Issuu

IV Leader the award-winning student newspaper of illinois valley c o m m u n i t y college volume 53 Issue 3 october 11, 2018

news:

spring registration deadline page 2

hispanic leadership team duff le bag project page 3

culture:

hispanic heritage month page 7

opinion:

you voted: favorite conspiracy theories page 11

IV Leader Photo/Summer hoagland-abernathy

NEWS fafsa open, ivcc’s fall registration to open on Nov. 7

October 11, 2018

IV LEADER

By Megan Brooker

IV Leader Opinioin Editor

COMPTROLLER SUSANA MENDOZA

IV Leader Photo/Sydney Johnson

Mendoza spoke to IVCC students and faculty on Oct. 4 about the importance of involvement in government and pursuing personal passions.

state comptroller susana mendoza to invest in students By Sydney Johnson

IV Leader Culture Co-Editor

Lured in not only by the free pizza but also by the inspiring words of the speaker, students gathered Oct. 4 in room CTC 124 to hear State Comptroller Susana Mendoza talk about college funding in regards to “investing in our kids.” Mendoza was enthusiastic about students using their college years as an opportunity to learn about themselves and discover what they’re passionate about in life. She cares not only about investing in the college but also about investing in the people inside the college. Said Mendoza, “Investing in our kids is always a great investment.” The emphasis from this gathering was that funding is definitely getting better than it has been in the past, and students should be optimistic in pursuing their dreams. Said Student Trustee Joseph Merenda, “I thought Susana gave an amazing talk. She really connected ona personal level with the students in attendance.” Mendoza also wanted students to know that they do not have to worry about not getting their money from the Monetary Assistence Program, often called the MAP Grants. She assured students that they will still have the grants. She also encouraged students involvement in government. A business major with an emphasis in marketing, Mendoza used her passion and education to market herself when running for the Illinois House of Representatives. IVCC College Democrat staff advisor Mike Phillips said, “I really appreciate that she was willing to give so much of her time to the IVCC community.” Along with the Oct. 4 meeting, Mendoza took a tour of the college and met privately with staff and administration.

As the cooler temperatures and holiday cheer of fall are upon us, there is another reason to get excited about the upcoming season. That’s right; it’s time to register for spring classes and FAFSA. While those two things may be less than thrilling, their completion is something every student is definitely going to want to check off their to-do list in the next few weeks. Fortunately, IVCC has several resources available to make this process as seamless as possible and get students back to enjoying everything an Illinois Valley autumn has to offer. First, if enrolling at any college or university during the 2019-2020 school year, completing the FAFSA is the place to start. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid opened on Oct. 1, and students are highly encouraged to begin the filing process as soon as possible. While the deadline is not until June 19, 2019, it is important students look into the deadline for the institution they plan on attending next year. For IVCC, students must have the FAFSA completed in order to be eligible to apply for 2019-2020 Foundation scholarships, due in February. If students have questions about the filing process as they go along or just don’t know where to get begin, IVCC has help open to all students in the Financial Aid and Veterans Affair office. They are holding information sessions 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 16 and 9-11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 5 in the counseling center computer room (CTC202R). All students need to have on hand is their FSA ID (which can be set up at fafsa.gov), password, and 2017 tax return. Spring Registration: Nov. 7 With the fall semester already at midterms, it’s time to start looking ahead to spring courses. The counseling center has had a busy few weeks, with

scheduled appointments booked nearly until November. As always though, students are welcome to walk in to counseling at any time, with slots available on a first come first serve basis. At an appointment, students can expect to have a full 45-minute to one-hour block to talk to their counselor, which is if a student has transfer questions or is considering a program change. Alternately, at a walk-in there may be less time to discuss these details in depth, but both ultimately have the same end goal: set up a schedule that will work with the student’s career ambitions. After meeting with a counselor, students will have all their courses set up in their WebAdvisor shopping cart, so all they have to do on Nov. 7—the first day classes open to register—is sign in and confirm. This ensures that students are able to take the specific sections and classes they want without all the uncertainty that can come from having to rush to meet with counseling as well. As Vice President for Student Services, Mike Grzybowski, said, “It’s better to do everything early. Whether it’s registering for classes or paying for tuition, the sooner the better. This ensures that if something were to fall through, there’s time to correct it.” And while registration does not begin until Nov. 7, online course schedules are currently available in a pdf at the bottom of the college home page, and hard copies will come out soon. This schedule includes important dates, phone numbers, enrollment steps, a registration form and a listing of all Ottawa Center and main campus classes. Classes begin Jan. 9. Spring tuition is due by 7 p.m. Dec. 5, and Spring Preview for new students is Jan. 7. You can also request a hard copy through mail at 815-224-0447. So with that in mind, take the time to continue your education aspirations on the best foot possible for this spring and beyond.

October 11, 2018

NEWS

IV LEADER

IV Leader Photo/Summer Hoagland-Abernathy

A ‘SWEET’ SURPRISE

Hispanic Leadership Team President Lillian Rodrigues and Vice President Erick Rosales showcse the duffle bags and items to be sent to the Illinois Valley Youth Service Bureau.

hispanic leadership team ‘sweet cases’ project to benefit illinois valley foster teenagers By Summer Hoagland-Abernathy IV Leader Editor-in-Chief

Foster teenagers across the Illinois Valley only had garbage bags to hold their belongings until IVCC’s Hispanic Leadership Team raised $600 this semester to help end this problem with “sweet cases.” Team members traveled door-to-door, asking local businesses from Princeton, Spring Valley, Streator, Depue, Mendota and LaSalle-Peru to donate to the cause, which will help children who go through the Illinois Valley Youth Service Bureau. The original objective was to raise enough money to buy reusable bags for the children to keep and to stuff them with gifts. However, according to Vice President of the Hispanic Leadership Team, Erick Rosales, not only was the goal of $600 met, but the team collected a myriad of donations in the form of supplies as well.

