Jumping back in The Pond
What have you been nervous about?
“Being behind in classes, I’ve heard horror stories about people getting behind and then messing up their whole freshman year of college.”
What are you most looking forward to this semester?
“Starting over, just breaking off from high school. I don’t wanna sound corny but making new friends, starting something new, it’s a whole new chapter.”
Welcome back to Delta College! Whether it's your first semester, or last, there's always something to look forward to. We asked multiple students campus: What are you most looking forward to this semester?
What are you most looking forward to this semester?
“Taking my taekwondo class, it seems like a fun class.”
Any advice for students?
“Just be prepared. Don’t be nervous, it can be nerve-wracking, but we all understand. We're all going through it. Delta is here to help, so if you need anything just reach out.”
Kylie Kirkpatrick
Mason Lothian Graham Leffler
NEWS
Explore the cosmos in The Delta Dome
Onnie Stone | Editor in Chief
The Delta College Observatory is located on the West end of Delta's University Center campus, University Center, Sept. 9, 2024; photo credit Onnie Stone
Tied for the largest publicly accessible observatory in Michigan, the Delta College Observatory is an exciting addition to Delta’s astronomy department.
“The CDK700 Telescope is incredible” says Aurelian Balan, professor of physics and astronomy at Delta College.
The observatory is equipped with the CDK700 Telescope System. The telescope is named for its 700 millimeter aperture–which is exceptionally large by telescope standards.
Nestled near the athletic fields on the West side of campus, the dome is hidden from light pollution. With this $195,000 telescope system, observers can explore the cosmos with exceptional clarity and minimal distortion, making it a top choice for serious astronomers.
“We’re hoping to offer monthly open houses,” Balan says.
Delta’s Observatory offers the surrounding community a unique opportunity to see space like never before. Anyone can participate in this experience; the eyepiece is mounted on a periscope, allowing observers to comfortably view the night sky even from a wheelchair.
Ice cream couple tie the knot
Gonzales | Staff Reporter
Lauren Fortin and Stephen Thibeault tied the knot on Sept. 8, 2024. The ceremony and reception occurred at Fenton Winery and Brewery, where friends and family gathered to watch the Baskin-Robbins co-owners be wed. Michigan magician Keri Kazz officiated the ceremony. The reception that followed took place in the winery’s halls and featured an open bar, outdoor fireplace patio, lawn games, a dance floor, and a root beer float bar.
The newlyweds are both graduates of the University of Michigan-Flint. The bride graduated with a bachelor’s degree in organizational behavior and human resources. The groom graduated with a bachelor’s degree in finance. Together, they bought and reopened Bay City’s beloved Baskin-Robbins ice cream shop in 2023.
The Collegiate team would like to send its best wishes to the happily married couple. Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Thibeault!
Onnie Stone | Editor in Chief Who's running this thing anyway?
Meet the editor
In 2022, I worked for the Delta Collegiate as a photojournalist. Stuff happened. Now, I’m the editor in chief.
I came to Delta angry and disappointed at the state of journalism today (believe me, I’ll talk your ear off about it). That anger is, in part, what made me pursue journalism. If news conglomerates won’t give people what they want, at least I would.
This is how I run the Collegiate. A news organization should hold the voices of the community and work alongside the community it serves. As many of you may understand, my time at college has been a series of trial and error; my time at the Collegiate has been much the same. We are finding the right path for ourselves as we go through college, and student newspapers are finding the right path for journalism in tandem. We’ll have our moments along the way, but that’s just a part of growth. Every single reader of the Delta Collegiate has my deepest appreciation. We may be the ones crafting the content, but it is each and every one of you that keeps us pushing forward (even if you only grab a copy for the crossword at the end).
P.S. After years of rebuilding post-COVID, I am thrilled to announce that the Delta Collegiate staff is at full capacity! Our team is filled with some of Delta’s finest. If you want to join our ranks, you still can. We will have positions open next semester, so prepare your portfolio and bring us your best!
UPCOMING EVENT?
Are you looking to spread the word about an upcoming campus or club event? Then contact the Delta Collegiate! Submit to: deltacollegiate@gmail.com
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.
Austin
LOCAL Great Lakes in great danger
Our
being destroyed by climate change
Asher Silas Hardy | Staff Reporter
The destruction of our natural resources will be Michigan’s downfall. Climate change isn’t just killing the North Pole, it is killing our future and destroying our past.
Remember the 2020 Sanford flood and the devastation it caused? Were you one of the hundreds of thousands of people to lose power in these recent summer storms? That’s climate change; it is already here, and it will ruin us.
