NEWS
A city divided
Community protest against Bay City Bridge Partners after recent price increase
BAY CITY, Mich. - On Feb. 11, 2024, protesters took to the streets of Downtown Bay City, right in front of the Bay City Bridge Partners’ office.
On Feb. 3, the Bay City Bridge Partners announced in a Facebook post that the monthly unlimited subscription to two Bay City bridges would be doubling in price in March. Additionally, the unlimited crossing subscription will be ending in July 2025.
“We want to make sure that our community members are able to get around their own city.” Tom Hardy, a Democratic Socialist Association (DSA) member says.
DSA members organized the protest and hosted the event on Facebook.
Posts shared within the Facebook group “Bay City Bridge Resistance” have members making plans to rally together to design the signs that would be later seen at the protest.
Protestors and Bay City officials spoke about their thoughts on the bridge tolls. Austin Pike, a Bangor Township resident, says he hopes the bridge partners are scared.
“The fact that two of my four options are tolled, and the other option is currently being decon-
structed, I’m angry.” Pike says. “I hope [the Bay City Bridge Partners] know we are united as a community, and they can’t screw us over.”
Bay City 7th Ward Commissioner Christopher Runberg says that his final straw was the monthly unlimited subscription price raise.
“When they did the hike from $15 a month to $30 a month, that was the red line that was too far for me,” Runberg says. “It’s not right to do that to our neighbors.”
Hardy agrees that the price change is unfair.
“These toll price increases really do impact low-income people the most,” Hardy says. “Someone making $200,000 a year can easily afford any toll, but the family who makes $40k really can’t.”
According to ZipRecruiter, Bay City residents make about $31k-59k a year. The average salary in Bay City is about $46k a year, so toll increases will be felt by many in the Tri-Cities.
“We are trying to really unite the community and give all the voices one outlet,” Hardy says. “This way, we can better negotiate with the bridge partners [and] better pressure them into making decisions that work best for the community.”
Emma Blakley | Staff Reporter
The mayor of Bay City, Christopher Girard, speaking at the protest, Bay City, Mich., Feb. 11, 2025; DC/Photo Emma Blakley
Protestor holds a sign reading "Boycott Bay City Bridge Partners!" Bay City, Mich., Feb. 11, 2025; DC/Photo Emma Blakley
Protester holding a sign saying "A bridge too far", Bay City, Mich., Feb. 11, 2025; DC/Photo Emma Blakley
CAMPUS LIFE
Delta College student wins first place in national literary competition
Delta College student Christiana Haight won first place in the poetry category in the League for Innovation 202324 Student Literary Awards competition.
This achievement makes Haight the first Delta student in history to win first place in this competition.
Haight's poem, “Your Yellow Paint,” written as an homage to painter Vincent Van Gough, was recognized for its depth and artistic expression, earning her a spot in the League’s newest creative writing anthology, “Tides, Currents, and Waterways.”
“At the surface level, the poem is definitely more about just my admiration of Van Gogh and his art and his life,” Haight says. “Then kind of on a deeper level, it's more about perseverance and resilience through difficult times and kind of being able to find light in the darkness.”
This award validated Haight's passion for writing and inspired her to openly share more of her work. She hopes her success will encourage other Delta students to submit their own creative writing for future recognition.
“For the longest time I just used poetry to ground myself,” Haight shared. “Knowing that other people have read what I've written and are able to relate or find meaning in it was kind of eye opening for me.”
Haight’s achievement showcases the talent and creativity within the Delta College community, and her recognition serves as a reminder of the importance of supporting student expression through opportunities like the League’s Student Literary Awards.
“I would definitely encourage them to go for it, to give
it a try,” Haight says. “I think that it's really empowering to share your writing with the world and to know that other people can relate to your experiences.”
The League's 2025-26 Literary Awards are now open for submissions and Delta College students are encouraged to participate. All entries are due by April 1, 2025. For more information or to submit work, students can visit the League for Innovation's Website.
“Your yellow paint”
By: Christiana Haight
The first time I saw a starry nighta mere print, and still, I couldn't speak.
The whirls of color around each corresponding star floating ethereal above the small city below. The way that you saw the world and its beauty, especially in the ordinary, gave me new eyes. You would eat yellow paint to try to escape the sadness. This, I understood.
I didn't swallow paint, but carved out pieces of myself to fight off the heavy, drowning weight. I became your sister.
Because in this darkness, brother, if you could see beauty? Then so could I.
Christiana Haight’s poem “Your Yellow Paint” makes Delta history in winning the League for Innovation’s 2023-24 Literary Awards
Christiana Haight posing with "Tides, Currents, and Waterways."