St. Margaret’s Hospital donated 30 duffle bags so that the team would have more money to spend on supplies; Flower Mart in LaSalle sent stuffed animals and OSF HealthCare donated wallets, shirts, notepads and chapstick. The Hispanic Leadership Team will also be ordering from Amazon hygiene products, travel kits, socks, fleece blankets, nail polish, deodorant and body spray. Said Rosales, “We were trying to do something to kind of… brighten [a foster child’s] day, I guess you could day. It’s something nicer for them to be able to put all their stuff in.” The Youth Service Bureau’s Coordinator of Homeless Services, Kelly Shymanski, can attest to how much the “sweet cases” come in handy for the foster children. She explained, “These bags give them something to carry their possessions in, and it’s something of their own. It can be awkward to ask a stranger for shampoo,

deodorant or a toothbrush, so it’s nice that these bags contain these type of items. We want the youth to feel welcome, so anything we can do helps.” According to Shymanski, this donation is actually not the first round of “sweet bags” to go through the Illinois Valley Youth Service Bureau, but where the first sets went to younger children, these duffle bags will be geared specifically to 12 to 18 years olds. The Hispanic Leadership Team will soon be choosing dates for the team and volunteers to pack and send the bags to the bureau. And even though the donations have been collected already, it’s still not too late to give to this cause. For information on how you can donate, Sara Dady, staff advisor for the Hispanic Leadership Team, can be reached at 815-224-0355, and donations can be made to IVCC Hispanic Leadership Team.

NEWS new faces on campus: teacher spotlights October 11, 2018

JESSIE BOUXSEIN: NURSING

IV LEADER

DAVID BARNES, ECONOMICS

Get to know IVCC’s new nursing professor.

Meet IVCC’s newest business professor.

IV Leader Photo/ Elle Bottom

David Barnes, Economics Submitted Photo

Jessie Bouxsein, Nursing Where are you from originally? I grew up in Waltham Township, just North of Utica. Where did you attend college and what degree do you hold? I received my Associate’s degree here at IVCC. I received my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Western Governors University. I currently hold a Masters degree in nursing education. What classes or positions are you currently assigned? I am one of the instructors for lab, clinical, and seminar for NUR 1201 and NUR 1202 this fall. I will be a lecture instructor for NUR 1211 in the spring. Are you new to teach-

ing? If not, where did you teach before IVCC? Yes, this is my first teaching job. What are your impressions, not only of the students, but also the atmosphere at IVCC, and your fellow faculty and staff ? The atmosphere is wonderful here, everyone is so kind and helpful. The students and staff have been welcoming and flexible. So far, what is your favorite aspect of IVCC? My favorite aspect is the atmosphere and how much I have already connected with my students and co-workers. What is your favorite thing about the area? My

favorite

thing

in the area is when the

leaves

start

changing.

Such beautiful colors! What should a student know about you? I am always willing to try new ways of teaching. If you’re not gaining the knowledge that you require to thrive, please inform me, I appreciate constructive criticism. You are more likely to succeed if we can work together to achieve your goals. What do you hope to achieve during your time at IVCC? I hope to make a difference in my students’ lives. Our nursing program is already great, I hope to contribute to its greatness in any way I can.

Where are you from originally? I was born in Nashville and raised in Paris, Tenn., a small town very much like Princeton, where I now live. Where did you attend college and what degree do you hold? I finished college at UT Knoxville (Go, Vols!) in Business Administration – Economics. I went to UNC – Chapel Hill (Go, Tar Heels!) for grad school in Economic Development (City and Regional Planning), and to seminary in Chicago. My PhD work is from the Fighting Blue Hens of the University of Delaware! What classes or positions are you currently assigned? I get to teach Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Business Statistics and the introductory Fundamentals of Economics.

Are you new to teaching? If not, where did you teach before IVCC? Yes! This is my first full-time teaching position. I’ve taught Investment Management and Portfolio Analysis a couple of times at another community college, and team-taught with my mentor six courses on Organizational Leadership / Change Management at UD. What are your impressions, not only of the students, but also the atmosphere at IVCC, and your fellow faculty and staff ? I love the feel of IVCC.

That students

and staff are so real and eager to do a great job. It’s a beautiful campus – even though it took me a whole day this summer to find my way around

the

building

names from the map!

So far, what is your favorite aspect of IVCC? By far, the people! Students and my colleagues help in so many ways. They make this a fun place to be every day! What is your favorite thing about the area? I like the water and hiking trails! And all the local restaurants. I really like to eat! What should a student know about you? I’m curious about what you want to know, what you want to learn, where you’re coming from and what you want to do with the new knowledge we gain! What do you hope to achieve during your time at IVCC? I hope to help students be able to be even more successful in their careers.

