so I can help out,” Khiry Coleman, a third-year culinary art student, said.

Other students agreed it is hard to balance school, work and family life.

“It’s hard for me to pay off the school while also being a student,” second-year cybersecurity student Lyle Wallace said.

Martha Dove, a second-year nursing student, said school feels like her fulltime job.

“So, if you’re working and doing the program, you’re taking time away from your family,” she said. “Most of them understand it’s temporary, but you have to do it if you want to be successful.”

Dr. Dan Nataf, a political science professor and the center’s director, said neither the county nor the campus survey results surprised him.

“The general public tends to want lower taxes and high-

Boykin said her unique set of degrees may have contributed to her election. She has bachelor’s and master’s degrees as well as a Ph.D. and a law degree.

She practices law as the principal of Boykin Legal Solutions.

“I actually do use [the degrees] on a daily basis,” Boykin said. “I think that’s one of the things that may have contributed to me standing out as unique, because I’m using both the expertise and studies in higher education along with my expertise and

understanding of the law.”

Boykin has worked for AACC since March 2016.

Since then, she said, she has used her skills to improve lives of students on campus.

She said her favorite part of her job is seeing the success of those she has helped.

“I get to see people come in, literally have a transformative experience and change their life,” Boykin said.

Boykin said she doesn’t want to see students who struggle financially have to forego buying textbooks or

Dean scores magazine mention for leadership Amber Nathan Reporter

experiences I have ever had. … I’ve met so many amazing artists and writers and photographers and all kinds of creative people.”

He added: “It’s … great for us as we feel accomplished for just being able to support these people. But also, and you can tell from how excited people are, knowing that

News

“Diverse” magazine named AACC’s dean of student engagement among its “Diverse Top 35 Women in Higher Education” in its Women’s History Month issue in March.

Dr. Tiffany Boykin ranked seventh on the annual list.

“I still don’t exactly know who nominated me,” Boykin said. “It was an absolute surprise, and an honor, to be considered.”

er services but it is labor intensive, like with education,” Nataf said. “This is similar to questions regarding tuition payment and class size.

Smaller classes means hiring more professors and that costs money.”

Nataf said one goal of the survey was to try to “assess the nature of the problem and determine what solutions people are willing to accept.”

Nataf said the questions in next year’s survey will depend on the issues of the 2020 presidential election.

“The issues haven’t resolved, the candidates haven’t resolved and I don’t expect them to resolve by the fall,” he said.

Nataf added national issues “aren’t our main focus,” because it is an “off year” for elections.

Tiffany Boykin, AACC’s dean of student engagement, is featured in the March issue of “Diverse” magazine on its list of women in higher education.

Photo by Gage Savoy getting to school because of a lack of transportation.

“Basically, I just want to expand the services and support such that when you

come to AACC, you truly do have that magical experience,” Boykin said. “My goal is to have more so that the students can have more.”

of AACC, like children in the Kids in College program, or seniors in personal enrichment classes.

“My most immediate need is ... making sure what we’re offering the community is relevant,” he said.

Before the college hired him as the full-time dean, Kunsman worked as the director of workforce solutions on the Glen Burnie campus starting in 2006, and then he moved to continuing education in 2011.

Workforce development

focuses on developing business certificate programs at AACC, which he said “upgrades skills of the current worker to make them more successful.”

To accommodate new certifications, Kunsman is leading the planning committee for the new Clauson Center for Innovation and Skilled Trades Building, which will open in 2021.

The building will support students who are studying trades, such as electrical engineering or plumbing.

College appoints new head of continuing ed Sarah Noble Daily Editor

College officials chose Kip Kunsman as the new dean of continuing education in April.

Photo by Sarah Noble

Students, like second-year physics student Kenneth Arnold, participated in a student survey on campus.

Photo by Philip Van Slooten

AACC’s new dean for continuing education and workforce development said he will focus on offering courses that are relevant to the community.

Kip Kunsman, who served as the interim dean for eight months, started as the department’s full-time dean on April 16.

Kunsman described continuing education as classes that serve members outside

4/26/2019 8:31:52 AM

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News

NASA rep talks rover on Mars Philip Van Slooten Reporter A NASA planetary scientist said in April that a 2020 mission to look for life on Mars is “blow-your-mind kind of stuff.”

Dr. Adrian Brown told a campus audience the July 2020 mission is important because if the robotic “rover” NASA will send to Mars finds “microbial evidence” on the planet, it could mean it evolved at the same time as life on Earth.

Brown said previous unmanned missions to Mars aimed to find evidence of water, not life. The mechanical rover, which is about the size of a compact car, will search a crater—named Jezero—that scientists believe might have at one time included a lake.

“If Mars did have life at

the time when this lake was present,” Brown said, pointing to a painting of what the crater might have looked like millions of years ago, “and [was] laying down sediment at the time that the [lake] was forming … [then] that is what we are looking for with our rover.”

Brown said he believes life exists on planets other than Earth.

“We’ve got over 300 million stars in our galaxy and then there are over 300 million galaxies in the universe,” he said. “If [life] also evolved on Mars, that would mean life should be very abundant in the universe because it evolved both here on Earth and on Mars in the same opportunity.”

Brown said Jezero was difficult to reach during previous missions because older

FIND YOUR FIT AT A scientist from NASA spoke to students in April about the next Mars mission.

NASA photo versions of rovers could not land on the planet’s dangerous rocks. Those rovers, he said, had less-accurate landing equipment than today’s machinery.

The Mars 2020 landing vehicle, on the other hand, will have a computerized map and maneuverable rockets to help guide it to a more precise landing. Brown said this level of precision will make landing on Jezero— which also is rocky—possible without damage to the rover or sensitive instruments.

“That computer and that very accurate map of the sur-

Faculty take survey on AACC’s diversity, equity Philip Van Slooten Reporter Fewer than half of the faculty and staff members who answered a “campus climate survey” this spring said they believe AACC students feel comfortable reporting discrimination to college administrators.

And fewer than one-third agreed that senior administrators and department leaders are diverse enough to allow them to “achieve/sustain strategic objectives.”

AACC Chief Diversity Officer Diedra Dennie said the survey points to a need for more training of managers and for focus groups of members of the campus community. College President Dawn Lindsay has scheduled a variety of focus groups for May 6 and 7 for faculty and staff who are minorities, veterans, younger than 40, LGBTQ, Caucasian and disabled.

Overall, however, Dennie characterized the survey results as positive. She pointed out that 71 percent of the 776 respondents agreed the “college has no tolerance for discrimination against students based on background/ characteristics.”

In addition, she noted

OFFICIAL CAMPUS CURRENT MAY 2019 ISSUE.indd 8-9

67 percent agreed with the statement, “Employees of different backgrounds [are] able to work together at AACC.” Still, just 41 percent agreed that “senior leaders demonstrate through actions that inclusion is important.”

Dennie said the results reflect “the work AACC has done and continues to do [with regard to] diversity, inclusion and equity.”

But she added: “Over the course of the upcoming year plans and curriculum will be developed and professional development will be scheduled for all managers, new and seasoned.”

Dennie explained the next steps “include creating an action plan to address opportunities [noted by the survey] and a [designing] a scorecard to monitor progress towards goals.”

Dr. Heather Riordan, a math professor who took the survey, said it’s important for the college to “go beyond compliant” and create a better atmosphere on campus.

“I believe AACC has a responsibility to do better than compliance for our students, and so my students inspire me [to do more],” she said.

But she added: “I love the

face enables us to push ourselves as close as possible to the [crater],” Brown said.

That increases our probability of a successful landing. We think we have a 95 percent chance of success.”

The landing vehicle will be accompanied by an aerial, helicopter-style drone to help it traverse difficult terrain.

Dr. Deborah Levine, an AACC astronomy professor, said Brown’s presentation intrigued her.

“I was really interested to see the progress in the rover design and the drone-like craft,” Levine said. “I wasn’t

HOOD COLLEGE

aware of [them].”

Brown said the rover also will collect 20 rock samples and return them to Earth for analysis.

Simone Desouza, a second-year chemistry student, called the plan “really ambitious. ... I’m not really sure how they’re going to do that.”

Erin Hamner, a firstyear environmental science student, agreed, adding she learned “how much time and math and geology goes into a space trip because most people only look at one aspect of it.”

people I work with. My math faculty, I consider ... family.”

Dave Meng, chair of the English Department, said AACC has a “welcoming atmosphere.”

“I’ve been here 25 years, and one of the comments that I hear from former students is how welcoming the environment here is from the The college’s Chief Diversity Officer Diedra Dennie moment they stepped onto sent out a survey to faculty about campus inclusion. campus,” he said. “First-time Photo by Christina Browning students who come to the campus don’t know what to an environment where you ence outside the classroom expect, and it ends up being can grow. We work in edu- is a huge part of the college a nice surprise.” cation, so you should always experience,” Meng stated.

Steven have an op- “Because it’s fun. You get to White, chair portunity to meet people and there’s lots “I believe AACC of the Comlearn and to do.” has a responsibility puter Ingrow as an Riordan agreed. to do better than formation employee.”