Just over a quarter of our economy is dependent on our natural resources. Michigan's agriculture industry contributes $104.7 billion annually to our economy. According to the U.S Department of Agriculture 2022 report, Michigan was the fourth highest earning state for crops. According to Tourism Economics, our tourism industry brought in $48.5 billion dollars in 2022. One of the largest draws to Michigan is outdoor activities, like fishing, which commercially adds $7 billion to our GDP.
Our weather patterns have been shifting over the last 50 years – even more so the last 10 – with winter starting later and harsher. By going through Michigan Technical University's snowfall records, we can compare snowfall in the Upper Peninsula from 100 years ago to today.
In 1922, winter came in gently and left just the same, with 140 inches of snow for the season. In 2022 winter started in November, became brutal in December, and brought down a total 276 inches of snow. That’s double the snow we had 100 years ago.
The Environmental Law & Policy Center worked with scientists and universities from all around the Great Lakes region to compile their observations. Precipitation patterns are changing across the entire region. The inconsistency of rain results in higher irrigation and labor costs for our farmers. When it does rain, it storms, and those storms put strain on our water infrastructure and power grid. It also causes property damage from falling trees or hail and lost income from being unable to work without power.
These intense storms cause excess runoff from farms, bringing manure and pesticides into our water. Higher temperatures and run-off fertilizers have resulted in explosive growth in algae and E. Coli.This makes treating our drinking water more expensive, and treating our swimming water is even worse. Beaches all over Michigan have been closed due to this. Our small towns can’t afford expensive chemical treatments to make these beaches safe again, so we’re forced to lose them.
An unexpected loss in Michigan is holiday magic. The Midland Santa House isn’t the same without snow to reflect the lights. Sled hills and ski slopes are nothing without snow, which is expensive to create artificially. White Christmas is bittersweet nowadays, and it’s all because our winter season is being pushed from October-March to January-May.
home is
Data sourced from Michigan Technical University's snowfall records
Illustrated by Lindsey Welch | Staff Illustrator
Brewing for success
Finding
study-friendly coffee shops: Harless & Hugh
Rileigh Benson | Staff Reporter
With the semester starting, students are grasping at straws for a comfortable third space to study in. Finding the perfect spot to study properly can make all the difference, especially if the place offers sweet baked goods and drinks made to your preference.
Harless & Hugh, in downtown Bay City, is the place for matcha lattes, whisked to the perfect color of green and not too milky. Not only does this coffee shop have delicious matcha, but the space is very welcoming with friendly staff that are always open to helping you try new drinks. The space is minimally decorated so there aren’t too many distractions.
They also have a filling snack menu with avocado toast and charcuterie boards, and baked goods from local bakeries CRUST and Petit Four. As the chilly months slowly approach, Harless & Hugh can help warm you up with a hot drink and their cozy fireplace – indoors and outdoors!
Hidden away between Stock Pot and Cara’s Mane Event, Harless & Hugh is keen on dietary preferences with options ranging from oat milk to pistachio milk, gluten free bread and vegan and vegetarian options. Across from the bar is a wall stocked with small gifts like socks and coffee grounds.
Besides serving fresh coffee and tea, Harless & Hugh also supplies Michigan based alcohols, kombucha, and seltzers to fit everyone’s cravings. If you’re in need of a fresh flower bouquet, or maybe even a dried bouquet, Elizabeth Charles Flower & Home supplies both weekly! Harless & Hugh owner Lyndsay Edmonds is partnered
with her mother, Debra Edmonds, to bring the community coffee and unique bouquets.
In the snowy months, Harless will often have musical events where there is a set performer for you to enjoy as you sip on a hot drink. If you find yourself hosting an event like a bridal shower and need an aesthetically pleasing photo-esque space, you can contact Lyndsay Edmonds about renting out the coffee shop by giving the shop a call!
My drink recommendation: iced matcha with oat milk, vanilla and coconut syrup.
A large open space with tables and chairs, a fireplace in the corner, and the backyard doors opened to allow airflow, Harless & Hugh, 1003 Washington Ave, Bay City, Aug. 29, 2024; photo by Rileigh Benson
Coffee and iced matcha latte on a table at Harless & Hugh, 1003 Washington Ave, Bay City, Aug. 29, 2024; photo by Rileigh Benson.
Illustrated by Lindsey Welch | Staff Illustrator
CAMPUS LIFE
Flying Colors
A few colorful highlights from the Delta College 5k Color Run
On Sept. 7, people of all ages, from children to the elderly, made their way to the starting line with their white T-shirts and colored powder packets in hand. The seventh annual Delta College Color 5K Walk/Run was open to the public.