NEWS college night preview IV LEADER

By Rachel Maggio IV Leader Web Editor

The 46th Annual College Night hosted by Illinois Valley Community College will take place 6:30 to 8 p.m, Oct. 23 from. in the gymnasium. Although this event is directed normally toward students in high school who are in the middle of the college search process, parents and current IVCC students who are looking to transfer are welcome to attend. Last year, this event had many representatives from multiple schools and careers. This year, there will be about 40 in attendance. Some in-state schools are Illinois State University, Northern Illinois University, Southern Illinois University and

Lincoln College. There will even be a variety of outof-state schools making the trip, including North Carolina State University, Iowa Wesleyan University, University of Wisconsin and Valparaiso University. Representatives will be able to answer any inquiries students may have about the application process, cost of attendance, the transfer process and any other questions. There will also be many branches of the Armed Forces in attendance for students or community members who interested in joining the military. Students and parents also have the option to attend a financial aid seminar at 5:30 p.m., given by Cody Whightsil from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission and Patty Williamson, Director of Financial Aid at IVCC.

FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP NIGHT

October 11, 2018

IV Leader Photo/Summer Hoagland-Abernathy

Fran Brolley, director of development, speaks to recipients and donors at the Sept. 27 scholarship recognition event.

sga freshmen elected Mackenzie Brady of La Salle has been elected freshman representative of the Illinois Valley Community College Student Government Association following recent freshman elections. Isabel Pozzi of Dalzell and Chelsea Piper of Princeton were elected to the freshman programming board. “I was pleased with the turnout of voters. It is great when we have contested races, and this year we had eight people running for three positions,” said Cory Tomasson, student activities coordinator. “We have a tremendous group of sophomores already in place and these freshman will be able to come right in and get started.” A total of 148 ballots were cast in the election.

ivcc students in engle lane’s ‘rocky horror show’ By Summer Hoagland-Abernathy IV Leader Editor-in-Chief

Students Sarah Anne Hunter and Griffin Tabor star as fiancees Janet Weiss and Brad Majors. Featured also is Ashley Hurst as Columbia and Abigail Colby as the choreographer. Student Sierra Granados is also featured in the enesmble. “The Rocky Horror Show” will continue at Engle Lane with 7:30 showtimes until after Saturday, Oct. 13.

WE WANT YOUR BLOOD

IV Leader Photo/Sydney Johnson

The Red Cross’s blood drive in IVCC’s gym on Oct. 2 was succesful in pulling in and sucking out donations. Featured in the top photo: students Payton Erricson and Sabrina Hights, nurses Robyn Tutt, Wendy Sugar, Jennifer Fore, Holly Baker and Sylena O’Brien and student Samantha Ansteth (left to right). In the bottom photo, Tricia Draper is ready to donate. For anyone who could not make it to this past drive, there will be another on Jan. 17, 2019.

October 11, 2018

NEWS

SPAMO CHOOSES 2018 OFFICERS

IV LEADER

IV Leader/Summer Hoagland-Abernathy

Ashley Hurst, right, who was recently re-elected SPAMO president, talks with advisor David Kuester during a recent SPAMO meeting. In addition of Hurst, other officers are: Vice President: Erik Aguilar Secretary: Patrick Foley Treasurer: Adam Paden Historian: Sarah Anne Hunter

IVCC’S RIVER PROJECT: TESTING

IV Leader Photos/Summer Hoagland-Abernathy

Illinois Valley Community College participates in the River Project in which students and faculty volunteer their time to ensure the safety of the water and wildlife in the area. Saturday, Sept. 15 was the first date to colunteer, but 8:30 on Saturday, Oct. 13 will be the next available time to go. Students meet in the IVCC parking lot and depart to the Vermillion River, where they perform qualitative and quantitative research to test the health of the river. Biology, chemistry, geology, geography and sociology are all used during this testing, according to IVCC’s River Project website.

ELECTRICAL FIRE AT IVCC

IV Leader Photo /Kyle Russell

An electrical problem caused the cancellation of Monday night classes at IVCC’s main campus after 5:30 on Oct. 8. Although classes did not resume for the rest of the evening, a volleyball game did continue. Firefighters arrived to asses the situation, and eventually, the building was deemed fit for classes the next day.

7 CULTURE hispanic heritage month: sept. 11-oct. 11 IV LEADER

October 11, 2018

IV Leader Photo/Summer Hoagland-Abernathy

MEXICAN FOLKLORE DANCE GROUP ‘DE COLORES’

“De Colores,” a Mexican Folkloric dance group, returned to IVCC to perform Oct. 8 in the Dr. Mary Margaret Weeg Cultural Center as part of the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration. This event was sponsored by IVCC’s Hispanic Leadership Team, Diversity Team, and Hispanic Partnership Council.

‘DOLORES’

IV Leader Photos/Summer Hoagland-Abernathy

Photo from the official “Dolores” website

The final event of our Hispanic Heritage Month celebration will be a viewing of the film “Dolores” at noon Monday, Oct. 15 in Room CTC125. The film documents the life of Dolores Huerta who bucked 1950s gender conventions by starting the country’s first farm workers’ union with fellow organizer Cesar Chavez. Sponsored by IVCC’s Hispanic Leadership Team, Diversity Team and The Hispanic Partnership Council, this event is free and food and refreshments will be provided.

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS

Licensed for reuse by Flickr

Although this event will take place after Hispanic Heritage Month, the Hispanic Leadership Team will be hosting a Day of the Dead event Nov. 2. There willl be decorations, and students will be bringing in pictures of passed loved ones with a message for them. According to National Geographic, “Day of the Dead combines the ancient Aztec custom of celebrating ancestors with All Souls’ Day, a holiday that Spanish invaders brought to Mexico starting in the early 1500s.”