“Experiences outside the compliance for our Systems DeShe said classroom will shape your p a r t m e n t , students, and so my a student college experience,” she said. agreed. students inspire me version of “Some of my favorite mo“A clithe survey ments from college, some [to do more].” mate survey will go out in of the best memories that I —Dr. Heather Riordan [assesses] a the fall. have have nothing to do with feeling that “We ha- my classroom experience.” a climate feels ‘right,’” he ven’t finalized it yet, but we’re White said campus clisaid. “Students and employ- looking at questions like: mate surveys can help idenees feel at home; they feel ‘What’s the climate in your tify and support student safe around administrators, classroom? When you go to needs, so it is important for in the classroom and around class, do you feel welcomed, students to complete them. their peers.” do you feel engaged, do you The college reported that Dennie said the purpose feel committed? Do you feel 43 percent of AACC employof the survey was “to make valued? Is there space for ees responded to the survey, sure that we are welcoming learning and growth?” Den- and Dennie said she hopes and that you are valued as an nie said. a lot of students will particiemployee ... and that we offer “I would say the experi- pate this fall.

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10 | Campus Current | 2019 | May

May | 2019 | Campus Current | 11

Summer

Students say partying can be safe in summer Alexandra Radovic Editor-in-Chief Drunken-driving accidents, date rape and other disasters are preventable, campus police and AACC students told Campus Current in April.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, alcohol-related fatalities are significantly higher during the summer months than in the winter.

And research from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism estimates that each year, an estimated 1,825 college students ages 18 to 24 die from alcohol-related injuries, including car crashes.

In addition, studies show that nearly 97,000 college-age students will report alcohol-related date rape or assault over the course of a year.

Summer events and parties at four-year schools can

center around drinking and drugs, which often lead to reckless behavior, AACC Police Chief Sean Kapfhammer said.

He suggested that students keep an eye on their drinks at all times to make sure no one slips any harmful substances into them.

He also advised students to Uber home if they are drinking and to be aware of drunk and distracted drivers on the road if they are not.

“If you see something happening to your friends, intervene,” Kapfhammer said. “Especially if it’s a female friend and someone is getting pushy or making advances and she’s had too much to drink and she’s not able to make that [judgment] call for [herself].”

Former AACC students who have transferred to fouryear colleges said the parties at universities can increase the risk of danger.

They said students

should still have fun, but need to stay aware and look out for themselves and their friends.

“At community college-level parties there are all people you know generally,” Justin Walsh, who graduated from AACC last year and attends Newberry College, said. “But at a fouryear there are more people you don’t know. … It’s always good to make sure you have a functional or sober friend to make sure everyone is good.”

Walsh’s former classmates agreed.

Charlie Ellis, who graduated in the fall and attends Guilford College, recommended when students get to four-year schools they should “constantly check-up on friends” who are drinking a lot.

“Get them water, and if they pass out make sure they are on their side,” Ellis said.

“Laying on their back may lead to choking on vom-

Photography, makeup similar artistic styles Alexandra Radovic Editor-in-Chief

Campus police and AACC students say summer disasters, such as car crashes, are preventable.

Photo by Daniel Nickerson it,” former AACC student Camden Stramanak, who attends Randolph-Macon College, added. And, he said, “Having a good moral compass is always good in a dangerous situation.”

His former classmate Nic Renzi, who graduated last

year and attends the University of Maryland, agreed it is important for students to know their limits at parties.

“A 100-pound girl isn’t going to be able to handle the same volume of alcohol as a 200-pound athlete,” Renzi said.

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OFFICIAL CAMPUS CURRENT MAY 2019 ISSUE.indd 10-11

Features

to accentuate the eye’s natural tones.

In both photography and makeup, Tennant says, “There is a lot you need to know how to do technically … before you can get into the artistry form.”

In photography, for example, Tennant had to master the use of apertures and shutter speed. When he applies makeup, he says, it is important for the artist to understand how different products and formulas perform on a range of skin types or as part of creating a desired look.

Plus, Tennant says, photography and makeup both require him to pay close attention to detail.

“In my everyday life, I’ll just be walking around and I’ll see a composition of something that is naturally occurring,” Tennant says.

“I recognize it as something beautiful. I see the world through a lens and crop things with my mind.”

Although he began both of his artistic passions with an eye toward the natural, like landscape shots and minimalist makeup, Tennant says both his photography and makeup sometimes border on dramatic, depending on the emotions he’s feeling while he’s working.

2014, and although he says, “No one else in my family is artistic whatsoever,” his sibZach Tennant tilts his lings have had transformamodel’s rounded chin so she tive experiences with their will face the warm glow of sexualities as well. the soft amber-colored stuHis sister Amy Horwitz dio light he had set up behind is gay and his brother Jacen his tripod, with his camera Draigaire is transgender. steady and pointed toward Tennant says his recent work her plumped lips. focuses on gender stereoHe zooms his lens slighttypes. ly so her lips fill the frame as “It helps me know that the rest of her face hides behis generation has that on hind dim shadows. He plays their mind and they’re using with the position of her face their passion and their artand the lighting as she gigwork and their creations to gles, never looking directly put that out into the world,” into the lens.

Draigaire says.

“You’re doing amazing,” One photo in the series, he tells her, looking into her titled “Glitter Butt,” features peached-toned lips as if they a close-up male butt painted with glitter. were her eyes.

He snaps the shot, which “I was taking the male shows only those lips. form and juxtaposing it with The next day, he works feminine objects,” Tennant with lips again, this time says. “I took glitter and covsmearing lip stain onto a ered it on a guy’s ass and it customer at ULTA Beauty in ended up being one of my faAnnapolis, where he works vorite photos ever.” part-time as a makeup artist.

Matthew Moore, chair of The two jobs, he says, are the Visual Arts Department equally artistic. and former professor of TenTennant, 20, says he connant’s, hung “Glitter Butt” siders both photography and up in the department’s darkmakeup application to be art room and says it has gotten forms. In fact, although he good reviews from passing trades lenses and filters for students. brushes and pallets, Tennant Of one student in parsays the two art forms are ticular, Moore recalls: “You one and the same. could just tell that it made What he learns in his him happy to know that photography classes there were people like about shapes and colhim … he connected or theory, he says, he with it.” uses as he paints the Another shot faces of his diverse featured Tennant’s clients at ULTA, a friend, second-year beauty store. photography student “Instead of lookWill Newton, who ing at someone’s face allowed Tennant to and thinking of it as glue green brush brisa face, I can think of tles onto his face in it as shapes and rethe shape of a beard. ally use that to my “Glitter Butt” is part of photography stu“He was putting advantage,” Tennant dent Zach Tennant’s series “Femme Boy.” it on with makeup says. “When I look at This photo will be on display in the Cade glue and cutting it up an eyebrow I see … Art Gallery in May. really small,” Newa triangle as the tail Photo by Zach Tennant ton says. “I was like, and a rectangle as ‘Zach, this is going the front of the brow.”

For example, one series to take forever to get off my He marries his two pas- of photographs he shot called face,’ and he was like, ‘It will sions by frequently photo- “Femme Boy” included im- peel right off, no big deal.’” graphing the models after he ages of his models wearing Newton says it took him makes up their faces. eccentric makeup work along three hours to remove the Just as Tennant stag- with photo compositions to beard, so he asked for a copy es and edits his photos with beautify the traditionally of the print as a reward. an eye for the colors that male aspects of the human “His work is unapologethis photography professors body. ically himself,” Newton says. taught him complement each “I wanted to juxtapose “He doesn’t care what other, he chooses eyeshadow the masculine figure with other people think and he shades to complement his femininity,” Tennant says. makes his work about what clients’ eye color. The hues “It’s like a hyperextended he wants it to be about,” he brushes onto their lids, he version of myself.”

Newton says. says, are the opposite—on a Tennant came out to his But in his makeup cacolor wheel—of the eye color family as gay in February reer, Tennant says it’s all

Third-year photography student Zach Tennant says he uses makeup to create photo shoots that reflect gender sterotypes, like “Gaybraham Lincoln” (above).

Photo by Zach Tennant about what his clients, who range from young girls seeking a Halloween look to older women who hope to revive their youthful glows, want.

About one client, Tennant recalls, “All she could say is she wanted her makeup to look like her husband wanted to get into bed with her. But those weren’t the words she used.”

However, Tennant doesn’t only do makeup for his clients. He started applying it to his own face in high school, which ignited his love of the art form and eventually inspired him to do it for a living.

“I first got the idea that anyone can wear makeup because I was involved in theater,” Tennant says. “I was doing tech. … I was very close friends with all the actors.”

“I went to hang out with them while they were getting ready backstage,” Tennant added. “I saw the male actors putting on makeup and I saw how good it made their skin look.”

Tennant says his mother falsely assumed that because he did makeup, he wanted to be a drag queen or transition to a woman.

“It took some time to explain to her the difference between doing drag and wearing makeup casually. … She didn’t understand that I was happy being male.”

Tennant’s mother, Peggy, says she has since come around to the idea of her son wearing makeup.

“He is my son and no matter what I will always love him,” she says.

“Now he is my go-to per-

son. I tell him, ‘Do my makeup like yours.’ … I refer everybody to him,” she added.

“He’s really found himself,” Horwitz says. “He is one of the most caring people I know.”

Horwitz says she views Tennant’s photography and makeup as art, regardless of whether it focuses on gender stereotypes.

She says his photographs that focus on gender roles “don’t define him as a whole with photography.”

Although he was unsettled by his son’s makeup career at first, Tennant’s father, Brian, says he has visited his son at work and is happy to see that he enjoys what he is doing in life “He thinks I don’t love him anymore, but I’ll love him for the rest of my life,” he says.

Tennant says men in the gay dating community have also resisted him for choosing to do makeup.