(DC Photo/Mikaila Bluew)
The League for Innovations anthology book "Tides, Currents, & Waterways." (DC Photo/Mikaila Bluew)
Mikaila Bluew | Staff Reporter
FEATURE
Where have all the men gone?
Think of a typical college education. You might imagine sitting in a classroom, taking notes, or working on a computer. To some, this may seem incredibly unappealing; to others, it’s a dream.
In the last 25 years a trend has emerged: men are disappearing from higher education.
Lack of confidence
Breaking the trend?
"Nobody has the answer as to why men aren't going," Delta College President Mike Gavin says. “We’ve done some outreach and found people don’t know how to go to college or aren’t sure how to ask how to go. We’ve been doing workshops and having classes that are available for those that want to attend to accommodate them.”
UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – Maddox Salcedo had always loved film production, and wanted to make it his career. He chose Delta to pursue his passion for filmmaking and video editing.
Salcedo is breaking an ever-growing trend in academia. Every year since 1996 women have entered college at higher rates than men. A 2024 PBS News article found that 65 percent of women enrolled in college while only 57 percent of men enrolled, but it’s unclear why this is.
“I think men are attending college less because there's an expectation that they should attend a trade school or start a
SAGINAW, Mich. – Alex Cooper, a 22-year-old General Merchandise clerk at Meijer, thought about attending college right out of high school, but decided against it when he realized how much work it would be.
“I wasn’t confident I could succeed or keep up with the work needed to succeed at the college level,” Cooper says.
He reflects the growing trend of young men choosing to skip college, “I thought about going, but I didn’t.” According to a 2021 Pew research study 34 percent of men shared they felt the same way.
During the COVID-19 pandemic is when Cooper realized
Its electric
career in which they make more money,” Salcedo says. His assessment confirms the findings of a 2021 Pew Research Center study. In the study, 35 percent of male respondents stated they hadn’t finished or attended college because of the need to help support their family.
Over the past ten years there's been a growing sentiment of “college isn’t for everyone.” Salcedo agrees.
“College can be beneficial for those who know what they want to pursue and get a better understanding of,” he says. “But not everyone needs college to succeed.”
While it seems men are disappearing, Salcedo is an example of someone breaking the trend.
that the pressure was highest to get a college degree.
“When I first left high school, I felt there was more pressure. I was living with my mom, but now that I live by myself that pressure is off,” he says.
In spring of 2021, the enrollment of black males to colleges dropped a whopping 21.5 percent according to the Chronicle. Cooper, like many others, reflects these two studies, feeling inadequate, without the time or finances for higher education.
He hasn’t entirely ruled out the idea of attending a college or trade school.
“Going to college is still a thought that comes across my mind, but it's a matter of applying myself.”
BAY CITY, Mich. – Michigan Technological University has always been Justin Badour's dream college. Wanting to become a mechanical engineer, Badour has spent his time at Delta College taking the specific classes that will transfer. But why start at Delta?
"[Delta] is very affordable," he says. "If I went up to Michigan Tech. [it is] around $20,000 either a year or semester. With Delta, it's like $2,000 a semester," Badour says.
In the 2021 Pew Research Center study, it was found that 39 percent of men say a major factor in not having a college degree is because of the cost. Badour feels these numbers are only going to rise.
"You're having this huge shift towards trade schools," Badour says. "Part of that is because we've had a huge increase in peo-
ple saying 'do trade school' instead of college. The market has kind of done itself."
Badour wasn’t surprised that three in ten adults didn’t complete four years of college.
"College is hard. You’ve got to put in the hours [and] the work," he says.
Badour also thinks that whether you need a degree depends on what career you're looking into.
"If you're going for a degree with a low job expectancy, you shouldn't be in college,” he says. “We always preach 'follow your dreams' but you also got to look out for the future."
He shared that despite the hardship college can bring, it is worth it for him due to the freedom and stability it can offer.
"College is going to help me be able to start my life and be on my own."
Portrait of Justin Badour, DC/Photo Emma Blakley
Portrait of Alex Cooper, courtesy Alex Cooper
Portrait of Maddox Salcedo, University Center, Mich., DC/Photo Emma Blakley
Blake Metiva, Emma Blakley | Staff Reporters, Isaiah Kabban | Sudent Submission
Trade’s the way
BAY CITY, Mich. – According to the Pew Research Center, roughly a third of men without a bachelor's degree say a big reason they didn't complete college is because they “didn't want to.”
Ethan Burzyck, a student currently enrolled at the Greater Michigan Construction Academy, thinks that dropping out of the trades isn't likely.