CHICKEN ENCHILADAS RED SAUCE

WITH

The Hispanic Leadership Team hosted chef Gustavo Monjarras The recipe includes eight dried Chilis Guajillo, six dried Chilis Ancho, two tablesopoons of chicken boullion powder, one tablespoon garlic powder, half a tablespoon black pepper, one tablespoon cumin, one and a half tablespoons of salt and six Tbs. of flour.

October 11, 2018

CULTURE

IV LEADER

AN UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL LOOK AT REHEARSAL FOR ‘SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES’

IV Leader Photo/Summer Hoagland-Abernathy

Adam Paden and Patrick Foley rehearse scenes for IVCC’s fall play. Performance dates will be Oct. 26 and 27 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 28 at 2 p.m. in the Mary Margaret Weeg Cultural Center.

new faces to star in ivcc’s fall play this oct. “Something Wicked” isn’t the only thing that’s coming to the Mary Margaret Weeg Cultural Center this October: first-year students Adam Paden and Patrick Foley are making their IVCC stage debuts as starring roles Will Halloway and Jim Nightshade. And although Paden and Foley play the characters, who are best friends, with brotherly affection, the two only met at auditions for the show on Aug. 29 of this year. On and off-stage witty banter and friendly gestures carried on through rehearsals. Said Foley, “I just met Adam a little under a month ago, and he’s been a good friend to me ever since.” But on their own, both Paden and Foley are accomplished actors in the area. With Mendota High School, Foley played Scuttle the Seagull in “The Little Mermaid”

and R. M. Renfield in a radio play of “Dracula,” along with other various roles. Similarly, Paden at LaSalle-Peru High School played Shrek in “Shrek: The Musical” and Willard in “Footloose” and various roles as well. Although neither have had much experience with straight plays, they’re working hard to fill the shoes of Halloway and Nightshade and to connect with their audience. Paden commented, “I’ve only been in musicals, so a play seemed super fun… The arts are an important way to connect to other people through experiencing their thoughts and feelings and to understand what it means to be human.” Foley agreed, mentioning the challenge that a dramatic, straight play can bring to

the table as opposed to comedies and musicals. But the trials were viewed positively. Said Foley, “I feel like most productions now around here are comedies and musicals, and ‘Something Wicked This Way Comes’ could be a nice change from that.” To experience this “nice change” in local theatre, see “Something Wicked This Way Comes” at IVCC’s Mary Margaret Weeg Cultural Center Oct. 26 and 27 at 7:30 p.m. and SUMMER HOAGLAND-ABERNATHY Oct. 28 at 2 p.m. IV LEADER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

cult culture

IV LEADER

OPINION

October 11, 2018

letters to the editor:

stand with ivcc’s adjunct teachers

Labeled for reuse by Wikemidia Commons

WASHINTON UNIVERSITY CAMPUS IN ST. LOUIS

IVCC Alumnus Josh Wray refelects on his community college education and how it has helped him at the university level.

ivcc ed rivals university level

DEAR EDITOR, I’m not sure if it is policy to allow non-staff writers or even non-IVCC students to submit to the Leader, but, if you’ll take it, I have something to shareTo my fellow community college students: don’t be afraid. Almost three years ago, I felt like I had been downgraded to a life lesser than the one I had planned in high school. I reached for the Ivy League, but life took me off of that path, at least for a while. I ended up at IVCC where I met people who became some of my best friends and where I did things that I now look back on lovingly. But, alas, IVCC ends for all of us, and the next step can woefully intimidating. For me, the plan was to simply continue on to finish my bachelor’s degree and hopefully turn that into something successful in the fast-approaching real world. I was sure my previously desired future at Stanford or Yale was now far out of the realm of possibility, but I was wrong. I can’t remember exactly what made up my mind, but I decided to go for it again. So, when application season came around, I took my second shot and ended up with a generous financial aid package at one of the top universities in the world: Washington University in St. Louis. I was thrilled. I was emotional. I was terrified. How could I perform at WashU? Other students there went to special preparatory schools. Other students there took 10 AP classes in high school. How could I hope to keep up with the geniuses that attend this institution?

Well, I do it everyday. I learned after my first semester that I had nothing to fear. My classmates are definitely smart, and my professors are world-renowned experts, but I am, by all accounts, successful. I can still get A’s on exams, I can still lead discussions in class and I can still hold intelligent conversations with my professors. To anyone who didn’t know my story, it would seem like I was just as qualified to be there as any one of the other 7,000 undergrads. The secret? I am. When I first arrived, I was afraid I would be woefully behind the curve, but I soon learned that nothing about my history was holding me back. My education at IVCC was just as good as, and in some cases better than, the equivalent at WashU. I was just as prepared and driven as any other WashU student. My worries were futile. So, I am here as a WashU junior preparing to write an honors thesis and apply to graduate programs at Stanford and Yale (and Berkeley and Michigan and Northwestern…) telling you that community college students can do it. We can make it to the top. You can make it to the top. BY JOSH WRAY IVCC ALUMNUS

Just over 25 percent of Illinois Valley Community College’s classes are taught by adjunct faculty, according to the Quick Facts information on the college’s web site. Day in and day out, these committed professionals provide instruction in the college classroom on the main campus, at IVCC’s Ottawa Center, and at several high schools and other locations where IVCC offers its services. It is a fact that no college can survive today without its part-time faculty. For that reason, Local 1810 American Federal of Teachers would like to underscore its support for our parttime teachers and counselors across our college community. While forces of lower college enrollments and questions of equitable pay rates commensurate with the stressful work of teaching are always areas of concern, Local 1810 stands with our adjunct colleagues and values the tremendous work they do in IVCC classrooms.