“For some reason ... there is still a huge negative connotation with men being even a little ounce of feminine in the gay dating community,” Tennant said.

However, Tennant’s photography mentor said he supports the work he does and the person he is.

“I see a lot of students try to stage photographs … and they fail,” Moore said.

“They just don’t ... put all their energy into it like Zach does,” Moore added. “His work makes people feel comfortable.”

“I hope his viewers take away a part of Zach,” Draigaire added.

4/26/2019 8:32:01 AM

12 | Campus Current | 2019 | May

Features

May | 2019 | Campus Current | 13

Dating apps get lousy, good ratings by users Arianna Beers Sports Editor

Some AACC students say they have had success with dating apps, while others dislike them.

Photo by Roxanne Ready, graphic by Christina Browning

to finish my paper that was due and I was like, ‘Oh, that’s Bethany.’ So I went up to her A little more than a year and was like, ‘Hi, I’m Lance. ago, Lance Partridge signed I got to work on this so I’ll up for Tinder as a joke. Little catch you later, though.’” did he know he would end up A year after meeting on swiping right into a serious Tinder, Partridge and Probst relationship. are living together.

Partridge, a second-year Partridge found love nursing student, was tooling on Tinder, but other AACC around on Tinder when Beth- students said they don’t use any Probst, a dating apps s e c o n d - y e a r “I only like face-to- because they c o m m u n i c a - face relationships.” aren’t comtions student, —General studies student fortable meetin search of ing the people Jimmy Garland friends who they connect live near Arwith online. nold, messaged him.

In an informal poll of 62 “I was just looking for students, 36 said they don’t people to message and I saw use dating apps such as Tinshe was at [AACC],” Par- der or Bumble. tridge said. “I was just joking Some students, like secaround. I wasn’t expecting to ond-year general studies student Jimmy Garland, said find anything serious.”

The pair arranged to they feel strongly against the meet a couple of weeks later. use of dating apps.

“I don’t believe in TinBut they bumped into each other on campus in the Trux- der,” Garland said. “Well, I al Library by chance. believe it exists but I don’t “We were planning on believe in the concept. I only hanging out [later] that day like face-to-face relationand I was in the library work- ships.” ing on an English paper and I Still, students, like secsaw her walking by,” he said. ond-year nursing student “I had probably five minutes Ian Gambola, said they don’t

use dating apps because they don’t believe the profiles are truthful.

Gambola said a lot of the users lie about their identity.

He isn’t wrong. According to a study by students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, 81 percent of people lie about their weight, age or other characteristics on profiles.

AACC sociology professor Gina Finelli said communicating online has its positives and negatives.

“People from the past are always like, ‘Oh no; we’re getting away from how we communicate with people in a way that’s more personal,’” Finelli said. “And [online] can really be just as personal.”

First-year biology student Douglas Nessler agreed dating apps can be good for people who struggle with the confidence to start face-toface discussions.

“I don’t see any problem with [dating apps],” Nessler said.

Still, second-year public health student Faith Hamilton warned users to “be careful” when online dating.

sues, write articles and essays about topics that are important to them and use social media as an outlet for activism.

A study by the Pew Research Center in 2018 said roughly half of Americans have been civically active on social media within the past year.

“I don’t really think someone sets out to be an activist,” first-year transfer studies student Ruth Stimely said. “I think it just happens when you’re really passionate about something.”

Stimely, who considers herself an activist, said some people have misconceptions about activists that scare them away from embracing causes.

“I think the misconception about activists is that we’re all crazy people who only think one way and can’t be convinced otherwise,” Stimely said.

said. “I don’t think it is fair to expect them to add more by going out and advocating.”

Art professor Chris Mona said he advises students to “find something that matters to you and take action on it.”

Mona said his focus on activism and social justice occurred after the Charlottesville riots in which a group of white nationalists protested the removal of the Robert E. Lee statue from Emancipation Park. During the rally, a protestor ran his car into the crowd, killing one.

Profs: Students at AACC can advocate for rights Noah Reem Reporter As she walked alongside nearly half a million other activists at the 2017 Women’s March in Washington, D.C., gender studies professor Heather Rellihan realized the event wasn’t just about women.

Not only were the marchers advocating for women’s rights, but for reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights, immigration reform and more.

The march, she recalled, wasn’t just a demonstration for women’s rights but a demonstration for all rights.

“While some people saw this as a weakness ... I saw this as a strength,” Rellihan said. “It felt like we were all recognizing that oppressions and injustices are linked, and that if we want to advocate for equity and fairness, we have to do it on all fronts.”

Rellihan said she hopes

OFFICIAL CAMPUS CURRENT MAY 2019 ISSUE.indd 12-13

she is inspiring students to believe in a cause that’s important to them.

“We need to help young people understand that there are lots of ways that they can be involved and that they should all see themselves as activists,” Rellihan said, “and that being engaged and being civic-minded is important.”

Rellihan said she considers teaching to be a part of her activism. She encourages her students to become consumer activists.

“I’m very thoughtful with things that I purchase and things that I don’t,” Rellihan said. “I went to a presentation and the speaker said the biggest thing we can do is just change how we eat because consuming meat is so much more taxing on the environment.”

Besides attending protests, Rellihan said students could have conversations with friends about social is-

First-year transfer studies student Ruth Stimely says she considers herself an activist. Above, she attends a rally protesting President Donald Trump.

Photo courtesy of Ruth Stimely Student Government Association President Jacob Smith said a good activist is someone who donates time to a cause.

“They show up to protests, email [and] talk to their policymakers,” Smith said.

Smith said he supports a couple of political organizations that advocate for education.

But nobody should expect college students to become advocates, Smith said.

“I think college students have a lot on their minds,” he

Student keeps faith, gay pride

Features

Bethany Probst Reporter

ly devastated him.”

Hutchinson left that church, but his faith has Thirteen-year-old Gar- flourished, his mother said. rett Hutchinson’s fingers “He’s always had God traced the braid on his moth- in his life ever since he was er’s best leather belt until little,” she said. “He had me they felt the buckle. Sitting buy this big cross that had on his mother’s bed after an- ‘Our Father’ on it, and he alother rough day at middle ways had it in his room. … He school, the North Carolina can sit here and debate with teenager intended to fasten people on them saying, ‘It the belt around his neck and says in the Bible that homoend his life. sexuality is wrong,’ and he’ll A room he said brought say why it’s not.” him a feeling of warmth Although he no longer throughout his life suddenly goes to church, Hutchinson felt cold. said he is still a Christian Hutchinson, who had through praying and reading been bullied at school that the Bible. day, said a voice in his head Hutchinson said he told him to turn around. But hasn’t let his faith dampen when he did, he said, the his gay lifestyle. He is the room was empty. president of AACC’s stuWhat he saw, he said, dent-run Gay-Straight Alli“save[d] his life.” It was his ance, performs in drag shows mother’s pink and brown Bi- and maintains a serious reble, lying open on her dark lationship with another gay wooden nightstand, waiting student. to be read.

Hutchinson performs The book was opened to at local bars as drag queen 6 Corinthians: “Neither the “Porcelain Noir,” a characsexually immoral nor idola- ter inspired by the American Gay-Straight Alliance President Garrett Hutchinson says he contemplated suicide ters nor adulterers nor men pop singer and model Porce- after being bullied for his sexuality, but found his passion for life in God. who have sex with men … lain Black.

Photo by Bethany Probst will inherit the Hutchinson kingdom of God.” described his veloped a sex addiction that place,” Hutchinson said. people to hear my opinion,” “I’m living my drag persona stemmed from a breakup “For the next three days, Hutchinson said.

Hutchinson, full life the best I as “fearless but with his ex-fiance. who is gay, reI was kept captive [with] He said he shares his can.” called his eyes friendly,” al“I wanted to stay absti- drugs and Roofies. I had no dark past with humor. moving along —Gay-Straight Alliance though he said nent … and then I found out idea what was happening. … “Tough stuff needs to be talkthe page to read: her punk-rock that he had been cheating on I remember being dragged ed about,” Hutchinson said, President “But you were style might be me,” Hutchinson said. “I was down a hallway with other “but I want everyone to be Garrett Hutchinson washed, you were intimidating to emotionally torn down and people looking at me, [and happy at all times.” sanctified, you audiences.

I think sex kept all the emo- then] stuffed in a sauna fully Hutchinson’s mother were justified in the name of Hutchinson said despite tions away. It was like a big clothed.” said his compassion for oththe Lord Jesus Christ and by the nasty looks and com- ‘screw you’ to everyone who On the third day, with no ers is his best quality. the Spirit of our God.” ments he gets from people had hurt me.” idea of what was going on, “He is very caring,” she According to Hutchin- when he performs at local However, it was at the Hutchinson escaped. said. “He’ll check on me. son, these words inspired bars in drag, his faith guides peak of Hutchinson’s sexu“I got out of the bed, col- … He’ll ask, ‘Mom are you him to loosen the belt and him to see the good in every- al addiction when he found lected [everything I had], OK?’ when he notices I’m not give life another chance. one. himself in grave danger. and got into the back porch home. … We keep an eye on “At that point, it was However, he said emHutchinson met a man at where there was a 7-foot con- each other.” very clear to me that God bracing his faith hasn’t a gay bar, who served him an crete wall. … I jumped over Kimberly Madero-Cradoesn’t give a s--- what you always been easy. When alcoholic drink. the wall, got into [his cap- ven, former GSA president do,” Hutchinson said. “So I Hutchinson was 18, he de“We went back to his tor’s] car and I gunned it out and Hutchinson’s close can do this completely, even of there,” Hutchinson said. friend, said Hutchinson’s though it says in the Bible He said although the ex- Southern charm stands out that I can’t.” perience traumatized him, it to her the most.