The race began at 9 a.m. with a colorful explosion. Counting down from three, runners threw their packets in the air, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
The Physical Therapist Assistant Club and the Dental Hygienist Club hosted the event. There were raffles, which included a variety of baskets filled with goodies based on a theme. While waiting, cornhole and giant checkers were available to play.
Reaching the finish line, viewers threw the remaining color packets onto the runners. Almost every participant had colorful powder on their shirts, making for a unique T-shirt to take home. The first set of finishers completed the 5K within 45 minutes of the start time.
Runner 175 makes their way to the finish line as viewers throw powder into the path, University Center, Sept. 7th, 2024; photo credit Emma Blakley
The first runners to cross the finish line at the Delta College Color Run, University Center, Sept. 7th, 2024; photo credit Emma Blakley
Participants throw their colored powder into the air right before the start of the race, University Center, Sept. 7th, 2024; photo credit Emma Blakley
A group of runners pose for a picture while flexing their arms, University Center, Sept. 7th, 2024; photo credit Emma Blakley
Emma Blakley | Staff Reporter
The Diary of a Duck
A personal narrative of what it is like to tryout to be the Delta Duck Mascot
Emma Blakley | Staff Reporter
Monday, Sep. 2, Two Days Before Tryouts
If you had asked me two years ago what I would be doing today, I would not have guessed this.
During a Delta Collegiate meeting about a week ago, we discussed ways to cover the Delta Duck Mascot Tryouts. We decided to have someone (me) go undercover to experience tryouts first-hand, to see what auditionees go through instead of just watching and conducting interviews. I’m more nervous than I should be.
I plan on putting 100 percent effort into this, not only to get the best results, but also because I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I didn’t try my best. I am genuinely excited to see what happens. No matter what, I know it’ll be a fun experience.
Wednesday, Sep. 4, The Day of Tryouts
Walking into the room, I suddenly felt very nervous. I was the first person in, so my mind immediately thought I was going to be the one and only (thankfully, I was not). Applicants started showing up one by one until it was time to start. We went over the basic rules, but overall we were told to just have fun. There is no one true way to be Duck, because Duck is Duck.
When performing as Duck, you had to keep in mind the physical restrictions of being in a mascot suit. So, unfortunately, no flips or stunts. We were given scenarios and had to act out how Duck would respond. Performers have to keep in mind they cannot use their voices; having very expressive, animated movements is key to portraying the role of Duck. Their personality is very outgoing, energetic and fun. They love to give fist bumps, high-fives, hugs and kisses.
There are essentially two overall personalities of Duck: sporty Duck, and studious Duck. What’s the difference? When Duck is at sporting events, they will wear contacts! For other events, you will see them wearing their glasses.
Overall, this experience helped me face some internal challenges, like anxiety, but also made me realize how much opportunity is out there for college students. If you are outgoing and want to be involved but don’t know where to start, this may be the right job for you. If you weren’t able to attend tryouts, you can apply online by going to the Delta College website, clicking ‘Info For: Current Students’ then finding ‘Student Jobs’ underneath the ‘Resources’ tab.
The application will be posted within a week at the time of this article’s publication
DELTA PLANETARIUM
SEPTEMBER SCHEDULE
Thursdays
2:00 PM - Birth of Planet Earth
Fridays
2:00 PM - Stars of the Pharaohs Saturdays 2:00 PM - The Enchanted Reef 3:30 PM - Stars
7:00 PM - The Search for Life in Space
Illustrated by Lindsey Welch | Staff Illustrator
Illustrated by Asher Silas Hardy | Staff Illustrator
MONDAY 16
DELTA EVENTS - SEPTEMBER CALENDAR
Delta Votes (Voters Registration & Absentee Ballot Drive)
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Voter Registration and Absentee Ballot Drive
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Delta Votes! Voter Registration Drive
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Celebrating the Kick-Off of Hispanic Heritage Month
11:00 a.m.
TUESDAY 17
Delta Votes (Voters Registration & Absentee Ballot Drive)
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Voter Registration and Absentee Ballot Drive
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Delta Votes! Voter Registration Drive
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Transfer Tuesdays at Downtown Saginaw
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Advisor Meet & Greet
2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
China's Mid-Autumn Festival
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Farmers Market
From 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Constitution Day and Citizenship Day
11:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m.