BY STEVE ALVIN PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL 1810 EXECUTIVE BAORD, THE FACULTY UNION Letters to the editor must be signed and should be addressed to the IV Leader, Office B-316, IVCC, 815 N. Orlando Smith Ave., Oglesby, IL 61348-9691.

OPINION

October 11, 2018

IV LEADER

e accountability in the #MeToo era d i t o

The #MeToo movement has done a lot of important work over the past year, pulling from the bright lights of Hollywood a lot of men who abused their power and hurt many more people. However, a noticeable trend that has surfaced amongst these small victories is an injustice that involves the most powerful people in this country. Politicians, despite their place in the public eye and their position in authority, are not being held accountable for their actions. Most notably in the current moment, Brett Kavanaugh is finally being questioned on his alleged past accounts of gross misconduct, and the amount of time on the decision of whether or not to let him into the Supreme Court, one of the most powerful governing positions in the country, was appalling. A survivor of the alleged assaults, Christine Blasey Ford, has gone through polygraph tests, testimonies and therapy, yet the country stands with a possible sex offender as a Supreme Court Justice. But one man, who has allegedly committed numerous sex crimes, has far more power over this na-

tion than a Supreme Court Judge. President Donald Trump has not only admitted on tape to “grabbing them by the pussy” but he also has evidence going against his claim that he did not pay adult-actor Stormy Daniels to remain quiet about extra-marital sex. This evidence is a receipt for a $130,000 hush-money check sent to Daniels. But even going back in history to Bill Clinton’s scandal concerning Monica Lewinsky, a victor is clear. Clinton today maintains the image of a sweet, bumbling old man, who plays the saxophone and supports his wife’s campaigns for the presidency, while Lewinsky to many people is a joke, an outdated reference to parody. However, a closer look at the evidence shows that Clinton, 49 at the time of the scandal, allegedly used his power as president of a nation to take advantage of a 22-year old Lewinsky. The phrase “like taking candy from a baby” comes to mind. But sexual abuse allegations concerning people in positions of power have always been prominent in American history. Just look at the allegations made against Thomas Jefferson concerning his abuse of power toward Sally

Hemings, whom he “owned” as a slave. Again, there is an obvious pattern that exists amongst people like this. Mad with power, people are driven to violent acts because they think they can get away with anything because that is what the world has told them. Money laundering, tax evasion, sexual assault—of course, these acts are not all equivalent in terms of grotesqueness, but they are all relevant to today’s abuses of power. What needs to happen if we want to stop this trend is people in power need to be held responsible for their actions. And I’m not talking about jailing them for only six months like sex offender Brock Turner because, as his judge said, “A prison sentence would have a severe impact on him.” I’m sure that sexual assault has had a “severe impact” on the survivors too. Hold these alleged criminals as accountable as you would the owner of your least favorite pub or the nameless person you just passed by on the street. Politicians are just as capable of doing something wrong as any of us, and we should treat them that way—as equals, you could say.

r i

IV Leader, a member of the Associated Collegiate Press, is published monthly by students of Illinois Valley Community College. Editorials and columns express the opinions of student and staff members and do not necessarily express the views of IVCC, the administration or the Board. Editorial opinions are those of a student editorial board. Letters to the editor must be signed and should be addressed to the IV Leader, Office B-316, IVCC, 815 N. Orlando Smith Ave., Oglesby, IL 61348-9691.

IV LEADER ONLINE www.ivleader.com

Read the IV Leader online, meet the staff, apply for a staff position, and explore the newspaper’s long, distinguished history online.

a l

IV LEADER STAFF

Editor Summer Hoagland-Abernathy Opinion Editors Megan Brooker Culture Editor Noah Currie Sydney Johnson Sports Editors Mason Lucas Jacob Steinberg Web Editor Rachel Maggio Social Media Manager Kacie Cusick Photographer Kyle Russell Staff: Seth Opsal, Matt Klein, Elle Bottom, Jeny Cooper, Payton Erricson, Katie Ruppert

Licensed for Reuse Under Wikimedia Commons.

BRETT KAVANAUGH

Sexual assault allegations were brought upon him this year.

BILL CLINTON

Licensed for reuse by Flikr

Sex scandal allegations were brought upon him in 1998.

Licensed for reuse under Wikimedia Commons

THOMAS JEFFERSON

Sexual assault allegations were brought upon him in 1787.

FOLLOW @IVLEADER

IV LEADER

OPINION

October 11, 2018

social culture BY KACIE CUSICK IV LEADER MEDIA MANAGER

study abroad for the food

IV LEADER TWITTER POLL

IV Leader Graphic/Kacie Cusick

An IV Leader Twitter poll by Media Manager Kacie Cusick shows the area favorite conspiracy theories.

conspiracy theories: twitter poll shows your votes for favorite cryptid Do you believe in conspiracy theories?

ue to be a hot topic and will re-

If so, you are not alone. According to a

main so until they are debunked.

recent Twitter poll, eighty six percent of people believe in some sort of conspiracy theory. Unsurprisingly, almost 50% of voters selected the theory that Area 51 has hosted alien life. In second place, voters resonated with the