Yet five years later, the helped him discover that he “He’s a weird mixture of pastor of The Church of wanted to study psychology. a Southern gentleman and a the Resurrection in Surf“Through everything flamboyant gay guy,” Madeside Beach, South Carolina, I was going through, I al- ro-Craven laughed. where his family had moved, ways wanted to help others,” “I don’t see my sexuality told him not to come back.

Hutchinson said. “I felt like conflicting with my religion “There was a new youth I almost became a psycholo- and I was just glad that more minister and she never gave gist myself because of all the people see it that way,” Erica Garrett an opportunity,” people I helped.”

Romero, GSA vice president Hutchinson’s mother, Alice, Hutchinson said he and a second-year studio arts said. “She didn’t want him eventually relocated to Mary- student, said. around. I think she concoctland, where his mother had “I’m very happy that I ed this whole story of him moved, and started taking grew up in the South as a being gay and people weren’t AACC psychology student Garrett Hutchinson says classes at AACC. gay child,” Hutchinson said. comfortable with him being people make fun of his drag persona, but he uses “I realized that being so “It encouraged me to be the around the [younger] kids. It religion to reject the hate. close to the nation’s capital, I strong ... person I am. I’m livhurt him deeply. It absolute- Photo by Bethany Probst had a larger voice. I wanted ing my full life the best I can.”

4/26/2019 8:32:06 AM

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Features

Ceramics prof to retire from AACC, keep up art Philip Van Slooten Reporter A long-time ceramics professor who plans to retire this spring won the first annual Christine Storck Leadership Legacy Award in April.

The Student Government Association gave the award to Rick Malmgren, who has taught at AACC since 2001, to commemorate his years of teaching excellence.

Christine Storck was the director of student engagement at AACC for more than 30 years before she retired last spring.

“The award is given to a faculty member who demonstrates her commitment to student engagement and demonstrates the college values of diversity, equity and inclusion,” Student Government Association President Jacob Smith said.

Malmgren, who has spent a lifetime working with clay, said he plans to contin-

ue to grow as an artist after retirement.

The art professor, who has a master of fine arts degree in ceramics, said he “found a part of myself that I hadn’t seen before” when he began teaching art part-time at St. John’s College in Annapolis in 1990. “I was taking this personal experience, all that I had seen in the studio, and then sharing it with people who were eager to learn. I fell in love with it.”

Malmgren said as a teacher, he felt like he was making a difference in his students’ lives.

“Every region in the world has clay,” he explained. “If you walk down to any of the creeks and streams and grab a handful, it’s either going to be sand or clay. … In order to complete the process, instruction was needed to learn the technique. So, someone needed to pass to another person, ‘Here’s how you form and

here’s how you fire.’”

But Malmgren said he teaches more than the technical aspects of ceramics.

“Most of what the students do they knew before they came into the classroom,” he said. “My role is to help guide them around. They know how clay moves and what they want to make in the world. It’s just the times when you run into that block that someone can be there and guide you around. That comes from paying attention.”

Malmgren was inspired to become a ceramicist by his mother, who became a potter at age 40, when he was 10, and by a college girlfriend, who was taking a pottery class.

“I said, ‘Let’s go work in my mother’s pottery studio in the basement,’” he recalled, “and I loved it.”

Malmgren said from then on, he used the skills he learned from watching his mother make pottery to start

Student leaders vouch for women with power Bethany Probst Reporter

Rick Malmgren, a ceramics professor, will retire this year. He won the Christine Storck Leadership Legacy Award on April 26 for the impact he had on students while teaching here.

Photos courtesy of AACC Strategic Communications his own artistic journey with the medium.

“I had been sitting and watching my mom do it all those years,” he said. “And it was just intuitive, deep education that felt very natural.

Ex-prisoner set to produce film Alexandra Radovic Editor-in-Chief This is the final installment in a three-part series on an AACC program to take community college classes to students in prison.

In June 1996, 17-yearold Chris Wilson walked outside of his home in Washington, D.C., where two men followed him down the block.

In an attempt to escape them, he approached a 7-Eleven gas station, where customers were shopping and filling up their tanks.

The men cornered him.

“I had a gun on me, but I didn’t want to use it,” Wilson, author of “The Master Plan: My Journey from Life in Prison to a Life of Purpose,” recalled. “They came up to me and surrounded me. They said, ‘We’ve been watching you. We know where you live at. We know

Click for more!

OFFICIAL CAMPUS CURRENT MAY 2019 ISSUE.indd 14-15

where your mom be at, and we’re going to take her out.’”

When one of the men tried to walk behind Wilson, he recalled, “I just pulled my gun out and started firing at him.” The other man ran one way, and Wilson ran another.

“And I found out I killed someone,” Wilson said.

For his crime, Wilson got life in a maximum security prison, Patuxent Institution in Jessup, in 1997.

But after 10 and a half years, judges reduced his sentence, first to 24 years and eventually to 16 and a half.

He moved to a halfway house in 2011 and was free the following year.

As Wilson waited to make parole, he earned his associate degree in general studies from AACC, with a concentration in sociology.

AACC used to send professors to the prison to teach English, math, science, business and other courses.

Wilson graduated in 2006.

He described his graduation as “bittersweet.”

“None of my family showed up,” Wilson said.

“Just my professors from the school, they showed up.”

Still, Wilson said his dedication to learning inspired him to make a difference in the lives of troubled youth once he got released.

“I’d rate him right in the top tier of people who wanted to learn and were selftaught when necessary,” said Steven Steele, a former sociology professor who taught at the Arnold campus and at Patuxent. “I hope people are inspired, not to feel sorry for Chris, but to see the method he used to become a new person.”

Wilson got his first job 52 days after release, as a community organizer and workforce developer for a nonprofit organization. He also

Campus Life

took classes at the University of Baltimore, and he owns two companies: a construction company called Barclay Investment Corp., and furniture design and manufacturing company called House of DaVinci.

Most recently, Wilson started a world tour for “The Master Plan,” which was published last winter.

“The book essentially is about my life story … growing up in a tough neighborhood,” Wilson said. “At my rock bottom, I decided I was a good person and my life was still redeemable, so I wrote up this master plan.”

Wilson described his master plan as a bucket list of everything he wants to learn, the places he wants to travel and the goals he wants to achieve.

“I wanted to go back to the toughest neighborhoods and create opportunities for people and be a positive ex-

So, at 20 I took my first pottery class. I was 27 when I got my master’s degree.”

With his degree, Malmgren married his love of ceramics with a teaching career.

Jesseca Greene was running late. She was supposed to meet her friends—game art and design students like her— at Baltimore/Washington International Airport for a 6 a.m. flight to San Francisco.

That’s when “a tiny maternal instinct … kick[ed] in,” she recalled. As her mother sped to the airport with Greene in the passenger’s seat, Greene pulled out her phone and started calling the others, asking if they were on schedule for the flight, which was to take them to the annual professional Game Developers Conference.

“It takes a certain level of care and patience to be able to sit down and get everything lined up,” said Greene, a third-year student. That instinct, she said, “helps add a little more care when you’re

doing things.”

Like Greene, who serves as executive vice president of AACC’s Student Government Association, other women students said they are not afraid to take on leadership roles.

Alexandra Radovic, a third-year elementary education student and editor-in-chief of Campus Current, said she feels comfortable being the leader of her club on a campus where so many women are in leadership positions.

At AACC, the president, two of the three vice presidents and seven of the school’s 10 deans are women.

(See related story at thecampuscurrent.com.)

In addition, 25 of the 49 student club presidents here are women.

“At this school, there’s a lot of female leaders,” Radovic said. “So … I don’t feel

Find a mentor. “Talk to the president of the college, talk to female administrators and just watch how they function,” Campus Current Editor-in-Chief Alexandra Radovic said. “See how they carry themselves and try to mimic that.”

ample,” Wilson said.

He said he wants to inspire a wide range of people.

“Anyone from any field of life could pick it up and learn something new and change their life,” Wilson said.

For the full story, which details more of Wilson’s life and gives advice to AACC students on how to make the most of their educations, visit www.thecampuscurrent.com and search “prison.”

Gabby Rapine (left), Adventure Society president, and Alexandra Radovic, editor-in-chief of Campus Current, say they support female leadership at AACC. Photo by Christina Browning Rapine said people often seem surprised when they learn her club has a woman president.

“We’re out and about going paintballing, laser tagging, doing hikes. ... It’s very active,” Rapine said. “I’ve definitely had some people assume the leader isn’t a 5-foot-tall girl who has a high voice and what not.”

Heather Rellihan, a gender and sexuality studies professor, said because boys and girls are socialized differently, it can lead to boys feeling more comfortable in leadership positions.

“Little girls who demonstrate what we might call

‘leadership’ in childhood are often called bossy,” Rellihan said. “Some women get the message early on that being leaders is kind of overstepping.”

Rellihan said the transition from high school to college is a great time for young women to find a leadership role.

“For many of our younger students, maybe students who are coming out of high school, I think this may be a space where they can start to get different kinds of messages and learn that not only are they welcome to be leaders but [it is] expected of them,” Rellihan said.