WEDNESDAY 18
Delta Votes (Voters Registration & Absentee Ballot Drive)
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Voter Registration and Absentee Ballot Drive
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Delta Votes! Voter Registration Drive
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Women's Soccer vs. Schoolcraft College
4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
THURSDAY 19
Delta Votes (Voters Registration & Absentee Ballot Drive)
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Voter Registration and Absentee Ballot Drive
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Delta Votes! Voter Registration Drive
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Transfer Thursday
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
BEDI Professional Development Series
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Women's Volleyball vs. Muskegon
Community College
6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
FRIDAY 20
New Student Group Advising
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
MONDAY 23
Mobile Medical Unit
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Bisexual Awareness Week / Celebrate Bisexuality Day
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
TUESDAY 24
Transfer Tuesdays at Downtown Saginaw
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
National Horchata Day
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Lotería Night: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Through Culture and Community
5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Women's Volleyball vs. Bay College Volleyball
6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY 25
National Quesadilla Day
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
THURSDAY 26
European Day of Languages (E.D.L.)
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
FRDAY 27
Michigan Native American Day
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Women's Soccer vs. Owens Community College 1:00 – 4:00pm
ARTS &ENTERTAINMENT
Arthur and his meme culture
Celebrating nearly thirty years of the hit PBS series and its meme status
Austin Gonzales | Staff Reporter
After 26 years on the air, the hit animated PBS series “Arthur” aired its final episode in February 2022. For those who never watched the show, it follows the titular aardvark and his friends dealing with problems children often have in day-to-day life. Along with Arthur are his 3rd grade elementary friends – Buster, Muffy, The Brain, Binky and Francine to name a few. For almost three decades we watched Arthur on our TV screens, but how did our first pal manage to last throughout the generations? That’s right, it’s the memes.
Beyond the educational messages were these charming characters brought to life by expressive artists and actors. As “Arthur” may as well be many toddlers' first television show, it also might be some of their first cognitive memories. Why are so many frames and lines of dialogue from the series so memorable? Well, it’s one of the things we first experienced as children and as we grow up; we may face life struggles that have us looking back to Arthur Read and pals.
The show’s influence is evident in the way today’s generations have recontextualized scenes for satirical observation.
“‘I can’t read’ for a child is quite literal, but for adults it’s an inability to infer that which is
metaphorical,” SVSU graduate Grace Mosher tells the Collegiate. “‘Go on the internet and lie’ follows a similar train, with the wild-ass holistic health trends running around.”
You see the memes all over social media shared by adults, teens and (hopefully supervised) children. In response, today's toddlers addicted to tablets with short-form videos get exposed to “Arthur” via memes. Thanks to said exposure, the quotable lines may get repeated and an interest peaks in one of television's greatest animated shows.
“Arthur” stayed relevant in our minds for more than just its memes. Our favorite aardvark became a nearly three-decades-long TV mainstay thanks to its spectacular writing, challenging young viewers about daily struggles without talking down to them. The show has covered hard topics like national tragedies, bullying, homework blues, weight gain, friends moving away, seeing teachers outside of school, snow days and cancer.
No matter the problem, Arthur and friends always ended things on a positive note, educating audiences on friendship, values and empathy. All from the show where that big glasses-wearing dork punches his sister in the arm.
Saginaw’s 4th Annual Showdown: art, food and fun this Saturday!
Onnie Stone | Editor in Chief
The annual live-art event will feature local and international talent, food trucks and art vendors.
Perfect for families, fellow artists and anyone looking for a fun Saturday, this Showdown is not one to miss. 10 iconic artists will be hard at work painting murals while attendees enjoy local food and art from over 30 vendors.
This year’s Showdown is the perfect opportunity to visit the second largest mural in the U.S., the painted Silos along the river in Old Town Saginaw. The event is free to the public and scheduled for this Saturday, Sept. 14 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
“We will be building installations for our artists to paint,” The Showdown Team shared on Facebook. “Including an area for the community wall to get the kids involved in Saginaw's art renaissance.”
Old Town Saginaw has made itself a haven for artists and art-enjoyers in the area with community projects like Showdown and The Great Mural Project. Once you've had your fill at the event, take a walk around to find more murals decorating the streets of Old Town.
“Come join us for this community minded event in the heart of our City of Saginaw!”
Michigan favorites like Flint’s Kevin Burdick and Charlie Boike, and Saginaw’s Devaughn Collins and Kayla PeakeTrautner have already been announced on the event’s facebook page. Congo, an artist from Peru will travel to Old Town Saginaw to paint alongside some of the best muralists Michigan has to offer.