Honorable mentions of conspiracy theories not listed in this poll are illuminati, bermuda triangle and government controlled jet streams. Enjoy a safe Halloween season and never

notion that a version of sasquatch exists somewhere in the deep forests of North America, lurking in low quality cell phone videos. In a close third place, the idea that maybe, just maybe, the moon landing was filmed in a Hollywood studio instead of on the moon itself.

social culture BY KACIE CUSICK IV LEADER MEDIA MANAGER

Bonjour! Did you know that IVCC offers opportunities to study overseas to different countries? An enriching cultural experience and flexible enough to fit in fall, spring or even a summer semester. Last summer, IVCC sophomore Morgan Phillips took advantage of the program and took a class in Dijon, France. The summer semester was very easy to fit into her schedule as it lasted exactly one month. “One of the best parts of studying abroad was the best food! The supermarket had high quality food, especially the crepes. I even sent my parents a bottle of French wine while I was there,” said Phillips. She went on to say how the best way to save cash while studying abroad is buying your own groceries at the market and preparing your own meals in the dorm. “Going out to eat at a restaurant can be very expensive, and the portion sizes in France are smaller. It is quality over quantity,” she explained. While in France, she had the opportunity to sample many local cheeses, breads and pastries making the entire experience more rich. As for the language

barrier, Phillips had an advantage as she had taken three years of French language in high school. The immersion process not only helped Phillips strengthen her French language skills but it also helped open her eyes to a new culture. During her stay in France, she had the opportunity to interact with other study abroad students. She said the whole trip boosted her confidence in her skill level in the language. As for cultural advice to other students considering traveling abroad, Phillips said, “Europe is a great place to travel if you’re young. They really value young people. They discount public transportation for students.” She also advised not to be daunted if one does not speak another language: “English is a big communication language, and professors are lenient and very helpful even if your language skills aren’t perfect. It is okay to be relaxed!” If you would like to find out more information about studying abroad during your time here at IVCC, contact coordinator Steve Alvin by visiting his office at D-305, calling him at 815224-0423 or emailing him at steve_alvin@ivcc.edu.

SPORTS

October 11, 2018

IV LEADER

IV Leader Photo/Jocelin Islas Garcia

WE’RE TALKING ABOUT PRACTICE

Lady Eagles assistant coach Brittney Moriarity goes over offensive drills with the team during practice. The team starts their preseason on Oct. 13.

Women’s Basketball season Preview:

Lady eagles look to three-peat as conference Champions By Mason Lucas

IV Leader Sports Co-Editor

With every October comes fall weather, Halloween, and the return of basketball. The IVCC Lady Eagles basketball team is set to return to the court on Oct. 13 to defend their back-to-back conference championship run. The Lady Eagles finished 18-11 last year with an 8-2 record in conference, giving them a share of the conference championship for the second straight year. The team is looking to repeat another conference championship run but must do so without key players from last year’s team. Coach Tom Ptak said, “That’s the goal. Our returning [players], their mindset is let’s go get it. Let’s do that.” One team statistical leader lost was Julia Pohar. Pohar averaged 21.4 points per game (ppg) which lead the team. Pohar was also named MVP of the Arrowhead Conference and was a NJCAA All 3rd-team selection. Another statistical leader lost was Quincie Weber. Weber averaged 11.5 ppg and 10.5 rebounds per game (rpg). She was second on the team in scoring and led the team in rebounding.

In all the Lady Eagles lost six sophomores last year, including Hunter Wright, Lauren Tomasson, Paige Talty, and Cassidy Murphy. Coach noted that those are some big shoes to fill, with losing Pohar who was a prolific scorer and Weber who was big for the team in rebounding. “We are losing some big numbers but that’s always the challenge, I think for the kids returning from last year. That’s kind of their incentive. They know what needs to be done and they will step up.” The Lady Eagles however, bring back some returning talent, most notably, Rachel Moraski. Moraski was third on the team in scoring with 10.3 ppg. She also averaged 1.5 steals per game (spg), and 5.9 rpg. The Lady Eagles also bring back Jenna Lusietto, Lexi Marx, Maddie Dougherty and Haylie Barrera. Ptak also noted that the returning players are excited to step-up and have been putting in a lot of work in the off-season to get ready for the upcoming season. The Lady Eagles have also brought in freshman talent this year. Five new players will compete for the Eagles this season. One new players is Presley Hatton,

who averaged 12.1 ppg and 7.2 rpg at Putnam County high school. She also earned Tri-County All-Conference honors. Blair Bullock is another talented incoming freshman, Bullock was an IBCA 1A/2A all-state honorable mention. She averaged 16.7 ppg and is the fourth all-time leading scorer in Kewanee school history with 1,279. Guard Gena Fassino, center Zoe Piano from La-Salle Peru Township high school, and Emily Cook from Leland-Earlville round out the talented freshman class. Ptak is excited about what each player brings to the team in terms of shooting, rebounding, ball handling, and so forth. The team will continue its space and pace offense from last season, and Ptak stated their biggest concern is rebounding and defense. Ptak also stated that they have been working on both right from the start. “This year, overall, we’ll be faster. We are going to struggle with rebounding, but we will be faster and have better shooting... and we been really focusing and defense.” The team starts their season on Oct. 13 with a three-game jamboree in Rockford.