Tips from female leaders: Communicate. “Communication is key between you, your adviser, other leaders and members of your club,” Adventure Society President Gabby Rapine said. “Things can’t run smoothly if you don’t know how to communicate. It takes work and it takes time.”

AACC alumnus Chris Wilson got his sociology degree in prison and wrote a book called “The Master Plan,” which will become a movie.

Photo courtesy of Chris Wilson

any sort of intimidation.”

Radovic said she looks up to the female leaders on campus.

“I’m not trying to break some sort of glass ceiling because I feel like our school is already very accepting of women and promoting women to take on more powerful roles,” she said.

Second-year archaeology student and Adventure Society President Gabby Rapine said having a leadership role makes her feel empowered and more confident as a young woman.

“Not everyone will speak up, but someone has to,” Rapine said. “Someone has to come up with plans and initiate what we’re going to be doing, and I’ve never been shy to do that. I guess naturally, through my personality, I’ve always been the one who’s like, ‘Alright, let’s go do this.’”

Be assertive. “You need the mentality of ‘we need to get things done,’” Student Government Association Executive Vice President Jesseca Greene said. “If you’re not willing to get things done, you need to be out the door.”

Set goals. “If you feel like there is nothing holding you back as a woman, then you are a leader,” Radovic said. “If you’re taking control of your own destiny and your own goals, that’s what makes you a leader.”

Take risks. AACC President Dawn Lindsay said trying on roles that were outside her comfort zone were essential to her rise to the top.

“I believe that when you take risks and you’re successful, your confidence level grows,” Lindsay said. “Your ability to understand things from a different perspective is certainly enhanced.”

For advice from AACC’s highest-ranking women, visit thecampuscurrent.com and search “leaders.”

Some AACC attendees want black clubs, reps Tyreesha Bolton Reporter Black AACC students said they don’t know if the college has organizations exclusively for them, according to an April 4 poll.

In an informal poll of 26 students on the Arnold Campus, six said they believe AACC has organizations for black students, six said it does not, and 14 said they don’t know.

“I haven’t even really looked into [black organizations at AACC] but I don’t think there’s a Black Student

Union here, is there?” asked second-year transfer studies student Royal Snyder.

AACC does not have a BSU. “I would definitely join if there was [a BSU]. … I think everyone would,” said second-year pre-med student Precious Mensah.

Fourteen students said they would join organizations for black students if they existed.

Of the 16 Maryland community colleges, 10 have student-led clubs specifically for black students while six, including AACC, do not.

“It would be nice to meet other black students that go here,” Snyder said. “Maybe they have the same classes or same interests as me. That would be nice.”

According to the American Association of Community Colleges, 13 percent of AACC students are black.

“Where do the black people hang out on campus?” questioned first-year nursing student Martaysha Dorsey. “I look for them.”

And second-year nursing student Kelvin Ofili questioned why there “isn’t black anything.” Ofili said it is im-

Some students say they want the college to create a Black Student Union.

Photo by Tyreesha Bolton portant for black students to talk about the black experience with each other.

But some in the poll said they might not participate even if AACC had organizations for black students.

Second-year transfer studies student Gloria Da-

vid said she’s busy with work. David said she comes to AACC for her class, but leaves campus right after it’s over.

“My top priority is schoolwork and then fun, maybe,” second-year transfer studies student Ava Porter added.

4/26/2019 8:32:11 AM

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Campus Life

Students: Use summer to refocus for next fall Alexandra Radovic Editor-in-Chief

after finals to discuss your plans and goals for next school year.

AACC students who plan But don’t expect this to return to campus next fall pre-summer advising sesshould take advantage of sion to stick with you as you on-campus resources during sunbathe and drink by the the summer to get into a pool. productive mindset before Plan an additional school starts. mid-summer session with Although some students an adviser to check in and will graduate in see if your as’s May, many will pirations have Alexandra return to the changed at all college for the as you’ve had second, third time to let the or fourth year end-of-term in a row. Some stress sink in. students might Make sure register for fall you have an courses with more than four end goal in sight, so you and years of credits under their your adviser can plan your classes efficiently. belts.

While it is important to Ask yourself if you want take summer break to un- the college to be a stepping wind, don’t let the beach stone to a four-year school waves wash away your focus. or if you are taking classes to Guidance counselors and build skills that will help you advisers are available during learn a trade or start a busisummer hours to help stu- ness. dents. Consider visiting one If you are returning for

Samantha Gibbs Car’lyle Lee Reporters

Campus Current Editor-in-Chief Alexandra Radovic says students should take advantage of on-campus resources during the summer.

Photo by Daniel Salomon seeking internships at local galleries or working in the lab spaces here to help tutor other students. Don’t haphazardly take one elective class after another without reason or drive.

Maybe you aren’t seeking a degree. Still, you should make a conscious effort to find a focus. Take a step back this summer and really think

Did you know?

about what you want out of community college, because it may take you more than two years to get there.

The classes you take in college won’t feel so much like work if they revolve around your passions. Find a passion or study of interest this summer and set a plan to chase it with focus next year at AACC.

Sudoku

AACC has NARCAN nasal spray available on campus

OFFICIAL CAMPUS CURRENT MAY 2019 ISSUE.indd 16-17

AACC has NARCAN available on campus.

NARCAN is a nasal spray medication used to reverse opioid overdoses. All public safety officers carry it on them, and it is also available at the Health & Wellness Center. If you see someone who may be in danger of an overdose, contact Public Safety at 410-777-1818 or call 911.

Reporting by Kenzie Airey Photo by Kenzie Airey

?

Looking for answers?

Check TheCampusCurrent.com on May 31.

?

Even communications majors freak out when they have to make presentations, some of them told Campus Current in April.

Communications students said they feel a rush of fear when presenting a PowerPoint or even giving a short speech to an audience.

Their professors said they felt the same panic when they were undergraduates taking public speaking courses.

“I remember being super nervous about everything, even being judged by my audience members,” Dr. April Copes, a communications professor, recalls about her speech class at Syracuse University.

Speech professor Jessica Mattingly said she experienced stage fright during her community college public

speaking class. After transferring to a four-year university, though, she found her passion in communications and took advanced public speaking. By Mattingly’s senior year, she said, she gained her confidence.

Copes said she handled her anxiety by treating it like “riding a rollercoaster. You can scream, either outside or on the inside, and experience the highs and lows of it. And in the end, you will survive.”

Mattingly said the reason students have anxiety about public speaking “comes down to the fear of having all eyes on them while they are at the center of attention.”

But students can overcome stage fright, the professors said.

Mattingly recommends that students choose speech topics they are passionate about.

“By biggest tip is to come into it with an open mind,” Mattingly said, noting that

public speaking is “an important and valuable skill.”

She advises her students to practice speaking with a partner.

“I always tell my students I’ll make the space and time for them to practice their speech with me,” Mattingly said. “I teach 120 students and maybe four or five take advantage of it.”

For those enrolled in COM 111: Fundamentals of Oral Communication, getting to know the classmates who will watch the presentations can help the speaker feel more confident, she said.

AACC offered 45 sections of COM 111 this spring.

Professors require them to make at least four speeches during the semester.

Students also said it’s possible to overcome a fear of public speaking.

“Don’t overthink it,” Rani Jenkins, a first-year creative writing student, said. “Don’t get yourself worked up

Michelle Rasmussen, a third-year health, fitness and exercise student, gives a speech to her class.

Photo by Daniel Salomon about it. If you do something enough times, it will become natural.”

First-year English student Anna Maysonet said she takes comfort knowing that all of her classmates are as nervous about speaking as she is.

First-year psychology student Destiny Heintzelman said she does, too.

“I try to put my mindsets in that everyone else is as nervous as I am, everyone else is in the same boat,” Heintzelman said. “Since you get to see everyone else’s speeches, it makes me feel better. … The audience definitely has an influence on the outcome of my speech and

how nervous I get.”

Second-year nursing student Deanna Dustin said she experiences jitters and anxiety before a speech.

“Walking around outside beforehand and deep breaths help. … I feel way more confident and organized when giving presentations,” she said.

Dustin said she scores an 85 or above on every speech assignment.

Kristin Kohout, a second-year business student, said the more speeches she gives, the less nervous she has become.

“If you put yourself out there, you’re not going to be scared to put yourself out there again,” Kohout said.

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) You're doing better on the flexibility issue, but you still need to loosen up a bit to show you can be less judgmental and more understanding about certain sensitive matters.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) You might do well to reconsider some of your current time priorities before you get so deeply involved in one project that you neglect meeting a deadline on another.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Your personal aspect continues to dominate this week. But try to make time to deal with important career-linked matters as well. A change of plans might occur by the weekend.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) With an important decision looming, you need to be careful about the information you're getting. Half-truths are essentially useless. Get the full story before you act.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Excuses are not really needed for much of the confusion occurring this week. However, explanations from all parties could help in working things out to everyone's satisfaction.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Find out what everyone's role is expected to be before accepting that workplace proposal. Getting all the facts now could prevent serious problems later on.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) That surprising (but pleasant) recent turn of events continues to develop positive aspects. But be prepared for a bit of a jolt on another issue that needs attention.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) A flexible position on a workplace matter could be the best course to follow during the next several days. A personal issue also benefits from an open-minded approach.