Find pictures, event updates and more local art on the Old Town Saginaw Street Art Park Facebook page.
The Delta Collegiate is accepting student poetry and short story submissions! Submit your work for consideration to be featured in our next print in the fall at deltacollegiate@gmail.com.
Arthur, PBS.
Rock group rolls for the last time
Aerosmith retires from touring after fifty-four years
Rachel Walz | Staff Reporter
Hard rock group Aerosmith has made the decision to cut their farewell tour short after over fifty years of touring, citing a previous injury to lead singer Steven Tyler’s vocal cords and an insufficient recovery.
The band formed in 1970 in Boston, and recorded their eponymous debut album in 1973. The album did moderately well, with its lead single “Dream On” hitting the Billboard Top 100. But it wasn’t until 1975’s “Toys in the Attic" and 1976’s “Rocks" that the band would truly capture its audience.
“Toys in the Attic” was Aerosmith’s most financially successful album, with songs like “Sweet Emotion” and “Walk This Way” becoming some of the band's most popular songs. “Rocks” has majorly influenced many rock and metal artists; Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain considered it one of his favorite albums, and both Guns n’ Roses’ Slash and Metallica’s James Hetfield cite “Rocks” and Aerosmith as inspiring them to learn guitar.
Aerosmith would undergo a rough patch near the end of the 70’s. Increasing stardom and drug addiction affected the band’s cohesion as a unit. Both guitarists, Joe Perry and Brad Whitford, left the band during this period, and the band struggled with heavy metal bands killing album sales and Steven Tyler’s drug addiction worsening. Even a reunion with Perry and Whitford for 1985’s “Done with Mirrors” flopped, and the band was seen as a joke.
In 1986, hip-hop group Run-DMC recorded a cover of “Walk this Way” with Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, which renewed attention on Aerosmith and landed at number four on the Billboard charts. The band’s next album, “Permanent Vacation,” managed to sell over five million copies, and the now-sober band was revitalized with a pop metal sound that would persist on “Pump” and "Get a Grip.”
While subsequent albums would never quite reach Aerosmith’s peak, they continued to record and tour, with their first and only #1 single “I Don’t Want to Miss A Thing” being recorded for the soundtrack of 1998’s “Armageddon,” which starred Steven Tyler’s daughter Liv. The band played the half-time show at Super Bowl XXXV in 2001, alongside pop artists like N’SYNC, Britney Spears and Nelly. 2001 would also see the release of platinum album “Just Press Play,” and Aerosmith’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Aerosmith also managed to make their mark in popular culture. The band played as themselves in “Wayne’s World 2” as headliners of the “WayneStock” festival and in “The Simpsons” episode “Flaming Moe’s,” being one of the first high profile music groups to do so.
In 2011, Steven Tyler spent two seasons as a judge on “American Idol.” The band also made appearances in
video games like the arcade game “Revolution X” and the first band-exclusive rhythm game, “Guitar Hero: Aerosmith,” which is considered the top selling game out of both the “Guitar Hero” and “Rock Band” series.
By 2019, Aerosmith had slowed down to a Las Vegas residency, which would be canceled due to COVID-19 and resumed in 2022. While the band had intended to launch their farewell tour in 2023, Steven Tyler fractured his larynx a week into the tour, forcing the band to delay future dates another year. The band held out hope of finishing the tour before the confirmation on Aug. 2, 2024 that they would no longer be going ahead with the tour as Tyler’s voice had not sufficiently recovered. New music was not ruled out, but the band is done touring, marking the effective end of another iconic band.
STUDENT SUBMISSIONS
The members of Aerosmith have left their mark on rock history, with a half-century long career filled with many highs and lows. The band remained largely unchanged in lineup, but continued to experiment with various forms of rock, blues and metal within that time.
Bands like Van Halen, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Metallica, Testament, Motley Crue, and Guns n’ Roses have cited Aerosmith as an influence. Though their touring days are done, the music will live on, in playlists, music collections, films, video games, and most importantly of all, in the hearts of their fans.
Do you want to have something published or advertised? A great story, an awesome photo, an entertaining review, or even a business you want to promote? Student submissions can be sent to deltacollegiate@gmail.com for consideration in print or digital publications.