Lady Eagles Basketball Roster 1

Blair Bullock

10 Rachael Moraski

12 Presley Hatton

Jenna Lusietto

14 Haylie Barrera

21 Maddie Dougherty

22 Gena Fassino

23 Emily Cook

35 Zoe Piano

42 Lexi Marx

SUBMITTED PHOTO

SPORTS

IV LEADER

October 11, 2018

Sports at a Glance: Golf, Soccer updates

IV Leader Photo/Seth Opsal

FOCUS UP

Colby Robbins focuses on the ball as he lines up his swing in a outing on Sept.. 22 at the Illinois Valley Classic at Senica’s Oak Ridge Golf Course in La Salle.

eagles end year with best shot round of season By Mason Lucas

IV Leader Sports Co-Editor

The IVCC Men’s Golf season ended Oct. 4-6 as the team particpated in the Region IV tournament to possibly send some golfers to nationals. However, no golfers from the Eagles qualified for nationals and the team finished in 9th place. However, the team did end the season on a high note. Coach Sean Kennedy noted the team shot an overall 303 in their last round, the best of the season. Kennedy stated, “It was encouraging to watch the development of our young team this Fall.” He said, “We closed out the Fall with a season best team score of 303, fifth best on the day of 11 teams.” “With continued effort and improvement, I look forward to our first sub 300 round next spring!” The team’s best finish of the year

Men’s Golf Roster Charlie Dunkel

Patrick Guilfoyle

Josh LaFleur

Ian Legner

Peyton Pyszka

Colby Robbins

was sixth place, where they finished twice. Kennedy noted the team lacked the people and depth and has already begun recruting for the fall 2019 season. Kennedy also stated that the team will be holding tryouts for the spring semester season in March 2019. If interested, contact Sean Kennedy by email at sean_kennedy@ivcc.edu.

IV Leader Photo/Jacob Steinberg

JUST WIN, BABY

Oscar Pizano looks for a pass down the pitch. The Eagles ended up winning this match over Milwaukee Area Technical College by a score of 3-1. That win was their first of the season.

Soccer nears homestretch By Jacob Steinberg

IV Leader Sports Co-Editor

A frustrating regular season on the pitch has finally come to a close for the IVCC Men’s soccer team. The Eagles lost their final home match by a score of 9-1 on Oct. 5. The regional tournament is coming up quickly for the team. Coach Tim Cottingim noted that the outlook for the regional tournament looks rough. “We have not managed the results we want,” said Cottingim. Because of the lack of results, the Eagles face a very tough challenge on the road in the first round in the tournament. Although a frustrating season on the surface, there is a positive that Cottingim is ultimately pleased with: The players have been doing well in the classrooms. “We have eight sophomores that are all doing pretty well academically and fulfilling their obligation as a student in their student-athlete profile,” said Cottingim. The Eagles will go on the road to Triton College Saturday, Oct. 13 at noon for their first round matchup in the Region IV tournament. Triton is ranked sixth in the nation and is the top seed in the region.

October 11, 2018

SPORTS

IV LEADER

athletic Department hosts successful trivia night

ATHLETES AND SCHOLARS

The Lady Eagles Volleyball team tested their minds at the 4th annual trivia night on Sept. 29

The IVCC Athletics Department hosted its 4th Annual Trivia Night on Sept. 29. The successful event saw nearly 30 teams compete for the trivia title. This departmental fundraiser involves all 10 IVCC athletic teams. The proceeds help to fund the IVCC Athletics Website, as well as other departmental needs. Athletic Director Cory Tomasson stated, “We are really pleased with the turn-out again this year. “The student athletes dedicate a great deal of time and effort to represent IVCC, so it is wonderful to see that they have so much support from other students, faculty and staff, and the community.” Many student athletes also competed in the event.

return of the Mack

Mack and the Bears Bear down on Nfc north Sept. 1, 2018, could potentially be remembered as one of the biggest days that altered the course of the Chicago Bears franchise. When Jon Gruden, head coach of the Oakland Raiders, shipped Khalil Mack to the Chicago Bears for two first-round picks in 2019 and 2020, a third-round pick in 2020, and a sixthround pick in 2019, the expectations for the team changed dramatically. The acquisition of Mack was a statement that the Bears are ready to win now. A top three defensive player in the NFL, Mack does not just change the expectations of the Bears, but he changes the defensive dynamic. Mack was built to play the outside linebacker position in the 3-4 defense. At six-foot-three and 252 pounds, he is a similar build to Lawrence Taylor, who is probably the greatest defensive player of all time. One could argue that Mack is a modern-day Lawrence Taylor. His relentless pursuit makes him a match-up nightmare for offensive

tackles. In order to beat him, you must double team him, triple-team him, or chip block him with an in-line tight end. If you do not do either of those three options, it is likely he will sack your quarterback, or strip sack him. Mack’s feared prescience on the gridiron makes the Bears defense a Super Bowl caliber defense. They were a top 10 unit without him last season. Through four games in 2018, the Bears defense has become a top five defensive unit. Compared to 20 points per game last year, the Bears defense is only giving up 16.3 points per game this year, while leading the NFL with 18 sacks so far. Also, the Bears have already tied their interception totals from 2015 through 2017. With eight interceptions in only four games, the Bears defense has finally broken through and is creating turnovers once again. We should also know that Mack creates double teams and triple teams on the outside. That allows three technique defensive end Akiem Hicks to

create pressure up the middle which collapses the pocket for quarterbacks. It also creates more opportunities for Leonard Floyd to get more one-onone matchups on the outside since teams are so focused on Mack. Though Floyd has yet to record a sack, he has played quite well considering he was playing with a club on his hand for the first two weeks of the season. Through four games so far this season, Mack looks like a man who will win his second Defensive Player of the Year award. With five sacks, four forced fumbles, an interception return for a touchdown, and 17 tackles, Mack was recently named NFC Defensive Player of the Month for September. He is the game-changer that the Bears needed in their defense. The Bears stand at 3-1 through four games. Without Mack, they would be 1-3, maybe even 0-4. The acquisition of Mack made the Bears defense a Super Bowl caliber defense. With developing sophomore quarterback Mitchell