LEO (July 23 to August 22) Creating a fuss might bring you that attention you want. But are you prepared for all the explaining you'd have to do? Better to use more subtle ways to make your bid.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Involving too many people in your workplace problem can backfire.

Remember: Allegiances can shift. Ask trusted colleagues for advice, but don't ask them to take sides.

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) With education continuing to be a strong factor this week, this could be the time to start learning some new skills that can later be applied to a bid for a potential career move.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Before submitting your suggestions, take more time to sharpen the points you want to make. The clearer the presentation, the more chance it has to get through when submitted.

Horoscopes

Fun and Games

Advice

your second year or semester, focus on short-term goals. Make sure you sign up for all of your prerequisite classes first, so you can go on to a four-year and start taking more interest-based courses.

If you’ve already been at the college for many years, focus on your long-term goals. Ask yourself why you came to the college in the first place and reflect on whether you think you have achieved what you’d hoped to by now.

Maybe you still don’t know what you want to do and you are signing up for more classes because AACC is a familiar environment for you.

Try using summer break to think about new ways you could approach your education in fall 2019.

For example, if you have been taking art classes here for the past five years, only sign up for ones that will get you closer to a degree. Try

Students say speeches cause nerves, anxiety

Campus Life

4/26/2019 8:32:15 AM

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Campus Life

Students study to ease nerves for final exams Philip Van Slooten Reporter AACC students and faculty said in April that studying, physical activity and relaxing can help ease the stress of final exams.

Beth Mays, a registered nurse and manager of the campus Health and Wellness Center, said stress management is different for everyone.

“It’s about stopping all of the internal chatter that’s clouding your head,” she said. “Physical activity is a great resource. We have our StressLess lounge [with a] massage chair and a DVD, which goes through progressive guided imagery and deep breathing.”

Carey Christensen, a graduating culinary arts student, suggested that students studying for finals should take regular, brief breaks.

She recommended taking a half hour between

studying for each class because “it reduces stress during studying and allows you to soak in the information you learned before the break.”

Other students recommended listening to music and being active.

“For me, music helps,” said graduating culinary arts student Tristan Martin. “It helps me retain the information I’m taking in because I’m blocking out everybody else. The music I’m listening to is plain instrumental.”

Angelique Karditzas, a health and exercise studies adjunct instructor, suggested yoga as a way for students to relieve test stress. She recommended the “legs up the wall” position, which students can do almost anywhere.

“It’s extremely restorative,” she explained. “It brings all of the blood flow down into the internal organs, into the heart space. ...

It can help calm your nerves

and it really can give you more energy.”

The campus Health & Wellness Center and Collegiate Recovery Center will host a “stress buster” event on May 9 before final exam week.

Students can participate in stress-relieving activities and pick up handouts about deep breathing and mindfulness, Mays said.

Students and faculty also pointed out that thoroughly studying for tests can reduce stress on exam day.

“I had a bunch of anxiety my first semester here,” said first-year broadcast journalism student Jake Brannon.

“But studying helped relieve pressure going into the exam because I knew more than I anticipated.”

Richard Otten, an adjunct instructor of American studies and gender and sexuality studies, said last-minute cramming for tests is a recipe for failure.

Handlers say not to pet or touch service dogs Kenzie Airey Graphic Designer Summer Brooks, a second-year radiology student (left), and Alexis Weisgerber, a second-year physical therapy student, study to relieve the stress of final exams.

Photo by Gage Savoy “I would prefer if students would engage in the course as best they can and do what they’re assigned to do,” he explained. “Prepare for class and the grade should take care of itself.”

John Dale Cunanan, a second-year information technology student, added, “Study ahead of time and as hard as you can. For me, I try to pay attention in class and study lecture [notes].”

Kenneth Arnold, second-year physics student, said talking about stress to a professional could be helpful.

“Unless you get an outside opinion, you’re never going to see the whole pic-

ture [of how stress is affecting you],” Arnold said.

Mays encouraged students to keep calendars to help with time management.

“Budget in your time with family,” May said. “If you can find those [free] minutes and use those minutes, they can make a big difference.”

Some students also recommended studying in groups as a way to share notes.

Devin Brown, an instructional coordinator in the School of Science and Technology, advised students to “get a good night’s rest the day before the exam. … Wake up in the morning and be positive.”

Service dogs are busy working and are not on campus for the public’s enjoyment, their handlers told Campus Current.

“Generally, people understand you’re not supposed to touch [service dogs],” firstyear transfer studies student Catherine Wood said, “but you’re really not supposed to interact with them at all.”

Her dog, she said, is “a piece of medical equipment, equivalent … to a wheelchair or any other assistance thing.”

Wood has had her service dog, a 4-year-old Sheltie named Kody, since he was a puppy. Kody stays alert in case Wood feels lightheaded and anxious, and helps reduce and stop panic attacks quickly.

“It’s OK [for students who see a service dog] to be excited because it’s a dog, obviously,” Wood said. “And dogs make a lot of people happy, but you shouldn’t make a big scene. You shouldn’t call to the dog.”

She added: “Most people are out with their service dog to get something done in the day. They’re not out to stop and talk to people and this and that.”

Other service dog han- assist her with hearing. Her dlers on campus agreed. dog alerts her to the sounds “People are very intru- of traffic, people nearby, sive,” veteran Michael Gar- phone calls and where she vey, a journalism student drops things. at AACC, said. “They see a “When I was between dog and they think you’re dogs it was kind of scary, livapproachable, but I’m not. ing by myself,” Rabin said.

They start asking medical “So that comfort of knowing questions which is super an- that if there is a sound I need noying.” to know about, my dog is goGarvey added: “I always ing to tell me about that. ... tell people, have you ever It really is a tremendous difhad the same conversation ference in terms of indepen40 times a day for five years? dence, safety, security and … Like: ‘Seven, black lab, 80 awareness.” pounds, this, that,’ ... over Rabin said although serand over again. I just want to vice dogs are well trained and go about my day.” disciplined, they are still dogs Garvey, who has had and can have their moments. his service dog, Liberty, for “As well trained as they five years, are, every “Dogs make a lot of dog said his dog can helps him have an off people happy, but with moyou shouldn’t make day,” Rabin bility and said, “and a big scene. You post-trauso we have shouldn’t call to the matic stress to kind of dog.” disorder. remember —Service dog owner Trained that, forgive Catherine Wood dogs can them for serve as that and not seeing-eye dogs, allergy alert have unrealistic expectations dogs, seizure alert dogs, psy- for them, both from a hanchiatric service dogs and dler’s perspective and in the many other services. public.”

Dr. Jessica Rabin, an She added: “The law does AACC English professor, is not say that a service dog can training her third service never make a mistake. The dog, a four-month-old Aire- law says that the handler dale puppy named Caleb, to needs to be able to get the

OFFICIAL CAMPUS CURRENT MAY 2019 ISSUE.indd 18-19

Four-year-old Sheltie Kody is first-year transfer studies student Catherine Wood’s service dog.

Photo courtsey of Catherine Wood dog back where it needs to be quickly and without making a disruption.”

Wood agreed with Rabin.

“When [Kody] goes home, he has plenty of time to be a dog,” she said. “He runs around the back yard with his brothers and makes noise. … He has time to be a dog and time to be a worker.”

Although AACC does not require owners to register their dogs, the federal Americans with Disabilities Act allows them to bring their animals wherever “the public is

normally allowed to go.”

Wood said she has seen dogs on campus that clearly are not service animals. She said those dogs sometimes distract Kody, which can prevent him from doing his job and potentially put her in danger.

Some dogs are service animals and others are “comfort” or “therapy” dogs, whose training is different from service dogs.

On campus, students say service dogs as necessary and a part of life.

Johnson said the transition from AACC to the University of Maryland, College Park took some time to be comfortable with it.

“You’re just a small fish in a ... large pond,” Johnson said. “I wish I had known just how much I was going to miss community college.”

Johnson said the fouryear college campus and atmosphere makes him “push more than [I] had been.

You’re kind of going from closer to home to being out of your comfort zone,” he said.

Former Associate Editor Brad Dress said he enjoys the challenges he has faced at UMCP and is motivated by his classmates and the colleagues he works with at The Diamondback, the school’s student newspaper.

“A lot of kids are more

focused on doing their work and studying. It makes me want to do my homework and study more,” Dress said, Pieraldi advised students to get to know their new campuses over the summer by “studying the school, maybe taking campus tours, visiting the school … just getting familiar with it.”

Johnson encouraged students to be brave in how they approach the new culture and community at fouryear schools.

“Embrace the unexpected,” Johnson said. “Embrace the challenges that you’re going to be facing, embrace the new people that you’re going to meet. Embrace the atmosphere that you’re going to be in, because it’s setting you up to be a better person than you were before.”

AACC students: Focus, plan for 4-year schools Amber Nathan Advertising Manager

Former Campus Current Associate Editor Brad Dress, who is now at the University of Maryland, College Park, gives his advice about what to expect at a four-year school.

Photo by Britney Pieraldi

Campus Life

AACC graduates who will head to four-year schools in the fall should take chances, stay focused and learn their surroundings.

That’s the advice of a group of former Campus Current editors who have transferred within the past two years.

“Four-year is a lot bigger, but I wouldn’t say it’s any scarier than going to a community college,” said Britney Pieraldi, a former Campus Current graphic designer who attends the University of Maryland, College Park. “I think the professors are really great and they’re very supportive and help you through.”