Joe Perry playing in concert on May 17, 2010; photo sourced from Mauge on flickr
LIFESTYLE
All about apples
The perfect apple filling for pie
Rileigh Benson | Staff Reporter
Move over pumpkins, it’s apples' time to shine. As fall slowly creeps up on us, menus everywhere are being released that mostly include pumpkin flavored – everything! But we mustn’t forget one of the most versatile and flavorful foods ever: apples. Apples create a wide variety of dishes to bring you into the spirit of fall like a simple caramel-covered apple or a classic apple pie. After hand-picking apples from Leaman’s Green Apple Barn in Freeland, it is time to make some homemade apple hand pies.
Since we are busy college students, I opt for premade pie crust sheets from the frozen aisle and make the pie filling from scratch. You will need:
• 6 tablespoons of water
• 3 tablespoons of butter
• 3 tablespoons of maple syrup or honey
• 9 apples
• 0.8 tablespoons vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons cinnamon
• 1 cup brown sugar
1. We begin by dicing our apples, then place them into a pan and add water, let the apples soak and cover them until soft. The next step is to add the ingredients and stir. We cover it once again and continue to check on the apples, along with occasional taste tests!
2. To prep the premade dough, we toss some flour onto our surface and cover our hands, then apply it to the dough front and back. After doing so, we can cut the dough into any shape we desire – I chose some spooky ghosts and bats. Once we have our shaped dough pieces, we ensure we have an even amount to make sure there’s a front and back for our hand pies and that they’re big enough to be filled and closed properly. We lay one half of the shaped dough flat on the counter, grab a small spoonful of the pie filling, and put it in the center of the dough, finish then by placing the other half of the dough piece on top. To close the tiny hand pie, we grab a fork and use the prongs all around the edges to close the pie.
3. Before we bake, eggs are needed for a refreshing egg wash as the pies bake. Crack a few eggs, stir them in a bowl until all the yolks are scrambled, then grab a brush and lightly brush the egg wash onto the pie. After brushing our pies, we can now bake them! Follow the instructions on the premade pie crust you bought and patiently wait for deliciousness.
4. To top off the pies once they’re finished, you could sprinkle cinnamon or powdered sugar on top to complete. You can adjust the apple pie filling ingredients to your own liking or make your own crust - enjoy!
How a kitchen timer saved my life
The Pomodoro Technique is the study hack revered by students and professionals everywhere
Onnie Stone | Editor in Chief
An Italian guy, a kitchen timer and a to-do list walk into a bar – which is a terrible start to a joke, but a great start to tackling your mounting to-do list.
The Pomodoro Technique was coined by Francesco Cirillo, named “Pomodoro” for the tomato-shaped timer he used to hone his productivity and time-management.
The technique follows a series of timed steps. Start by setting a timer and work on a task for 25 minutes. When the timer goes off, set the timer to five minutes and take a short break. You will repeat these two steps a few times. Then, set the timer for 20-30 minutes and take a longer break. Rinse and repeat until you’re satisfied with how much work you’ve done.
As you work, resist any temptations that will take you out of your work. You are committing a set amount of time to your task and would be doing yourself a disservice to break your flow. Plus, the break is never too far off.
Try to resist working during your set break time. The breaks are an essential part of this technique, and your mind and body will appreciate the breaks.
Some say to stick to a set amount of time for each step, but I welcome some flexibility. The important part is finding what works for you.
Pro tip: You may be tempted to reach for your phone when it’s time for your break, but avoid spending most of your break on your phone! The break gives you time
to check in with yourself and your body. Do you need to go to the bathroom? Could you use a snack or some water? When was the last time you stretched? Is your pet getting enough attention? Plus, your eyes need the break; did you know that blinking is reduced by 66% when looking at a screen?
If you want to give the Pomodoro Technique a try, there are plenty of websites and apps to help you get started. My personal favorite is Flocus. The Flocus productivity dashboard is customizable and offers the perfect amount of aesthetic appeal to keep you motivated. Really, though, any old timer will do the trick.
Pomodoro makes to-do lists less daunting and helps empower you to accomplish your goals, big or small. Seeing how much you’ve gotten done by the end of a session is rewarding and will motivate you to do more in the future. Even if you lose track of the timer, you’ll already have gotten started on your work, and isn’t that the hardest part?
For a student struggling to focus, the right study technique really can feel life-saving. Whether it’s school, work or personal pursuits, the Pomodoro Technique is a tried and true method for getting work done.
Homemade apple hand pies are perfect for fall, Aug. 31, 2024; photo credit Rileigh Benson
Illustrated by Asher Silas Hardy | Staff Illustrator
SPORTS
Duck Dynasty
Another season begins for women's soccer, will this be the year they win it all?