Trubisky and rookie head coach Matt Nagy, the offense still has a way to go until it is rounded into form; though Trubisky showed flashes of his high ceiling when he tossed six touchdowns against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bears are coming out of the wilderness that they were in for the past four years. General manager Ryan Pace deserves credit for the rebuild he has done in his four years as the general manager. With a young quarterback on his rookie deal and an elite defense, the resurgent Monsters of the Midway are in a prime position to bring the Lombardi Trophy back to Chicago within the next few seasons.

Bits and Bytes BY JACOB STEINBERG SPORTS CO-EDITOR

SPORTS

October 11, 2018

MEN’S BASKETBALL ROSTER 5

Kahlil Brummett F

10 Larry Allen

12 Avierre Ross

20 Joe LaShonse

21 Mitchell Vickers G

22 Yansyn Taylor

23 Ty Bland

24 Christian Walker F

30 Joel Pantoja

RJ Thaxton

32 Vyshonn Munson G So Submitted photo/IVCC Athletic Department

NEW YEAR, NEW EXPECTATIONS

The IVCC Men’s Basketball team is looking for a rebound year after a frustrating end to last season. The Eagles are coached by Chris Herman, who is entering his fifth season as head coach.

33 Connor Wilson

G Fr

34 Tyus Smith

50 Rahim McKee-Strong F Fr

meN’S BaSKeTBaLL preVIeW:

eagles look to live up to Potential expectations By Jacob Steinberg

IV Leader Sports Co-Editor

The IVCC Men’s Basketball team is on the hunt for redemption after a frustrating end to last season. Finishing last season 19-13, the Eagles lost to the eventual national champions Triton College in the Region IV semifinals. Coach Chris Herman is sees potential areas of improvement this season in areas where the team struggled last season. “I think we got a little bit more depth than last year, but it is still yet to be seen as far as how well we are going to rebound,” said Herman. He also stated that the team has better all-around shooters than last year. The loss of Keymonta Johnson, the leading scorer and rebounder from last season, and Isaiah Tubbs left a big void in terms of leadership and production. Herman is counting on returning sophomore Ty Bland to take over the leadership role. Bland is a streaky shooter with great

body control. He averaged 14.9 points per game and shot 42.8 percent from the floor in his freshman season. After showing flashes of his potential ceiling last season, Bland put work in during the offseason to better condition himself for a role like this. “I worked on my jumper, I need to make that more consistent, and trying to get to the hole,” said Bland. “He’s gotten stronger and really scoring the ball well in the preseason,” said Herman. “He has the chance to be a really good player.” Bland is poised to be a leader this season and is willing to take on the challenge. Another returning sophomore that Herman is high on is R.J. Thaxton. Thaxton played well last season when he came off the bench, though it is evident in Herman’s eyes that he has improved his game over the offseason. “He’s improved his offensive game,” said Coach Herman. He is finishing and shooting the ball better than last season, according to Herman. Other returning sophomores include Julian Jones, Vyshonn Munson, and Kahlil Brummett. On the other hand, Coach Herman recruited nine new freshmen for this sea-

son. He has recruited heavily out of the area as he usually does: Yansyn Taylor, Avierre Ross, and Connor Wilson are the focal point of the out of area class that Herman has assembled. Wilson, who recently transferred from Heidelberg University, is a knock-down shooter who boasts a ton of potential. “He could be a kid that starts or comes off the bench… pretty good athlete,” said Herman. Herman has also put a larger emphasis on local recruits as well. Rahim McKee-Strong, Joel Pantoja, Mitchell Vickers, and Joe LaShonse highlight the out of area class that Herman gathered. McKee-Strong, a six-foot-six forward from DePue, will primarily play in the post. “He’s definitely going to have to play well for us to play successful because we are slim at the power forward position,” said Herman. “I’m hoping he’s going to play well. He brings some pretty good energy… when he plays hard he’s a handful, the type of kid you don’t like to guard in the post.” The freshman class Herman assembled possesses a lot of potential. Due to thin number of forwards, the Eagles will be

switching to a dribble-drive motion offense this year. The defense will remain man-to-man, but Herman will explore zone defenses throughout games. Herman is excited about the upcoming season. Though there is excitement in the air for the team, Coach Herman said their schedule is the “toughest yet.” “We don’t have any J.V. teams on our schedule, and we have Parkland coming in here.” In addition to Parkland, the Eagles will be making a road trip to Kirkwood Community College in Iowa, a top ten team. Despite the tough schedule the team is facing, Coach Herman is not holding back his big expectations for this season. “We talked about team goals, to win 20 would be outstanding. I think our schedule is more favorable because we’ve got more home games.” The Eagles started their pre-season on October 7 with three running clock scrimmages against Lake Michigan Community College, Moraine Valley, and Wabash Community College. The team officially starts their season on November 3 in a home match-up against Morton College.

volume 53 Issue 3 october 11, 2018

IV Leader Sports

mid-season review: men’s golf and SoCCeR page 13

Season Previews: Women’s Basketball page 12

men’s Basketball page 15

iv leader photo/jacob steinberg