But former Campus Current Editor-in-Chief Jesse

4/26/2019 8:32:19 AM

20 | Campus Current | 2019 | May

May | 2019 | Campus Current | 21

Sports

Student-athletes show outstanding statistics Riverhawks’ spring sports kicked off the 2019 season on Feb. 9 with a Men’s Lacrosse scrimmage against Army Prep.

Since then, Women’s Lacrosse, Baseball, Softball and Golf began their seasons in the weeks following.

As the season has progressed, AACC athletes have stepped up to the plate and supported their teams in both victories and losses.

On this page, Campus Current recognizes Riverhawks who have soared above and beyond on the field and have made a noticeable impact on their spring teams this season with outstanding stats.

Lose and learn Caden Cote, a first-year business administration student and midfielder, has led Riverhawks Men’s Lacrosse this season with 21 goals and 24 assists.

Cote started playing lacrosse when he was 6 years old and played throughout his life. More recently, he played on the Varsity Men’s Lacrosse team at Old Mill High School before coming to AACC.

Cote said his team has worked on shooting almost every day and is adamant about keeping practices focused.

“We keep everything high pace and high intensity so we can keep the competition up,” he said. “It helps me translate what I’m doing in practice right into games.”

Cote said he attributes most of his success on the field to the bonds he has with his teammates.

“Everyone’s really encouraging to each other and trying to get the best out of each and every one of us every day,” Cote said. “It’s a good atmosphere to be in and it creates a lot of high-competition situations, which is good.”

Extra practice Sylvia Frye, a first-year infielder and medical diagnostic sonography student, led Softball this season with 23 runs, 27 hits and 19 runs batted in.

Frye started playing teeball when she was 5 years old.

She continued to play club softball while growing up and made the softball team at Glen Burnie High School before coming to AACC. Frye said she goes to bat-

ting cages outside of practice to keep improving her hitting skills.

She said the team has worked specifically on hitting and fielding this season.

“I think we’ve definitely improved from our first game and came a long way as a team,” she said.

Frye’s assistant coach, Brittany Nunez, agreed the team has progressed with hitting throughout the season.

“They struggled a lot in the beginning … but now they’ve each individually been improving substantially. It’s been really impressive to watch,” Nunez said.

Close calls Drew Ehrlich, a first-year transfer studies student, has led Riverhawks Baseball this season with 23 runs, 26 hits and 19 runs batted in.

Ehrlich, a center fielder, started playing baseball when he was 6 and more recently played for Gilman High School before becoming a Riverhawk.

Although the Riverhawks are having a rocky season, Ehrlich said, the team has come a long way with learning to play together successfully.

“We’ve lost a lot of close games, but I think a lot of

Caden Cote, a first-year business administration student and midfielder, has led Riverhawks Men’s Lacrosse this season with 21 goals and 24 assists.

Photo by Philip Van Slooten Natalie Sonntag, a midfielder and firstyear nursing student, led Women’s Lacrosse this season with 30 goals and 9 assists.

Photo by Christina Browning OFFICIAL CAMPUS CURRENT MAY 2019 ISSUE.indd 20-21

Riverhawk athlete gets All-American selection Arianna Beers Sports Editor Luke Schwartz, a golfer and first-year business administration student, led Riverhawks Golf this season with a fourth-place finish in a match at Hagerstown.

Photo by Christina Browning guys have come a long way in terms of finding their role and doing what they need to do to help the team win,” he said.

Ehrlich added he works on his hitting and conditioning outside of practice to keep improving and work on his skills.

“I hit a lot during the week,” he said. “I hit outside of practice and I do a lot of working out and lifting … to keep in shape for baseball.”

Field vision Natalie Sonntag, a midfielder and first-year nursing student, led Women’s Lacrosse this season with 30 goals and 9 assists.

Sonntag played on Old Mill High School’s Varsity Women’s Lacrosse team, after playing club throughout her childhood. She said while playing on her high school team benefitted her, it was her club team that prepared her most for the National Junior College Ath-

letic Association level.

She added she exercises and works on her techniques outside of practice to keep improving.

“I run on the off days and try to keep up with my stick work,” she said.

Sonntag said while her stick work has improved this season, she’s “good at having field vision.” She said having awareness on the field is important during games to predict the future actions of surrounding players.

Putting pride Luke Schwartz, a golfer and first-year business administration student, led Riverhawks Golf this season with a fourth-place finish in a match at Hagerstown.

He finished fourth with a score of 88 at Hagerstown and 84 at Cumberland Country Club.

Schwartz started golfing five years ago and prides himself on his putting skills.

Sylvia Frye, a first-year infielder and medical diagnostic sonography student, led Softball this season with 23 runs, 27 hits and 19 runs batted in.

Photo by Christina Browning

Arianna Beers Sports Editor

Sports

Drew Ehrlich, a first-year transfer studies student, has led Riverhawks Baseball this season with 23 runs, 26 hits and 19 runs batted in.

Photo by Christina Browning

The National Junior College Athletic Association named an AACC Women’s Basketball player to its Division III All-American Third Team on April 8.

Karley Haensler, who averaged 18 points and 5 rebounds per game this year, received the All-American Third Team nomination because of her play in the 20182019 basketball season.

Haensler, a second-year guard and transfer studies student, said receiving the nomination “was a humbling experience. I wasn’t really expecting it so it was pretty exciting knowing I got picked.”

Head Women’s Basketball coach Lionel Makell said Haensler was a key player in the team’s journey to the Division III National Tournament this season. “[A] majority of the

games she played she was really on point,” Makell said.

“She was our serious outside consistent three-point threat that we had on the team.”

Sarah Healy, a first-year center and transfer studies student, said her teammate Haensler excelled at shooting this season.

“Karley did amazing at all things offense,” Healy said.

“She was killer at three-point shots and a killer at making free throws.”

Makell said Haensler came to AACC from Baltimore County Community College, and meshed well with her fellow Riverhawks.

“She mixed in very well with the team,” Makell said.

“She had been through some struggles at Baltimore County Community College. …

Coming to Anne Arundel she felt instant family atmosphere right from the beginning with the girls.”

Assistant Women’s Bas-

Teams, adviser plan meetings Philip Van Slooten Reporter A new Student-Athlete Advisory Council helped clean up the Earl S. Scott nature trail in April as its first community service project since the group started in February.

The council’s members are seven athletes from Baseball, Softball, Men’s and Women’s Basketball and Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse.

Student Athlete Success Program Coordinator Trey Anderson said the council will expand next semester to fall Riverhawks teams.

Council members, who have grade-point averages of 3.0 or higher and were identified as leaders by their coaches, have met with Anderson twice to discuss their roles and the council’s agenda.

Anderson said the council’s purpose is to “allow administrators to have individuals from their teams be the voice of athletes.”

“We don’t always know what the teams want or need,” Anderson said, “including

ketball coach Kenneth Blake said Haensler was an essential offensive force for the team this season.

“Karley was a very big part of the stuff we did this year, especially shooting threes from the outside,” Blake said.

Blake added Haensler’s ability to brush off distractions and remain focused during games was an impressive characteristic she showed this season.

“Karley is a very driven athlete, and she is also very comical,” Blake said. “And I think that helps her game because she is so funny and there are so many things that go on in the course of the game that she is able to just bring herself back into focus.”

Haensler, who has been playing basketball since she was in the fourth grade, said she learned to put mistakes behind her this season and

The NJCAA awarded second-year guard Karley Haensler All-American Third Team.

Photo by Arianna Beers focus on the game.

“I think my whole thing this season was just next play,” she said. “At the beginning of the season I would get frustrated easily with a whole bunch of things. But towards the end of the season, I kept

telling myself, ‘Next play’ and, ‘Just keep going and leave it all on the court.’”

Haensler added she plans to finish her associate degree next winter and transfer to a four-year school to study entrepreneurship.

leadership-skill development, opportunities for community service or gear updates.”

First-year transfer studies student Sarah Healy, who plays center for Women’s Basketball and goalie for Women’s Lacrosse, said her coaches selected her to represent both teams on the council this year.

Sarah Healy, a first-year Women’s Basketball and Lacrosse player and transfer “I feel lucky to be a SAAC studies student, is part of the Student-Athlete Advisory Council. representative,” Healy said. Photo by Alexandra Radovic “I like helping people and I like sports a lot.” with all of these guys on and other student organization,” cause you represent the colShe said she hopes the off the field, I can hear about Anderson said. “They have lege and you’re leaders repcouncil will “help raise the improvements they want to come up with service proj- resenting our teams,’” Healy enough money to get nic- and translate that to Mr. An- ects they want to do, debate said. “They told us that if we er basd e r s o n . ” about the respective merits of have a profile to make sure ketballs.

H e each project and then decide to include our pics, stats and “I feel lucky to be a [My team- SAAC representative,” said he which teams will be involved. real names in our bios so colmates] will “ w a n t [ s ] They will do the step-by-step leges can contact us.”

Healy said. “I like love that. help ev- planning on their own.”

Anderson said it is helping people and I to In lacrosse eryone get Cote said he likes the important for athletes to like sports a lot.” we have what they council’s community service. demonstrate academic as —Athlete Sarah Healy everything want for the “We’re going to do a lot well as athletic leadership by we need for team,” Cote of community involvement keeping their grades up. right now.” explained. “From the coach- to improve the campus envi“I work hard not only on Caden Cote, a first-year es, administrators and our ronment,” he said. the field but in the classroom business administration school, I want to give them Healy said Anderson sug- as well,” Cote said. student and offensive mid- all the feedback they need.” gested the student athletes on Other athletes agreed. fielder for Men’s Lacrosse, Anderson compared the the council should clean up “Right now I have a 4.0,” represents his team on the council to the Student Gov- their social media pages.