One national championship, five-time national runner-up, seven straight NJCAA Region XII championships, and ranked in the NJCAA top 10 for 2,800 days. The women’s soccer team is certainly a powerhouse, but another title would certainly crown them a dynasty.
After an undefeated regular season and a shocking loss in the national title game, head coach Damon Amey returns nine players from last season’s runner-up team. The nine competitors are responsible for 47% of Delta’s 135 goals and 45% of the team’s assists. Most notably are the attacking duo of Peyton Pratt and Kaylee Shattuck, who combined for 32 goals and 27 assists.
The coach also brings back a core leadership group, featuring a captain's trio of forward Grace Sczepanski, midfielder Kendall Jackson, and midfielder Reagan King. Beyond the captains, the women return defender Aidda Freeman, midfielder Mady Kler, forward Catherine Mueller, forward Mikalah Lewis, and midfielder Anna Sabo.
CHECK OUT DELTA'S CLUBS AND ORGANIZATION
With a few games into the season, some new faces have emerged: forward/midfielder Alaina Schalk scored four goals against Lake Michigan College, forward/midfielder Molly Siler has contributed two goals and an assist, midfielder/forward Alexa Verhelst brought a goal and two assists, and goalkeeper Mia Warner has netted two shutouts and was named the Michigan Community College Athletic Association player of the week for Aug. 18-25.
The women entered the season ranked No. 2 in the nation, only behind their foe in last season’s national title game, the College of Dallas-Brookhaven Bears.
I try not to make predictions, but this one seems rather safe: The women will win the regional title and make a deep run in the NJCAA tournament. The women control their own destiny, and if they seize the title, the squad and dynasty will be remembered forever.
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5 sports spotlights
Top sports updates and key moments
Caitlin Clark should be Rookie of the Year.
The Indiana Fever have made the playoffs for the first time since 2015 behind the force that is Caitlin Clark. The rookie leads WNBA newcomers in points per game and assists. She has led the charge with teammate Aliyah Boston in turning the Fever around. Clark has only one major obstacle to her claim as Rookie of the Year: the Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese. Reese has excelled in the WNBA as well, leading the league in rebounds per game and averaging a double-double throughout the season. I think it will be a tight race for the award, but I feel that Clark will squeak by Reese. Clark will win the award based on her role in breaking the nine-year playoff drought for the Fever.
Loons wrap up season
The Midland-based Great Lakes Loons finished their season last week with a record of 69-61 and failed to make the Midwest League playoffs. To qualify, teams in the league must win one of the halves of the season. The Loons finished seven games behind the Lake County Captains in the first half and four games behind the Dayton Dragons in the second half. The team finished with a record of 33-33 at Dow Diamond and 36-28 on the road. The Loons boasted the Midwest League’s home run leader, Chris Newell; the fifth-ranked player in stolen bases, Dylan Campbell; and top prospects such as Josue De Paula, Alex Freeland, and Jackson Ferris.
Lions limp through season opener
The Detroit Lions opened their season with an overtime win against former quarterback Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams. The game was close throughout, with Detroit leading by a touchdown at halftime but lacking the offensive chances that were expected. The Lions had three drives in the first half where they went three-and-out, scored a field goal, and scored a touchdown. After a Jameson Williams touchdown in the third quarter, the Lions went cold. The offense had three drives after the touchdown, which resulted in two punts and an interception. Stafford showed the magic he was capable of for so long in Detroit, picking the defense apart in the second half. When it came to crunch time, the Lions' offense found itself with
a nine-play drive to tie the game at 20 at the end of the fourth quarter. In overtime, Detroit won the toss, took the ball, and ran it through the heart of the Rams' defense for the win. Not a great first game on either side of the ball, but “A win is a win.”
Tarik Skubal is the best pitcher in baseball
The Detroit Tigers have their ace. Tarik Skubal has absolutely dominated Major League Baseball this season, being tied for the league lead in wins, second in ERA and strikeouts, third in earned runs, seventh in walks allowed, and eighth in batting average allowed and home runs allowed. Needless to say, Skubal has been the talk of the league; he’s a front-runner for the AL Cy Young Award and must-see television every time he starts. Skubal is in line for his first major contract extension after heading to arbitration last season. It’s up to the Tigers' front office to give the ace the money he’s looking for.
PWHL announces team names
The Professional Women’s Hockey League announced on Sept. 9 the names and logos of its existing franchises. After a first year without titles, the league came in with some questionable names. The six PWHL franchises are the Boston Fleet, Minnesota Frost, Montreal Victoire, New York Sirens, Ottawa Charge, and Toronto Sceptres. Fans of the league have been eager for team names since the league was first announced.