"When you enroll, it's a four-year program," he says. "In order to get your journeyman's license, you have to do four years. When you get your license, the pay gets a really big increase and that's what most trade guys work for."
Dual-enrolled
A true artist
The average annual salary for someone with an bachelor's degree in electrical engineering is $138,182. With a Journeyman's license in electrical wiring, the annual salary is $63,337.
Despite the difference in salary, many are still choosing the Journeyman’s license instead. Some trades schools don't require loans as big as universities. Michigan Technological University's average annual tuition is $36,157 while GMCA's tuition is $1,700 per semester/per program. For a four-year program, that adds up to around $13,600.
"During high school, I was unsure about what to do for college until I learned about trades. Then I was all in,” Burzyck says.
HARBOR BEACH, Mich. – For 18-year-old Hackett Soper, attending college was never a big fanciful dream of his; instead, he wanted to do what he saw necessary to build a solid future.
“There wasn’t one big moment,” he says. “I just saw my dad at work and thought, yeah, that’s the kind of life I want.”
Soper, a senior at Harbor Beach High School, is dual-enrolled at Mid-Michigan College. His coursework combines its online classes with hands-on learning through a Career and Technical Education program. The program is located at the Huron Area Technological Center. He plans to transfer to Saginaw Valley State University in the fall of 2025 to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering.
“Mid-Michigan was affordable and gave me a head start, especially with Michigan's state law requiring Harbor Beach to pay for 10 of my classes,” he says.
“It’s a smart way to figure things out.”
According to the Pew Research Center, men now account for just 40 percent of college students. Delta College mirrors this trend, with over 60 percent of its student body being women,
HARBOR BEACH, Mich. — If you ask Benjamin Birtles where he’s from, he’ll say Port Huron; if you ask him where home is, he’ll say Harbor Beach.
Birtles moved to Harbor Beach in 2021, trading the city for the quiet shores of Michigan’s thumb. At first, he was just the new kid—unsure, out of place. But then, something shifted. He made friends. He got in shape. He found running and, with it, a sense of purpose.
“I truly felt like I found my people,” he says.
By the time he graduated highschool in 2023, Harbor Beach wasn’t just where he lived, it was where he became himself.
“If I had stayed in Port Huron, maybe it would’ve been different,” he says. “More colleges, more options. But after the move, ironically, school just didn’t seem like the move for me anymore.”
Instead of college, he got a job at Subway. He put on the latex gloves, clocked in, and found a rhythm—making some of the best subs in town.
“I was nervous at first,” he admitted. “I thought I’d mess up
U.S. News & World Report found. While he notices the gender imbalance in higher education, it doesn’t bother him much.
“I spend most of my day on the computer anyway,” he said with a shrug. “But yeah, there are definitely fewer guys—it is certainly noticeable.”
For Soper, balancing dual enrollment with high school hasn’t been easy.
“The hardest part has been the discipline,” he admitted. “Staying on task with tougher classes has been challenging, but I think it is preparing me for what’s next.”
Hackett was blunt about why fewer men are pursuing higher education.
“It’s the phones and technology,” he says. “Guys my age are distracted, and we have lost the drive to push ourselves. It’s too easy to coast.”
His advice to other young men?
“Explore dual enrollment or CTE programs first. They let you figure out what interests you before committing to college.”
and get fired—it would be the end of the world. But I learned something important: Your first job isn’t forever—it’s just a step to the next one.”
Across the country, fewer men are choosing college. Since 2018, nearly half a million fewer men have enrolled in U.S. colleges, while trade school enrollment has surged.
“Many kids either don’t know how to or just choose not to look for scholarships,” Birtles says. “More often than not, they don’t want to go through all the steps. If you don’t know what you like, four years of college can feel like a waste—especially if you can’t afford it.”
For now, he’s figuring things out. He’s back to running, trying to find his rhythm again.
“I don’t know what’s next,” he admitted. “But I’m okay with that.”
One thing he does know? When he has a son of his own, he’ll make sure he never has to second-guess himself.
“I’ll build him up,” Birtles says. “Make sure he has the confidence to go after whatever comes naturally. Like I wish someone did for me.”
Portrait of Benjamin Birtles, photo credit Joe Birtles
Portrait of Hackett Soper, photo credit Madelyn Layer
Portrait of Ethan Burzyck, courtesy Ethan Burzyck
SPORTS
Hoopin' for hunger
Delta College hosts the annual MCCAA Hunger Basketball Game
Emma Blakley | Staff Reporter
After a steep time change, Delta College’s basketball teams walked onto the court for their second to last home game of the season.