Healy said. “My goal is to council this year. ernment Association, saying “They told us, ‘You guys maintain it, but it has been “I was put in a position both groups develop leaders are the face of [the council] difficult ... between sports to lead and I am grateful for and are a voice for students. so you need to clean up your and studying. But time manit,” Cote said. “Hanging out “They will be just like any Instagram and Twitter be- agement is key.”

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22 | Campus Current | 2019 | May

May | 2019 | Campus Current |23

Sports

Riverhawks to host Nationals Arianna Beers Sports Editor The college will hold the NJCAA Division I Women’s Lacrosse National Tournament in Siegert Stadium on May 9 for the third time in 10 years.

Last season, Women’s Lacrosse finished the regular season with a 13-5 record and made it to the Division I National Tournament at John L. DiMarco Field in Rochester, New York. However, Monroe Community College knocked the Riverhawks out of the tournament in semifinals with a score of 23-8.

The Riverhawks hosted the National Tournament in 2014 and 2017. However, AACC Women’s Lacrosse did not make it to the championship game in either year.

To qualify for the Division I National Tournament at Siegert Stadium this spring, the Riverhawks have to win their Division I Region Tournament games at Howard Community College on May 6-8.

Head Women’s Lacrosse coach Jim Griffiths said he expects the team to perform

well in playoffs as long as players can remain healthy and avoid injuries.

“We should do well,” Griffiths said. “It just depends on two things: how much they keep progressing and how healthy we can stay.

If they keep progressing and we stay healthy, then I think we will do very, very good.”

Griffiths said while the team has 13 Riverhawks, three fewer than last season’s team, the players have accommodated their smaller size.

“It’s becoming an ongoing yearly issue,” Griffiths said. “Our numbers are never great. We picked up a few people and we’re pretty comfortable where we are right now. I mean we’d love to have a few more, but you play the cards you’re dealt.”

Second-year nursing student and midfielder Mariah Scott said the Riverhawks’ offense is one of their strongest aspects so far this year.

Scott said the season has “gone pretty well. It’s a newer team than it was last year but we all get along.”

She also said she thinks the team will make it to the National Tournament this

Playing two sports can benefit some athletes Noah Reem Reporter

AACC Women’s Lacrosse players Mariah Scott and Natalie Sonntag battle against Harford Community College in their game on April 8.

Photo by Christina Browning season, as it did last year.

AACC Athletic Director Page Hamelryck, a mid- Duane Herr said he thinks fielder and second-year the team will perform better nutrition student, said she on its home field during nadoesn’t think having the Na- tionals because the players tional Tournament at AACC don’t have to travel. will affect the team’s drive to “You’re more at a pitfall get there. or back “I feel against the “I feel like … we still like … we have that drive to make wall when still have it to nationals no matter you have to that drive travel and where it is.” to make it go out of —Midfielder Page Hamelryck to nationstate to go als no matto a tourter where it is,” Hamelryck nament, as opposed to keepsaid. ing your routine similar,” She also said the players Herr said. have done well with moving Herr also said hosting the ball down the field from nationals at AACC will help the defense to the offense, the college gain exposure and which has helped the team a positive community buzz. with scoring during games.

“We’re having teams, fans

Baseball, Softball look forward to playoff run Arianna Beers Sports Editor AACC Softball and Baseball players are preparing for the second half of their spring season.

Riverhawks Baseball has an 11-29 overall record and a 6-17 conference record as of April 24. Still, head Baseball coach Chris Jenkins said he remains optimistic for playoffs.

“We’ve had an up and down season as our record indicates,” Jenkins said.

“However if you look at it divisionally, which is what counts for playoffs, we’re not so bad off.”

Jenkins said the Riverhawks play three to six games per week. He explained the team’s biggest obstacle is a shortage of pitchers and players in general.

“Guys start getting tired but I can’t give them a break,” Jenkins added. “Now

OFFICIAL CAMPUS CURRENT MAY 2019 ISSUE.indd 22-23

I’m asking guys to pitch who aren’t pitchers.”

Drew Ehrlich, a first-year transfer studies student who plays center field, agreed Riverhawks Baseball has had its fair share of ups and downs this season. He said the team

First-year infielder Sylvia Frye hits at bat during a game.

Photo by Christina Browning

Sports

has given up a lot of close games, but has united in the face of struggles.

“We’re just kind of trying to clear up the little things,” Ehrlich said. “We’ve made some little mistakes in the games that have cost us some games. But besides that, I think we’re just sticking to routine and pushing through the end of the season.”

On the other hand, AACC Softball has an overall record of 12-17 and a conference record of 6-7 as of April 24.

Head Softball coach Guy Klingensmith said the team is focusing on fundamentals at practice this season. Assistant coach Brittany Nunez, who graduated from AACC in 2014, said the team is also cracking down on errors during games.

“I think we’ve had our ups and downs so far, even this early [in the season],” Nunez said. “We’re … figuring out our strengths and weakness-

and guests coming in from other states to visit our local community, and that helps the economy as well as from a larger scale,” Herr said.

Herr added that having nationals at home will give the Riverhawks an edge over their opponents because they are able to play in a setting where they are comfortable.

He said knowing that “you get to be at home and sleep in your own bed and play at the national championship in front of your home fans and your parents and your families and your community” is a positive motivator for any team.

“I think that’s a unique opportunity that not many people get to do,” Herr said.

Caden Cote excelled at hockey and lacrosse as a kid and had dreams of pursuing a career in hockey like his father, former Washington Capitals defenseman Sylvain Cote.

Cote had played since he was 6 and made both teams at Old Mill High School.

Now a first-year business administration student, Cote is a midfielder on Men’s Lacrosse and said he hopes to play at a four-year college— but only lacrosse.

“Obviously Maryland is more lacrosse focused,” Cote said. “There aren’t as many opportunities as I would like to see [in Maryland]. … I’m trying to make something for myself in lacrosse.”

Cote isn’t the only athlete who plays two sports. Most, however, will have to choose between them when they move on to four-year schools.

Still, community college players are often encouraged to participate in as many sports as they can handle.

Riverhawks Men’s Lacrosse Coach Joe Stanilaus encourages athletes to try as many sports as possible.

“This gives the athletes the opportunity to be coached by different staffs and different styles,” he said.

But a study by the National Collegiate Athletic Association showed most college athletes specialized in sports like gymnastics and soccer at a younger age.

In the study, 87 percent of Division I gymnasts said they had specialized in that sport by age 12, even if it meant the athletes had to stop dual sport participation.

Professional athletes often start in school playing two sports. In the 2017 NFL draft, 30 of the first 32 picks were dual-sport athletes.

But AACC athletes said high school coaches and par-

ents convinced them to specialize in one sport.

Drew Ehrlich, a first-year transfer studies student and outfielder for Riverhawks Baseball, participated in football, basketball and baseball while attending high school at the Gilman School in Baltimore.

Ehrlich said parents and coaches supported his choice to play multiple sports in college before he transferred to AACC from Villanova University.

“I went to Villanova with hopes of playing football and baseball, but baseball didn’t end up working out,” Ehrlich said. “I came to AACC with hopes of baseball being in my future as I look to return to a four-year school.”

A survey by the National Federation of State High School Associations found that 43 percent of high school athletes participate in multiple sports.

Rahsaan Johnson, a

Some AACC athletes say partcipating in more than one sport gives them experience and strength.

Photo by Christina Browning second-year midfielder on Men’s Lacrosse, said he chose to pursue lacrosse at the collegiate level because it is challenging. “Lacrosse has taught me a lot on and off the field,” Johnson said, “like fighting through diversity in a predominantly white sport.”

Despite receiving multiple offers from three-year schools trying to recruit him for their football teams, Johnson said he chose lacrosse because of his family’s heritage behind the sport.

“My great grandfather was Native American, and

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Second-year center fielder Noah Rafsky hits in the game against Chesapeake College.

Photo by Christina Browning es and building those weaknesses into strengths.”

Pitcher and second-year nursing student Katie Rosati said her teammates have worked on hitting at practice because it’s key to winning games.

“You can have a great outfield but if you can’t put anything on the board, then it doesn’t really matter,” Rosati said.

Nunez and first-year outfielder Sylvia Frye agreed the team has improved greatly with hitting since the beginning of the season.

However, Klingensmith also said the team’s “defense has played really well. We’ve

really cut down on the errors and we’re playing better as a group, both offensively and defensively.”

Rosati said the team makes sure the players are on the same page during games.

“When we’re out on the field we’re constantly talking to each other and backing each other up,” Rosati said.

Riverhawks Softball plays its Division II Region Tournament play-in game on May 4. Riverhawks Baseball plays its Division II Region Tournament play-in game on May 2 against the Community College of Baltimore County Essex at home on “Skip” Brown Baseball Field.

his culture was a great influence on my decision,” Johnson said. “He always wanted me and my siblings to play.”

Amber Kelso, head athletic trainer, said most athletes who have participated in multiple sports at the college have been fall and spring athletes until this year.

“There’s actually trending research ... from orthopedic surgeons saying any specialization where you’re doing one sport year-round with minimal rest is causing the most injuries, compared to athletes who do two,” Kelso said.

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