If I were to rank them, Ottawa is at the bottom; its logo is a mix of the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Calgary Flames—not great. Next, I’d say the Sirens, with a logo that has some personality but not enough to be ranked higher. I would then rank a tie between the Fleet and Frost. Both use a primarily letter-based logo, with elements reflecting the name (the B for Boston is an anchor, the F for Minnesota is frosted). The Sceptres have a regal-looking logo, but not enough to unseat the Victoire, which features a logo with the wings of victory, a Fleur-de-Lis, and a hidden M. The league has made significant strides, so having team branding is a massive improvement.
Blake Metiva | Staff Reporter
Blake Metiva | Staff Reporter
Soccer ball laying in grass, June 1, 2017; photo sourced from Jazmin Oteo on Flickr
EDITORIAL
Delta brought back to life as enrollment soars
As enrollment climbs, Delta's campus is revitalized—but can it handle the growth?
Illustrated by Asher Silas Hardy | Staff Illustrator
After shutting down during the COVID-19 pandemic, the halls of Delta College looked—and felt—a lot more like the Catacombs of Paris than the inside of a community college.
Delta is not alone in the struggle to get people back to school. As a two-year college, the institution was even more vulnerable to the drop in enrollment. Since then, the college has faced an uphill battle in getting more students enrolled.
“I noticed a fluctuation especially after COVID,” 28-year-old student Stephan says. “Before coming here it seemed like the halls would be filled, and now it seems like a lot more online, less people in person.”
Seeing so many students, we are reminded of what campus was like before the world shut down.
This semester, we were shocked to see Delta’s main campus hallways teeming with people. Seeing so many students, we are reminded of what campus was like before the world shut down.
“I heard from two faculty members that their departments have seen the largest number of students engaged in their department ever in the history of Delta,” communications student Alauna Millward says. “Since even pre-COVID.”
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, 10,000 students were enrolled at Delta. After the school shut down, Delta went to work on optimizing online learning platforms. Despite the college’s efforts, numbers plummeted.
In 2022, the school recorded 3,000 fewer students. One year later, the school recorded 7,646 students. This was part of a nationwide trend in declining college and university enrollment.
This semester, nearly 8,400 students are enrolled at Delta. The college surpassed its projected Fall 2024 contact hours by more than 8,000 hours. If enrollment continues to follow this upward trend, Delta is on its way to reaching pre-COVID numbers.
“I think [Delta is] just known as one of the more popular community colleges in the area,” Stephan says. “They seek out Delta because it is a good starting college to get their foot in the door to further them in their career.”
The college surpassed its projected Fall 2024 contact hours by more than 8,000 hours.
Ashley, a 35-year-old psychology major, is newly enrolled at Delta College. She says she came back to college so she can one day own the business she works for. She is pursuing a master’s degree and will be transferring to SVSU after studying for two years at Delta.
“I tried to go back last year and it wasn't nearly as busy as it is this year,” Ashley says.
She says people are going back to school because of “a crippling economy.” Higher-paying jobs tend to require more schooling, so if you want to be financially stable, you are looking at more time in school.
“Nobody can afford to live anymore,” Ashley says. “So I think we’re gonna see an increase in people coming back to school—that’s why I’m doing it.”
Whatever the reason may be for more people going back to school, Delta is becoming a much livelier place as a result.
“The drama department has seen the most auditions this semester than ever before in its entirety,” Millward says. “I heard that from Maxwell Teal, who has been a part of Delta Drama for two semesters.”
With the student population on the rise, college will be a more rewarding experience for students. After all, it’s hard to make connections with peers when your school is a ghost town.
But some students have voiced concerns about how well the college will handle the increased number of attendees.
“I think it’s a good thing that people are pursuing their educational needs, but in the same sense, I don’t know if Delta has the capacity to keep up with the student population,” Ashley says. “Which is obviously cause for concern.”
Rising numbers can put a strain on faculty and staff, technology, and infrastructure. Some students are already having trouble finding parking on campus, and faculty are dealing with the pressures of increased student numbers and overcrowded classes. If professors become overwhelmed with students, the quality of education could suffer.
We can speculate about Delta’s future, but for now, it’s refreshing to see students back on campus.
What do you think? Is a golden age in Delta’s future? Or will Delta be unable to meet the demands of a growing student body?
Delta College's University Center parking lot is filled with cars, University Center, Sept. 10, 2024; photo credit Emma Blakley
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Illustrated by Lindsey Welch | Staff Illustrator