Wednesday, Feb. 12 Delta College men’s and women’s teams took on the Mid Michigan College Lakers for the annual Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCCAA) Hunger Basketball Game. Because of the weather, both teams moved up their starting times by three hours. The women’s team started at 2:30 p.m. and the men followed at 4:30 p.m.
The MCCAA holds a competition between the conference’s basketball teams to see who can
collect the most cans for their food pantries each year. Delta has been looking at opening the event to other sports.
The can drive was throughout the week. “We sent [an email] to faculty, staff, anybody on campus could come in and bring in [cans]” Delta Athletic Director Brad Barlog said.
Those attending the basketball game had the opportunity to bring in five cans in return for admission to both games.
“[This year was] an overall success,” Barlog said. “We had better cans this year compared to last year.”
Delta College has its very own food pantry located in D102. A reservation is required before pickup.
“Hunger is right in our backyard,” Barlog said. “Not [being] afraid to go get help is huge.”
The women’s team lost in an unfortunate fashion being taken down 89-51.
Kayla Howell scored a total of 19 points for her team. Hailee Jefferson had 10 rebounds, Amari'A Campbell followed behind with 9, and Ja'Leeah Griggs with 8.
The men’s team played a tough game against the Lakers, but ultimately lost 98-93.
Willie Humphery was able to score 21 points, Derrik Campell following behind with 15 points, and Brendon Schlink and Jayden Hackett securing 13 points each.
Schlink, Evan Booker, and Ja’Vion Blackwell led the team with three assists apiece, while four others had two assists.
Humphrey registered 12 rebounds, Schlink had six, and Campbell had five.
Congratulations Gary, you finally got it right
Blake Metiva | Staff Reporter
Rivalries, geopolitical struggles, and three fights in nine seconds. For the first time in a long time, the National Hockey League has positive PR for finally doing something other leagues haven't: innovating the all-star game. There was nothing more welcome than a change to the game. Players didn’t care about the event anymore, most notably Alexander Ovechkin skipping in 2020 and Nikita Kucherov showing no effort in the skills competition at the 2024 edition.
The NHL announced Feb. 2, 2024 that there would be no 2025 All-Star Game; instead, they’d be hosting what was dubbed the “4 Nations Faceoff.” The four nations featured would be Canada, Finland, Sweden and the United States, and all players selected would come from the NHL’s player base.
“We think this is a great stage for the best on the best, in the best sport,” said league commissioner Gary Bettman during the announcement.
The 4 Nations is everything other All-Star games aren’t. There’s been passion on the face of players, bodies put on the line, effort emanating on each shift. The games have been nothing short of tantalizing with three ending with a one goal difference and two decided in overtime. No game showcased the “best on best” more than Canada vs the U.S. As the NBA was having its players do another wasted skills competition, the NHL had fans on the edge of their seats. During the national anthems, the U.S. anthem was booed loudly in Montreal’s Centre Bell—no doubt due to politics outside of the game. Within a second of the opening faceoff two fights broke out at center ice; eight seconds later there was another in the Canada zone. That made it clear: this wasn’t just an exhibition.
The United States came away with a 3-1 victory over the Canadians, and gave temporary bragging rights to the Stars and Stripes. The final will be a rematch of the sport's greatest rivalry, with even more bragging rights on the line.
As a cynic hockey fan that doesn’t give him his due: congratulations Gary, you finally got it right. The players care, the fans are energized and the game has been exposed to millions as a result of the tournament.
DISCLAIMER
Since 1961, the Delta Collegiate has been written and produced by Delta students for students without any input or oversight by administration. The paper does not represent the views of Delta College, its faculty, staff or administration. Stories are selected by the student staff members to bring reliable information and entertainment to our readers.
Sophmore London Williams attempts to make his way to the basket, University Center, Mich., Feb. 11, 2025; DC/Photo Emma Blakley
GAMES
Word Search: Black History Month
Collegiate Staff
Crystal McMorris Advisor crystalmcmorris@delta.edu
Onnie Stone Editor in Chief deltacollegiate@gmail.com
Mikaila Bluew Associate Editor mikailaboyke@delta.edu
Emma Blakley Photo Editor emmablakley@delta.edu
Blake Metiva Sports Editor blakemetiva@delta.edu
Maddox Salcedo Video Editor maddoxsalcedo@delta.edu
Ashton Barrett Multimedia Journalist ashtonbarrett@delta.edu
Sydney Armstrong Multimedia Journalist sydneyarmstrong@delta.edu
Hal Read Multimedia Journalist haleyread@delta.edu
Nic Longstreet Multimedia Journalist nicolaslongstreet@delta.edu
Anna Nowak Page Designer annadixon@delta.edu
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